Il Cortile, Toni Froio's latest incarnation

[=Mark]

Has anyone been to Il Cortile, Toni Froio's latest incarnation in the building that used to house Mumfords in Long Branch?  She was amazing at the Farmingdale House years ago, and has since had an Italian Deli and Emilianas, another Long Branch establishment that was shot down in flames in a Press review last year.  Have not made it in to check it out yet, but it's on my list along with Indigo Moon and Bella Luna...

[Rosie]

=Mark  Toni is a fabulous chef. But when she worked at Farmingdale House she didn't own the place. She has owned the places she has been since then. I wonder if that has anything to do with her not being successful. I will also put this place on my list. But you go first and let us know! Also, is it BYO?

[=Mark]

When she was at Emiliana the restaurant was reviewed by Andrea Clurfield.  Apparently the food was OK but some of the staff did not know who she was and copped a real attitude.  It got to the point that Clurfield and her party came close to walking out.  She essentially gave them no stars.  Was worse than the one star rip she gave to Fromagerie a few years ago.

According to the press release from last June Il Cortile does have a liquor licence (too bad!)  Interestingly, the photo included with the press release is of the wrong building!  It is of an office building next door that contains a luncheonette and a travel agency...

http://www.123bsc.com/closedpdf/ilcortile.pdf

[Helena Robinson]

Mark, don't wait too long to try Indigo Moon.  It's a great place, and BYO.  

And if we still lived in Leonardo, we'd probably be there at least every other week, LOL.

[helenas]

Mark,

How is your list doing? Just to let you know, i stole it from you.

We went to Indigo Moon last Saturday, and we're going to Il Cortile this weekend.

What about Bella Luna, though? I couldn't find any reference on the web.

[=Mark]

Had dinner at Il Cortile last week.  Although technically all the dishes were well prepared and presented, we felt that for the price the portions were kind of skimpy.  Would rate Indigo Moon over Il Cortile.

Have yet to try Bella Luna...

[helenas]

Mark

You scared me so much, that i cancelled my reservation

with Il Cortile, and made a new one for Babbo.

[=Mark]

Did not mean to frighten anyone!  :)  As I said the food was quite good, it's just that our entrees would have made generous appetizer portions.  For innovative northern Italian cooking in an appealing dining room I'd probably lean towards Buona Sera in Red Bank (Except for Saturday dinner, too noisy).