Carbone's Ristorante

10/24/09

OK if you aren't usurped by a larger group

by bronzebird at Citysearch

My husband is a Hartford native. He had been wanting to go to Carbone's forever. So for our 30th anniversary we went. I thought it started out alright but he was upset that we didn't get a booth that he had requested. We started with a bottle of wine, appetizers, and salad. Then a group of 8 people showed up. Hmmmm. Well these 30 somethings couldn't read the menu that we two old 50 somethings could so without asking us at all they shot the lights up. Tada! We were in the spotlight. We played a bit of lights up and lights down a few times but obviously the group of 8 won because we left. Needless to say I didn't get my 30th anniversary supper but next week I will. Flemings is the place to go for special service not Carbones...unless of course you are a group of 8.

• Pros: I can't tell you
• Cons: favoritism

10/18/09

Best Italian I've had in a long time!

by KristyR at Citysearch

Last night I enjoyed my first (but not last) dining experience at Carbone's in Hartford. I had heard the name. Carbone's is an old family owned place that has been around forever. Although I was confident I would have a good time (I was dining with a group of friends), I was not prepared to be blown away by the food. Italian like it's supposed to be!

I'll be back.

• Pros: Incredible cuisine
• Cons: busy- had a wait for a table

05/25/09

Soooooo Incredibly Disappointing

by jena530 at Citysearch

Carbone's has a history of good food and impeccable service. Emphasis on the word HISTORY!!!!

I believe our waitress was Hitlers sister. Abrasive, cold and impatient.

She said their signature "product" was their fettuccini carbonara. Well folks, pasta costs about 20cents a metric TON. So why would a restaurant charge you $22+ bucks for a cup (I kid you not) of macaroni with a sauce that is broken (cream separated and has become pure oil). And WHO ON EARTH puts sausage in their carbonara and no peas or bacon???

Bread was incredibly boring. Flavorless sun-dried tomato dipping oil. Way overdone and bitter breadsticks.

Ten dollars for tableside salad: one dollar worth of ingredients. Gorgonzola salad that leaves you wishing you had more than two crumbs of the cheese in your salad. I love salad, I am happy to pay $10 for a GREAT salad....not the case here folks.

Our dirty dishes sat in front of us for 25 minutes without being cleared off.

Lousy wine list with astronomical prices. Again, give me a delicious wine and money is no object.

We were so disappointed we were afraid to order dessert. Cappuccino came with biscotti which were ice cold thin slices of cookies (store-bought).

I assure you, if we had a wonderful dinner I would have written a shining review. $364.00 later; we vow never to return!

• Pros: Nice Ambiance
• Cons: LOUSY Service, Food Gone Way Down Hill