Cortina

03/03/09

Romantic but Needs Work

by hungrycouple at Citysearch

We'll confess, we had our first date at Cortina and have been back a few times including to celebrate anniversaries.

The food is good, serviceable Northern Italian served in a very pretty setting. When the weather is nice, try to get the round table by the open windows. It gives you the breeze and feeling of sitting in the outdoor cafe while keeping the 2nd Avenue noise down. But our romantic haze notwithstanding, the service here leaves something to be desired and the owner needs a management class. There only ever seems to be one waitress and although she does well early in the evening, as the place fills it becomes impossible to get her attention. The owner is effusively friendly as long as you're sitting down to a meal. If you're only starting with drinks or perhaps some coffee and cake however, he can be downright rude and doesn't realize that you could enjoy yourself and be back tomorrow for dinner.

• Cons: Slow service

02/21/09

Italian Job!!

by cchhannddrraa at Citysearch

I love this restaurant. I don't remember much about it since it's been probably about a year since I last went. I remember that I had the pesce spana and it was the most amzing pesce spana I ever had. Also I remember feeling young and underdressed.The food is very good here. I highly recommend it.

• Pros: food,service

09/19/08

Avoid for a decent italian meal in NYC.

by somessound at Citysearch

This may have been one of the worst NY restaurant experiences imaginable.

Food was mediocre. Owner was less than accommodating, and verging on rude.

Antipasto was served with no salad or bread-just cheap cold cuts. Wait staff was oblivious to any request.

Wine list lacked any details of vintage.

Really bad experience.

Stay away.

• Pros: easy to get a table
• Cons: Food and service

05/30/08

Great Italian pasta!!!

by nygirlblue at Citysearch

This place has really, really good food and the price is very, very reasonable. I live in the area and this is where we would go when friends come into town or when we just want good Italian food.

• Pros: Food, price
• Cons: None

12/27/06

Great Sauce, Hearty Chicken Parmagiana, Decent Service, Low-Key, Not Pricey

by cobraman332 at Citysearch

Cortina is an good restaurant. I live around the corner and have my choice of dozens (literally, dozens) of Italian restaurants within a few blocks of my apartment but I always come back to Cortina -- it's the best. The restaurant is never crowded and I haven't once needed to call for a reservation. The service is extremely prompt and I find that my water glass is always full (which, as someone who used to be a waiter/busboy, is a big deal to me). Even the rolls that servers bring to the table to eat while one waits for food to come out are the most delicious I have ever had -- they are warm and soft and practically melt in your mouth (no butter or olive oil needed, I promise)... occasionally they can be hard/stale though. The wine selection is definitely more than adequate. In my opinion their salads are good but I find the Cortina Salad (chopped warm vegetables tossed in romaine lettuce with a lemon vinagrette dressing - $7) is the definitely best starter. But what sets Cortina apart is its sauce. The simple red pasta sauce that is served with many dishes is some of the best I have ever had in my life -- probably my favorite in NYC. In my opinion the best dish there is the Chicken Parmagiana, which includes a large piece of chicken breast (breaded and fried perfectly with plenty of cheese), and a huge portion of pasta in their delectable sauce. It's a simple dish but Cortina does it incredibly well and for a great price ($12). I am never able to finish my Cortina Salad and Chicken Parmagiana but I bring home what I can't eat and it's always good the next day also. Like I said, I think this is a solid Italian restaurant in the UES and you should not miss an opportunity to check it out. Standard food, not pricey, good service, and low-key. It won't knock your socks off, but it hits the spot when I want a hearty order of chicken parm.

• Pros: Amazing Food, Good Service, Relaxed Atmosphere, Not Crowded, Inexpensive!
• Cons: Lots of Elderly Diners

12/15/06

Homemade pasta

by fsu32173 at Citysearch

I went with a very large group, who was also loud, but the the staff was really understanding and friendly about it. And I don't think any of the other patrons complained about us, or at least we didn't receive any dirty looks. The staff was a little slow though, and we waited a really long time for our food. We ordered a variety of dishes, and I have to admit, the Homemade pasta, especially the raviolis were great. The regular pasta dishes - not so great. It was flavorless, the sauce bland, and i wasn't too happy with it. But when my friends took pity on me and gave me some ravioli, i really enjoyed it. Especially the porcini raviloi. The appetizers were also great. Very flavorful and tasty.

So, it's your typical italian, nothing exciting, but if you go, get the homemade pasta dishes.

• Pros: Homemade pasta
• Cons: Regular pasta, slow service

10/05/06

Poor service

by krissy547 at Citysearch

In an area where there are so many great restaurants there is no excuse for the poor service and rough treatment that I received at this restaurant. I tried to order Broccoli Rabe with Orchiette, and was told no, there was no broccoli rabe. I have never heard such a thing, worse yet I wasn't offered an appology or a substitution within the dish and the waiter/manager gave me an attitude when I said I needed another minute to decide. I will never go back here again.

• Pros: The decor is nice
• Cons: Everything else.

05/21/06

Good local Italian

by nes at Citysearch

My husband and I have been to Cortina several times since moving to this neighborhood. We have enjoyed the consistently good food, pleasant atmosphere, and friendly service. The chicken parm is great! This place is a good neighborhood standby.

05/19/06

Cortina Italian Restaurant

by elizabethwonnacott at Citysearch

The grilled portabella appetizer was cold, the calamari had a piece of plastic in it, the swordfish (the special) was overcooked and tasteless. The salad had wilted bits in it and the service was confused and slow. The owner/manager was arrogant. Too bad - it could be fabulous with location and decor.

• Cons: music too loud

05/13/06

Great Food, Great Service!

by zinc at Citysearch

I have been eating at Cortina for at least 10 years, and have consistantly been delighted with the quality of the food and service. Chef Richard is always eager to please, and will be happy make something special 'off the menu' if you ask. My mother-in-law has special needs, and Richard always sees to it that her food is special too! We have had many family parties there, and the staff has made each occassion special. A meal there will certainly not disappoint.