Carnivale Chicago — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Carnivale is a Latin-themed restaurant that dazzles with color and energy from the moment you step inside. The decor is nothing short of spectacular, with vibrant hues, intricate patterns, and eye-catching art pieces that transport you straight to the heart of Latin America. The ambiance is further enhanced by the rhythmic beats of Latin music playing in the background, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere perfect for any celebration or special night out. The menu at Carnivale is as colorful and exciting as its decor. We wanted to try a little of everything, and the only way to do that was by ordering the Argentinian Parrillada. This magnificent grilled meat platter features an impressive array of flavors. The dish includes churrasco, Amish chicken, morcilla, short rib, chorizo, top sirloin, bone marrow, crispy potatoes, roasted peppers, and chimichurri. The churrasco was tender and juicy, bursting with smoky flavor. The Amish chicken was incredibly moist and seasoned to perfection, while the morcilla added a rich, savory depth to the dish. The short rib and chorizo were both full of robust, mouthwatering flavors that complemented each other beautifully. The top sirloin was cooked just right, with a perfect sear on the outside and a juicy, tender interior. The bone marrow added a luxurious, creamy texture that elevated the entire experience. The crispy potatoes and roasted peppers provided a delightful contrast in texture and taste, and the chimichurri brought everything together with its fresh, zesty kick. Each bite was a symphony of flavors and textures, creating an unforgettable dining experience that tantalized every taste bud. The portions were generous, guaranteeing that everyone left the table completely satisfied and eager to return. From the first mouthful to the last, the culinary artistry shone through, leaving a lasting impression of indulgence and delight. The vibrant ambiance and impeccable service only added to the magic, making this meal not just a dining experience, but a memorable event to be cherished. I truly recommend Carnivale for anyone looking to indulge in upscale Latin cuisine. The combination of incredible decor, lively music, and exceptional food makes it a must-visit destination...

We started our meal with some promising appetizers, ordering the ceviche tasting and calamari. While the ceviche was enjoyable, the calamari truly stood out as the highlight of our evening. Unfortunately, everything that followed was a total disappointment.

We ordered a kids’ spaghetti for my four-year-old, but to our dismay, it arrived with macaroni noodles instead of the expected spaghetti. As any parent knows, children can be quite particular about their food, and this was a significant issue. When the correct dish finally came out, the pasta was undercooked, and the sauce tasted like it came straight from a can—splattered across the plate without care. It was so unappetizing that we asked for it to be removed from our bill.

Adding to our frustration, the Gaucho dish we ordered medium came out completely overcooked—well done. We had to request a replacement to ensure it was prepared correctly, which only delayed our meal further.

Next came the Parrillada for two, which we anticipated with excitement. However, we were let down once again. The dish lacked enough meat, and several key items were missing. When we pointed out that the bone marrow and some cuts of beef were absent, the server brought out a piece of bone marrow—but it was completely empty. Although the chef generously offered additional short ribs, they were overly salty and tough, adding to our disappointment. Not worth a $92 dish.

To top off this unfortunate dining experience, our waitress—who had witnessed the continuous issues throughout our meal—presented us with the bill, which included a 3% surcharge along with an automatic 20% service tip. This felt excessive, especially considering our party was only five—one of whom was a small child who hadn’t even eaten.

Overall, the experience was overpriced and far from what we hope for in a dinner outing. I rarely leave negative reviews, but my frustration and disappointment compelled me to share this. If you’re reading this, I hope it helps you avoid a...

Simply can't say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is spectacular. You can have a nice casual dinner in the bar area, or have something a little more formal(not in dress, just experience) in the main dining room. They have great music and live dancers that move through the dining room and put on a fantastic show. They started a congo line with the whole room that was a lot of fun!

My wife bought the chefs experience for my birthday. WOW. Easily one of my top few restaurant experiences of all time. My wife, myself and three others sat at a small bar in the corner of the dining room. A perfect place to watch all the action. The executive chef, Carlos, was the emcee and the head chef for the meal. He and his staff made a tremendous 13-course meal right in front of our eyes. The theme was traditional Cuban dishes with a modern twist. Carlos didn't just prepare and present; he was very personable and talked with all of us. Not just about the food, but about life, movies, comedy. We were all over the place.

But the icing on the cake happened the day before. He called my wife and said, "We see it's your husbands birthday tomorrow. Tell me about him; what does he like?" She gave away all my secrets. He served us all my favorite veggie: a Japanese sweet potato. He went to seven different liquor stores, found my favorite beer and served it. My wife told him how much I like cookies. He baked six snickerdoodle and six salted caramel cookies! They were incredible; the salted caramel cookies were unlike any others I've had.

This was all a surprise to me, and, of course, made it all the more special. Definitely my favorite birthday meal in memory. Carlos and his entire staff were warm, friendly and blew me out of the water! If you want to give someone a truly unique and memorable birthday gift, get the chefs experience. Or if youre just looking for a great meal, come...