Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Pensacola

The food was great, except the calamari. The calamari was a bit tough (the oil wasn't hot enough as it needs to be flash fried at high temperatures to avoid toughness) and mostly a pile of breading scraps with FAR too much pepper on it. I like spicy food, but all I could taste was pepper. The rest of our food was good-sized portions and very tasty.

The service on the other hand was very slow. It seemed as if there was adequate wait staff, but they were not very efficient. It would help if the waitresses didn't go to the restroom and sit in the handicap stall on the toilet watching videos, instead of doing their job! Perhaps management should consider not allowing phones to be on their staff while at work.

We had to wait a long time just to place our order (about 20 minutes). Then we had to remind the waitress that we had not yet received part of our drink order. When we were finished eating, we had to run down the waitress after waiting for 25 minutes to get our check and a take-home box.

I realize that today's generation wants a paycheck without having to work for it (participation trophy generation). Given that, owners and management (hopefully not also part of the trophy generation!) have to work extra hard at training and keeping on top of their staff. If people are caught in infractions, write them up, call them in the office, have them sign the document, file it, and give them a warning: if it happens again, they are fired. Guarantee that a few write ups followed by a couple of firings, word will get out to the staff: "Do your job or you won't have one!"

It was rather loud in the place, which seems to be a thing in restaurants these days. Loud music does not make for a pleasant dining experience.

Given these factors, we will try here one more time next month. If things haven't improved, this place will be moved to our "Do Not...

What can I say! I was encouraged by a friend of mine in Australia that since today was my Birthday, I needed to pamper myself and go somewhere and have a nice meal. She took it upon herself to Google a list of restaurants in Pensacola and started reading them off to me. Some I had heard of or been to and others not so much. I called her back a little while later and told her that the last time she and I had dined together was about 20 years ago and it happened to be at a Carrabba's, so that was where I was going to go. I told her that I did not want to go to a typical Bar and Grill or restaurant where the music was blasting over the PA at 120 decibles with the crowd noise level to match. I needed somewhere much more intimate and much more quiet. After walking through the door at Carrabba's I knew immediately that I had found the right place. Upon seating, I was introduced to my personal team member named Emily. After jokingly asking her did she "Have a List" as in "Emily's List," she took my order and then answered some questions I had regarding which entre I should choose. The food arrives and every item was a "10". Emily was attentive but not overbering during my meal. That was a plus. I also had the opportunity to speak with the night manager John and complimented him my entire experience and the level of professionalisim exhibited by Emily. The only negative I have was that Emily should have warned me NOT TO ORDER Carrabba's Canolie Cake for Two. That thing should be declared "illegal" in every state in the nation as well as any foreign country that has a Carrabba's :-). It was out of this this world delicious. All joking aside, this was one of the most memorable Birthday meals I have had in my life. I highly support and recommend Carrabba's as a place for...

The hostess was very welcoming.

Our Server was more interested in communicating with coworkers... for that matter we were surprised that as three men visiting, no one wished us a "Happy Father's Day", also saw multiple managers or those that appeared to be in charge... however no interaction from management team.

The bread looked, smelled, and appeared to be great, we were offered some! (Never came-- excuse in oven will be out directly). Soup and Salad were nothing to write home about.

Still no bread! Friend asked for bread as our food was being delievered.. apologies ensued by excuses... then another false offering of returning with Bread! (Yes, it happened again -- No Bread!).

Three dinners.... food at best was so-so... all three of us were disappointed... and even when our server came by to check on us... my friend made a point to say, "Who do you tip around here to get some of that great bread?".

Response... oh would you like "Some More Bread!"? (BY the way, NO BREAD".

It was/is ashame, three men drove 35 miles to eat at your establishment... only to be disappointed. I know I should have been more assertive, angry, demanding, and flat out rude to get what we expected.

However, I was at a Resturaunt part of the hospitality industry... that normally operates on the premise service is and should be front and center. TODAY Carrabba's FAILED! we arrived late afternoon early evening(4:30), plenty of tables available, plenty of parking, plenty of staff. Just no care in the world about food quality, customers satisfaction.

Yes my feathers were ruffled... my meal was so-so... my friends and myself disappointed, we will survive to 'Break Bread", another day...at...