Going out to eat has become a real treat, not a normal activity. There are still many folks who won’t even consider eating a meal in a restaurant. Not the Brewer’s. We don’t go out often, but we enjoy each occasion as something special, not a given. The safety and care of each restaurant we have visited has been most impressive. You are safer in a restaurant than at Lowe’s, I can vouch for that.
Last weekend after a busy day for both of us, Nancy and I decided to have a dinner date. I called Carmello’s Ristorante Italiano. They had room with plenty of separation form others and we were seated at 7.
What a delightful meal. Carmello’s has – hands down – the best Calamari in Charlottesville. Tender, delicately fried and served with a scrumptious in-house tomato sauce, we gobbled down every morsel. Nancy had a cup of their homemade Broccoli Cream Soup – fantastic. For dinner, we each ordered the rack of lamb which would have been enough for 4 people. We took half of it back home in a dogie bag. It was delicious, cooked perfectly and was equally good the next day. If you order lamb from Carmelo’s, split a rack.
Carmello’s has been in Charlottesville for over 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 is the Head Chef, but “Mama” Carmello was at the stove when we ate, and she can some kind of cook Italian.
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 authentic Italian cuisine, great service and exciting entrees, Carmello’s is your kind of place.
