Il Cantinori

02/01/09

Nice place, Service OK ,food average. Dont go there for restaurant week

by stevek0528 at Citysearch

3 of us went during restaurant week. Clearly they operate a "class" system for restaurant week. Ordering from the A la carte menu gave you a nice table in the back, "restauarant weekers "gave you a table in the freezing cold front of the restaurant.

Menu was very limited and did not really give a true reflection of the dishes from the main menu

Starters were OK, main Pasta dish was bland, deserts were good..Apple pie was delicious

Would I go back and spend $60-$70 for a meal. NO

• Pros: Ambiance, Flowers

01/31/09

Not that great for restaurant week

by halli620 at Citysearch

I didn't like the dish I got, but I may have been happier with something else. I picked the Restaurant Week veal "with herbs," but it was mostly with anise and I don't like meat with anise. The tiramisu was very good, but the apple tart was chewy and unappetizing. Also, it started getting crowded at 7:30/8, and I guess they turned the heat off so it didn't get too hot in the rest of the restaurant, but by the window in the back room it was freezing. If I went back ever I'd try a different dish and see if it's better, but I was not too impressed this time.

• Pros: cute place
• Cons: didn't like the dish I got

05/29/08

Great Management

by aycaugur at Citysearch

I sent my group of visitors there; they liked the food (especially pasta), atmosphere and the service. When I caught them it was 11.30 pm and the waiters were cleaning up the tables. There was noise while they are preparing for the next day. The waiter asked to clean up our table and I made a kind comment that they would kick us if we stay more (we were the only table at the back side). The waiter apologized and told the reason of the pack up. Ten minutes later a Champaign appeared for apologizing in a better way. (Very very professional management). Then I told that my friend had a birthday that?s why we are not hurrying and keeping the conversation, then again about ten minutes later the birthday cake appeared to the table. We left with a very good feelings about the place and forgot everything about the noisy pack up process. You can take your friends, being sure that they will enjoy the night.

• Pros: Service

05/19/08

Great for Groups

by mercerlove at Citysearch

Il Cantinori came through in a big big way. I celebrated my birthday there and I couldn't have been happier with the experience. I was frantic to find a restaurant that would accommodate my growing party size from 9 to 11. My bf called at 7:30 pm on a Saturday night and asked for a 9:30 reservation for 11 ppl. Miraculously they could! The evening turned out perfect as we had the best table in the back of the house. Every one was more than pleased with the food and service. For a big group, the food came out in a timely manner and service was impeccable. At the end of the meal I was serenaded the happy birthday song by the staff who were also opera singers, and topped it off with breaking some plates. I highly recommend this restaurant for celebrations, big groups or even a romantic date night. You will not be disappointed.

• Pros: Great for Groups, Warm service

04/22/08

Consistently delicious

by kneering at Citysearch

I love the food at this place. Every course has fresh ingredients and the menu changes constantly. I've been for both lunch and dinner and the food is always great. Service during lunch is usually slow even though they're not busy compared to dinner. However, all the servers are nice and sweet and the last one gave me a big plastic container full of cookies to bring back to my co-workers. Awesome. Love this place. A neighborhood gem.

• Pros: Excellent, inventive food, gorgeous flowers everywhere
• Cons: Expensive

03/21/08

The Best

by Me1234567 at Citysearch

My experiance at il cantinori was very good. I had the Sea Bass in tin foil and it was amazing. My favorite part was the owner Mr.Frank Minieri,he has a wounderful sence of humor and a grest personality.I highly recomend il cantinori and i garentee that you will have a great experiance,.

01/31/08

Very Average Food - good service

by nmb219 at Citysearch

I had high expectations based on other user reviews, but the food was very average. Granted I went during restaurant week, but I went with a group of 4, so between us we had everything on the menu, and nothing was at all impressive. The best dish from all courses was probably the mushroom salad. The sausage rigatoni was very bland with a sharp spiciness. It wasn't bad, but I've had much better at neighborhood italian restaurants (malatesta, nonna, bettolla to name a few). The desserts on the other hand were very generic and tasted like they came from a supermarket deli counter (we had the apple tart and tiramisu). The wait staff was very pleasant, and the ambience was nice. We sat in the front room which was okay, but not nearly as charming as the back room. Overall, I don't think that I will go back, but it wasn't bad, just not memorable.

• Pros: Wine list, service, back room ambience
• Cons: Average Food, Not a good value for the money

01/31/08

Perfect Italian Dining

by dpezza02 at Citysearch

Though I've heard mixed reviews, I found the entire dining experience to be top-notch. Warm, comfortable and inviting, the dining room captured an authenticity that most can not. The wait staff was absolutely charming, piling compliments on the female diners and bringing small treats from the kitchen, compliments of the chef. The food itself was also quite good, from salad to dessert. I would highly recommend this as one of the best Italian dining experiences in the city.

08/22/07

Loved it!!

by schang at Citysearch

The restaurant is very romantic but its also a great place to go just with friends. The staff has a such a great attitude. The food was absolutely delicious. The desserts are to die for. And I love the fresh flower arrangements in the Restaurant (even in the ladies room).

08/04/07

Best Italian Restaurant!

by spagirl55 at Citysearch

Incredible food. Romantic ambiance. Great wine. Great service. I definitely reccomend this place for a date or for a small quiet group of friends. It is a bit pricey, but worth every penny! I can't wait to go back!

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Can get crowded at times