Carbone is marking a somber end in Massachusetts, with the Hopkinton location set to close permanently on June 27, 2026. Meanwhile, the brand continues its global expansion, recently debuting a new lunch service and terrace at Carbone London while fresh off the heels of its fifth annual "supper club on the sand" at Carbone Beach in Miami.
Despite the mixed headlines, the restaurant remains the gold standard for high-profile access in New York City. On The Pat McAfee Show, AJ Hawk recounted his recent visit, noting, "Was at Carbone last night," while highlighting the sheer exclusivity of the reservation, describing the ideal scenario as "somebody that has the ability to call Carbone's and get us in a ZZ's Club." For these hosts, the brand is less about the menu and more about the cultural currency required to secure a table.
However, the famous spicy rigatoni comes with physical risks that aren't being advertised. AJ Hawk offered a blunt, albeit visceral, warning to listeners on The Pat McAfee Show: "I pulled my hamstring taking a dump of this spicy rigatoni from Carbone at 4:30 this morning." As the brand balances its shrinking footprint in New England with aggressive international growth, the question remains whether the signature pasta is worth the internal fallout.
