Via Carota is still, after 10 years, notoriously hard to get into. The lines are long, and reservations are scarce. But the hype is still warranted: The powerhouse West Village restaurant, opened by James Beard Award winners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams,
is one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. The food is simple and seasonal, and while yes, the pastas are fantastic, the real star of the menu is the selection of about fifteen rotating vegetables. One bite of the insalata verde and you’ll see why people wait three hours (yes, I’ve really been quoted three hours and have waited) to eat here.
What to order
- Picture the best Scotch egg you’ve ever had, but instead of an egg, it’s a buttery Castelvetrano olive. That’s the fried olive all’ascolana ($17).
- What’s not to love about thick slices of toasted bread topped with massive spoonfuls of butter and salted anchovies? Order the acciughe e burro ($18).
- The tonnarelli cacio e pepe ($27) is a fan-favorite. After a few bites, it does become one-note, though. I’m partial to the tagliatelle ($27) with the ribbons of thinly sliced prosciutto (and sometimes, fresh peas). The nutmeg in the sauce adds complexity.
- You can’t go to Via Carota without getting the insalata verde ($24). Just about every table orders this towering green salad, and for good reason.
- Don’t overlook the funghi ($25) — the smoked scamorza cheese under grilled mushrooms is worth getting the dish for.
- When they tell you the specials, pay attention. If you’re offered the rib-eye with roasted garlic (market price), consider yourself as lucky as winning the lottery. I went back twice in one week to get it.
- If you only listen to me on one thing, let it be this: Do not skip dessert. The tiramisu ($15) is my favorite in the city. It’s light and airy, remarkably unsoggy, and deserves a spot on your table, no matter how full you think you are.
What to drink
The bar team makes legendary Negronis. There are seven on the menu, and they’re good enough to even convert Negroni haters (hi, me) into fans. Their wine list is fantastic, too — it’s entirely Italian bottles, save for a few Champagnes.
Insider tip
Head to Bar Pisellino (also owned by Sodi and Williams) across the street if there’s a lengthy wait for drinks and snacks. If the line is still too long, Via Carota is available for pickup and delivery. It’s not the best way of experiencing the food, but it’s better than not having it at all.
