My spouse and I recently celebrated our first week of marriage at Carmeline Restaurant, and it was truly an extraordinary experience. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were blown away by the impeccable service and outstanding cuisine, leaving us eagerly anticipating our next visit.
To begin with, let me praise the exceptional service we received at Carmeline. The staff treated us with warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care from the moment we walked through the door. Our server was knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu and providing insightful recommendations. Every detail, from ensuring our glasses were always filled to attending to our every need, was flawlessly executed. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel celebrated and cherished during this special time in our lives.
Now, let's talk about the food. It was nothing short of amazing! Carmeline Restaurant serves a culinary masterpiece that delights the palate with an array of flavors and textures. Each dish was meticulously prepared with the finest ingredients, showcasing the talent and creativity of the chefs. From the appetizers bursting with freshness and unique combinations to the main courses that were perfectly cooked and seasoned, every bite was a delight. The presentation of each dish was a work of art, complemented by bold and harmonious flavors that left us craving more. The culinary experience at Carmeline Restaurant exceeded all our expectations.
The ambiance of Carmeline Restaurant perfectly complemented our celebration. The elegant decor, soft lighting, and romantic atmosphere created a setting that was both intimate and enchanting. The attention to detail in the restaurant's design enhanced our dining experience, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the joy of our first week of marriage. Carmeline Restaurant truly understands the importance of ambiance, and they masterfully create an environment that is both inviting and memorable.
We left Carmeline Restaurant with hearts full of gratitude and a longing to return. Our celebration of love was made even more special by the exceptional service, exquisite cuisine, and enchanting ambiance provided by this remarkable establishment. We cannot wait for our next visit to Carmeline, where we know we will once again be treated to an extraordinary culinary experience.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or simply indulge in exceptional cuisine, Carmeline Restaurant is the perfect choice. Their outstanding service, delectable food, and romantic atmosphere will create an experience that you will want to relive time and time again. Thank you, Carmeline Restaurant, for making our first week of marriage truly...
Read moreTL; DR - One of our favourite meals of all time, what a pleasant surprise! Chef's kiss from first plate to the last. Focaccia, Bison Tartar, Pea Ravioli, Meringue were stand outs. Sit in the basement if you want a quieter setting.
Visiting Ottawa from Toronto for a wedding, we got an off night to explore a bit and I ended up snooping on Google maps over to this side for a nice dinner. "Fresh" pasta from their website caught my attention and their overall menu looked appetizing so went ahead and reserved for a Saturday night, 8:30pm. We arrived a bit earlier (10-15mins) as I wasn't sure where to park, but there were many free street parking options on the weekend.
We were seated fairly promptly in the basement and this dining area is where you want to be for a more intimate and quiet setting vs upstairs.
Food: Fresh, magical and memorable flavours! If I wanted to be extra critical, the Grilled Octopus was just ever ever slightly overcooked but in combination with the sauce and other ingredients (ex: perfectly crisped bits on the fingerlings), a delicious bite. First time having Bison Tartare and won't be the last - so fresh, clean, tasty; it reminded me more of a bite from a poke bowl / sashimi than beef/red meat. The Focaccia is basically mandatory, don't skip it.
For mains, I had the Shrimp Linguine Aglio E Lio - pasta was cooked perfect, heat (spice) level was a tad overpowering at times, but still enjoyable - do wish they used bigger shrimp though. Other main was the Green Pea Ravioli and my first bite was divine. As mainly a meat eater, I was amazed how delicious green pea could be and thought of that reality cooking show where the Michelin star chefs had to make green pea the star of the dish. Now I understand. Again, so fresh, vibrant flavours. My wife did comment out of personal preference, some of the peas could have been cooked just a touch more, tasted a bit too raw on some. We'll gladly reorder though.
Desserts - Lemon Meringue and Banana Cake. Both were superb but the Meringue was one of the best ever - balanced, not too tart, good texture. Banana Cake tasted very homey, warm, comforting.
Main server was Sam and she was fantastic - attentive, friendly, welcoming and not overbearing.
Cameline is one of those restaurants where you can pick anything off the menu and enjoy it. If this restaurant was ever hyped, it's...
Read moreFrom the ambiance to the service to the thoughtful detail on the dinnerware… (notice the engraved camelina on the wine glass!!) this is what a true dining experience is all about. The coziest hidden gem.
We started with maple espresso martinis - delicious & smokey, loved the amount of foam.
We sat at the bar & experienced the 4 course valentine’s dinner menu. It was such an array of different flavours yet each dish came to the perfect balance. The focaccia bread had the most divine smell coming out of the kitchen, paired w/ the butter made with beet puree and lemon… so delicious! The scallops were creamy and herby - balance of comforting yet fresh. The goat cheese with maple caramelized onions … so savoury. The lobster linguini was amazing, silky and creamy, the pasta was fresh! The dessert was a pear puff pastry with a vanilla gelato (loved) & an olive oil cake with a dark chocolate mousse (only thing that i thought was just okay)
All in all, i truly appreciate all the attention to detail, from the moment we walked in- the candles lit, the flowers on the table, the welcoming service, the unique dishes. Everything was just thoughtful which is hard to find nowadays. Too often ive been to restaurants that invest so much into the aesthetic but the food is so lacklustre. This spot stands out so...
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