Cyrus A.
Yelp
Osteria Carlina is a nice addition to the West Village, with good Italian food in a cozy space that's not as loud as some of the restaurants on busier streets.
Service was great, with friendly staff who were very attentive and had generous pours for wine by the glass.
Appetizers were good -- the meatballs (polpettine) definitely stole the show! The beef tartare was just okay, it didn't jump out as particularly flavorful. And the tuna sauce it came with was a little weird, like eating a puréed can of tuna on top of the beef. I wouldn't go for that particular dish again.
For entrees, the ravioli was delicious, with al dente texture and really nice filling. The tagliatelle left something to be desired, though. It was a tad overcooked, and the ragu didn't add much to the dish. Also a little more oily than I would have liked.
Tiramisu dessert was well done, served in a glass cup with all the usual trimmings. I could taste the coffee-soaked biscuit and cocoa powder, very impressive.
Overall the food was fine, service was great, and ambiance was nice. I think for the price, Osteria Carlina is a decent option if you're looking to venture off the beaten path.