Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano - HoustonFun DinnerCarmelo's has a great atmosphere and very tasty food. Carmelo or his wife are present checking on the dining experience. Apparently I simply caught an "off" night for my member of the wait-staff as the service was quite poor. Other tables received very attentive and prompt service. Would definitely go back and enjoy again despite the hiccup with the server.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAsked for a room off the theAsked for a room off the the side and a quite area and they delivered as asked6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGREAT FOOD AND AWESOME PRESENTATIONThe osso buco was just as it should be - yummy and falling off the bone tender. The Tuna Tartare was fantastic!!!6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMDelectable food!We revisited this restaurant after remembering their wonderful food and service from many years ago. They did not disappoint. We arrived with friends who were visiting Houston from overseas and we could not have chosen a better place to enjoy the conversation and food. The waitstaff were so polite and efficient and always on top of any need. We never felt rushed. We will definitely be back again and will spread the word to friends! I also want to reiterate the top quality of each of our dishes. Well done!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner at Carmelo'sOur dining experience was fantastico ! Food was fresh, authentic ,delicious and served w/ lovely presentation. The separate dining area was perfect for our graduation party. Service was outstanding and we will definitely return to this restaurant. The owner greeted us personally and made sure his staff was attentive to our every need.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner at CarmeloReally good Italian food. Fine dining and great ambience!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat PlaceBooked dinner reservations on the advice of a coworker and it was great. Romantic and intimate the entire night which provided the perfect environment for an anniversary dinner. Service was great and the food was even better. Observed a table side food preparation that was quite impressive. Will definitely be eating there again.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently well executed mealsWe are 20 year plus customers and appreciate having a local place for a great meal and conversation. They never disappoint us.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMservice commentmy husband had to finally get up and flag down someone to get some more water. that was the only problem.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebrationThis is a wonderful restaurant that I have been going to since the 80's. The staff is always friendly and the food has never faltered. A great restaurant for any occasion.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMNice first time experience.This was my first visit. The salad I had was amazing ( not a salad person so this is high accolades). I had stuffed shrimp and risotto. It was good but not over the top for me. The others in my party were all very happy with their food. Overall a good experience. It was prom night so the ladies room could have used a little attention but nothing too bad.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAuthentic Italian Cusine!We just got back from two weeks in Italy and were craving for real Italian food. We found it at Carmelo's! Not only is the menu authentic but the food as well. I had the mango snapper and it was delicious with a very generous portion. Of course, the tiramisu dessert in the end was just as authentic and without doubt, the best I have had here in Houston. We went on a Saturday night and there was an accordian player playing old tunes that added to the Italian ambiance of the restaurant. Of course, the owner was very gracious and came over to the table to see how our food turned out. A little out of the way, but you will be rewarded with great Italian food and ambiance. A must visit for great Italian cuisine!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMCamelo is one of my favoriteCamelo is one of my favorite restaurants in Houston. The quality of food and service is very consistent. The Carmelo brunch is excellent and reasonably priced, it is a must to try it once.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently goodWe love this place. Of course for special occasions, brunch is different, but still very good!
Service started kind of slow (took awhile for a waiter to hit our table) but it was Mothers day, so we understood.
Food was excellent and the desserts to die for!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe took our mom here for Mother'sWe took our mom here for Mother's Day. It was a buffet special, but we chose the restaurant because it had a vegetarian section in their menu. The buffet was limited in terms of vegetarian items, but everything else was good. Would rather come back to see their full menu items than what was there for the buffet before I give a definitive review...5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Mother's Day BuffetWe loved it from the first morsel. Mom loved the smoked salmon and I loved the fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, and basil in the Caprese salad. Next were the mushrooms we saw them sautée in garlic butter and other hot dishes (lasagna, tender short ribs, mashed potatoes, and a number of other dishes we had to have a small serving of). The delicious bread that accompanied our meal was also used in the best bread pudding I have ever tasted, topped with fresh whipped cream. Coming in at a close second was the tiramisu and behind that the flan. (I had a little of each.) Alternating between recorded Italian music and live accordion music and greeted at the door by family owners, the atmosphere was perfect.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLunch to ImpressImpressive food, presentation, and service with a genuine Old World flair. Food quality was outstanding. Only suggestion would be to have waiter ask about time requirements for lunch as it tends to be very leisurely for an American crowd on a lunch hour _OK for our group which was in no hurry, but could be problematic for people opn a time budget.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWe felt very well-attendedWe felt very well-attended to and the staff helped make my dad's 80th birthday dinner very special!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile parking is valet onlyWhile parking is valet only near the restaurant, there is adequate parking across the street. I only had appetizers at this sitting, but the mussels were excellent. I wish I could get the free meatballs in a dinner. Maybe I'll try that the next time, as they were great.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst, but won't be my last visitExcellent service, great food and just an all good experience.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLove coming here for specialLove coming here for special work events. Gino is a real gem and makes me laugh.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMTop of the line Italian food!The food and the service were excellent! We just loved it!!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and restaurant.The service is always great but this time we had reservations for a party of 20, so service was really slow. We got there at 1140am. Our food order was taken around 1230 to 1240. It also understandably took a while to get our food. Anyway, next time we will preorder the food. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Maybe a little music in the private area would be great. We will be back.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMCarmelo's always providesCarmelo's always provides great service. We added another person to our party and without hesitation they created another place at the table. We loved the buffet and the food was excellent. It would have been nice to have labels on the food so we knew what we were experiencing. Overall, we are glad we chose Carmelo's. They are the best!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I always go toMy wife and I always go to Carmelo's on special occasions and are never disappointed. Easter Sunday brunch was no exception.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMBravisimo!Another fine dining experience and a special occasion at Carmelo's!. I mention "scenic view" because Carmelo added first class artistic décor that provides for that special feel of Italy for an outstanding culinary experience as well.
Bravo!
Curtiss and Marcela3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for a birthday dinnerWent for a birthday dinner with a group. Food was absolutely delicious. The staff was fantastic and very attentive. First time here, will definitely come back!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMKudos to Carmelo'sI went there with 8 ladies for a girl's night out and we were very pleased with our experience at Carmelo's! The food was fantastic and we would definitely dine with them again!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe used to be regulars atWe used to be regulars at Carmelo's but hadn't been in a while. We had a special occasion and decided to return to Carmelo's. Our experience was outstanding. The food was delicious and the service excellent. Gino is the BEST!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAuthentic Country ItalianAbsolutely authentic Italian cuisine. The Quinoa Pasta with Veal on both the regular and gluten free menu is without a doubt the BEST thing I've eaten all year. The wine was excellent, the gluten free bread was delicious. My husband's Pasta with Summer Vegetables was delicious as well. It's wonderful to find a local Italian restaurant that can compete with my at home cooking, especially when it comes to gluten free, organic, dairy free options!
The ambiance on Saturday with the live accordion was charming. And, yes to agree with a previous review...the chiming of the clock every 15 minutes was indeed a disturbing distraction from the meal and ambiance. But this is only negative.
The regular menu is superb as well. Can't wait to retur3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe hadn't been to Carmelo'sWe hadn't been to Carmelo's in a while and it was nice to be greeted by Carmelo himself as he's always been most pleasant to talk with. My short rib special was excellent and my wife enjoyed her gamberi as usual. The only mild disappointment was that the dessert cart wasn't of the same magnificance as it used to be - but alas things change and usually not for the better.2/9/2013 12:00:00 AMNice.... but unduely expensive.Nice.... but unduely expensive. I mean $18.00 for a 10" Margarita style pizza? C,mon!12/25/2012 12:00:00 AMLike always the food was deliciousLike always the food was delicious and the waitress and all the staff friendly and wonderful.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversaryWe decided to celebrate our 9 year anniversary at Carmelo's. Recently, moved back to Houston from Jersey. In Jersey, we had a favorite Italian Dining Restaurant, that was romantic, friendly and well as great food. Here in Houston we were looking for a place to hang our hat. Well, Carmelo's is that place and will defintely be going back.3/6/2013 12:00:00 AMGood Food, Lovely AtmosphereEnjoyed a very nice meal at Carmelo's! Food was great, as was the ambiance. Entree choices ranged from basic Italian fare to unexpected and inventive dishes. Service was attentive and the wine list was good. Recommended!2/23/2013 12:00:00 AM