Lincoln Ristorante, New York City

Why did we dine here? – Two words: Lincon Center. Lincoln Ristorante is located right in the middle of Lincoln Center next to the reflecting pool, making it a super convenient place to dine before a play, performance, show, ballet, movie etc. Wish we had so many fantastic activities like this in San Francisco!

We ate here before The King and I, a fantastic show btw… This establishment is part of the Pantina restaurant group, which owns and runs many different restaurants in NYC.

The focus is on local and seasonal ingredients sourced at nearby farms and farmers markets. Jonathan Benno is the chef and was chef de cuisine at Per Se for six years and also worked at French Laundry. Desserts by Richar Capizzi.

Of interested for all: Great value prix fixe: 3 course meal for $65, 4 course meal for $80.

Insider Tip – Great place to dine before a show. 3 course meal is of great value. Walkins are welcome at the bar

Cuisine – Modern Italian
Location – Lincoln Center, New York City
Opened – 2010

Service – Lincoln Ristorante had very good service. The waitress was professional and clearly knew her stuff and helped us order. Pacing was fine as was wait staff.

Verdict – Obviously, Lincoln Ristorante is a great place for a meal before a show. Prices are high but very reasonable when you order their prix fixe meals, especially in NYC. The food was very good, but had a couple clinkers. The room is beautifully modern.

Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe.

Lincoln Ristorante Signature Dishes – Pasta, Lamb

Lincoln Ristorante’s Menu is pretty long with many starters, primi and secondi selections.

Website Lincoln Ristorante Menu

Lincoln Ristorante Food Picks:
Amuse of zesty crunchy tomato and creme fraiche on a chip

Really well done Focaccia bread in a cast iron Staub skillet

Burrata ($20) Maplebrook Farm Burrata, Pole Beans, Arugula, Caramelized Onion-Cerignola Olive Puree was silk and a very good appetizer.

Mortadella In Porchetta ($21) Suckling Pig Salumi, Pistachio, Australian Black Winter Truffles, Campo Rosso Farm Chicories was very thin and not too filling, but still worth ordering.

Ravioli di Piselli e Formaggio di capra ($28) English Pea and Goat cheese filled pasta, morels, mint, brown butter was very thin and cheesy. Two separate compartments with each ingredient made this a unique pasta.

Fusilli Calabrese ($26) Berkshire Pork Sausage, San Marzano Tomatoes, Calabrian Chili, Basil, Smoked Ricotta Salata was also very al dente! Robust sausage flavors with a bold emphasis.

Strozzapretti Neri Con N’duja E Gamberi ($28) Squid Ink Pasta, Florida Shrimp, Spicy Calabrian Sausage, Purgatorio Beans, Basil was another good pasta dish. Love the dark pasta contrast with the spicy sausage.

Malloreddus Di Zafferano Con Agnello Brasato ($27) Saffron Pasta, Braised Whiskey Hill Farms Spring Lamb, Castelvetrano Olives, Gremolata, Capra Sarda was very al dente with strong meaty flavors.

Risotto Con Aragosta ($38) Acquarello Carnaroli Rice, Maine Lobster, Young Leeks, Australian Black Winter Truffles were shaved table side. Pretty decadent stuff. Lots of lobster in this rich dish.

Agnello Alla Griglia ($40) Grilled Lamb Chops and Sausage, Chickpeas, Eggplant, Pickled Carrot, Coriander was the best dish of the night. Quality lamb cooked perfectly. Far better than the one we had at Babbo.

Taccole Alla Giudea ($21) Sugar Snap Peas, Pecorino, Lemon, Mint, Chili was an interesting vegetable dish. Strong contrasting flavors.

Carpte Arrostite ($18) Roasted Carrots, Cocoa, Aleppo pepper, ricotta di bufala were expensive but very fresh and plentiful.

Tartufo ($15) Strawberry Semifreddo, Chocolate-Basil Gelato, Chocolate Genovese, Vanilla Crema, Italian Meringue amazed us when the table next to us got it. Chocolate is poured tableside. Must get!

Trio Di Gelati ($15) Strawberry, Chocolate-Averna, Blueberry are really good. Homemade and well done flavors.

Bocca Nera ($15) Chocolate Cake, Walnut Crema, Poached Sour Cherries, Strega Panna Montata, Mint Stracciatella was another decadent dessert. Chocolate city with some nice accents.

OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
Insalata Misticanza ($21) Young Lettuces, Green Chickpeas, Radishes, Ricotta Salata, Citrus Vinaigrette was too vinegary.

Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?

Lincoln Ristorante Overall Rating: (Excellent 3)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Excellent)
Service Rating:	(Excellent)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Excellent)
Value Rating:	(Very Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Full Bar
Attire:	Dressy
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes