We have been going to Carmine's since the mid 70s and watched the restaurant change over the years. Unfortunately, the new management has taken the experience to a new low. The food is ok (but not... More

We have been going to Carmine's since the mid 70s and watched the restaurant change over the years. Unfortunately, the new management has taken the experience to a new low. The food is ok (but not amazing like it used to be). For a large good, they "do not serve". We had to serve ourselves and were penalized by our group size and charged 20% for no service. We sat and sat, looking at dirty plates--finally asking for the table to be cleared. When we talked to the manager, he weakly said the policy of no service he inherited. He didn't want to hear any complaints and told us "Well, you can leave now!" I told him we would never return and with a patronizing shrug, said "ok'( like he was glad). There were only a few tables filled and for good reason. The word is out that this is no longer the quality restaurant of former days. Find somewhere else to spend your dining dollars. Pros: large quantities of food Cons: food not great, bad attitude
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I am relatively new to Denver and a friend in town suggested we go there this past week for dinner. I went with a group of 6 and we had a great time. The staff were very good at their job and... More

I am relatively new to Denver and a friend in town suggested we go there this past week for dinner. I went with a group of 6 and we had a great time. The staff were very good at their job and amusing to boot. The best thing I liked was when one of us suggested we order an entree that the server did not feel was a good value, he let us know. The wine list had a very good variety of options at reasonable prices. Most of the list was under the 50 dollar mark. Overall the food was very good and the portions were huge. We enjoyed ourselves and I feel I have found a restaurant worth returning to in Denver which isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Pros: great value for a group Cons: relatively hard to tell who serves there since they do not have a uniform
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I have been going to Carmines for years!! However in recent years in the service hasnt just declined it has fallen off a cliff! They only have 2 bar tenders the woman bartender (megan) has the worst... More

I have been going to Carmines for years!! However in recent years in the service hasnt just declined it has fallen off a cliff! They only have 2 bar tenders the woman bartender (megan) has the worst attitude on the planet. Even when asking for something simple like WATER she serves it with an attitude!!!! Finally our last visit a few days ago my husband and I finally turned to eachother and said never again! Last time we went in we even complained to management and he acted as if I was talking to someone behind him. If you want good food and good service find another resturant. We will not be going back and wasting our money on service from a woman who clearly needs a new job. Pros: that I never ever have to step foot in this establishment again!
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I have been going to Carimine's for over 10 years and the new ownership showed their BAD MANAGEMENT last night. We waited for 10 min for the waitress (AMY) to come fill our water glasses and not... More

I have been going to Carimine's for over 10 years and the new ownership showed their BAD MANAGEMENT last night. We waited for 10 min for the waitress (AMY) to come fill our water glasses and not take our drink order in a 50% capacity setting. I went to the bar myself and ordered our drinks. She then rushed to the table asked my girlfriend my name and yelled across the restaurant "Michael I am trying to serve you over here" I assume to try and embarass me? We then requested the Chicken montana with the chicken on the side (girlfriend is a veggie) and the waitress said "the chef won't prepare it that way" without even asking him at a customer's request. Guess customer is not always right anymore, at least not at Carmine's. We were very uncomfortable the enitire rest of the meal as AMY passed our table and she only returned to drop off the bill. I asked on the way out how to complain at a later time, and it happened to be the OWNER (BRAD) I was talking to. We walked outside and I gave him the overview and how uncomfortable we were dining in the restaurant and what terrible service we received. He then "thanked me for letting him know, as most customers would not". I asked how he will handle it since he offered NO RESOLUTION and he stated he would talk to the Chef and waitress. Great job BRAD! The Chef was not at fault and never even asked. Do you really think that is how to manage and get a customer to come back to your establishment after an awful experience? VERY BAD SERVICE AND MANAGEMENT FROM THE OWNER! Top down as they say and that is clear at Carmine's under new ownership. Hopefully Brad has to sell it soon! Pros: Terrible Service Cons: Terrible Management
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Banned! I have been living in the wash park area for 12+ years and wanted to take my wife out for a nice dinner there last night. The poor experience started as I was driving over and called to make... More

Banned! I have been living in the wash park area for 12+ years and wanted to take my wife out for a nice dinner there last night. The poor experience started as I was driving over and called to make sure there was availability. "Sure" they said, "there is currently no wait at all to be seated". Seemed to be the case as I walked in, only 10 minutes later and saw empty seats all over, however as we checked in, the hostess informed me there was about a 1/2 hour wait to be seated. Wow!!!- empty seats everywhere and 1/2 hour to be seated? Oh well, I love (or used to) love the food. We generally had a decent meal, but I tell you the food and service have gone way downhill over the last few years (we were hesitant to come back after the last time we were there.) The Chicken Montana, which used to be my "all time favorite" dinner in the entire city, now costs $36.95 and ONLY contains 1 chicken breast-yes thats correct, 1 chicken breast for this price- a couple spears of cut asparagus, a few sundreed tomatoes, and some butter and cream. Also, the sauce has lost a lot of its flair over the years, and seems watered down. Okay, so for $36.96 my wife and I can have pasta for a week, but not even enough chicken to make a meal of it!!! Top if off with the $17.00 salad, enough for a small army, but becomes so saturated the next day its inedible, average at best service (had about a 10 mintue wait before our server came over, again not that busy), and the whole experience has lost a lot of luster. Seems to me others have figured this out as well, thus the lack of the usual major crowds and wait list, and the lower quality and skimpy ingredients in the food- no wonder they have raised thier prices- have they changed ownership??
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I live in the area and have walked by Carmine's many times each time being drawn in by the smell of garlic. I have wanted to go for awhile and talked a friend of mine into joining me. We made... More

I live in the area and have walked by Carmine's many times each time being drawn in by the smell of garlic. I have wanted to go for awhile and talked a friend of mine into joining me. We made reservations because every time I passed it was full. Reservations were at 5 p.m. so we could attend a 7 p.m. movie. We arrived three minutes before 5 p.m. and were told we could wait outside or go to the "dive" bar next door. I was shocked - in my experience if you were early for a reservation the bar was always open before seating began. However, this was not the case. Ten minutes or so later we arrived and were given the choice to sit inside or out. We chose outside on the patio. The only table for two was directly under the heater and my friend and I both paused contemplating if we wanted to roast all night. The hostess (yes, the lovely one who told us to wait outside) suggested we wouldn't be very hot if we took off our coats?!?!?! She was on a roll! The service after her was great. My water glass was never empty and the staff was very deliberate to not overload our table with food. The food was amazing and served with a smile. I had almost forgotten about the catty hostess until we left and she sang us the chorus from "So Long, Farewell" directly out of the sound of music...not sure if she was just really happy to hear us go or inspired by the German accent of my friend. Either way, no have a great night, here's a mint to wash down your $150 meal, or let me get the door. The food was amazing, the wine was delicious, and the wait staff was incredible - however, I'm not dying to go back because I can be mocked and poorly treated at a cheaper price per plate. Pros: Location, food, wait staff, ambience Cons: Hostess, don't be early for reservations
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Let me start this off with a simple fact - at Carmine's, you are paying for amazing service and atmosphere. When it comes to the food - yes, it's tasty. Yes, you could feed several people with a... More

Let me start this off with a simple fact - at Carmine's, you are paying for amazing service and atmosphere. When it comes to the food - yes, it's tasty. Yes, you could feed several people with a single entree. Yes, the entrees start around $20 and hop up to $40 for anything seafood or veal. However, Carmine's is not the best Italian I've ever had (check out Patsy's in the Highlands if you're looking for inexpensive, great tasting Italian.) What really seals the deal is flawless service and the hoppin' atmosphere. You can go on the cheap (we've done it) and it will cost you about $60 for 2 people including a bottle of inexpensive wine and an entree to split. I also love going with a group. Last week we had 9 people with 6 bottles of wine, salads and 4 entrees - including a hefty tip for our fantastic server - it was $37.50/pp. Good times. Pros: Service! Atmosphere! Chicken Montana...yum. Cons: Slammed on weekends, Tables in the bar area aren't worth it.
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Family style servings and family style prices on EACH item you order, and all prices are not posted on the menu board. Don't get surprised like we did. Our dinner for two - family style veal... More

Family style servings and family style prices on EACH item you order, and all prices are not posted on the menu board. Don't get surprised like we did. Our dinner for two - family style veal (enought for 2 with good appetites, 2 salads, 2 glasses of wine, and a plate of pasta (plain spaghetti) came to $93. No kidding.
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I have dined at restaurants across the county and many in Denver since moving here and I cannot fathom what merits all of the hype about this restaurant. On a positive note - the service is good... More

I have dined at restaurants across the county and many in Denver since moving here and I cannot fathom what merits all of the hype about this restaurant. On a positive note - the service is good with patient servers willing to explain the menu choices and make suggestions to tables full of guests that cannot agree on what they want to order and the atmosphere is quaint. Too bad the food tastes like mediocre home-cooking at best and the huge portions leave you wondering if you intended to feed a small army - I would pick small portions and great tasting entrees any day!
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I've eaten at Carmines several times and it have never disappointed. Too often I feel like people only write reviews when something negative happens or when they aren't satisfied. I would... More

I've eaten at Carmines several times and it have never disappointed. Too often I feel like people only write reviews when something negative happens or when they aren't satisfied. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys good Italian food served family style. Each time is as wonderful as the first. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Impossible wait on weekends without reservation
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