25 Feb San Carlo Osteria Piemonte Opens in SoHo

Authentic Osteria to Offer Food and Wines of Piedmont, Italy

March 3, 2016—NEW YORK— San Carlo Osteria Piemonte, an authentic restaurant paying homage to the food, wine, and culture of Northern Italy’s Piedmont region is set to open in New York’s SoHo neighborhood on March 3^nd. Founded by Piedmont natives, the 50-seat, intimate restaurant is located at 90 Thompson Street between Prince and Spring Streets.

One of Italy’s oldest regions, Piedmont serves as the ultimate inspiration for San Carlo, from the name (which is named after Turin’s famous piazza), to the food and wine, to the design, including an art installation depicting Turin’s Piazza San Carlo, which serves as the focal point of the room.The three New York-based partners behind San Carlo, all natives of Turin, include CEO Carlo Rolle, a Turin based restaurateur, Managing Director Moreno Cerutti, a former marketing executive, and Davide Poggi, a former General Manager of Piccola Cucina in SoHo, who will also serve as General Manger of San Carlo.  Leading the kitchen is Chef Riccardo Zebro, a young chef and Italian native who gained experience at Balzi Rossi in Liguria and Il Milanese Curioso in Milan. Back in Italy, San Carlo’s team also includes three investors – Teresa Rolle, Andrea DellaValle and Giorgio Pochettino.

“San Carlo was born from six friends’ passion for their homeland, and their desire to share their culinary and cultural traditions with the world,” said Moreno Cerutti, Managing Director.  “From the origins of bagna cauda, the tradition of true fritto misto alla Piedmontese, to the wine of the Langhe region, we hope to share through our food, the fascinating and sometimes unusual customs and traditions of Piedmont.  And what better city in the world to bring our Osteria Piemontese, if not New York, and the SoHo neighborhood, where food, has played an integral part in the city’s history and cultural identity.”

Both a culinary and cultural destination, Piedmont is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards, as well as The University of Gastronomic Sciences, an international academic institution focusing on the organic relationships between food and cultures. Located in the space previously occupied by Le Pescadeux, San Carlo was designed by Thomas and Claire Schlesser of Design Bureaux (whose portfolio includes Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, and Má Pêche among others), and will seat 44 in the dining room and 6 people at the bar.

Seeking to create a timeless space that references rustic antiquity with contemporary Italian design sensibility, the stripped down space features original exposed brick walls and original wood floors, and a color palate of warm grays, burnt orange, and metallic brass. Dark gray wood floors and beamed ceilings are anchored by an accent wall made with contemporary terracotta, as well as a terracotta and brass bar on the opposite side of the room. Custom-made Italian gray leather chairs, handsomely upholstered banquettes and pristine brass spherical fixtures and wall scones also decorate the warm, inviting space. The space will also feature an art installation on the rear wall depicting its namesake Piazza San Carlo.  Upon entry, diners will be greeted by vast French doors that will remain open in the warmer months as well as a brass bull, which has been engraved into the sidewalk – a Piedmontese symbol for good luck.

Blending authentic recipes and high-quality Italian imported products with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, San Carlo’s menu highlights Piedmont’s rich history of producing exceptional fine wines, artisanal meats and cheeses, and some of Italy’s best known specialties including white truffles from the city of Alba, Fassone beef and bagna cauda.

Sfizi, or small bites, also available at the bar, will include Crostone Burro e Acciughe, crostini with herb and anchovy butter. Antipasti will include Vitello Tonnato, a classic Piedmontese veal dish, Capasanta, Crema di Topinambur, Nocciole e Guanciale – pan seared scallops with sunchoke purée, toasted hazelnuts and guanciale, and a Winter Salad with pumpkin chips, quinoa, mushrooms, caramelized pecans and a Barolo reduction. Primi include Paccheri, Schiuma di Patate e Branzino, paccheri pasta with potato mousse and Branzino, and Risotto, Castelmagno e Nocciole – risotto with Castelmagno cheese and hazelnuts. Gluten free pasta is available at an additional charge and whole-wheat pasta will be available upon request.

Secondi include the very authentic Fritto Misto alla Piemontese, which includes lightly fried meats like, lamb, chicken, and sweet breads as well as apples and apricots, and Orecchia di Elefante Vestita con Rucola e Pachino – veal Milanese with arugula and cherry tomatoes. Desserts include Panna Cotta and Bonet, an authentic Piedmontese chocolate dessert.

Through La Granda, Eataly’s largest purveyor of quality meats in Italy, San Carlo has an exclusive partnership with Pat LaFrieda, who will be providing authentic cuts of certified Piedmontese beef. The unique breed originated in the Piedmont region of Italy, and is prized for its flavorful and tender yet relatively lean and healthful meat. Additionally, San Carlo works with a variety of both local and international purveyors, including the Lobster Place for fresh seafood, and Eataly for various artisanal pastas such as Cavaliere Giuseppe Cocco. The restaurant’s coffee will be exclusively provided by Lavazza, the historic coffee company founded in Turin with which San Carlo’s founders and owners have personal ties.
San Carlo’s approachable wine list will offer 10 wines by the glass and 150 different types of wine, focusing primarily on indigenous Northern Italian wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. The restaurant will also offer a cocktail list incorporating classic Italian cocktails such as the Milano Torino, the cocktail that later inspired the Negroni and Americano – Campari and sweet vermouth with orange, and Pastisse, a French aperitif commonly enjoyed in Piedmont influenced by the region’s proximity to France.

San Carlo is located at 90 Thompson Street between Prince and Spring Streets in New York City.  The restaurant is open for dinner, Monday through Thursday from 4:00pm – 12:00am, Friday and Saturday from 4:00pm – 1am, and Sunday from 12:00pm – 12:00am. For reservations and more information, visit www.sancarlonyc.com call 212-625-1212 or e-mail info@sancarlonyc.com . Follow San Carlo on Instagram and Twitter: @SanCarloNYC and on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/sancarloonyc