Il CorsoA hidden gemWe went here for Mother's Day Lunch. We needed food that everyone would like, convenient to both the East and West side, and had openings at 12 Noon on Mother's Day (not an easy feat on Mother's Day in NYC). We saw Il Corso on Open Table, saw the great ratings on TripAdvisor, and booked it. They didn't disappoint. Wonderful food. Great time.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative and SumptuousI dine out very frequently in NY( where I live) and in other major cities in the US and Europe. I enjoy eating at very fine restaurants.
The meal I had at Il Corso was one of the best meals I have ever had in NY. The creativity is awesome. For instance, we had ravioli stuffed with pear and 2 kinds of cheese. The grilled calamari with asparagus and aruglaa and pistachio coated lamb chops were divine. I am still dreaming about the nutella tarte that I had. The service was impeccable. You could tell that the service staff members were proud of their restaurant and wanted you to be happy. I can't wait to go back.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food - short ribs, grouperGreat food - short ribs, grouper and calamari were wonderful. We started with the calamari and asparagus...
I did not realize how large the restaurant is until we walked to the back room - the back room was a bit calmer.
Can't wait to go back...5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food good prices soso serviceWe recently took a weekend trip New York to visit family and selected this place because it came highly recommended. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, but we had to wait about 35 minutes from the time the server first showed up to let us know what the specials were until he returned to take our drink/dinner orders. They were busy but not THAT busy. At least another server did pour us water in the meantime. Prices were reasonable and servings sizes were just right. Would go back again, but probably on a weeknight.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat small Italian restaurantWe had a wonderful meal here on our last night in NYC. We look forward to a return visit on our next trip to NYC.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't miss the gnocchi. LittleDon't miss the gnocchi. Little pillows in an exceptional sauce. Everything about Il Corso is perfect!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a great find. The octopusWhat a great find. The octopus was excellent. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we look forward to returning soon.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional food, a find.Exceptional food, a find. Best meal we have had in years.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAdd this to your short listWe had an amazing meal here with Alessandro as our waiter. We loved that all the staff spoke Italian to each other and that the chef came out an checked on us. Highlight: I ordered the Poached Pear (a special) for an appetizer and it was sublime. Everything was fresh and flavorful and served at just the right pace for a date night.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is excellent. QuaintFood is excellent. Quaint hidden gem in midtown for Italian food.
Reason for downgrade on service is that we routinely split an entree because we like to to try different things and they always give you to much. The waiter has always told us at other restaurants if there is a split fee, which is ok if told that is the policy. When we asked to split the waiter did not say there was an extra charge so I was surprised to see a split charge on the bill.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMTry it. Home made pasta isTry it. Home made pasta is excellent. Great seasoning, great service4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBrings back that home cooking.The Caccio & Pepe and pasta with wild boar were excellent! We visited Italy this past November and we missed having great pasta until we found Il Corso.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMy friend and I went hereMy friend and I went here while staying in NYC and it was really, really good. We did wait for our table for about a half an hour, but they were very apologetic and comp'd my friend a glass of wine. The servers were very knowledgeable about the menu and the food was outstanding. You must make a reservation. The place is small and there are not a lot of tables. The hostess was turning people away if they didn't have a reservation because the next seating was at 10pm and we were there at 7pm!! Great place, would go back again.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe soup of the day was fantastic.The soup of the day was fantastic. It was a legume soup and the vegetables were beyond fresh. Also the pasta was definitely homemade and the gravy (sauce) had carrots in it. I would love to go back!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMA favorite with excellentA favorite with excellent specials, outstandingly attentive servers who are friendly and helpful, and an attractive setting. Cannot ask for much more! Return at every opportunity.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMIl Corso was a pleasant andIl Corso was a pleasant and very worthwhile experience. We will certainly return.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious! The food was fantastic!Delicious! The food was fantastic! We had homemade orecchiette with sausage and artichokes and grilled Bronzino.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGorgeous salads, house-made pastasMy husband and I had just finished lunch at Jean-Georges several hours prior to walking into Il Corso, but despite being already a little "spoiled" that day, we had a wonderful meal. I had the insalata dulcamara, a chopped salad of endive and radicchio, with baby arugula tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette, so delicious that I will try to replicate it at home. My husband had the beet salad with goat cheese, which was also very good, and then the pappardelle with duck ragu -- rich and perfect. Because I could not choose between the tagliolini fungi e speck, and the artichoke ravioli special that day (most of their pasta is house-made), they were kind enough to bring us an appetizer portion of the ravioli, and both were excellent.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a great early dinner afterHad a great early dinner after a matinee...the grilled octopus will draw me in again.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went to Il Corso afterWe went to Il Corso after a Sunday matinee in late March. We were happy to be among the first diners to arrive and service was attentive and very courteous. The menu is italian, of course, and I selected a pappardelle pasta with mushrooms (I believe the pappardelle was house-made and very fresh) from their list of specials. A friend and I split the arugula salad with hazelnuts, which was superb. Our waiter brought the salad on two plates, so we didn't have to go through the awkward mess of trying to split it ourselves. Another companion had the duck special, which he declared to be delicious. I had a lovely (and picturesque) panna cotta for dessert. A very nice dining experience, all in all.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMTop notch food with attentiveTop notch food with attentive service. We spend a lot of timne in Italy so have a very high bar on quality of food and Il Corso met and exceeded our expectation. I'm surprised that the name is not covered by Zagat.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have eaten there a numberWe have eaten there a number of times and it is always a pleasure. The staff is pleasant and welcoming and the food is first rate. We walk past closer restaurants to get there.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcelent Choice!Excelente food and people. I recommend de stake with the blueberry souce. Perfect!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our third time atThis was our third time at Il Corso. We loved it so much last year that we couldn't wait to come back this year. Our table was ready when we arrived. We all ordered the lasagne (same as before)and it was great. Our server was very friendly. The food was served promptly, was delicious, and priced very reasonably for New York. We were celebrating my niece's 10th birthday and her dessert came with a candle and the waiters sang to her. It was a delightful evening and we will be going back next time we're in NYC.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMhad a wonderful birthday dinnerhad a wonderful birthday dinner with my husband and two sons. they treat you like family when you are there. love the place3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMIl Corso is our go-to restaurantIl Corso is our go-to restaurant for the Carnegie Hall/City Center area.1/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful homemade pasta....noiseWonderful homemade pasta....noise level in the back room too high...need some acoustic tile or something to absorb noise...12/3/2012 12:00:00 AMThis place has a modern, energeticThis place has a modern, energetic vibe and an upscale feel to it. We enjoyed all our dishes, and the man tending bar was very observant and helpful. (More so than our waiter, in fact). A place to return to when we are in the neighborhood.12/1/2012 12:00:00 AM