Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Jeffersontown

Food was okay, definitely not worth the price; and overall not a positive experience. It began as we arrived, we had checked in online for an arrival at 6:30 pm. We arrived at 6:15, and let them know that we had arrived. We were told we would have about 15 minutes longer until we could be seated, it was for a party of 2 (date night with the wife). The restaurant had numerous empty tables available, but we understood that sections may not be open. While sitting waiting for our turn in the dining room, there were several families that walked in and asked about availability and were almost immediately seated. We received numerous text alerts indicating that we were checked in and would be notified when the table was ready. They came about 5 minutes apart. When I questioned, I was told that was them moving us around on the waitlist. Once 6:31 had come up, the employee at check-in mentioned to the other employee that it was 6:30, so we should be seated now. We were seated in the bar area against the wall and window, in one of the many tables that were available when we first arrived. Out server did come to get drink order and then disappeared for about 20 minutes. We were hoping to take advantage of the happy hour specials for appetizers, and when we mentioned this to him, his response was that of “well, you only have about 7 minutes left to get it in if that is the case.” We requested an item listed on the web site for the available specials (mezzaluna fritte) and was told that it did not qualify. When we showed the website he said he would double check, and he turned to the bar area and kind of looked around, then looked at his device in his hands and said, “don’t shoot the messenger, it is on the menu as a special, but we don’t have it.” At this time, we were discussing whether or not we wanted to stay or leave for a different dining experience, but given that we were already there for 45 minutes, decided to place an order for dinner, mentioning that we were hungry and ready to eat. Our server responded with the statement of, “well, I’m listening” as he leaned against the wall as though trying to stabilize himself. His appearance and demeanor was of someone under the influence of alcohol, and the smell of alcohol was present as well (we had not ordered alcohol, water and a diet coke). After eating the majority of our meals (itallian classic trio and the chicken trio), we stopped to save room for dessert. Our server approached and questioned why we had not finished our meal, we indicated that we wanted dessert. We wanted the cannoli cake for two, which he said they were out of it. He then said maybe not, let me check, and turned around to look at the kitchen/bar area as if he would get a confirmation. He then walked away to the bar and came back and said “don’t shoot the messenger, but we don’t have it.” We indicated that we would just take the check as there was not a different item we wanted, and said we were torn on getting dessert here or making a pit-stop at another restaurant on the way home. He then began discussing that restaurant as a bad place to work because of their menu, just seemed unprofessional. Certainly do not plan to come back in the future, there are too many comparable restaurants for the cuisine at better pricing and a better...

Review of Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Exceptional Dining Experience

Rating: ★★★★★

I recently dined at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and I can confidently say it was one of the best restaurant experiences I’ve had in a long time, thanks in large part to our outstanding waitress, Emily.

Ambiance:

The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of an Italian trattoria. The rustic decor, soft lighting, and subtle Italian music in the background set a cozy yet lively mood. The restaurant was busy, but it felt well-managed and organized, allowing for a comfortable dining experience.

Food:

The menu at Carrabba’s offers a delightful array of traditional Italian dishes with a contemporary twist. I started with the Bruschetta, which was fresh and bursting with flavor. The tomatoes were perfectly ripe, and the basil added a refreshing note.

For my main course, I opted for the Chicken Parmigiana. It was a generous portion, beautifully breaded, and served with a side of spaghetti marinara. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the marinara sauce was rich without being overpowering. My dining companion ordered the Grilled Salmon, which was cooked to perfection and had a lovely smoky flavor. Each dish was well presented, showcasing the restaurant's attention to detail.

Service:

What truly made this dining experience remarkable was Emily, our waitress. From the moment she approached our table, she was warm and attentive, exuding genuine enthusiasm for the menu. She took the time to explain the specials and made thoughtful recommendations based on our preferences.

Emily's timing was impeccable; she checked in on us just the right amount, ensuring our drinks were always filled and that we had everything we needed without being intrusive. When I mentioned I was celebrating a special occasion, she went above and beyond, surprising us with a complimentary dessert. Her attentiveness and personal touch elevated our experience, making us feel like valued guests rather than just another table.

Conclusion:

Overall, Carrabba’s Italian Grill exceeded my expectations. The combination of delicious food, a charming atmosphere, and outstanding service from Emily created a memorable dining experience. I left feeling not only satisfied but eager to return. I highly recommend Carrabba’s to anyone looking for authentic Italian cuisine paired with exceptional service. Thank you, Emily, for making our...

We have been going to this location Hurstbourne Lane for 12 years and will never return. Today we went and we requested 3 small plates of the herbs and the waitress brought one with maybe a pinch and spilling over with olive oil. We requested more for the second time. We ate two with the bread and one to go in my meal. When our food came the waitress Abby asked if we would like more bread and we said sure but may we have a small amount of herbs, she asked would it be ok to charge you for it, I said no that was ridiculous. She informed us that her manager said we would have to be charged for probably the equivalent of a teaspoon. I just said never mind. The sad part about this is each visit my bill is usually 100 or so bc we order a few drinks so I am paying for it in other ways because we all know the massive markup restaurants have. She proceeds to bring another loaf of bread but refuses herbs, we requested to speak to the manager and when questioned, Shawn the manager said that at a point customers had to be charged (mind you the amount is less than 3 tablespoons, maybe each is a teaspoon). My salad was wrong, I let it go, my meal was dry and my noodles were tough so I told him I was not eating it. He offered to make a new one (more expensive than a teaspoon of herbs) but I politely declined. He said well since you are unhappy I’ll fix your bill. Had whole experience not been so ridiculous I would have had the meal fixed but since they refused to serve us herbs with the “complimentary” bread I let him take it. In my opinion, handing a customer a spoon full of herbs would have been the more appropriate thing to do and a much cheaper move but Shawn the manager refused. We do not have another location near but I assure I will drive to Lexington before I go to the Hurstbourne location again. How nice to make your long term customers feel unwelcome bc they requested a little more complimentary herbs, in all the time I've been coming here I've never had a problem. Now I wish that I would not have supported a horribly managed location as we frequently as we did during the closed dining room time during Covid. I truly wish for this location to crumble since you are clearly greedy. GREED GETS YOU...