Photo: Tony Garces
The stretch of the UWS from Lincoln Square to the Museum of Natural History is an unexpectedly competitive spot for Italian cuisine. Locals have a wealth of options, from Cafe Fiorello in Lincoln Square to Felice Columbus up to Pecora Bianca.
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Canto is the latest Italian restaurant to join the scene at 2014 Broadway (at 69th Street), their second outpost in Manhattan. After teasing their opening via social media over the summer months, their official soft opening was Tuesday, September 2. To sample their offerings and give you our take, Canto invited ILTUWS to a media tasting. Instead of a traditional dining experience, we got to try a pre-set series of appetizers, mains and desserts.
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The staff welcomed us and encouraged us to sit as we pleased. No one can deny that Canto’s interior is beautiful. The high arched ceilings are grand, contrasting with the clean lines of the decor and bold lighting to create an ambient, relaxed feel. The oversized bar is the focal point, while a large Italian garden mural adds soft color to an otherwise neutral space. Canto describes the piece as “reminiscent of a hidden corner of Sicily.”
Photo: Tony Garces
Photo: Tony Garces
Photo: Tony Garces
As the weather was nice, we chose to dine outside. We soon realized this was a mistake.
Photo: Tony Garces
We started with appetizers of tuna tartare with guacamole (an off-menu item) and prosciutto sticks. They were tasty but unremarkable. Next, we sampled the Caesar salad and kale salad, again enjoyable but not noteworthy.
Tuna tartare with guac. Photo: Emma Radmilovic
Proscuitto sticks. Photo: Emma Radmilovic
We then placed our drink orders, keen to try Canto’s famous frozen espresso martini.
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The staff were pleasant but not particularly attentive. As service continued, we quickly realized that our proximity to the bar and kitchen was indicative of the level of service we would receive. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. Plates were brought to our table infrequently, and service was generally slow. Our drink order took quite a while to arrive, as did our next samples of risotto arancini, meatballs, fried artichokes, bruschetta caprese, and gnocchi in a thick cheese sauce. The artichokes were accompanied by a spicy dipping sauce, a combo we would definitely order again.
Bruschetta caprese and fried artichokes
We appreciated the extensive cocktail menu, and the frozen espresso martini was indeed a standout of the night. It was creamy, with a smooth coffee flavor and chocolate drop garnish. Likewise, the Sorrento martini was tangy and refreshing.
Espresso and Sorrento martinis. Photo: Emma Radmilovic
For our main dish, we tried the braised beef short ribs over roasted potatoes. The short rib was melt-in-your-mouth tender and paired well with the crunchiness of the potato.
Photo: Emma Radmilovic
We rounded out the evening with slices of tiramisu for dessert. The tiramisu was airy and not too sweet with a mild coffee flavor.
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The dishes at Canto are fairly expensive, with plates priced in the $18-$35 range, similar to other sit-down Italian restaurants in the area. Their crafted cocktails are priced between $16-$19, plus they have a variety of wine options by the glass and by the bottle.
While none of the food we tried was bad, it was largely forgettable, especially given the price point. It struggles to compete amongst an abundance of other great Italian spots in the area. If we were to return, we’d go primarily for the cocktails and the ambiance rather than the food. The atmosphere at Canto is warm and convivial, and the al fresco dining experience is pleasurable if you’re not too concerned with speedy service. It’s definitely a place best suited to savor drinks and catch up with friends.
In the spirit of full transparency, here are some additional photos (taken by a professional) of Canto’s dishes:
Photo: Tony Garces
Photo: Tony Garces
Photo: Tony Garces
Popular menu items at Canto’s West Village location–according to Yelp and Google, where they have scores of 3.9 and 4.3 out of 5 stars, respectively–include their beef short rib sandwich, tagliatelle bolognese, gnocchi gratinati, and their frozen espresso martini (along with their cocktails in general).
Canto is currently open at 2014 Broadway (69th Street) on Tuesday-Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Friday-Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Appreciate the honesty!
I always wait for a new place to work out the kinks before I rush to try them out. In all fairness you need to let the place settle in before you offer a real review.
Went there recently and totally agree — food was fine but nothing to write home about. The service was abysmal with very long wait for drinks (+40mins!)
40 minutes is insane
A surprising review, my wife and I had a great meal! The Octopus salad, the cauliflower steak, clams & mussels, pollo milanese, & sweet Italian sausage pasta, and a bottle of pinot Grigio. Service was great. Jamel was very welcoming. We sat by the mural.
Another rather over priced “Italian” joint with so-so food/service on the UWS. Why not other food choices?? Please.
This is the location that Sapphire (Indian cuisine) tried to make work, post Covid mind you, and it closed. People just love their Italian food I guess!
Like at least one other respondent, I was surprised by this review. My husband and I had a wonderful meal there last week with an attentive server, so we plan to return often. My husband had a pasta with an unusually tender and generously portioned lamb ragu, and I had the delicious crab and langoustine risotto, both specials. We started with a small plate of olives, which were served warm and drizzled with a mildly spicy oil. I concede that my seafood risotto was a lot more expensive than I’d expected; I think it was $65, which I hadn’t realized when I ordered it. That was far pricier than the lamb ragu or anything that I’d seen on the regular menu (and nearly twice as expensive as the splendid seafood risotto at Fiorello’s). So, if you order from the specials, make sure you ask about the price ahead of time! But otherwise, it didn’t seem especially expensive for the area and we thought the food and ambiance were superior.
I’ve been there twice and both times the food was good but nothing really special. It was pricey, but comparable with other local Italian restaurants.
We ate outside because the noise level in the restaurant was so loud that it was difficult to have a conversation.
So well, I enjoyed the food. I would not return to the restaurant unless I was able to have a table outside. When I go out for dinner with friends, the food is as important as the time spent in conversation with friends. I Generally try to stay away from restaurants that are noisy.
A ‘forgettable’ review in my opinion. I have been to Canto several times since opening a few weeks ago for a reason – the food & service great, the owner and staff lovely & welcoming. Prices are on par if not less than other neighborhood restaurants. Let a newly opened restaurant settled before posting a negative review that may prevent others from trying and forming their own opinion. Will be returning and quickly becoming my favorite neighborhood go to spot.
One of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve ever had to be honest. Didn’t even make it to the food the owner was so rude.
We really desperately need more restaurants like this on the UWS, so let’s not review so harshly or we’ll be stuck with the Il Violinos forever
Lovely looking, horribly noisy restaurant. Wine was fair, salmon fairly good but very pricey. Lasagna salty and just not good.
This place can do so much better.
Had been wanting to try Canto but was very disappointed. Met a friend for happy hour drinks this week. First clue things were not going to be the best: “We have no happy hour.” Almost every restaurant in the neighborhood (well lots) have a happy hour either between 4-6pm or 5-6pm. Sat outside as bar/restaurant was very warm.
Then the wine list: varietals listed (Pinot Grigio, Gavi, Vermentino) but no other information like producer or vineyard. Server offered to bring the bottles out. Service was fine. The icing on the cake was that literally 2 minutes after the check was paid, the manager (Benny) came over to our table and asked us to please leave because there were many people waiting. Didn’t even offer to buy us a drink at the bar.
Will not be back; too many other more hospitable places around (with happy hours).