If there were any lingering doubts whether the stretch of Route 3 near Exit 23 in Rocky Hill is undergoing a real transformation of late, the dramatically lit façade and overflowing parking lot of Carbone's Prime would be evidence enough.

Carbone's Prime is the most recent addition to the family-managed group that includes Carbone's Kitchen in Bloomfield, which opened in 2012, and Carbone's Ristorante on Franklin Avenue, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Carbone's isn't just the newest but the most modern of the three, with what I'd call a "contemporary Italian bistro" menu that includes raw bar, Mozzarella bar, wood-oven pizza and steakhouse selections.