Among the tourist-swarmed whirlwind of gelaterias, maitre d's hassling passersby to eat in their restaurants, and plastic-patio-furniture laden sidewalks, Il Cortile is a ray of light for refinement and real Italian cuisine on Mulberry Street. Since 1975 this Little Italy staple has attracted the business elite, couples out for a romantic evening, and those in the know who don't waste their time looking at every menu displayed on the street. The bright dining room is decorated with foliage and Roman sculptures, and a tall glass ceiling encloses the famed Garden Room and lets sunlight shine through. Chef Michael DeGeorgio's vast menu consists of large portions of rustic Italian classics. Appetizers such as the seafood salad or the sausage, artichoke and mozzarella pie start the meal. Entrées include veal scaloppini, halibut wrapped with bacon, and gnocchi stuffed with chicken, spinach and mascarpone cheese.
"Leave the red sauce to the other pasta factories on the block and try some of the harder-to-find Northern Italian dishes at this sprawling Little Italy favorite."
- New York magazine
"The space is light and airy, with brick walls and lots of greenery. In the Garden Room, a huge skylight lets the sunshine in, and the big, friendly bar area has lots of room for socializing. The menu is extensive."
- NewsdayZagat 2012:22 food rating (very good to excellent)
Full bar. Serving lunch, dinner and late-night daily.
Among the tourist-swarmed whirlwind of gelaterias, maitre d's hassling passersby to eat in their restaurants, and plastic-patio-furniture laden sidewalks, Il Cortile is a ray of light for refinement and real Italian cuisine on Mulberry Street. Since 1975 this Little Italy staple has attracted the business elite, couples out for a romantic evening, and those in the know who don't waste their time looking at every menu displayed on the street. The bright dining room is decorated with foliage and Roman sculptures, and a tall glass ceiling encloses the famed Garden Room and lets sunlight shine through. Chef Michael DeGeorgio's vast menu consists of large portions of rustic Italian classics. Appetizers such as the seafood salad or the sausage, artichoke and mozzarella pie start the meal. Entrées include veal scaloppini, halibut wrapped with bacon, and gnocchi stuffed with chicken, spinach and mascarpone cheese.
"Leave the red sauce to the other pasta factories on the block and try some of the harder-to-find Northern Italian dishes at this sprawling Little Italy favorite."
- New York magazine
"The space is light and airy, with brick walls and lots of greenery. In the Garden Room, a huge skylight lets the sunshine in, and the big, friendly bar area has lots of room for socializing. The menu is extensive."
- NewsdayZagat 2012:22 food rating (very good to excellent)
Full bar. Serving lunch, dinner and late-night daily.