Bistro 33

I was there 2 weeks ago, I walk into the store and there was only 2 people inside, I sat on a 4 people table and the waitress gave the dirty look and said to me ""Sir you have to sit on 2 people table because we are getting busy.... I said you are kidding me there are only 2 people here.... anyway I let it go... last nigh the same thing happens again, no people in the store I sat on 4 people table and the waitress comes and tells me that she will have to move me cause they are busy,... I mean are you kidding me????? That why you don’t have any people. Cause you are never busy!!!!! IM NOT GOING AGAIN THAT WAS VERY OFFENSIVE! Keep you empty tables because you are going get busy one day……. When they change waitress! Pros: Food Cons: Service more

I had HIGH hopes for Bistro 33. It's so close to my house...it broke my heart when I went there and everything seemed over priced and the shrimp dish I ordered came and was TINY. 3 Tiny shrimp and about a 1/4 of a cup of salad for 18$. Go with the Dragon Roll or something a little more reasonable and I think you'll be happier with your visit. Pros: Location, Atmosphere, Nice wait staff, Not crowded Cons: Too expensive, small portions, more

I was excited when this place opened up in my neighborhood. It's a short walk from my apartment and the food is AMAZING. But I've been screwed twice. I've given them every chance and they've failed to redeem themselves. The last two times I've been there have been disastrous and I'm never going back. \r \r Instance 1) I went with my wife and ordered what at point was my favorite dish: hangar steak - rare. The steak arrived and it was well done. Ok, no problem everyone has on off day. I hate to complain but I can't eat steak cooked that way. I called the waiter over and he agreed that the steak was unacceptable. He apologized, took it away and I was pleased. Ten minutes later he brought me a freshly cooked steak. When I cut into it and took a bite I realized that again it wasn't rare; instead it was uncooked. It was seared on the outside and cold on the inside. Basically it was raw. Again, reluctantly, I called the waiter over and pointed out the steak wasn't rare, it was raw. At that point I thought the best thing to do was have the steak wrapped up. Which they did. I took it home, finished cooking it and it was delicious. \r \r Instance 2) New Years Eve 2009. Prix Fixe, wife and I went with another couple. We were excited. Trouble started before very long. It was a brutally cold night and we were sitting directly under a heating vent. After no more than 10 minutes we were all completely uncomfortable from being toasted with the heat at full blast. We quickly realized this would be a problem and mentioned it to management. They did their best to mollify us but the heat didn't stop. To make a long, unpleasant evening short: we were never appeased. We were uncomfortable throughout our meal. Again, it was prix fixe, with wine paired with each course. In addition we had cocktails and three bottles of wine. We ended up dropping over $700 for the four of us and I never felt that we were well taken care of. In the end we left before the dessert course and I felt ripped off. Pros: Brilliant chef, interesting menu, delicious food. Cons: uncaring service, they'll take your money and thank you but don't expect to be taken care of more

I was at the restaurant on Friday night. The owners seemed to be having a fight amongst themselves that went outside in heated discussion. However the very professional staff kept their heads above the fray. The service was great. The Shrimp main course was excellent; the cous cous was exceptional. The incessant ringing of the bell for food pick up gets a bit annoying. However, this does not take away from the service and the quality of the food. So, overall I strongly recommend it. Pros: Excellent food, wide choice of items Cons: owners squabble and annoying bell more

Every experience I have had at this restaurant has been delightful. I have nothing but great things to say about the food and the service. I have been fequenting the restaurant since its opening and find the food to be unbelieveably consistent and the service to be informative, friendly, without being obtrusive. more

We tried this place a year ago, and although the service was not special, inventive menu & impressive skills of the chefs made us recommend this place to friends all over. To all people saying that Astoria had lost it, we would say - ""- no it didn't - try Bistro 33 !"". Finally, we were back in the neighborhood and without doubt went there. What a disappointment ! I understand that brush waiters, begging for service and complete rudeness of the staff might be considered ""Great Service"" by recent transplants, who are tired of Cheesecake Factory cheerfulness. But after a hard day of work, being on tight schedule, (some people have kids), you would like to put your drink order in, without yelling at the waiter for 3 times, you would also like to be accommodated when you are the ONLY couple in the restaurant. Our request to be moved to a larger table was met with ""We do mind you moving there, you'll need to sit at the smaller table"". Great way to keep a customer happy, especially when yours is the ONLY party there! The food was inconsistent, with some appetizers being awesome and others making us wish that they had a Mustard-Ketchup-Salt&Pepper tray on the table. I understand that the restaurant's exceptional menu & owners' media connections had made this little place a financial success, but ""professional"" restaurant hunters will soon find a new little ""gem"" in Brooklyn, while these two local diners will not come back. And guess what, the larger table was still empty when we were leaving, because there was still ONLY one couple at the restaurant, crammed at the tiny table trying to place all the plates on the tiny surface. Pros: Unusual Menu, Easy Parking Cons: You are transparent to the staff, they're waiting for Cinthia Nixon more

So after all this hype in the yellowcab ads we thought we'd find a new favorite in our hood but walked away really dissappointed. The place was dingy (dirty floors and smudged tables, stained chairs with crumbs on them at beginning of brunch service) with old beat up tables and chairs. There were only two other couples in the place at the hight of brunch time - now we know why. Coffee was undrinkable - kept at bar in a thermos - stale, bitter and luke warm. It took 20 minutes for only one of our orders to arrive, waited another 5 minutes for the other - it's been a long time since we saw a restaurant not even make an apology about not bringing both orders at same time. It seemed the chef forgot the second order. The food was dissapointing. Omelette was ok although like warm at best, grits were brought cold and oversalted. Will not go back. Cons: Food, service, location. more

The one thing working against Bistro 33 is its size- the place is downright small. That being said, the service is pretty good, the specialty cocktails are tasty, the ambiance is nice, but it's the food that takes it to the next level. The sushi rolls are inventive combinations that work well together. I heart a place that can serve duck that has a crispy skin but isn't greasy. The special foi gras burger was so decadent I just might burst a vein if I had it more than twice a year. None-too-pleased with the lamb chops though; they were prepared too rare for me. Outer boro is the place to go for good eats. Hop on the N and go on an adventure. Pros: Great sushi rolls, great specials. Cons: Quite small, not good for parties larger than 4. more

One of the best meals I've had in New York.\r \r Went to dinner with my boss and two clients from Japan and the whole dining experience was impeccable...everything from the food to the service. \r \r My table manners and etiquette shined that night. \r \r Simply classy, graceful and almost perfect.\r \r Pros: ambiance ,food, service Cons: nothing more

Holy hell this restaurant is amazing! The food is excellent, the service is great, the atmosphere is relaxing and upbeat, the waitstaff is courteous, well versed in the menu, and fun. \r \r The first time I ate at Bistro 33, I was a little anxious that the prices would break my pocketbook, but No! It was a Wednesday. The DUCK CONFIT was fantastic and was exactly as you'd want it--it had the most perfect crispness to the skin and exact degree of richness without feeling fatty or like too much. \r \r The second time I went I had the TOFU STEAK and holy hell again; I had NO idea what to expect but left soooo satisfied. Plus the deserts are almost beyond imagination.\r \r I go more during the weekday versus weekend, as it is a small space and reservations for weekends are muy muy hard to get. So if you want a weekend date, plan ahead and call for reservations a few days in advance.(That should be obvious for any popular intimate restaurant, I think). On the weekdays, you can step in without too much work. They are very accommodating.\r Pros: Food and Service Cons: ?????????????????? more

Didn't know anything about this place, but my friends all raved about this place so I went with them the other night. Everything was great! My girlfriend got a bunch of sushi and I had a short rib burger that was awesome. Great beer selection too. The service was friendly and the chef came out invite us to a party they are having to celebrate their 1 year anniversary. More burgers and beer, sounds good to me. Pros: Brunch more

I had read a good review about this restaurant in TONY and I decided to try it out for brunch with my husband and his cousin. The server was very pleasant, but we should have taken our first cue from the fact that there was only one other occupied table. One of our meals (apple and brie omelet with a mixed greens salad) had a PIECE OF LATEX GLOVE in it. That meal was comp'ed, but the server told us that we would still be charged for the mimosa... by the way, the mimosa is INCLUDED in the price of the brunch, which is too expensive for the quality of the food. I had the banana and walnut pancakes, which were mediocre and were served with syrup that tasted like Log Cabin. \r \r Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this restaurant for brunch. Save yourself $2 a head and walk to Crescent street and Ditmars, home of Fatty's Cafe... the food is consistently good and the atmosphere is engaging. Pros: friendly wait staff Cons: unsatisfactory food quality more

The food and atmosphere in this restaurant our great. I have been there a few times for dinner and it is wonderful. The service is very nice once you are sat. There is even a great outdoor area. The service was even nice enough to put me on an outside table so my dog could sit. The prices are right for the food. Good wine selection also. I would highly recommend this place. Pros: near park more

I gave this place a try .I thought it would be good.... ughhh old nasty sushi. I returned two pieces and did not bother eating the rest...it truly was old and nasty...never going back Pros: Good beer selection Cons: Nasty raw fish more

Great food in terms of tase and quality. Unique menu, prices a little bit high,but it's worth it. Loved the lamb chops. Just wish it was a bit bigger. Pros: Great food Cons: Can't go there with a big party. more

I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. The cuisine is out of this world, I've had my share of sushi and the sushi here is excellent, very fresh and well prepared. If you're not in the mood for sushi and instead want one of the courses (such as the lamb chops!!!) you have a good selection and every so often the chef will surprise with you a special that's not on the menu (Ostrich!!!). The chocolate souffle is a sin that's how good it is. My son often stops by on his way home from school for the sushi or the chocolate souffle. I have always had excellent service, everyone there is very attentive. I celebrated my son's 13th birthday there and the waiter was a riot...it was great. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this establishment the only one thing that would improve it is to expand the space and make it bigger it gets filled up on weekends. Cons: Space more

Small place, but the food is delicious!!! Probably the best sushi I have had in Astoria,hands down!\r Wait staff was very curteous.\r I will def. be going back there again. more

I THOUGHT SUNDAY NIGHT would be a good time to visit Bistro 33. No such luck. They only have about eight tables for two and four bar stools. Then they cram in another two tall, bar-style tables and stools in the middle of the ""room."" It's more the size of an alcove studio with attached kitchen. THE PRICES are expense for what it is. As for the Japanese-fusion...I didn't see it. There were sushi dishes, regular American style chicken and pork entrees and steak. MY WAITER was very nice, attractive with a good sense of humor. The bartender (and possible owner) was just as nice. THE MOST ANNOYING PRACTICE that restaurants employ is violating credit card policies by either not taking the credit cards they advertise or maintain a policy of requiring minimum charges for credit cards. Merchants must follow certain acceptance rules in order to be granted the privilege of accepting VISA, MasterCard or American Express cards. VISA, MasterCard or American Express acceptance rules prohibits merchants from establishing any minimum amount below which the merchant won't accept payment via VISA, MasterCard or American Express cards. IN CASE YOU FEEL LIKE STANDING UP for your consumer rights, search ""How To Report Merchants For Requiring A Minimum Purchase"" to report a merchant that participates in this practice. Pros: Large selection on menu; good looking and clean bathroom Cons: Expensive for what it claims to be; they violate credit card merchant policy more

I saw a lot of negative reviews on here but I really liked this place. The waiter was very friendly and attentive/actually had a sense of humor. I had a fresh raspberry sake-tini that was delicious and their sushi was as well.... interesting combos like spicy white tuna/asparagus roll....yum! I liked that their menu had a mix of traditional American & Asian foods. I had a traditional salad & dessert but all sushi for dinner (good mix). I would definitely come back in the warm weather to enjoy the outside seating! more

I was a huge fan of Lil' Bistro 33 when it was located on 36th Ave. I thought it would be a great idea to try out their new digs on Ditmars for New Year's Eve dinner BUT, I was wrong. I called in a reservation a week in advance and was advised that they would have a veggie option on the menu (with no mention of a prixe fix menu). Upon arriving at the restaurant my fiance and I were met with a prixe fix menu that did not include ANY veggie option (even the soup was made with fish). Upon notifying the waitress of the discrepancy, she disappeared to the back (probably to speak with the chef). After a very long pause, she returned to tell us that there was no veggie option and that was that. NO, SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. NO, CAN WE DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR YOU. NOTHING. So, we left and headed down the block to Agnanti where the service (as always) was great and the food FABULOUS. Because of this experience, I will not patronize Bistro 33 and I will spread the word of their ill-manners, poor customer service and lack of loyalty to customers that supported them when they were, literally, a whole in the wall! Pros: Close to Astoria Park and more accomodating restaurants Cons: Too many to list. more