Food was phenomenal - Service was criminal. Pasta was definitely homemade and fresh, and the espresso martini was one of the best I've ever had. The menu is fairly small and you basically have to argue with the staff to be given a menu. The food saves this place with stars because the service really needs to be improved. The busser was beyond rude. I first sat down and he asked if I wanted anything else to drink besides water and I said "do you have a drink menu" and he goes "we have a full bar." I said "ok do you have a wine list", and he then starts asking what kind of wine I would want, red or white, then what type of wine I want. Meanwhile in this convo I asked for a wine list 3 times and he kept avoiding the question. He then was asking glass or bottle. At this point the conversation was just becoming awkward so I was very direct back to him (which was deserved) and said "I'm sorry do you not have a wine list?!" And he said "oh yeah we do let me go grab it for you." It honestly was very uncomfortable. Then later the same thing happened with the food menu. Extremely strange. I can understand the "this is a locals vibe people don't need a menu here they just KNOW", if you maybe ask if we've been there before? The whole encounter was just so strange and nothing I've ever experienced before as someone who eats out very often. This all being said, once our actual waiter came to the table he was very very nice and personable.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. We were walking up from Washington Square this popped up on yelp and came highly recommended - and it should be rated 5 starts not 4. Let's start with service - flawless. The server explained everything off the menu (which we ordered). Our drinks were never empty either and the Maitre d' was phenomenal. He even gave us fresh flowers to take to the friends we are meeting. The food was amazing. We split the 16oz rib eye with pasta and two weeks later and we're still tallying about the meal. It's truly that good. Cozy, classic, romantic, intimate...a true gem in West Village

We thought the food and ambiance was wonderful. The service not so much. We sat for quite awhile, and I finally had to flag someone down to get our wine order and menus. Our waiter was so boring and uninspiring and seemed so disinterested in his customers. With so many fabulous restaurants in NYC, we will probably never come back.

Amazing food. Service was okay. Could be a little more attentive. They didn't ask if we were celebrating anything special which we were. Food was delicious though so it was fine.

Il Cantinori is one of the great Italian restaurants of New York City. Situated in NoHo, near Union Square, this restaurant is on a quiet street, tucked into the middle of the block. From the moment you enter you are in a cozy but classy place, with tables lit by candle light and the amazing smell of Italian herbs coming from the kitchen. You just know that the meal will be good. That sets the tone for the entire meal. Our server greeted us almost immediately and took our drink order. An assortment of italian breads can shortly after the server left to fill the drink order. They served this amazing pomodoro tomato sauce on a dish to each of us. It was not like a bruschetta topping but more like a very savory chunky tomato sauce with parmesan cheese. The temptation was to ask for more bread and more tomato sauce, but we resisted. For the appetizer we ordered the Calamari Alla Griglia. It had a light dusting of Italian breadcrumbs and cooked to perfection and topped with cherry tomatoes. It was lighter than most calamari that I've had. It was not chewy, which is a red flag for me. It was fresh and crisp. Two of us ordered the Tagliolini Neri Alle Vongole E Carciofi (Black squid ink pasta with clams), one with red sauce (special order) and one with white wine sauce. The white wine version was a bit flat. The red sauce version exploded with flavor. It was absolutely delicious. One of us ordered the Mediterranean fish special. I can't recall the name, but it was mild, not fishy, and was really tasty. The person in my party that ordered this said they would definitely order it again. For dessert we shared a cheesecake round with raspberry sauce. It was the perfect size to end the meal along with a snifter of sambuca. The glass came with 3 coffee beans, as all GOOD Italian restaurants will serve it. 3 is good luck and we certainly had good luck with this meal. I'm giving Il Cantinori 5 stars and adding it to my NY favorite restaurant list.

I don't know where to begin. This place is everything you want out of a swanky upper west side dining experience and more. Genuinely everything was perfect. Our server was one of the best I have ever had, and I grew up going to five star Disney restaurants in Orlando so my bar is high. The food was amazing quality and delicious flavor. Great options, great ambience inside. Everything was amazing!

Great food, ambiance and service. Authentic Italian food and a great place for a large group. It's always crowded because the restaurant is just that good- make a reservation in advance.

I'm not entirely sure how this place is rated 3.9 stars?!?! That is a crashing shame, because it is amazing!! First of all, it's in the West Village (which is a cool vibe all the way around), has a really cool vibe and the service...off the hook. Fantastic food, good wine selection and come prepared to leave full, satisfied and ready for bed!! 5 star all the way...don't skip this place!!!

Probably my favorite Italian restaurant in Manhattan, especially if you love amazing pasta. From the moment you walk in you are greeted by the friendly and charming Maitre D who makes you feel welcome immediately, and are in a dark and moody environment which created the perfect dinner vibe. The food was amazing, and the service spectacular. Even the bread basket was delicious, as well as the amuse bouche our waiter brought us. I got the "Pappardelle Alla Buttera" but subbed the pappardelle with a rigatoni noodle. This pasta dish was 5 stars, cooked perfectly with a creamy pink sauce w sausage and peas. We also got the pistachio tartufo dessert which was divine, and the perfect way to end the meal. Next time I'm in Manhattan I'll definitely be heading back to Il Cantinori for another 5 star dining experience.