Lincoln Ristorante – An Italian Hidden Gem at Lincoln Center

🇮🇹 Lincoln Ristorante – An Italian Hidden Gem at Lincoln Center Tucked within the iconic Lincoln Center, right across from Juilliard, Lincoln Ristorante offers not just a meal—but an experience. With floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, and sunlight flooding the space, dining here feels both elegant and airy, almost like you’re eating outdoors. It’s perfect for dates, family gatherings, or special nights out. And yes—the service is attentive. When we complained about a dish, they willingly took it back and improved it. 👏 We went all out with two Restaurant Week menus and a few à la carte pastas—ready to conquer the whole menu! 🍞 Starters The focaccia-style bread served with herb-infused olive oil was so fresh and fragrant we couldn’t stop eating it! • Polenta Fresca: Sweet, creamy cornmeal topped with tender mushrooms—warm and comforting. • Tuna Crudo: Fresh tuna (looked like watermelon 🍉) paired with crispy fried capers and a light mayo—textural and tasty. • Prosciutto & Melon: Silky Parma ham, not too salty, rich and fragrant, perfectly matched with sweet melon. 🍝 Pasta All three pastas were above average—well-balanced (not overly salty!) and cooked al dente. • Spinach Rigatoni: Classic tomato meat sauce. Simple but satisfying—my friend loved it. • Carbonara: Made with guanciale (cured pork cheek), but sadly overwhelmed by a strong oily smell. 😵 • Casarecce: Spicy crab pasta with garlic breadcrumbs—generous crab meat and a mild kick Asian palates would enjoy. 🦀 🍖🐟 Mains • Tuscan Fried Pork Chop: Juicy and well-seasoned, though slightly undercooked in the center. After a quick re-fire, it came back flavorful, especially with herbed mayo. • Monkfish: Weird texture alert! 🚨 Chewy, almost gummy—like QQ candy. Not for traditional fish lovers. 🍰 Dessert We tried the Restaurant Week offerings: • Grilled Lemon Olive Oil Cake • Bacio Our table’s pastry chef friend roasted these for being way too sweet. But hey—even overly sweet desserts bring a little happiness in small bites. 😅 Verdict: The Restaurant Week menu is great value. With its stunning setting and strong starters, Lincoln Ristorante is still worth a visit—especially if you stick to what they do best. #LincolnRistorante #ItalianFood #LincolnCenter #NYCRestaurantWeek #FineDining #FoodReview #DateNightSpot #JulilliardViews #EatLikeACritic