Cantoro Trattoria

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Family Legacy Rooted in Italian Tradition

Cantoro Trattoria in Plymouth, Michigan, is the dining expression of a family story that began in 1967, when Mario Fallone founded the Cantoro Italian Market. Today, Mario's sons John and Michael carry that legacy forward at the trattoria, where the stated mission is straightforward: "fresh, seasonal, Italian fare with contemporary flair—stylish and sophisticated yet warm and casual."

The restaurant describes itself as among metro Detroit's best Italian restaurants, and the recognition backs that up. Wine Spectator has honored Cantoro Trattoria with its Award of Excellence, a distinction that reflects the depth and curation of a wine program that sommelier Alex Bazzy has helped shape—appearing on FOX 2 and the Travel Channel to champion Italian and Italian-adjacent bottles worth knowing.

The Kitchen and the Table

Executive Chef Francisco Neri leads the kitchen alongside a team focused on Italy's regional specialties. The menu spans meat, fish and seafood, homemade pastas, and pizzas—dishes rooted in tradition while leaving room for adventurous new flavors. The setting accommodates everything from a quiet lunch for two to large family gatherings, business dinners, and weddings, with dedicated banquet rooms alongside the main trattoria.

The restaurant also carries the memory of Executive Chef Anthony Calabrese, who passed away in 2020. In his honor, Cantoro established the Chef Anthony Calabrese Fund through Schoolcraft College's Culinary Arts Program Tribute Fund—a gesture that speaks to the community spirit woven into this place.

Italian Dining Worth the Drive

Whether you come for a weekday lunch or a Saturday evening, Cantoro Trattoria delivers on what good Italian dining should feel like: attentive service, seasonal ingredients, and a wine list worthy of a Wine Spectator nod—all without pretension. For southeast Michigan, it has quietly become a benchmark.