Impasto by Terun Pizzeria Ristorante

Loud but beautiful setting. The service was so-so (and no one asked how our food was until after we’d paid and were leaving). Speaking of paying, I despise it when restaurants use the Toast payment device, shoving it into your face with only tip percentages showing on the screen and no ability to verify that the list of items and the amount look correct…a perfect way of hiding the 3% fee that discretely tack on (I thought that the new California law was supposed to get rid of hidden fees!). The real letdown (besides the odd lasagna with ham stuffed inside) were the pizzas. Watery, bland pizzas that were depressingly tasteless. What a waste of good ingredients when the kitchen isn’t able to make a pleasing pizza.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

To begin our Christmas season, the entire experience at Impasto was delightful and delicious. Franco was wonderful to speak with as well the entire staff was excellent... Grazie

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great Italian food! I've been going to Terun for years, so it's nice that there is another on the peninsula. Can't go wrong with any of the pizzas!

I think this place will be great in time, or at least I hope it will! Always love supporting San Carlos businesses. But it is definitely not ready yet. Took my family of 4 on Saturday night.

Food - Inconsistent. Kids pizza was watery and ravioli somewhat bland. Rigatoni and lasagna were fantastic. Cala Lager was cold/refreshing and Sangiovese was nice. Fries nicely crisped but low on salt.

Service - This is where it fell flat. The service was curt. The server sounded bothered when we asked about the specials and rushed us to order just as we were seated. One of the items we ordered was brought out incorrect, however we never had a chance to reconcile because the server didn't check on us ONCE the entire night. He just came back after the plates had been cleared our plates and asked us if we were ready for the check. My kids were a little disappointed they didn't get one of the appetizers we asked for, but at that point I just let it go. We want to Gelataio for desert instead.

Anyways, the place is beautiful and the ambience is great. Maybe we just had a one-off experience. But for >$160 for 4 people, you do expect a basic level of service. I'll likely try it once more, but if it is a repeat, I won't be back.

I hope they work out the kinks! The place definitely has potential

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

Agree with some of the comments. Overpriced food is the most obvious part. Ordered the lasagna and it was SUPER greasy, grease soaked my entire plate. We ordered a first round of high dollar drinks and took at least 20 minutes to get our drinks when it wasn't even busy. The 2nd round, my glass was chipped/broken and cut my lip. Had to get a new drink. Food took a long time to come out, let alone to get our order. Definitely middle school, they have awhile to reach post doctoral school for their prices.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Great cauliflower with cream
Pizza was ok
Took 30 minutes to get drinks
Sat outside. Nice to have the dogs with us
Cool train station location

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

When an Italian restaurant is truly run by Italian people, you know it’s going to be good—and Impasto did not disappoint! Amazing food, beautiful decor, and excellent service. We’ve found our new gem in San Carlos!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had an incredible lunch at Impasto in San Carlos! I tried the *Bufalino Panini* with prosciutto and mozzarella, and it was simply outstanding. The flavors were perfectly balanced, with the prosciutto offering just the right amount of saltiness, and the mozzarella was fresh and creamy. What really made it special was the homemade focaccia – light, airy, and perfectly crisp. You could really taste the authenticity and care in every bite. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and the service was excellent. If you're looking for a true taste of Italy, Impasto is the place to go. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Terun

The food, service, and atmosphere that San Carlos has been waiting for! Excited to go back this weekend for the Tricolore pizza, pasta with burrata, and a glass of borolo.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Terun, Bufala Pizza, Eggplant Polpette, Tiramisu

Great food, great people and atmosphere. They made my friend feel like family on her birthday. Such a great place in San Carlos. Can’t wait to go back. ❤️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Impasto is not ready yet. It is like a teenager with massive potential to be great, but has rough edges and also needs to chart a path to realize its destiny. It is a fabulous addition to the Peninsula but as of a month into its opening, it simply isn't "great".

I won't pamper this review with great atmosphere, great and friendly service, breezy and crisp outdoor seating, etc. Afterall, we're in San Carlos. The fact that it is right next to a train station may have been trouble with diesel trains but now Caltrain is fully electric. All good.

The issue is with the food. The ingredients are top notch. The recipe is good and whoever is cooking, is really trying hard to follow. But the lack of maturity shows. Many dishes lean on the bland side - and I can absolutely tell that this wasn't the intention rather timidness or even a mistake. The dough is good as well as the burrata. So whatever combination you put out is a winner. But again, the salt. Everywhere it's just about 30% missing. Focaccia bread is slightly bland. French fries absolutely came out saltless. Carpaccio was saved by parmasean but the meat wasn't "rare" enough. Seafood risotto was hearty but also lacked character.

The gnocchi was rich and was perhaps the only dish that wasn't bland. However, something about the blend of sauce and texture made one quickly get bored with it. I cannot simply see one person scraping the entire dish of gnocchis.

Now the unforgivable part is the margherita pizza. Don't get me wrong - dough was great and so were the cheese. The problem was with the watery and bland tomato sauce. You do not want your Neapolitan margherita to drip of tomato juice and water. You just can't. Amateurish mistake I'd say.

It is absolutely clear that Impasto comes from the right roots and is destined to be great. It's just not ready yet. It needs to get it together. Grow up a bit. And not get overwhelmed when all tables are filled with those that are coming in with anticipation. Not too late. Just tighten it up and cook with confidence.

Vegetarian options: Great vegetarian selection, liike many Italian restaurants do, and the dishes are clearly marked.

Parking: Right next to the San Carlos Caltrain Station parking lot. There are slots dedicated for the retail shops next to the station.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

We finally made it Impasto on a Saturday evening with a party of seven. Our first impression of the decor was that it was first class, very contemporary, but still inviting and comforting. The inside and outside tables were all filled and we were glad we made the reservation. Daniela M. our server was very busy but was happy and accommodating the entire evening. We had multiple appetizers which equalled the taste and freshness we’ve experienced at both Terun and Italico. The fritelle, caprese, grilled romaine, and calamari were perfect choices. The wine selection is plentiful with some pricey bottles but also affordable ones. We selected a bottle of Nebbiolo Racconti while two of our family had glasses of proseco. Our entrees included a spinach ravioli, tender and tasty; tri colore and margharita pizzas always fantastic; gnocchi smooth and light; and carpaccio. All of these had fresh ingredients, and the same attention to the preparation as meals at Terun and Italico. We topped this off with the Nutella pizza which is a great dessert we’re adding to our must have list. Franco, Maico, Krystyan and all the current and new additions to the Impasto/Terun team have scored another WIN with this new restaurant. Congratulations!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What an amazing experience! The food, service and atmosphere were absolutely perfect! I highly recommend trying one of the best new Italian restaurants in the Bay Area!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Quattro Stagioni

Fig and prosciutto pizza, I can stop the review there. Consider the mic dropped with that one dish. But if you have more room, the octopus is done to perfection, the sauce on the crispy calamari is lemony and perfect and my kids went nutso for the Nutella pizza for dessert. The decor gives you an air of elegance, the staff makes you feel like family and you leave with a belly full of amazingness.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Impasto, a new gem in our neighborhood that opened in early August. The restaurant is owned by four incredibly kind and welcoming Italians, and it truly shows in every aspect of the experience. The chef and his team are exceptional, delivering perfection in every dish—from pizza and pasta to meat and fish.

The ambiance, service, and, of course, the food were all in true Italian style, making the evening delightful for my husband, our children, and me. We were already familiar with the owners' cuisine from their other restaurants, Terun and Italico in Palo Alto, which we know very well, but Impasto truly stands out. The interior design has been carefully crafted, making the place shine like a jewel.

We couldn't have asked for a better evening, and we're looking forward to many more visits to this wonderful new addition to our community!

Bravissimi!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5