This was the best experience I have ever had at an italian restaurant. Our server Danny was hilarious, gave excellent recommendations with the food, and was the reason why this whole restaurant was so amazing. Atmosphere was amazing, and the service was quick. Shoutout to Danny read more

The chicken parmesan is a MUST! The meatball salad was delicious (both the meatballs and the salad). I wasn't into the ariabatta sauce but my boyfriend really enjoyed it. The service was exceptional. The decor and architecture feel very cute, summery, and european. The view of the fountain is very cute as well. read more

I hate writing negative reviews, but this experience may rank as one of my worst dining experiences in downtown Chicago. At one time, Carmine's was a staple for outstanding Italian cuisine and one of our favorite places to recommend. The recent remodel has definitely improved the atmosphere--the restaurant feels more lively, modern, and visually appealing. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. The food was shockingly disappointing. Honestly, I've had better Italian food at Fazoli's. Service was equally bizarre. There seemed to be plenty of employees running around, yet very little actual service taking place. Tables sat waiting just to pay their bills, food took an exceptionally long time to arrive, and we were served bread that was still frozen in the center. The mussels were rubbery and tasted like old chewing gum. The rigatoni was little more than pasta covered in what resembled ketchup. Our friends ordered the eggplant salad and the tagliatelle ribbon pasta, and neither dish resembled what was described on the menu. My Chicken Milanese looked like it had crash-landed from outer space--flattened across the entire plate with maybe four leaves of arugula scattered on top. To be fair, the chicken itself was actually the best thing we ate all evening. Even ordering drinks was frustrating. They were out of a common bourbon, and then several wines listed on the wine menu were also unavailable. On an early Friday evening, that's surprising for a restaurant of this reputation. By the end of the meal, we couldn't wait to leave, and we have no intention of returning. Judging by the conversations around us, we weren't the only guests feeling disappointed. Chicago offers too many outstanding Italian restaurants within a few blocks to justify another visit. It's genuinely sad to see this Carmine's location fall so far from what it once was. I sincerely hope they can turn things around, but they have a long climb back to earning the reputation they once enjoyed. read more

Carmine's beautiful new Rush Street location is worth the visit all by itself. The renovation is stunning--elegant, welcoming, and the perfect setting for a special night out. What truly made our evening memorable, however, was our server, Danny. His professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality elevated an already wonderful dining experience. We were celebrating Mother's Day along with two birthdays, and thanks to Danny's thoughtful personal touches, spot-on recommendations, and exceptional service, the evening felt even more special than we had hoped. If you're dining at Carmine's, I highly recommend requesting Danny. The entire staff was warm and welcoming, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger and enjoy every moment. In fact, before we even left the restaurant, we were already talking about our next visit. As for the food, Carmine's remains as outstanding as ever. We shared a salad that they chopped for us to perfection, enjoyed several appetizers, and then moved on to our entrees. Between the four of us, we ordered the famous chicken parmesan, stacked eggplant, meatballs, square pasta, and one more pasta dish. Every plate was beautifully prepared, generously portioned, and absolutely delicious. I always liked Carmine's, but after this experience, I can honestly say we love it. It's wonderful to have Carmine's back on Rush Street, and our evening reminded us exactly why it has been a Chicago favorite for so many years. The outdoor terrace is a big plus. It's a classier, true upgrade from the street level tables and chairs that they used to have outside. Food: ***** Service: ***** Ambiance: ***** read more

(Kari's Rating 6/10) TLDR: -Large portion sizes -Attentive Staff -Decent Italian I've been to this place a few different times, and I've never been disappointed. If you're craving old-school Italian, this is basically the place. Since I'm not very big drinker, we didn't order drinks, but we had the wedge salad split into two portions. I actually didn't get a picture of the white salad because it was so delicious. I ate it all! We also ordered the chicken Parmesan to share. Which was hammered very thinly to make it extra crispy! We actually left with leftovers and we had a decent amount for lunch the next day. I think the Chicken Parmesan should've come with a little bit more pasta, but maybe I'm being a little bit picky because we both split it. They also seated us at a booth for about six people, so we felt a little bit uncomfortable as we were kind of staring at the other restaurant tables. Our server was very attentive, and our water was always refilled, which was nice. Again, since this is a chain, I don't think it's anything to write home about, but it's nice for large groups or corporate events. read more

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The last time I was here was 20 years ago with my wife. Tonight I brought my daughter and we had grilled calamari and linguini with clams in white sauce. The food was amazing!!!! All the seafood were so fresh. Our server was great. I was not fond of the loud club music. Could barely hear my daughter talk. They did start playing 80s music which was good. I wish they brought back music from Sinatra time period. That's what I remembered from Carmines 20 years ago. The best part of the night was one of the host (Eddie) who came to greet us. He was super hospitable. read more

Carmine's - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We've waited for months for them to open. They tore down the old building and built a new one. The decor and service are great especially our server Chersti. The food was just ok, not like we remembered . The veal piccata could have been more tender and the chicken Parmesan was huge but just ok and the lasagna hit the spot. The sizes are big so don't order too many appetizers! A hit with our group was the banana pie, which we cleaned the plate. read more

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We came on a beautiful sunday summer evening and sat at the bar on the rooftop patio. The vibes are excellent here, as is the overall service and experience. I had a delicious glass of chianti with our meal. We got the ceasar salad, arrabbiata, and gnocchi. Everything was delicious and nice portions. Can't wait to be back and try more dishes! read more

Carmine's - Ceasar salad, arrabbiata, gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here yesterday for brunch and left totally unimpressed because the service was terrible. Coffee was WEAK! Food was good, but the wagyu and eggs are way overpriced when it's a 3 oz portion of steak and I do not believe for a second it was wagyu. Eggs Benedict were a hit for my daughter and the rustic scramble was good. Everything needed salt added to it. Asked for pepper as well and they brought us a broken pepper mill that apparently couldn't be replaced because then we got an angry busser doing pepper for us. Took forever to get coffee refills and surprised when everyone at table wanted their coffee filled up. Just a weird service vibe overall. Not sure if the restaurant is new to brunch, but it left a lot to be desired. Patio was lovely. read more

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Old school Italian on a rainy cold night? Yes, please. Carmines on a week night is still busy but way less chaotic. I was seated promptly by a wonderful member of the wait staff. I wasn't too famished so the server recommended the papardelle ( which are made in house). This meal was just what I needed. Deliciously fresh pasta with zesty tomato sauce and warm bread! read more

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Food here was deeeeelicious! Started with fried calamari which is prob the best and shared the med salad also delicious! Our waiter Bill was super nice but he seemed a little service-challenged. Started out kinda slow but he improved later on. First off let me say that the host stand needs a lot of improvement. There were 3 ladies standing there and the blond one was taking care of a guy in front of me while the other two were glued to the screen. I mean, look up ladies and greet the guests!! The Indian gal was prob the worst of the 3 and the other one which was supposedly the manager couldn't crack a smile whatsoever. NOT A GOOD LOOK for the restaurant! Anyway back to the service, Bill our waiter took forever to get our drinks and not sure if it's his fault or the bartender but it wasn't that busy when we got there so who knows. Food-wise I have to say is what brings me back here. The spaghetti with meatballs were phenomenal! The chicken parm was ginormous and delicious too! The vibe in this place was fun and energetic but the hostesses were the downers here! Retrain them!! I'll def be back and hopefully they'll sort out the host situation. read more

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I hadn't been there yet and was really looking forward to it. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. The service and the food were mediocre at best. The bread was dale. The waiters screwed up both orders of mine and my friends. I wanted the white fish but it was $50 compared to where I usually get it forTopo Gigio for $28 with crispy roasted potatoes. I ordered two chicken breasts with a lemon sauce. No seasoning no capers too much sauce (even though I asked the waiter to please drain the plate before they serve whatever they cooked it in) soggy roasted potatoes. And then I got the bill after a martini and two chicken breasts for $80. They won't be seeing me again. There's too many good restaurants and I don't mind paying that much of the food is good. This was not. read more

Super last minute dinner with the parents and I got to see the Carmine remodel! Huge win!!! Turned my really bad work day around lol- I came here a lot when I was little and the remodel is great. It used to be very dark and stuffy, but now the upstairs is completely open, They have a huge patio and the vibe is just a lot more laid back. The food here is super reliable and great. It's one of those Italian places that give you huge servings, but it's actually really good. We got the chopped salad, which was excellent and diced perfectly. Service was quite slow tho- so they are working on that. We tried the brick chicken and the square noodles. Hot take but this chicken is getting on my list for favorite chicken dishes in Chicago- so flavorful and came with lovely broccolini! Again, really big servings so it makes it worth the price - and they still do free bread! I'll be back! read more

Listen... everybody cannot get me outside in negative 35-degree Chicago weather at night But for my goddaughter's 18th birthday, I did it and let me tell you, it was WORTH IT. Every negative degree. Every layer of clothing. Every step outside Italian food is my absolute favorite, so I was excited to see that Carmine's Italian Restaurant is back open and just in time for Chicago Restaurant Week! The $60 Restaurant Week menu did not disappoint. For appetizers, you can choose between stuffed mushrooms or calamari. For salads, there's the caprese or Caesar salad. Quick note: the Caesar dressing does include anchovies, which gives it a strong, authentic Italian flavor so if you're sensitive to that or have allergies, just keep that in mind. For your main course, you can choose from a variety of pastas like cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, and more or go for an entrée. I had the chicken parmesan, and baby... it was EVERYTHING And for dessert, you get to choose between tiramisu or cheesecake. The portion sizes? Let's just say they understood the assignment I was so hungry that I started eating before taking pictures, so I only snapped my entrée The staff was friendly, the vibe was intimate yet spacious, and the aesthetics were beautiful. Carmine's used to be one level, but now it's two levels, and the space feels warm, elevated, and welcoming. I'm honestly just happy that Carmine's is back open. And yes, I'll definitely be going back. If you're looking for a cozy Italian spot with great food and atmosphere, do yourself a favor and check out Carmine's. read more

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Had such an amazing experience at Carmine's! We saw they had a second story outdoor seating and was intrigued to go inside for a drink and some appetizers. They were extremely busy, it being a Saturday afternoon. We had a hard time finding seating at first but Eddie one of the (extremely kind and caring) door men helped us secure a spot. The cocktails we're fresh and very well made, the entire staff was so friendly. The wine selection was huge and our appetizers were much larger portions than we expected. Our favorite was the peppers and sausages which gave the satisfying crunch and juice that you would want from a sausage. Very much had a pleasant time and would definitely go back again for appetizers or for dinner. It is a little more upscale in comparison to some other bars/restaurants so definitely has the romantic Italian vibe to it. read more

Welcome back, Carmine's! We had 4pm reservations and were STOKED to go there today, their 1st day of business! The new building is fabulous! Enter into a bar foyer area with a hostess at the end. We had reservations and were greeted promptly. We were told to take staircase or the elevator. We chose the stairs. It's a GORGEOUS winding stairway, but with wet boots it is a teensy bit slippery. So if you take the staircase be cautious if your shoes are wet. The structure is truly fabulous. The 2nd floor is beautiful. Gorgeous bar area with ginormous televisions screens. Definitely not overcrowded room, and the choice music is fabulous. We loved it. We sat at a table, not a booth. (I don't like booths so glad we got a table.) Our server was Bruno. Very nice guy and very attentive. First question was about food allergies, which is so refreshing as a gal who suffers from anaphylaxis-type. I only stated nuts and sesame. My mistake. I felt very comfortable eating here. My tablemate ordered the seafood salad and I got my favorite... chicken Vesuvio. Choice of chicken on bone or off? I chose on. I should have said chicken breast with the bones but ask them to remove the bone and cartilage of the breast after it's cooked. Makes it way easier to cut and eat. My Chicken Vesuvio was $38 and served in a beautiful lemon sauce (would have liked a bit more juice, cuz it was so delish) a breast, wing, leg and thigh. The only issue was my fault. It was covered in peas and I'm allergic. The kind of allergy where simple removal from the plate was all I needed. They offered twice to remake it but I insisted no! It was my fault and removing the peas was sufficient in this case. (I asked if the dish had capers, not peas! And yes, peas are listed on the menu, I just missed it.) My chicken was insanely delish. Perfection, actually! My tablemate ate part of the chicken breast and one of the potatoes. Said it was juicy and he might get that next time. But he had his own dish. Seafood salad ($32) with shrimp and lots of calamari! Lots! Served on a bed of lettuce with a dressing but I forgot to ask which kind. I think it might have been an Italian vinaigrette. He said he'd definitely order that seafood salad again. Having Carmine's reopen is a great start to 2026. It's one of my most favorite restaurants and we are super excited about the patio opening at some point. read more

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There was the "Old" Carmine's, this subterranean walk down restaurant that was the classic Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast and now the "New" Carmine's which couldn't be more different. Both iterations (it turns out) were and are excellent restaurants but in very different ways: The Old version was dark, dank, cozy, vintage, traditional, with a classic menu The New version is sleek, modern, fashionable, state-of-the-art restaurant that is elevated with outdoor balcony seating and an updated menu. The "New" Carmine's was definitely worth the two year wait. Three of us moseyed on into the Carmine's ground front door which takes you to a beautiful staircase or an elevator to go up to a second story restaurant where you immediately feel a "New" vibe happening. At first the menu we were handed was shockingly expensive; but watching the other tables getting their food you see why the food is so pricy: The portions are humungous that could easily feed three or four people per serving. Ah, now this made perfect sense. Us three ordered one Caesar salad for the table that was enormous and easily satisfied our starter dish. My wife and I barely finished this massive chicken Milanese dish that was just delicious. Our friend ordered a fish dish that will be this evening's dinner, tomorrow's lunch and possibly tomorrow's dinner. The service was top notch, the bar scene was crammed with people watching the NBA playoffs and the outdoor balcony seating over looked Rush St., State St. and the triangle park called Mariano (Louis) park where there is constant action. And yes, I will definitely come back this to Carmine's! read more

We returned to restaurant after being going for a few years. The overall setting changed with space and more space. The room is very large which allow sound to travel back and forth. The booth was very colorful popping and was very warm. The eggplant stack was on point. The stack and 6 layers the alternate with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, crispy egg plant layer, arugula, and the drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The olives flanked the stacks on each side. Slivers of Parmesan cheese on each stack. This is a must on our return. The chopped salad was very engaging and most enjoyable. The salad was separated with chopped elements in pyramid on base of lettuce. The ingredients were carrots, beets, celery, tomatoes, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, cumbersome, and olives surrounded to pyramid with side order of blacken shrimp. The dressing was serviced on the side. They should bottle the salad dressing, it was an Italian vinaigrette. The Chicken Milanese with arugula on the side was very thin, and lack flavor in the actual meat. We spoke with Steve the manage. He indicated that we would speak with chef. We ask for manager card. The card have not come yet. We will return placing chicken milanese on the side for another choice, the eggplant stack, and the chopped salad will be selected. Shalom read more

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I've been waiting for the new Carmine's and it did not disappoint. The space is beautiful, with an open kitchen. There is a nice big bar, with lots of light. The decor is very pretty, lots of wood and glass. Tables are close but not too close, and it was a little noisy, although table conversation was easy. There were four of us, and we shared the meatballs, plenty for each of us. They were delicious. We also shared the chopped salad, it came with all the veggies piled high, and it get tossed tableside. It was huge! Four of us, and we couldn't finish it. For entrees we had one chicken Parmesan and one Square Pappardelle noodles. The portions are huge! The food was delicious, but the four us couldn't finish the 2 entrees. But we had lunch for the next day. We were there in March, so the new outdoor balcony was closed, but looks like a great space as well. A Chicago classic read more

The ambiance off the new outside dining is wonderful. What a great addition. The food was really good, the portions are very large so all is easily shareable. Our server was adequate. Got several things incorrect, talked way to fast for any of our party to understand. read more

We've been there 4 times now and everything we had was absolutely delicious! The new decor is nice but I miss the old joint. Also, what happened to the iconic sign. I've been waiting to see it and now believe it isn't gonna happen . Five out of Five because at the end of the day it's about the food!!! read more

Took my girlfriend to eat there today for her Birthday. it was going great until I got my chicken parm. I was enjoying the chicken parm until I got to the middle and noticed a big black curly hair that was cooked inside of it. I told the waiter and he told me to cut around and to give it to him. For the hair the waiter gave us a cannoli.. You would think we would receive a cannoli for a birthday not for a big hair on your $50 chicken parm. Incredibly disappointed and will insure that my friends and colleagues not take their business there. read more

We ate at the airport location. I cannot say enough good things about it. Our service in the bar and the restaurant was superb. The menu was fantastic, lots of choices. The pasta was fresh the meal was excellent. our waiter was very personal, funny and professional. If you want a true terrific experience please book a reservation there! read more

We were very excited that Carmine's had finally reopened The new restaurant is beautiful. But that was the only thing that was positive about our experience. We made a 1:00 pm reservation for brunch/lunch. When we were seated, we were given the dinner menu (the prices are higher and the menu did not have the same options). I asked the waiter about the brunch/lunch menu and he said that "something wasn't delivered" so they weren't serving it today. I believe that it was a bait and switch. And if it wasn't, the hostess should have told us they were not serving brunch or lunch before we were seated. The service was mediocre at best. Food that was supposed to go to other tables was delivered to ours. When our food did arrive, half of it was cold. The pasta dishes looked like something I could have made at home with a jar of cheap sauce. The chicken was overcooked and prepared terribly. The hamburger was served rare even though we requested it well done. We were not offered cheese for our pasta dishes and when we asked for it, the waiter didn't give it to everyone at the table. Our bill came with an additional charge that was not ours. I didn't even ask to have it removed because I did not want to go through the hassle of having them rerun my credit card. It was very disappointing to say the least. It was a very expensive, terrible meal. The restaurant needs to step it up. There are too many other options in that area. We should have chosen one of those. It's a one and done for us. read more

Mixed emotions on this one - the new decor is nice - three of us dined there this week, we started with the stuffed mushrooms and burrata - both were very good. For entrees we had Veal Milanese, the Chicken parm, and the sea bass special - the portion sizes were huge but the food was just "OK". Service was also just Ok - not that attentive This issue is the price point which topped $425 with with tip for 3 people and I just expect better food and service at that price point (I would rather have smaller portions with better food). We all rated it a B/B- and given how many great Italian restaurants there are in Chicago I doubt we will be back. Wish it were better as it is just a few blocks from us - but it not one I would recommend. read more

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my experience at Carmine's was frustrating from start to finish. We had family and friends visiting from out of town and were genuinely excited to bring them to Carmine's after hearing it had reopened. Unfortunately, the experience never lived up to the expectations. Our group of five arrived around 5:00 PM, and the restaurant was nearly empty. Despite seeing countless open tables, we were told there was no availability. Confused, I pulled up OpenTable while standing at the host stand and immediately found a reservation for 5:15 PM, along with availability throughout the evening. Once I made the reservation and informed the hostess, suddenly seating us was no longer an issue. Things only got worse from there. Even though the reservation was for five people, we were initially directed to a booth set for four. When we pointed out that the table physically could not accommodate our party, we were made to feel like we were inconveniencing the staff by asking for a table that actually fit the number of people in our reservation. Service throughout the meal was slow and inattentive. The food was fine, but certainly not memorable enough to justify the prices. The final disappointment came at dessert. We ordered carrot cake, waited roughly 15 minutes, and were then told they didn't actually have any and would need to choose something else. What stood out most was how difficult it seemed to simply eat at the restaurant. We chose Carmine's specifically because we were excited to show it off to out-of-town guests, but from the moment we walked in it felt like we had to jump through hoops just to be seated and served. Between the confusing host stand experience, poor service, and overpriced food, there's simply no reason for me to return. Chicago has too many outstanding restaurants with better hospitality, better food, and better value. read more

Food great, brunch... Crab Benedict, waygu steak and eggs. All perfectly done The atmosphere is amazing open porch on a sunny day. The service friendly and anticipatory. Server Chersti a delight All in all a wonderful experience read more

I've always been a fan of Carmine's - good Italian food with big portions and decent price point. The veal parm was HUGE and nicely breaded and tender. The zuppa di pesce was full pf seafood and the spicy sauce a nice conpliment. Sevice was slower than expected, but we were a large party. read more

Carmine's - Veal Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just went for the first time since the reopening. The food is just as I remembered and so delicious. Every course was incredible! The server, Yuly, was honestly the best part! She knew her wines and the menu incredibly well. Her personality was perfect for the atmosphere and she took lovely care of us. Will as for her and her recommendations again. read more

Carmine's - Wine recommended by Yuly. - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food and the ambience was great great scenery looking out the balcony on Rush Street

I really do not like to leave negative reviews. I try to find something nice to say. Unfortunately I do not think I can do that with this review. Carmine's spent over two years remodeling. The room is very big and the acoustics make for a very noisy room. While we were able to carry on a conversation at the table, the amount of background noise caused a din that was unpleasant. The food did not live up to our expectations. The sausage and pepper appetizer was rather dry and laced peppers. The baked clams were just awful. There was a misunderstanding as the server told us about the specials and two people at our table ordered what they thought was Bronzino a piccata sauce. The fish came out dry and we were very confused. They were able to accommodate us by bringing a sauce to put on the fish, but it just wasn't the same. I ordered the veal Parmesan, which unfortunately was so salty. I could hardly eat it. We skipped dessert and called it a night. read more

Fancy dining, great service and food. The cheese ravioli was so yummy, FYI the portions here are BIG! I split a ceasar salad with my boyfriend and it was HUGE! we ended up sharing it with the whole table (4 total) for an app. They gave a sparkler & two free cannolis for my boyfriend's birthday which were so good! We also ordered the tiramisu which i'm not even a fan of but it was amazing. Don't forget to make a reservation because this place is PACKED! I will definitely return. read more

Carmine's - Linguine and Clams - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Veal is very good thin with flavor. I wish it was a bit crispy on bottom. It was tender and warm not hot in temperature. Group of 13. Sat upstairs neat the patio. No cable for the tv in that room. Side of pasta comes with it. $49. Group opinions of the service varied, Valet $20. read more

We dined here shortly after Carmine's re-opened (after the few years of construction.). We had a great experience. food was wonderful, our server was great, we were seated on time with a well-planned reservation. We were excited to bring our friends from overseas to Carmine's on Rush. We made a reservation at least a month ahead of time, for 7:30pm. We all arrived early; about 7:10pm, and were told they would not be able to seat us early, but we'd be seated at our reservation time. Very acceptable, we were early. They suggested we go to their enclosed patio for a cocktail. We did. We were told to leave our phone on, to be notified. Our phone never vibed. Even after still remaining patient, and a third time later, to inquire when we'd be seated (45 minutes later); we waited. We were literally seated an hour after our reservation time. Acceptable?-No, it is not! Would they have seated us if we showed up an hour late of our reservation. NO- H-LL NO. We will not be returning. And it is likely they won't care. We had a solid reservation for a party of 4, at 7:30, and were finally seated at 8:30pm. It might be satisfactory to some, it was telling to us, we were not important enough to be treated as though our business mattered in the least. We'd highly suggest Mario's Table instead of Carmine's, if you are looking to have your reservation honored, want to enjoy delicious Italian food, and notice your patronage matters. Mario makes the rounds in his restaurant, and makes sure everyone is happy. If this wasn't enough--our waitress left a parmesan bowl at our table, and a tall, some what lean, sandy haired male waiter with attitude; shamed us about how the restaurant only has two of those and they are not meant to be left on tables???? He is certainly not an asset to an overbooked restaurant. Total Jerk. After all the time we waited for this, long ahead of time, pre-booked reservation at Carmine's---not a single staff member apologized for, or acknowledged the discourtesy of making us wait an hour longer than our reservation time, to be seated , nor was any sort of a dessert or simple apology offered. Dine at Mario's, enjoy Hugo's and Gibson's. Skip Carmine's until they figure our it extremely unprofessional to have patrons wait nearly an hour beyond a booked time; for a reservation time booked well, a month or s in advance. Shame on them for being unprofessional to their patrons and those that have made them what they are. read more

We were so excited to try the new Carmine's, long time fan of Carmine's from Seattle was visiting. The food and service were good, pricey but the atmosphere was awful !! We were there with friends and family whom we had not seen in a long time. We wanted to share a meal and catch up but the noise and the music were SO loud to the point where we could not hear or talk to each other. Awful!! It felt like we were in a discotheque. We brought up to the manager but they didn't seem to care. They just said it's what the owner wanted. For this reason we won't be going back. read more

Carmine's needs to enforce their "no hat policy" or get rid of it. I recently walked into the restaurant, very well-dressed wearing a high-end designer baseball cap. The hostess nicely informed me of Carmine's "no hat policy" and asked me to remove my hat. Slightly embarrassed, I respected Carmine's "no hat policy" and happily honored it. After being seated, with my hat in hand, I observed at least five diners wearing baseball hats throughout the dining room. On subsequent visits I have also seen diners wearing baseball caps in the dining room. The number one rule of having a "dress code" is to either strictly enforce the "dress code" or remove the "dress code" entirely. While the food is great... I do not enjoy being singled out to remove my hat - when others' are not asked to do the same. This ruins the entire dining experience for me. If Carmine's is going to force me to remove my hat and not make other patrons remove their hats... there are tons of great Italian restaurants in Chicago I can enjoy while wearing my hat. And I look forward to having my next Italian dinner at one of those restaurants. read more

Nice restaurant with great service. Bartenders were very helpful with menu recommendations. I have a very specific complaint though. This restaurant had the most amazing coconut cake I've ever had in my life, and I went Saturday and it was not the same at all. Cake was not as fresh or moist and the coconut flavor was just from the toasted coconut on the icing and not throughout like before. They also did not include fresh berries on the side. I am beyond disappointed. When you have something that delicious you don't mess with it. Just up the price instead of cheapening the product. read more

We had lived right around the corner for 3 decades. Used to bring our family here often for dinner. The new restaurant was a big disappointment to us for a few reasons: 1. Higher prices across the board: couldn't believe that chicken parm is now $45. 2. Bread isn't warm or crispy. Tasted mealy and no olive oil. Just a tiny bit of butter. We could have skipped the bread completely it was so bad! 3. The elevator kept opening and closing and bringing in the freezing temps from outside so I ended up wearing my coat for dinner. 4. Lasagna was cold. Portion much smaller than previous lasagna. The inside was very cold and lacked sauce. 5. For the new higher prices no sides are included really. Disappointing. 6. Music was elevator music. 7. Bar doesn't make sense--too small and downstairs bar isn't really a bar. 8. Outdoor dining is now on the 2nd floor. Miss the patio downstairs. For these reason we will not be returning anytime soon. read more

Went to Carmine's last night for my father's 75th birthday. My mother passed away a few years ago, so it's just been us celebrating big events since then. The hostess saw the reservation note and wished him a happy birthday as she seated us. The room was beautiful, but simply one, big open room adjacent to the bar. No separation with walls or dividers or elevated platforms, and tables were back to back. Ambient noise was LOUD, and you had to really raise your voice to be heard. Our waiter, Scott, had a pretty no-nonsense attitude - brusquely asked questions and never smiled. Ordered the fried calamari, Caesar salad, veal Milanese, and New York strip which were all, to be honest, average to above average. At the end of the meal, neither Scott or any other staff wished my dad a happy birthday or offered him anything (I'm not expecting a table-side song, but isn't a small dessert usually customary?). I had 3 $50 gift cards that I used to pay the bill and placed my credit card down the pay the difference. I handed the credit card folio to Scott flat so the cards wouldn't spill out and told him to be careful, there were gift cards in the there too. I proceed to see him tilt the folio as he carried it to the register to ring us up. By the time he came back he told me I had only given him 2 cards, and then accused me of thinking I had placed in more than I actually had. The gag is that a manager saw me crawling under the table with my light looking for the card and said "are you looking for this?" When I asked where he had found it, he played it off as if he didn't know - I think realizing that an incorrect answer could accuse the waiter - but eventually admitted to finding it on the ground away from our table. Scott did not apologize, he just walked away, rang up the additional card, and handed us the new bill. Management did not apologize or try to make it right. I will absolutely not be returning to any of these Rosebud/Carmines restaurants as there was just nothing about my experience that would be worth coming back for. I guess my Dad and I have a somewhat interesting birthday story to tell friends and family now. read more

Expensive, but best of the Rosebud Group and the old school Italian red sauce places. Good food, incluidng the baseball sized Shrip De Jonghe sent from heaven. Very efficient operation and great staffing, including noteworthy hospitality veterans like "Mike" on the floor and "Arturo" in the kitchen. Servers like "Haley" add further icing to the cake. Lost their street level presence & while the new decor looks like a lodge from the 50s, its too soon to evaluate the second floor outdoor cafe. read more