Carmen, Boston, Massachusetts Restaurant Details

Food:

Patrons attest the small digs don't represent the magnitude of the food at this superb North End Italian offering well-executed yet familiar plates in a nice and cozy romantic setting; while it fills up rather quickly, outstanding service makes diners feel like they're sitting down for a home-cooked family dinner"; P.S. there's no coffee or dessert.

Food:

Decent service and the dinner ranged from meh to good. I would say its definately over priced for the quality.

Food:

Dinner at Carmen was just perfect - it is just as cozy and adorable inside as it looks from the outside. The restaurant is small and relies heavily on candles for lighting, so the ambiance is very cozy and intimate, not to mention romantic! By the time we were leaving it had filled up and got a bit loud, but not so much as to ruin our meal.

The food was delicious - the best meal we've had in the North End and we've been to many of the restaurants. We split the meatballs, which were excellent - even the sauce was amazing. I had the risotto which was creamy and scallops were delicious. The star of the meal was the tagliatelle (spelling?) that my boyfriend ordered with an amazing mushroom ragu. The wine list isn't huge, but has everything you'd want and isn't nearly as expensive as I was thinking it might be.

Possibly the best part of the meal was the service - the two waitresses working were so polite and helpful. Usually at a restaurant like Carmen, I'd expect the staff to be a bit snobby and rushed, but these two women were so welcoming, attentive and happy to help answer questions and give their opinions on which delicious dish to choose from.

I will definitely go back, this is absolutely a neighborhood gem!

Food:

I must say I was sorely dissapointed with our experience yesterday at Carmen, and I found myself wishing I had brought my out of town visitors to any one of the several additional fine Italian restaurants in the North End. Here's why I will not be returning to Carmen, nor recommending this restaurant to anyone:
1) Upon the moment we entered the restaurant, we were treated with inhospitality and disrespect. Our table was not ready for our 9pm reservation, yet we were told due to the restaurant's small size, we were unable to wait inside the restaurant, despite it raining outside. The hostess told us she would call my cell when the table was ready, but after 30 minutes of waiting with no phone call, we walked back to the restaurant to discover 3 open tables. Then for the rest of the night, we felt the waitress was trying to rush us.
2) Our water cost AS MUCH as our bottle of wine. We were given the choice between still or sparkling water, yet not informed that EACH of these options would cost $10 a bottle. Our group of 6 required 3 bottles of water which amounted to $30. Unbelievable!
3) The small plates (beets, asparagus, & mushrooms) were unremarkable.
4) Though most of the main dishes across the table were very good (especially the haddock), the seafood in the brodetto was overcooked and the mussels did not taste good.
5) The restaurant lacked coffee and dessert.
6) A 20% gratuity was automatically added to our bill without telling us.
7) We were charged $5 to share the seafood brodetto, despite also ordering several smaller plates. Yet our meal was served on a single plate.
8) The waitress refused to take more than 3 credit cards.
9) A couple other things that contributed to the feeling that the restaurant lacking professionalism: A restaurant staff member was brushing his teeth next to the bathroom. The waitress was wearing jeans.

When one attends an upscale restaurant, he/she expects to be met with respect and professionalism. I am sad to say this was certainly not the case for us.

Food:

Literally plan my business trips so I have time to make it to Carmen. I lived in Italy for 6 years and the Black Pepper Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragu with Fontina Fonduta is by far the best pasta dish I have ever tasted. Going back next week and can't wait.

Food:

Delicious, traditional Italian fare -- everything is seasonal and extremely innovative. Quaint doesn't even begin to describe this 9-table romantic haven, with a phenomenal wine list. Pro Tip: Make a reservation for 6:45, show up at least 15-minutes early, and leave promptly when you're done (to respect others waiting to get in)!