Corto is the perfect name for this joint. But before we talk about the "short"comings let's discuss the food. The food is Italian eclectic all freshly made. They have fusions of flavors that are an attempt at creating combination of clean fresh ingredients , but falls short. They seem arrogantly dedicated as if they were a Michelin 1 star or trying. So let's get to the bubble bursting experience. We were so looking forward to having lunch with our Son after retiring from Seattle. Corto was selected by my Son. He made an outdoor reservation and we had the nerve to show up 10 mins early. Then we were so idiotic to ask if they allow small dogs outdoors. OMG how stupid of us, to even ASK! Understanding dogs were not their jam we made other arrangements since we had no choice! You see they hit you with a $25 cancellation. Quite understanding for a culinary establishment with a line outside not like this one four empty tables outside and a few inside. If we were not interested in the cuisine we would have taken the $25 hit and in hindsight we should of. The greeter/hostess/waitress used exquisite body language to help us understand that we were not welcome. Additionally, my son asked if "his parents" could be seated while he brought our dog home 5 mins away. NO! " Everyone must be here" yeah good rule if we were 6 but, we were 3 and planning to have a good hearty lunch or in other words spend a couple hundred bucks. After cajoling and received several eye rolls, we were given the privilege to sit at a two person table made into 3, though there was an adequate sized table available (remember we had a reservation) but had to wait for our Son to return before we could order appetizers. So they brought us stale bread. Bread! The spaghetti was bucatini, The angry chicken looked boiled but did have an interesting spice. The heirloom tomato salad was God's creation, so tough to screw that up. The outdoor space was nice, inside plain with an open kitchen. So here's the rub.....arrogance We read about the nice service which seemed true but the greeter whispered to the waiter something that changed his approach and demeanor. We were obviously out of our league for this cuisine which was interesting but not at all "complete" ....short very short. Like the staff. CORTO. If the name was "Maleducata" we'd be less surprised. I wish them good luck but I hope they are not fooled by what they deem foodies that may frequent their restaurant. The staff need to remover customer service is the lost lead to serving great food. This establishment needs to focus on both.Angry ChickenHeirloom Tomato SaladSpaghetti read more

One star is too generous. The recipes are awful. The food was poorly prepared as well, not at all appetizing. The portions are too small for the price. The menu is extremely limited. The outdoor seating is uncomfortable; you get better seats at a neighborhood pizzeria. The waitress unnecessarily disturbed us three times to clean our table with a dirty rag. Who does that? The parking is impossible. I suppose if you can walk to the restaurant, the convenience makes it an option. But, I advise you to take an Uber elsewhere. You will be highly disappointed, perhaps angry that it will be a waste of your time and money. Consumers deserve so much better for our hard-earned dollars. read more

If anyone finds themselves on the other side of the Hudson river from Times Square in Jersey City Heights and is looking for a SPECTACULAR meal, make yourself a reservation and go to CORTO. Farm-to-table, the freshest tri-color Jersey tomato salad ever, the fluffiest ricotta ever on sourdough toast with honey and crushed red pepper,  fresh, handmade pastas, blow-away sauces with English peas that tasted like they were picked from the other side of the back door, and a PIE with plump, juicy blackberries, blueberries, lemon verbena and fluffy fresh whipped cream!  And we were seated at the "Chef's Table", so we could watch them cook!   REALLY REALLY SPECIAL! read more

I am a frequent client over at Corto. I've been a huge fan since you opened and still am. I came home for Christmas break with Corto on my mind while I was deployed. Immediately after the airport I showered and headed over to my 8:30pm reservation. I was so excited to eat at one of my favorite restaurants. You can imagine what they feed us soldiers. I was sat in the patio and could not take my coat off. The patio area was entirely too cold to enjoy a meal. The tarp that was suppose to keep the patio warm kept being opened by staff, my food was cold and I even had to take some of it to go because I was simply too cold to enjoy my time there. I read some yelp reviews and someone did say the patio is too cold. So clearly this issue has not been addressed. I am not happy with my experience at all. Im sure the food was great when warm but I wouldn't know because it immediately got cold read more

After wanting to try this place for a while. I was really shocked when I finally went. The food was average, nothing you want to clear your schedule for, the chairs are supposed to be rustic but they are just u comfortable. However, the worst part of the experience was the staff. The waiter inside was beyond insensitive. I asked him to show me the food options without pork which as it turns out, 80% of the menu has pork that can't be removed. I looked at him and said, "this is not an inclusive menu" and he replied by saying "si La vie" . Rude! read more

It was a nice Friday summer late afternoon & feeling adventurous for something different. On a spur of the moment decision we tried Corto and we walked away smiling. Glad we came early as we were leaving, plenty of people started arriving. We were asked for reservations, which we didn't have, but was able to get seated. The location fits about 30-40 people. Open kitchen, simple IKEA-style wooden chairs and tables, well thought out settings, simple decorations, and a busy energetic vibe. They have a interesting operating hours but very reasonable. Hostess was uber nice. We ordered the bruschetta, bucatini pasta, stewed angry chicken and then the lemon tart w/ espresso for full our meal. We noticed it was BYOB but we didn't bring any Bs - next time! Bruschetta had a good combination of sweet and sour, with a side taste of basil and good quality olive oil. Bucatini pasta was freshly made on-premises, creamy with a touch of sourness, a good amount of panchetta and balancing well with the pecorino. Angry bird - chicken was a surprise. We were wondering why it was angry and we found out quickly - key red hot chili. The white mean was slightly dry but remove it first from the bone, as it falls off quickly, and let the it stew before gobbling it. Lemon tart was the day's special. We were able to ask for it and the hostess saved us a slice! Espresso and lemon tart completed a super excellent meal. Thank you for Corto owners for your vision and the gift of your talents to this area of JC. Hostess is super nice and helpful. Definitely coming back with Bs, and more peeps. Recommend Corto - like, hell yeah! read more

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Overall, a great Italian restaurant. It has a homey ambiance, with a slightly above average price point. The food was good, but the price point is little bit higher than the quality of the food. Not pictured here is the bf's $24 Braised Pork Shoulder that was small in portion size & average in terms of taste. Ricotta & Honey Toast - was a delicious appetizer. The ricotta was so creamy but not overpowering, the closest texture I could compare it to would be like cream cheese if cream cheese were whipped. Octopus - the texture of the octopus was great, loved the beans and chili on here. I'm a pescatarian and there's pancetta in there, so just a heads up for other pescatarians to eat around it! Rigatoni - any pasta I've ever ordered with orange sauce was always so heavy and salty. This was light, flavorful, and delicious down to the very last bite. The Calabrian chili were the cherry on top for me since I love me some spice. Olive Oil Chocolate Cake - apparently this is an Italian classic, but this was my first time trying it! The cake was light in flavor, not very sweet at all but actually slightly bitter (more of a dark chocolate taste). I'm not a huge fan of fudgey American cakes so this worked out for me. Great dessert after a carb heavy meal. read more

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Rumor has it their menu is constantly changing. But...let's give the rundown on everything I loved about this place. BYOB Cozy atmosphere Casual dining Amazing food Had the angry chicken which seems to be the favorite here. Fall of the bone, perfect amount of heat to consider the chicken angry. Octopus...char grilled on the outside, not much flavor to it, but simple and executed almost perfectly. Would have appreciated a creamier sauce or something different than the beans and onions that accompanied it Bruschetta served with the softest side of bread and was probably my favorite here. Service was great, servers were friendly but would strongly suggest making a reservation. We squeezed in what seems to be a community table and were told as long as we were out in 45 minutes we could sit. So...instead of a long wait, we decided to have a quick dinner. Definitely will be back! read more

Corto - Angry Chicken. Pasta unknown. (Sorry!) - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

So blessed to have Corto on our door step. Every dish tastes authentic, as if cooked in my Italian grandmas kitchen. Not over complicated, just basic ingredients cooked well and balanced. This is not an American Italian restaurant so don't expect huge portions and overcooked pasta drowned in sauce. BYOB is a great touch and the garden has a fantastic ambience. read more

Great food! Best pasta I've ever eaten in the US! Great service too! And the olive oil cake is amazing

It was my first time at Corto and definitely not the last! Everything from the service, atmosphere, food, and interior was just perfect. My friend and I ordered dishes to share (and it was really hard not to order everything!) We started off with the heirloom tomato which was so fresh and perfectly seasoned. The whole dish was so simple yet flavorful. Then we had two pasta dishes, the ravioli and the rigatoni. The ravioli was on the saltier side and I do wish the level of savory was cut down a couple notches but overall still a tasty dish. The rigatoni was probably our favorite. The pasta was cooked al dente and there was a bit of a kick to the sauce but not too much that it was unenjoyable. Then the Angry Chicken was brought to the table and that was just the right amount of juicy. Definitely has a kick so keep that in mind! But the portion was surprisingly larger than we had anticipated. To top off our incredible dinner, we decided to get the strawberry, raspberry and peach pie which was phenomenal. I could taste every single fruit equally and it wasn't too sweet or too tangy. The whipped cream was fresh and the crumble and crust was proportionate to the filling. Our server was incredibly kind and explained the restaurant's local approach to serving fresh foods, offering suggestions and answering questions we had. I can't wait to come back again and try different items on the menu. Bonus points for BYOB! read more

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Corto blew me away, in the best way possible. from the food to the service, i was impressed from the minute i walked in. i made a reservation for 5. the vibe of the place instantly made me feel comfortable. it's a cool little spot with communal tables and warm lighting. we got a seat right next to the open aired kitchen. the waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable. she immediately came to greet us at our table and opened our wine (BYOB is such a plus!). she knew everything about the menu and explained if there was anything we couldn't have in a specific dish, they could easily exclude it. they brought out one appetizer at a time, which really allowed my family and i to enjoy our time there. they didn't rush the meal by any means which i really appreciate as i often feel like restaurants are trying to turn tables as fast as they can. they did not bring another course until we finished completely! now onto the food. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. a true culinary experience. people who know food will know this food is awesome. we got the octopus and every part of the dish was fantastic. same with the fior di latte; we watched them shave the prosciutto and go straight to the plate. the bread it came with was fluffy and crusty. i had the spaghetti which has anchovy, capers, garlic, pepperoncini and breadcrumbs. out of this world. i also tried my boyfriends Campanelle and my brothers pork shoulder and WOW. we ordered the fluke for the table as the last course and it was so fresh it tasted like it was just pulled out of the ocean. we finished w/ the chocolate chip ricotta pie & chocolate olive oil cake. very impressive. we sat there for 3 hours and had a true 5 course meal! 10/10 recommend. make a reservation. these people know what they are doing! will be back! read more

Corto - Fior di Latte - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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We're from San Francisco and visiting family in NJ for the holidays and wanted to try out Corto based on the lovely writeup in Bon Appetit. Very glad we did. The manager greeted us at the door even though we were lugging our suitcases (which we deposited toward the back) and seated us at a communal table. It's a small space so we didn't mind -- the other guests kept their conversation private. We started off with the Meat and Cheese plate, a generous-size portion of salumi (pork cold cuts) and prosciutto, cheese and crackers. Delish! Robert had the monkfish and bean soup, which he polished off in minutes. Mary had the anolini, a seven-mushroom mini-ravioli in a light marsala sauce that was incredibly tasty. I had the angry chicken, prepared in thyme and a chianti sauce. It was flavorful and tender, the meat falling off the bone. Service was attentive and thoughtful throughout. By dessert time, we were worried about missing our AirBnb check-in so had to skip it, but we'll be back! read more

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Food was incredible and reasonably priced considering the quality. This is a byo spot so plan accordingly. I'd totally return. Server was attentive and helpful. My only gripe was the espresso but I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to it . It really tasted like black coffee that was whipped to have a crema appearance. You could see through the espresso which isn't a great sign. I wouldn't feel comfortable docking any points because of this but I do think it's worth noting. Great place! read more

Cute place but I was quite disappointed, customer service could be A LOT better and the food was not worth the hype AT ALL. I was definitely expecting a better experience. read more

Damn. I wanted to like this place, really I did. The only thing I came away with is that a ton of brain washed hipsters love this place so buy real estate in the Heights so you can OVER charge them on rent! The host was snobby and downright rude. The waitress was condescending, who reads the entire menu to the table? My party of four collectively shook their heads. If you wanna get spanked open up an S and M bar, don't serve spaghettios and charge $25 bucks a pop. read more

Loved this place. Everything on the menu was great. Highlights were all pastas. Loved the pork shoulder. The halibut and the angry chicken. Great outside seating. Love it read more

I am glad we finally made it to Corto. They did not disappoint at all. With that being said I'm happy we called in to make reservations for dinner because every single table was taken that night. We made reservations to sit at their "bar" and it was such a treat because you were able to see the food magic happen before your eyes. Our waiter was so nice and attentive, he greeted us right away, opened our wine bottle, and had water for us within minutes of sitting down. He continued to check in with us to make sure we were okay or hand any questions. We started the night with the bruschetta which is more of a thick tomato sauce base which was so delicious. I enjoyed that it wasn't a traditional bruschetta dish. I only wish I had more bread to continue dipping into the sauce. My fiancé ordered the rigatoni which had a nice little kick to it and was cooked so perfectly. I ordered the Madlfadini which was soooo delicious I could eat two bowls of it. Although we were full we did order a dessert which was the cheesecake with blueberry compost. So smooth and tasty. This place is really unbelievable and along with great food its BYOB and service is absolutely great. I really look forward to coming back. read more

Made a reservation here tonight, and reached almost 30 mins ahead of time but no as they took their time and seated us on a communal loud table of 8 people ( where they were already celebrating someone's birthday) I have a infant so it was uncomfortable to sit like that. The chef/ owner came and apologised and asked if we want to sit on the counter. We agreed. But whats the point of making a reservation. Very bad service Now comments on food. We ordered salad (8$) , rigatoni pasta ( 18$) ,fish (22$) and olive oil cake (7$). The portion size is really small for the cost. Flavour is ok. Menu is small and not many options for vegetarians. However the ambience is inviting. I really feel this place has potential. They should work on portion size and the service read more

Corto - This guy in black messed our reservation and did not even care to apologise. - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

I do really enjoy the atmosphere here and the staff is very kind, however I feel like the pasta dishes that I have tried there recently haven't been the best. They change out their menu every so often so I am always willing to go back to try what's new though since I do think this is a staple of the Heights read more

I finally got to try corto a few days ago after walking by over a dozen times! I went with friends and didnt make a rez, but it seems like most people do. The inside is small and quaint; the kitchen is essentially the back part of the dining room. Think hipster cafe open kitchen style but with bangin italian food. The menu is short (corto) and the waitress said they focus on updating it often with seasonal fresh ingredients. We shared the bruschetta first and the tomatoes were soo fresh and bright. Its served kind of like a make your own brushetta so its easy to share. I got the gigli pasta, basically pesto with heavenly zucchini flowers and fresh ricotta. Everything here is soo fresh and yummy. Its like getting a cozy home cooked meal! Byob and i will def be back read more

Corto - Gigli pasta - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Must try: all the pastas. The angry chicken and the salad app were both amazing. This place has seriously GREAT food. It tastes like a home-cooked meal but is obviously way more special and sophosticated than anything most people can make at home. It is a small restaurant so we made a reservation for 8pm on a Saturday night. However, there were open tables so we probably could have walked in. It's BYO so don't forget to bring some wine (though they don't have wine glasses). read more

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I was looking to try one of the new places to eat when I happen to pass by this restaurant the other month. I really like that they have an ever changing menu depending on what fish the chef gets fresh from the market that same day. The service was awesome for such a cozy place. I believe it is decently priced for the quality of food your getting. I ordered a couple dishes to see if the food was as great as the ambience. Ricotta and Honey ( Filone, wildflower honey, olive oil, sea salt, and pink peppercorn) - It was simplistic and delish! Rigatoni ( Bianco di napoli tomato, pancetta, calabrian chili, basil, mint, pecorino romano) - it was okay Whole Black Bass ( Salsa verde, Lemon, oyster mushroom) - I thought this was super fresh and full of flavor. Overall, the dishes were a good simple. I would definitely recommend this place to enjoy a nice dinner out. read more

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Unbelievable food. The pesto pasta was a 10/10. As was the ricotta appetizer. Sat inside but the outside looked even better. BYOB was a plus. Can't wait to be back. Kudos to Chuck, great server. Only knock was the chocolate cake, wish we went with a different desert. Americano was one of the Better cups of coffee I've had in a while. read more

So I've been wanting to check out Corto, for, like ever! It opened last year so most of the opening kinks are worked out and a good time to get a real feel of how the restaurant is running and tasting. Ambiance - obsessed! Lots of whites, woods and an open kitchen. Also a whole hung of prosciutto as a table accessory on the bar. . . I'm here for it! Lots of grapes and tomatoes in bowls give a really nice homey feel. Food - So I'm truly mixed. The honey ricotta was heaven on Earth. Seriously, I will come back just for a plate of this any day. Pink peppercorns add a nice sweet spice note. Filone is definitely fresh and what a world of difference it makes! For my delicate taste buds, the pastas were a bit salty. Need to come back to retry before rendering a final verdict. The two we ordered - lumache and rigatoni both had pecorino on top which does tend to be salty so I'd politely ask for something different. Anyway - they were both al dente perfect. Angry chicken is a must have signature dish which is totally order again. Rosemary, Calabrian chiles, guanciale mmmm this dish is spicy and decadent. Best shared unless ya know, you want your own. BYOB. Street parking is possible but limited so maybe an Uber is your best bet if you don't wanna drive around. Recommended for date night, group dinner with 6ish close friends or family. It's a perfect adorable spot that feels like it could be in Brooklyn. But we're in JC and I'm so happy we've stepped our dinner game up in the Heights. Mangia! read more

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Excellent dinner. Their menu changes daily. Staff are great. A very comfortable atmosphere.

Food was mid at best. Tried their angry chicken, and ricotta & honey toast. Too bland for my taste. Service and ambiance is good.

Another Corto review as I went the other night and tried a new dessert on the menu! Had the espresso pie made by Jeanette. It was amazing!! read more

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This is by far one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The staff, ambience, atmosphere, and food are all above 5 stars. I've probably been here about 15 times now, and have never had a bad experience. The staff remembers my boyfriend and I every time and it really makes us feel special. If you haven't been here, add it to your list. read more

Corto - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Relaxed, farm inspired Italian eating - exquisitely delicious. Scrumptious. Masterfully prepared. Beautiful ingredients. Craft in plate (beautiful ceramics). Homey. Comfy. Writing a rave review for Corto is an act of selfless devotion. Selfishly I want to keep this little gem to myself. I've taken a few shots, but believe me, the tastes cannot be captured in an image. Invite your friends to this humble spot, make a reservation! and enjoy. Currently still a BYOB, Corto offers a seasonally inspired menu of local slash Italian cuisine that is good head to tail. It would be great in Rome, Brooklyn, or Portland, but you would never be able to get a table. Luckily in Jersey City you still can. BTW a quick note to fellow yelpers that amazed me with their off topic reviews... you missed the point - the food here is great! Pls take your self centered fights elsewhere. You are misleading, not helping others with your ratings. This is a lovely spot... Even if something annoyed you personally, you cannot ignore the rest. Admit it, you enjoyed the place and want to keep it for yourselves! Too bad, we have discovered it! And we'll be back, with friends! For the love of good food! read more

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We sat at the pasta bar which gave us a great view of the kitchen magic! It was amazing to see the dishes come together especially the ricotta toast with the drizzles of honey and olive oil expertly applied. I don't know if the experience would have been as great if we'd sat at either a regular table or one of two of the communal tables as there were a surprising amount of young kids for after 7:30 on a Saturday night! The restaurant is understated - like a bistro you'd go to in the East Village. While not all the staff were particularly welcoming (not including the chefs), the food was excellent, and the overall experience nice. read more

Just stopping by here again to say this place is perfect . In JC I really do not think there is anything that comes close to how great this place is. I can never come here enough and anyone I have brought has absolutely loved the place... and the ones I've brought are usually hard to win over. I recommend the olive oil cake for dessert and whatever u get as your entree you can't go wrong. read more

Talk about a pleasant surprise! I found this place while apartment hunting in the area. My nose literally led me to the spot. The most wonderful Italian aroma was floating around in the neighborhood which I found my self at the door 15 minutes before opening. I waiting because I had to see if the smell matched the taste. I was not disappointed. What a nice lil quaint spot with some delicious Italian food going on. So glad I found this place. Will be a regular once I move in the area. read more

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SO GOOD! It is BYOB! I've been to northern Italy and the food tastes authentic. The octopus was delicious and my picky boyfriend even enjoyed it! The pasta dishes were about the size you would get in northern Italy. For USA standards, it was small. But I was full after sharing one appetizer and sharing two pastas between two people. The service was great. They have an open kitchen and you can see everything if you sit at the bar. It was kind of bad, because then we wanted to try everything they brought out! It isnt a cheap meal, but if you want authentic, tasty food, it is worth it. read more

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+1 Jono Pandolfi dinnerware. He's awesome And any place that features his plates must be awesome too, right? +1 really great service and BYOB doesn't hurt +1 they really know how to make amazing pasta! Like, really amazing -1 having said that, they don't know how to make great pasta dishes. Either too overwhelming or underwhelming but never quite right -1 it's not a "hell hole" but close. Unbelievable how uncomfortable the chairs are, how bare the place is and how desolate the neighborhood is Not sure that we'll be back... read more

I very jealous of all of those who left stellar reviews of their wonderful experience because mine was terrible. Horribly Al dente rigatoni, water glasses for wine and an entree completely forgotten about. When I complained to the hostess about being upset about the forgotten entree and tipping/not tipping appropriately to the server's attentiveness. She adjusted the bill but not before scolding me for "punishing " him. The fact that she doesn't recognize gratuity is appropriate to service received and didn't simply apologize cemented my resolve to never return. But they were packed on a Thursday and probably happy I will never darken their darken their door again. You're welcome, Corto. read more

Local favorite go to spot. They always have something new on the menu. You can literally close your eyes and point at something on the menu and know you'll get something tasty. We've been here over a dozen times and every time they manage to wow us with the great food and exceptional service. read more

Went to Corto for the first time last night and it was phenomenal. All of the food was so fresh and homemade, and with the open kitchen layout you can smell all of the flavors from the kitchen when you first walk in the door. It's an authentic Italian style place where you can get an appetizer, primi and secondi. We ordered the meat and cheese board, ricotta and honey toast, ravioli, mafaldine and the angry chicken. When I say absolutely everything was spectacular it really was. It's BYO so we brought a bottle of wine and we were enjoying ourselves so much I wish we brought two! I can't wait to take friends and family back soon. read more

Corto - Mafaldine - Italian Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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I love this place. I don't live anywhere near The Heights, but we make the trek from Summit to JC to eat here. Great, seasonal food and homemade pastas.....lovely service...knowledgeable staff (Nicole and Phillipe!). The owner/chef Matt is hands on and I can't say enough wonderful things about this place. We have eaten here 3 x in one month. Just go. read more

Love Corto! Such a unique dining experience that you don't get everywhere else. Everything on the menu is divine. The staff is so pleasant and accommodating. I also love how they have outdoor seating and how it is BYOB. Will be back! read more

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