There’s real, and then there’s San Carlo Osteria Piemonte, an authentic Piedmont restaurant in NYC. This restaurant (San Carlo NYC for those on a first name basis) is run by Italian-born Carlo Rolle, Moreno Cerutti and Davide Poggi Ferrari. The trio are passionate about bringing traditional Piedmont cuisine to the United States. So how did they do? This is the review of San Carlo restaurant NYC.
San Carlo Restaurant NYC – Overview
You do not need to go to northern Italy as everything that you would experience in the Piedmont region is right here in the heart of SoHo. The wine, food, and culture of Italy is embodied in this 50-seat restaurant.
In a nutshell, San Carlo’s food is excellent; fresh, plentiful and packed with flavor. The meats are all sourced from grass-fed certified Piedmont beef, and the Baralo and Barbaresco regionally-native wines can aptly be paired with every meal.
San Carlo Restaurant NYC is good for brunch, lunch or dinner. It is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday with a happy hour from 5pm to 7pm. At the weekend, the restaurant opens at 11.30am for brunch and lunch with dinner served from 4pm. San Carlo’s stays open till 1 am on a Saturday night so it is a great choice for a late night out. You can make reservations online in advance or by phone.
The Food
If you want a quintessentially Italian experience without leaving New York City, then San Carlo NYC is for you. The Piedmont cuisine served here is fantastic and the menu is diverse. There is a good range of meat and vegetarian appetizers including a hand-cut Piedmont beef tartare with truffle sauce and a light fluffy egg and herb souffle. Essentially, there is something for everyone at San Carlo, which makes this a good choice for groups and selective eaters.
Some ‘must have’ main dishes include a killer Cotoletta Milanese, which is often uninspired in NYC but not here. At San Carlo’s the tender veal is cooked with arugula, grape tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette. I’d recommend that fish lovers opt for the perfectly cooked pan seared cod fish in white wine, anchovies and caper sauce with polenta.
Eat Your Carbs
The freshly made pastas here are near-orgasmic. You should order pasta either as an antipasto, a primi or a secondi just so you don’t miss out. Pasta highlights include the Agnolotti Di Brasato, a homemade ravioli topped with butter sage sauce. The Lasagnette Allo Zafferano Con Tonno Di Coniglio comes with poached pulled rabbit with lemon zest and rosemary. Additionally, San Carlo’s Carbonara Di Mare is a delicious black squid ink spaghetti with seabass, octopus, egg yolk and crumbled “guanciale.” As you would expect, the wine menu is extensive and is packed with Piedmont specialities to pair with the food.
Save Room for Dessert
If you don’t bust a button, the desserts at San Carlo are clearly made with the same passion as their pastas. There are several dessert choices including Italian cheeses and a Piedmontese panna cotta. There’s also a tiramisu which is made with Lavazza coffee.
A Lunch Time Spot
There is an impressively varied lunch menu which is excellent value for money. Each lunch order includes a shot of espresso on the house. Not like that’s going to make a difference in your vacation fund, but it’s that hospitality that sets San Carlo restaurant NYC apart.
The Atmosphere
San Carlo Restaurant NYC is a next-level neighborhood place, but with a lot more polish. It’s good enough that people travel from all over the city to dine here. San Carlo is the kind of place where you can usually get reservations same-day, but it’s always packed by primetime. This makes for a lively atmosphere, especially on the weekend nights. San Carlo is the kind of place that you bring your favorite friends to catch up over a long dinner.
The Service
You will find the service at San Carlo’s is professional and attentive, with an extra neighborhood welcome. The staff know their food and give you the best options based on your personal tastes. So, if you are craving an authentic taste of Italy, San Carlo Restaurant NYC is your go to Italian.
Overall 7.5/10
San Carlo restaurant in NYC is a go-to neighborhood spot, even if you don’t live in the neighborhood.
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FAQs
Q: When is brunch served?
A: San Carlo does brunch (and lunch) Friday-Sunday from 12-4p.m.
Q: When is Happy Hour at San Carlo?
A: Happy Hour is 4-6p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. See the Happy Hour menu here.
Q: Where can one make a reservation for San Carlo?
A: Reservations can be made at opentable.com.
San Carlo Restaurant Information
Address: 90 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
Hours:
Sunday 12-10:30p.m.
Monday 4-10:30p.m.
Tuesday 4-10:30p.m.
Wednesday 4-10:30p.m.
Thursday 4-10:30p.m.
Friday 12-10:30p.m.
Saturday 12-11p.m.
Phone number: 212-625-1212
Map:
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