IL Cortile
“If you want the real Little Italy experience, if you're looking to eat your Sunday gravy street side like Italian mobsters then this is the place!”
“I was a tourist so just being on Mulberry and having all of the Cosa Nostra tales and movie references replay in my head made being here great.”
“My wife got the seafood linguini which had an abundance of calamari, shrimp, mussels and clams.”
IL Cortile
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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One of my favorite things about walking around Manhattan is discovering new places (and truly, Manhattan is a place for wonderful food). Generally, I find the service to be very good, as well.
Yesterday, my gf and I were walking around and ended up in Little Italy. As we walked by this restaurant, a Maitre D, or manager, not sure what his position is…asked if we'd like to sit and he offered us a table on the patio. He was well dressed in a suit and seemed like a likable guy.
I went to the restroom and when I got back, I asked my gf if the waiter had come by. She said that someone came by and said he would bring water to the table. Just then, he comes back to put down bread and water. We decided it was a nice day and we'd like to have a glass of wine and some desserts. We asked the guy with the bread (don't think he was the server exactly) if we could get a wine menu. That's when he said "I don't think that's allowed…I'll have to ask and see."
He went over to the guy in the suit and next thing I know, the guy in the suit tells someone else "we can make a table for 5" and he tells us to get up and leave! We hadn't even ordered yet. The other customer looked at our table, saw the water and bread and had an uncomfortable look on his face as they pulled out table next to another one to make seating for 5. As I got up, the guy that brought the bread said something about an upstairs, but the guy in suit just looked at me like I was trash, so we left. Maybe it was because I was wearing shorts and a baseball cap (but the other diners weren't dressed much better), but as I walked off the guy in the suit said "This is a 5-star restuarant." And the funny thing is that printed on their menu is the phrase "the customer is always right." I guess not. And, they weren't even busy….the inside was totally empty.
Well, they may be 5-stars in his mind, but their service level is 0 stars. I only give it 1 here because that's the lowest rating. I guess he thought the other diners (whom he used our table for) looked like they had more money and that he didn't think I had money to spend…not sure…but we dropped $336 the night before at The Robert at Columbus Circle – a true 5-star establishment worth every penny. And, guess what…next time I drop that kind of money on dinner or lunch or any food…it WILL NOT be at Il Cortile. They will never get even $1 of my money and I'll encourage all of my friends and their friends (and you, dear reader) to stay away unless you, too, want to be treated as trash. If you check all of my other reviews (over 200 posted reviews), I think you'll see I'm fair (and actually, I tend to give lots of praise to NYC establishments and rate them very high). Not this place. I hope the guy in the suit really likes the "5-star" food beause, I'm sure he'll be only one left eating it someday soon. There is no toleration for treating people this way.
After we left, my gf was very offended. I really didn't care…I'll just never go back…but she dwelled on it. My advice is to go somewhere that will actually treat you with a little respect and be glad to have your business.
This place blows. Period.
I don't know what is wrong with me. I just don't like Italian food. I guess I have a weird palate. It has been confirmed by my family. Haha.
There was a work function here, so after a long day of work, I trek over here. It is in the heart of Little Italy, so definitely convenient, but that's the only plus side.
They do give baskets of bread, which was edible and if you're starving will tie you over.
For appetizers, we had the fried calamari and baked clams. Nothing exciting or special. All greasy and nothing exciting. I could get this stuff at a carry-out Italian place and for way cheaper.
For the pasta dish, they screwed up my order. They gave me fettucini with pesto. I did not want that. I wanted a red sauce, but I was deprived of that. I said specifically no cheese, but was totally ignored. I would be careful when you come here if you have food allergies. Luckily I did not start convulsing.
For the main dish I had the monkfish with artichokes. I have never had a more terrible dish of monkfish. I mean how can you screw up monkish? The fish just tasted rubbery and over cooked. Maybe the fish was frozen. That was probably it. The artichokes were not edible. I mean I have healthy teeth (no dentures yet) and I could barely chew the artichoke. What in the world was that?
I am usually not that big of a critic. Usually when I go out to eat, I don't complain that much, but seriously the monkfish was awful. So when the waiter came back to take my dish, he asked me if I wanted it to-go. I shook my head and told him, "it was terrible." He was speechless. I guess there's not much you can say to that.
Oh well, at least I tried this place. And experienced it. But definitely not coming back, unless you put a gun to my head.
Came here on a rainy Saturday at 7pm because our first choice in Little Italy was booked. Ambiance was nonexistent; we were up front at the window which was nice because we could see the street, but it was also by the front door and some sort of service closet that various staff kept opening throughout our meal.bit was also hot and stuffy.
The server was friendly but meh…and we had 3 different servers come by at different points.
The food, however, was good! The lobster ravioli had homemade pasta and a lot of flavor. The portion was large as well. The veal Marsala was rich and delicious! The Italian white wine, which was supposed to be full bodied, was just okay, and not really worth the $58 price.
Overall, just an okay experience.
Food and service wise, there's nothing special about IL Cortile that you have to come here for, especially with blocks filled with Italian options given its location in Little Italy. Although, I wouldn't recommend coming to Little Italy for pasta nowadays anyways – it's such a tourist trap. However, this spot will always hold a place in my heart as it was my first date with my girlfriend before she became my girlfriend.
The bread basket is good in which they provide a variety of breads and bread sticks. For entrees, my girlfriend ordered the penne vodka, while I ordered the Capellini Piselli e Prosciutto Speciali (capellini with meat sauce, tomatoes, prosciutto, mushroom, peas and cream). My pasta was undercooked, so I asked informed the waiter. He replied with an arrogant and rude tone that that was how it's suppose to be, but took the dish back to be cooked more anyways. I was certainly worried that he could have spit in my food afterwards.
A bit pricy, so I would menu hop around if you really must have pasta in Little Italy.
Romance is in the air.
service was attentive
While having a romantic stare.
food was very good
With a Italian flare.
I will be back again
And recommend you do too – on a dare.
Definitely my favorite Italian spot in Little Italy.
I have been coming since I was a little kid (actually my parents used to dine here when they were dating) – so this place has definitely stood the test of time, which is unique for NYC restaurants.
My favorite dish is definitely the Spedini (appetizer, mozzarella with anchovie sauce). Also ALL of the pastas are amazing. Another really yummy touch is the complimentary foccacia with tomatoes served upon arrival.
Ventured all the way to little Italy on foot from uptown (W Lexington…3 miles) to this spot based on a recommendation. I was not disappointed. Really good service, delicious homemade authentic Italian and no wait.
Try the fried zucchini. They were fried crusty, thin, and very light. Shoestring style and served w/a lemon wedge.
I had the farfalette w chicken, ham, tomato and asparagus and a cream sauce. DELISH!
If you decide to visit little Italy then I'm sure there are other locations to visit, but this is definitely worth the trip. If you prefer chain restaurants and Americanized Italian food that all tastes the same, this will ruin those places for you forevermore.
P.s.
My friend had ravioli and they were delicious and homemade, as I are there fettuccini noodles. Loved it!
There was a guy playing music too when we were leaving. Great ambiance!
The highlight of this place was the indoor garden area in the back back. Its very nicely decorated, open and airy. Would be a beautiful spot to host a bridal shower or baby shower.
It was interesting to be served a menu where they are closed together with a sticker. Thats gotta cost them money for each menu. Kind of seems like a waste.
They start you off with bread sticks, cold bread and cold focaccia bread. Would have been better if both breads were warm.
I ordered the chicken in a white wine sauce with mushrooms and peas, which was extremely salty! And my boyfriend ordered the linguine with clams in a red sauce, the clams were scarce! This was more of linguine with a 5 mini clams. Our friends shared baked clams as an appetizer and they were tiny as well. For the price of the food, we were very disappointed. Ive definitely experienced better elsewhere for a better price.