La Carbonaia

[tommy]

we returned to this italian in ho-ho-kus for the second time last night.  it is where Pourquoi pas? used to be.

i don't recall the room at pourquoi pas?, but it looks as though the new owners haven't changed it much.  it's got that "how i might re-do my basement on a budget" look, but it's not horrible.  just casual.

i think this is a husband and wife team, with the lovely and gracious wife working the front room, and the husband heading up the kitchen (i could be wrong, but hey).

the menu consists of shell fish (mussels, clams), pastas of all sorts, meats (steak, pork, lamb chops), whole fishes, salads, a soup, and a couple of other offerings, not to mention nightly specials numbering upwards of 15 or 18.  for the size of the restaurant, i think the magnitude of the menu is quite ambitious.  and they seem to pull it off.

delicious bread is served right off the bat, with some good green olive oil.  the bread apparently comes from balthazar in soho.  it's one of my favorite types of bread (i don't know the name, but it's light and airy, with a good thick crust).

last night we started with clams in a red broth and "meatballs and mushrooms".  mrs. tommy loved the clams and the broth.  the huge bowl was served with a single slice of delicious garlic rubbed crouton for dipping.  i thought the dish was a bit too fishy, but i was assured by the expert that it was very good.

the meatballs and mushrooms were insipid (i just love that word).  i figured you can't go wrong with the two, but here we did.  the meatballs were probably made from veal and pork, or some other lean meat.  the mushrooms were sliced and the whole thing was in a rather bland red sauce.  i think it could have used more salt and more zing, not to mention maybe more herb.  however, it was a big portion, and probably would have been better if shared btwn 3 ppl so each could have a little "taste".  i just didn't "get" the dish quite frankly.  

on to a roasted pork stuffed with sausage, herbs, and prossuito (sp?).  quite good, and served with a zippy and flavorful brown sauce.  i couldn't figure out what the "secret" was to the brown sauce.  it was quite interesting.  a person who i believe was the chef came out to see how everything was.  mrs. tommy asked about the pork, and he was more than happy to explain every little detail about it, basically telling us exactly how to make it (but not the sauce), and summing up with "that's it," as if to imply that it's not rocket science, and if i can do it why don't you give it a try.  i thought that was quite gracious as so many chefs seem to think their work is that of a higher power, and protect their "secrets" like nasa.

we also had cornish hen, which was just incredible.  a good sized bird, split open, and roasted til crispy.  it was juicy and delicious.  i think i'll start ordering this little sucker from now on.

both entrees were served with roasted potatoes and sauteed broccoli rabe.

total before tip was 59 dollars or so.  the last time we were there, we had pastas instead of meats, and the bill was only about 45.  pastas go for about 13 or 15 dollars here, and they are pretty good.

the place rocks on weekends, and the service was overwhelmed on our one saturday night visit.

byob.  there is a carlo russo liquor store across the street with some good deals.  

6 Sycamore Ave

ho ho kus

(201) 251-8008

[Rosie]

We were here once. The tables were very close together and we felt squished. The food was ok but not that good that we would drive 45 minutes to get there. If we lived in the area it would be the type of place that we would go to on a week day night.

[tommy]

rosie, the answer is simple:  move in with me.

some of the tables are tight, but overall, considering what i'm used to in NYC, i didn't find the seating that uncomfortable.  granted, the night we were there when it was packed we were seated in a corner by the front window, which was nice.

:)

[Rosie]

Tommy--What a nice offer. I'll think about it! :)

[tommy]

plans to go back to la carbonaia last night. however, sadly, they are closed. there's no sign, but from what i've heard it has something to do with the building being sold.

i hope these guys are able to reopen in the area. ridgewood, ho-ho-kus, and their environs are just a wasteland of mediocre and crowded restaurants.

[201]

plans to go back to la carbonaia last night.  however, sadly, they are closed.  there's no sign, but from what i've heard it has something to do with the building being sold.

i hope these guys are able to reopen in the area.  ridgewood, ho-ho-kus, and their environs are just a wasteland of mediocre and crowded restaurants.

I never took the opportunity to get there either. I actually suggested it to a couple of family members two weeks ago, but we ended up at the Trackside in Ramsey. They refused to let me pay for dinner, which meant they got to choose the location.

However, for a different family occassion, we DID finally try The Sicillian Sun in Ho-Ho-Kus. We had take-out of lasagna, eggplant parm, garlic bread, a string bean antipasto of sorts, and a pizza with half sausage & peppers. It's pretty run-of-the-mill from what we sampled (which are certainly run-of-the-mill choices). Nothing really special here, but nothing truly vomitous either.

How's THAT for a recommendation?!

[tommy]

However, for a different family occassion, we DID finally try The Sicillian Sun in Ho-Ho-Kus.  We had take-out of lasagna, eggplant parm, garlic bread, a string bean antipasto of sorts, and a pizza with half sausage & peppers.  It's pretty run-of-the-mill from what we sampled (which are certainly run-of-the-mill choices).  Nothing really special here, but nothing truly vomitous either.

How's THAT for a recommendation?! 

cool. i almost definitely might try this place maybe.

hey 201, janice bistro over there has some decent pastas on their small but interesting specials list. you should give the place another shot. it's friendly, family run, and is more interesting than anything else in the area.