The New DT Carmine’s Left Me Mesmerized! 🤩

This year’s anniversary, we spent all day snorkeling around the Big Island 🤿, so a fancy dinner had to wait until we got back to Seattle! This time, we chose the newly opened Carmine’s on 5th Avenue in Downtown. Opened just at the end of November, this location keeps the classic crystal chandelier vibes from the Bellevue spot but pairs it with higher ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Walking in, I thought… wow, the ambiance is just unreal! Their bar area is equally atmospheric✨… Ever since attending a Candlelight Concert at the Arctic Club Hotel, this is another time I’ve been truly wowed by Seattle’s downtown beauty 🤩. As for the food… maybe I didn’t order the right things 😿, but personally, I wasn’t fully impressed. 🥓 Gnocco Fritto – Three types of ham + crispy potato cakes + basil pesto. Each element was fine on its own, but together they felt a bit… heavy and greasy. 🦐 Frutti di Mare – Seafood pasta. The shrimp lacked flavor, and there was sand in the clams 😅. 🦆 Anatra Arrosto – Aged roast duck. Reviews looked good, but ours was underseasoned and undercooked — the texture was almost chewy like gum. 🍟 Truffle Fries – Truffle fries. Generous with the truffle, but the fries were overcooked, a bit burnt and oily. A few bites were enough. We were a bit disappointed with the dishes and almost skipped dessert, but our server Nicole was absolutely lovely! 🥹 She surprised us with a complimentary anniversary tiramisu — looked a bit messy but tasted surprisingly delicious 🤣 — and even offered to take a nice photo for us 📸. Thanks to her, the whole experience went from a 6/10 to an 8/10! Although the restaurant looks like fine dining from the outside, it feels more casual inside — tableware and plating give off a rustic, countryside vibe, not overly polished. There’s still room for improvement in some details, too — even with a reservation, we waited standing for about 15 minutes after arriving… Anyway! For those stunning crystal chandeliers alone, I’ll definitely be back 💎✨. #SeattleLife #LifeInTheUS #Seattle #FoodReview #Foodie #Vibes #Weekend #DailyLife #DateNightRestaurant #OldMoneyAesthetic 🍽️🌟📸