We just had our first experience with Carmine's in Bellevue, our first time going to Seattle area higher-class Italian restaurants, as we tend to go to neighborhood places that are owner-operated. As background, we spent the day in Bellevue, and my wife wanted a high-end Italian experience. My goal was to find a place at noon for that evening on a Friday night, not expecting it to be easy. I decided on Carmine's and called, leaving them a message that we would be dropping in at 5:00 PM and hoped they could accommodate us for bar seating. As a backup, I made a best-available reservation on OpenTable, hoping for the best or planning to just drop in and wing it. Well, amazingly, at 3:00 PM I got an email saying that they had made us a reservation at the bar and would see us at 5:00 PM. Then, an hour later, OpenTable emailed and told us they had us down for a table. So, I called back to let them know to cancel one, and we ended up having a table reserved in the bar area, which I prefer, as typically we get more personable and casual service. This accommodations was so easy when I expected it to impossible on such late notice on a Friday afternoon. Ultimately, we arrived to immediate seating in the bar table with a view of the gardens and the greenspace that was just so relaxing. I felt like I was in a country club garden party, top notch. We received excellent treatment from our server--a nice guy, I believe Nathan. Service was so prompt that I asked to drag this out, since we would be sharing plates. Because I noticed how fast the other tables got their food, I asked that every course arrive serially with a cocktail or wine between each. This was perfect for us to really enjoy the food and service. We ordered Caesar salad (asking for anchovies), a lobster pasta special, and Osso Buco with drinks, ending with affogato (which isn't on the menu, we just asked) for dessert. Carmine's reminded me of going to Sinatra at the Wynn in Las Vegas, which is a great compliment, as Sinatra is fabulous. Our service was professional, and our meal and drinks were paced out perfectly per my instructions. We also used the valet, and that was perfect, as I really don't like to park in congested areas such as downtown Bellevue. read more

We love Carmines and went regularly to Il Terazzo Carmine downtown (and still do) which is why we picked it for our anniversary. Unfortunately same great food but too many other issues to give it the 4 star it would usually earn. We love the breadth of items, the authentic preparation, the small and large size pastas & salads and the "old school" service charm. You are going to be well taken care of and will have great, authentic Italian food. That said, we ordered a salad (to split) and an appetizer but unfortunately our mains came out almost immediately before we had finished either. We then decided to eat the appetizer after the mains which was sort of ok but the damage was done. We appreciate them taking off the charge for the appetizer. They knew they screwed up (a step better is to take the mains back rather than just leave them) and did what they could. The service was otherwise great. A couple of pro tips: sit outside or in the back room, it is noisy otherwise. And, don't valet unless you have to, our car pickup was delayed and there are enough good options at $12 plus tip prices that are close by. read more

I'm gonna keep this review very simple The food is amazing delicious the service is fantastic Ambience is cheerful friendly lot of professional people big groups of people is just an awesome place to have dinner whatever you order there is going to be delicious they check to make sure you're happy the bill was not outrageous for the two people with sales and drinks I definitely recommend taking anyone that you care about out for dinner read more

Carmine's is such a lovely spot for a date night in Bellevue. The atmosphere feels elegant and romantic without being overly formal, and we had a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Our server, Miguel, was fantastic, warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. He struck that perfect balance of making sure we had everything we needed while still giving us plenty of space to enjoy our dinner together. He really added to the experience. The food was excellent. The cannelloni was rich, comforting, and beautifully prepared, while the squid ink pasta was easily one of the highlights of the evening, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and memorable. We finished with the tiramisu, which was lovely: light, creamy, and just the right ending to the meal. Great food, romantic atmosphere, and wonderful service. read more

This restaurant is literally right next to downtown park--such a prime spot for post-park lunch or sunset dinner. Their outdoor patio is absolutely stunning when the weather's nice, full of natural light and lovely views of the park greenery. I highly recommend booking a reservation ahead of time; it fills up super fast especially on weekends and nice sunny days. We started with the burrata appetizer topped with delicate edible flowers, crushed pistachios and a light drizzle of honey. The creamy soft burrata balanced perfectly with nutty pistachios and subtle sweet honey--such a fresh, elegant starter, 10/10 must-order. Every pasta dish we tried was outstanding, cooked al dente with rich, well-balanced sauces. * Crab risotto: Loaded with tender crab meat mixed evenly throughout every grain of creamy risotto, no skimping on seafood here. Rich, savory and incredibly satisfying. * Daily special seafood black squid ink spaghetti: Absolute standout of the night! The briny fresh fish paired wonderfully with the bold squid ink pasta, deep umami flavors that didn't taste fishy at all. read more

Carmine's - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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Carmine's in Bellevue is a great spot for a nice Italian dinner. We tried the Ravioli de Capriolo, and I absolutely loved the earthy mushroom flavor--it was rich, comforting, and full of depth. The Squid Ink Tonnarelli Di Mare was outstanding as well. Squid ink pasta is always my go-to when I see it on a menu, and this version was perfectly balanced, fresh, and packed with seafood flavor. One thing I really appreciated was the convenient parking in the same building. The garage can be accessed from the back, and the restaurant validates parking for up to 4 hours. Just make sure to scan when you enter the restaurant. As a nice touch, they also give you a small welcome box of biscuits, which were absolutely delicious! The restaurant itself is beautiful, clean, and welcoming. My only criticism is that the service felt a bit rushed. Our server was friendly, but seemed eager to take our order quickly, likely because they were juggling several tables. It wasn't a major issue, but we would have appreciated a little more time to settle in, enjoy the atmosphere, and browse the menu before ordering. Overall, the food was excellent and definitely worth coming back for--especially that squid ink pasta. read more

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Pretty good upscale restaurant a little pricey and a bit showy. The pasta and pizza worked well. Some of the mocktails we tried didn't work out but when we told them they were glad to take it off the bill. We enjoyed it but was sure bit pricey for us. read more

My husband and I celebrated my birthday at Carmine's in Bellevue, and it was one of those dining experiences that reminds you why certain restaurants become favorites. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Our server, Terence ("T"), was outstanding: warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making the evening special without ever being overbearing. The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the Fettuccine Al Pesto con Gamberoni with pesto and prawns, and it was incredible. I especially love that Carmine's offers both small and large portions, which lets you enjoy a rich pasta dish without feeling like you have to commit to an enormous serving. My husband had the Grilled King Salmon Battuto and couldn't stop talking about how good it was. The drink menu is just as impressive. They have an extensive wine list, great champagne selections, and excellent cocktails. The espresso martinis are fantastic and the perfect way to end the meal. What really elevated the evening were the thoughtful touches. The staff beautifully prepared our table for my birthday and surprised me with a complimentary tiramisu complete with a candle. It made the celebration feel personal and memorable. The location itself is beautiful, and with the outdoor patio now open for summer, it's an even better spot to visit. Bonus points for being dog-friendly, which we always appreciate. Outstanding food, exceptional service, a gorgeous setting, and genuine hospitality. We're already planning our next visit. Carmine's made my birthday feel truly special. read more

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I've been in a few times before for business dinners which were good, but this past Tuesday I was there for myself - celebrating my birthday with my brother. I got the Dry Aged Ribeye and my brother had the Veal Scallopini. We were both very happy with our entrees. I was also very happy with the bruschetta plate we got - our server let us substitute another tomato and garlic slice for the tapinade one (not an olive fan). The salmon one is actually the best, though. We closed out with a tiny tiramisu for my birthday courtesy of our server, Drew, and my brother got a delicious bread pudding. it was SO much food, I ended up eating steak and bruschetta for two more meals - and it held up well. I also had one of their mocktails - the Rhuby lemon. So tasty and refreshing on an 87 degree day! Our server, Drew, was great - very attentive, friendly, not in the way. The only drawback to Carmine's is at dinner time, it's very loud inside. For larger parties it can be hard to hear anyone at your table who isn't right next to you. But the food and service cannot be beat. read more

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Came here with friends to celebrate hubby's new job. We were a party of 8 and we all enjoyed our evening. The service was good and timely, our server gave us some good recommendations, and the food was delicious. I'm gf and although they don't specify what's gf on the menu itself, they do have plenty of options. They have linguine that's gf. I love that the food came divided when we told them it was going to be shared. Love the ambiance. Felt like we were transported to another place and not in Seattle. Highly recommended. There's parking in the same building that can be accessed from behind and can be validated (4 hours free read more

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My mom and I went out for dinner with zero reservations- they were able to squeeze us in at the chefs counter. Despite how busy they were, we had incredible service! My mom got the lobster papardelle and I had the sea bass special with squid ink pasta. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. We ended the night with two espressos and two desserts. A beautiful lemon meringue and the semifreddo - dark chocolate mousse dipped in chocolate with caramel sauce. Will definitely be coming back. Also a fan of their wine list. They even have p2 on the menu! Stellar night -10/10 read more

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Holy moly macaroni - I loved everything. The food, the ambiance, and the service. Everything was top notch. we tried the calamari and penne with salmon + my husband got the osso buco. We didn't have a reservation but were able to get seated right away! Granted this was around 5/6 pm on a random weekday - but I still appreciated that. Can't wait to come back! read more

Very nice place with great staff and better food. Came in on a Friday night for dinner and was lucky enough to find a seat at the bar. The bartenders were great, very personable and fun to hang with. Oh they also made some delightful drinks as well. Went with a Insalata Di Mista and Spaghetti Di Finochio. The salad was just want I wanted and a good starter. The spaghetti was recommended and was quite delicious. Great flavor and the noodles all tasted Fresh made. There's definitely a few other things I want to come back and try. There's plenty of space but it can get busy. Parking is around the back in a garage. They validate up to two hours but it looked like spaces were a bit limited. Definitely would recommend! read more

Carmine's - Spaghetti Di Finochio - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

TLDR: Very solid upscale Italian restaurant at a prime location in Bellevue. Good food, service, and ambiance. Food: For appetizers we had the calamari and a large caesar salad. The calamari was good, being light and crispy and coming with 2 sauces. The caesar was pretty disappointing for us as the flavor didn't really standout and it only came with 3-4 piece of crutons for a large size. The pastas were both good, I had the salmon pasta and enjoyed the different textures and the crunch of the asparagus. Service/Ambiance: The staff here is great and very attentive. We also mentioned that we were celebrating something, and they gave us a dessert on the house. The decorations of the restaurant is also very classic and authentic. read more

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For every special occasion this is a definite must go to Italian restaurant! Love the ambiance and vibe from the moment you walk in. For apps we got the calamari with two types of dipping sauces and the truffle fries. For entrees we had the fettuccine tossed with a house made pesto sauce and five huge prawns; and two orders of the squid ink angel hair pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, and loaded with prawns, Manila clams, mussels, and calamari. You can't go wrong with any of their desserts and this go round we had the panna cotta that was topped with a fresh raspberry sauce and fresh berries. What a way to end another marvelous dinner and our servers were great! read more

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My friends and I never get Italian because it doesn't suit our palate, but I am SO glad that we got to try this place together. Food & drink: (4/5) As a table of four, we got two spaghetti di finochio though one was altered for a pink sauce, and two dishes off the specials list that aren't on the menu-- one was ravioli with mushroom demi glace and the other was a squid ink pasta with tiger prawns and calabrian chili. Although I enjoyed them all (I rarely enjoy pasta so this was surprising), the squid ink one was SO good. It was clean and a little spicy. A definite must-try if you're able to. Other honorable mentions include the calamari fritti, charcuterie board, and bread pudding. There was not a single bite that didn't delight us. I also got an espresso martini which was just perfect. We ended up passing it around the table LOL. Service: (5/5) I wish I remembered our server's name because he was amazing. So friendly and funny, and checked on us throughout the night. Other notes: Like other reviews said, I would definitely make a reservation before going. My friend reserved for 8:45pm on a Saturday an entire month early because it was the only slot left. read more

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This is one of my favorite spots for pasta and drinks with the girls! The ambiance is absolutely beautiful with chandeliers and stunning food presentation and the service is always welcoming and kind. Definitely a go-to spot in Seattle. read more

Carmine's - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

Such delicious food. I've been twice and the service has always been wonderful. Maybe because I was looking enough to get the same waitress twice. Sitting on the patio looks lovely. Haven't had a chance to sit out there yet, but hopefully will in the future I wanna go back for the ribeye. It looks fantastic. read more

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This is my favorite Italian restaurant on the Eastside. I have been here on a few different occasions with different size groups and the restaurant is big and experienced enough to handle just about any group and occasion. I also got to sit at the bar for some drinks only and the bartender was great and knowledgeable. They have a full bar and a GREAT wine list (quite overwhelming tbh! haha). My favorite dish here is Scaloppine di Vitello Al Limone & Caperi (Veal). It's amazing. I need to venture out more but this is what I had last three times I came here. The service is amazing, the venue is quite huge, clean, and "classic" with outdoor seating, and the food is great (and as noted, they can pretty much accommodate anything and anyone). There is free parking available (with validation) underneath the building. Highly recommended! read more

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My husband and I celebrated my birthday at Carmines and it did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a great ambiance. It was very busy on a weeknight so I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. First things first, they brought out some of the best complimentary bread and olive oil + balsamic we've ever had! Such a simple thing but it somehow tastes even better here. For our entrees we ordered the filetto con gnocchi and the fettuccine al pesto con gamberoni. Both were delicious but the steak stole the whole show. It was absolutely positively perfection! Upon receiving it I noticed just how insanely tender it was. It was like a perfect little soft pillow of meat. The gnocchi was delicious as well. The plate may appear small in photos, but it was extremely filling. We fell in love with Carmines and cannot wait to come back! read more

Carmine's - Filetto Con Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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Our group received terrible service. Rude and inattentive server. Hardly checked on us. Food was average and over priced. Missed one food item. Ambience is nice. That is about it. read more

A fun, intimate Italian dining experience from start to finish. Besides the genuinely excellent food, the service was surprisingly fantastic. Our waiter was fun, engaging, and had great recommendations. He surprised us throughout the dinner with little touches that made us feel special and well taken care of. For the service alone we'd be back again. We ordered several different pastas but our favorites were the: 1. LOBSTER PAPPARDELLE 2. GNOCCHI. The lobster pappardelle was buttery and flavorful with generous amounts of lobster. The gnocchi were filled with cheese, which was a total and pleasant surprise. Of all the pastas we had, the only one I didn't love was the risotto because the flavor profile was a bit shallow and also a bit strange. However, all the other pastas more than made up for it. For apps, the bruschetta flight was perfect to share. The bread was sturdy and had the satisfying crunch you'd expect. At the end of the meal, everyone gets a box of two biscotti to take home for a post-dinner snack or morning pick-me-up. It's a lovely small gesture to cap off an already fantastic meal, and I think more restaurants should be adding touches like this to their dining experiences. read more

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Another delicious meal at Carmine's, and great service. We so love the the squid ink pasta! And steak houses could learn something about making a superior NY strip with peppercorn sauce. Don't miss the spumoni! read more

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Delicious high end, Italian food. I got the halbut linguini special, and it was very rich and filled with garlic. The service is great here. Our server was so attentive and kind. They also allow dogs at their outdoor seating! read more

I used to frequent this spot when I lived in the Seattle area. Since I was back in town I decided to have my birthday dinner here. The entire restaurant looks very fancy and they have a good sized patio thats beautifully decorated. Its a great place to celebrate special occasions. The food here always hits the spot. My friend swears by the Gnocchi Sorrentina with the Brown Butter and Sage sauce. The sauce isnt overpowering, but when eaten as leftovers the gnocchi tastes even better after soaking up the sauce. On this visit I ordered the Costolette D'Agnello Provinciale (Rack of Lamb). The sauce was good, but Ive had better lamb chops at other restaurants. It lacked flavor and was kind of tough. Probably wouldnt order it again. We also ordered the Charcuterie & Formaggi as a starter and Cannelloni for an entree. Both were delicious. Also loved that the server brought out a birthday Tiramisu for me with our Italian Meringue. read more

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Carmines is a bellevue hidden gem. I am a regular since 2017. The pasta and sauces are housemade and are full of flavor. They give you a starter basket of bread. They also have convenient parking in the garage around the corner from Molly Moons that is validated. The vibe is definitely dressier in terms of the resturant but I don't think there is a dress code. Most of the pastas that I've had here are amazing and even the appetizers and the main dishes have been good as well. Staff: very nice and attentive (5/5) Sanitation status: 5/5 Risotto Tiberio (5/5) The risotto is always really good. It's the perfect amount of creaminess with dungenous crab. With the addition of mushrooms it elevates the flavors of this dish as well. The risotto has always been cooked well. Spaghetti Di Finocchio (5/5) This is my favorite pasta dish here. It is a super creamy vodka sauce pasta with the addition of fennel spiced sausage. I would definitely say it does run on the heavier side but something about this pasta keeps me coming back. Linguine Alle Vongole (5/5) This dish was really refreshing and light with the sweetness of the tomatoes coming out and the juciness of the clams. It has a lot of herbs and spices. The juice from the clams pair really well with the freshness of the other ingredients. read more

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This is my second time at Carmines and although the food was mostly delicious it was hit and miss for me, the service was just not as attentive as my first visit This was a splurge date night for us and we were seated promptly (oh just real quick they have complementary validated parking at the 88 garage) and it was a reservation, we were seated near the bar and let's just say the bartender was very um boisterous, that lasted the entire night with quite a bit of colorful language so let's get to the food Calamari Fritti 5/5 plentiful and beautifully cooked calamari, it's honestly very dangerous to order as you'll be tempted to stuff yourself and miss out on mains Ravioli Di Capriolo 6/5 A beautiful Venison filled ravioli that's nestled in a delicious veal demi glaze. We had the small portion to share which is perfect and I would 100% order the full portion as a main and still have delicious leftovers to take home and be incredibly happy. An absolute must! Ossobuco 3/5 I was quite disappointed with this dish, it just didn't hit as much as I'd liked it too. It's cooked in a tomato base but still managed to not be fall off the bone tender, not sure if that was the objective but the veal felt a little dry? The pasta and veggie that accompanied felt so disjointed with the plate, all in all it lacked the flavor I was hoping for and didn't feel thought through Anatra Arrosto Alle Ciliege 4/5 this duck breast and confit leg was very yummy, the duck jus was delicious, overall a very delicious preparation of duck the risotto was a miss however Profiteroles 3/5 this was a big reason why I wanted to come back as there are so few places that have profiteroles but I'd say you can afford to miss these. Although our waiter was kind enough to split the dish for us, the profiteroles were far too soft the ice cream nothing to rave about and I could do without whatever berry coulee was going on there Would I come back? no not for the price point, the food should have been better and the service should have been much better, waiting for our waiter to be done with other tables and hope he comes our way became quite an adventure. Ah well, fun times were still had read more

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Very upscale with pretty interior (beautiful lights and vines in the outdoor seating area) and a nice location right next to Bellevue Downtown Park. Wine list is very extensive, almost like a book. Only tried their pastas today - they were decent. Texture leans on the al dente side - flavors are there and pretty good. Lobster pappardelle had nice quality lobster meat that wasn't tough, sauce was creamy but light on lobster flavor. Veal ravioli meat was a bit tough on the inside but the sauce had nice mushroom flavor. A bit on the more expensive side but good service and ambiance for a more formal / celebratory occasion read more

Carmine's - Ossobucco ravioli - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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Dinner at Carmine's with my girlfriend and her parents was such a great night. The dry-aged New York steak was incredible, the black cod was perfectly cooked, and every dish felt like it was made with care. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and even better company. Definitely one of the best dining experiences we've had in Bellevue. read more

Carmine's - Black cod - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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Had a delicious birthday dinner here. I got the clam pasta and the clams were so fresh while the pasta was a great texture! The wine sauce also paired super well with it! The pesto pasta also was quite tasty. Service was very attentive and welcoming and the ambiance is what you'd expect for a nice Italian place - cozy, romantic, and all the right vibes. Also got a free birthday tiramisu! read more

Carmine's - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

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Great ambiance as always. Their daily special soup (creamy halibut) was amazing. We came here on our anniversary like we normally do each year. We split the salmon farro salad. It's pretty pricey... $44 and probably wouldn't get that again but I couldn't have the Caesar salad because of the raw eggs in the dressing (pregnant). We ordered the calamari and it was a bit on the salty side. Their pana cotta dessert is amazing though. Better than the Tirimisu!! In the future I'd stick to pastas, Caesar salad, and soup. read more

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Carmine's in Old Bellevue is the real deal. We ordered three dishes the shrimp fettuccine, the bolognese, and the squid ink clams and shrimp and all three were fantastic. The pasta is clearly made with care, and the squid ink dish especially stood out, rich and briny in all the right ways. The ambience matches the food which was warm, elegant, and inviting without feeling stuffy. It's the kind of place that feels special without trying too hard. Service was attentive and professional throughout. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quality Italian dinner on the Eastside. read more

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I went here for a birthday dinner. It was everything I expected. The food was immaculate and the service was excellent read more

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Waiter was irritated. Fries were ordered never delivered. Chili flakes requested never came. When food was delivered fresh cheese never offered. I would suggest going somewhere else for service. Food was good but didn't taste as good with the lower service provided by waiter, Miguel B. read more

First tip: make a reservation! We decided to go last minute on a Saturday night and the wait was 3 hours! Wow! Luckily, they had open heated outdoor patio seating with no wait, so we opted for that. It may be the winter, but they had heat lamps and provided blankets to keep you warm all dinner. The service throughout the night was top tier, and they would bring us extra bread and butter, utensils, and even split our main entrees into two portions knowing that we'd want to share even without us asking! We were astounded by this 10/10 service. The food itself was also phenomenal. I can see why there is a 3 hour wait. The tartare was beautifully presented and tasted amazingly fresh. The sweetbreads are not only a rare find, but also so delicately cooked with a creamy side of risotto. The black squid ink pasta had a lot of seafood, perfectly al dente, and grated to preference cheese topping. What more can I say? Everything we ordered was spectacular. This is truly the place to be for a lovely fine dining yet homey Italian meal. read more

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Very good restaurant. Gorgeous atmosphere , friendly service Very recommended to have a reservation Food also is extremely tasty the best pasta ever read more

Really cute interior, servers are very attentive and in good spirits, food is a hit or miss. You're served with complimentary bread & butter as you sit down. I'd like to explore more of the menu but the pizza and pasta I had were just Ok. read more

Carmine's - Pizza Salsiccia - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

we came here for a birthday celebration and we had the best time! It was a bit of a wait (friday night @ 8pm) we started with our drink order and i got an Italian paloma... so so so good! our waiter took our order off memory he was an older gentleman so i was blown away at his accuracy lol i ordered shrimp pesto and it was so creamy and delicious!!!! the place is very spacious lots of cute seating regardless of it being inside or outside, it was pretty loud in there so be prepared lol read more

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I've clearly been living under a rock! What an exquisite and memorable experience. Ambiance: Strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and comfort, which makes it a great spot for special occasions, "casual" dinners, and I could imagine work-related/client meetings to impress. Service: Despite the high-end settings, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, which added a warm touch to the evening. We sat at a table next to the window in the bar, which felt happening and intimate at the same time. Our server was fantastic and charming. Food: Every dish we tried was a masterpiece. From the perfectly al dente pasta to the rich (but not too rich) and flavorful sauces, each bite was amazing. I highly recommend the tartare, alfredo pesto with prawns, and off-menu carbonara! Mmmmmm! Overall, it's a true gem, one I plan to visit again. Combining elegance with a relaxed atmosphere, food that's nothing short of perfection with attention to detail in both presentation and taste, and employees who clearly take pride in what they have to offer, this was an exceptional dining experience! read more

Carmine's - A decadent dessert medley!!! We asked the chef to surprise us and boy, did they ever! - Italian Near Me - Bellevue, Washington

What can I say, but Carmines knows how to serve up a delicious meal! They have it down, from service to executing the perfect dish. Everything is so good, including the atmosphere! Definitely the place to celebrate or just enjoy a great casual weekday post shopping dinner! read more

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