The founders of Terun and iTalico in Palo Alto have just opened their third restaurant right next to the train station in downtown San Carlos.
Impasto by Terun just held its grand opening yesterday at 661 El Camino Real. The new restaurant takes much of its menu from Terun, including the specialty pizzas the restaurant is known for, though it also offers a few of the most popular dishes from iTalico.
“It’s the best of both restaurants,” said co-owner Franco Campilongo, who owns the new restaurant along with his brother, Maico Campilongo, cousin Giuseppe Errico, and Kristyan D’Angelo, who is the executive chef for all three restaurants. Managing partner Giovanni Pugliese is also an integral part of the Impasto team.
“Impasto” is the Italian word for dough, and this latest pizzeria from the team is going to have some fun with it, said Campilongo. In addition to Napoletana-style pizzas made with the traditional “00” Caputo flour, guests can also try pizzas made from Caputo Cuor di Cereali, a more whole wheat-style flour. They also offer a “gluten-sensitive” selection of pizzas and pastas made with non-gluten alternatives. (They cannot accommodate guests with severe gluten allergies because a kitchen full of pizza flour means cross-contact is always a possibility.)
The Campilongo brothers and D’Angelo, who all originally hail from southern Italy, opened Terun in 2013, and it’s now one of Palo Alto’s most popular restaurants. Franco Campilongo said he and his partners had been looking to open a restaurant further north after realizing that many of their regulars were coming from Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont and San Mateo.
“And then we found this special location,” he said. The spot, in a plaza next to the train station, with a fountain where kids can play, struck them as very European. The spacious restaurant seats nearly 70 inside, and in front they have a covered and heated outdoor patio that seats about 50 more.
The wine list is almost completely Italian, with vintages selected to pair with the menu. Cocktail aficionados will appreciate refreshing classics like the Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Boulevardier and some playful creations of their own, and they also have a mocktail section with zero-proof versions of a Paloma, Mojito and other drinks.
“We are extremely excited to be able to be able to spread our love for great food to San Carlos,” said Franco Campilongo. Impasto’s interior design, in its beautiful brand-new building, was done by Italian designer Alessandro Miramare (miramarsf.com). It looks a little fancier than the other two, but they’re looking to recreate the same energy and vibe of Terun’s casual hospitality.
“It’s not pretentious,” he said. “As an Italian I appreciate good-looking things, but you can eat something without breaking the bank.”
For now, Impasto by Terun is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, with expanded hours planned for the future. The owners are also making plans to introduce a live music night every week.
Impasto by Terun
661 El Camino Real, San Carlos
(650) 486-1506 | impastosancarlos.com
