Il Cortile

[Pan]

I ate at this place in Little Italy (west side of Mulberry a bit south of Hester) on Friday night IIRC. It wasn't my idea to go there; it was a recommendation of the concierge at a hotel a friend's brother was staying at. I was somewhat apprehensive about eating in Little Italy, actually, but the experience wasn't half bad.

We had a party of 7. We ordered an antipasto plate. I stuck to the cheese and veggies on that plate and found them quite passable. We also had scamorza (fried cheese), which was very enjoyable and accompanied by a nice sauce. I ordered stuffed calamari for a main dish. It was stuffed with eggs, with parsley and other herbs, and accompanied by a tasty, peppery fra diavolo plum tomato sauce. We got two contorni for the table: spinach and escarole, both of which had a nice texture and a good taste and were very garlicky. I had a taste of the veal scaloppine, which was topped with strips of provolone, and it was good, but I did not sample other main dishes. We got two bottles of quite acceptable ุ red wine (identified by one of the diners as a บ wine in liquor stores), and the total cost of the meal amounted to 趸 or ุ/person, including tax and tip.

Yes, one could have equally good food and, conceivably, better wine for บ less in the East Village, but Il Cortile is a good Little Italy choice.

[Fat Guy]

I've been to six or seven of the big places on Mulberry, and I can't say I've ever found them as terrible as they're supposed to be. At most of them, you can get a passable Italian-American meal (better than the best Italian restaurant in the overwhelming majority of American cities) at an acceptable price, and they all seem to have a reserve of culinary firepower in the kitchen that can be activated by proper communication with the waitstaff. There's much better Italian-American available elsewhere, especially in the boroughs, but I don't dread going to Little Italy nearly as much as I dread dining at the same price point on, say, the Upper West Side. I've done best at Casa Bella. (Ask for Renato, tell him I sent you . . .) The big caveat in Little Italy is the specials. Never order them without first ascertaining the price, as they can easily be 400% the cost of the average printed entree.

[foodie52]

Anyone else been to Michael diGeorgio's restaurant, Il Cortile? We had a splendid meal there. He has a great menu, attentive waitstaff and a beautiful room. One of the Sopranos lives upstairs and eats there all the time.

Any opinions?

[Shermar]

In a thread a while back Little Italy dining spots were discussed. Il Cortile has always been a favorite of mine.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[jpk8216]

I have never been to this restaurant but Cafe Napoli in Little Italy is also fantastic...

[Lreda]

I haven't eaten at Il Cortile in about 10 years. Had good meals and for a boy from The Bronx who was forced to move to NJ at 13 years of age it was a godsend. But the last two times there we ordered off the menu andI don't exactly remember what happened the 1st time to piss me off, but the 2nd time I was charged $55 for a Veal Chop. Needless to say it was the last time I visited. A beautiful place with a great courtyard and a good 2nd floor balcony. My father still goes there and actually mentioned it in the last two weeks so maybe I'll try it again

[Pan]

Look here for another thread on this restaurant.

[Steve Silkin]

In Little Italy, I reccomend Little Charlies Clam House, fantastic calamari made with bread crumbs with wonderful sweet or hot tomato sauce. This place is a bit off the beatan track and remains somewhat of a hidden gem. Skip the meat dishes.