Openings

First Look at Panini Expert Il Bambino’s New Manhattan Outpost

The shop opens Monday.
The shop opens Monday. Photo: Jody Wissner

Remember the amazing panini proliferation of the late ’90s and early aughts and the late great South Village sandwich nook ’ino? If you miss it all, you’ll be glad to know that the excellent Astoria panini specialist Il Bambino has branched out with a Manhattan spinoff, where chef-owner Darren Lawless will ply his knack for smooshing sandwiches on electric grills. Unbound by any minimalist panini protocol, Lawless amps up his sandwiches with things like McClure’s pickles, Russian dressing, spicy potato chips, onion jam, mac ’n’ cheese, and béarnaise mayo. There’s antipasti, crostini, and salads, too, plus 16 egg-centric brunch panini available practically ‘round the clock on Fridays through Sundays and every holiday Monday.

Porchetta panino with spicy pickle slaw.
Porchetta panino with spicy pickle slaw. Photo: Jody Wissner
Roast-chicken panino with mozzarella, arugula, and spicy mayo.
Roast-chicken panino with mozzarella, arugula, and spicy mayo. Photo: Jody Wissner
Smoked-bacon panino with tomato, arugula, and Asiago.
Smoked-bacon panino with tomato, arugula, and Asiago. Photo: Jody Wissner
Fingerling-potato salad.
Fingerling-potato salad. Photo: Jody Wissner
Crostino topped with tuna spread, tomato pesto, scallions, and chile oil.
Crostino topped with tuna spread, tomato pesto, scallions, and chile oil. Photo: Jody Wissner
Chickpea panzanella.
Chickpea panzanella. Photo: Jody Wissner
A dining counter looks out onto ever-changing but still stubbornly schlocky West 8th Street.
A dining counter looks out onto ever-changing but still stubbornly schlocky West 8th Street. Photo: Jody Wissner
The restaurant has 64 seats and a hand-built bar, and keeps late-night hours.
The restaurant has 64 seats and a hand-built bar, and keeps late-night hours. Photo: Jody Wissner

Il Bambino; 48 W. 8th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-228-2466

*This article appears in the March 21, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.

First Look at Il Bambino’s New Location