Owner Darren Lawless has described Il Bambino as a “sophisticated sandwich shop,” which is an adequate description when one considers that his signature panini and crostini include a much richer combination of flavors than one would normally expect in a panini. “We go outside the box,” Darren stated, pointing out how the Italian staple snack needs to be “elevated” in order to suit the particular New Yorker's taste. The way to do that, according to Darren, is to mix different varieties of the well-known Italian ingredients - prosciutto, salami, and cheese - creatively with home-made spreads like a special béarnaise and spicy mayo. The product has to be simple, but there also “has to be a wow factor” involved. Hence the crostini with goat cheese, apricot butter, and chorizo, or the truffle potato and string bean salads, which can be accompanied by a small selection of wine and beer.
Originally from Dublin, Darren came to New York City when he was in his early twenties and worked as a chef in numerous restaurants. In 2006, Darren decided to open the first Il Bambino in Astoria with the simple objective of serving delicious panini and great coffee. His business was so successful that in March of 2016, he inaugurated the second Il Bambino, but this time in the West Village. Now focused on building a brand, Darren is looking forward to opening other locations in the future and putting his creative sandwiches and small plates to the test. He made a point of emphasizing, though, that the quality of Il Bambino will not be sacrificed in the process, as it is essential to the goal of building a brand in the first place. “Once people know you’re synonymous with quality,” Darren said, “you can put your brand on everything.”
