Went to a movie last weekend – “Little Women”. My wife owes me big time, maybe two war movies. Normally when we go to the movies, we make an evening of it, often stopping in at Travinia’s, the restaurant right beside the theater. Except there is no more Travinia’s. They closed this past fall.
So I had suggested Carmello’s Ristorante Italiano in the Steinmart (Twentyninth Place) Shopping Center across from Fashion Square Mall. We have eaten there several times and it has been good. This time it was better than good – it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a Charlottesville restaurant in quite a while.
Everything was perfect – the ambience, the host, our server and the food.
For an appetizer we ordered Calamari. It was easily the best Calamari I have ever had, fried delicately with a chef-inspired tomato sauce. We ate every morsel. Nancy ordered Clams and Linguine which she devoured while I went for the Pepper Crusted Tuna. It was cooked perfectly – a nice medium rare and delicious. The accompanying Polenta was excellent.
The bread and house butter were homemade and the salad crisp and delightful.
Carmello’s has been in Charlottesville for 25 years – the last 6 in the Twentyninth Place Center, tucked away beside Home Goods. It is worth the trouble to track it down.
Carmello’s specializes in northern Italian cuisine. Northern Italian differs from the southern way 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.
Chef George of Carmello’s is a graduate of Le Cordon Blue and oversees an ever changing menu of great Italian dishes.
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. The restaurant is closed on Monday’s.
It appears our new go-to Italian restaurant will be Carmello’s. I eagerly await our next visit.