The secret to the long-term success of any restaurant is consistency. It must be good every time. One bad experience and you go elsewhere. There are simply too many good restaurants to patronize. We have found Carmello’s Restaurant and Wine Bar to provide excellent food and service with every trip.
This past weekend, we asked our friend’s, Tony and Barbara Kinn, to join us for an evening out. They picked the restaurant last time and we suggested Carmello’s for this trip. No one left disappointed.
I almost always order veal at an Italian restaurant since we rarely have it at home (Nancy is not a fan). I ordered the Veal Parmigiana and it was wonderful – perfectly cooked and seasoned. I also had Mushroom Caps stuffed with crab as an appetizer – outstanding. Nancy ordered Calamari. Again, cooked perfectly. For an entrée, Nancy ordered one of her favorites, Lasagna Bolognese, and she was most pleased.
Carmello’s offers upscale Northern Italian Cuisine, featuring Pasta, Veal, Chicken, and Fresh Seafood. They also have an extensive wine list
Carmello’s has been in Charlottesville for nearly 30 years – the last 7 or so in the Twentyninth Place Center, tucked away beside Home Goods. It is worth the trouble to track it down.
Carmello’s northern Italian cuisine differs from the southern style of cooking by offering rich cream sauces, polenta, and stuffed meats. The south favors tangy tomato sauces, olive oil and fresh, steamed seafood. Both are excellent when prepared correctly and our food certainly was.
Carmello’s address is 400 29th Place Court. The phone number is 434-977-5200. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Visit them at www.carmellosrestaurant.com for more information.
If you like consistently excellent Italian cuisine, Carmello’s is your kind of place.