Old Italian favourite set to reopen in Hat’s downtown

By KENDALL KING on January 11, 2023.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat restaurant D’Carlo Pasta House will soon be returning to the city, with a new downtown location set to open before the end of January.

An Italian fusion restaurant specializing in custom-ordered pasta, D’Carlo was originally founded in 2002 by Hatter and chef Carlos Utrera.

“How the restaurant started was I wanted pasta, but you go to a restaurant and they only have bolognese, or seafood pasta, or Alfredo with chicken,” Utrera told the News. “But what if I wanted something different? So, that’s when the fusion comes in.”

Utrera believes many Hatters also wanted something different, as D’Carlo quickly gained a sizable following, with the restaurant eventually having to move from its original 60-seat location to a 165-seat location to accommodate demand.

However, operating as both the main chef and business owner, Utrera often found himself overwhelmed with work at the second location, and thus felt disconnected to the food and his customers. And eventually, he made the decision to close D’Carlo.

But Utrera, who learned how to cook from his mother and grandmother, says his passion for cooking never left and now, more than a decade later, he has decided to reopen D’Carlo.

“I love cooking,” Utrera said. “That’s my passion and I’m back to my passion now.”

But in returning to the kitchen, Utrera also returned to his roots, choosing to reopen in a smaller, more intimate location at 554 Third Street SE.

“In this restaurant, I’ll be able to 100 per cent guaranteed I cook this food and it’s my recipes,” said Utrera. “So, I can guarantee the quality.

“And everything will be locally sourced,” said Utrera. “My fiancée has a great green thumb and she has a big garden, so in summer, my produce is coming from her garden, and in winter, from a local source.”

Even items Utrera does not specialize in, like desserts and coffee, will be sourced from other Medicine Hat small businesses, especially those located downtown.

Since announcing D’Carlo’s reopening, Utrera has experienced an outpouring of support and enthusiasm from the community.

“(D’Carlo has been) closed at least 10 years,” said Utrera. “So, when people still remember the way I cook … it feels great.”

Utrera’s business partner, Duane Roset, believes Hatters will be in for a treat when the restaurant reopens.

“Many people still remember D’Carlo,” said Roset. “So we want people to come back downtown and enjoy this new experience; enjoy being among friends, because we will treat you like a friend, not a customer.”

Roset and Utrera are still in the process of setting an opening date, but plan to reopen within the month, operating from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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