Carbone New York

"The Show: Caesar Salad The first time you manage to get a table at Carbone, you have to get the tableside caesar. (If there's ever a second time, go for the chopped salad, which is better.) Your server will bring a table over and begin mixing a dressing in a large wooden bowl, before tossing it with little gems, plating it, and then topping it with big sourdough croutons, and grated ricotta salata. This is a very necessary ritual: If it weren't for the expert show, you might notice the salad is fairly standard—sometimes even slightly underdressed. But more likely you'll be too busy wondering if you can ask your server to toss it just one more time. " - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah, will hartman

"Verdict: Carbone is overhyped. It’s so overhyped, in fact, that you’ll hear people claim that the food here isn’t even any good. That is untrue. The red sauce Italian food at Carbone is consistently delicious. This is just such a sceney restaurant, and there are so many other places where you can get excellent Italian food in this city. The only real reason to struggle for a table here is if you want to sit in a chair that Rihanna might have once occupied." - bryan kim

"Difficult to get reservations but known for its cream pasta which leaves a lasting impression." - Edward Barsamian

"Carbone is now doing delivery here. Yes, we know. We plan on ordering spicy rigatoni with vodka sauce to our apartments too." - hannah albertine

"Carbone’s reputation precedes itself. It's one of the most divisive restaurants in NYC (and also one of the hardest to get into). Should you give up your first-born to get a table here? Definitely not. But if the opportunity arises, go to Carbone. And since that might be your one and only opportunity, here's your exact order: the daily crudo, baked clams, a chopped salad, the famous spicy rigatoni, and the ravioli al ragu. Plus whatever piques your interest off the dessert cart. Lunch is slightly easier to reserve (slightly), and we actually like it here better during the day. It's somewhat of a revelation to drink a Negroni in a room full of people who don't have to worry about a day job. " - willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja, arden shore