Was Carbone Actually Worth the Hype?

Getting a reservation at Carbone is no small feat—it’s one of those restaurants where demand seems to far exceed availability. I even tried using Amex’s concierge service to snag a table, but no luck. After countless failed attempts, I set a reminder on Resy and got a weekday lunch time reservation when the competition was a little less fierce. Here’s how it went and what i thought of the food:

🍞 Bread with Cheese and Prosciutto: The unexpected star of the meal—warm, crusty bread paired with creamy mozzarella and prosciutto. Simple yet absolutely unforgettable. If I were to go back, this would be 60% of the reason.

🍝 Spicy Rigatoni Vodka: Absolutely lived up to the hype—creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced, it’s no wonder it’s the star of the menu. However, I have to say I am biased to this dish as Rigatoni is my favorite type of pasta.

🍅 Veal Parmesan: Another standout, with its golden, crispy crust and tender, flavorful meat smothered in a bold tomato sauce. One slice was already very filling.

🦞 Lobster Ravioli: Creamier than I had hoped for, which made it feel a bit heavy, but the flavors were still delicate and well-balanced.

🐚 Assorted Baked Clams: While flavorful, they leaned on the salty side, which made them a bit overpowering compared to the other dishes. I would not order this again.

Carbone New York

📍 Location: 181 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

💲 Price Point: $$$

For an alternative that’s just as good (and much easier to get into), try Emilio’s Ballato (55 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012). Head there around 5pm for a walk-in and enjoy classic Italian dishes without the stress.

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