Carmine's Italian Steakhouse

I went to Carmines last night with four friends to celebrate a birthday and we absolutely loved it! The only downside was that I wish they had a parking service, as I drove around for at least 20 minutes looking for a parking spot. Once inside, we had a fabulous experience at the bar with professional and friendly service. For appetizers, we enjoyed the Polpetta Grande, one of the best meatballs I've ever had, and the Cuddly Special, which was fantastic with the Pommes Friten in the center as a wonderful compliment. For dinner, I had the wonderful Capesante Scottate scallop dish with sweet potato hash, brussel sprouts, and a cranberry jam. It was the perfect combination of sweet and hearty. My friends had the beef short ribs and the duck, both of which were also wonderful. We didn't talk much during the meal as we were too busy sharing and enjoying all the delicious food. The creamy polenta is a must-try. For dessert, we had assorted cappuccinos and espressos, as well as a homemade ice cream, caramel, and coffee dessert on our server's suggestion that was amazing. Overall, aside from the parking situation, I would give the food, service, and ambiance a perfect 10. I can't wait to go back!

We were pleasantly surprised when we didn't have to wait long for a table for our group of 5. After being seated, a young man brought us water and informed us that he would be our server before the waitress arrived. She quickly came over and had excellent knowledge of the menu and the restaurant.