Café Cortina
30715 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI, 48336
Café Cortina Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Farmington Hills for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
30715 W 10 Mile Rd
Farmington Hills, MI, 48336 - Phone (248) 474-3033
- Website https://www.cafecortina.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Phillip B.
Amazing food and service. Would be the perfect place for any special moments.
(5)David B.
As always, our experience was wonderful. The food is great although it is on the high end of value. The staff acts Italian and with the romantic feel, it works. It is one of our great date night locations.
(4)Chilly C.
Finest restaurant in Metro Detroit. Period. - food is amazing - staff are incredible *dinner or lunch on the patio is beautiful day or night.
(5)nida d.
This restaurant never disappoints. My husband and I were married here in front of the fireplace, and had a small celebration in the back room with our closest friends and family. We return every year for an anniversary dinner and always have a wonderful experience. The service is outstanding... napkin placed in your lap, chair pulled out for you when being seated (every time, not just upon first seating), wine glass swirled for you, etc. The staff is very attentive. The food, of course, is superb. The salad and house dressing are made from ingredients in their garden in the summer, and the pasta sauce is very nice (and I am not a pasta person). I always have a veal special and have never been disappointed. Wine and drink selection is great. Be prepared to stay awhile, as they don't rush you (part of the romantic atmosphere, I think), and be prepared to pay some $$...but it's worth it.
(5)Mom To Two B.
If you like your upscale restaurants pretentious and nasty, Cafe Cortina is the place for you. I entered the restaurant, dressed well, picked up a menu, and a host walked up to me barking in a sharp voice, "You are NOT allowed to read the menu. You have to LEAVE." I literally jumped, it was such an odd and hostile thing to say. I said with a smile, "You scared me!" to which he replied with distain, "You should have a sense of humor." Excuse me?! I told him he was rude, then turned around and walked out. When I called to complain, the event coordinator admitted the host was out of line. I was told the owner of the restaurant would call me to apologize. He never did. I was asked for my address so they could send a gift certificate. I was told it might be personally delivered. It NEVER came, it's been 10 days. I would never return to this restaurant. For a $150 meal, spend your money at a professional, courteous establishment.
(1)Kari B.
The service was exceptional however the food was not worth the price ... dinner for 4 with 4 drinks, 1 appetizer, 4 entrees and 2 desserts $360 ... definitely not worth the price. Personally my fish was mushy. Will not go again for those prices.
(2)Katherine A.
This place is the ideal spot to take a date. It's cozy, romantic, quiet, clean, and DELICIOUS! I'm not sure what it is, but I love the garden they get many of their vegetables from. We went in the summer and you can walk around the garden, and then on the inside they have fireplaces, and people speaking Italian. It was really fun to go somewhere different and have such a great experience. It is on the pricey side, so beware :)
(4)Amanda K.
Really good Italian food! My ex took me here for Valentine's Day last year, and it was fantastic. The service is great, and the food is delicious. Although the sommelier was not very helpful or personable, the wine that we chose was the best Riesling that I've ever had. The Maitre D' was a little odd, and spoke incoherently fast, but seemed committed to maintaining the atmosphere. Keep in mind this is not a place that you would go to on a whim; it's very dressy, and very upscale, so I would plan accordingly. Overall, a great experience!
(5)Bob S.
To start off, this should be a 3.75 rating, better than A-OK but certainly not a fan. It was a simple anniversary dinner on a Saturday night for myself and wife. We were seated immediately and the waitstaff was very attentive at this point. We settled in, ordered dinner, and talked about things over drinks. The salads and pasta courses were fine and just the right proportions. The problem came when our entrees arrived, my wife's salmon was cold, she was being generous when she said that it was lukewarm. Because our server was not to be seen, we flagged down a couple of busboys who had to go find him. He apolgized, took her plate, and left. My wife urged me to go ahead and eat or my food would get cold, so I ate very slowwwlllly, as we waited for her food to come out. After about 10 minutes the server brought her a new plate of food which she confirmed was the proper temperature. I feel that a better restaurant would not have allowed the food to come out not prepared properly, nor would the waitstaff fail to check to ask if everything was all right.
(3)Henry B.
Heyo! I went here on Thursday to celebrate an early Valentine's dinner with Wife. She was on-call at the hospital on the actual Valentine's day. And good thing... When we arrived at 5:30, the place was empty. It was dimly lit so the ambiance was really romantic and it appeared as if the restaurant was open just for us. The service here was excellent. I'm talking top notch. They swirl your wine glass for you. They clean off your crumbs. They describe their specials in a lot of detail that you can actually taste the food in your mind. They serve ladies first. Hold doors open. Hang your coat. And tuck in your chair every time you go to sit down in it. The food is prepared with a lot of detail as well. You almost don't want to eat the food because it looks like a plate of art. I ordered one of the specials. Not exactly sure what it's called but it was delicious. It had all different kinds of seafood on it. Tip #1: Do not come poor. I spent about $200 including tip for a bottle of wine, appetizer, 2 dinners, and dessert. Tip #2: Wear a suit. The people who frequent this place dress fancy. You don't want to look like a bum. Tip #3: Don't be afraid to ask the waiters what they recommend. They know their stuff and they won't let you down. As a sidenote, Wife and I got engaged here when we were dining out in their outdoor seating area in the summer. Anytime it's a nice summer night out, try to sit outside.
(5)Armstrong H.
Had a wonderful dinner with my husband at Cafe Cortina. Great service! Really good food. My only concern was the price. We ordered 2 cocktails, 2 glasses of wine, a bottle of sparkling water, 2 appetizers, 1 pasta, 1 entree, 1 dessert and 1 espresso, and 1 after dinner drink. $228 with tip. We really enjoyed our meal, and the service was wonderful!
(4)G. B.
Our family held a large birthday party here recently. I coordinated all of it from out of town and the staff could not have been more pleasant and flexible to deal with. On the day of the event, the room was beautiful, the food superb and the service flawless. The prices are very reasonable for quality, portions and presentation of the meals. We recieved numerous compliments from our guests on our choice of Cafe Cortina for the party. Several of our guest had eaten there before and raved about the food. I look forward to eating in the restaurant on a return trip, the room looks cosy and I hear the scampi is to die for!
(5)R S.
My wife and I took Mom here for Mother's Day... I'd heard great reviews and we came in with high expectations. Getting right to the point, it would have been a good meal for $25 a plate, but for $47 a plate, it fell very short. To give you an idea of how disappointed I was, this is the first restaurant review I've written, and I'm doing so almost 3 weeks after eating there. This restaurant must have built a reputation at some point in the past, and is still living on that past reputation... it takes more than incorporating "Buona Sera" and "Prego" into the vocabulary to make a good Italian restaurant... drop the pretension and focus on the food!
(1)Chad C.
Excellent italian food with classy ambiance, but just not the best. It is still very much a worthy establishment for a special night out.
(4)Andrea P.
I brought my boyfriend here last week for his birthday. (Prior to coming here, I gave the restaurant my credit card with the reservation so that the check would not be brought to the table.) At the restaurant, we were seated in a secluded area immediately after we checked in (we were 15 min early). The ambiance is very romantic with the room dimly lit with candles. The staff was very attentive and the food and wine were great. Entrees run about $42-48. The only downside was the slow service. We arrived at 7:15, ordered dinner by 7:35ish, bit didn't get served our dinner until 8:45.
(4)Parisa K.
We went for mother's day, which means I did not have to foot the bill, which means this place was worth every, single penny spent. No really, the food is delicious. Between us all, we had more than a fair representation of the menu. Many of the ingredients are grown in its garden, which makes the place that much more impressive (you can order some of their sauces off the website). The service is exemplary and the entire place is welcoming. There is definitely an authentic Italian feel to it. All together, the ambiance is delightful. It's definitely as romantic as people say, and I only wish our mother's day dinner was instead a date for me :o)
(5)Amy G.
Love, Love, Love this place. It is definitely one of my top 3 favorite metro Detroit restaurants. The service is impeccable. The food is absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is very romantic. I have always had a memorable experience here.
(5)Bitsy S.
I'd forgotten that I'd been here because it was years ago but when I saw the name, I knew I had to review (I'm a poet.....) A friend and I went there and we were so pleasantly surprised. Don't even remember what we had but remember it was delicious. The restaurant is kind of small and cozy and the waiters (at least ours) speak Italian so perhaps I can go back and practice since I've been taking Italian for the past year. This place has been here for quite awhile and it's not a really well known place (at least in my circles which are not rich). The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because of the cost. Just like Andiamo's, beaucoups dollars for pasta? C'mon, people. Whatever, I can recommend it highly.
(4)Marina N.
First, the place is nice with a cozy atmosphere. In general, picture exposed brick walls and fireplaces. The private rooms look nice too. Second, the service we received was impeccable and friendly. As far as food...We ordered tea and it was Lipton brand. That was weird and not up to par with the restaurant. Also, we were served salads with our meals and they were overdressed and too peppery. However, the pasta with lobster was excellent and I'd go back if only for that. The lobster was very fresh and the portion of lobster was generous. Also, we had a pear salad that was delicious but also overdressed. We did not try any of the other entrees but I will definitely come back again and try them. The entrees are in the $34 - $44 range if I remember correctly. The desserts we had were not worth the calories. ;) P.S. There's a rumor that this place is only open on Saturdays. That's not true.
(4)Steven S.
Do not waste your time or $. The food was mediocre at best. The price for what you get is a joke. We went with a party of 10 during the holidays and were treated horribly. We asked for separate bills and they couldn't do it. For goodness sake we spent nearly $1000 and they couldn't accommodate a simple request like that. The service was so embarrassing we joked that Applebees was better. I implore you Not to waste your $ when there are much better Italian rest. in the area.
(1)b b.
Just like the fairy tale the Emperor's New Clothes somebody should point out the real state of affairs at Cafe Cortina. The truth must be told. On a recent Saturday evening I experienced the worst service at this restaurant, the servers were brusque, our waiter served six tables and needless to say service was slow. They plied us with at least two loaves of nondescript white bread while they shuffled about pretending to be delivering five star service. Our sommelier barely spoke two words, when asked for a recommendation she had none and seemed to be put off by any wine related questions. I don't think she cracked a smile all evening. Within two seconds of being seated someone swooped down on us and began pouring water and doling out the bread. At about three seconds in while I was still finding a place for my purse and the gentlemen were being seated another server asked what type of drink we would like to order. I politely asked him to return in about five minutes, he was never to be seen again. Now for the meal. Calamari, eggplant special, tomatoes and fresh mozarella appetizer. The calamari reminded me of spaghettios, the sauce had the same look and consistency, and tasted very much like my favorite childhood FrancoAmerican product. The calamari was awful! The other two items were mediocre and overpriced. Salads are sparse, with some greens and with two grape tomatoes cut in half---less than mediocre. As far as entrees, the special for the evening was far from special. Sirloin tips served over sheet pasta which tasted like sheets of cardboard, inedible. Also included was more of the FrancoAmerican sauce. Halibut entree was edible but only after removing as much of FA sauce as possible. Dessert was the best part of a poor meal and that is not saying much. Our entire service was very staccato, very quick at the beginning and very slow at the end. It took more than 3.5 hours from the time we sat down until we walked out of the door. We waited 45 minutes for our main course to be served. For all this we had to pay almost $400 for four people, no drinks, one bottle of wine. In summary this restaurant is terribly overrated, probably because of its location and lack of competition in the near vicinity. There are better, more reasonable Italian restaurants, eg. Giovanni's and Roma Cafe
(1)Marla K.
So, I sometimes feel that people are hyper critical of their reviews on restaurants, so I usually take what I read on review sites with a grain of salt. Feel free to do the same. Last night we ate at Café Cortina. I have always wanted to eat there. We often treat ourselves to fine dining restaurants around the country, so the experience is not foreign to us. My overall assessment is that the food was wonderful. (About $10 an entrée overpriced but we knew that). The service from the supplemental staff was superior. However, we were very disappointed in our primary server. First, we ordered a round of cocktails but were never offered a wine list. A huge disappointment. We could have asked but we were entirely put off by this, and actually thought of it as our main courses were being served. We also had to ask for a second round of drinks. One of the meals (the braised beef) came out lukewarm. When I inquired about the expected temperature, the server asked the chef. The direction from the chef, relayed through the server was that the chef would heat it up in the oven because they don't have a microwave. I explained that the meat was cooked correctly and putting it in the oven would over cook it. It wasn't until after I became upset and had to say "this is Café Cortina, this is a $46 entrée, I shouldn't have to explain this to you" that a replacement was provided. The server admitted that she felt the dish in the kitchen and it was room temperature. The replacement meal was absolutely phenomenal. We also had coffee and dessert but no one came around to offer more coffee, I had to ask. They did give us complementary glasses of Moscato at the end of the meal, with no explanation, so I'm not sure if that is customary or not. Finally, the weather turned snowy while we were in the restaurant. The parking lot is small but they require you to valet park. It took 15 minutes to get the car and the valet did not scrape the car for us, only the front windshield. Also, other servers were coming outside and handing tickets to the valet while diners were still at the table. Ours did not. Now I will freely admit, that we had high expectations going into our dining experience. I was most put off by the fact that I had to get upset (and ask several times) before provided with a hot meal. To me, at a restaurant like Café Cortina, the minute you express dissatisfaction, it should be managed. Cheers!
(3)Terrance k.
Grossly overrated. Please think again before selecting this restaurant. $32 for a plate of mediocre pasta. This makes no sense. Nice decor, but you do not dine on the decor, its the quality and pricing of the food that makes a difference. I have dined world-wide (personal and business expense accounts), but this place simply does not merit its reputation. Urge you, please re-think your decision.
(1)Matthew P.
Unlike that Steve guy's review that gave this place one star (was he smoking crack at the time he wrote it?), this is a fine restaurant that lives up to the hype. From the moment that we came in, we were treated with the highest of service and hospitality. Not only were the two of us given a private booth like I had requested on the phone, the waitstaff treated us like absolute royalty. Although my main course dish did not blow me away, it was still very good. However, the overall service we received, the pre-dinner appetizers, and the wine more than made up for it. Our waiter even took us for a full tour around the restaurant as we sipped on our glasses of a very fine dessert wine. For any of those out there that are looking for a nice place to take a loved one for their anniversary, birthday, etc., this is the place! Come and see just what a wonderful dinning experience that one receives at this one of a kind restaurant.
(5)jerry p.
Amazing. Simultaneously old school and up to the minute hip, Cortina is one of the most romantic spots you can dine at. Fireplaces inside and out and food that surpasses the 4 diamond rating bestowed by AAA.
(5)A M.
Cafe Cortina is my favorite restaurant in the Detroit Metro area. This place holds a special place for my husband and me because we got engaged here and had our wedding reception here. All our important celebrations are celebrated here. This restaurant is family owned and Rina and Adrian make this a special place. Having lived in Italy and traveled there recently, I can honestly say that this restaurant surpasses any Italian restaurant I have ever been to. The food is delicious, fresh, and they grow their own vegetables and herbs. They can accommodate vegans and Chef make a delicious vegan gnocchi. Additionally, the chef sometimes makes vegan desserts like homemade vegan chocolate ice cream that is decadent and rich that any non-vegan would be fooled. Their fresh tomato sauce is to die for. Also noteworthy is the salad with warm pears and candied walnuts. Dining at Cafe Cortina has always been an enjoyable experience; the staff is attentive, the ambiance beautiful, and the food memorable making this a perfect date restaurant. Try to get a seat by the fireplace if you can; it's extra cozy especially in winter time and it makes for a very romantic setting. Cafe Cortina is absolutely amazing; it doesn't get better than this!
(5)Radhika U.
Cafe Cortina is as classy as it gets - delicious food, efficient planning, and very attentive staff members. I hosted my bridal shower for about ~60 women in the Garden Room in May. Rina Tonon, the manager, was especially responsive to my vegetarian needs and event planning throughout the process. We created a custom menu with mimosas, mint lemonade, puff pastries, spinach lasagna (by far the guest favorite), gnocchi, pear salad, and eggplant parmigiana. For dessert, we topped off my cake with mango sorbet. My guests loved the presentation of the food, the service, and the decor. I was initially bummed because I was hoping to host the guests for appetizers and drinks on the beautiful patio. That was probably a bit too ambitious for May in Michigan because we were rained out. Tammy was constantly on the lookout to see if we could move a portion of the shower outside, but it just didn't stop raining. The shower ended up being so fabulous that I didn't need to dwell on the weather though. The mimosa station still looked stunning and the room was set up beautifully and in a customized way - we requested one long central table and round tables on the perimeter so we could accommodate groups of different sizes. A week before the shower, my parents and I visited Cafe Cortina to enjoy a lot of what we had requested for the custom menu. Yona was our sweet and talented server that night and made it so easy for us order and try everything we were planning on having at the shower. Before this event, I had only been to Cafe Cortina for smaller celebrations (anniversary dinner with parents, an outing with the fiance, etc.). After our wonderful experience with the shower, I'm just waiting for another opportunity to host an event here. As a stressed out bride, a responsive event manager and flawless execution is the best gift.
(5)Andrew R.
I've been here twice now. Once during lunch and once during dinner. Lunch was great. Dinner not so much. Took forever to get everything. 2 1/2 hours later we didn't feel like any of the food was worth the wait or the price. Maybe it was a bad night because when I came for lunch it was great. It will be a while before I chance this place again.
(3)Douglas R.
Let me start off here me and my wife came her for the first time for our anniversary, we where greeted by a waiter named Adil I guess he was a waiter assistant or something. But anyway's we wen't in he was terribly, rude to my Wife and myself with an attitude idk how I'm giving this place 2 star's just be happy I did. Food was decent but not worth the $35 for some Pasta like come on now a small potion of pasta for $38 dollar's, I got the steak I told them medium rare and they bright it to me well done, I told the Adil waiter the kid just looked at me for like 5 seconds and said in a pissy voice I got it. Then they finally got the steak the way I like it but overall bad staff, food's over priced, and idk think will be showing are face's again. Don't come here if you wan't to be treated rude, and have over priced food for such a small portion. I'd go to a chain restaurant, if I knew this place was this bad smh.
(2)Christina G.
We brought my Italian aunt here for her 73 birthday. She gave it 5 stars. Everything was authentic and as good as Italy according to her. Our waiter Tim gets a shout out for being so great!! Thanks for making it a very memorable birthday. Buon compleanno Zia!!
(5)Cory W.
I haven't been to the restaurant, but they had a food truck at Campus Martius today. Excellent quality ravioli, especially for $9. The presentation was great too.
(5)Lance S.
The service was horrible. The manager was Very rude as well as the owner. She was not very helpful And the food was over priced. you can get the same food at Olive Garden I will never be back. They need new staff that are more helpful. Stay away if you don't want to be ripped off.
(1)Chuck G.
Upscale, authentic dining experience. Beautiful and serene indoors and out - they have an outdoor garden for parties. Staff is extremely well-trained, and casual comments are always in Italian. If you want to impress someone, or just be impressed yourself, this is the place to dine.
(5)Dennis P.
Had a wonderful dinner and great service. A bit more expensive but not without a reason. We had the calamari and it was young,tender and it had a great fresh tomato sauce. We both opted for the specials. One was fresh perch stuffed with crab and the other fresh scallops in an orange sauce---WOW were they good!! This was preceded by homemade pasta in a light,fresh tomato sauce and then a nice fresh salad---so here is what you are paying for and well worth the cost. We ended with cappuccino and were given a galetto scoop with a drizzle of fresh figs Sorry for using "fresh" so often but it is true and the meal and experience was well worth it. When you have a special occasion or date night this has spectacular offerings in a beautiful indoor or outdoor setting.
(5)Nickie P.
As many of the other reviewers have mentioned, the best place about this restaurant is the service. The wait staff are extremely attentive and friendly, and clearly know about the food. Our waiter described the special menu items to us with tons of colorful detail, and made excellent recommendations to help us pick out our meals. I was told that they don't serve wine by the glass, which was kind of annoying because I wanted a glass of wine but was with a party where everyone else had cocktails, and there was no way that I was going to make it through a whole bottle by myself! There was plenty of time between courses, which was great because we were there for a special occasion and so had plenty of time to relax and enjoy our meal. The bread was excellent - so warm and fluffy! - and the starter salad was light, well dressed, and fresh. For dinner, I had the bone-in short rib which was served with polenta and root vegetables. The meat was soooo tender and the red wine sauce on it was in was delicious. The polenta was super creamy, and the veggies were great. My fiance ordered a 22 lb. ribeye with char grilled with a gorgonzola crust (I think mostly just because ordering a giant piece of meat sounded cool), and I was kind of disappointed. It was good, but honestly, was nothing exciting. It probably did not even crack my top 10 best steaks list, and for what it cost, you would think it would! For dessert, we had some sort of ice cream dish with figs in it and it was absolutely delicious. Overall, we had an excellent experience. I loved the coziness and charm of the place. I know that other reviewers have found the place to be a bit outdated, but I didn't think it was too bad. I would love to go back for another special occasion, but next time, when its warm so that we can enjoy the lovely patio outside.
(4)Laura N.
Spoiled Rotten! Delicious food and impeccable staff! Patio is lovely. The butternut risotto and lamb has my tail wagging...What a treat!
(5)Ann W.
This lovely restaurant offers well-crafted meals in an old-world setting. I had a chance to review both the lunch and dinner menus on this visit - both featured inventive, well composed, and refined dishes. They reminded me that it has been too long since my last visit. With a meeting scheduled right after lunch, I skipped the separate appetizer and went with a well-prepared grilled steak with green beans and potatoes. Medium rare and assertively seasoned, the thick-cut steak was fantastic. The steak was served with a house salad with a red wine vinegar, olive oil, and buttermilk dressing that was a refreshing accompaniment. Most memorable, however, was the mille-crepe cake for dessert. It was composed of alternate layers of thin chocolate crepes and strong espresso cream. There was also a dab of vanilla pastry cream for contrast. The taste and textures were delicious. I could see why it was a favorite at the restaurant. Service was good.
(4)Christa L.
Cafe Cortina used to be one of my favorite restaurants for special occasions. They always delivered great food. Sadly we didn't have a good experience during the last visit on August 19. We started with a glass of Prosecco, ordered dinner and dinner came without having been asked whether we wanted to have some wine with dinner. Very unusual for this place. The gnocchi with porcini were overcooked, and while the sauce included porcini, they were stretched with button mushrooms. And lastly we had an espresso that came without the usual sugar. It also was not the usual good espresso, so I didn't drink it. I told the waiter later that we didn't sugar and he asked "did you ask for sugar"? No, I did not. He offered another one but I declined and it was taken off the bill. All in all, there won't be another visit anytime soon. The Rugby Grille in the Townsend is always good.
(1)Christie M.
We went here for our anniversary dinner and it was amazing. Cute cozy place with awesome service and delicious food. I seriously had nothing to complain about. We each loved our wine thanks to the recommendation. I couldn't decide between two pasta and they did half and half. It was so perfect. One was zesty and other was rich and creamy. So good! Portions were pretty big. I took home most of my meal and saved room for their most yummy dessert. Had 16 layers of crepes, chocolate crepes. Again, half and half with homemade Spumoni. Soooo perfect pairing of the two. They really went well together. Everything was wonderful. I think this is our new favorite date place for special celebration.
(5)Farid S.
Save your money and go to Andiamo. Our first time at Café Cortina and it was not what we expected. The service and ambience are unmatched by any restaurant we've been to but I'm sorry to say that I've had much better meals at Bone Fish in Novi or at any Andiamo restaurant for that matter. The Spring Salad and fresh baked Dinner Rolls were delicious, no complaints there. The Rigatoni came in a very acidic and bland Marinara Sauce but the pasta was cooked perfectly. The pan seared Cod came in a bland tomato caper sauce that was way overdone and the Grilled Salomon with a sweet fruit glaze was under seasoned with not much of the delicious glaze on it. This place is very expensive but it seems like you pay more for the atmosphere and service than you do the food...
(3)Joe A.
Good pasta at a steep price. Arrogant restaurant with artificial Roma airs who don't apologize for keeping their patrons waiting for over an hour and a half for a plate of pasta.
(2)Phyllis W.
Food was good; but not good enough to justify the price. My lasagna was $34. 'Northern' Italian per waitress, with shredded beef and a green sauce. A small salad was included. My husband had a veal, noodle dish ($36). Veal was ground. Both dishes were good; but, not $70 good. A side note - I spent three weeks in northern Italy and never saw a pasta dish until Venice. Amazed when I saw spaghetti in Venice, ordered and received a small side of spaghetti with some chopped tomatoes and herbs - told this was for the tourists who expectedly pasta in Italy.
(2)Kaliza H.
My son recently had an intimate wedding and dinner reception at Café Cortina. They wanted the appearance of luxury at economical costs and well Café Cortina gave my son and his new bride more than they could have asked for. The appearance of the event was ambient, appealing, and simply beautiful. The food was Superb and the wait staff were better than excellent but simply exceptional!!!! I had never been to this restaurant but do want to thank the staff at Café Cortina for helping to make my son's wedding day sooooooo Perfect! I'm also looking forward to returning to Cafe Cortina just to take in the beautiful atmosphere and intimate feel of the place and Yes! to once again savor the deliciously prepared food.
(5)Mario J.
You get by far the best service here. The food is always made perfectly but the seasoning at times is not spot on. I like that even though you are paying a premium price you will find wild caught fish and organic ingredients on the menu. Nice place to take your special one.
(4)Katie M.
Incredible Service - Yes. High Prices- Yes. $34 Gnocchi - Yes. Now... onto the No's. Did I love my $34 plate of Gnocchi? No. It was OK. It was a very generous portion but I did not love the flavor. My hubby got the lasagna - its a northern lasagna so its served with creamy pesto and short rib sauce - that was fabulous. It was a good experience overall. I think I would have enjoyed it more if we were seated in their beautiful garden area. I found the decor inside to be outdated even for an old school Italian restaurant.
(3)Simon V.
Been here a few times already and decided I'm ready for a review.. This place is one of the better restaurants in all of the Detroit area. Me and my wife enjoyed a New Years dinner here and it was great! Had the sausage with polenta as a appetizer and really enjoyed that. Main course for both of us was the Veal Milanese and it was amazing! The portion was huge and the veal was really tender, the staff was great and one of them actually remembered us from last time we were there, even remembering our last order as well. I recommend this place for special events, dates or anniversaries. This place really impresses and it's definitely worth a stop.
(5)Margie P.
We went there for our office Christmas party and it was awesome! The food was delicious, the drinks were great and of course the staff was excellent. It is pricey but you do get what you pay for. If you want to impress your date then this is the place.
(5)Charlene R.
I have never, in my entire life, had such an amazing experience at a restaurant. In or outside of Michigan. The food was phenomenal, and I couldn't believe how amazing every single course was. From the soup and salad to the tomahawk steak and pasta. The ravioli with this cream sauce that was made by angels in Heaven and it was DIVINE!! My waiter couldn't have been better. The service was extraordinary. I can't even remotely imagine how anyone could not LOVE this place. I want to go back every single day! What an amazing place!!
(5)Lindsey B.
One of the two five star restaurants in the state of Michigan (the other being The Lark), and this place lives up to the hype! Came here for a wedding and reception last Sunday. The night started with a cocktail hour and appetizers on the patio. Unfortunately, the appetizers traveled by me so fast I didn't get a chance to try anything. I asked the groom, my dad, and he didn't get a chance to try any other, due to the same reason. Hey servers- slow down next time!!! But the patio was beautiful with flowers, some music, high tables, some couches and twinkle lights in the trees. The ceremony was right there and being that you are pretty close to 10 mile Road you might think there would be lots of noise. Nope! It was quite and private. Perfect! After the ceremony, we made out way into the private room where the bride had brought and purchased the decorations. It was gorgeous! We also enjoyed music by the wonderful Stephon and he was fabulous! The meal started off with a champagne toast, followed by the best handmade ravioli I have ever had in my life (have I mentioned that I am a ravioli expert? ;) ) I would have loved that as my main entree, but that's ok! The next course was a salad. Nothing to write home about and I think I had a total of 2 bites. Then came a raspberry and blueberry soubet. Wow!!! This was delicious and a terrific palate cleanser. Yum! Next was the main entree that I picked- 45 day aged filet. Fabulous! Perfectly cooked- medium rare plus. It came with potatoes and zucchini and squash. I'm not a zucchini or squash person but both had crazy good flavor (butter?! Hahah) and perfectly seasoned! We made our way back outside for cake and more drinks and music. We danced the night away and the party ended around 10:30pm. The service, the ambiance and the food were all top notch. I highly recommend coming for dinner or throwing a fete. Can't wait to come back the next time we are in town.
(5)Joseph A.
We recently had my daughters wedding reception and ceremony at Cafe Cortina the management was very easy to deal with the staff was very helpful the service and food was excellent our experience exceeded our expectations I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND CAFE CORTINA FOR A WEDDING SPECIAL EVENT OR JUST FOR DINNER We used the patio for the cocktail hour and the wedding service WOW!!!!! GREAT EXPERIENCE
(5)Kathy H.
My husband and I have ate here a number of times. The latest time was on my birthday in July. The food and the service was top-notch. Our group was at the restaurant for a very long time - dining both inside and outside - when the rain would kick in and then let up. When it got dark they set us up by the fire and had fresh flowers cut and dressing our table. The staff was so accommodating and the food and drinks - superb. We will forever be fans of Cafe Cortina!!
(5)Miral P.
Awesome delicacy! We have been going to this place to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. It's an awesome place to celebrate your life.
(5)Ivan R.
Molto bene! Loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. Low lighting amid the glow of candles. Large, comfortable arm chairs. Warm bread. Top notch food with unique and interesting flavors. Willing to customize the menu and cater to your needs. Nice spacing between courses to allow for pleasant, unrushed conversation.
(5)Kimberly H.
I took my boyfriend here for dinner last night. The service was impeccable! Joshua was our main server and he was knowledgeable and quite engaging. He even had our car ready for us when we were ready to leave. We each had wine which was very good. We had the lollipop lambchop and saffron risotto appetizer....out of this world great! MY boyfriend had the chilean sea bass which was the special...incredible. They only thing that is keeping this to a 4 star rating was my dish- I had the short ribs which were mediocre. I thought the meat was tough and didn't taste all that good. Overall, we had a fun night out and we will definitely be back.
(4)K M.
Bottom line- Food and top notch client service Heaven. Amazing butternut squash soup, filet and vegetarian lasagne. Dessert heaven via a special selection from our server. Creme Brûlée and Fig gelato were our favorites. Amazing.
(5)Sarah S.
Although expensive, but hands down the BEST ITALIAN FOOD i have ever had. Beautiful and romantic ambiance. And amazing wine selection too.
(4)Corky L.
Disappointed, pretentious, overpriced for mediocre food. First, I think it's wrong for a restaurant to not provide a printed wine list, by the glass. I would have avoided a $17.00 x 3 glasses of wine I ordered. I was verbally told what wines they had but of course not the price. We were there on a weekday night so maybe weekend chef is more talented? Food was all VERY over salted and way too much butter and oil on all 4 dishes! $400.00 dinner that was absolutely not worth it. This place has seen it's better days:(
(2)Teddy M.
We went to a wedding and loved the decor and outdoor porch. We decided to go there for our Anniversary. The Veggie Lasagna was outstanding, my wife's filet was one of the best she had ever had. Wow, the service was close to perfection. We would go back and recommend to anyone. It's on the pricey side so we would only go for a special occasion.
(5)Chris O.
First off the service was incredible!!! Second off, the service was incredible!!! My wife and I have lived less than a mile from this restaurant for the past year. Unfortunately, I wish I would've known about this place long ago. We attended a function, yes but even so were very impressed. Although we did not order any Italian items on the menu, the steaks were perfectly cooked. Very rarely do we go to restaurants that cook a steak medium rare to perfection, but this place delivered. From the ambience, to the food, This place is a must to visit in the Farmington Hills area.
(5)Deborah G.
I would give 2.5 stars. My partner and I went here for my birthday, expecting it to be very pricey and also with the mindset that we were there to enjoy the "experience" of eating our meal. In other words, a slower process from drinks to dessert. We started with a bottle of wine and all the servers/staff were attentive. We got to sit next to the fireplace, which was nice. I agree with most of the reviews that the food was delicious. The reason for a lower rating was due to my personal preference for what kind of atmosphere and attitude/presence is experienced at a restaurant. I am less comfortable within a "country club" like atmosphere, mostly White crowd, and traditional/conservative attitudes communicated through verbal and non-verbal behaviors. I was immediately distracted and "put off" by the first 2 male servers/staff that made the assumption that my partner was male and called her "sir". I was annoyed that they couldn't take just a couple more seconds to look at her face--her back was to them as they came up to the table. They made assumptions based on her short hair and that she was wearing pants. They also assumed that since she was a male, the wine list goes "the male". I'm just put off by that. Just leave the list on the table or ask who would like to look at the wine list? There were definitely traditional gender assumptions made, if I were a male I wonder if they would have then assumed that the person I was with was female? How about just saying hello without the mam or sir? I realize that this kind of atmosphere is appreciated by some people, so I can understand how others have an enjoyable experience. I am okay spending a lot of money for a celebratory dinner, but being distracted by the atmosphere kind of ruins the whole dining experience for me. We will not be returning.
(2)Tony P.
First, let me say the food is good yet, I've experienced far better for the price. The pompous attitude of the staff is a red flag for me, but if it was exceptional, I could take that as pride for the establishment. However, the price to quality ratio is way out of balance. $50 for a bottle of $6 wine? Pasta's for $34? Either these guys are delusional or their customers are. I won't be going back simply because of the prices. If this was priced in the same level as J.Alexanders or Bonefish, it would be a five star rating but the prices are NYC high and the quality is a medium, at best.
(2)Valerie B.
Service is wonderful and the venue is really special. Group events are done so well here. Now, to the food... a bit disappointing given the very high prices for the a la carte menu. The buffalo mozzarella is nothing special, the sausage was dry and rubbery - so disappointing, the arancini was perfect and presented well. We tried a ravioli and a lasagna with braised beef - both were just okay. House salad was gross - over dressed boring bottled dressing taste. Rolls served throughout the meal were fine but I wish they would ask before they give you another one! Entrees were much better - the aged rib eye was perfectly seasoned and cooked - amazing! The pasta with mussels, lobster, fish was really fresh and pleasant. Desserts were mostly a disappointment - standard creme brûlée, a multilayered chocolate cake that was blah but the spumoni was truly special with a lovely presentation. Overall - good but very expensive.
(3)David H.
This place has been the standard in great Italian food, not only in the Farmington Hills area, but this great state. The talent in the kitchen is second to none, because they deliver culinary greatness on a consist basis like no other. Homemade pastas to die for not to mention veal that I dream about. Everything fresh and well seasoned, you know true chefs are in the kitchen, because the food screams love. And the service is attentive and knowledgeable, about both food and wine. A true gem and a place that should be proud to carry the crown as the best Italian food in our great state!!! Thank you Cafe Cortina staff and kitchen talent, you inspire me. This place is the real deal, no question. After a recent visit, the service and food was not as well as it has been in the past. Have to say it felt like things are slipping in that kitchen. Sorry but have to take a star away...
(4)tony a.
As others have said this is just a fantastic place to eat. From the moment you walk in to leaving the service is perfect. The food is always expertly prepared and they go out of their way to accommodate any changes you may want to see. A great wine selection and some wonderful Brunellos that put your bill up a bit but are oh so tasty. If you are looking for a special time out this is a place to try.
(4)W. John R.
My significant other surprised me with dinner reservations here last night for New Year's, so I didn't read the Yelp reviews before I went and had a "fresh palate", so to speak. The service, as others mentioned, was impeccable. There are fewer than three restaurants in the State where I have seen that kind of attention to detail. The use of Italian phrases by the wait staff reminded me of Brad Pitt trying his hand at Italian (badly) in a certain Inglorious Tarantino movie, but it was endearing rather than annoying. There was a separate wine waiter, which is also rare for S.E. Michigan. The food was fantastic. The only thing keeping this from being a five-star review is that I'm not sure it was $200-for-a-couple fantastic. The pesto lasagna I had was phenomenal, and lady's spare rib was amazing (and came with accessible marrow, which created a quest for her). But her polenta was mediocre and her veggies were passable but not remarkable, and the salads that came out beforehand were good but not great. We ordered the calamari appetizer and while it wasn't tough and the flavors were nice, it was in a gentle coating of the same sauce that came out with her taste of mostaccioli. I would recommend you all try this place if you get a chance and have some spare money to burn for a special occasion, as the ambiance is worth the price at least once. But I'm not positive I can put it into my regular "fancy restaurant" rotation just yet.
(4)john b.
Service was great all around, however, the reason I came was for the food. My party of four enjoyed the some of the food and was definitely not blown away. I'm always looking for that experience when dinning out... That night it did not happen.
(3)Brittany K.
Amazing dishes. Great service. Craig the waiter is my favorite person in the world. A little pricy but it was worth it. Went for my anniversary with my husband and we will go back very soon!
(5)Renee S.
Romantic with wonderful service and great food. Love the owner!
(4)Annalisa B.
Fantastic, attentive wait staff. Excellent Italian menu. Gluten free options included pasta. The vegetables really impressed me the most. So fresh and tender! The salad was perfect as were my entrees sides of rapini, grilled green beans and pumpkin. Loved the veggies more than the fish! The sea bass was good, but my brothers beef shank was incredible!
(5)Elizabeth T.
If this was my first visit it would also be my last. The lamb was way overcooked. We were in a booth and during the meal I found a pair of sunglasses tucked into the seat. The type of sunglasses from a party. I gave them to the waitress and she mentioned a wedding dinner and they were possibly left over. I have a tendency to either dangle my heels or take them off if no one can see me. My heel kept hitting something that felt almost like cork.As we left, my shoes felt odd which would make sense as one shoe was mine and the other was left under the table. Charming. It just makes me wonder how often the area is cleaned because there is no way the shoes and sunglasses could be missed.
(3)Paige W.
BRIDES BEWARE!!!!! I would never think about having my wedding shower here after the awful and improper English response I received from her. I emailed regarding information about menu prices for booking a shower and I was emailed pictures of the venue. After over looking the email and continuing on my search, I began to be hounded via email from the coordinator. In response, I sent the following email " I received the information, however, it was not what I asked for. I was looking for a menu of the possible options for a shower and the process associated, not pictures of your venue or an example menu that was ridiculous for a wedding shower because it was for a wedding" in response to my email, I received this unprofessional email " oops..reallllly sorry I upset you with photos....( majority of our clients very appreciate) and I accidentally emailed the wrong menu ( my error.) oh well, from your impolite tone I would say you are not interested. we all make mistakes..just a little courtesy on your part by letting someone know would have been proper....from your sarcastic tone you would not be a nice person we would welcome working with. Our hard working staff would not appreciate the way you come across, due to an err. sorry I sent a professional courtesy followup to be polite and emailed photos." Cafe cortina, your a beautiful venue, but I would never spend thousands of dollars there with a coordinator with horrible customer service skills such as this!
(1)Nicole A.
WOW!!! What a fantastic experience! From the moment we walked in we were treated like gold! The food was great and filling! 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 5 cocktails, 1 cappuccino and a three hour experience from our waiter and staff was $170+ tip. It was 100% worth it! We will be going back for sure.
(5)Riordan R.
You can't go wrong in this place ! This is a dinner experience for sure. In short, this is a place for a classy dinner, a romantic atmosphere, and a service among the best I've ever seen. Once you drive there, the vallet service promptly open the doors for both of you. Inside, it is charming and cozy. As far as our food goes, it was nothing out of this world, but it was good. A dinner for two, with aptizer, wine and coffee or desert, will easily be between 120.00 to 150.00 without tip. We had aptizer and pasta, no wine, and it was 99.00. If you have somebody special that you want to have an awesome dinner with, dress up, and go there, you will be pleased !
(5)Katie C.
Wow the price makes you believe the food will be the best you've ever had. Unfortunately it doesn't live up to the price. The service was very good and the food was good but when you consider the price it definitely isn't the best pasta, bread, salad or even fish I've ever had. My husband commented on the fact the clientele is all old and the atmosphere and good fit that generation more than ours (we're in our late 30's). Not sure I would come back.
(3)Michael S.
What a fantastic restaurant!! We have never been treated so well!! The staff is absolutely the finest we have ever experienced. Tim is a fabulous server and knows his business. He treated our party of 6 like royalty. The appetizers, were terrific and we ordered several, so that we all could share. My veal was perfect. The presentation of the food was great. Wine was delicious. Expertly chosen by our good friend, Allen. Deserts, were also very, very good. If you are looking for a special place for a special meal, you should definitely consider Café Cortina. On the trip home to Brighton, my wife and I decided that we would rather go out less often and go to great restaurants like this one!!! Bravo and thank you!!!
(5)Evan T.
Four of us had a full 5 course meal here with cocktails and two bottles of wine. We were initially very impressed and if we had ordered differently this could be a four or five star rating. The antipasti course was very nice, a special ricotta crostini and sauteed calimari and the service at this point was perfect. The salad was also very nice. The pasta course was exceptional, the gnocchi that I had was my favorite. We did notice that the red sauce was a bit too salty, it had a nice consistency so I'm guessing it had too much salty pasta water added. If we had left right then this would be a five star review. Then came our entrees; veal medallions, short rib "osso bucco", and a seafood "soup". My veal was terrible...I had maybe two bites. The meat tasted as though it wasn't fresh or had freezer burn. It had been floured but not browned properly so it was slimy. The short rib was inconsistent, one diner's was delicious but the other's was dry. If you are going to make osso bucco, get the veal shank and make it right! All of the side dishes were the same with each dish and overseasoned. Green beans were over ripe. The seafood soup had nice pieces of fish etc but it was just doused in the aforementioned salty red sauce. Not a soup and inedible from the salt! The service at this point slowed to a crawl...not the same attentiveness we had initially. Overall, if you're gonna charge $40 for an entree it better represent! I might go back and just order pasta because it really was some of the best homemade pasta i've had...that last $500 experience was just sooo disappointing.
(2)Ernesto E.
Made reservation for Valentine's at 10pm hoping to avoid having to wait. Got there 5 mins prior and there is a line still waiting to seat 8:30pm. Really? Well, ended up calling other restaurants in the area.
(1)Todd M.
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The atmosphere is amazing and the service is the BEST. This is a 10 out of 10.
(5)Tanya L.
Went there for our anniversary dinner. The food was OK, a good appetizer and a delicious fillet. But the service! I can't believe people LIKE it. Extremely clingy, over the top, obnoxious and fake. I asked a male waiter to point me to the ladies room, and he literally walked me over to its door. By the time I got back to my seat, my napkin was re-folded and placed on my plate. The waitress insisted on using fake Italian with us, despite the fact that neither one of us WAS Italian or spoke it. She was also extremely soft-spoken, so we really had to strain to hear her and try to understand her. At the end of the meal, she gave both of us a fake-warm two-handed handshake. Really, really annoying.
(2)Neil Y.
Three words: Attention to detail! I had eaten here before as a guest and looked for an opportunity to take my wife here. A great coupon at restaurant.com was just what we needed. I know, people say great restaurants don't offer coupons. Whatever, a value is a value regardless of location. We had some guests in from out of town and we brought them along. Newcomers to Cafe Cortina may be somewhat overwhelmed by the service. You're greeted in a Italian by the "host" as well as the bar steward as well as the server. This kind of happens really fast from the moment you arrive, so just go with it--it's classy. This team of black suit clad commandos go non-stop throughout your service and attention to detail is always at hand. Water glass gets low, but never empty; finish a dinner roll and another almost magically replaces it. Crumbs on the table--not for long. If you prefer service where they take your order, bring your food and drop your check off in a walk by, Cafe Cortina might not be for you. As others have written, Cafe Cortina commands a high price so you can forget bottomless soup, salad and bread sticks for $6.99. This is a fine foods establishment, not a heat and serve or egg noodles and ketchup kind of place. Further, it's not an Americanized menu, so be adventurous. The prices are high because everything is made from scratch from the world's finest and freshest ingredients. Most of the ingredients are imported from Northern Italy: cheeses, flour and yes, the wine. It's all fresh (meat, seafood and vegetables alike) and the only thing that is frozen is their in-house gelato. Get these basic talking points out of the way, the menu is somewhat overwhelming at first as the selections are numerous but not ridiculous. Titles on everything are in Italian so the descriptions, which are in English, almost all have to read. The servers will be circulating but don't hesitate to ask for more time and they will accommodate you. If you don't like what the menu offers, the kitchen will prepare your request if the items are on hand. My next visit, I will forego the menu and simply have the chef prepare me his choice. The decor may show signs of being dated but to me the questions really are: is it clean and is the food good? Beyond that a place can have lime green shag carpeting and black and white checker floors for all I care. We started with drinks. My guests enjoyed a real homemade margarita not the Slurpee version and he noted it was literally the best he had ever tasted. Maybe not thematic, but that also demonstrates Cafe Cortina's willingness to serve and commitment to the customer. A glass of sweet wine was enjoyed by his spouse while I enjoyed quite possibly the perfect dirty martini. Right taste and served ice cold. Well played sir! We ordered and started the meal with an heirloom tomato and cheese salad which was incredible. Mixed green variety salad and pasta courses followed. These items are all served in oversized plates and bowls which is pretty standard in finer dining. I don't understand this concept but I just accept this as standard practice. My wife enjoyed filet entree with an oyster mushroom sauce that was perfectly cooked and the flavors married well. Our guests ordered a prawn over risotto dish as well as a non-traditional lasagna with beef. Both noted food cooked just to perfection. I ordered the pasta special served with little neck clams and a white clam sauce that I really enjoyed. No complaints. We enjoyed the flourless chocolate cake, the multi-layered chocolate pastry and the cheese course for dessert. I too enjoyed a cappuccino. My wife and guests enjoyed their chocolaty desserts but the cheese course was enormous, varied and magnificent. Yes, this meal was pricy. However, since we do not get to enjoy many meals without toddlers and at this price threshold, I have to say it was worth every penny. I suggest all potential guests purchase a discount coupon to help offset your cost but more importantly, go in there with an open mind and enjoy yourself. Will you eat here once a month? Probably not but know that when you do come here once or twice a year, you do get what you pay for. Since it's close by, my wife and I will come back more frequently for drinks, appetizers and dessert for child free evenings.
(5)Pepper S.
3.5 stars is where I would rate Cafe Cortina. Service is amazing ... 5 stars for service! I did not feel that the food warranted the high prices. Don't get me wrong the food was good but not amazing! My co-worker had the salmon special and it was nearly $50 ... he said it was good, cooked well but nothing special. I had the pappardelle with veal and it was good as well but when compared to the pappardelle with rabbit that I get from Cork in Pleasant Ridge..... well there is no comparison. Ambiance is nice. A great place to impress someone. Just be prepared to shell out some money for an ok dinner. $180 for 2 people, 2 entrees and 3 drinks each.
(3)Natalia B.
Craig has waited on us twice and we have to commend him on his service and friendliness. He's awesome and we recommend him. We had the veal special and the crab ravioli. The food is always excellent here yet a bit pricey!
(5)Kiley K.
Cafe Cortina is a 5 star restaurant! Delicious food and drinks, excellent customer service and romantic atmosphere! Love the outside patio in the summer.
(5)Courtney T.
SERVICE-AMAZING ATMOSPHERE-AMAZING FOOD-AMAZING WINE-AMAZING! DESSERT-AMAZING So worth it! Go! Go! Go! Easily walked in at 7:pm on a Wednesday and received a table. It was super cozy with fireplace, chair pull out and napkin folding when you head to the ladies room. I had the risotto -40 min wait indicated on the menu-WORTH it, my Girlfriend's entree was timed perfectly. The salad was delish, the olive oil MUST be infused with something! Had the 2008 Black Stallion Cab, ordered another they had run out and chose The 2008 EDGE, both PERFECT. Found an excellent deal on Restaurant.com ***will honor only one of them at a time**** They were very kind and generous about. CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!! A long standing Metro Detroit Tradition and I see why.
(5)Ken F.
I knew nothing about this place. My wife knew of it but had never been. She found a great coupon online and we ventured out with no kids in tow. That alone made it a pleasant meal! This place is a chance to get your lady dressed up and take her out for some fantastic Italian food, great service, and a real "fine dining" experience. Be warned...you will pay top $ for the experience. Two entrees alone range from $75-100 easily. I found it humorous that I could've bought a bottle of wine or wait and get an ipad for the same price. Go treat yourself.
(5)Wendy C.
3.5 stars. We had an enjoyable dinner and evening. Here is the breakdown: FOOD - solid but not quite "wow". Good quality meats and produce used, traditional menu choices (we had cheese and cured meat app, a whole sea bass pan seared and served with garlic-vinegar-wine sauce, a braised beef dish the waiter described as "short ribs" but looked and tasted more like shanks / osso buco, and dessert millefeuille). The fish was beautifully cooked, not a second too long, although the sauce was a little too plain Jane. The beef dish was the more flavourful of the two main; both the meat part and bone marrow were cooked to perfect done-ness. The most creative dish of the night was the dessert, instead of a traditional French millefeuille with alternating layers of flaky puff pastry and cream, their rendition involves many layers of thin, crepe-like cake interlayered with hazelnut chantilly cream. Rich-tasting, without heaviness. SERVICE - very attentive and discreet, especially the bus-persons who'd pop up to refill something or clean the plates away the minute it becomes necessary. The waiter kept trying to throw in Italian words in his sentences even though he obviously is NOT Italian ("would you be interested in seeing our dolce menu?"), I thought it was a bit pretentious but cute, and we just followed his flow. AMBIANCE - warm and cozy, patrons dress attire ranges from jeans to tux (at least one tux within our table's view). The tables are placed quite close so you may be able to hear conversations from your neighbours if they are not whispering. Overall, a good place to have a good meal if impeccable service is important, and you aren't necessarily looking for adventurous eats. Zagat ranks it among the top 5 restaurants in Detroit area. I will leave it to local experts' judgment whether they agree with Zagat.
(4)Rich P.
Great service! Amazing food! I'll definitely go back when I'm in Michigan again. The outdoor patio was amazing. They did a great job!
(4)Jaclyn S.
I knew nothing about this place until my family decided on it for a birthday dinner. As a foodie, and a lover of new places, I was pretty excited to check it out -- especially after yelping the hell out of it before I got there. You'll read that service is amazing, yes, it is. There's a pre-hostess greeter which, is nice, but also catches you off guard. There's a server just for your drinks and one just for food. There's also the crumbs off the table guy and the "oh you just took a sip of water, let me refill your class" guy. Its all very nice, cozy, romantic, and super sophisticated. It's a traditional Italian meal so be prepared for at least a 2 hour dinner. Courses can drag a little, but the food makes up for it. Its delicious. I tend to get antsy and CC is a bit of a process, so its not my first choice for date night. However, if you're looking to try something new, or go out for a special occasion, this place is great.
(4)Patricia M.
My favorite restaurant for special occasions. This restaurant in Chicago or New York would be twice the amount, it's that good. Service is perfect.
(5)Sam H.
The BEST Italian restaurant hands down. Service, food, decor, attention to detail, presentation - all first class!! Never disappointing.
(5)Paras P.
Not worth my time or money
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