I think this may have been my favorite part of the whole meal.
Typically, a restaurant might deliver a complimentary bread basket and maybe even some olives to go with it. But at Carbone, the antipasto is enough to qualify as an appetizer, in my opinion.
There were three varieties of bread — a saucy focaccia type, a plain crusty loaf, and a toasted garlic bread — plus a dish of salumi folded into a beautiful display, and a bowl of pickled cauliflower.
Then, the most mouthwatering part came out: A team member carrying a broken-down wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano walked over and broke off a hunk of cheese for my plate. I truly felt blessed.
I thought all three bread options were great, but the garlic toast really hooked me. It was hard and crunchy outside, soft inside, perfectly salted, super garlicky, and very oily. The salumi was extra soft and had a little spice to it, which I enjoyed.
The pickled cauliflower was an impressive addition here. It was lemony, had a touch of heat seemingly from red pepper flakes, and really delivered on the vinegar taste. I loved that the veggie stayed firm, light, and tasted refreshing. It was a great way to wake up my palate for the rest of the heavy meal.
(Antipasto can vary depending on your visit — a friend went a couple of months before me and she was served fresh mozzarella instead of parm.)