Impasto Pizzeria Ristorante
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Impasto Pizzeria Ristorante: Delicious Neapolitan Pizzeria in San Carlos
Welcome to Impasto
Introducing Impasto, the latest culinary venture from the esteemed restaurateurs behind the beloved Bay Area eateries iTalico and Terún. Set to open its doors at 661 El Camino Real in San Carlos near the Caltrain station in early 2024, Impasto promises to bring an authentic and innovative Neapolitan-style pizza experience to the community.
Terún and iTalico
The roots of this Italian restaurant group were planted by Franco Campilongo on Palo Alto’s California Avenue, starting with Terún in 2013, which he opened with his brother Maico and cousin Kristyan d’Angelo. iTalico followed in 2016 just a few blocks away. Both restaurants serve pizza, pasta, and small plates, with Terún known for its signature black-tiled pizza oven and iTalico earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its exquisite platters of salumi, cheese, and pastas like wide, flat paccheri served with braised ribeye.
Terún has achieved remarkable success over the past several years – voted “Top 7 of America’s Most Authentic Neapolitan-Style Pizzerias” by the Food Network and a favorite of Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Andrè Borschberg (co-founder of the solar-powered plane), Oprah Winfrey (TV presenter, actress, and philanthropist), Lance Armstrong, Bob Roll (former professional cyclist), and Federico Faggin (physicist and inventor of the microprocessor)… “The list of people who have changed the world and enjoyed dining at Terún and iTalico is long,” says Maico Campilongo, one of the owners.
Impasto Menu
Impasto, which means “dough” in Italian, will continue this tradition of excellence with a focus on traditional Neapolitan pizza made with the freshest ingredients. However, Franco Campilongo is particularly excited to experiment with new pizza doughs, incorporating domestic and whole wheat flours in addition to the imported varieties that have defined his other restaurants’ offerings.
In addition to its signature pizzas, Impasto’s menu will feature a variety of antipasti, salads, and desserts, all complemented by a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu and an impressive wine list. The restaurant’s atmosphere is designed to be warm and welcoming, making dining at Impasto not just a meal, but an experience. Guests can enjoy a full bar, an inviting outdoor patio, and a private room for special events.
Impasto in San Carlos
While the menu at Impasto will closely mirror that of Terún, there are menu items and varieties of pizza that are unique to San Carlos. Guests can look forward to pizzas with dough made from the traditional “00” Caputo Flour and Caputo Cuor di Cereali. Caputo is an Italian brand well-known for its high-quality flours, particularly the “00” flour, which is often used in traditional Neapolitan pizza making. The brand is based in Naples, Italy, and has a long history of producing premium flours. In addition to these, Impasto will also offer gluten-free pizza and pasta.
The Perfect Place to Kick Back
From the moment you walk in, the friendly atmosphere at Impasto will make you feel right at home. Whether you’re sitting inside in the chic dining room or enjoying the patio, it’s the perfect spot for date night, a family dinner, or even just a casual night out with friends. And the staff? Super friendly and attentive—they really make you feel like family. Don’t be surprised if they throw in little extras like birthday cards or free dessert for special occasions!
Must-Try Dishes
The food here is incredible! Whether you’re into pizza, pasta, or something a little more unique, the menu has something for everyone. Here are a few popular dishes that people can’t stop raving about:
- Terun Pizza: Impasto’s Signature Dish all the way from the original Terun.
- Focaccia Bread: Warm, homemade bread with rosemary butter—perfect to kick off your meal.
- Frittura di Calamari: Lightly fried calamari with a tangy lemon sauce.
- San Daniele Pizza: Topped with prosciutto, mushrooms, arugula, and truffle oil. It’s a fan favorite!
- Special Pizza Fuchi: If you’re feeling adventurous, this pizza comes with figs, prosciutto, and chestnut honey—definitely a must-try.
- Gnocchi: Soft, melt-in-your-mouth potato dumplings that everyone loves.
- Rigatoni with Beef and Pork Ragu: Hearty, flavorful, and totally satisfying.
- Branzino: Mediterranean sea bass cooked just right—light and fresh.
- Nutella Pizza: Yes, a dessert pizza topped with Nutella. Need we say more?
A New Neighborhood Favorite
Located right by the Caltrain station, Impasto has quickly become the place to be in San Carlos. The ambiance is laid-back but stylish, perfect whether you’re coming in with the kids or for a night out with friends. The service is awesome—people love how attentive and friendly the staff is, and they always make sure your experience is top-notch.
So, if you haven’t been yet, grab a reservation (trust me, they fill up fast), and get ready to enjoy some of the best Italian food around. You’ll definitely leave wanting to come back for more!
Enjoy!
Resources
- “Restaurateurs Behind iTalico and Terún Are Debuting a Neapolitan-Style Pizzeria in San Carlos”, from What Now SF
- “Restaurateur behind pizza favorites Terún and iTalico sets sights on San Carlos”, from Palo Alto Online
- “Team behind Terún, iTalico pushes back opening of new San Carlos pizzeria”, from Palo Alto Online
- Impasto Official Website
- Impasto Facebook Page and Instagram Page
Other Restaurants to Discover
- Devils Canyon Brewing Co: Renowned Brewery and Event Place, San Carlos
- Osteria at Domenico Winery : Experience Authentic Flavors of Italy in San Carlos
- West Park Bistro: Your Exquisite Neighborhood Fine Dining Place
- Discover the Charm of Molly O’s Irish Pub in San Carlos
- Sky Kitchen: The Perfect Breakfast In the Skies
Top Reviews
Kathy L. | San Francisco, CA 
We had been to Terún before and had a great meal, but our recent one at Impasto was so delicious and memorable because of the amazing service and hospitality. Everyone was so happy we returned the next evening, but they were too busy already.
Our food came out quickly and our water glasses were never empty. My daughter said it was the best pasta she’s had, and we didn’t even order from the kids’ menu, though they asked for the Mickey Mouse-shaped cheese pizza for next time. When our youngest was getting too fussy for us to stay for dessert, the owner (need to learn his name next time!) brought delicious ice cream for the kids in a to-go cup, which was so thoughtful. The location is at the Caltrain station and is our new favorite spot for Italian!
Nancy C. | San Carlos, CA
Wow! We really enjoyed our dinner on a Friday night, celebrating a friend’s birthday.
The staff at Impasto were very friendly and even gave my friend a birthday card and free dessert! Now that’s great customer service! Our waiter, Alfredo, was great! He gave us really good suggestions and made sure we were happy before, during, and after our meal.
We ordered two appetizers, salad, and pizza.
- Fava bean and broccoli rabe – 5 stars
- Grilled romaine – 5 stars
- Brussel sprout – 5 stars
- San Danielle pizza – 5 stars
What else can I say other than we will be back to try their other menu items!
Welcome to San Carlos, Impasto! The only sad thing is we forgot to take our leftover pizza that they boxed for us. We were looking forward to having it the next day! Lol!
Deepti K. | San Mateo, CA
We went to Impasto for the opening today! It looks like it had a very successful opening! It took about 35 minutes for us to get a table. There were still people outside waiting for tables when we left at 9 pm!
The ambiance and service are great! What I was looking forward to was the gnocchi, which I had loved at Terún. 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 which 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!
Steve M. | South San Francisco, CA
Just recently opened! Impasto is the third restaurant opened by the founders (Maico, Franco, Guiseppe, Kristjan) of Terún and Italico. The success of their restaurants comes from their experience, dedication, and passion for food combined with the well-known Italian spirit of warmth and hospitality. I promise you will get the best service and Italian food here! Only the freshest and highest quality ingredients—they source the best raw materials for their pasta, pizzas, and wines. Ambiance is perfect for date night or a social gathering! Service is exceptional! They treat you like family here, and I felt like I was back in Italy! Here’s what I ordered:
STARTERS
- Homemade focaccia bread – Must order and cooked to order focaccia bread with fresh herbs and homemade rosemary butter
- Frittura di calamari – Fresh, lightly battered calamari with lemon sauce and a side of fresh lemon
PIZZA
- San Daniele – Prosciutto San Daniele 24 month, cremini mushrooms, mozzarella, arugula, shaved Grana Padano, truffle oil
- Special pizza (Capito Cuor di Cereal) Fuchi – Fior di latte mozzarella, fresh figs, prosciutto crudo, and chestnut honey. Must order.
ENTREE
- Tagliata – 16oz certified Angus beef ribeye, French fries, and green beans
Trisha M. | Martinez, CA
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! The 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.
Anthony A. | Napa, CA
What a fantastic addition to San Carlos. My wife and I went the opening week and were absolutely blown away by the experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was top-notch – elegant and welcoming. We enjoyed our full meal at the bar with Samantha. She made us a couple of their specialty cocktails to start, which were balanced and delicious. The focaccia was perfect, followed by crispy calamari. The 5 flour pizza was divine. While the food was truly delicious, the star of the evening was the General Manager, Giovanni. Incredible hospitality and made our evening special. Cannot wait to come back again soon!
Megan T. | Redwood City, CA
Made a reservation for Friday night outside on the patio. We were seated right away, water brought right to the table. Service was prompt and friendly. We had a bottle of Pinot Noir—delicious, as well as the calamari appetizer with a light lemon sauce poured over the top, loved it. Branzino was cooked perfectly, and loved the homemade rigatoni with beef/pork ragu. Cannot wait to return and try their wood-fired pizzas and desserts.
Elayne P. | San Jose, CA
Impeccable food—fresh, homemade, and decadent. Excellent hospitality and service. A definite date night restaurant.
We tried the grilled octopus appetizer, the focaccia, a pizza, the branzino, and their chocolate pizza… every bite was delicious!
Andrew K. | Mountain View, CA
This Terún offshoot in San Carlos is delicious. Great outdoor seating for a special dinner. Highly recommend the fig pizza, burrata, and pastas. The cocktails were perfectly constructed; I especially enjoyed the Old Fashioned.
Julie W. | San Carlos, CA
Check out our new favorite Italian restaurant, IMPASTO! I took my husband begrudgingly to their grand opening last night, and we’ll definitely be back with friends and family 🙂 In fact, it felt like we were with family, as the staff were all welcoming and friendly. We feasted on refreshing cocktails, tender grilled octopus, a wood-fired pizza with a lovely Barolo, and ended with an out-of-this-world chocolate Nutella pizza and port… perfectly delizioso! Thank you, Maico Campilongo, and see you soon!
Cristina H. | Walnut Creek, CA
I’m going back for sure! This is such a wonderful spot to eat delicious (and authentic) Italian food. The ambiance is semi-elegant and spunky. Our server, Valerio, took really good care of us. Not to mention he was Italian, so it was fun to interact and speak in Italian with him. Brought back feelings of being in Italy for sure! It’s also kid-friendly, so that’s nice!
It’s a busy place (not surprised), so just make sure to make a reservation in advance to ensure you get in. Bravi bravi bravi!
Cathy | San Mateo, CA
I love everything about this restaurant, including the decor. We’ve been there twice since their opening, and the food was outstanding each time—not your “run of the mill” Italian restaurant. We’ve had their pizzas, branzino, and rigatoni. Maico, Franco, Giuseppe, and Mel’s warm hospitality is unique and memorable. All the servers have been great as well. Impasto is really going to give the other “very ordinary” Italian restaurants in San Carlos some serious competition.
Cathy | San Mateo, CA
I love everything about this restaurant, including the decor. We’ve been there twice since their opening, and the food was outstanding each time—not your “run of the mill” Italian restaurant. We’ve had their pizzas, branzino, and rigatoni. Maico, Franco, Giuseppe, and Mel’s warm hospitality is unique and memorable. All the servers have been great as well. Impasto is really going to give the other “very ordinary” Italian restaurants in San Carlos some serious competition.
Milena D. | West San Jose, San Jose, CA
Food – the fish of the day, Italian seabass branzino, was perfect. Vermentino di Sardegna wine: excellent. Desserts: panna cotta and crostata lemon curd, both with fresh berries, were delicious.
Service – polite and accommodating. My husband dropped his napkin, the waiter noticed it and replaced it immediately!
Ambiance – perfect newly created space. Decor, palette colors, comfortable seats, and lighting, together with an open kitchen, create such a nice vibe and atmosphere!
Highly recommended, you feel good, as we always felt good in Terún, in Palo Alto.
Antonella R. | San Francisco, CA
Me and my family had an amazing dinner night at Impasto. Every single dish we ordered was 5 stars! The restaurant is brand new and beautiful! Every single detail, like the lighting, the tables, the tableware, and the decor, was fantastic. The staff is like family—super friendly and professional. If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant, this is a gem! Best desserts, all the pizzas, fresh pastas with the best sauces, and the octopus is a must-order! I highly recommend this beautifully done Italian restaurant. Bravo!
Laura B. | Redwood City, CA
Impasto is an authentic Italian restaurant offering a wide variety of appetizers, pizzas, and entree selections—there is something delicious for everyone. As an Italian myself, I am pretty picky about eating thin pizzas with tasty dough and a variety of toppings. The pizzas also need not to weigh on my stomach. Impasto pizzas were to die for! The ambiance combines a pizzeria feeling with San Francisco’s classiness and a full bar with an array of drinks. The service was superb with excellent attention from several Italian-speaking personnel who make you feel right at home and share lots of laughs. Great place for kids too. My daughter loved it! We will definitely go again!
