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| Linguine with Meatballs |
When it comes to critiquing food, I tend to be a lone wolf: Why socialize, when you could be eating instead? That's fine for most places, but Penn Quarter's Carmine's is a family style Italian restaurant that emphasizes family, in addition to providing amazing food & service. Undeterred, I showed up solo... to prove to myself that everyone can enjoy Carmine's, no matter how big or small their party. Was I right? Read on.
Spoiler alert: Boy, was I right! Anyone can have a grand time at Carmine's... even by yourself, before noon and on the heels of a big dinner the night before. That's because the staff at Carmine's knows how to treat you right. When I hear "family style," I immediately think casual; yet the service here is professional and upscale (no easy task, when taking care of a dozen people at one table... kids included.) I was lucky enough to be seated in Kelvin's section: From the word GO, Kelvin treated me like a king without fawning over me. His timing was impeccable (refills on half-filled glasses, checking-in... but never mid-bite) and above all, courteous. I would have enjoyed myself, even if the food was sub-par. Thankfully that wasn't the case at all.
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| Complimentary Bread Basket |
Portions are indeed huge, and meant for sharing. If you're eating alone, or don't eat much to begin with... lunch is perfect. The plates are smaller (and cheaper.) I ordered Linguine with Meatballs (made from scratch every day) for $17.50 with a Diet Coke ($3.75) and dessert (Zeppole with Cherry Dipping Sauce) for take-away. Best of all, it comes with a complimentary bread basket... Carmine's bread... Amazing bread. As I told Kelvin later, I'd pay primo bucks for the bread alone. Never underestimate the power of good bread: At the very least, it puts you in a very good mood for what comes next.
Carmine's pastas are always well-cooked, and today's lunch was no exception. You get three giant meatballs (compared to six for dinner) and I managed to finish two of them. Bonus points for Kelvin's "May I serve that out for you sir?" a request that was echoed a few minutes later from one of his colleagues. Said pasta was quite tasty, and the perfect amount for two people. Push the clock forward an hour or so; and I may have eaten it all by myself. Meatballs were moist and flavorful, although I would have liked a bit more kick (crushed red peppers are available tableside.) Ditto for the sauce, which had a great consistency... but lacked a certain oomph. What can I say? I like my food hot and spicy.
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| Zeppole with Cherry Dipping Sauce |
The atmosphere here, rivals the bread for unabashed goodness. Family style never felt or looked so swanky. White tablecloths and napkins top well-spaced tables, and the large dining area is absolutely spotless. Relaxing jazz music (and of course Frank) beats away in the background at a perfect decibel; and there's a tremendous energy throughout, mere minutes after their 11:30 AM opening. Most restaurants seem to require a "warming up" period; but not Carmine's... they jump right out of the gate in mid-race form.
Dessert seems excessive, I admit; but that's why they invented take-away containers, right? For $9.95, I ordered Carmine's Cherry Blossom special... Zeppole with Cherry Dipping Sauce. 10 ricotta-filled fritters with a sprinkle (more please) of lemon powder on top. Absolutely delicious on their own, but obviously better hot. Stay a while longer, and eat them in-house. The cherry sauce is nice & thick... almost syrupy, and a bit sweet for my taste. That said, I saved some to cover a biscuit the next day, and it was divine. Go figure.
I'd come back for the bread alone, and stay for Kelvin's exceptional service. I left full and happy; although the hostess ignored my farewell/thank you, which seemed sorely out-of-place. Who knows? With this review in the hopper, I can return (with friends) and focus on chit-chat, food and... Hmm, isn't that enough?
