11/30/08

Bad Service, Bad Food

by willnotbeshown

The food is way overpriced based on both its quality and quantity. The service is bad. It may have been good at one time, but not when I went. Skip it.

05/19/08

Delicious, adventurous Italian cuisine served simply and earnestly.

by jcisrhiannon

Delicious homemade pastas, a menu heavy on wild game, baby eels, and under-offered meats like pheasant and dishes like panzanella. I had a delicious homemade papardelle with porcini mushrooms that was perfectly seasoned with soft, meaty, earthy tasty mushrooms. The atmosphere is not elegant, but the restaurant is cute and simple. The focus is on the food, and even on a quiet Monday night, I could tell that the attentiveness to detail had not flagged. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is a sleeper.

• Pros: Authentic italian, not red sauce, no reservations necessary
• Cons: Uninspired ambience, across from Bed Bath & Beyond

Everything is house-made at this game-focused Tuscan restaurant on the Upper East Side.

by Justin Hartung

In Short
A cloth banner bearing the Italian name for Florence proudly declares the chef's origins at this narrow brick-lined restaurant. White tablecloths and glass sconces keep the neighborhood's moneyed crowd feeling pampered, while vintage photos and maps of Tuscany engender an earthier ambience. In addition to classics such as lasagne made with bechamel and spaghetti with clams, there is also an extensive game menu. Everything is made on-site, from a starter of venison carpaccio to the tiramisu at meal's end.

11/21/06

Great Tuscan Food

by orrinlevine

We ate here two weeks ago and had an amazing meal. There was a problem with our reservation, but the owner gave us a free bottle of wine which we were able to choose from the wine list. We all had the wild game tasting menu which was absolutely delicious, and very reasonable priced considering the quality of the food. The waiter had no problem allowing us to substitute a pasta dish off of the regular menu in place of one on the tasting menu. Whoever wrote the negative review must have no clue what they are talking about or had a very unusual experience. Four of us went to dinner and all four left completely sated and very happy that we discovered the restaurant. My girlfriend and I are going back this Friday and plan on making this our regular neighborhood restaurant. If you want delicious authentic Tuscan food, you'll have a hard time beating La Cantina Toscana.

• Pros: Amazing food
• Cons: Might have to wait to be seated

10/11/06

Giuseppe

by firwol

Thank goodness catsmom will not go here anymore!

Only you (or your husband) know how asparagus can be overwhelming in taste! they are used to balance out flavors because they are mild...your husband probably wanted cheese because people who do not understand food put it on any kind of pasta.

It would be a crime to put parmigiano on a light dish with shrimp and asparagus!

I am glad to hear that my fellow Fiorentini declined such an ignorant request...FORZA VIOLA!

p.s....who cares how old your mom is???

• Pros: true tuscan food
• Cons: ignorant guests

04/03/06

Love this Hidden Gem

by nyc_native77

We have been going to this restaurant for the past year and it is one of our favorites--and we have dined as some of the best. The chef and host/server (Maximiliano) are co-owners from Italy. You cannot get more authentic. For the reviewer that complained that the chef would not serve contrary to the authenticity of his dish -- that should be a compliment to the chef! His dishes are very unique and delicious. The specials amazing....must try the gnocchi with oxtail. Highly, highly recommend this restaurant.

• Pros: Specials, Service, Authenticity

12/31/05

Here the customer is "never right"

by catsmom

My husband, mother (85), daughter and I had a unique experience at La Cantina Toscana last week. My husband wanted to try a new dish (pasta with shrimp and asparagus) and I ordered a pasta with porcini mushrooms. When we received our meals, I received the wrong entree but kept as I didn't want to delay our meal. Finding the taste of the asparagus overpowering in his dish, my husband requested some cheese for his pasta. Not only was the request ignored by the owner but when reissued, we were told that he would never serve cheese with this dish - he was being true to "his origins". There were only two others in the restaurant - while other establishments in the neighborhood were standing room only. After this experience, we understood why so few were in the restaurant. It's amazing there were any!

11/30/05

Truly Tuscan

by sunshinedays

Having just returned from vacation in Firenze, I was shopping at a store near this restaurant and happened upon it! What luck. It is very small and I felt as if we were back in Tuscany. My mouth was watering reading the menu, so we entered. We shared a bottle of Chianti very good choice. I had a venison ragu over fresh pasta that was supurb. I split a sampling of homemade wild boar sausages over cannellini beans another good choice. My companion had the fresh fish of the day served in a parchment paper with steamed veggies, fresh and tender. Dessert we split a chocholate soufle, great but not low cal! They have lots of specials. We will definitely become regulars.

• Pros: fresh authentic food, wild game, italian vibe
• Cons: small, one bathroom

10/13/05

Wild Game

by judgiepudge

The restaurant looks quaint and inviting from the street. they have an interesting menu with a variety of wild game dishes - ex: wild boar etc along with your more traditional dishes. Server had a bit of an attitude when told that the calamari didn't taste fresh. sent back dish and they took it off the bill. There are too many restaurants to try to go back here again but if wild game is your thing - go for it.

• Pros: ambience, quiet