Il Cantuccio 701 N. 3rd St. Northern Liberties (215) 627–6573
Don't Miss: Spinach Ravioli Skip: The pasta special $$$
Il Cantuccio feels like home. The decorations, the kitchen, the staff, the food — everything seems more an extension of an Italian relative’s dining room than a restaurant tucked away on a quiet corner in Northern Liberties. The place is small, housing only a handful of wooden tables. Exposed brick, colorful tiles and little Italian trinkets feel like odds and ends picked up over a lifetime.
The food here pairs nicely with these comfy vibes. Advised by Giuseppe, our waiter, and his mother (both long–time I.C. fixtures) we started with the Misto appetizer ($8). Soft pepper jack and provolone cheeses, caramelized carrots, stuffed tomatoes and string beans fill the plate to its brim. Little is touched by the chef: the ingredients’ freshness and natural flavors become the main attraction. It’s all delicious, but the cheeses truly melt on the tongue.
Our entrées followed quickly. Enthusiastically suggested by Giuseppe, the Spinach Ravioli ($20) was bathed in a pink sauce with peas and mushrooms. The richness of the tomatoes and thinly–sliced mushrooms, along with the sweetness of the peas hit just the right spot alongside the ricotta cheese bubbling inside the pasta. We also tried a pasta special with chicken sausage, cherry tomatoes and broccoli, splashed with a garlic sauce ($20). The pasta itself was unremarkable, and the sauce just barely missed its mark. But the sausage was bursting at its seams, and the vegetables were flavorful. The broccoli especially came in handy, soaking up the broth and complementing its otherwise lackluster flavors perfectly.
By the time for dessert, we were nearly stuffed by the generous portions of the earlier dishes. But we couldn’t pass up the Homemade Tiramisu ($5), the Chocolate Cream Puff ($5) or the Chocolate Cannoli ($5) when they arrived on an artfully–arranged platter. The cannoli emerged as the clear standout, but everything had us finishing the meal on a high note.
From start to finish, a repast in this tiny restaurant satisfies. For those familiar with La Locanda, the Italian BYO of the same owner in Old City, Il Cantuccio doesn’t stray far in quality from its food or atmosphere. If anything, it’s warmer and more welcoming than its counterpart. BYO and parents–weekend friendly, you’d be hard–pressed to find an occasion when Il Cantuccio doesn’t work.
