The Team Behind Carbone Has Officially Opened Torrisi Bar & Restaurant In Soho

Celebrity-favorite red sauce joint Carbone might finally have some worthy competition downtown... from it's own sister restaurant, of course.

Torrisi Bar & Restaurant, led by none other than Major Food Group's Rich Torrisi, has finally opened its doors in Soho, giving foodie scenesters yet another Italian hot spot to brag about on Instagram. Hey, at least it's all in the family.

But while the freshly debuted space inside the landmarked Puck Building is certainly all new, the concept actually predates Carbone, and, well, the entire MFG empire. It's a callback to the team's OG hit, Torrisi Italian Specialties, which opened in 2009 and shuttered in 2015.

Like the original, the loosely based revamp pays homage to the distinct Italian-American cuisine cultivated in New York City, along with all its melting pot influences from Jewish delis to Chinatown. 

With its namesake chef-owner Torrisi at the helm, joined by executive chef Charlie England, who formerly served as Carbone’s chef de cuisine, and pastry chef Stephanie Prida, the eatery serves up "specialties" like hand-pulled mozzarella, Cucumbers New Yorkese, stuffed peppers, San Gennaro bao, and chopped liver with Manischewitz. Seriously, does it get any more "New Yawk" than that lineup?

There's also, obviously, an impressive pasta selection that might even give Mario Carbone's famous spicy rigatoni a run for its money, with menu standouts including linguini with Manhattan clams and cavatelli with Jamaican beef ragu.

The cavernous brick-walled interiors of the 19th century building have been given a swanky upgrade by Garrett Singer Design, marrying the industrial vaulted ceilings, cast-iron columns, and round-arched windows with accents of brass and alabaster, plush seating, and modern lighting. A grand emerald quartzite bar welcomes guests at the entrance, while a dramatic open kitchen (a first for a Major Food Group restaurant) serves as the scene-stealing centerpiece.

Trust, this is one buzzy destination that's certainly going to live up to the hype.

Click through for a look inside (while you wait for a res)!

[Photos courtesy Major Food Group]