Details for Carlos Cucina Italiana

Website:	Visit Website	Year Opened:	1979
Meals:	Dinner, Lunch	Alcohol Served:	Beer, Liquor, Wine
Payment Options:	Gift Certificate, Visa, MasterCard	Parking:	Street
Price Range:	$$	Menu:	Menu
Business Hours	View Hours

Tips for Carlos Cucina Italiana

Know Before You Go

Don't come hoping to enjoy a hot cup of coffee; only cappuccino and espresso are served.

When to Go

The restaurant's pace is entirely different during the day; diners won't feel nearly as rushed and confined during a fulfilling lunch.

Special Features

Local Favorite

Outdoor Dining

Hidden Find

Tantalizing, reasonably-priced Southern Italian fare is the hallmark of this cramped, charming trattoria.

By: Contributor

The Scene
Long a favorite of Allston-Brighton's bargain-loving young professionals, this is the perfect choice for those craving comfortable Italian dishes without the hassle of a trek to North End. Thanks to a no-reservations policy, most diners face a brief wait outside for one of the small, noisy dining room's tiny tables. Harried waiters shout to be heard over the ruckus created by the young-ish crowd and semi-open kitchen.

The Food
Reasonably-priced dishes heavy on tantalizing Southern Italian fare make this an area favorite. To start, try the flavorful funghi alla portabella, a steak-like Portobello topped with mozzarella and peppers. Most entrees, including a smoky chicken marsala and fresh frutti di mare, feature homemade pasta and are large enough to share. Desserts are disappointing: both the spumoni and homemade tiramisu are light on flavor and heavy on the whipped cream.