I can't believe we had never been to Carmine's before. Honestly, I didn't even realize it was there…read moreuntil a couple of weeks ago when we happened to drive by. I remembered the building from when it was Cal's and had no idea Carmine's had moved into the space. I'm glad we finally decided to stop in because this place was an absolute home run.
The dining room is on the smaller side and pretty simple, but that's part of its charm. It's comfortable, welcoming, and puts the focus exactly where it belongs, on the food. We arrived around 5:00 p.m. and there was only one other table occupied, but by the time we finished dinner the restaurant had filled up. After eating there, it's easy to understand why.
My wife and I are admittedly pizza snobs. At our home in Phoenix we even have an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, so we're probably a little more critical than the average customer. Naturally, when we saw pizza on the menu we had to order one. We went with the Carmine Pizza, and it completely exceeded our expectations. The crust had great texture, the toppings were balanced, and everything worked together without trying too hard. I'd go as far as saying it's one of the best pizzas I've had in North Providence.
I also ordered the Italian Wedding Soup, something I hadn't had in years, and it instantly reminded me why I used to love it. It was flavorful, comforting, and exactly what I was hoping for.
For my entrée I ordered the veal parmigiana. I always think it's a good benchmark for an Italian-American restaurant because it sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many places manage to overcook the veal or drown everything in mediocre sauce. Carmine's got it exactly right. The veal was tender, the breading stayed crisp under the sauce, and the gravy had that rich, homemade flavor that reminded me of family dinners growing up. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, just the way it should be.
Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert. The portions here are generous, and considering the quality of the food, I thought the prices were extremely reasonable.
One of the nicest surprises of the evening was finding out our server was also the owner. He spent some time telling us about the restaurant, why he moved into this location, and checked on us throughout the meal without ever hovering. You could tell he genuinely cared that everyone was enjoying themselves, and that kind of hospitality is becoming harder to find.
If you're visiting for the first time, just know there's no dedicated parking lot, so you'll need to park on the street. It wasn't an issue at all, and certainly not something that would keep us from coming back.
In fact, there's no question we'll be back. It's not a matter of if, but when. They're close enough to our home in Lincoln that I can already see takeout becoming a regular thing after a long week when neither of us feels like cooking.
This was one of those meals that exceeded every expectation. Great food, generous portions, fair prices, and an owner who clearly takes pride in what he's serving. Carmine's has earned every bit of this five-star review.