CarBar

ABOUT

Carbar has all the telltale signs of a rustic, industrial-chic spot. Wood counters? Check. Concrete floors? Check. Neon signs and naked bulbs? Double check. But step inside and you’ll find yourself happily ensconced in a warm space serving up affordable wines with carb-loaded dishes. And these are ...More

Carbar has all the telltale signs of a rustic, industrial-chic spot. Wood counters? Check. Concrete floors? Check. Neon signs and naked bulbs? Double check. But step inside and you’ll find yourself happily ensconced in a warm space serving up affordable wines with carb-loaded dishes. And these are carbs worth tossing your diet to the side for. The barbecue fries, for instance, are smoky with a hint of heat — an excellent accompaniment to the hanger steak. Then there’s the arancini, golden crisp-crumbed rice balls spilling over with gooey camembert, parmigiano and some apricot jam for dipping. If that’s not cheesy enough, the cacio e pepe is the ultimate indulgence, where slippery strands of spaghetti are tossed in a rich parmigiano-reggiano sauce. Pizzas here come out from a fiery wood-fired oven, crafted from dough that’s been left to rise slowly over two days for a pillow-y, crispy crust. Toppings are generous, and we’ll recommend the spiced Italian sausage or savoury prosciutto ham with runny egg. A glass of crisp white wine — try the 2016 Babich Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand — will balance out this intense meal. (Nov 2018)

THE BUZZ

72 Courtyard’s Hopeland has been transformed into a very casual wine bar that serves up carb-loaded dishes.

DISHES WE LOVE

Hanger Steak, Arancini, Cacio E Pepe, Linguine Vongole, Italian Sausage Pizza