Insider Pages Reviews for Carmine's Italian Restaurant

2 Stars: Too Salty!! (by Roca S.)

Roca S. — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:57:00 GMT

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?

4 Stars: Great Italian Food! (by Kathy V.)

Kathy V. — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:37:00 GMT

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.

4 Stars: Great food at great prices (by Carolyn J.)

Carolyn J. — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 18:33:00 GMT

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

5 Stars: Great Food! (by L D.)

L D. — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 15:22:00 GMT

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.

1 Stars: This is a terrible restaurant (by Carrie s.)

Carrie s. — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 23:23:00 GMT

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.

5 Stars: Huge portions (by Gavin W.)

Gavin W. — Tue, 10 May 2005 18:13:00 GMT

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.

4 Stars: Make a night of it (by Manny R.)

Manny R. — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 11:41:00 GMT

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.

4 Stars: (by Thomas M.)

Thomas M. — Thu, 27 Jan 2005 11:49:00 GMT

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.

4 Stars: (by mitchell s.)

mitchell s. — Wed, 12 Jan 2005 13:29:00 GMT

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..

5 Stars: (by Brandy H.)

Brandy H. — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 17:23:00 GMT

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.

5 Stars: (by Alexia C.)

Alexia C. — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 14:46:00 GMT

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.

5 Stars: (by Art A.)

Art A. — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 23:31:00 GMT

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.

5 Stars: (by Real E.)

Real E. — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 07:25:00 GMT

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

5 Stars: (by Kendra L.)

Kendra L. — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:37:00 GMT

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

5 Stars: (by Virginia G.)

Virginia G. — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 13:18:00 GMT

The gnocci is GREAT!

5 Stars: (by Jason L.)

Jason L. — Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:09:00 GMT

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