The service was top-notch--friendly without being overbearing, and our server was happy to offer great recommendations. We came for lunch because it's much more affordable than dinner and it did not disappoint! We split everything and even had leftovers. Make sure to ask for extra sauce for the bread basket. Bucatini Carbonara: 10/10 perfectly cooked and the chunks of bacon were thick and yummy. A must try! Pappardelle Amalfi: 7/10 the sauwas hearty. I feel like it would taste better with a different noodle. Cesar Salad: 9/10. I loved the chunks of cheese! It could of used a hint of lemon. read more

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Sat on the bustling patio tonight where they play old classic Sinatra on repeat and sometimes pretty loud (one song was played three times in a row no joke). Service was very slow, had to call the server over for pretty much everything. Food was just okay, very rich (everything's got lots of cream but needed some more flavor and definitely salt). I got the Parmesan buccatini which was just okay - maybe they need a new parm wheel bc this was just heavy with massive amounts of cream, no real parm flavor. Friends got ravioli, bolognese, and orecchiette with shrimp. Everything was very heavy with cream - also needed salt.We all got dessert but the standout was table side tiramisu. read more

Carbonara - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Located in Arlington, there's street parking and some garages around. It is pretty hard to get a reservation here, we actually made it close to 2 months ago. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to sit outside since it doesn't let you specify on the reservation. It would have been a 30 minute wait for outside so we opted for inside. The booth we sat at was very tight, not too much space between you and the table and if other people are sitting on the other side, expect to accidentally play footsie. Service was a little slow starting off but they were busy. We ordered a bottle of wine, Cappacio and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Oreganata. The Carpaccio was good but a little too much sauce in my opinion. The bacon wrapped shrimp was good but the bacon stuck pretty aggressively to the pan and they poured the butter white wine sauce on top. The Shrimp was just a tad overcooked. For dinner, we all ordered different dishes. We ordered the Bucatini Carbonara Tableside, Filet Mignon Ziti, Orecchetti, and the Papardelle Amalfi. Thr Bucatini Tabelside was amazing, they bring out the large parmesan wheel and light it up to get it warm, pour the pasta in and mix it up. I also loved the Paparadelle, it had amazing flavor and loved the sauce. The Orecchetti had a similar sauce. The Filet Mignon Ziti was good but not my favorite. For dessert, we split the Pistachio cake (can't recall the actual name). That was delicious as well. I would definitely try to come back and try their other items! read more

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The food here was definitely very overhyped on social media. We ordered the Bucatini Carbonara table side. They flambéed the cheese for all of 5 seconds. Dumped the premade pasta dish onto the wheel and mixed it for maybe 10 seconds before serving it onto plates. It makes me wonder if the cheese is even real because it seems like it's just a showpiece to increase the cost. The service was average, nothing special. The restaurant's decor didn't stand out either, which is not a big deal. I honestly prefer simpler dining rooms and more focus on the food. Too bad the food didn't carry the weight though. I don't think I will be returning to try other items. read more

Carbonara - BUCATINI CARBONARA - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

They say good things come to those who wait! With that in mind, we have been waiting very patiently for a special occasion to check this place out and it was more than a good thing for my wife's birthday. This has to have taken over as the best Italian food in Arlington and competes with anything in the DC area. We lucked into a really nice day for mid November so we opted to sit outside. We ordered altogether but as we traded food around we strategically started with the more delicate dishes first. The tortelloni di Michael, which my American ignance would refer to as short rib ravioli, had so much deliciousness to appreciate in the white sauce with mushrooms complementing the meat; and they were stuffed generously. There never are many ravioli so that was expected. We have a little rule that if the name of a dish and the name of the restaurant are related, we have to try it out because it's bound to be a something they're hanging they're hat on. Needless to say, we got the carbonara! Which means we got the show! They prepare the whole thing in front of the table inside of the enormous block of cheese before finishing it with a nest of guanciale. The creaminess, the cheesy flavor, the umami crunch, the show, it was all worth hanging any fedora. Though I'll admit, it somehow wasn't quite as hot as we liked so we did have to ask them to warm it up, which they did seemingly with even more cheese this time, automatically turning any frown upside down I then moved onto the tomato based dishes starting with the chicken parm, which they also served naked just so we could salivate as they expertly slid a plates worth of melted and perfectly burnt mozzarella on top. I grew up eating chicken cutlets so this was my selection and pure nostalgia. Finally, I tried the lasagna which was so rich, with fresh sauce, with cheese, loaded with more meat than I've ever seen in a lasagna. It was all kept nice and hot in the cast iron. My wife liked the tortelloni the most, but I think all of us appreciated each dish for what they were. I wouldn't recommend ordering the flight of espresso martinis like we did. Sure they were decent, but only about a dollar or two discount totaling $45 for three drinks that leaned to the smaller side. It was an impulse move I made for my wife's birthday and to introduce my coffee loving mother in law to espresso martinis so I really don't regret getting got a little bit lol especially when they surprised my wife with a classically moist tres leches cake and candles for us to sing for her. Little things like that make the experience all the more special so many thanks. We weren't allowed to do happy hour outside of the bar, but we didn't feel comfortable hanging at the bar with our baby so next time we'll try that out, just the two of us. With how tasty the main dishes were, next time will come much faster than the first. read more

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The ambiance of the restaurant was nice. However, it was very crowded and not a lot of space to walk around inside. The food was alright and the servers were pretty nice, just not super attentive. The food looked a lot better online than it tasted in real life. read more

Carbonara - NONA'S MEATBALLS & CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Took my husband here for Father's Day. We were there early, and able to order from the lunch menu. We ordered a bunch of apps. Arancini, fritto misto, meatballs, and baked clams. They were all very good. Everyone had a different favorite. I ordered linguine with white clam sauce which was full of whole clams. Very good. Others great dishes we ordered were the chicken parm with vodka sauce, the short rib torteloni andthe orichette with shrimp. The table side tiramisu was a fun dessert, and tasty. Our server was very attentive and friendly. read more

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Start to finish great staff and service food, and ambiance ( open kitchen) and nice decor! Started off with appetizers of Nonna's classic meatballs, made with beef, pork sausage and veal; next was the Frito Misto, fried calamari with zucchini and chili peppers with a spicy tomato sauce. Arancini balls with risotto, bolognese sauce, mozzarella and peas, and to finish it off baked clams oreganata. Deeeeelicous!!!!! For our entrees I had the orecchiette with broccolini and shrimp in a creamy pink wine sauce. The other entrees were Tortelloni with braised short ribs and mushrooms in a Marsala sauce, Linguine with white clam sauce, and table side chicken Parmesan with vodka sauce. The entrees were enjoyed by all!! For dessert we ordered table side tiramisu, and cookies and cream gelato. Both great! You can't go wrong with Carbonara, we will be returning, that's for sure! Highly recommend trying this place. read more

Ordered via UE, which was delivered with care, which I appreciated. The meal made football Sunday more enjoyable because I didn't have to cook, touchdown! We ordered Nona's meatballs (dry, but well seasoned) three cheese baked ziti (needed a ton more sauce) and Italian crème brûlée cheesecake (very good). SO wants to try their bucatini carbonara, so we'll dine-in next time to see if that improves the food. read more

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We checked out Carbonara, the new Italian spot in town, and it definitely impressed. They make all their pasta in-house, and you can really taste the difference. We split the Famous Chicken Parmigiana alla Vodka and the Parmigiana di Melanzane. Both were excellent. The chicken was crispy and covered in a rich vodka sauce, and the eggplant was super flavorful, covered in crispy cheese, and well layered. We swapped the default spaghetti for penne--fresh pasta, cooked perfectly . The space is modern and welcoming, and the staff was friendly and on top of things. If you're into flavorful Italian food and fresh pasta, Carbonara is worth a visit. We'll definitely be back read more

Carbonara - PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Amazing date night at carbonara!!! Make your reservation well in advance. The restaurant is not super large - there is indoor and outdoor seating. Tables are super close together so it can be loud and you won't have much privacy. Nearby paid street parking, not sure about garages. Our service was good, not SPECTACULAR. The tables are quite small so when various foodrunners brought food to the table, they just grabbed things willy-nilly from the table and moved them around to make things fit. Otherwise, our server was attentive, and our food came out quickly. - Complimentary bread - underwhelming - Meatballs - Really yummy! Super cheesy! - Bucatini carbonara - very rich, cheesy, and creamy. Would've liked more pancetta for sure. Mostly for the tableside experience. Tasty, but probably wouldn't get it again. - Famous chicken parmigiana alla vodka - definitely worth the hype! One of the best chicken parm both of us has ever had. Cooked well, super crispy outer coating, perfect vodka sauce... yum!!! Huge portion too. - Cannoli - tasty - a classic you can't go wrong with! All the pasta is made in-house and you can tell - it really takes it to another level! Overall, i would absolutely come back and try more from their menu. read more

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We ordered the 2 items that we kept seeing all over instagram since it was our first time. Both plates were decent, but did not really stand out to me as dishes I would repeat. It was a fun experience to see them served but that was about all the excitement I got. I do wish we had ventured to try other plates, maybe the most ordered aren't necessarily the best tasting! Overall service was good, ambience was casual and relaxed, and decent food if you want Italian. read more

Second time visiting carbonara and really enjoyed it. I especially like the outside seating option. Food is good quality overall. All the pasta dishes I've tried so far have been good, the only one I disliked was the table side pasta dish with the cheese wheel. I didn't think the taste was good on that and would not recommend that dish. The best dish was the chicken parmigiana which was perfectly crispy with a tasty vodka sauce. Dessert options were good too, we had the table side tiramisu which was really nice alongside the lemon cake. Would come back again! read more

Carbonara - SPICY RIGATONI ALLA VODKA CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA CAPELLINI POMODORO BURATTA DI MOZZARELLA ALLA CAPRESE - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Did I see all the trendy videos of Carbonara on social media? Yes. Did I come here because of seeing all the trendy videos? Of course. Did my wife and I both get our meals of the trendy videos? Absolutely. Did we "Oooo" and "Ahhhh" as they did their table side entertainment with our viral dishes? You bet. Were the viral dishes everything we could have asked for? They surpassed our expectations. The moment you walk into Carbonara, you're greeted to your left to the pasta being freshly made and to your left prosciutto on a stick, which is how I only want to be greeted from not on anytime I walk into an Italian restaurant. Our server, Denzel, charmed us and served us well. The restaurant may feel small and tight, but it did not affect our overall experience. The burrata and tomatoes were fresh. The carbonara was life changing. The chicken parm all a vodka is worth the trip alone. We are hoping to come back soon because the desserts look amazing. Carbonara is worth checking out. read more

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We came here for a birthday dinner after wanting to try it since it opened. We started with the Caesar which was excellent. I actually liked the large Parmesan chunks, and also liked the pancetta that was served with it. It would've been perfect if the pancetta was hot and crispy though, ours was colder and a little soggy, I'm not sure which is intended. For my meal I got the chicken Parmesan. The chicken and sauce were both delicious and the portion was large enough for a second (small) meal. I also tried my fiancé's spicy vodka rigatoni which was excellent. I really enjoyed how they make the pasta in-house. We got a piece of tiramisu for dessert and it was fine, it didn't taste like it was soaked long enough though. The staff were very friendly but were a little slow to clear the table. Empty dishes from appetizers were left on the table the whole meal which cluttered up the table. We also accidentally spilled a glass of wine and even though people had come to the table to clear other things nobody helped clean up or clear the plate filled with wine. I'd like to come back and try some more things! read more

Carbonara - BROOKLYN CAESAR SALAD - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Great food. Very tasty. Highly recommend the carbonara since it's a nice experience: they flame the cheese and mix it with the pasta table side. Creates a good ambiance / environment. Would be very good for a date. Service was good too, but the waiter seemed to have been rushing us for no reason. (We finished everything - appetizer, entree, and dessert in under an hour; but with the way he was rushing us, you would think we were there for longer.) either way, this place is worth the try if you're ever in the Arlington area. Definitely requires a reservation. read more

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They do vodka sauce right here. Perfectly creamy, cheesy, and savory. Certainly a highlight of this restaurant. Everything we tried was great. The service was very kind and the staff there is friendly and helpful. The star of the show was of course the chicken parm alla vodka. I enjoyed the spicy rigatoni, but my only comment is the chicken in the pasta did not taste very seasoned and the vodka sauce was not enough to mask that. Otherwise a very well made dish. I thought it was an interesting choice to add large chunks of Parmesan into the Caesar salad. Not my preferred method, but a fun choice nonetheless. The fried pancetta was a great addition though. read more

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Very romantic atmosphere with live music. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and recommended dishes based on our preferences. I enjoyed watching them hand make the pasta as well, it's a great experience! We came on Valentine's night without a reservation but there was little to no wait time as we got seated at the patio, which was also such a cute vibe. My partner and I were able to finish our meals without feeling that heaviness which is usually a good sign of great ingredients. We'd definitely be back! read more

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I have been to Carbonara a few times and definitely like some of their food, but the dishes can be a bit hit or miss. I have actually tended to enjoy the appetizers more than the entrées. The restaurant itself is cute, but parking can be difficult on weekends since they do not have a designated lot. The service has been relatively fine overall. When we sat outside, it was a little harder to wave down our waiter, but that may have been because we were in the corner.A few dishes I have had and enjoyed: - Arancini 10/10 - Hot peppers 9/10 - Caesar salad 7.5/10 We tried the chicken parm and the carbonara, and both were just okay. The chicken parm had a vodka sauce, which made it a bit heavier. When we ordered the tableside carbonara, they initially prepared it at the wrong table, so we missed the presentation. By the time we received it, it was cold. read more

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Amazing meal! Lived up to the hype. The tableside carbonara was as good as the presentation. The short rib lasagna was phenomenal as well. Caitlin, our server, was very friendly, attentive, and made great recommendations. read more

I visited Carbonara for a late lunch this past weekend and while they were busy the experience was disappointing. The waiter was friendly but extremely inattentive and left us sitting for 20 minutes after our meals were finished with our dirty plates. During this time multiple staff members walked past us, but no one bothered to help. Then when we finally got the receipt, my party and I wanted to split it between two cards and our waiter selected the wrong button when cashing us out and only charged one of the cards. I understand everyone has a bad day but this experience was disappointing and I'm not running back to Carbonara anytime soon thanks to it. read more

Went to Carbonara on a Monday night during the Christmas season, and I highly recommend making a reservation at least a day in advance. Even on a Monday, the place was pretty booked. We were able to grab a few seats at the bar, which was definitely tight, but the servers did their best to make it work and were very accommodating. The restaurant is decorated so cutely for Christmas. If you enjoy festive vibes, this is a great spot to visit during the holiday season. Appetizers: We started with the burrata and the bacon-wrapped shrimp. The bacon-wrapped shrimp was the standout. Very flavorful, and I loved the sauce on top. I do wish the bacon had been cooked just a bit longer so it was crispier, but overall, really enjoyable. The burrata was good but nothing memorable. The tomatoes could have been a bit fresher, but it was solid. Mains: We ordered the steak (medium) and the spicy alla vodka. The steak was good, and I personally loved everything they put on top of it. Some people at the table thought there was a little too much going on, but I really enjoyed the added flavor and thought it complemented the steak well. The spicy alla vodka was okay. It was very creamy with a mild kick of spice, but it could have used more salt and overall depth of flavor. The chicken was cooked well, and the pasta was slightly past al dente, which I don't mind, but the dish mostly just tasted creamy with a hint of spice. It was fine, just not a favorite. Dessert: We tried both the lava cake and the pistachio cake. Both were good. The lava cake was warm, rich, and excellent with the ice cream it came with. The pistachio cake had great flavor, but the texture was very one-note. It was almost entirely mousse-like. I would have loved a crunchy element or a layer of actual cake to break it up. There were pistachios on the back end, but more texture throughout would have made it even better. They also have an extensive wine list, which was a plus, and their holiday cocktails were very tasty. read more

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Cheesy cheesy cheesy. This is slutty American Italian food. We've been trying to get a reservation here for months and they were always booked, so of course I had to understand the hype. But alas; overrated in my opinion. The food was good but sheeesshh can we ease up on the cheese! Everything was creamy and cheesy. Carbonara should be more eggy, this was just cheesy. We did really like the octopus. Solid for most people, but my Italian friend we brought was not happy at all. read more

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I visited Carbonara because a YouTuber I follow made the recommendation. I'm glad I tried it out. They have some of the best meatballs in town. Even if that is the only menu item you try, it's worth the visit. The service is good. The wait staff is attentive and mindful. Carbonara is a great place for a date, girls night out, or after work stop. In addition to the meatballs, the bread, drinks, and entrees are top notch. However, I will say my experience with the highly-rated Chicken Parm, left me wondering what all the hype is about. I am sure my experience may be a one off. The crusted chicken breast was overcooked and a bit dry. But, the presentation was awesome. Because my initial experience was not completely positive, I returned a few days later and tried a different entrée. I tried the Bucatini Carbonara. It was amazing! The presentation was just as amazing! You can't go wrong by visiting Carbonara! you will have no regrets! Happy eating! read more

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Decided to check out carbonara as an opportunity to carb load the evening before a race. The weather was nice and they were able to accommodate outside seating for us instead of indoors. Our waitress brought bread and sauce /olive. The bread was unfortunately stale and cold. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer. It was a tad bland and oily. Note that some of the peppers are spicy, a fun surprise. For mains we had the TAGLIATELLE LOBSTER & SHRIMP and VEAL PARMIGIANA. Both were flavorful and well balanced. My only complaint would be that the shrimp was slightly over cooked. The pasta in general was good so much so that we ordered the SPICY RIGATONI ALLA VODKA to go. While there were some hits and misses. I would try some other items on the menu in the future. read more

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Carbonara is a super atmospheric and lively restaurant and the table side shows are so much fun! The chicken parmigiana was absolutely delicious, but I would ask for the cheese to be a bit melted next time. read more

Carbonara - CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ALLA VODKA - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Stopped by Carbonara right after work. The hostess asked if we had reservations for a party of two which we did not. The restaurant was empty with only one other table with guest. We were seated in the bar area. I ordered the fried mozzarella as an appetizer which was cooked perfectly. The outside was well seasoned and perfect crispy. I ordered the chicken parmigiana alla vodka. The sauce is poured onto the chicken table side which added an extra wow factor to the meal. read more

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5 out of 5. No kids menu at all (which I don't mind). Best Italian food I have had in DMV read more

Taylor, our server, led us through a wonderful experience celebrating our grown children's birthdays in such a special AND delicious way. From before dinner drinks, bread to table-side carbonara, and tiramisu to affogato--service, ambiance, and the taste of food was simply AMAZING! It was a lovely way to turn a rainy day lunch into a memorable experience for our family. We cannot wait until the Gainesville, VA location opens--we hope to become regulars instead of making a long trek just for special occasions. Thank you again! read more

Carbonara - Tyler and our birthday babies! - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

This is hands-down, one of the best spots in Arlington. I have had multiple dishes on the menu and been thoroughly impressed by them all. My favorite food is lobster ravioli and man does this place know how to do it right! Pictured is the spicy rigatoni which I will say was truly spicy. The live music was amazing Michael Bublé vibes and made for such a pleasant atmosphere! read more

Carbonara - SPICY RIGATONI ALLA VODKA - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The food and drinks were an experience, I highly recommend this establishment. I had an espresso martini that was everything . Then I tried their lychee martini it was sunshine in your mouth . I started out with the meatball stuffed egg rolls . So filling, it's truly a meal by itself . For my entree I had the BUCATINI CARBONARA TABLE SIDE homemade bucatini sautéed with guanciale & egg yolk. So the bring a wheel of cheese to the table and then they heat it up with a torch and then they toss the noodles in the melting cheese, the egg yolk adds a layer of velvet texture that's just heavenly. Go it's worth it ! read more

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner. My table was inside. Jose, our server, was attentive and seemed to genuinely want me and my guest to have a good experience. I started with a the Grow A Pera and my guest had the Distinguished Gentleman cocktail. The presentation of the Distinguished Gentleman is impressive as it comes smoked within a glass dome. We had the Carapaccio as a started. I had the namesake Bucatini Carbonara which was finished tableside by being swirled around in a huge cheese round to add more cheese flavor. My guest had the Tagliatelle Lobster & Shrimp. Both dishes were absolutely delicious. The side Caesar Salad did not have the authentic taste that I was expecting. We finished the meal with Italian Cheesecake which had a sugar glaze that was finished at the table using a torch. The restaurant has tables inside and outside. The atmosphere is very comfortable and has a homey feel to it. read more

Carbonara - The Distinguished Gentleman Cocktail - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Absolutely phenomenal dining experience! Welcoming staff, great ambiance, and outstanding service/management. Everything from our meal was fresh and delicious. Our favorites were the chicken parmigiana and tuna tartare. Wonderful live music on weekends, but you will need a reservation, possibly weeks in advance depending on when you're trying to go. We went for our anniversary, and staff brought us a thoughtful card and amazing complimentary lava cake with ice cream. We will be going back! read more

I came here twice and enjoyed the first time more than the second. The first time I came was during the opening month. I ordered the eggplant Parmesan. It was divine. The second time I got the lobster ravioli and it was OK. The first time when I wanted to order it, it was sold out. When I ordered it on my second visit, it wasn't filled with enough lobster, and I wasn't a fan of the peas. I love Carbonara for the warm atmosphere, friendly service, great focaccia, nice wine menu, and big portions. read more

My family surprised me with a birthday lunch to Carbonara. Every meal our waitress Caitlyn recommended was in point . The impeccable service and delicious food made my special day perfect. From the fried mozzarella in whatever that special sauce was to the chicken parm, everything was EXCEPTIONAL. read more

Carbonara - Complimentary Birthday treat - Italian Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Where We Bout To Eat At @carbonara_va Arlington, Virginia This place is absolutely stunning!!! The service was impeccable and the FOOD...AMAZING!!! I could eat here again and again and again! - Bucatini Carbonara (prepared table side) - Chicken Parmigiana w/ Vodka Sauce (DIVINE) - Crème Brûlée Cheesecake - Campari Italian Cocktail If you're looking for an amazing dining experience, this place is for you!!! read more

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This place is so good and lives up to the hype!! The ambiance is nice and the service is good. It is a bit loud in there so keep that in mind. The food is absolutely amazing. We had the chicken Parmesan gnocchi, spicy rigatoni, and lava cake. It's all so good and feels so rich and tasty but also flavored so well. Can't wait to go back! read more

In a scene from the Godfather, Virgil Sollazzo recommends the veal to Police Captain McCluskey while dining at Louis' restaurant in the Bronx, saying it's the best in the city. Well guess what? Enter Carbonara and their veal offerings. From their parmigiana and saltimbocca, to their fork tender scallopini, all served with a side of spaghetti. Then there's their table side prepared Carbonara which is a show and a meal. Their desert offerings and award wining chicken parmigiana round out just some of their menu items. Reservations are suggested for larger parties. read more

It was honestly just okay. I don't eat meat, and the limited options available were really mediocre. I had the spaghetti with Sunday sauce and it was really just okay. The best part of the meal was the italicus spritz, it was delicious. I would probably not return as a vegetarian. With that said, the service was great despite being short staffed (which was acknowledged after we were seated). Our server was efficient and provided great service. In fact, the whole restaurant team worked very well together. We were seated by the kitchen and it was very stuffy and uncomfortably hot. I would advise to avoid this spot. read more

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The food here was pretty good! Definitely no complaints. They had complimentary prochutto which was a nice snack. The meatball eggroll appetizer was my favorite, very crunch and flavorful. The shrimp and lobster pasta was also very good, definitely could have used more sauce but overall very good meal. read more

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