Il Cantinori

"If you’ve ever wondered where to drink an espresso martini in Greenwich Village, look no further than Il Cantinori. Look here, too, for a white tablecloth dinner, which starts with bread and warm red sauce. There’s a long menu of Tuscan classics, but we’d encourage you to order the off-menu specials—like the textbook-perfect chicken parm, and a tri-color pasta sampler. Yes, that's a plate of three pastas for $50, but it’s not like you can get your hands on a pasta sampler any day. Lovers of Il Cantinori tend to here for every special occasion dinner, probably because once you eat here enough, the owner, Frank, will learn your name." - willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja, arden shore

"Il Cantinori has an entire menu of Tuscan food, but the best way to eat here is to order the off-menu specials—like a saucy chicken parm, and a pasta sampler that’s perfect for anyone who often experiences instant order-related regret. The Greenwich Village Italian restaurant—which did in fact make a cameo on Sex and the City—has white tablecloths fit for a family dinner, but enough espresso martini-drinking to also draw a crowd who still caffeinates after 6pm. Keep it in mind for any sort of occasion that warrants spending a lot of money on pasta by candlelight, and channeling your inner Carrie Bradshaw. We’ve found that lovers of Il Cantinori come here on every special occasion—probably because when you eat here enough, the owner (Frank) will learn your name. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte Food Rundown photo credit: Kate Previte Free Bread Il Cantinori’s free bread comes with a warm, savory tomato sauce that’s doused in olive oil. Other Italian restaurants should be taking notes. photo credit: Kate Previte Off-Menu Pasta Sampler The questionable: this costs $50. The good: having three different pastas—vodka sauce, pesto, and cacio e pepe—on one plate is straight up a fun way to eat. It’s not big enough to really make any economical sense, but take that last sip of espresso martini and order it anyway. Off-Menu Chicken Parmesan Sometimes, the chicken parm is a special. But even when it's not, you can (and should) order it. It’s got that same savory tomato sauce, crispy edges, and a heavy layer of cheese. Off-Menu Veal Scallopini We'd opt for the chicken parm over the veal, but the thinness of this lemony cutlet is a culinary feat you deserve to eat at least once." - Willa Moore

"President Joe Biden and his family have been in town since Sunday for the United Nations General Assembly, and they’re sticking to classics: They visited the 40-year-old restaurant Il Cantinori in Greenwich Village earlier this week." - Luke Fortney