A cool, dark Italian wine bar w/ an extensive Italian wine list. Expect inventive dishes like focaccia & bucatini. Great for date nights.
Bryan Kim reviews I Cavallini, a new Italian wine bar in Williamsburg, praising its focaccia, bucatini, and bluefin tuna, and highlighting its extensive Italian wine list and cool atmosphere.
This buzzy Italian wine bar in Williamsburg, from the team behind The Four Horsemen, offers a dark and cool atmosphere perfect for intimate dinners. It boasts an impressive Italian wine list, creative cocktails, and a menu featuring standout dishes like focaccia with a crackly crust, bucatini in a rich sungold tomato sauce, and delicate bluefin tuna. The cuisine is Italian-inspired, with a focus on seasonality and inventive preparations.
The food here is Italian-inspired with a focus on inventive dishes. Highly recommended items include the focaccia with a crackly crust, bucatini with a thick sungold tomato sauce, and delicately cooked bluefin tuna with chervil gremolata. The Trofie pasta with pesto and mushroom risotto have also received specific praise. While most feedback is positive, one reviewer found both food and service disappointing.
"Highly recommended dishes include the focaccia with a crackly crust, bucatini in a sungold tomato sauce, and the bluefin tuna. The Trofie pasta with pesto and mushroom risotto are also singled out for praise."
Customers overwhelmingly praise this establishment for its inventive Italian-inspired cuisine, extensive wine list, and cool ambiance, though some note it can be difficult to secure a reservation.
Important Note
Securing a reservation can be difficult, and the restaurant is noted as being expensive.
"I Cavallini is mentioned as a highly anticipated restaurant with attainable reservations."
Positive"Commenter listed I Cavallini as a restaurant they would add to their funemployment food tour list."
Neutral"This user recommended I Cavallini in Williamsburg for its mushroom risotto but noted it can be difficult to get a reservation."
Positive"This user identified I Cavallini as one of their new favorite spots after a recent visit."
Positive"This user stated that I Cavallini is "honestly" not overrated."
Positive"This user recommended I Cavallini."
Positive"I Cavallini is seen as a combination of Don Angie and L'Artusi, giving it a slight edge for the commenter."
Positive"I Cavallini is stated to be significantly better than Don Angie, L'Artusi, and Torrisi, having 'wowed' the commenter compared to other highly recommended places."
Positive"Responding to a comment about Marea, this user reaffirms their strong positive feelings about I Cavallini, emphasizing its deliciousness and satisfying nature despite its modern, progressive style."
Positive"I Cavallini is highly praised as one of the best restaurants in NYC, offering inventive yet satisfying Italian-inspired dishes. Specific highlights include a nervetti salad, a farfalle pasta with pancetta and Calabrian chili, and focaccia bread. The restaurant is commended for its progressive approach, seasonality, and excellent front-of-house service."
Positive"The commenter unequivocally recommends I Cavallini, advising to avoid Don Angie, which they consider 'tik tok bait'."
Positive"I Cavallini is deemed to have the best food and vibe, though it might not appeal to those seeking familiar Italian-American or classic Italian cooking. It's noted that the restaurant is Italian-inspired rather than strictly traditional Italian."
Positive"The commenter considers I Cavallini to be more straightforward 'Italian' compared to L'Artusi's continental style. They would still choose Don Angie for a more red sauce/American Italian experience."
Positive"This comment lists I Cavallini as one of the restaurants to consider."
Neutral"This commenter recommends I Cavallini over L'Artusi, which they found mediocre."
Positive"The commenter ranks I Cavallini as the best among the discussed restaurants, stating it has the best food."
Positive"The author recommends I Cavallini for Italian food."
Positive"This user plans to try I Cavallini again, having visited shortly after it opened, and notes it's a place that's hard to get into."
Neutral"In response to a comment about potential issues with a reservation for two when attending alone, this user shared a personal experience where the same situation occurred without any problems."
Neutral"The user advised setting a notification for I Cavallini, as they were able to secure a reservation through this method due to frequent cancellations."
Positive
