Carrabba's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

So this is definitely not a review I ever wanted to write or even thought I would have to write. So we got there around 8 ( 2 hours before closing ). We walked in and there were 2 people sitting at the bar and around a handful of tables sat in the dinning room. It was cold outside and a Monday so didn’t think much about how empty the restaurant was. Were sat almost immediately and was told our server would be with us shortly. It took quite a while fir our server to come to us with enough time for someone else working there came to us twice asking if we had been helped yet before he came over to us the first time. From where I was sitting I could see that this was not the servers fault it was taking him so long it was because he was the only server working all the tables there and it just took him some time. The server from the time he finally made it to our table till the time we left the restaurant was actually great at his job and would want him as our server again. Skipping ahead I’m going to get to the problem. I ordered the chicken Marsella and who I was with order shrimp and scallops. When the food came to our table the shrimp and scallops were hot and cooked perfectly. My meal however came out cooked perfectly but came out cold. Guessing mine was made first and sat there while the other dish was being cooked. I get it, it happens. I told the server and he said no problem he would take care of it and left the cold food at the table. A few minutes after the manager came over apologized and said she would have it remade for me and once again left the cold food at the table. It’s a big empty open dinning room so we watched her walk across the dining room to the open kitchen and start lecturing the cook about how there were multiple dishes that have been returned to the kitchen for being send out cold that evening and that had to stop. I agree with her that that had to stop but there is no reason that myself and everyone else in the restaurant should of heard her disciplining the cook. Not only was it making me feel uncomfortable but you could just feel the atmosphere in the restaurant change with everyone. Guessing it was about 5 minutes from her telling the cook to remake my dinner it was brought to my table. The was so hot in the middle I could barely put it in my mouth. Unlike the cold chicken that was brought out tender and moist this chicken was very tough and rubbery. It was very obvious that my new meal was made in a microwave. The server came back over and I told him my problem and that I didn’t want this. He left the food there and told me he would take care of it. A few minutes later the manager came back over. I’m not happy but still kept my calm and don’t feel like I was being rude with what was happening the entire time I was at the restaurant. I told the manager what my problem was and she told me that I was wrong they wouldn’t do that. She was not very pleasant with me about this conversation and actually pretty rude. Not only does it take more then 5 minutes to cook, plate and serve this meal unless it’s cooked in a microwave but cooking chicken it the microwave changes the texture and is very obvious when it is done. I strongly recommend staying away from...

I had two scheduled interviews with this company At the 4th street location. Both were cancelled on me. Once while traveling to location less than an hour prior to the interview. I was dressed ready to go and in route. The other when I arrived I was told that they couldn't do it; even though it had not even opened for the public. A manager by the name of Gigi sent me on my way aftet I told her I walked over two miles to get to the scheduled appointment. My interview was rescheduled to another date. I arrived to the scheduled appointment and while waiting in the dining room. Gigi thanked me for waiting. She seemed pleasant and upbeat; until she got in an argument with an employee about his side work in the dining room in front of his peers, me, and the diners within the restaurant. She then pleasantly guided me to a dining room table where she interviewed me in front of the other employees in the dining room. Things seemed great until I told her about an uncotrollable that I experienced at my previous employer and she seemed to belittle me for a business decision that as a server; I could not control. Only the company could control. She literally said the word, "Ew" to me. Then when she finished with standard questions; she glanced at my resume and said, "Why did you job hop so much?" Belittling me. If she read my resume or my online application for the two weeks she had it in possession, she would have known. I had to care for my parent who was dying in hospice at home. I was tearing up explaining. She did apologize; but the damage was done. The death was only a year and a half before Covid as well. She closed with all servers must start as an Server Assistant with an attitude that the position was lower than a server. All jons are important in the restaurant and it's great to know every position so you know how to do all roles I explained back. Please train this manager on people skills. She needs more experience on how to handle the public. As a dining customer; I will never spend a dollar in Blooming Onion establishments because of this terrible experience. If this is how it tastes to interview for a company I was extremely excited to apply for; it might be too salty for my taste....Thanks for the terrible location...

GENERAL: I am a somewhat regular patron at this Carrabba's located on 4th street in St. Petersburg. We always sit in the bar area at a hightop table, or at the bar. The bar area is a bit more secluded from the dining room and also offers hightop tables and booths. They have large screen tvs playing current sports. The bar area is intimate, cozy, and peaceful, not loud or crazy. They also offer specials on drinks and appetizers during happy hour which runs from 3 to 6:30.

STAFF: The most recent proprietor, Jason, has moved up the corporate ladder for Carrabba's, He will be missed. However, the new proprietor, Brittany, is very kind, professional, cheerful, caring, and congenial. The management staff are top notch, Amber, AJ and Josh. They too are kind, friendly and professional. The Leads, Servers, and Carside Staff are some of the best folks you would ever want to encounter. They are attentive, kind, caring, professional and have wonderful personalities and charisma. To name a few....Toni, Crystal, Matt, Ervis, Anthony, Hunter, Laura, Mike, Christian, Robert and many more.

FOOD: The food here is always consistent, delicious, fresh, hot, and served as soon as it it ready. If it's not, they will make sure that it's to your liking. My faves are the Chicken Soup, Tuscan Chicken with a side of lemon butter Angel Hair Pasta and some fresh Warm Bread!

BANQUET ROOM: Recently, my sister and I reserved the decent size private room for a 70th Birthday Party. We designed and decorated the room to resemble an Italian Cafe! It was one of the best parties ever, but I couldn't have done it without the awesome staff that worked closely with us....Jason, Amber, AJ, Matt and Crystal. They were so helpful, kind, pleasant and made sure our function went off perfectly and smoothly. Many thanks to these guys for their assistance with the planning, the food and the flow. The Carrabba's Choir came in to the room and sang their signature birthday song also! Tante Aguiri A Te!

CLOSING NOTE: As you can see, I am big fan of this location of Carrabba's. I highly recommend this location. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Tell them you read Gary's review! lol.... Thank you for reading all this and...