Ok ..hear goes......food salty......?????....... sadly lacking in atmosphere & ambiance seated under bright lights felt like we would be interrogated at any moment....noisy....banging dishes yelling I really won't go back the open kitchen is a major turnoff...you can't hear conversation even at your own table !!!!!! server very attentive however not experienced in how to serve what course ....which come's first ???? opening a bottle of wine (no clue)..like many other places in the area no training whatsoever..... I realize it's a fast food joint however they do pride themselves as being a step above ........whaaaat!!!!
(2)
Jennifer R.
I'm already a Carrabas fan, but we like this location best! Excellent staff & they offer specials that the Sarasota location doesn't. We ate at the kitchen bar in front of the pizza oven-enjoyed talking with the cook & ate a fabulous creme brulee prepared right in front of us!
(4)
Stephanie T.
As long as you get tree early you can get in right away and the service is excellent. If you get there after 6 expect to wait at least an hour and a half. Either way the food and service once seated is great!
(4)
Jane D.
I haven't been to this Carrabba's in several years due to the fact the last time I was there I was totally turned off by the high school girls they had manning the hostess station and the long wait resulting from untrained staff who didn't know a thing about reservations or how to actually "hostess" and the resulting long wait for a table. Thankfully, there seems to have been a lot changes made to this restaurant. Gone are the girls more concerned with their make-up and in are a couple of slightly older women who know what customer service is and who seem to understand they are at a job representing the company with their words and deeds. We were seated quickly and our server was quick to arrive and take drink orders. The menu is quite a bit different than I remember and the salad I liked so much is no longer on the menu. I described it to our server, who suggested modifying one of the salads on the menu and making a protein substitution and that worked out great. My companion was hungry and ordered "The Johnny" ($20), which is a steak, a grilled chicken breast and a huge mound of mashed potatoes. He also got a salad with that and his steak was cooked to perfection. His remark was it was the best steak he has had in a long time and he raved about the mashed potatoes that had flecks of potato skins in them and looked nice and hearty. Carrabba's still brings the complimentary hot bread and olive oil/spices to your table after drinks are served, and they were happy to give us a refill on the bread. The manager also popped by the table to make sure everything was okay. I think there is a new found focus on customer satisfaction at this location and it shows. I would dine here again and I am glad we gave it another whirl.
(4)
Joane Q.
Carrabbas is one of my favorite restaurants but this particular one was horrible. Came here for a team dinner after our conference and I was sadly disappointed. The restaurant is located in a pretty bad area so that should have been my first indication that the night was going to be.. "interesting ". I got my plate and the pasta sauce was splattered all over the sides as if the food was thrown on the plate. One of my team members got her dish and there was a piece of porcelain in it. Her meal was comped but the experience was still pretty bad. Our server was sweet but really sweaty. While I will certainly continue to frequent Carrabbas I definitely would never go back to this one.
(2)
Vic O.
Had to eat here with relatives. Another not great experience. Husband's steak ordered medium was bloody red uncooked. I had salad with parm dressing, just soft iceberg lettuce and a thick dressing, boring. The mezzaluna ravioli, was ok but too salty and dull.
(2)
Jason R.
Okay so what did they go in here or olive garden, should have picked all of garden I give him credit for having fancy words for macaroni and cheese I forgot the word but it was macaroni and cheese with a fancy name, and I can put my own food in the box thank you very much overpriced, go to olive garden or just get some Chef biy R Dee, because this place is overhyped
(2)
H E.
Carrabba's is one of my favorite restaurants. BUT this location is not good. Poor Service. Food way too salty. Go to another location, unless you want to leave mad you spent way over 50.00 for bad food, and bad service. not fun.
(1)
Mike F.
Mysterious Q mentioned how it was hard to get in this place - not so, if you don't mind sitting at the food bar and watching to cooks work. We went on New Year's eve - yes I said New Year's eve, once, and there was a line out the door no less than 15 people deep. We walked past them to put in our names and instead said we'd like to sit at the food bar tables. We wee seated right away and ordered drinks as we watched the cooks work away. We started talking with one cook - nice and friendly guy - and he gave my wife a free order of mussels (she never had them) ! We orderd and ate and sampled items the cook gave to us. We were seated, ate and chatted and left and there were still people in line from when we came in! :--) Food has always been good. Try the Messaluna - yummy cheese pasta (ravioli!) - We also love the Eggplant parmesan. Not a place to talk and chat normally as it is always loud and full of noises. Great food, great atmosphere great cooks!
(4)
Karen S.
Have always enjoyed dining at Carrabbas. Their SERVICE ranks with some of the best for waiters and staff, they are always knowledgable and efficient. Food is always fresh and great tasting, nice variety of choices. Restaurant and tables, silverwear,plates and glasses are always impeccably clean. This past fall while awaiting a closing on our house, we dined at all the Carrabbas in this Bradenton-Sarasota area 1 to4 times per week , as we had no kitchen to cook. We still frequent the Bradenton location at least one to two times per week for dine-in or take-out. Again all of the staff is wonderful, only know a few of their names : Ozzie, Adam, Jeff are all great waiters. Thanks for such great service : ) Can't wait to try the new item as of today of stuffed shrimp and sirloin and possibly lobester mac and cheese. Not sure about that one. My daughter and I enjoy dining at the bar overlooking the cooks when my grandchildren are with us as it keeps them entertained. Many times we split a spideno di mare with an added filet and pasta and salad. Many times we enjoy an appetizer of shrimp scampi or the new risotto poppers and mushrooms !!! Would love to see Carrabbas add artichokes to the menu as an appetizer. Also some Risotto on a permanent basis as it goes with many of their dishes. Forgot to mention the cooks, who are always pleasant and asknowledge the kids when we sit there. I do agree with the other reviews that it is a VERY NOISY place to dine and even with the remodel that has not changed. I would NOT go here on a one on one date due to that. Overall we eat here at ANY Carrabbas more than any other restaurant.
(5)
Lori t.
Bread served with seasoned oil is awsome. Pasta and pizzas are very good. Hated the chicken parm and chicken Brian. The pasta served on the side was awful. Not worth the wait in season.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Jewels M.
Ok ..hear goes......food salty......?????....... sadly lacking in atmosphere & ambiance seated under bright lights felt like we would be interrogated at any moment....noisy....banging dishes yelling I really won't go back the open kitchen is a major turnoff...you can't hear conversation even at your own table !!!!!! server very attentive however not experienced in how to serve what course ....which come's first ???? opening a bottle of wine (no clue)..like many other places in the area no training whatsoever..... I realize it's a fast food joint however they do pride themselves as being a step above ........whaaaat!!!!
(2)Jennifer R.
I'm already a Carrabas fan, but we like this location best! Excellent staff & they offer specials that the Sarasota location doesn't. We ate at the kitchen bar in front of the pizza oven-enjoyed talking with the cook & ate a fabulous creme brulee prepared right in front of us!
(4)Stephanie T.
As long as you get tree early you can get in right away and the service is excellent. If you get there after 6 expect to wait at least an hour and a half. Either way the food and service once seated is great!
(4)Jane D.
I haven't been to this Carrabba's in several years due to the fact the last time I was there I was totally turned off by the high school girls they had manning the hostess station and the long wait resulting from untrained staff who didn't know a thing about reservations or how to actually "hostess" and the resulting long wait for a table. Thankfully, there seems to have been a lot changes made to this restaurant. Gone are the girls more concerned with their make-up and in are a couple of slightly older women who know what customer service is and who seem to understand they are at a job representing the company with their words and deeds. We were seated quickly and our server was quick to arrive and take drink orders. The menu is quite a bit different than I remember and the salad I liked so much is no longer on the menu. I described it to our server, who suggested modifying one of the salads on the menu and making a protein substitution and that worked out great. My companion was hungry and ordered "The Johnny" ($20), which is a steak, a grilled chicken breast and a huge mound of mashed potatoes. He also got a salad with that and his steak was cooked to perfection. His remark was it was the best steak he has had in a long time and he raved about the mashed potatoes that had flecks of potato skins in them and looked nice and hearty. Carrabba's still brings the complimentary hot bread and olive oil/spices to your table after drinks are served, and they were happy to give us a refill on the bread. The manager also popped by the table to make sure everything was okay. I think there is a new found focus on customer satisfaction at this location and it shows. I would dine here again and I am glad we gave it another whirl.
(4)Joane Q.
Carrabbas is one of my favorite restaurants but this particular one was horrible. Came here for a team dinner after our conference and I was sadly disappointed. The restaurant is located in a pretty bad area so that should have been my first indication that the night was going to be.. "interesting ". I got my plate and the pasta sauce was splattered all over the sides as if the food was thrown on the plate. One of my team members got her dish and there was a piece of porcelain in it. Her meal was comped but the experience was still pretty bad. Our server was sweet but really sweaty. While I will certainly continue to frequent Carrabbas I definitely would never go back to this one.
(2)Vic O.
Had to eat here with relatives. Another not great experience. Husband's steak ordered medium was bloody red uncooked. I had salad with parm dressing, just soft iceberg lettuce and a thick dressing, boring. The mezzaluna ravioli, was ok but too salty and dull.
(2)Jason R.
Okay so what did they go in here or olive garden, should have picked all of garden I give him credit for having fancy words for macaroni and cheese I forgot the word but it was macaroni and cheese with a fancy name, and I can put my own food in the box thank you very much overpriced, go to olive garden or just get some Chef biy R Dee, because this place is overhyped
(2)H E.
Carrabba's is one of my favorite restaurants. BUT this location is not good. Poor Service. Food way too salty. Go to another location, unless you want to leave mad you spent way over 50.00 for bad food, and bad service. not fun.
(1)Mike F.
Mysterious Q mentioned how it was hard to get in this place - not so, if you don't mind sitting at the food bar and watching to cooks work. We went on New Year's eve - yes I said New Year's eve, once, and there was a line out the door no less than 15 people deep. We walked past them to put in our names and instead said we'd like to sit at the food bar tables. We wee seated right away and ordered drinks as we watched the cooks work away. We started talking with one cook - nice and friendly guy - and he gave my wife a free order of mussels (she never had them) ! We orderd and ate and sampled items the cook gave to us. We were seated, ate and chatted and left and there were still people in line from when we came in! :--) Food has always been good. Try the Messaluna - yummy cheese pasta (ravioli!) - We also love the Eggplant parmesan. Not a place to talk and chat normally as it is always loud and full of noises. Great food, great atmosphere great cooks!
(4)Karen S.
Have always enjoyed dining at Carrabbas. Their SERVICE ranks with some of the best for waiters and staff, they are always knowledgable and efficient. Food is always fresh and great tasting, nice variety of choices. Restaurant and tables, silverwear,plates and glasses are always impeccably clean. This past fall while awaiting a closing on our house, we dined at all the Carrabbas in this Bradenton-Sarasota area 1 to4 times per week , as we had no kitchen to cook. We still frequent the Bradenton location at least one to two times per week for dine-in or take-out. Again all of the staff is wonderful, only know a few of their names : Ozzie, Adam, Jeff are all great waiters. Thanks for such great service : ) Can't wait to try the new item as of today of stuffed shrimp and sirloin and possibly lobester mac and cheese. Not sure about that one. My daughter and I enjoy dining at the bar overlooking the cooks when my grandchildren are with us as it keeps them entertained. Many times we split a spideno di mare with an added filet and pasta and salad. Many times we enjoy an appetizer of shrimp scampi or the new risotto poppers and mushrooms !!! Would love to see Carrabbas add artichokes to the menu as an appetizer. Also some Risotto on a permanent basis as it goes with many of their dishes. Forgot to mention the cooks, who are always pleasant and asknowledge the kids when we sit there. I do agree with the other reviews that it is a VERY NOISY place to dine and even with the remodel that has not changed. I would NOT go here on a one on one date due to that. Overall we eat here at ANY Carrabbas more than any other restaurant.
(5)Lori t.
Bread served with seasoned oil is awsome. Pasta and pizzas are very good. Hated the chicken parm and chicken Brian. The pasta served on the side was awful. Not worth the wait in season.
(3)