Corso 98

Went to Corso 98 yesterday (6/12/05) with my ladyfriend. Was very, very impressed. We split an order of the "Chitarra Pasta" made by the owner's mother for an appetizer. Amazingly tasty pasta, definitely hand-drawn, with a light, yet tasty tomato sauce. For entree, I had the "Osso Bucco"; simply the best veal shank I've ever had. The meat was so succulent that it slipped off the bone. My mate had a salmon salad, which she said was excellent as well. Didn't try the desserts, as we retired to Cafe Tartufo in Bloomfield afterwards, but I would definitely give Corso 98 the highest recommendation. A little pricey, but well worth it.

Went to Corso 98 a few weeks ago. The only thing I'd heard 'bad' about it was the lighting. (Too bright)
That has been fixed.
The food is wonderful, service very good, prices not too high...
Will definitely go back.

Had an excellent meal at Corso 98 this week. The service is impeccable, food was delicious and the prices are quite reasonable. My only concern was the lack of customers...highly recommend and will definately go back

I would say that "Corso 98" was the "hidden gem" of the Montclair Italian restaurants.

I use the word "WAS" because of its rising popularity now. It was only a matter of time that "Corso" would explode on the Montclair scene.

Elio, who is part owner with his brother, (Chef) is a fantastic host. They are from the region of Abruzzo, Italy and the food there is exceptional.
Also, they are very family oriented and treat the customer's like family.

The pasta dishes are all home-made and are award winning in my opinion. The "Chitarra Abruzesse" is amazing.

I have also had the "Shrimp Saltimbocca" and "Sea Bass Pignolia", which are both truly savoring and mouth watering.

I have still yet to try Osteria Giotta, Fascino, and Il Forno, but that is because Corso 98 is always calling for me and I cannot resist.

Dined at Corso last week on a Tuesday night. Ambiance is very nice...very comfortable. Pea soup was excellent. Lamb Osso Buco was mediocre - lacking that rich flavor of shank steeped (and baked) in spices and vegetables. Will try again.

After moving to the neighborhood, Colso became my favorite restaurant. Food is always amazing, and service is top notch. The amount of money you save by bringing your own wine, bill does not seem too high any more.

My wife and I went to Corso 98 last week and I must say that we were disappointed. The food was ok at best, and the restaurant had a stale/musty odor. We were hoping for a better experience but unfortunately it didn't live up to some of the reviews. With so many consistent options in Montclair we won't be going back.

We've been to Corso 98 many times and never were disappointed. We are always greeted and served warmly. The items on their menu are not offered in other restaurants in the area and each dish is prepared to perfection. The Chitarra Abruzese is wonderful. Thanks, Grandma! The VEAL Osso Bucco is a favorite. It remains at the top of our list.

Agree with Dave (7/11/06). Musty, garbage/fish odor wafted through dining room periodically. Not very appetizing. Osso buco was on the dry side.

After unsuccessful tries to get a reasonable restaurant reservation at Osteria Giotto, we decided to try Corso 98 -- again. What a mistake we've made! Giotto is truly a fine spot, but get a reseravation the "week of" at a reasonable time? FUGHETTABOUTIT!
We brought a couple over from Essex Fells and both couples are now strongly back in the Corso 98 fold. Staff was cordial, but it took several minutes to be seated after we arrived (on time); our only complaint was the slow service. Food was excellent, ambiance favorable. G'bye Giotto!

First time over the weekend. Fantastic sea bass, cooked perfectly. The butternut squash soup was excellent too! My husband and I will be back!

Four of us went for dinner mid week. The fall menu has a lot of great choices, and we sampled many...The flavors were succulent, portions plentiful, and nicely presented. We were all very, very happy. We tried the grilled fig & goat cheese salad(love those figs!), fried zucchini blossoms stuffed w/smoked mozz, boar stew, veal osso bucco (better than my mom's) with artichokes and sun dried tomatoes, duck breast, and amazing, fluffy fresh gnocchi. The pumpkin creme brulee and chestnut torta - neither too sweet - were perfect endings. Nice touch, Elio, to bring out the Limoncello and Sambucca with the coffees.

Just went to Corso 98 tonight, it was great. The food was wonderful as well as Elio who made me feel welcomed right when i walked in. Everything is mostly handmade from the pasta to desserts i highly reccomnd you stop by there.

My bf and I went to Corso 98 for an early Valentine's day dinner. We didn't have a reservation (we weren't sure how this weekend was going to play out), but they did manage to squeeze us and another couple after us in. As we left, there were definitely more people waiting; the host had informed us that they were nearly full up with reservations.

We'd had a late lunch, so we skipped appetizers. Bf had the steak (came with roasted potatoes, broccoli rabe and onion frites), which he said was very good. I had the gnocchi, which they kindly made for me without the smoked mozzarella; the arugula on top was a nice accent to the tomatoes and vegetable broth. We both found our meals tasty and filling. Because of that, we opted not to get a dessert... except I couldn't resist trying the blackberry cabernet sorbet. I did not regret it! Absolutely delicious, I've never had anything like it (and I adore sorbet).

Service was pretty good. They were extremely attentive in filling our water glasses (nearly too much so - but it works out for me, as I drink a lot), but didn't show a ton of attention otherwise. It didn't bother me at all (I rather prefer to focus my attention on my dinner partner, but my bf felt they could have been slightly more attentive). They did take a while bringing us our coats (couldn't leave without them!), but I'd definitely cut them some slack as it was extremely busy. I guess my only complaint would be the noise level - when full up, the space is very noisy, and eventually we realized that there was opera music playing above the din. But it's understandable, since it was the Saturday night before Valentine's day and all! Overall, we enjoyed our experience and would definitely go back.

Went to Corso last night (08/04) and enjoyed it. The zucchini blossoms were absolutely fantastic. The rosemary bean soup sounded great on paper, but after a very heavy hand with olive oil garnish and a lack of balance in the seasoning, there left much to be desired. The Fig salad was a delightful last course. I was not expecting the candied walnuts to have a kick to them and the contrast in temperature on the plate between the hot figs, spring mix and chilled cheese was pleasant.

I have mixed feelings everytime I go to Corso. I think they reheat to many items.

Corso 98 is Montclair at its best. The dining room is warm and inviting, and the food is consistently wonderful. We were there last week and I had the pumpkin risotto which was divine and my husband had the rack of lamb, which never fails to be executed perfectly. Lisa Marie is delightful and personable, and really connects her customers to the soul and spirit of Corso. Of course, being able to bring your own Barolo makes everything even more perfect!

Corso 98 is Montclair at its best. The dining room is warm and inviting, and the food is consistently wonderful. We were there last week and I had the pumpkin risotto which was divine and my husband had the rack of lamb, which never fails to be executed perfectly. Lisa Marie is delightful and personable, and really connects her customers to the soul and spirit of Corso. Of course, being able to bring your own Barolo makes everything even more perfect!

This is my favorite restaurants in town, but I have to admit it's not the best food in town--it's very, very good, but not the best. However, the atmosphere and staff are what makes this a wonderful place to eat. The staff is extremely professional and warm at the same time (usually, you sacrifice one for the other) and the restaurant still feels intimate even on a very busy Saturday night.

I have been to 1-2 restaurants that serve better food but have been treated so poorly that it's not worth my time or money to eat there. For me, part of the restaurant experience is the food, but dining out should be a joy--relaxing and enjoyable. Corso does that the best--and it's why I always return.

What happened to my post regarding my unfavorable experience at Corso 98 regarding the poor food, servie and environemnt?
Out of all the comments I've posted on Baristanet this is the only one that was "removed." Hmmm.... I guess the owners have a connection ;0!

The food was average at best. The dining room is outdated and damp.

Wow! I stopped by Corso 98's kitchen door yesterday and picked up some homemade fava bean and lemon zest ravioli.
Here's a picture of the family in the kitchen making the ravioli:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillannsiegel/2598696566/

I have to say it was the best ravioli I have ever had.
I just dropped it in boiling water for a few minutes -- then drizzled with olive oil a little butter and a little more fresh lemon zest and cracked pepper. Very delicious!

We ate at Corso 98 for the first time Saturday evening in the middle of the downpour. Granted that the weather had caused a ton of cancellations, but the service was more than attentive from the moment we walked in, even after the rooms had begun to fill.

The room is wonderful. Homey and well put together -- I'm admittedly a fan of exposed brick.The ambiance is caringly casual, and the seating itself is more than comfortable.

The food was all we'd hoped for and more. From a lovely salad of warm goat cheese, crostini, and fried roma tomatoes to a delicious duck confit salad with mixed greens to a special of fettuccine with braised calamari in garlic and oil to a feather-light scallop dish, dinner was completely satisfying yet somehow light enough to allow room for dessert -- perfect gelato, and a tasty apple torta.

Having moved to Montclair only a few months ago, we've sampled a few nice places; none have been more enjoyable than this restaurant. We're looking forward to a return visit -- there is so much more on their menu that would appeal.

...and another great meal Sat nite (Valentine's Day)...their ingredients are first rate, from a simply dressed baby artichoke salad to a deeply satisfying lobster risotto to a tender, juicy double pork chop. Desserts equally wonderful. The service first rate, the room and the table like siting in someone's home. Just wonderful.

We ate here again Sat night (Valentine's Day), and left feeling happy and taken care of. Wonderful food -- fresh tasting fig salad, an amazing baby artichoke salad with lemon and crisp garlic, a lobster risotto to die for, perfectly cooked double pork chop, and somehow, we had room for dessert, which was fortunate, indeed.

The owner, his wife, and their staff make you feel like you're eating at a friend's house, but with much better food.

We're looking forward to our next visit.