Carnival — Restaurant in Town of Brookhaven

20210801

My Family is spreading out these days. Between traveling distance, school and the need to find openings in, what feels like, a half dozen schedules we want the time we are able to spend together to be memorable in the most positive ways. Carnival helped give us a very happy memory as well as an excellent dining experience. The things that stood out were, of course, the food and service but additionally there was a feeling that all of the people - wait staff, bar staff, counter, takeout, host, and patrons - were not there waiting for the ... "next step". That is, and this is difficult for me to place into essay form, there was a sense that everyone wanted to be THERE. Maybe it's a COVID thing but I'd like to think we were all enjoying our time together, together. A huge plus for this dining experience was live music! A one man ochestra (delightful not kitchy) named Don entertained the room with old classics through more current selections (at one point he was playing Santna). My grown children and one of their SO's were thouroughly entranced to the point we monopolized this wonderful entertainer for much of our evening at Carnival. Don did makes his rounds and I always heard enthusiastic responces (applause, comments, requests) during his sets. The food was delicious! Shrimp, chicken, salmon, clam sauce, salad and deserts were all perfectly prepared Portions were sized to make it impossible to leave hungry. We left with several boxes of what we could not finish. Our wait staff was exceptional. Polite, fast, engaging and unobtrusive. Through our evening I was amazed at the capabilty that came in the form of these two young people. Old person moment ... Here's something to keep in mind the next time some knucklehead complains that "young people are " ... take them to Carnival. You will leave amazed. Prices were better than expected. Appetizer, warm bread, five entrees, drinks, deserts (displayed on a platter rather than a menu! :-) ) and espressos were right at the $200 mark. We did tip both our wait staff and Don. Both went above and beyond and both deserved it. Last item, if I read the menu properly Carnival does offer a "Pasta Night" on Monday and Wednesday. $20 nets you a delicious meal and several extras. My Bride and I will certainly be back to enjoy...

Went to this Carnival several years back. My memory told me it was pretty good.

Monday night, they close at 9:00. I took a shot and showed up at 8:15. The waitress, visibly winced as I came in. That should have been my cue to exit the building. Foolishly, I pressed on.

After being seated in the near empty restaurant, I wondered how long it would take for before I'd see a waiter? He arrived just this side of ten minutes later.

I ordered stuff shells, soup and a coke. They brought bread, butter and some type of oil a few moments later. As I buttered a piece of bread, my coke and soup arrived.

The soup was lukewarm and tasteless. I took two spoon fulls and pushed it aside. The coke was fine, a little flat, but in the "acceptable range".

Within five minutes the shells arrived looking a bit under cooked. I suppressed the urge to complain and grabbed the fork. I looked up expecting to see the waiter ask if I needed anything else, but he was nowhere to be seen.

I tried a small bite. The shells too were lukewarm. I turned the plate around and attacked the dish from the other end in hopes of finding a hot spot of some kind. No chance.

I pushed the plate away and waited almost ten minutes until I spotted my waiter. I mentioned I had to hustle and could I have a container and take this to go. He brought me the container and I asked for the check.

Thirty-nine dollars. I paid the bill, left the waiter 10 dollars. The tip was strictly an act of compassion.

I walked outside and tossed the container in the trash.

I will never go back.

Sure I could have asked them to heat it up, but why should I have too? Never returning to a restaurant is much more effective than...

My Family & I came out to the Island from Bensonhurst Brooklyn when I was 5 years Old & so although my parents have passed on Now my 2 sisters & Myself have basically be going to Carnival for 45 years!! I just turned 50 July 5th the day we were there. They took me there to celebrate it. Coming from Brooklyn as we have we have a certain standard & or expectation of as to what we like both quality & service wise from an Italian Restaurant & or Pizzeria. For ages Now my choice Dish & go to in this place has been Chicken Parmesan & since an adult meal comes with pasta already I order mine special Angel Hair Pasta with Mushroom Marinara sauce. Usually it's either Mushroom sauce or Marinara ya don't Normally get both. Admittedly as good as that is & was this time around I ordered an Appetizer of Clams Casino along with my regular Dinner. The Flavor Profile of this Dish was So Phenomenal it made me wish I'd ordered a dozen as my actual dinner instead. 1 of the best parts of this dish is taking the free Bread they give you & Dipping it in the lemon juice & clam juice on your plate. You'd Never suspect anything could taste that good. Their menu is pretty diverse in Nature & honestly I highly doubt you'd be disappointed by Anything on the Menu you order which is why I give Carnival Restaurant & Pizzeria a Stellar Rating of 5 Stars. If you go I hope...