Carbonara’s Ristorante has expanded its hours of operation, adding Monday service immediately and announcing it will be open every Tuesday beginning in September.
The move follows a change in management, an expanded menu and a surge in customer demand that co-owner Fred Snyder said has nearly tripled business since June.
“I want to thank all the people who have been coming in,” Snyder said. “My staff and I are so grateful for their support.”
Snyder, who has worked at Carbonara’s since 1992, said one of his priorities has been bringing back many of the restaurant’s longtime favorites while introducing new dishes inspired by customer feedback.
“When I was out talking with everyone, they wanted some of the older dishes that we had when I was first here,” Snyder said. “So I brought back about a dozen original dishes, and I’m adding a couple of new items that I’m working on now. I’m bringing back some of the classics while adding a few of my own twists.”
In addition to a seasonal summer menu, Carbonara’s now offers more than a dozen permanent menu additions. Snyder said two former kitchen staff members also came out of retirement to help revive many of the restaurant’s original recipes.
The decision to expand to a seven-day schedule runs counter to the common practice among many restaurants, which often close on Mondays or Tuesdays.
“A lot of people don’t have anywhere to go on Mondays and Tuesdays,” Snyder said. “I’m seeing a lot of new faces coming in, and many of them are returning for a second and third visit. It’s been very positive.”
Founded in Mt. Lebanon in 1991, Carbonara’s has been a neighborhood staple for more than three decades. Snyder said his goal is to honor the restaurant’s longtime traditions while continuing to evolve based on customer preferences.
“They were so happy that I was here and that everything had changed,especially the food,” Snyder said. “I’m happy to listen to our customers, and I take what they tell me into consideration with everything we do.”
