Impasto by Terun

Pizza restaurant · San Carlos

Impasto by Terun

Pizza restaurant · San Carlos
661 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070

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Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null
Impasto by Terun by null

Highlights

Neapolitan pizza with fresh ingredients, cocktails, wine  

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661 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070 Get directions

impastosancarlos.com
@impastosancarlos

$30–50 · Menu

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661 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070 Get directions

+1 650 486 1504
impastosancarlos.com
@impastosancarlos

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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Macchiato Lover

Google
The host staff was nice and friendly, and she let us choose the table we wanted as it wasn’t too busy. The inside was very bright and elegantly decorated. You can see the kitchen with the chef making pizza through the glass window, and observe how clean and organized their kitchen is. We inquired about their ability to accommodate my kid’s peanut allergy, and the staff went to ask and came back to confirm with us that they don’t use peanuts in the kitchen. We really appreciate how proactive the staff are regarding the safety and food allergies. We ordered: Rigatoni bolognese ($18) from the kid’s menu. The rigatoni was al dente and nicely coated with the bolognese sauce. The quality of the sauce and the meat in it was top notched and the flavor was very well balanced unlike the overly salted sauce we usually get in the US. Terún pizza ($25): pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spicy salumi. This pizza reminds me of my favorite Diavola pizza I got in Naples (but minus the olives—wish they had put olives on it too). The dough was cooked just right. You know it’s a good Neapolitan pizza when you fold it into a u shape and it stays without the crust breaking or the tip disintegrating. Caprina salad ($21): The salad portion was huge. The price tag of $21 is very well justified by the portion and the quality of the ingredients. The lemon dressing was nice and refreshing. I think this place has become our favorite Neapolitana pizzeria in the Bay Area. The tricky thing about Neapolitan pizza is that it has to be thin crust and well-cooked without being charred or dried like cardboard. The thinness of the crust does not have much room for errors, and Impasto nailed that. The services were very attentive, with the staff checking on us regularly to see if we needed anything or if my kid was ok with the food. All in all, this place is a keeper and we will definitely come back to try more dishes on the menu.

T T

Google
Impasto was a great experience and I would highly recommend and return. The design of the space is beautiful and the vibes are inviting. The good is great! The standout is the spaghetti! It was perfect! I definitely want to try more of the menu and other pizzas.

Ryan Norton

Google
Michael, the owner was extremely welcoming and kind to myself and my sister. We mentioned how it is our first visit at this location, compared to us as regulars at the Palo Alto location. Food was OUTSTANDING as always, along with kind & attentive staff. Looking forward to visiting again. Thank you so much Michael & the whole team!

Hans Goertz

Google
Loud but beautiful setting. The service was so-so (and no one asked how our food was until after we’d paid and were leaving). Speaking of paying, I despise it when restaurants use the Toast payment device, shoving it into your face with only tip percentages showing on the screen and no ability to verify that the list of items and the amount look correct…a perfect way of hiding the 3% fee that discretely tack on (I thought that the new California law was supposed to get rid of hidden fees!). The real letdown (besides the odd lasagna with ham stuffed inside) were the pizzas. Watery, bland pizzas that were depressingly tasteless. What a waste of good ingredients when the kitchen isn’t able to make a pleasing pizza.

Amy Jewell

Google
We celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary dinner here and it was lovely! Working with Giovanni on the phone to secure my large party was a breeze and the actual event was smooth, relaxed and delicious. My table loved every dish they ordered - pizza, pasta and salad alike. The dining room is beautiful and open and while we had a table for 18 people, the room didn't feel overwhelmed by our presence. They have gluten sensitive offerings- a GF pizza, risotto of the day and many of their pasta dishes can be made with substitute GF pasta. And to end, my mom said the tiramisu was the best she's ever had! Highly recommended! Thanks for making our special event just perfect!

Wook Chung

Google
Impasto is not ready yet. It is like a teenager with massive potential to be great, but has rough edges and also needs to chart a path to realize its destiny. It is a fabulous addition to the Peninsula but as of a month into its opening, it simply isn't "great". I won't pamper this review with great atmosphere, great and friendly service, breezy and crisp outdoor seating, etc. Afterall, we're in San Carlos. The fact that it is right next to a train station may have been trouble with diesel trains but now Caltrain is fully electric. All good. The issue is with the food. The ingredients are top notch. The recipe is good and whoever is cooking, is really trying hard to follow. But the lack of maturity shows. Many dishes lean on the bland side - and I can absolutely tell that this wasn't the intention rather timidness or even a mistake. The dough is good as well as the burrata. So whatever combination you put out is a winner. But again, the salt. Everywhere it's just about 30% missing. Focaccia bread is slightly bland. French fries absolutely came out saltless. Carpaccio was saved by parmasean but the meat wasn't "rare" enough. Seafood risotto was hearty but also lacked character. The gnocchi was rich and was perhaps the only dish that wasn't bland. However, something about the blend of sauce and texture made one quickly get bored with it. I cannot simply see one person scraping the entire dish of gnocchis. Now the unforgivable part is the margherita pizza. Don't get me wrong - dough was great and so were the cheese. The problem was with the watery and bland tomato sauce. You do not want your Neapolitan margherita to drip of tomato juice and water. You just can't. Amateurish mistake I'd say. It is absolutely clear that Impasto comes from the right roots and is destined to be great. It's just not ready yet. It needs to get it together. Grow up a bit. And not get overwhelmed when all tables are filled with those that are coming in with anticipation. Not too late. Just tighten it up and cook with confidence.

Nadia Andreini

Google
We recently had the pleasure of dining at Impasto, a new gem in our neighborhood that opened in early August. The restaurant is owned by four incredibly kind and welcoming Italians, and it truly shows in every aspect of the experience. The chef and his team are exceptional, delivering perfection in every dish—from pizza and pasta to meat and fish. The ambiance, service, and, of course, the food were all in true Italian style, making the evening delightful for my husband, our children, and me. We were already familiar with the owners' cuisine from their other restaurants, Terun and Italico in Palo Alto, which we know very well, but Impasto truly stands out. The interior design has been carefully crafted, making the place shine like a jewel. We couldn't have asked for a better evening, and we're looking forward to many more visits to this wonderful new addition to our community! Bravissimi!!!

Fam Hwolf

Google
Pizza with prosciutto super yummy, crust so flavorful. Love the fava/broccolini starter and the asparagus soup. Ditto the eggplant Parm, soft and silky and unlike any we've had before. Great cocktails. Fun atmosphere and great service. Has become one of our favorites and a go-to for a fun dinner out with friends, or scaled back a bit, just us!
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Grace M.

Yelp
What a lovely first experience at Impasto! We came here on my friend's recommendation and were sat outside by some heaters. The menu had familiar names of dishes but some that intrigued us. We enjoyed the super freshly fried calamari and that lemon sauce was amazing! I had the octopus pesto pasta dish and all the specials looked yummy too! Parking is in downtown San Carlos , which can be hit or miss depending on timing. There are a few spots dedicated to the restaurant in the Caltrain lot but don't count on those. This would be a great spot to check out for a special event, as we were treated with great hospitality too!
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Rachel M.

Yelp
Impasto was great at allowing us to adjust our reservation for 10 people and easily accommodated us outside. The outside patio is very well heated with space heaters (almost too heated haha). The staff is super attentive and friendly and had good recommendations. Everyone in our party really enjoyed their food and the quality of dishes was super high. The only thing we didn't really enjoy was the brussel sprouts. theyre cooked whole so they don't get crispy at all and topped with strong Gorgonzola cheese. Biggest hits were the kids pesto pasta and pizzas.
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Joyce L.

Yelp
Rating this place a 3 star because of their portion size relative to its pricing. I had a beet salad ( $18) and finished it in a few bites. There were about 6 pieces of spinach ravioli with limited "diluted" sauce for $26. Nothing special with these typical items. The Margherita pizza was fine except it was a tad salty. Not sure if it was associated with the cheese they used or they added salt to their pizza. Definitely interesting.
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Daman T.

Yelp
We tried Impasto by Terun recently and while the food delivered, the overall vibe felt a bit uneven. The menu shares a lot with Terun (which is a plus), so I went with my usuals--beet gnocchi and margherita pizza. Still hits. That chili oil on the pizza? Next level. We added the branzino this time too, and it was beautifully done. For drinks, we had the Zinfandel and the Cauro--both solid, though I leaned toward the Zin. Dessert was tiramisu with a shot of espresso--a perfect caffeine-meets-creamy finish. Ambience-wise, the indoor space looked sleek and moody in the best way, but we were seated on the patio, which felt... meh. Honestly, I still prefer the vibe at their Palo Alto location. The one real miss? The music. Think early 2000s Eminem and similar--which felt totally off for a cozy Italian dinner. Swap that for some Italian classics or mellow instrumentals and it'd be a whole different experience. Great food, uneven atmosphere. I'd go back--but probably request indoor seating. Or perhaps I'll just go to Terun.
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Ivy C.

Yelp
Yummy! Solid 4. This was one of the best pizzas and sides I've had in a while. They don't skimp on the goods here! They use quality ingredients and flavor everything well. No one likes bland, sad or soggy food right? Prosciutto pizza was salty but ultra tasty. Favs beans and brocolette would be fantastic for anyone trying to go lower carb or vegan (just get it without Parmesan). It was rich and filling even as a veggie dish. The meatballs in Gorgonzola sauce were really good, but felt overly bready. Like half the inside was actually bread crumbs rather than protein. Solid 4, I would come back. Note that parking can be a bit tough due to being next to Caltrain station, but I think there's a tiny lot if you're lucky to snag a spot.
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Rheanna C.

Yelp
We had such a great experience! The staff was incredibly friendly and made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we arrived. We sat outside and lucked out with a beautiful day. Perfect setting for a relaxing meal. I started with a Hugo Spritz, which was light, crisp, and super refreshing. We shared the seasonal watermelon salad with goat cheese, pistachios, and a citrus dressing. It was absolutely delicious and perfectly balanced. The watermelon was at peak ripeness, and it all came together beautifully. We also ordered the caprese, and the presentation was gorgeous. The heirloom tomatoes were fresh and full of flavor. For my main, I had the calamarata. It was rich and flavorful, though the pesto and cheese made it a little heavier than I expected--I could only eat part of it. I think it might be even better with a pomodoro sauce and a little chili flake to balance things out. That said, they were generous with the octopus, which I appreciated. Parking was super easy, and I'll definitely be back to try more dishes. A lovely spot overall!
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Nene S.

Yelp
Last minute plans brought us to this establishment for the first time on a Friday night. The atmosphere was very welcoming and friendly. I ordered the pulpo and branzino and everything was seasoned very well. Everything we ordered was very delicious and we will be coming back. Thank you for the hospitality and delicious food.
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Elaine Y.

Yelp
Came here last month for an early Christmas celebration with 5 couples total. We were able to get lunch reservations and first off - the service was so warm and friendly. It really felt like coming to a beautiful family restaurant!! I'm so glad we got to try this place. EVERYONE who works there was warm and welcoming. There was 10 of us and we tend to like family style so we can try a bunch of different things - and given we were seated in a long table - we found it easier to order in a group of 4 and then my group of 6. It was perfect since the group of 4 wanted specific things that the rest of us weren't as hot on... So overall - both groups started with the Focaccia Puglese! MY OH MY! Note - the ONLY serve this at Impasto. Terun does NOT offer this (I tried when I went there a month later) so this is an absolute MUST. Even for some of us who are watching our carbs - devoured their little piece and we all debated if we should order another. Growing up in SF, I've had focaccia from North Beach in SF as we lived close by to the little corner shop so I have HIGH expectations of focaccia and I will say - this version is even better than what I remember growing up in SF from that little focaccia shop!! Light and fluffy on the inside, infused with tons of flavor on the outside with just the PERFECT textures! My mouth is watering just thinking about them! Next time we will not split one for 6 but I'd go for at least half!! LOL We also got the Eggplant Pulpette! This was recommended by my sister (who btw LOVES Impasto and would eat here daily if she could). This dish was a PERFECT BITE... the crunch on the outside - the tender flavorful eggplant in the center with that delicious creamy sauce. I can see this also being a MUST ORDER!! It's not overwhelming with the eggplant - it's just a perfect hint of the flavor with all the other complimentary textures and flavors!! We also got the Pulpo (Octopus) - Now this too is a must order if you like octopus. We are huge octopus fans - ate octopus every change we got in Mexico City as they had the most tender flavorful and I think this was on par with what we get in Mexico City!! And you can dip in their lemon-avocado sauce if you like spicy or their regular sauce but the key here is how TENDER they make their octopus. Was so easy to cut up for all to share and the bite was so tender and would practically melt in your mouth!! YUM!! For salads - we couldn't decide and decided to be healthy and got two. The Grilled Romaine and the Tuna Salad... Ok both were delicious but I will say the Tuna Salad was my absolute favorite and definitely something I would crave. They actually added a little bit of beets into the salad (as I had voted for beet salad but got outvoted) so I was a super happy camper!! And the tuna didn't have the "fishy" smell or taste - definitely a high quality... and combined with everything - with the crunchy chopped romaine lettuce and that lemon vinaigrette. YES - definitely my FAVORITE! I loved the grilled romaine as well - as the grill gave it that smokiness but it definitely came in 2nd to the Tuna Salad. Main courses - the Gnocchi which is made out of beets. I thought this was perfect as it didn't taste too heavy or rich which most gnocchi's are which is why I could never JUST have gnocchi as the only thing I eat. Definitely a shareable dish and super tasty - nice spin with the beets - made it less heavy. The one dish I was so so on was the Margherita Pizza. Don't get me wrong - the flavors were amazing and the outside pizza crust was delicious - a nice compliment but it's the center... it got all mushy and soft - definitely had to use a knife and fork - I assume it's because of the mozzerella they use but I'm not a huge fan of soft mushy pizza centers - so that would be a pass for me... Flavors all there just that texture... We also got the Rigatoni - I will say this was delicious as a typical Rigatoni would be. Wasn't unique or special but it did hit the mark in the right flavors and al dente of the pasta... The table of 4 had also ordered the Parmigiana Di Melanzane (Eggplant Parm) and they seemed to enjoy it tremendously. If I weren't so full on our side I would have asked for a bite. It looked small at first glance but I was told it was VERY filling!! The other main course they ordered was the Pollo ALLA Milanese. Milanese style is a thin pounded chicken breast, breaded and fried. They seemed to be very happy with this dish as it also came with salad and skinny fries! Overall - This is the place to come for delicious Italian food (especially for the Focaccia and Eggplant Polpette) as these are dishes you typically don't find in other Italian restaurants!! I can't wait to go back and try other dishes!! I'm hoping another pizza won't be as soggy in the middle - as the Pera sounds amazing... Till my next visit.... OH and of course the WONDERFUL and amazing friendly staff and service!!!
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Rachel M.

Yelp
I love Terun, so I came to check out Impasto. It's got a relatively similar menu and their pizza is amazing, but the price point has gotten a bit high, making it more of a special occasion place for me than somewhere I can dine on any old night. The outdoor patio space is great. The wine list could definitely stand to be beefed up a bit - I couldn't find anything that was up my alley. Overall, a good place to dine out.
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Ryan K.

Yelp
I had dinner here with a larger party so I got to try a good variety of options. The pizzas definitely stood out as much better than the pastas. Serving size for the pastas also seemed much more limited. Of the pizzas I did try, there was no skimping out on the toppings, plenty of meats and cheeses. The staff were also incredibly helpful. Our waiter came around numerous times to refill waters and check in. The owner even stopped by to make sure we were having a good time. We were seated outside in January by our own choice and I've never seen a restaurant with so many space heaters. We actually requested they turn one down it got so warm. Impasto made for a fun and tasty night overall.
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Hen A.

Yelp
sunday father's day lunch at impasto...reservations made and arriving on time...busy, but promptly seated at arrival...lunch for 3 and wanting to share...taking a smokey pineapple for the drink...a $17 special cocktail...tasty and refreshing...browsing menu and deciding to share a 5 formaggi pizza...a 5 cheese pizza for $25...also sharing the rigatoni $26 and pollo milanese $32...the pizza arriving first with hot bubbling cheese....the first slice is always the best...hot with intense cheese flavors...rigatoni was very hearty with a thick meaty sauce...simply perfect and delicious...chicken milanese had a wonderful tangy sauce over the salad and fried chicken...golden brown and perfectly tender chicken...delicious salad and a mound of fries to fill...great lunch...attentive staff...worth the $131.23 total...
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Alison V.

Yelp
My pizza was crunchy in the middle. You'd think the fact that they advertise accreditation by Vera Pizza Napoletana (despite that accreditation not being listed on Vera's site...hmm...) would mean they can make a perfect pizza. I guess not. The restaurant is relatively small so be sure to make a reservation. They pack in tables so it felt cramped. Service felt rushed. For the price, my experience was a little disappointing.
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Jianne D.

Yelp
New restaurant located in downtown San Carlos! We started the night with grilled octopus drizzled with lemon-avocado sauce. It was soft and juicy! For our main courses, we had the spaghetti and rigatoni. Both were delicious! The spaghetti was on the tangy and sweet side. The rigatoni had a good amount of beef-pork ragu. Excellent choices for cozy Italian food! Lots of parking spots available where it says "Restricted." Staff was friendly and welcoming. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu and answered our questions. I would definitely come back to try the pizza next time!
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Andy T.

Yelp
Lively atmosphere, interesting decor, and a beautiful bar. The pizza's are large with a thin classic Italian crust. The rigatoni Ragu sauce was superb. Great Italian wine list. Excellent service from our waiter. All around good experience!
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Julissa J.

Yelp
This restaurant is beautiful, I loved the decor & lighting. My friend made reservations online for us to sit indoors but unfortunately we were not able to be seated right away. A server came over & offered to sit us outside, we were both hesitant due to the cold weather but after he showed us the table & plenty of heated lamps, we decided it would be fine. We started off the night with some calamari & it was just the right amount of crispy, the lemon sauce that came with it was to die for, so delicious, I could've had that on its own lol I opted for the daily special, risotto with salmon & it was flavorful & satisfying. This restaurant was worth the try, I like that you can see into the kitchen when you walk into the restaurant, I eyed the wood fire oven & I'm sure I'll be back to try the pizza.

B J.

Yelp
Outstanding food, amazing service, friendly local vibe. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants in the area. I highly recommend!! If you go try the Cannella Paper Plane cocktail and the Rigatoni!!
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Ava M.

Yelp
The food was super good and the people there were really nice. They have an amazing spot outdoors to sit at and the seating is pretty comfortable. They have a lemonade is bubbly and could be better though. Would recommend! Amazing spot.
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Yana I.

Yelp
Best pizza place on the peninsula--don't miss it! Go there for amazing pizza and wine. The pizzas are very thin, and the recipes are fantastic. Our favorite is the Pera (cheese and pear), but honestly, they all taste incredible. The Italian wine list is excellent--thoughtfully curated, truly authentic, and pairs perfectly with the pizza. Another highlight is the interior design at their San Carlos location: fresh, modern, and incredibly cozy. The team is knowledgeable and friendly, creating a welcoming experience. While waiting for our table, the sommelier graciously offered us Prosecco--a sparkling start to our meal! Overall, it's delicious and authentically Italian. I took one star off because the quality of the steak didn't meet our expectations.
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Libby J.

Yelp
Impasto had been on my list to try for awhile for three reasons. The focaccia, the fries, and the nutella pizza. Spoiler alert: we were too full for the nutella pizza. We made a reservation for 7:30 PM on a Sunday and since all the tables were still full, they gave us some prosecco at the bar for the few minutes we did have to wait. The service here is great! Very attentive and personable. The place had cleared out by the time we left. What we did order: Appetizers/Sides Focaccia pugliese - Besides one super doughy part, this focaccia was AMAZING. I could have just eaten this for my dinner. Apparently the focaccia is so popular that they ran out of the original one that evening. With the fresh tomatoes, you don't even need the butter. Cauliflower (fancy name but it's cauliflower) - this was really nicely cooked Fries - the fries were very thin and yummy but needed a little more salt Pizzas Margherita and Pera - Impasto has the same pizzas as Terun. Sadly, by personal taste only, their crust is good but never my super favorite. It is always a solid pizza, but I prefer just a little more chew/doughy. Again, personal preference. I was really satisfied with my focaccia though and very full. My friend also got a pasta that I didn't taste. Fancy Italian restaurants in the Bay Area are never cheap so just take note. Everything (including appetizers) somehow costs $20+ (besides my focaccia and fries). Overall, I would come back to try the nutella pizza and get the focaccia pugliese and some apps again!
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Derek S.

Yelp
Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty experience. Impasto is located right next to the San Carlos Caltrain station. Parking is available on the street. Impasto is the same ownership as Terun in Palo Alto. The restaurant is brand new inside and the dining room is high quality. Service throughout the evening was attentive and prompt by the staff. Our waiter did a pheneomenal job providing suggestions and checking up us throughout the evening. Started off with the eggplant croquettes, salmon croquettes, and the truffle fries as appetizers. The eggplant croquette was super cheesy and the salmon croquette was unique. The truffle fries were quite fragrant. The porchetta pizza was gigantic. The porchetta was flavorful and the wheat crust was quite tasty. Ended off the meal with the tiramisu which was quite light. ~$75/head after tax and grautuity for dinner.
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Je C.

Yelp
Beautiful space right next to San Carlos Caltrain station. The staff are wonderful, wide range of drink options, great tasty food. Highly recommended.
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Jes M.

Yelp
This place was so good! I've been to Terun so was hoping for a similar experience and it was! Went with my dad recently and glad we made a reservation, it was a busy Saturday evening. Greeted immediately, met with smiles, and almost no wait for our table. It was such a nice day, the patio was great. Everyone was attentive, our server was so nice. The food was amazing. I got a spaghetti- because of the fresh burrata. The eggplant app and watermelon salad were so good. The regular focaccia bread was so good. Lasagna too. The pistachio dessert was so good. We were stuffed but wanted to try. And then had the limoncello and vecchio amaro del capo to finish- molte grazie
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Tasha H.

Yelp
Stopped by for dinner and they did an amazing job with the interior. Everything is beautiful including the massive bar! Service is very attentive as well, they really take care of you. Polpo - octopus had great texture and the sauce went well, this was thoroughly enjoyed Beet salad - loved the crunch from the hazelnuts, simple and effective salad. The only thing I didn't love is the pizza. It's personal preference, but I enjoy Neapolitan pizza with a bit more to the crust, with nice big bubbles and a bit more chew. Other than that, a beautiful restaurant, perfect for a date night!
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
Felt really rush the whole time we ate... it's way too loud on the patio and tables are too close to one another. Make a reservation, it gets pretty packed. Parking was pretty easy to find near by. The Aperol spritz was good. My partner and I thought the bread was just ok. The Brussel sprouts were so soggy and oily. The lasagna was the better dish compared to the rigatoni. Overall, good was just ok. I think the pizza may be better. I definitely liked terun and Italico a lot more.
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Sophia K.

Yelp
What a beautiful restaurant! It has indoor and outdoor seating options. Reservations were easy to make on the website and highly recommended. It was BUSY! My girlfriends and I were so excited to try this place. We MiGhT have over-ordered a tiny bit, but enjoyed EVERYTHING. * cauliflower was my absolute fave * focaccia bread and butter were amazing (even yummy the next day and kid-approved * the spaghetti was yummy * prosciutto arugula pizza was a table fave * tuna tartar was tasty, but it didn't come with enough crostini (that's ok though- I ate it with the focaccia * margarita pizza- perfect * ribeye w/green beans and fries- killed it * calamari- very yummy The staff worked efficiently and provided excellent service. Can't wait to come back soon. Thank you!! P.S. We came out from all over the Bay Area and wasn't familiar with San Carlos. There's street parking, parking structures and a parking lot right next door.... Looked like it was parking for CalTrain riders, but read the fine print! It's restaurant parking :) Hope you enjoy!!
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Nancy C.

Yelp
Another amazing meal and we were treated to delicious fresh made bread and tasty Limoncello and Cedro! Just love the food and our server, Kringel, was awesome! We were well taken care of and the owners are so warm and welcoming! Telling all my friends about the new kid on block! Welcome to San Carlos Impasto!
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Alex K.

Yelp
My friend wanted to go here to celebrate her new job. I was hesitant because I do not like Terun in Palo Alto but Impasto blew me away! I liked it so much more and will definitely be back. The decor inside is so cute. The manager came by to check on our meal, which was super nice and personal. They gave my friend ice cream with our dessert for our celebration. The food was great! Her spaghetti sounded basic from the menu description but it was so good and fresh; I'll be ordering it next time.
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Stephanie F.

Yelp
I had a craving for pasta and pizza so I was able to snag a same day reservation at Impasto! When my family arrived for our reservation, the hostess was very sweet and offered us an indoor table even though my reservation was for outside; we happily obliged! The restaurant itself was nicely decorated and you could see the large oven that they cook the pizzas in. My family tried the following: - Focaccia Pugliese - You can tell this was freshly made. It was crispy on the edges with a soft chew in the middle. It was served with house made rosemary butter, but it didn't even need it. It was so good on its own! - Roasted beet salad - This was a standard beet salad. Ingredients were fresh but nothing special. - San Daniele pizza - This was an excellent white pizza! It was served with arugula and prosciutto, mushrooms and shaved cheese. I highly recommend! - Terun pizza - This was a red pizza with spicy salame. The flavors were spot on, but the pizza was flaccid due to the tomato sauce. - Calamarata - This was a standout dish! The fresh pasta was shaped like calamari and was smothered in pesto sauce with octopus and potatoes. The portion was also pretty large. I would definitely order this again! I had been to Terun before so I knew I'd have a great meal here at Impasto! The food was solid and our server was very nice and friendly. He was also authentically Italian! We were stuffed with delicious carbs. Otherwise, I would've wanted to try the Nutella pizza for dessert! Next time...

D M.

Yelp
The service was very good. The Fogaccia was great! The Pizza was just OK... and NOT HOT--warm. We did not say anything because we were so hungry. The grilled romaine was good. BUT--and this is what will keep me from coming back, the PLACE WAS LOUD. It was a packed Saturday night and I had to practically shout across the table to speak with our friends. Way Loud. Again, the service was good. But the other combination was, well, a non starter. I'm sure I may be an outlier, because the place was so busy. If you were looking for a nice quiet dinner, that is not the place.
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Bianca I.

Yelp
Our table wasn't ready so we had a couple drinks at the bar - they were excellent. We started with the roasted beet salad which was delicious and a very generous portion for a starter salad. We loved both pizzas - margherita and schiacciata. The ingredients are super fresh and the dough is amazing. Pizza is a bit more doughy than our preference but that's Neapolitan. They definitely need a bit more time to figure out the space as they just opened but excited to try it again!
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Susan M.

Yelp
I had been looking forward to Impasto opening for a long time as I love their sister restaurants in Palo Alto. After sorting out a few growing pains, I think this restaurant will become a staple in our rotation. We made a reservation, which I highly recommend. The bar looked like it would be fun for walk-ins, but it has a limited number of seats. The place was packed on a Friday night. The inside of the restaurant is fairly small, so some of the tables are very close together. We were seated right away at our reservation time. The menu has a lot of options. We ended up ordering the focaccia, beet salad, lasagna, and Terun pizza. The focaccia was an incredible texture (almost like fried dough) and a decent portion for the price. I would definitely order that again! The beet salad was lovely (assuming you like beets). Portion was huge so I am excited to eat the leftovers. The lasagna was delicious. It looked like it had some prosciutto type of meat in it which was very unique. Only complaint would be that the middle of it was not warm, but the crispy edges were wonderful. Of course the Terun pizza was great and similar to what we have had at their sister restaurant. Good portion. Service felt a little awkward, likely due to the place still being new. Drinks took awhile to arrive and it took some time to order another drink mid-meal. I appreciated that some staff (maybe owners) were walking around checking on tables throughout, which helped fill the service gaps. Our main entrees seemed to take quite awhile to arrive, but we weren't in a big rush. In general, everyone seemed friendly and helpful but just a bit chaotic. Overall: Delicious food and wine with a few small issues that they should be able to work out over time. Glad to have one of their restaurants here in San Carlos!
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Came here with some friends on a Friday night and this spot was packed! Good thing we made a reservation! The portions here are pretty generous! We got two pizzas to share and then shared some pastas! The calamarata pasta is a must get! My fave the entire night
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Deepti K.

Yelp
We went to Impasto for the opening today! It looks like it had a very successful opening! It took about 35 min for us to get a table. There were still people outside waiting for tables when we left at 9 pm! The ambience and service is great! What I was looking forward to was the gnocchi which I had loved at Terun. The gnocchi here didn't disappoint! Soft and delicious! We also got the spaghetti which was great too. I like that the menu clearly indicates what dishes are vegetarian so you don't have to guess or ask the server! And they have plenty of vegetarian options which is a big plus!
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K Z.

Yelp
This is a new restaurant by the same team that runs Italico and Terun Pizza. The space is warm and inviting and the food & drinks are simply superb. Service is always good at all locations. Full bar. Rye flour pizza was outstanding but all dishes on the menu were really good. At a place like this you don't have to worry about what to order. Everything is delicious. I will be back!
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P M.

Yelp
Been here twice the first time we sat out side the food was excellent. Second time sat inside and what a mistake. The music was so loud we couldn't hear what our server said and the server couldn't hear what we said. Had to yell our order. I like loud music but maybe not with my meals. Food was good and consistent. Maybe next time I will come with earplugs lol!
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Maddy L.

Yelp
We had a fantastic time here! We are from out of town and came with friends on our first night here. We started with calamari and Eggplant Polpette both were delicious! Our server was amazing and treated us to an experience I won't forget. Whenever we are back in town I can't wait to come back to visit to try more!
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Evie H.

Yelp
We enjoyed our lunch here overall! Appetizers: Foccacia bread to start was FANTASTIC. Comes out super hot with a great rosemary butter. Also really enjoyed the crispy eggplant polpette bites. Brussel sprouts were a good veggie appetizer for us and was surprisingly a really decent portion. Mains: Red beet gnocchi was cooked well - soft and pillowy. Can't really taste the beet flavor though. The rib eye steak was also done nicely if you want a meat option. We asked for a medium cook and was really happy they did not over cook it as many places do. The steak comes with a side of french fries and green beans. French fries were perfect - reminded me of McD's but even better! Pizzas: We tried both the porchetta and the Capricciosa and I quite liked the toppings. My main issue is that I wish the crust was just a BIT more sturdier. It's pretty flimsy and soggy just like Terun (makes sense, same owners) and it's just not my personal favorite style of crust. As for the Capricciosa, not sure if intentional but the toppings were not equally distributed over the pizza - the prosciutto was only scattered on 2-3 slices, the mushrooms on a quarter of the slices, the artichokes on another quarter of the slices and the olives on half of the pizza. Would come back again and I did like most of the dishes we had!
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Danny N.

Yelp
We have been to Impasto by Terun 3 times now. Excellent! The service is great and so is the food. Pizza cooked to perfection. Very friendly staff and management. They really make you feel welcomed. The inside is very nice and the outside patio is great. Plenty of heaters outside. Full bar with delicious drinks. Plenty of parking behind the building.
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Grace C.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch with a couple friends and a couple pups. Service was friendly and they helped get a couple heating lamps to make sure we were warm sitting outside where the wind was blowing pretty hard. Food was decent, good cocktail and wine list, we enjoyed our time there. Total came to 45-50/person. Will return when in the area.

Alina ..

Yelp
Awful, waste of money. It's offensive to call this Italian food. Got the rigatoni, was undercooked not al dente. The cross section of the pasta was literally raw. The pasta sauce tastes like it came straight from a jar from a grocery store. And not even a good one. The portion is ridiculous. Little amount served in a huge plate. Just makes it look like there's even less food. Got San Danielle pizza as well. I expected the prosciutto to be cooked but it was just thrown onto the pizza and was cold. The pizza dough was undercooked and so soggy it fell apart on the plate. No flavor to any of the food. Very embarrassing. The waiter didn't even check on us mid meal.
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Isabel M.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious!! We can't stop coming here lol. My best friend and I love coming to this spot and relaxing with delicious food and wine. The pasta is so yummy I recommend ordering different pastas and doing family style to sample different dishes. We live the staff here and they really care about their customers. Thank you Impasto!
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Tiffany D.

Yelp
Now this has become a go to restaurant for us in San Carlos. The cheesy cauliflower is always a hit with the kids, and love the charred romaine salad. Everything we have tried is tasty including the pizzas and pastas. I try to save room for the dessert pizza and most of the time I fail, but it's seriously so good. Can't wait to go back and try the cheese wheel pasta!!
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Penguino R.

Yelp
Impasto has great Italian food. We got the protein trio special: sausage, grilled chicken, and skirt steak with crispy smashed Yukon potatoes and salad. We also got the gnocchi and ravioli. The gnocchi are a hot pink color because it's made with beet juice and came in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. The ravioli was stuffed with spinach and cheese and came in a tomato sauce. The gnocchi was my favorite because it tasted great and I loved the color. I also tried the Focaccia Pugliese bread; the tomatoes on the warm bread tasted amazing with just the right amount of tartness that was balanced out with the creaminess of the Rosemary butter that it came with it. I also got the Limonata drink, which is a carbonated lemonade. It was very refreshing. I can't wait to go back.
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Peter P.

Yelp
The pizza margarita was legit. I always order it to decide whether I'm going to go back and get any other pizza in the future. It passed. Very nice vibe as well. Professional service.
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Gina T.

Yelp
Super cute, yummy food and drinks and great ambience! My favorite was the risotto and the octopus!
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Trisha M.

Yelp
SO GOOD. They were BUSY on a Friday night. I saw there were no reservations online so I called and luckily they made room for us! Interior is beautiful. Very chic and modern decor. Cute spot for dinner. FOOD WAS AMAZING. Pizza crust was thin but not too thin and tasty. Lots of good choices to pick from. It was hard to just choose one. We will for sure be back. Service was wonderful. They make you feel like family.
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Cerise K.

Yelp
First time here and will be back again. Food was great. We had the Focaccia with rosemary butter which was so tasty. The Spaghetti had a delicious sauce-I wish it came with more Burrata on top though. The Fichi pizza stole the show and was amazing. We did not have reservations but got a seat outside. I'm glad they have heaters blasting because it gets chilly. I would recommend a reservation to get inside seating. The staff were friendly but felt a little inattentive at times or not noticing we were done with our food and ready for the check. They had live music the night we went which made for a great evening. Overall very happy with our experience and would come again.
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Lisa F.

Yelp
Thank you thank you. Finally an authentic Italian restaurant in San Carlos. Everything was perfect! The drinks were outstanding, the food we ordered was to perfection. I'm planning my next visit to try a pizza. Wow Side note: clearly the negative reviews have to be from the surrounding restaurants. I'd be worried too. This place is leaps and bounds over those guys.

Rosanne F.

Yelp
Fantastic food and service. Just loved it. Delicious. We had the ribeye and it was one of the best I ever had. Beet salad was fresh and more than enough to share.