"Against your savviest restaurant-going instincts, despite your natural wariness of tourist traps, there’s a part of you that longs for a classic Little Italy experience: An old-school Italian restaurant complete with a flirtatious sidewalk greeter, luring in would-be diners with a bella this, and a bella that. More often than not, a meal at such an institution will be resoundingly disappointing—but not at Il Cortile. The food at this Mulberry Street restaurant, in operation since 1975, is rich, perfectly seasoned, and delicious by the standards of this neighborhood, or any other. photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff video credit: Molly Fitzpatrick photo credit: Alex Staniloff Il Cortile is Italian for “the courtyard,” a reference to the attractive glass-ceilinged atrium at the rear of the restaurant. The large, lightly faded fake-flower centerpiece in the middle of this space somehow makes the overall ambience more, and not less, charming. As does the dining room’s collection of Ancient Roman-style statuary, which is only slightly less impressive than the one at The Met. There are plaques bearing the names of Sopranos stars (and Il Cortile regulars) like Steve Schirippa and Tony Sirico on the walls, not to mention an autographed portrait of the late James Gandolfini. Il Cortile has a special place in Sopranos lore, as the restaurant where actors would be taken out to eat by their castmates as a farewell when their characters got whacked. You could do much, much worse for a last meal. Food Rundown photo credit: Alex Staniloff Fettucine Di Parma A luscious pasta—a dash of cream gives the red sauce a nice body—with plentiful soft, crumbled sausage. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Pollo Con Gamberi There’s so much flavor on this plate: Juicy chicken, springy shrimp, and sautéed greens in a vibrant yet balanced lemon butter sauce." - Molly Fitzpatrick
