Bottino Restaurant Review: Just slightly ahead of the West Chelsea boom that brought artistic types and other trendsetters to the once-industrial neighborhood, Bottino has retained the casual, cutting-edge feel it had when it opened. The converted hardware store still has the original wooden floors, shelving and skylight, a wood-paneled bar in front and a stark '60s dining room in back, from which you can gaze on a plant-filled garden through a sliding garage door. The menu doesn't push any envelopes, but we enjoy the tuna tartare with sesame oil, ginger and watercress salad; the homemade spinach ravioli verdi with ricotta, Swiss chard filling, tomato and basil sauce; and the roast rack of lamb with potatoes roasted in garlic, rosemary and sage. Bottino offers an impressive list of (mostly) Italian boutique wines, with nearly a dozen selections by the glass for around $6-$10.
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