Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Florida

I can’t believe people willingly pay to eat here.

Husband had a gift card. We came out of a movie and walked over to Carabbas. It’s been probably 10 years since I’ve been in one. I wasn’t expecting anything exceptional, I was truly expecting chain-restaurant “Italian”, and I was fine with that because I was hungry.

Our server was very nice and attentive but honestly the food was just so absolutely vile it was inedible.

Salads were pathetic - pink limp lettuce drowned in ceasar dressing. Three croutons.

My daughter is 9 but they gave her a kiddie menu and plastic fork (I shared my real cutlery with her.) she usually orders from the adult menu but she wasn’t super hungry since she ate movie snacks so she settled on cheese ravioli from the kids menu. Her works were “mom this is kind of pathetic.” Five ravioli, FIVE. tomato sauce splashed haphazardly on the plate (literally splattered on the sides). They were cold inside.

I ordered veal picatta because growing up my parents like to take us to carrabbas and it’s what I usually got, I remembered it being pretty good so I figured it was was a safe bet.

Oh my god. It was simultaneously over cooked and undercooked. The veal was now leather but the breading still undercooked. It was served to me with raw flour on the outside. The sauce was disgusting. The broccoli was clearly dumped out of a freezer bag and microwaved. The have the audacity to ask $26 for this hot garbage ? I went to Rocca in Tampa not long ago which is a Michelin star restaurant, absolutely fabulous; and paid $28 for my veal pasta dish. The server came by and goes “is everything tasting lovely?!” Do I look like a raccoon? I told her it was literally one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant. I sent it away and it was removed from the bill.

My husband passed his Rosa Chicken or whatever. The one with 1/2 a piece of prosciutto in 1/3 of a chicken breast. God it was dry and flavorless, but I tried to choke it down. It was almost as bad as mine but at least I could chew it. He asked the server to bring him the quickest white sauce pasta they could, just so he could have something to eat. It took a while. The Alfredo they brought him looked like it was just warm milk. He just requested an insane amount of cheese so that when he nukes it as leftovers maybe it has the chance of congealing into an acceptable sauce.

Again the service was fine. The restaurant needs to be cleaner better there was splattering of god knows what on the walls of the booth.

The food was some of the most god awful nasty food I’ve had in a long time. We should have just given the gift card to a homeless person, although then I would feel bad for subjecting them to such...

Last night, We had the pleasure of dining at Brooksville Carrabbas, where we were fortunate to meet Kayla, a server whose exceptional service elevated Our dining experience to new heights.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, Kayla's warm smile and welcoming demeanor set the tone for what would be an unforgettable dining experience. She exuded genuine hospitality, making us feel like a valued guests rather than just another customer. Her professionalism was immediately apparent as soon as she introduced herself at our table. Throughout the meal, Kayla's attentiveness was unparalleled. Despite a bustling dining room, she managed to anticipate our needs before I even had to vocalize them. Her attention to detail was truly impressive. It was evident that she took pride in her work and genuinely cared about ensuring each guest had a memorable experience.

In addition to her exceptional service, Kayla's genuine warmth and friendliness made us feel like I was dining among family. She took the time to engage in casual conversation, giving us a feeling like home. It's rare to encounter a server who not only excels in their role but also makes a genuine connection with guests. Kayla's exemplary service at Carrabbas exceeded all expectations. Her professionalism, attentiveness, and was evident in every interaction. Thanks to her, Our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional, and we left the restaurant feeling thoroughly satisfied and eager to return. Kayla is undoubtedly a shining star in the hospitality industry, and we are very fortunate to have her as our server.

Food was amazing as always, everything was perfect! We had a large party of 13, and even with a party if that size, no corners we cut and the food and service was...

Update: Two weeks later and we came back. Wasn’t aware about the special Halloween dinner event and Bennet was serving that section. Our waitress was Kayla D. I have to say whoever is doing the hiring is doing an amazing job selecting people who care about their work. Impeccable service and the food top notch again. I must admit I ate the same seasonal dish as my last visit and still as delicious as ever. (Read below) Please make sure you come with room to spare as the portions are decent.

Had to write about the great service our waiter Bennett S. provided. He knows the dishes and flavor profile, gave his thoughts on the new seasonal dishes and even about an optional dipping sauce for the appetizer (Fennel sausage Arancini) which he was right! So delicious over the regular marinara sauce (which was still good) that it comes with but that combo of that sauce, wow! The bone in pork chops with the mushroom risotto… my god that mushroom risotto, regretting not ordering the take home option for $10 of that whole dish. His explanation of the dishes and options were superb. So rare to see young waiters these days with the passion for food. Mitch the manager also came around, introduced himself and helped out with a super busy night. It’s great to see managers helping out to keep the patrons happy. This carrabas location is a gem and one of my favorite spots in Spring Hill.

My only critique is that they should have large cubed ice for their bourbons and old fashions 🥃 as well as reducing the sweetness, but I guess that’s just my preference.

In any case food was amazing and service was top notch. Highly recommend and if you can ask to sit where Bennet is assigned. You...