I'm pretty sure that the restaurants didn't have cream in theirs, so I'll take a pass on that.

My local grocery store has Boar's Head pancetta & they often will slice 1/4 lb or whatever I need in the deli section, vs. getting pancetta that's shrink wrapped. I also have bacon. I forgot that I'm out of the cheese so will get that tomorrow after work.

And corky, re: what you posted, I remember reading a carbonara recipe & thought holey moley, you have to be fast when you're putting this all together & the warning about the eggs so they don't get scrambled (and also reading it's best to have them at room temperature).

I really like carbonara but haven't had it in ages & the one authentic Italian restaurant in town closed (bummer).