I’m gonna be honest. My pictures from Carbone kind of look like retro oil paintings. The kind from the 70’s that you might find in a thrift shop and, of course, never actually buy.

Actually, I kind of dig the picture of the exterior of the restaurant. The others are pretty awful. Hey, it’s dark as hell in there!

Then, why are you posting them, Bun Boy?? (please stop yelling)

It’s because this meal was the 2nd best meal of my entire life!

That’s why.

Carbone is a pricey, hard to get into, old-school Italian red sauce joint with the volume turned way the eff up. It’s just all that is right with the world. IT’S THAT GOOD.

Part of the appeal is in the simplicity. That pasta looks boring, right? NO. It’s flavorful as F. And actually spicy! When do you ever actually encounter anything spicy at an Italian restaurant?? I’m not talking to you, lightweight, I’m talking to my spice queens out there. This Spicy Rigatoni Vodka is the bees knees. If those knees were also spicy.

The Veal Parm is way overpriced. I’m not gonna sugar coat it. But is it a big ole, suffering slab of heaven?? YES. As slabs of meat go, this one’s perfect.

Even the $21 Caesar salad was also perfection. And definitely big enough to split.

The dining room is gorgeous, dark, quaint, quintessential 40’s NYC mobster Italian. And if you can get a ressie, good on ya. They declined George Clooney, shortly before our visit. Made it seem kind of special they let us schlubs in the joint.

One helpful hint. Don’t finish your entrees. Take them home. Relive the magic all over again the following day. This also means you’ll have room for the amazing carrot cake. You have to order this, you have no option.

3/28/17 UPDATE: SECOND VISIT

One of my dearest friends recently visited me, so we decided to return and enjoy an amazing meal after a very enjoyable hotel bar crawl. We ordered several of the items we ordered last time and were lucky enough to have been seated next to Chelsea Clinton. Chelsea, on the other hand, was not so lucky. Sorry for all the staring. Pics below.

181 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012
b/t Houston St & Bleecker St
Greenwich Village
(212) 254-3000
carbonenewyork.com

Old Fashioned – $15

Complimentary Appetizers

Caesar alla ZZ – $21

Spicy Rigatoni Vodka – $27

Veal Parmesan – $64

Carrot Cake

Roasted Red Peppers

Meatballs – Off the Menu

Tiramisu

Bemelmen’s Bar / Carlyle Hotel – Hotel Bar Crawl!

King Cole Bar / St Regis – Hotel Bar Crawl

BFF Alert