Carbone Awards

Carbone Restaurant Review:

Décor features walls composed of tiles from New York subway stations, a floor-to-ceiling Murano glass crystal chandelier, and the work of renowned artists. You may feel like you've gone back in time, or been transported into an episode of "Mad Men," as this fine dining Italian-American concept is classic NYC meets Old Vegas, exemplified by the Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra soundtrack, and attentive service from burgundy tuxedo-clad servers. Meals begin with fresh Parmesan-Reggiano, pickled vegetables, salami and Grandma's bread --- a no-cheese Sicilian pizza with oregano and sweet tomato sauce. Continue with Caesar salad large enough to feed three or more, prepared tableside with gargantuan soft croutons cut from semolina rolls. The pasta menu is highlighted by the rigatoni vodka spiced with Calabrian chile and sweet onion tempering the heat. The bone-in New York strip is sourced from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, where it's dry aged for 40 days, and later aged an additional 20 days in-house at Carbone. A not-to-be-missed side is the potatoes Louie, enhanced with fresh garlic, herbs and duck fat. The cuisine is complemented by a wine selection comprised of 550 labels and classic cocktails such as Manhattans, Gibsons and Old Fashioneds. Your meal is completed with a selection of treats displayed on a dessert cart, but the bananas flambé, prepared tableside with walnut banana bread, Bacardi 151 rum and banana liqueur, is worth ordering for the pyrotechnics show alone.