Carly's Bistro

If any one restaurant were to serve as the icon for Roosevelt Row, Carly's Bistro would be it. Carly's is situated right in the middle of the district, along Roosevelt between 1st and 2nd Streets, just two blocks from the Roosevelt / Central Avenue Station. The restaurant is surrounded by vacant lots, galleries, and new construction projects in roughly equal proportions. Fitting its location, Carly's shouts artsiness in its look and feel. Combine locally-produced artwork on the walls, earnest adult alternative music on the speakers, a vegetarian-friendly menu, and late hours; the formula would be an obvious fit near any college campus, but Carly's has been a pioneer in introducing it to Downtown Phoenix.

Carly's reinforces one of the unwritten rules of restaurant names: Any place that calls itself a "bistro" is unlikely to be an actual bistro. Sure, Carly's is small and informal and therefore meets the broad definition of "bistro" now prevalent in the industry; however, it lacks the slow-cooked meats and other classic dishes that would define a bistro in France. Instead, Carly's focuses on panini, salads, and other light fare. The food doesn't bear the signature of classic French cooking and is not particularly innovative, but it's generally good on its own terms.

Sandwiches are dominant on the menu. Over a dozen choices include panini, lavash wraps, and even a few cold sandwiches. The Cuban is a popular meaty choice with ham, turkey, and swiss on ciabatta. An equally tasty meatless sandwich is the Tuscan (center photo below), which features spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red pepper with provolone. All of the sandwiches come with an option of chips or orzo salad on the side. The orzo salad is the better choice. It's filling but not overwhelming.

Combinations (right photo below) of half sandwiches and soup or salad are all possible. The soup varies from day to day. One frequent choice is the tomato basil, which seems a little sweet and cloying compared to more tangy versions elsewhere. The salads are hearty and can stand on their own as light entrees. The fig salad is the most interesting choice since it combines dried fruit with feta for a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. There is a dessert of the week for those who want another course to finish the meal.

Carly's has a full bar with draft beer, cocktails, and wine. The space is small, and the service is casual, yet effective. Expect the employee nearest your table to take orders and clear plates, rather than having one server assigned to the table. Carly's is open for dinner seven days a week, with hours extending until 10 PM Sunday and Monday, midnight Tuesday through Thursday, and 2 AM Friday and Saturday. Lunch is served every day except Sunday. Live music is often featured in the evening, and Carly's is especially popular during First Fridays.

128 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 262-2759

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