Carmela's Italian Ristorante — Restaurant in Hollywood

I am pleased to share my recent experience at Carmella's in Hollywood. The combination of a captivating ambiance and exceptional cuisine for casual yet refined Italian dining was a standout, making it one of the most memorable outings I've enjoyed in recent times.

Opting for the octopus rigatoni special followed by the prime rib steak, I found both choices to be truly delightful. The octopus was a true masterpiece, boasting an impeccable tenderness that was paired with a notably generous portion. The accompanying sauce struck a harmonious balance, exhibiting a perfect blend of flavors without veering towards excessive sweetness or spiciness.

The culinary journey concluded on a high note with the pistachio and chocolate mousse dessert, a remarkable creation that stood out for its ingenuity. The interplay of pistachio, glazed chocolate, and mousse, all punctuated by a luscious cherry jam center, showcased the culinary prowess of the in-house team. This dessert was a testament to their creative prowess.

Furthermore, I must commend the attentive and adept wait staff who provided impeccable service throughout my visit. Their dedication to ensuring a pleasurable dining experience further elevated the overall impression of Carmella's.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Carmella's to connoisseurs of fine dining seeking an exquisite blend of ambiance, delectable cuisine, and impeccable service. My time at the restaurant was a true delight, and I eagerly anticipate...

So the wife and I were always curious about this place and we finally decided to try it. Unfortunately, I have to give this place a MEH rating. The clams appetizer was amazing and the place has a good feel to it. Once we got to ordering the main courses though, it fell apart. The dishes are really expensive for what they are and don't get me started on the drink prices. On top of that, you can't ask for any modifications to your dishes. They had a snapper françaiseas special which sounded great. The special is served with mashed potatoes. Seeing as we were at an Italian place, I asked if she could sub pasta for the potatoes... NOPE! The same request for the chicken parm was denied. Seeing as someone is gatekeeping pasta at the Italian joint, I decided to finally go with the spaghetti and meatballs. Our food arrives and SURPRISE, it's bland as bland can be and there is not a salt shaker insight. Look guys, if your going to stop people from modding your dishes at least make sure your classic dishes are on point. $27 for bland meatballs is a sad state of affairs. The rest of the food was great, sad they couldn't round it out with the main courses. Pass on this one unless you want the chef to force his entire...

Well hate to leave this review but hopefully it gets back to whom ever is in charge. Let's start off with 30 min to find a bottle of wine that was actually in stock, is anyone working on this? Our server had to tell us "this section of the menu isn't available, like we don't have it in stock." How does that happen?? Ok, so then we found a bottle, and then the apps starting coming out and we all enjoyed them.

Next were told we need to order the mains before the party outside ordered theirs, because the kitchen might get backed up. I don't know about you, but immediately that puts me on alarm. After heading to the bathroom to check on this large party, I couldn't find them? Perhaps they were in another patio area.

Don't get me wrong we love Sardelli's and the food was good here also when out entrees arrived. Also our server was accommodating and obviously frustrated with the current lack or current management. In this day and age of so many choices, guys try to do a little better. We definitely will come back again as we were excited to try their second location, but I pray the next time things have improved, because this was not their best foot forward, we can only hope this isn't the sign of...