Carmelo's Italian Restaurant

09/20/09

Great food, great service, friendly staff!

by The Dining Duo at Citysearch

We have passed by this restaurant too many times to count. And for whatever reason we had not stopped. Maybe it was the carton like painting or the fact that they obviously have events there and the parking lot can be intimidating.

Well we finally stopped in yesterday and we could not have been more surprised at how much we liked this place. The cartoon like painting continued inside but somehow it had a totally different effect as it made you feel like you had left Houston for Italy, right down to the clever Leaning Tower of Pisa! We were there around 6ish and would probably go later next time to check out the lighting when the sun is down as they have some cool lighting in the Italian town's facade.

The menu was robust and had a great selection of dishes. I had the Carbonara table side...how fun is that! My wife went for the lobster ravioli and asked for a slight change with more of a cream sauce and they were only too happy to oblige.

The wine list was comprehensive and not too over priced ( a pet peeve of mine), and the Host gave us a great recommendation...although I'd be surprised if someone dropped $2800+ for the Chateau Margaux on the menu!

Save room for dessert! The list is so long you need another 5 minutes just to hear it!

The service at Carmelo's was great! We would return just for that, but the food was also great and we can't wait to try something new on our next trip.

• Pros: Food, Staff, atmosphere
• Cons: Parking spaces are very tight

09/20/09

Best Italian we've had outside the loop.

by Aliasspd at Citysearch

Really liked this place. Lot's of table side offerings which adds to the already romantic ambiance.

• Pros: Menu and super friendly staff
• Cons: Parking

08/27/09

exactly as described-- excellent service and great ambience

by mike Tweedy at Citysearch

prices were reasonable for level of service and attention to detail.

food was fresh and well presented.

Staff are attentive without hovering or getting in the way.

Possibly a little slow to bring menus , but quick on initial drinks ( as any good American restaurant should be).

We live in Belliare and it was definitely worth the drive. Better food than Sambuca or Crappino

We both had pasta , and desert with Coffee... Nice place for an adult meal..serving size was just right---not overly large but not faux gourmet small either.

Wine list was pretty average though Amarone list was reasonable and not unfairly priced. We had a house Chianti...not bad.

THe only downside is Location--- a bit far out for any thoughts of kicking on to something else........

• Pros: excellent pasta
• Cons: not close to city-- bit of a drive-- but worth it

08/12/09

Worth the price

by RexTastyr at Citysearch

This is one of those rare cases where you definitely get what you pay for. Expensive, but you forget about all that after the first bite.

• Pros: Best italian food in city
• Cons: None

01/31/09

Cold food

by natasha11879 at Citysearch

I was with a party of 15 celebrating a birthday on a Saturday night. We had to ask for bread multiple times before we got any. When our food arrived (30 minutes after we ordered it), my food was completely cold. I may have liked it better if the food was hot.

06/14/08

Best Place to have a romantic date, the food's not bad either!!!

by lucky720 at Citysearch

I think that they have the best pasta hands down (even better than Maggiano's and dare I say it...Grotto's). The food was so delicious and seriously I felt like I was in little Italy or something. Carmelo himself seated me and my significant other in the coziest table in the house where you can look out to see the other people and the decor of the restaurant. The only con was the waiter we had, I forget his name, but he was very rude and almost condescending. The dessert was not all that great, I had the flan. The chocolate cake looked alot better. But overall the experience was nice. Me and my sweetheart will definetly be back for more!

• Pros: The food and the Ambience
• Cons: not so great desserts and some snooty waiters

12/08/06

A mature, cosmopolitan crowd enjoys simple, Old-World Italian fare in a romantic setting.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
With a wall-to-wall recreation of a quaint Sicilian village, black-suited waiters and piped-in Italian music, all that's missing is an appearance by Don Corleone himself. Muted earth tones and candlelight add to the old-fashioned, romantic atmosphere. The menu features the traditional food of Sicily without trendy American pretenses, including pastas, steak, veal, seafood and a fettuccine carbonara prepared tableside. Lunch features salads, lighter pastas and seafood selections.

11/05/06

Private Room...

by dbahry at Citysearch

Attended a friend's birthday party in the private wine room. It was a great space for our group. The service was excellent.

09/30/06

I love this restaurant!

by gmak at Citysearch

We had dinner here last night and it's even better than the last time we were here--and that time was fantastic! I had the duck--incredible, and my husband had the pasta trio with lobster ravioli--to die for!! I can't wait to go back! Carmelo really makes you feel at home!

12/01/05

User review by g16

by g16 at Citysearch

they have an excellent room that could accomodate a big group...the ambience is very romantic...the food was prepared well but a little bit on the bland side...they have an extensive wine selection