Earlier this fall, Il Cantinori celebrated its 30th anniversary. I missed the party, but was invited to dine there to sample their food.
I wasn’t able to sample as much as I would have liked – as my dinner companion got the dates mixed up and so I dined alone. Victor, my oh-so attentive server was the perfect waiter.
I started with a half bottle of the full-flavored Morelino di Scansano ’09 Avvoltore, Moris Farms, Tuscany ($42). Once I ordered, Victor served some sliced meats topped with chunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano and a small tasty salad of mixed greens with a garlicky bruchetta topped with flavorful diced tomatoes.
My first actual course was the Polpetti Alla Griglia ($17). That’s a whole baby Mediterranean octopus, poached first to tenderize, then brushed with olive oil, garlic and lemon, grilled and and served on a bed of greens.
I followed that with one of the evening’s specials of homemade fettuccine with chunks of lobster sauteed with a splash of brandy then tossed with a spicy tomato sauce, lightened with a soupcon of cream. A sort of lobster fra diablo with pasta ($18 for half portion).
I had not room for dessert, but did nibble from the plate of small biscotti and other sweet treats placed in front of me.
You can be sure I plan to return to Il Cantinori before they celebrate their 31st, and highly recommend you do too.
– bonnie
Il Cantinori
Greenwich Village
32 East 10th Street
(between Broadway and University Pl)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 673-6044
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