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All Reader Reviews of...

La Carbonara

202 W. 14th St, New York, NY, 10011
nr. Seventh Ave.
212-255-2060

Avg. Rating

7
Food: 8
Service: 5
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

50% would go back.

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A surprisingly tasty restaurant that is completely unpretentious

By longtimenewyorker on 3/10/2013

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 6
  • Yes, I would go back!

I've been going to La Carbonara for about two years. The pasta is always super yummy—well seasoned, cooked right, with good sauces. And it's reasonably priced. My favorite dishes are spaghetti and meatballs (the meatballs have a nice weight and aren't all breadcrumbs and air) and the chicken paillard (the arugula is not over-dressed, as is often the case). You can also get a very good Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. And if you sit at the bar, you might discover a wonderful old movie that you have never seen, as they have Turner Classic Movies on at all times, on silent but with captions. It's possible at La Carbonara to sit at the bar, order a meal and a glass of wine, and watch a movie and talk with someone interesting. I would never have thought to go here, as 14th Street can feel a strip of chain restaurants and bars, and La Carbonara is not aiming to be trendy either. But it offers solidly good food and a friendly atmosphere at good prices. And that's hard to find anywhere but certainly Downtown.

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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Awful waiter, seafood special unfresh

By glittering on 10/23/2011

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 9
  • No, I would not go back!

The waiter was completely dismissive, ignoring us, literally "waving off our questions" then, at the end of the night informed us that it is standard to leave a 20% gratuity. We left 15% b/c of his poor service (this is the 1st time we EVER left less then 20%; usually leave 20-25%) We replied that the gratuity is reflective of the service. He snapped at us stating that he has the right to refuse us service. Unbelievable. Two of the dishes were good. The special - seafood was completely not fresh. I'm embarassed to say, but I spit the muscle out into the napkin secretly.

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15 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

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