La Cantina Ristorante

This restaurant has, by far, the best Italian food in Manhattan. To give you a frame of reference as to where I'm coming from, I grew up in an Italian household and was raised on home cooked meals prepared by my mother and grandmother. This restaurant comes as close to my family's cooking as I've ever found (especially the marinara sauce...I swear I thought my grandmother was in the back making the sauce) . The restuartant is very intimate and has around 15 tables. The menu is written on a large chalkboard and contains very traditional italian appetizers, pastas and entrees. If there's not something up on the board that appeals to you (which most likely won't happen) the accommodating and friendly staff, which is headed by the owner/host, would probably make a dish catered to your likings. I really can't recommend this restaurant enough. Every time I go I'm plesently surprised whether it's by the food, wine, cheese or the warm greeting that I now get when I walk in the door. If you want real Italian food in a friendly setting, this is the place to go!!! Pros: Great Food, Friendly Staff, oh and, GREAT FOOD Cons: None...have never had a bad expereince here more

Il ristorante piccolo e bello, ma il mio marito è migliori. Wink wink. You have to give this place a try. Food speaks for itself, but the ambiance....it's a little magical. Pros: Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Great Atmosphere more

flew in from cali. went on a reccomdation from freinds. great place great host.wonderful meat and pasta. rack of lamb with brocoli rape, papardelle with tomato and basil. veal sorrentina. a monstrosity of ossobuco was devine.had tiramisu and cannolis for dessert.great pesto ravioli. cant wait to go back Pros: food, atmosphere, service Cons: portions too big more

WOW!!! went with 4 freinds. had the most wonderful meal.coming from an italian family it is the closest you will find.heavenly pastas are home made. tender veal.try the sicilian artichoke.AWESOME!the owner freddy is terrific.and by the way, the ossobuco is the best in the city by far and worth every dollar!.absolutely the freshest ingredients, and you taste the difference.zabaglione with berries is amazing. p.s to the idiot with the ossobuco review dont knock what people work hard at. this place was great. thanks federico!!! Pros: ossobuco, dessert, the sexy owner Cons: a bit tight, long waits more

dear davince..get your story straight.. it is not hard to figure out who you are(we have an idea and you will be dealt with) sorry to see you so upset,we got a kick out of your review,too bad but i sold...not closed my restaurant after 7 very good years.you are a faceless yellowtail peice of garbage...but the day will come.but be a stand up person and reveal yourself for all to know,your lack of the english dictionary gives you away. tu sono un pezzo di merde..cornudo.. Pros: great food, service, dessert Cons: bit cramped more

I recently held my friend's bridal shower here for 10 people and they made us feel right at home - from letting me in before they even opened for dinner to decorate to letting us enjoy the meal for over three hours! Would definitely recommend for small groups or dates - thanks again Freddy! Pros: Food, Ambiance more

not fancy about this place,just simple straight forward home cooked italian meals served with love and care. artichokes are wonderful, the veal chops are too big to finish. best zuchinni flowers in nyc. and dessert.......try to find a better cannoli. Pros: personal service, the owner, the staff Cons: , small more

I am frankly stunned to see so many good reviews of La Cantina. I went there on Saturday and will NEVER go back. It is a lovely space, romantic and warm. BUT the food was only average, and truly overpriced. I could handle the menu being on a blackboard (that's charming) if they would show me the prices. They put together a "family style" appetizer for 4 people and I cannot believe how much it set us back. And the entree was really blah. If you don't care what you get for your money, this is the place for you! Pros: Nice Ambience, Romantic Cons: Expenisve, Don't show prices, Average Food more

First of all, you don't get a menu, so you have no idea what anything costs. Whatever you do, do not let them choose their family-style appetizers for you. 7/8 of the dishes had the same tomato sauce. The lamb chops weren't adequately spiced and overdone. The broccoli rabe was bitter (don't you salt it to remove the bitterness. The monk fish was drowning in sauce - the same tomato sauce. And I'm not convinced the ravioli pasta was fresh. $70 later... more

This place is fantastic....it's everything a resturant ought to be. Great food, nice ambiance, and fantastic service. Freddie goes out of his way to make sure the experience is top-notch. I've been here a number of times and just recently brought some friends from the WestCoast....they loved it! Apparently, personalized resturant service is not something that get too much of in lala land. Freddie threw in a couple of authentic "fagettaboutit's", as well as, a round of gasoline (grappas) to finish off the night more

I have eaten at La Cantina twice this week. I was so pleasantly surprised when I ate there the first time that I only waited one day before I returned for a second amazing meal. From beginning to end, the service, the warm romantic setting and especially the food was breathtaking. The value is also great for the level of gourmet Italian cooking. I must add that the Cannoli I had for dessert was the best Cannoli I have ever had (& believe me, I have had my fair share!!). Truly, from beginning to end, both times I ate at La Cantina was a pleasure for all senses. Pros: warm service, amazing food, romantic feel more

this italian gem is a well kept secret. offering outstanding food, great service, and a comfortable ambiance; i rate my experience at la cantina a 10 all the way. we were all wowed by our dishes and the attentive, friendly service. i'll be back soon! Pros: fab cuisine, service, decor more

we love this place,foods great,freddy makes you feel at home,order off the menu,or let them decide what to eat,great wine list,lotsa sicilian wines,big surprise.yeh,the place is small.but thats the charm,try the pastas,the chops,then the cannoli,filled to order.we will return here many times over. Pros: delicious, charming, accomodating Cons: tight seating, crowded more

La Cantina is one of those rare finds in New York City. From the romantic ambiance, to the time and dedicaiton taken to prepare each flavorful dish, the experience of dinig here was nothing less than perfect. Owner Fred Sammarone has definitely created a tasteful combination of old world cuisine and classic New York City Charm to create a perfectly wondeful establishment. Pros: Service/staff, Wine Selection more

Everything is fresh at La Cantina, from the staff (gracious and professional) to the tasty treats (set out right away to activate or enhance your appetite) to the vibrant pasta sauces and well-rounded meals. I always overeat because it's all just too good to go to waste. La Cantina never disappoints, rather it always pleases. more

VERY FEW PLACES CAN KEEP UP WITH THE FOOD AT LA CANTINA,FREDDY,A WONDERFUL MAN,VERY ATTRACTIVE TOO ADD....RUNS HIS RESTAURANT WITH SUCH GRACE,THE PLACE MAY BE SMALL,BUT THE FOOD IS AS CLOSE TO AUTHENTIC ITALIAN COOKING AS YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE IN THE CITY,GREAT WINES ESPECIALLY FROM SICILY,LAMB OSSOBUCO,A RED SAUCE THAT ROCKS YOUR TASTE BUDS.BEST CANNOLI IN THE CITY.A REAL GEM IN THE WEST VILLIAGE,BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE DUE TO THE 12 TABLES THAT ARE TO BE HAD. Pros: GREAT FOOD, VERY ACCOMODATING, PERSONAL SERVICE Cons: SMALL, VERY BUSY more

The owner, Freddie, oozes with charm! George the bartender is also quite pleasant. The rest of the staff makes one feel welcome in this pleasant and romantic restaurant. The care with which the meal and the service is presented makes me want to visit every night! I thoroughly enjoyed the freshest of everything beginning with the appetizers and continuing with the entree. Best of all, Freddie played a Seal CD--one of my favorites! I hate to recommend this place because I want to keep this little secret to myself; but it's the holiday and I'm feeling generous! Pros: Not crowded, Great service, Professional staff more