CARMELA Nonna of Piccolina — Restaurant in Sydney

We walked into Carmela on Saturday night after not having luck at another Italian nearby. There were clearly empty tables outside by the heaters, which we were excited to take, but we ended up standing awkwardly out the front waiting to be acknowledged. Despite being right next to a waitress taking another table’s order, no one spoke to us. It was obvious they were preparing for a larger booking inside, but with all the eye contact, not one staff member stopped to check if we were okay.

Eventually I opened the door and asked if there was space for two for dinner. The waitress holding the iPad gave a quick “no, sorry” in a sharp tone and turned away immediately. It felt dismissive and made us leave straight away.

I understand most places prefer bookings, but the restaurants that stand out are the ones that show empathy and make you feel welcome — even if they can’t seat you. Unfortunately, this experience felt...

This place is my absolute favourite Italian in Sydney! My friends and I called up for a last minute seating and they took our number down as they were full but a table didn’t show so they called us within 30mins and gave us the table The pastas and pizza we ordered were devine ! Our waitress gave us the best recommendations! Although if you are wanting the Nutella pizza order it early as they shut the pizza oven earlier than the kitchen The lady gave us another dessert on the house as we really wanted the Nutella pizza which was so lovely of her If you have room for dessert I highly recommend the tiramisu And the $40 Sicilian bottle of red wine was a lovely choice highly recommend if you’re wanting to share wine My friends and I are already planning to...

I so wish I could write a supportive review. I so want new restaurants to do well. I so want a good Italian restaurant in Double Bay. I can’t and I don’t think this restaurant will do well unless things change.

Parpadelle? We’re out of it. Risotto? It was a rice and seafood soup - I’ve never seen risotto soup before and I would rather not see it again. Where’s our steak? It’s coming. I ordered medium rare steak, this one’s still moving. Where’s our chips? It’s coming too? Twenty minutes later: but they’re not chips, they’re crisps, I did order chips, not crisps.

At least the chianti was cheap. Well, that’s because it’s was cheap chianti but I’m pleased it wasn’t marked up excessively.

I’m still waiting for that good...