Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante
321 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, USA
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321 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, USACan't Find an Artist or Business Here?
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Lovely atmosphere on the covered patio with plenty of fans and cold water for the table. I got the Shrimp and Scallop Limoncello and it was divine. My husband got a steak dish, also delicious. Kiddo got the kids spaghetti and meatball, the meatball is one of the best I've ever had outside my Nana's kitchen. The pasta is made fresh and you can really taste the difference. Fantastic service too!
Make sure you make a reservation to dine there. If it's important for you where you sit, you might want to double check with them that they have seating (inside or outside). Having said that, everything was very good. Our server was nice and food was delicious. I would definitely recommend this place.
Our server Johnny was amazing. Such a great, upbeat, friendly personality and incredibly informed on the menu. He was even able to make excellent recommendations for the vegetarians in our group. The drinks were all delicious and came out quickly. The food was spectacular with enormous portions, and more than enough to take some home. The dessert options were numerous and all freshly made. We sat outside, under the string lights, surrounded by the green trees while listening to the live music. Honestly a 10 out of 10 dining experience all around. If you haven’t been yet, make a reservation! This is now our favorite restaurant!
Why is Carmelo’s the busiest restaurant you’ve ever or never been to? 1) the food is a masterworks of varied Italian deliciousness from the bruschetta or meatball appetizer to, oh, pick any entree on the menu! Period. 2) see number one. The ambience is comfortable with a giant secluded outside patio to the three main rooms inside. Replete with hardwood floors, the place is like a culinary campus rather than a boring restaurant. Carmelo himself, cooks along side his staff almost every night. Their take out business is insanely busy. They accommodate large parties constantly. Make a reservation, trust me, seriously, make a reservation. Note: the meatballs are the best on the planet.
I am in the local area to assist with Hurricane Ian recovery. I stopped at a highly rated restaurant not far from my hotel in Punta Gorda a couple days prior and purchased a meal for slightly over the cost of the meal I purchased at Carmelo’s today. The meal I purchased at the other restaurant was grouper. The meal at the other restaurant was not impressive. The food portion was extremely small with only four small pieces of asparagus for the vegetable. The server was very friendly and nice. However, in his attempt to hurriedly assist other patrons that had arrived, he took my credit card and then returned it to me forgetting to actually charge my card. Today, I looked at Carmelo’s menu and they seemed to have some pretty awesome items on the menu. After my experience with the other local restaurant, I really didn’t have high expectations for Carmelo‘s. Regardless, I still wanted to try some items on the menu. I called to book a reservation and they didn’t have any availability for an hour so I chose to order takeout instead. The food was amazing!!! I eat out a lot because my job requires travel. I eat at nice restaurants and this was one of the best meals I have had in a very long time! I ordered swordfish. It was melt in your mouth delicious and the amount of food I received could easily feed two adults and both be completely full and satisfied. It was an excellent meal! Thank you Carmelo‘s!!!