Carmela's Lakeway Pizza & Pasteria — Restaurant in Lakeway

I’ve never had a bad meal at Carmela‘s. Friday at 4:15 PM I entered an empty restaurant 100% of the tables were available But because I didn’t have a reservation, I was told there was a time limit, and that my party would have to be done eating by 6 PM at the latest When I suggested that the party I was meeting were regulars and liked to take their time, but together, we’d run up a big check, I was seated at a booth in the very back the far back and told this would give me till 630. We had a couple of beers, But the people we were meeting where regulars and had medical issues that prevented them from being able to sit in this booth at the very back. So we paid our check and left approximately 445, with 95% of the tables still available. I think this is probably an issue of newer and poorly trained staff But because we’ve heard from other workers about poor treatment and a recent staff mass exodus, this was the last time at Carmella’s for us. To be fair, this has nothing to do with the food, which is likely still outstanding But meals out are no longer a small expense and the last thing anybody wants is to have a time limit put on their social outing (even though it’s likely we would not have exceeded that staff imposed time limit) Maybe we would’ve been done by 6 o’clock, but who wants to have a countdown clock. I questioned the business acumen of this policy because it results in fewer total tables over the course of the evening and a loss in gross revenue. But I understand that restaurant real estate is money and that demanding customers reserving specific tables does limit options for management. That was the problem. Every individual table was reserved even though that policy is not communicated widely. My guess is there’s a small cadre of regular visitors who get this special treatment. But that’s not my problem, but a challenge management would be wise to address I’ve chosen to vote with my feet, which echoed loudly as I exited this...

Mama mia! Carmela mia!

How can other restaurants even compare to this magnificent establishment?

When I survey a place that is new to me I try to tactically find items on the menu that are not complex, but should be rather easily executed excellently.

From my visit tonight to Carmella's, it was calamari and the meatball pizzazaza.

This calamari... So plump, so hearty, breaded so well, and fried exceptionally well. 4.5/5 stars.

The pizza.... Thin crust, no overcompensating, fresh cheese, and meatballs... Real meatballs... A chefs kiss. 4.5/5 stars as well.

I look forward to going back and trying many other items on this menu. So much to explore here. I did see a server bring out lasagna to another table, and it looked perfecto!

If you are reading this review that means you are considering going here, and if you are considering going here you should just take my advice and go.

And super friendly employees of the establishment, Carmela...

I haven’t been to Carmela’s in years and I was excited to see what changed. The interior was completely re-done and looked beautiful. But when I was seated at my table there was a kid laying next to us maybe 1 foot away (probably one of the employees kids) and I could literally smell there feet, the table obviously should not have been there, because one of the hosts also decided to lay down next to us. There was a Cheap paper matting on the table completely taking you out of a 4 star Italian restaurant experience. Was not going to write a review but the food quality has absolutely gone downhill and with the added uncomfortableness of the unprofessional atmosphere made me write one. I will not be coming back anytime soon. If I was drunk maybe I would have enjoyed it better, but if you are trying to have a nice experience and good food go...