Carmine's Italian Restaurant

Wow, couldn't taste any flavors over the salt. To begin with the Italian dressing was salty, the sauce and meat balls were very salty also. When so much salt is used you wonder what they are trying to hide?

Posted 12/01/08 | Report Abuse

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This is our favorite for Italian Food. Great selections and the pizzas are fabulous! I personally love th elasagne and canneloni meals. Fresh, great service and very friendly staff.

Posted 10/31/07 | Report Abuse

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I happen to be at Carmines with my family and friends because we wanted to have some good Italian Food. Well, we got Good Food and Great entertainment for a fair price. I had the Ravioli with meat sause and it was delicious my boyfriend had the pizza and he loved it lots of toppings and fresh bread. We happen to sit in the bar side and they had a great band playing. I think they were called Power and Soul. It was a great night. I will be back.

Posted 08/27/07 | Report Abuse

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Initially, this review appeared in Yahoo; however, someone was able to whine to Yahoo to have it removed. No problem...Here it is again! On Sunday, 3/4/7 my family and I thought we'd go to Carmine's in South Pasadena to enjoy some of their Italian food. (The food is usually great by the way.)Now, in all fairness to the employees of Carmines who were on duty that night, there was a fairly large birthday party going on. (if you consider a party of fourteen people or so, a large party) And, once again, in all fairness to the employees of Carmine's who were on duty on that night, as a former restaurant worker, I understand that many of the employees were attempting to complete their work in order to get out of work- on time. And, I am aware that many employees were in the process of performing whatever "closing" assignments that he or she was responsible for completing. However, having said that, my family and I arrived about an hour before closing the restaurant closed, (the bar closes much later) we were promptly seated. Our drink order was not taken. No appetizers were offered. We just sat, and waited. 5 minutes. 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes. We sat and we waited. A young waiter, 17 years of age by his admission to the couple at the adjacent table, attended to the couple at the table adjacent to ours. He did not acknowledge the existence of my family. Now, as a former restaurant worker, I am aware that perhaps our table, although only 36 inches away from the adjacent table which the 17 year old waiter was attending, may not have been his responsibility- I felt that he could have:1) acknowledged our existence, 2) advised us who our waiter was going to be, and 3) either helped us with our order, or advised whomever was responsible for our table- that he or she had customers waiting- FOR A LONG TIME!The 17 year old did none of the above. He did; however, offer the couple next to us, both dessert, and to-go containers for the food which was not consumed by the adjacent couple.The couple adjacent to us, declined his offers for both the dessert, and the to-go containers. Instead, they attempted to direct his attention to our table. They advised him that we had been sitting, and waiting for a long while, but I believe that his tour had finished, and he was looking more forward to collecting his TIP and going home. My wife thanked that couple for trying. I stood, and suggested to my family- "Let's leave." And, we left.

But wait, there's more!Still craving for Italian food, the next day, 3/5/7, but, still "gun-shy" from the night before- I phoned in a "to-go" order. "About 20 minutes, " I was told for the preparation of 2 dinners, and a sandwich. I entered the Carmine's establishment. I advised the "maitre d'/cashier" that I had phoned in my order, gave him my name, and paid him. The "maitre d'/cashier disappeared into the kitchen, and in a few moments he returned with my "to-go" order- which either he, or the cook, or perhaps Carmine- himself, had painstakingly boxed- IN A ONE CUBIC FOOT, CARDBOARD FEMININE SANITARY NAPKIN BOX. Yup, a "kotex" case.Coincidentally, on both nights, a somewhat red-headed, goateed, caucasian was present. He made eye contact with me on the first night, saw me waiting, and when he realized that I was looking at him, he averted his eyes. Then, on the second night, when he saw me enter the establishment, once again, we made eye contact, this time- he disappeared into the kitchen area. Coincidence? Did I mention the fact that I am not a caucasian? I won't tell you which minority/ethnic group that I belong to,I'll just wait, and I'll keep an ear open to see whether or not any of you fellow minority group members experience the same "peculiar" treatment that my family and I received. (I certainly hope that you DO NOT! This nonsense must stop ! Kinda funny, I wouldn't have expected this "peculiar" treatment of a minority group member in the year 2007- especially in an "Italian?" restaurant. Any one ordering food to take out...Please do me a favor, and make it a point to request that your "to-go" order does not get packaged in a feminine napkin case like mine did...(don't blame me if you don't speak up, and your food gets put in one!) I don't blame Carmine! He probably wasn't in. Yo! Carmine!- da food wuz great!

Posted 03/10/07 | Report Abuse

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I've been going to Carmine's for a couple of years. The decor is basic family-like Italian, the best seating is on the patio in the evening with it's perfect lighting. They have a very minimal corking fee (if I remember correctly) if you choose to bring your own wine. My favorite is their bread. It is toasted so the butter melts perfectly. I always get the Chicken Fettucine, it has a light cream sauce and the portions are so large, I am guaranteed an entire meal left over for the next day. Basic salad, but the italian dressing is yummy!!

PROS: Best toasty rolls, large portions good prices
CONS: family style decor kinda frumpy

Posted 10/07/05 | Report Abuse

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The food is excellent.The lasagne is great,the white pizza is to die for! The dipping oil is wonderful! The Italian dressing is great,the salads are fresh and delisious!The mixed berry cake is great!
The only dish I"ve had and didn't like was the pasta with shrimp,the shrimp wasn't fresh,tasted fishy.(tasted a bite of my dining partner's dish)
Be careful of the drinks! Very potent!

PROS: food is excellent! Drinks are very strong!!
CONS: service is slow but worth waiting for.

Posted 08/20/05 | Report Abuse

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I think this is the worst Italian restaurant ever. The food is overpriced, not authentic Italian unless you love grease and no flavor. The scampi I had was so dry, and such a poor quality of shrimp, I couldn't eat it. The marinara sauce tastes like it comes from a can. I was with a party of 8 and everyone hated their meal. It was crowded with families with kids, so I guess it is a step above McDonalds if you are looking for a place to eat with your family. With all the good Italian restaurants in the Pasadena area, I don't see how they stay in business.

PROS: Non unless you like greasy, tasteless food.
CONS: The veal tastes like chicken Mcnugguts.

Posted 08/05/05 | Report Abuse

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Great Italian food with gi-normous portions! Try their Gumbi dish, it's one of our favorites. But really, order any of their pasta dishes and get enough to serve 2 people easily. Service is excellent, the setting is casual. There is a bar area attached, where live music plays.

Posted 05/10/05 | Report Abuse

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One of my favorite local spots to hang out durring the week. You can easily make a whole night of it at Carmine's with the restaurant and it's great food (love the BBQ chicken pizza) and then skipping over to the bar area next door. Great folks, great food and great drinks!

I especially like the Karaoke on Wednesday night! It gets packed so if you want to sit, you'll have to get there early.

Posted 03/01/05 | Report Abuse

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Rumor has it that Tommy Lasorda of the LA Dodgers used to own this place. I really enjoy the bar area during games. The pizza is just great. The staff is amazing.

Posted 01/27/05 | Report Abuse

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Excellent family environment - very kid friendly. Great atmosphere and very tasty dishes. Our favorite dish is the Gumbi which is Rigatoni sauteed with marinara, Romano, light butter, melted mozzarella, diced homemade meatballs and mushrooms. Mmmm..

Posted 01/12/05 | Report Abuse

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I really like the atmosphere in Carmine's. I have been there several times and never been disappointed. They serve the BEST Gnoccis around. The service has always been wonderful and it has a great atmosphere for a date as well as a family meal. They serve fantastic, authentic Italian food, and the service is excellent. It is a family-owned restaurant, and the father-son owners are very gracious.

Posted 12/05/04 | Report Abuse

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This the best italian food in South Pasadena! It is a family owned restaurant that uses family recipes, family values and treats their customers like family. You cannot go wrong when ordering anything off their menu. Everything is made right there in their establishment from sauce to salad dressing. The service is excellent. They also have a full bar with live entertainment every weekend. Their wine list is extensive and their beers on tap are plentiful. The restaurant is open till 10 during the week and 11 on the weekends. The bar is open till 2 every day.

Posted 12/03/04 | Report Abuse

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Whether it is take out or dine in, Carmine's is a great, authentic alternative to the mass production of Dominos or Pizza Hut. Try the "white pizza" for something a little different, or order a regular pizza to enjoy the rich marinara sauce. The service and atmosphere are also very friendly and comfortable. The sports bar isn't bad either. All in all, for homestyle italian Carmine's is the place.

Posted 11/13/04 | Report Abuse

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Carmine's is dear to my heart. I've been going there for years for it's pleasant ambiance and great food. Both Carmine's are always very attentive. My favorite dish is the Chicken Florentine, angle hair pasta with chicken and spinach in a sinful cream sauce. There pizza is also pretty good but I always tend to have the same thing. The garlic cheese bread is heavenly. - vr

Posted 10/31/04 | Report Abuse

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Everything is wonderful. Friendly and helpful service. The white pizza is killer!!!

Posted 10/13/04 | Report Abuse

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The gnocci is GREAT!

Posted 07/29/04 | Report Abuse

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Good pizza and a very comfortable, relaxing restaurant. Staff are very nice. I go with my two young kids, and they like it too.

Posted 03/17/04 | Report Abuse

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