Rustic Italian trattoria w/ simple, sophisticated dishes & a warm, inviting atmosphere. Expect long waits, but the food is consistently crave-worthy.
Experience rustic Italian charm at Via Carota, a West Village favorite from Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, known for its simple yet sophisticated trattoria-style dishes.
Via Carota remains a sought-after West Village Italian restaurant, praised for its enduring popularity and delicious dishes like the insalata verde and hand-chopped steak.
Via Carota is a rustic and sophisticated Italian trattoria in the West Village, a collaboration by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi. It has maintained its status as a popular neighborhood spot since opening in 2014, known for its simple yet delicious dishes that highlight Italian heritage. Expect a warm, inviting atmosphere and a menu featuring crave-worthy items.
Via Carota is celebrated for its rustic Italian cuisine, with particular acclaim for its vegetable dishes, pasta (especially cacio e pepe), and the hand-chopped steak. While most reviews are positive, some find certain dishes too rich or bland, and a few have expressed disappointment after high expectations, though the vegetables are consistently highlighted as a strong point.
"Customers frequently praise the cacio e pepe, various vegetable dishes (like the insalata verde, grilled artichokes, and leeks), and the hand-chopped steak. The risotto and svizzarina are also highlighted as standout items."
Customers overwhelmingly praise Via Carota for its delicious Italian cuisine and rustic charm, though many note the significant difficulty in securing reservations or long wait times.
Important Note
Reservations are notoriously difficult to obtain, and walk-in wait times can be several hours, especially for dinner. Some diners have found certain dishes to be underwhelming or too rich.
"The author mentioned that the salad at Via Carota was very good during their three-day trip."
Positive"Via Carota is suggested as an option where solo diners can often find seats at the bar."
Neutral"L'Artusi is stated to be much easier for reservations, while Via Carota is considered relatively easy to walk into."
Positive"The commenter emphasizes the importance of the 10 AM opening for securing a spot and humorously states they don't mind having a full Italian meal that early."
Positive"In a follow-up to a comment about walk-ins, the user asks about the line-up time for a 11:30 AM lunch opening at Via Carota, mentioning a plan to visit from New Jersey."
Neutral"It is easy to walk in for lunch at Via Carota when they open."
Positive"The commenter was able to secure a lunch reservation at Via Carota through Resy recently, but noted that dinner reservations were not available."
Positive"Via Carota is noted as being more difficult for reservations but sets aside more tables for walk-ins compared to L'Artusi."
Positive"Both Via Carota and L'Artusi are fully booked during the holiday season, but tables are easier to get between January and March, especially at Via Carota."
Positive"Both restaurants hold back a good number of seats for walk-ins. Lines typically start forming around 4:30 PM, allowing flexibility with timing after getting a drink nearby."
Neutral"The commenter found walk-ins to be easy, even for a party of six on a Friday night, and noted that mornings were particularly empty on weekdays."
Positive"The commenter believes Via Carota is as difficult to get into as L'Artusi, suggesting that walking in when they first open is the best strategy."
Neutral"Via Carota is mentioned as a place with good leeks, but it does not have sweetbreads."
Neutral"Via Carota is recommended, with the vegetables being a standout part of the menu, suitable for all diners."
Positive"Via Carota is suggested as an ideal match for the user's request."
Positive"Via Carota was mentioned as a dining option in the West Village."
Neutral"Via Carota's cacio e pepe was found to be overhyped and flavorless by this commenter, though they did enjoy the salad. They prefer pasta that has a slight tingle from cheese and pepper."
Negative"The simple cacio e pepe at Via Carota is described as divine."
Positive"The user dined at Via Carota as requested by a companion and found it to be decent."
Neutral"In response to criticism of Via Carota, this user strongly disagreed, stating that people would not criticize it if it were not so overhyped. They also noted that Via Carota is not primarily a pasta restaurant and that its vegetables are what make it special."
Neutral
