Via Carota honors old-world Italian roots in the West Village
Established in 2014, Via Carota is described as the “West Village gastroteca”, created by chef couple Jody Williams and Rita Sodi. With an ambiance inspired by the 17th-century villa near Florence, Italy which Sodi once called home, Via Carota honors old-world Italian roots, lifestyle, food and décor.
The restaurant is thoughtfully renovated – wooden floors repurposed from an old gymnasium, vintage chairs from a chapel in England, and homely wooden cabinets filled with antique china. Baskets of bread and bowls of oranges are scattered throughout the space, and there are communal tables and a private room tucked away amongst the many wine bottles. The windowed storefront of the main room opens out onto eight outdoor tables, perfectly situated for al fresco dining.
For large gatherings of up to 60 people, guests can gather around the 15 seat bar for cocktails and aperitivi in the main room, or enjoy a family-style meal at one of our large farm tables. For smaller gatherings, guests can choose from The Wine Room (up to 8 people), The Farmhouse Table (up to 10 people), or The Boar’s Room (up to 12 people). All small rooms are seated on a first come, first served basis, while the full menu is available from every space.
Many have praised the restaurant’s menu offerings. Pete Wells of the Times praised the chefs’ ability to turn out “deeply appealing food, without mugging,” and was very impressed with the menu’s clear highlights, including the svizzerina – a bunless burger made of loosely packed, hand-chopped, grass-fed steak, griddled to allow the outside crunchy but the inside pink.
In The New Yorker, Amelia Lester appreciated the way that the restaurant avoided “many of the trappings we’ve come to associate with trendy restaurants.” It wasn’t a place that was begging or boasting on social media.
Located at 51 Grove Street in the West Village, Via Carota is just one block up from the couple’s other beloved restaurants Buvette and Sodi. Via Carota is open all day long serving food and drink, early until late in a true gastroteca fashion. No reservations required.
For more information about Via Carota, please visit viacarota.com.
