At Il Tinello East, the essence of personalized service greets diners right from the moment they enter in the elegant 75-seat dining room. The welcoming gesture of complimentary fresh bread and butter, bruschetta, and a delightful array of hot long peppers and zucchini sets a warm tone for the entire dining affair. Javier, our exceptional server, elevated our experience by expertly selecting and decanting a magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon that flawlessly complemented the meal, and his passion and genuine joy added an extra layer of delight. Owner Benny Bello also added a personal touch by taking the time to share the restaurant’s origin story with us, connecting it back to the original Il Tinello West, established over three decades ago on W. 56th St.

“Everything you taste here represents the magic of New York City. This is the food of our neighborhood, and we know our customers love and appreciate it as much as we do every single day,” Bello said.

For the appetizers, the seafood salad special was blended shrimp, sepia, tomato, onions, and capers in a balsamic reduction, creating a symphony of flavors that were both rich and harmonious. Meanwhile, the creamy burrata cheese and tomato (caprese) dish was an ode to perfection in texture and taste, setting a new standard for the classic combination. The main course featured the ossobuco, a Lombard cuisine specialty slow-cooked for three hours, emerging as the standout dish of the evening. Its tenderness and perfect pairing with saffron risotto made it an unforgettable experience. Equally impressive was the angus steak, served with sides of broccoli and roasted potatoes, serving as a testament to the restaurant’s versatility in mastering both Italian classics and steakhouse favorites.

Desserts continued the culinary seduction. The crème brulee, with its velvety custard and caramelized sugar was served with a hint of strawberries and raspberry sauce to enhance the interplay of textures and flavors. And then came the tartuffo, made with Italian pistachio gelato, walnuts, cherries, and enveloped in a luscious chocolate glaze. Il Tinello East lives up to the accolades it’s amassed because it crafts an unforgettable experience of Italian cuisine, elevated by personalized service and a commitment to culinary excellence.

— Sandi Margolis

Il Tinelo East 244 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (646) 682-7284 www.iltinello.com

Lunch – M-F 11:30-4pm, Dinner – Sun-Thu 4pm-10pm, Fri & Sat 5pm-10pm, Closed on Sunday