This is the best Italian restaurant around. The bread is fabulous. The wait staff is knowable, professional and you feel well taken care of. We love the fish and have gone several times. Never a disappointing meal,
(5)
Elle H.
My family and I dined here for an early Mother's Day dinner. No one in our party had been to this restaurant before, so we were eager to try it out. There was only one other party in the restaurant when we arrived. We were given water almost immediately after we sat down. The person who showed us to our table didn't give us menus, so we talked amongst ourselves for 5 minutes before our server appeared. He took our drink orders (3 alcoholic beverages) and left. Still no menus. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to show up and we finally got our menus. We waited another 20 minutes for our order to be taken. While we were waiting, we were served rolls and some kind of pizza bread with red sauce on top. The bread was divine! The rolls with the rosemary on the bottom were my favorite. When our server finally arrived, we ordered two large apps for the table: Meatball Mediterranean (meatballs topped with feta cheese in marinara sauce with crostinis) and Orangina Vesuviana (fried tomato and rice balls with red peppers, fontina, and mascarpone cheese). The rice balls were excellent and were a hit with the table. The meatballs weren't anything to write home about. They had a good flavor, but they didn't taste freshly made to me. Plus, the meatball I cut into was hot on the outside and cold on the inside... Hm. For our main courses, we ordered Risotto Con Carne, Vitello Annapolis, Chicken Parmigiana, Calamari Fritti, Polenta Di Mare, Pappardelle Bolognese, and Fettucine Mediterraneo. Risotto Con Carne: Two of us had this dish. The menu said this dish came with "mignon tips". There were a lot of meat tips in the dish, but the meat was overcooked, difficult to cut and had zero flavor. The meat was the consistency of a meat you would put in a beef stew - no exaggeration. It definitely was not mignon. The pancetta was chewy. The "asparagus tips" were actually sliced pieces of the middle of the asparagus. The carrots were cut into pieces so tiny, that I could barely make out what they were. There were also several hard, uncooked grains of rice I bit into. It didn't look appetizing either. A huge disappointment for both of us. Vitello Annapolis: One person in our party had this dish. The dish was veal scallopini, with crab meat, mushrooms, and fettuccine pasta in a cream sauce. She wanted a bit more crab meat added to her dish and her food was drowning in cream sauce. She left half of her meal on her plate. Chicken Parmigiana: Two people in our party had this dish. The meal featured three breasts of chicken with capellini underneath. They both agreed the red sauce tasted a little salty, but the portions were huge and they liked the taste. Calamari Fritti: A child in our group ordered the appetizer portion for her main entree and she loved it. She said the calamari was fresh and it wasn't heavily breaded. Polenta Di Mare: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, crab meat, and capers on top of polenta. He said it was okay. The prawns and scallops were cooked perfectly, but was pretty bland in terms of seasoning and flavor. Pappardelle Bolognese: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of meat lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella and ragu. She loved it and had no complaints. Fettucine Mediterraneo: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, and crab meat with marinara sauce and fettucine pasta. He said everything tasted fine, but was disappointed with the quantity of seafood that came with his dish. He said for the price of the dish, he expected more seafood. Our server was friendly, but the service was severely lacking. He gave recommendations of what he enjoyed, but he constantly mumbled, so it was hard to understand what he was saying. Most of us had to ask for a refill on water. Others went with their glasses unfilled for the rest of the night. The water refill was room temperature. A couple of us had alcoholic beverages and no one was offered another. Once our food came out, we never saw our server again. No one came to our table to check on us. Once we got the check, he disappeared and never returned. We like to make sure the server gets the money in hand before we leave, but we got tired of waiting for him and just left it on the table. Also, during our meal, one of us requested a to-go order of the Chicken Parmigiana for a family member who could not attend our outing. The order was never given to us, nor was it on our bill. The server forgot to give the kitchen our order. We couldn't say anything to our server about it because he never came back to our table. Several people in our party enjoyed their food, so I have to give them that credit. I took stars away for the awful Risotto Con Carnes and for the poor service. The people who generally enjoyed their food agreed that while they liked their dishes, the prices were too high. I, personally, don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
(2)
Greg O.
We originally wanted to try Miss Shirley's, which is around the corner, but the wait was ridiculous and we were hungry. Carpaccio is right around the corner so we decided to try it. It was pretty empty with only a handful of tables taken in the dining room, but the service was very friendly and pretty attentive. The food was hit or miss though. First, the bread is quite good to start with, with both seasoned rolls and a pizza like bread stick (not sure of the exact name). For meals my wife went with a margherita pizza, and I tried the marcelo panini. The pizza was definitely the better choice- a nice thin crust, a tasty sauce and cheese topping. The panini was disappointing, but this was partially my fault, as I hadn't realized that rapini was bitter broccoli. Lesson learned for next time. The fries were ok, but not very crispy. Overall not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Pamela K.
This is an average of the two -- Carpaccio and Carpaccio to go. I was working in Annapolis for two weeks recently, and this was very near the office. I loved the To Go side! Prompt attention, great food. The pizza is delicious, and the salads are beautiful. The priciness mentioned by other reviewers is not so much in evidence here as in the main restaurant. I'd recommend them any time. As for the restaurant, I dropped in one evening for dinner,and was absolutely underwhelmed. As with other reviewers, I experienced spotty service. The gnocci was only so-so, which was a great disappointment. The selection of wine by the glass was not terrible, but it was not particularly impressive either.
(3)
Joe T.
Molto buono! We all sat at a table outside and enjoyed a fine menu of Italian specialties and wine. You can walk off the dinner with a nice passagiata down the local streets.
(4)
C E.
Wanted up have a nice al fresco early dinner this past Saturday. What we ended up with were poorly executed over priced pasta dishes, barely drinkable super Tuscan glass of wine, and indifferent service. The pappardelle with lamb ragu- pasta was mushy and the "ragu" was a bland sauce. The lobster ravioli was smothered in a tasteless tomato cream sauce. Reminiscent of a bad olive garden type experience.
(2)
Emily D.
very very average... Went there during our weekend stay at the Weston for a friends wedding and had lunch outside. Our server was really great and could accommodate our large party but the food was just so-so. They do serve amazing bread but really its almost too much. I can see myself being a cheap ass and getting wine and complimentary bread and easily being full. I had a tomato salad which was had a nice mix of tomatoes that were clearly not in season although the sure did look pretty on the plate. I had a bite of my boyfriends pizza but it really was just average. The restaurant is very pretty both inside and out but sadly their food doesn't quite match. We went back the next day just to have a drink and enjoy the sun and would you believe they don't serve Firefly (minus one star)...alas we had to go to Fodo next door...
(3)
Tim S.
This place gets four stars because everything was good, not great, but definitely good. We had a professional server named Jessica and met two friends for a casual Friday dinner. For the record, Jessica has a twin sister named Rachel, who we know from Davis' Pub. We did not know this before we asked Jessica if her name was 'Rachel' . . . it is not. Guess that explains why Jessica looked at us like we had multiple heads when we greeted her knowingly, without actually knowing her. I picked a Cabernet (Guenoc? Bin 131 for sure) that we ended up getting a second bottle of. It was quite good with very little air. Everyone enjoyed their salads, apps and the table breads of different varieties (all fresh). The table oil had a fresh sprig of rosemary and a couple cloves of garlic - very impressive for a chain. I had the calamari and lamb chops and couldn't have been happier. The calamari was cooked to my preference, lightly breaded and fried, and served with a horseradish mustard dipping sauce ( I didn't use much of the hot, fresh marinara that was also generously portioned). And my pork was excellent. I would highly recommend it for its portion size (large), toppings (pepper and onion), and temperature. It was fully cooked, moist, and easily de-boned. Everyone else was satisfied as well. The ladies shared a pizza and Chris had the carpaccio platter. The only complaint was "stale" bread served with the carpaccio, but that was easily replaced with the fresh table bread. Jessica and Rachel have good service in common. We were more than happy with the service from Jessica and her support staff. Full water, cleared dishes, good timing, poured wine . . . well done!
(4)
Shane N.
I would give this place 5 stars based on the Salmon Casino Style alone. Every time I have it the Salmon is cooked perfectly. It also comes with a tasty crab risotto. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice. The Tiramisu is kind of generic but is good enough. If the prices were a little cheaper, it would probably be five stars. Still one of the better places to go for Italian food in Annapolis. Think of it as 4.75 stars.
(4)
Greg B.
Carpaccio was a "good" choice for the hyped Valentine's Day dinner. Why? They offered their standard menu, unlike almost every other restaurant in Annapolis. Their pricing was actually fair. Their food was good and the portions were healthy. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly suprised to find that the tables were not on top of each other and the restaurant wasn't ridiculously crowded. (It was however a very amusing dinner as every odd couple seemed to be within the walls of the restaurant!) As I had read in other Yelpers comments, the wait staff is not shy about bringing you and unlimited supply of bread, which is amazing! However, you find yourself filled up on bread by the time dinner arrives! As for the main course; it came out very quickly, was piping hot, and quite delicious! The meal was paired perfectly with the wine (which we couldnt finish and were able to take home) and the atmosphere made for a great night on the town. I was give this restaurant a thumbs up for anyone looking for a good meal in a unique setting.
(3)
Jim E.
After three dinners here, I think I am ready to write a review. First off, the valet service is nice. Seven dollars, plus a few for tip, is worth not having to try and find street parking. The valets themselves are nice and courteous. They opened up the door for my wife before they opened my door, which is more than I can say for another valet in the area. Entering the restaurant is mildly uncomfortable. The foyer is nice, and the waiting area reasonably large, but the reservation desk is kind of a surprise when you walk in for the first time. Not a deal breaker, but a pleasant smile would be nice to see when you first walk in; they should not save it till you round the corner. Along those lines, please have someone dedicated to the reservation counter. At IHOP I do not mind waiting a moment for a host(ess) to appear. However, this is a place I am potentially spending 100+ dollars at, I expect someone to be waiting for people to arrive and call a seater over. Two out of the three visits we had to wait for a hostess to come sprinting over. The decor is nice. Not over the top, but pleasantly decorated and maintains a very romantic air while sill being well lit. It probably will not win any design awards, but it works well. The appetizers were all very good, as was the carpaccio. We have not enjoyed the full menu, but judging by what we have sampled I feel confident putting the appetizers well into the "very good" category. The dinners themselves were hit or miss. Some of them were excellent, others hit the mark. I question some of the seasoning choices, and at least one dish was CLEARLY over seasoned. Again, nothing that would make the food bad, but definitely something a good chef should pick up on. If this were 20 dollars a plate I would not mind, but for these prices I expect a certain standard. The wine list is good, but the mark-up is borderline ridiculous. My biggest complaint is dessert. An establishment like this should have a dedicated pastry chef, not pull desserts out of the freezer and serve before they are fully thawed. Unless you really have a sweet tooth I would suggest skipping dessert and either making your own or going somewhere else. The coffee was good, though. If you are still reading this, please understand I think this is a very good place to eat dinner. I am only being very nit-picky because I hope they read this and fix a few of the things I mentioned. It is painfully obvious that this place is new, and even in today's market they need to work on establishing themselves as a five-star venue before worrying about a bottom-line. Spending the extra time, and money, now, even if it means going further into the red, will only set you up for more success, and better profits in the future. At the very least invest in a good pastry chef and reduce your wine prices a little bit. Also, cut your menu in half and make it physically less bulky. Carpaccio is well worth 4 stars and your time. Until a true five-star restaurant appears in Annapolis, this is one of the best places you can go on a Saturday night.
(4)
tracey s.
I've been to Carpaccio 3 times - all being impressive. Its a nice, consistent place with a relaxing atmosphere. I plan to continue going back!
(4)
Jen G.
I moved from Severna Park, MD to Boston a few months ago and Carpaccio is one of the few restaurants that I really miss in Annapolis. I don't think I have had better Italian in the area. It is a solid 4.7 stars in my book so I'll round up. The Vodka Penne is fabulously tasty as is the Penne Pasticcio. I wish that I could tell you about other entree's but I can't help but get one of these two every time I go. Portions sizes are right on target. You won't leave hungry or feeling like a cow ...unless you eat too much of their AMAZING bread (which is very easy to do because it is pretty much like pizza in a basket). I would recommend the calamari as an appetizer (crispy, crunchy, zesty and delicious sauce on the side) A great place for a date or even family dinner. The atmosphere is very nice without being uncomfortably upscale or effecting the price of your meal. I have never had an unpleasant experience with the waitstaff and the restrooms are always immaculate. You can park valet there but leaving your car at the Westin garage if you're going to walk around town a bit isn't a bad idea either. Stop reading about it and go there. Go Now!
(5)
Karin J.
This was delicious. An absolute joy. BREAD: You get some bread. It looks kind of foccacia-y, but then you think, no, it is just flat bread wedges. Oh, but they are so much more. They had a nice chewiness that I appreciated. It made you earn that bread. CARPACCIO: The filet carpaccio was quite tasty indeed, and there was no bad-chewiness about it at all. No, I don't remember which one we got, it was a month ago. RISOTTO: I got a risotto with... asparagus? Corn? in it, and it was soooooo good. The "sauce" was so delicious and rich, but the meal did not sit too heavily in my stomach (no moreso than a fancy meal would without it being risotto). My dining partner got... something that came with figs, and it was divine as well. Venison? It was good, at any rate. OH and I neglected to mention... BELLINIS: Yeah, they're tasty. RICOTTA CHEESECAKE: Approaches how good homemade ricotta cheesecake is. It isn't fluffy enough for my tastes, but really, I did not care at the time and the fact they had a ricotta cheesecake at all makes me want to hug someone. SERVICE: Our waiter was pleasant and unobtrusive. He wasn't at all fazed by our request of an ice bucket for the red we got (the red was warm)(do you really want a wine geek's explanation of what temperature a red wine should be? because I do a fair impression) and it was itself reasonably priced, as I recall. PARKING: They validate for a nearby garage. Didn't have too much of a problem finding a spot on a Saturday night. TO SUM UP: Great place, and I look forward to going there again (which I will get to do in a couple months!).
(5)
Elizabeth O.
By far the BEST dining experience my husband and I have had in a long itme! Our reservation was for 7pm, we arrived early and still got seated right away. The decor inside is beautiful. We had the most amazing waiter, Wyane, that we can remember having in probably 3 years. He was very courteous and prompt. Very attentive to our table the entire time. The food was wonderful and beautiful presented. It is a little bit on the pricey side, but completley worth it. I would strongly reccomend this place to anyone who wants to have a fantastic meal with fantastic service!!! We will most definetley go back!
(5)
Brian J.
Loved the location of the restaurant and the food was delicious. I'd give it four stars just on the food. However, the wine list was very unimpressive. Aside from places like Olive Garden which I don't really consider Italian restaurants, this had the most disappointing wine list I've seen at an Italian restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant / wine bar and they had 37 red wines by the glass. FIVE of them were Italian and they were all from Tuscany. No Piedmont wines by the glass! Very disappointing. A large majority of the wine list was generic, usually boring California wines. I expect that from Applebee's or TGIF or even P.F. Chang's, but not an Italian restaurant in a ritzy part of Annapolis that has the term wine bar in the title. I'll be moving to Annapolis next year and hope the wine list improves or I might not come back.
(2)
karen f.
A lovely social venue with great selection of Italian offerings. The ahi tuna salad was tasty and the vodka penne is a must. There seemed to be a lively bar if you like that scene. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. A great find for Annapolis
(4)
Patrick H.
We have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of the latest edition of the Monte Restaurant group's mini Italian empire here in Anne Arundel county. Each of their restaurants bears it's own name and distinct/ unique concept. We've only made one visit, but the early buzz about Carpaccio is that this in MRG's finest hour. With a decor that echoes some of MRG's previous restaurants, namely PomoGrille (Bowie) and 4Season's (Crofton), but with a much subdued and more sophisticated slant. Housed on the curve of the new Park Place development on West Ave in Annapolis, the outdoor seating here reminds one of being in a chic cafe in Florence, Italy. I would typifiy the interior as decidedly elegant casual. The menu is clearly "upmarket" when held against some of the other locations. 6 types of Carpacci are offered, including filet mignon, tuna, anchovies, eggplant and prosciutto. A nice selection of salads is offered. On our visit my dining companion and I both ordered the Panzanella. It was very good, but I would have preferred a "breadier" presentation. These were more akin to homemade croutons, which is not a bad thing, just not what I think of when I think 'Panzanella". Pappardelle Bolognese is one of those things that... if it's on the menu... I'm going to order it. I can honestly say this was the best Pappardelle Bolognese I've ever tasted. This is a real diet breaker. If I was at home I would have been licking the bowl. My friend had the Monte Santo Pizza, one of the 9 choices of wood burning brick oven Neapolitan pizzas. All I can say is MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Mozz, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Parmacotta on a crisp and snappy crust. It was equally good the next morning with eggs and coffee. There are 18 homemade pasta choices (some classics and some not so classic) and 5 Risottos. That's all before you get to the fish or meat entrees. For dessert, we split a Tiramisu. Typically I wouldn't order Tiramisu as it is so overdone, and rarely done right, but this was the real McCoy. I watched one pass by our table earlier and I went all "Homer Simpson" for a minute. "Arrrghghghhhghg" Actual lady finger cookies, with espresso and rum and a heapin' helpin' of sweetened Mascarpone. DEEE-lightful. Word is already out and it's difficult to get in on a weekend evening, so if you are going, I suggest you make a reservation. Lucky for me I live nearby and a weeknight visit is not out of the question.
(5)
Jillian T.
Well, this place isn't bad. I'm pretty certain it's not great either. I've had some good dishes and some not so good dishes, which seems to be the problem. The menu is so big that there is some serious inconsistency in the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and after having a really nice meal one time, it's followed up by a mediocre meal the next. This type of inconsistency makes it difficult for me to enjoy this place. The other problem I have here is the service. It's not up and down, it's just always blah. I've never had a server here that made me enjoy my experience or made me strive to come back. They all seem to go through the motions, but they seem to lack personality or interest in what they're doing. I know others have had better experiences, so maybe mine is not the norm, but nevertheless, it's doesn't get me that excited.
(3)
r. h.
Summary judgment: competent chef, not so competent bartender. Honestly, my expectation had not been high. From the outside, the restaurant looked like yet another chic bar/lounge at the lobby of an upscale hotel where ambiance often trumps actual food quality. Not so at Carpaccio. First, the complimentary breads were actually decent. I also liked the special carpacci section of the menu -- it's nice to have options beyond the common prosciutto & melones. The appetizer we ordered (little crab balls) was also delicious. Emboldened, I took a gamble and ordered the venison & figs for my main course. In the hands of an inexperienced chef, venison can come out gamey or tough. Happily, not so tonight! The meat was tender, and the sweet fig sauce complemented it well. If I were to nitpick, my only suggestion would be to vary the garnish a bit (a sprig of rosemary in every plate can only get you so far). While I was pleasantly surprised by the food, the drinks were less impressive. I ordered a glass of bellini. The drink arrived in a diminutive flute, looking less sparkling and more concentrated fruit-juicy. The taste had more sourness to it than I liked (cheap champagne?). The ratio of my companion's negroni was also off. They are not worth their upscale-hotel-bar price-tags. Our waiter was competent but not memorable. The overall service suffered from a few rough spots -- the host was preoccupied and inattentive; our table missed a salt shaker; the sugar bowl had no sugar; my coffee was served with a gigantic soup spoon -- all very minor imperfections, to be sure, but they contribute to make the restaurant venture seem amateurish. All in all, this may be the best Italian dining Annapolis has to offer now that La Picola Roma is gone.
(4)
Tina T.
One of my favorites in Annapolis! The variety of Carpaccio is my favorite & always have to get one when I go. Great wine selection too, although kind of pricey. Would definitely refer a friend!
(4)
Alex L.
Amy was one of the best servers we have ever had. Seriously, if you go to Carpaccios ask for Amy she was amazing!!!! The white anchovy carpaccio was exactly like in Italy, the filet mignon carpaccio with white truffle oil was perfect, and the baked gnocchi were cooked perfectly. They start you off with a nice assortments of freshly baked breads. Directly across the walk from the Westin hotel. Worth going here if staying at the Westin or not!
(5)
Kathy M.
Run, don't walk for their Sunday Brunch. The food is delicious, one of the best brunches I've had in quite some time.
(5)
S S.
For Annapolis, I think this place is great and I'd definitely come back. Its a nice looking restaurant, but it was very loud in my opinion; for this reason, I'm not sure if I'd go here on a first date unless I didn't actually care about being able to hear well what my date was saying. Anyway. I'm vegetarian and pizza is obviously customizable. I mentioned i was veg to the waiter who said they can accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions. But I made my own pizza anyway and was pretty happy. Its relatively traditional Italian style pizzas with the thin crust, which is my favorite kind. Toppings available were of high quality. The vegetable sampler platter appetizer was good. I wouldn't rave about it, but a nice selection of things to nibble on. My family members were very happy with what they got and have been back a few times.
(3)
Heather C.
I just always come back to Carpaccio... no matter what kind of atmosphere or type of food or price range I'm going for that night, I seem to drift back here time and time again. Love, love, love this pizza. Currently working my way down the pizza menu and have loved them all. Salads are delicious and they kindly split up a salad into two plates when that special someone is sharing with you. One date night, they stayed open just for us -- served us coffee and dessert long after the other diners had left. Always had friendly service. Sounds like brunch is a must-try and on my to-do list...
(4)
Esha D.
A Very Classy and Upscale Italian gem in downtown Annapolis. Gorgeous locale right near the Westin. The decor was superb! Very classy and refined. Food was pricey, but spectacular!! Our waiter spoke a little too low, but other than that was good. Highly recommended for a special occasion!!
(4)
damian a.
We went to Carpaccio with some friends when we visited Annapolis earlier this year. Everyone at the table was pretty impressed with the food and the service. I loved the large menu and various carpaccio choices. Alas, it's in another state. We will definitely go there again the next time we visit Annapolis.
(4)
Jen M.
Only went for lunch but we had a great experience. We sat outside on the sunny patio. The foccacia bread and rosemary rolls are super yummy. The grilled chicken caesar salad is tasty, and my best friend ordered the Bento box which is You-Pick-Three for $14.99. I was surprised the portions were as large as they were for lunch. Great service and great food.
(4)
K B.
Pretty good brunch - had lots if variety. The executive chief was very and knowledge. A fair Tuscan alternative option.
(3)
Sobhna S.
We went to this place because it's right across from the very nice hotel we are staying at. When we walked in, the place was literally empty yet the manager asked us if we had reservations. We said no and he seated us right away. Not sure what the purpose of a reservation would be since it was an early Sunday evening and the place was clearly not busy. Our waiter was friendly enough and seemed knowledgeable But the rest of the service was very bad. You tend to be forgotten about. The only time someone came to the table, which was rarely, was when they had some food for us. Our drinks were not refreshed so we had empty water glasses. When we did ask for a refill, they brought us a new glass but still left the empty glass on the table. We didn't even get our main course and we had empty glasses and empty plates from our appetizers. Finally, we got tired of waiting for our main course, and of course some water so I tried to get someone's attention to get my check. I was willing to forego the rest of my dinner to get out of there. But, of course everytime I tried to get someone's attention, I coldn't. Finally, I walked up to the manager and told him about our bad service and that I just wanted to pay for dinner and leave. He asked me what happened and I told him. He said not to worry about the check but when I insisted on paying for our dinner, he told me to "just go". Bad manners, bad service, just ok food.
(1)
Tony S.
Full Disclosure: I have been to Carpaccio twice, but I am writing this review based only on my most recent visit as the first time was the weekend of my 10 year reunion and to be honest, I don't remember much. Very good Italian restaurant. I am pretty critical, as I am 1/2 Sicilian and was raised on a diet of my mother's and grandmother's wonderful fare. The plusses: Bread: Yum! Fresh, warm, lightly coated with olive oil. Just the thing to get you ready for dinner. Caesar Salad: Lightly dressed, fresh shaved cheese, not overly fishy. Couldn't be better. Arancini: A worthy effort, tasty and not too greasy, but not nearly as good as grandma's. I will leave it at that. Veal Parmesean: Excellent. Nicely prepared over a bed of thick spaghetti perfectly done. The Bad: This is the reason why Carpaccio is 4 stars and not 5. The forks. You may think I am crazy, but when you are eating pasta, a proper fork is VITAL, and I am sorry, but the forks at Carpaccio are not at all conducive to twirling. They are round with a weird bump, and just don't want to spin. They are very pretty and fine for eating meat, salad, cheesecake, whatever, but it is ingrained in the DNA of my people to twirl your pasta around the fork and an Italian restaurant should take that into account.
(4)
Morgan S.
Note: This review is only based on one slice of pizza as I went to the Carpaccio 2 Go and brought it back to my hotel room. Overall - just meh. I've had better pizza at pizza chains but the price was right. Just around $2 for a slice of cheese and convenient as it was across from the Westin where I was staying.
(2)
S B.
What can I say, some of the best Italian food I ahve had outside of Venice. We started with several Antipasti. I have never been a fan of Oysters Rockefeller but the ones served here I would order again and again. The Scallpos Napoleon are a meal in itself. The scallops are tender yet big and very flavorfull. The Meatball Mediterranean was bland but then didnt ahve high expectations for meatballs. THe Vera Mozzarells was as good as one could expect and twice as filling. There were 9 of us and to say all the antipasti and meals that we got would take a page but will go into one or two. The Polenta Di Mare was tateful and more than one person could eat. The crab meat was shell free and vry flavorful and the prawns were HUGE! One person ahd the Lasagna and said it was wonderful and by its size it could have fed two people. Our party also had 2 of the specials that night: the Grouper which both said was exceptional and the paella which had a ton of seafood and sausage and was very flavorful. Lastly you have tohave the bread with tomato sauce on it that they serve before dinner as it is outragious. I will come here again and again until I have tried everything on the menu and then to try all their specials. I cant wait to try brunch here!
(5)
Special K.
A much needed Italian place in Annapolis. They have organic pastas on their menu and the portion/flavor is just perfect. I love the black (squid-ink infused) linguine with seafood (lobster, etc.). We love it!
(4)
Michael B.
Outdoor seating is a plus and the food was good. I had a seafood risotto which was ok but missed the mark. the table had a few apps which were very tasty( carpaccio). They have a large menu so pretty much anyone could find something they were in the mood for. Heavy Heavy use of butter made the carbonara taste great but super rich. ( Next day we reheated the leftovers and it was literally swimming in butter.) Good though. I would go back if I had a hankering for some Italian but would not wake up dreaming about it. Service was good.
(3)
R C.
The food is decent, especially for Annapolis, and they have an extensive menu that is vegetarian-friendly. Love their bread too! I also really appreciate their relaxing ambiance and spacious floorplan that allows for conversation and some seclusion from your neighbors. The reason, however, I give Carpaccio only two stars is for the service. The first couple times I went here, it was not terrible -- the host/hostesses were not particularly friendly or helpful, which leaves a bad first impression, but I can deal with that. The third and last time I went here, we were visiting with out-of-town family that we had not seen in months. One person was running late due to traffic from the Navy game, a reality in Annapolis that the staff was well-aware of. Because we hadn't seen these family members for such a long time, we decided to hold off on ordering our entrees (but rest assured we were providing plenty of business with our continuous wine and app orders). After some time, the server came to pressure us to order, telling us the management was pressuring her to "get us out of here." What was once a relaxing, enjoyable dinner turned rushed and uncomfortable. We ordered quickly and went elsewhere for dessert. I don't necessarily blame the restaurant for wanting to turn the tables over quickly; I know they are running a business and there may have been a wait. But I think they could have handled it much better and with a little more understanding for a family that hadn't seen each other in a long time.
(2)
Veronica L.
I was craving desert last Wednesday, kind of late, so my boyfriend and I hopped in my car and headed towards Annapolis. As we were getting ready to pass Carpaccio, I suggested we stop there and check it out. There is a parking garage in the plaza to park out and I think that's the only option but the fee was maybe just a few bucks, so not bad. We sat down at the bar and there were like three bartenders working, so we got pretty good and fast service. My boyfriend and I both ordered drinks first. I got a pineapple vodka martini type drink, which had a good amount of alcohol but not so much that it took away from the flavor and my boyfriend got a Guinness. I ordered a chocolate cake and my boyfriend got the tiramisu. Both were delicious, although, not being a fan of tiramisu, I don't think I would have liked more than the bite I stole from my boyfriend's plate but he really enjoyed it. The bill for those two drinks and two deserts was around $30 - kind of expensive in my opinion. Even so, I would probably like to come back and try a main course here.
(4)
Janice R.
My second visit to Carpaccio was just as good as my first. I love a good red sauce and my SO a cream sauce. So we each ordered our litmus test. Mine, the eggplant parmagian and his the spaghetti carbonara. Of course, I also wanted to try the bolognese sauce and the waiter gladly brought me a bowl on the side that I poured over my pasta. We shared a caesar salad and a plate of mixed cheeses, meats and vegetables from the Tuscan Market, which could have easily served 3 or 4 but they gladly packaged it for us to take with. As, they also packed 1/2 of my eggplant and the remaining bolognese sauce. What a wonderful lunch this made for Sat. The wine list is limited and it does not have the year the wine was produced, but we had a Merlot for $66 that was perfect with our meal. Our waiter was great and very knowledgeable (explains the specials very well), our food was exactly what we both wanted and the bread basket refilled TWICE! Put tomato on bread and I'm happy! Also, don't miss the martinis! We'll be back. There were 2 hostesses and a host. We were seated at exactly 7:31 for our resv. at 7:30 pm. There was not an empty table when we arrived or when we left so definitely make a resv. for a Fri. or Sat. evening. Buon Appetito
(4)
Marianna R.
I love this place. I am an Italian food snob with high food standards as my mother was a fabulous Italian food cook. And this place surely meets my standards. The food is outstanding and the bar area is really nice and spacious for both socializing and eating. This restaurant has style, class and has a sophisticated yet not stuffy atmosphere. There service is good and the wine list is outstanding. And with all that, the prices are average for quality food. I plan to frequent this establishment.
(5)
Mike A.
great outdor patio with live band. pizza was good. linguine with white clams was good. penne vodka was ok as was chicken parmigana. i only gave it 3 stars because the food was so overprices. pastas at $18-$34 was more expensive than Babbo, Felicia or Del Posto in NY.
(3)
Gary H.
Great!!! Carpaccio's is our favorite go-to restaurant in Annapolis. The bar is fabulous and the table area is wonderful and classy. The bartenders know us and most other regulars by name and what we like to drink. Many people eat at the very spacious bar area. There are high tables in the bar area as well. The food has always been great. I love the salmon and their custom made pizza or pizza off the menu. It is a classy place but you can go here casually. There is also a lot of outdoor seating which is great in the summer and nice weather. Valet parking is the easiest because it will be tough finding street parking at peak times. The parking garage is nice but you need to enter and exit via the Weston hotel. They can't comp the garage or valet because the city or Annapolis owns the Town Park company. Anyway Carpaccio's is also very active in charity events in the area. I have seen them provide food for fund raising charities many times. Definitely give this place a try if you haven't yet!
(5)
Ryan B.
We are regulars to this place, but most likely will not go back. We went to have a nice dinner outside with our daughter and it took 15 min for someone to come over to serve us. Meanwhile, we had asked twice for a high chair for our daughter as the first one was broken. Meanwhile, three employees stood outside and just stared at us. Clearly, this place was judging us for bringing our daughter and not kid friendly.
(1)
Stephen L.
Love the half off pizzas at happy hour! staff is great every time we have been as well. Can't complain about anything I have had there.
(4)
Debra S.
Carpaccio's is ALWAYS a delightful meal - wonderful food and great atmosphere. They offer a wide selection of the finest Italian foods, and always serve their complimentary pizza bread as soon as you sit down. I've had their spinach salad with salmon and several fish dishes, and their spaghetti reminds me of my trip to Venice. Perfect. And parking is just steps away underground. Very convenient location and a great meal with courteous service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Ellen Y.
Service leaves much to be desired. Waited over 30 minutes for appetizer. Never heard about the specials. Still waiting for dinner. Food is good but not great. Ambiance outside is wonderful
(5)
Louisa E.
This review is for togo pizza side only. Pizza is some of best in Annapolis. Thin crust with great sauce and perfect amount of cheese and toppings. Ordered an Ischia last week off their special list and it ended coming with eggplant instead of roasted peppers which wasn't advertised but ended up being AMAZING. Best when served hot! Love the Caprese, Ischia and Margherita. Just looked at ,menu and realized that the round and square Ischia pizzas have different toppings which is why sometimes it comes with eggplant and sometimes not.
(4)
Christy F.
This review is for the Carpaccio 2 go Pizzeria - located adjacent to the Wine Bar. I'm guessing it tries to cater to the office workers in Park Place and the guests at the Westin across the street. The pizza by the slice is decent, big slices, but it sits out on the countertop and they heat it up, so the dough was all soggy and the slice, though big, unimpressive. The $9 salad I got was a huge disappointment. It had a few beet slices thrown on lettuce which was dusted with goat cheese and a few candied walnuts. It came with 3 pieces of bread, but I suspect that was to make up for the lack of substance for the salad. I'm more than happy to pay $9 or more for a quality salad, but this salad was laughably bad.
(2)
Rosanna M.
There is nothing about this restaurant I don't love!!! The food is wonderful, they let me play with the menu. My husband isn't eating carbs so they let him create a "pizza toppings" meal that others now enjoy. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The bar crowd is fun. Everything is great!
(5)
Terrence P.
Delicious! Had the Salmon capricciosa main course and puff pastry scallop dish for app. Sat outside which was fantastic. Service was good. Definitely want to go back and try different dishes
(4)
Mike G.
We were staying at the Westin across the street. Came over for a quick lunch today. We just got a couple of slices of pizza. The gentleman who helped us was very polite. Typical New York style pizza. My pepperoni pizza was pretty greasy, but I don't fault the restaurant for that. It still had great flavor. If we are in the area again we would return.
(4)
Andrea Y.
As an Italian I was skeptical about trying Carpaccios but was looking for a good food date night. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic service & the authentic flavored & cooked food. We had the Tuscan Market platter to start and the meats & cheeses were the best I have had since I was last in Italy. My main course, linguini Mediterranean was perfect with the seafood tender & flavorful. The wait staff was eager to modify the menu to my husband's taste (he wanted a spicy red sauce on ravioli that was not on the menu) & he loved his meal equally as much. The almond cake for dessert was delicious, much like a tiramisu but with amaretto flavoring & the limoncello transported me back to a small Tuscan restaurant I ate at years ago. The good was surprisingly amazing, the waiter did not rush us which allowed for a relaxed romantic evening & my Italian roots were impressed by the authenticity of everything we ate. I highly recommend this restaurant & can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mike L.
Awesome! Beef Rollatini NEEDS to be a permanent menu item!!! Great Floridian drink as well
(5)
Kiaira B.
OMG! I can't wait for the weather to break to go back and sit outside by the fountain. This spot gives me such as sexy french vibe. I took my mother and little sister here for dinner and must I say our waiter was great! The food was amazing. Appetizer calamari which was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had Salmon Casino Style and everything was seasoned amazingly. My mom had the special lobster ravioli with crab sauce. They do not have a formal kids menu but they will create anything for your little one. My little sister had ravioli and there was nothing left on the plate when we left. Overall great food and atmosphere. I would come back again and again. Great date vibe and the wine list looked great. I have had better Italian food in NYC but this is in my top 7. Especially for this MD Area.
(4)
Julie H.
I was staying at the Westin next door and came here with some co-workers. What a treat! Started off with a glass of Pinot Noir. Loved that it came in a nice, big glass. I hate it when restaurants serve reds in tiny cheap glasses. They also brought out some seriously delicious bread. Someone called it pizza bread, not sure if that's the real name but it was so good with the marinara. I could have just eaten that it was so good! For dinner I got a seafood pasta. Pasta was nice and al dente with plump, juicy shrimp and of course topped with crab. I was sad I didn't have a fridge at my hotel because it was so good but impossible to finish. The service was only okay. It seemed kind of slow and we had trouble finding our server when needed. We finally asked a bus boy for salt and pepper, but we never received it and finally gave up. Great food, great ambiance, hopefully they can improve the service! I'm still giving them 4 stars because the food was so good and the service wasn't awful, just room for improvement!
(4)
Sean D.
Took wife here for Birthday/Valentine dinner. Service was top notch, food was better than 5 star. Only complaint is the wine list. Very good list but seems to be way over priced. You expect a $20 bottle to cost around $40 or maybe $45 in restaurant, here it's around $60. Would not hesitate to go back for the food though.
(5)
Shauna K.
If I could leave a 10 star review, this place would get it. We found this place by accident one night when we were lost on our way to the theater, and have been back 3 times since. From the bread they put on your table to the fresh fish to the awesome sauces, every single thing we've eaten here has been amazing. The service is always top notch. We did my birthday dinner here with a group of 15. We were there a long time and had gifts (it was right around Christmas so we were exchanging presents) piled up everywhere and our server was very accommodating, never complaining about the gigantic mess we were making. Awesome ambiance, stellar food, fantastic service. Likely my favorite place in Annapolis.
(5)
Tab G.
This is by far one the best restaurant experiences we've had in Annapolis. The food was great. The price definitely matched the quality. If you like good Italian food, this is the place. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)
Laura T.
We've probably eaten at Carpaccios five times now. Their pizza is our favorite....especially the Ischia. It's a perfect place for a warm dinner in the winter or a courtyard dinner in the summer. Highly recommend this spot!
(5)
Rob B.
Restaurant Week Experience 3 Course dinner $32.95 I thought it a good time to give Carpaccio another try. Lovely setting, I sat at the bar. The owner or manager greeted me, then promptly walked away to join some girls on the other side of the bar. Hum, About 10 minutes later a waiter asked me if I would like something. I had the Medeterranean salad wonderful and then the eggplant parmesan. Both dishes were very good, but the bread basket was a sleeper. Pizza bread and pizza dough knot roll were wonderful ! The bread went well with the $6 happy hour Avalon Cabernet. A half tiramisu dessert was good, over sweet for me but nice. Restaurant week has given me another thought about Carpaccio's food. 5 star if the Majordomo could have taken the time to do more than say hello and walk away.
(4)
Heather T.
Stopped at this restaurant during an overnight stay in Annapolis. For an out of towner, the adjacent underground parking garage was perfect. Everything was perfect. The starters were delivered immediately and my wine soon behind. The waitress took her time describing the differences in a certain type of pasta I was interested in. We had the eggplant and pappardelle bolognese. Both were incredible. The bathroom is amazing and even features mouthwash! Totally recommend this to anyone In the area who doesn't want to deal with downtown Annapolis traffic.
(4)
Larissa J.
Lunch time prices are great but hope you're not in a rush because the servers aren't! And don't expect to be checked on more than once, luckily the bussers are quick with the water refills!
(2)
Linda G.
Less than expected. Service was friendly, good wine recommendations, but intermittent in attentiveness. Calamari arrived lukewarm. Carpaccio was very good as was the pasta. Risotto was mediocre. Overall a good dinner out but not exceptional. No food O here.
(3)
Tuck T.
Service was not that great, hardly ever saw the waiter. And brio's carpaccio was way better. Oysters Rockefeller were weird- very non traditional
(2)
Annp O.
went there with my boyfriend for restaurant week. picked out spinach salad and linguini seafood. salad was ok dressing a bit sour. pasta had no flavor. very bland ... couldnt even taste any garlic. mussels were so so. just no taste to it. not impressed with the food. had cannoli for dessert and that was good. so was tiramisu.
Friday night reservation at 8p for 6 on one of our first excursions from Baltimore to Annapolis. Our friends highly recommended this place. We found it to be very good. We were seated shortly after arriving. The ambience was lively, classy. Pizza bread was complementary and a good start to the night. Cocktail list was creative and the wine list extensive. Reasonable bottled beer selection, geared towards Italian fare, nothing on draft. Apparently they've pared down the menu, but it still offered many choices (and was the same as that on the website); they offered specials, rack of lamb and crab ravioli that we didn't want to ask the price of. To start, we settled on the organic spinach salad that neatly combined goat cheese, macademia nuts, strawberries, pears, light raspberry vinaigrette; nothing extraordinary but was what we expected. We got the risotto con carne that was a large portion and heavy on the meat, perfect for husband's carnivorous ways, so he didn't mind sharing. Shared a Vesuvio pizza. Their wood-fired pizzas are on the doughy side. The creamy cheese was the dominant feature. Arugula piled high. Everything was so filling we actually opted out of dessert. Plus we had been there for 2.5 hours as we, our company, and the service were in no hurry. This place had the potential for 5 stars if it were either less expensive or more inventive. As it was, this was a place to get tasty Italian food that wasn't boring, in a pleasant atmosphere, for a price commensurate with the quality provided.
(4)
Mike O.
I've had the pizza from their pizza spot and it was good. I had a post in Annapolis and stopped there for a slice of pizza before work and I must say it was pretty good. It was so good that I got a second slice can't remember the name of the slice I got but it was damn good.
(3)
Beth K.
I ate here last Friday, after making last minute dinner plan changes. I was dying to try this restaurant simply because the fountain in front of it is so pretty at night. We were easily seated (a trend I see in Annapolis overall, which is so nice). The waitress was attentive, and immediately brought us waters and a bread basket. The bread was sort of like marinara pizza sticks, which were delicious. There were also rosemary rolls, as well. My date and I split a caesar salad to start. It was overall very heavy on the dressing, but the croutons were obviously homemade and the portion size was big. They also split the salad in two plates which was appreciated. I got the pollo scarpariello, which was basically chicken marsala with pearl onions over thick sliced potatoes. The chicken was flavorful, and had a good rosemary flavor and marsala reduction. Date had the tornado al gorgonzola, a steak stuffed with gorgonzola and a side of the potatoes. He seemed happy with the temperature of the steak, and the bite I tried was delicious. I enjoyed the meal overall, and really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. It's dimly lit and wasn't too loud so conversation was easy. I think the food deserves four stars, but it's pretty over priced which is why I had to knock it to three. I read some other reviews about spotty service, but I our service was pretty good.
(3)
Adam C.
Pre-made, microwaved meatballs? At least that's what they tasted like. Good service and decent atmosphere but the food was below average at best.
(2)
Ben H.
I took my wife hear for her birthday because she loved the outdoor patio seating area with the fountain and plants. It was a great way to eat their amazingly fresh and organic brick over pizza with a smooth glass of Riesling on a warm evening. We also scoped out the inside which has a beautiful ambience in both the restaurant and bar area which open to each other. We will definitely be getting some more pizza in the future (they have a to-go store front as well) and look forward to trying some other menu items as well. Overall experience is classier than your typcial Italian restaurant.
(4)
Lenny B.
Food was OUTSTANDING! Even heated up leftovers later. Vodka Penne Capaccio Style was fabulous!! Peas in pasta??? Who'd have think it? Best part of evening -- the waiter! Knowledgeable. Accommodating. Very polite! Took pride in his job. Don't see that a lot but because of that I'll be back.
(5)
Rob N.
Based on the one lunchtime visit I've had, I'd have to say I really like Carpaccio. It's a business-casual type place with reasonable prices, decent food, and plenty adequate service to get you in and out in a normal lunch hour. The ragout for my pasta tasted fresh-made. Papardelle (wide, flat noodles) with a tomato and lamb ragout was my choice. The noodles were cooked nicely, the tomatoes and meat had been baked or stewed together until beautifully thick with tender shreds of lamb. Rosemary and goat cheese topped it all off. All in all, it was definitely a candidate for inducing a post-lunch coma. I also like that instead of just standard crusty Italian loaf or tired focaccia, you get a basket of baked tomato bread and herb-seasoned rolls.
(4)
Brian A.
Carpaccio's is the best Italian restaurant in Annapolis! I have eaten at Carpaccio's several times, spending a majority of the time in the bar/lounge area. The restaurant has a great feel to it and will make you very relaxed the moment you arrive. The service, which is a very big deal to me, is top notch! Brooke, Jason, and Christina, to name a few, are absolutely wonderful and will make sure that you're having a great meal, or a great drink. They are very knowledgeable of the menu as well as the drinks and they will never steer you wrong. The food at Carpaccio's is fresh, and delicious all around. The scallops appetizer and the mussels and clams appetizers are wonderful. The salads are quite filling and tasty. The specials, such as the lobster ravioli, are exquisite. I would even try a pizza if I were you. They have a happy hour special on them Monday-Friday till 7pm, so it's a great deal. I could continue to talk about this wonderful restaurant and hidden gem in Annapolis, but you should stop reading this review and definitely try it for yourself because you will be greatly satisfied!
(5)
Tim D.
This is probably my favorite Italian restaurant outside of little Italy. I've had a good number of the dishes here and here are some of my favorites: gnocci (reasonable portion, well cooked and served with some fresh basil), mushroom risotto (you gotta love mushrooms) and the heirloom tomato salad (fresh mozzarella, heirlooms, basil...mmmm). The drinks at this place are pretty good as well. They'll know most of the cocktails you've had before and do a reasonable rendition of it. Their signature cocktail list is full of interesting choices as well. The ambiance is borderline romantic and when the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is a choice place to be. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(5)
Jill J.
I know this is a very belated review, but when I saw this place pop up while browsing, I just couldn't let go of my horrible experience.... I can't even begin to explain the rudeness from the "host" on a Saturday night last summer...we had reservations, but we were ignored so hard we couldn't even give him our name...walked out after exchanging words with the arrogant bastard... it would have been comical if I hadn't been so enraged. I would have liked to eat there, but I'll never go back.
(1)
Cat O.
We had a really nice meal at Carpaccio's on December 7, 2012 around 7pm. I was pleased that we were seated promptly thought we were a few minutes early for our reservations. The place was bustling but had an organized and well-staffed vibe. Our table wasn't fabulous from a location standpoint, but it was a nice comfy booth with seat backs high enough to create a sense of privacy. Our server was Amy, and she was pleasant, busy, efficient, and knowledgeable (though no real warmth, we didn't mind at all, but she definitely wasn't working the old tip-O-meter) She said "My pleasure." very automatically, every time we said "Thank you." including on time when I was thanking my date! Sorry Amy, you were fine, and I know you were busy. We started with the Orangina Vesuviana (cheesy, deep-fried rice balls) which were tasty, but a little bland. Our server was a briefly thrown when I asked for a side of pesto to brighten up the appetizer, but she rallied nicely and the punch of raw garlic and fresh basil did wonders for the bland, rich balls. I had the Penne Pasticiio and it was awesome! Penne perfectly cooked at tossed with mini meatballs, crispy salami, slices of hard-boiled egg and lots of cheese with a tomato bechamel. Ummmmm, sooo good! My date and I were both over the roof about it! Washed down with their by-the-glass Super Tuscan, it couldn't have been better. My date had the chicken parm which is typical of him the first time in any italian restaurant. He considers it a bit of a litmus test... Carpaccio did not disappoint, and the serving was huge, but the ratio of chicken to pasta seemed a little off (needed more pasta) The chicken was perfectly cooked and he was happy (except that mine was BETTER!) lol Anyway, I was sad that they were sold out of the chocolate cake-y meets cheesecake dessert I wanted to try, but truth be told, I was too full anyway. We finished off the meal with espresso and Sambuca and were happy to take our leftovers home for what was a VERY good lunch over the weekend. Appetizer, Wine for 2, 2 Entrees, espresso and sambuca... $150 with tip. Not a bargain, but we felt it was worth it! Feedback for the restaurant is to turn up the warmth a little bit table-side and be sure to be in-stock on menu items for Friday night dinner rush.
(4)
Victoria S.
If I had to pick my favorite restaurant in downtown Annapolis, it would be Carpaccio. I have only been here a handful of time but every experience has been different and wonderful. Lunches- They had a deal going for a while *not sure if they still are* But if you buy one Lunch entree you get one for about 3-5 dollars. This is perfect if you want a GOOD lunch but for a reasonable price. Dinner- They have a ladies night with half priced bottles of wine. This is in the bar area. The Bar area consists of high top tables, which are seat yourself. Wait time if you go during peak dinner make cause a wait, but I'm telling you it is worth it! The wine list is amazing, as well as the bread they bring to the table. Consists of flat bread a a pizza like appetizer! If its summer, I suggest you sit outside- although their patio is right on the main road the fountain and the atmosphere is so romantic! I've tried a few different things here, the seafood pasta, salads, fish, etc. But my altime favorite is the mushroom ravioli. I could eat here every day if I could!
(5)
Gonzalo Y.
I had a very good dinner. Rock fish highly recommended. he owner or manager takes really care of their customers. Nice ambiance. Very good option if you are around the neighborhood.
(4)
Pete S.
Went to a birthday dinner recently. I had the Pollo Sunrise which was outstanding. My wife ordered veal Marsala and was served veal piccata. The waiter was very adamant that the piccata was in fact Marsala. The young man needs to learn his menu. My wife did say it was a great piccata. This should have been a five star experience. The pizza bread opener was great and the wines were reasonably priced. I would like to hear from management. If that's possible.
(4)
Christopher S.
4.5****/* We took our youngest daughter to Carpaccio for her birthday this week. We sampled two styles of Carpaccio prepared with beef tenderloin. They were delicious. We then had three different types of pasta. The Vodka Penne Carpaccio was out of this world. Salads were beautiful and tasty. Great chocolate chip cheese cake that I did not get to try because it was consumed so quickly. Excellent server, very knowledgeable. Great vibe going on. This is a top notch restaurant that will do very well in Annapolis. $124 for four with wine. Excellent price/value relationship.
(4)
Jen L.
I think you can finish a novel faster than you can look through the menu. WAY too many options! The bread basket is the BEST! I love the Foccacia bread in the basket that you get before the meal. There is a variety of bread that comes in the basket, but the Foccacia is my favorite. As for the wine list, its more like a wine book. I defer to the boyfriend for picking out the wine. I love wine, but I am no wine expert. Everything he has picked (mostly cab blends) have been great picks. I have been here several times and I have NEVER had a bad meal. All of the ingredients are fresh and the portions are large. They have small plates if you want to nibble to large pasta dishes to steaks. I wish I had thought to take a picture, because the presentation is awesome. The desserts are awesome! They have many specials as well your typical Italian Desserts like Canoli and Tiramisu and a variety of sorbets. The outdoor seating is beautiful. In the summer, I feel like I'm in Europe in eating outside next to the beautiful fountain on a starry night. It's a perfect place for a romantic date. The valet parking in Park Place is very convenient. I think its only $7 to park. There is no valet validation. It's pretty close to the cool part of West Street and next to Fado' Irish Pub.
(4)
Derick L.
My favorite place for a nice dinner though it could easily be a casual setting as well. Tasty seafood and pasta with a good selection of affordable and expensive wine.
(5)
Emily J.
For Sunday Brunch at least!! If you are in the Annapolis area go here for brunch. It had all your traditional breakfast items including two types of egg benedict. Some of the fabulous items included...prime rib, lamb chops, various fresh pasta, seafood, vegetable, chicken salads. Hot traditional Italian dishes. There were 4 of us who all tried different things and not one of us had something we thought was bad. And what made it great! It was so in our minds "cheap"! 20 bucks and you leave more than satisfied for your 20 dollars. Oh yes, and it includes fondue and other various desserts. The outside area is great to sit and there was live music the Sunday we were there.
(5)
Chris M.
I am sure alot of you are wondering why I am only giving 2 stars. This is strictly based of the quality of food. I had the chicken dish with marsala wine, which the wine over powered everything else on the plate. I also had the canoli for desert, it was pre-filled and sitting in the shell for many hours. Anyone who knows canoli's , you know you have to fill at time of ordering so the shell does not get soft.
(2)
Terri S.
Feels like being in Italy! Great atmosphere. Had the special of Bone in Veal Milanese. Wow! Ask Jason for his specialty, Italian Negronis! Bravo!
(5)
Valerie G.
For the second year in a row, we chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary with my dad and step-mom at Carpaccio in Annapolis, MD. Carpaccio is one of their favorite restaurants; especially since my step-mom Monica has a special connection with the owner (they're both crazy Italians). Carpaccio has a great location in Downtown Annapolis on a block with a lot of walking traffic, coffee shops, and hotels. There is plenty of parking; both street and garage and a huge bonus is that it's right by the stop for the free trolley that will take you all over Annapolis. It has a great outside area that is shared with another restaurant and a beautiful fountain. The interior of the restaurant is sophisticated with high-end decorations, an open view of the kitchen, and a large and fully stocked bar and yet the restaurant also has a comfortable feel to it. This is one of those rare places where upon entering you know that you can both feel at home here and know that you're getting a quality, high-end meal that you couldn't ever get at home. The wait staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. On this occasion our waiter even advised us on a dish he didn't recommend we tried as it wasn't one of his favorites. That might not enamor him of the owner or chef, but it did of me for sure. When deciding what to order, I asked him to choose my wine for me based on the entree I chose and he was knowledgeable in that aspect, picked me a great wine, and checked back to make sure I liked it. He was very attentive and had such a lovely, friendly attitude; it made you want to come back regardless of the food. Thankfully, the food made you want to come back even more. The bread that you start with at the table is a mixture of different kinds, the best of which Monica calls their "pizza bread" as it's covered in a delicious red sauce. The table started with carpaccio di manzo toscano (thinly sliced filet mignon, baby spinach, mixed mushrooms, shaved parmesan cheese, drizzle of white truffle oil) which was perfectly sliced, a beautiful presentation, and just the right amount of filling to really wet your appetite for the meal you're about to tuck into. For entrees, I ordered the risotto al funghi porcini (arborio rice slowly cooked in a mushroom broth with imported Italian Porcini mushrooms, drizzled with white truffle olive oil and topped with shaved parmesan cheese) and Mike ordered the polenta di mare (fresh prawns, deep sea scallops, jumbo lump crab cake meat, fancy capers, scampi sauce, resting on a crispy polenta). My risotto was perfect; it was the perfect mix of creamy and al dente. The mushrooms and truffle oil were decadent and just the perfect richness. I took my leftovers home and finished it with steak for dinner and it was just as good the second time around and held up perfectly next to a piece of red meat. Mike loved his polenta and his prawns and scallops were perfectly cooked. For dessert, I ordered the cannelloni which were delicious. They were the perfect size for one person and were the exact right amount of sweet. Often with cannelloni you can get filling that is way too sweet and ruins the whole dish; these were perfect. The only criticism of my dessert is that the shells were a little to hard to cut into and I ended up stabbing at my cannelloni like a sugar crazed caveman. Mike ordered the flourless chocolate cake. His cake was incredibly rich, but given in a tiny slice so as to not overwhelm. He loved it and devoured the whole thing quickly. Mike finished of his meal with a dessert liquor suggested by our waiter that Mike found surprisingly delicious. Walking away from a meal at Carpaccio, you feel full, satisfied, and happy. We all left with smiles on our faces knowing we had just eaten quality food with just the right amount of decadence served by someone you now felt like was a friend.
(4)
Adrienne R.
Carpaccio as a restaurant is good. But my true love is around the side they have Carpaccio To Go. You can order at the counter and eat there or take it home. You can get pizza by the slice or sandwiches. This pizza is my favorite of all time. They have several to choose from. There is a pesto chicken that is superb. They also make one with multi colored tomatoes on top with feta. That is good as well and not on the regular pizza menu. The white pizza is good too, very garlicky. Often I get plain cheese, you can't beat it. I like to get a side of pizza sauce to eat with it. As far as sandwiches, I've liked the couple I have tried. They come with fries which is nice. They aren't your usual french fries, but are battered. The guys that work there are very nice, especially Ray. They get to know you by sight and are super friendly and remember your usual. Parking is hard, you usually have to park illegally. Valet takes over the spaces out front. Luckily I live a block away and can walk.
(5)
L M.
Restaurant Week day 1 Monday Feb 25, 2013 our first choice was Carpaccio. We had never been and had read mixed reviews. Our experience for the 3 course price fix meal for $32.95 was ..For starters, very dimly lit hard to see menus, we were given way too many menus shoved in our face..a wine ,bar, restaurant week and finally regular menu !! Yet no desert menu? Our service was rushed even though the restaurant was 2/3 empty the whole time we were there from 1800hrs to 2000hrs Bread arrives hot and water guy actually were the most attentive to our table. Our salad was very small leafy greens with berries, nuts cheese and raspberry vinegret dressing slightly off in taste. Before we could finish the salad the entree was in our face I couldn't find nor taste any eggplant within the cheese n spaggetti noodles on my plate? We stopped eating salad to eat entree which was lukewarm (waiter told us its cooked in a heated convection oven. Strange we thought? We found very small portions for the high price their asking even during Restaurant Week. Our service just ok , little awkward and kinda annoying at times with a trainee tagging along. We were told 2 seconds after our entree was put in our face that the waiters were to check in to see how things were. Very hard to give honest feedback on it when Im being rushed and still working on salad. Desert Tiramasu small portion 2"x2" with an awkwardly cut berry Never had such a minute portion looked like a sampler. Ascertaining parking from their web page was unclear We called and were given directions I couldnt follow. We found an awkward garage down a hill and underground with no idea how to get outta it to the restaurant we ended up in the Westin Hotel. The other option was the $7.00 valet. Kinda pricey for location. Our paid parking cost us 5.00 for 2 hrs in this garage. Based on review we felt very let down and disappointed. We don't eat out to often and had been looking forward to it . Would not recommend and would not return especially if we had to pay the regular menu prices. At $9.00 for a salad we expect a salad not a few leafs of greens. The atmosphere was somewhat cold and uninviting..Upon leaving we were not thanked or spoken too By this strange looking gentleman standing with his arms crossed near exit We would not recommend and would not return and found it hard to believe they had received such high Zagat and other reviews.
(1)
Colleen M.
Went to Carpaccio's for a family dinner on Friday night. They do offer reservations and knowing that this was a Friday evening in downtown, we made a reservation for 7. They have outside seating and there was music but, outside seating was packed. We were seated inside immediately. The complimentary bread was awesome. We also split an order of bruschetta. It was decent. They have a full bar but, I went with an Italian beer (recommended by the server) which was very tasty and something I don't normally get. As for dinner, I went with the special, Lobster Ravioli. It was good but the sauce was a little spicy for my liking and normally, I like spicy. The best part of the meal was dessert. Three of us split this cake...Can't remember what the name was but, I think it was called the naught angel maybe??? Anyways, it was spectacular and large enough for the trio. The service was great and best of all they did not rush us. I would recommend this place for a nice evening out in downtown and will next time, weather depending, make a reservation for outside when they have music. They don't have parking but, there is a garage close by. If you are patient and don't mind walking a short distance, you might be able to find off street parking for free down one of the side roads.
(3)
LaToya E.
I only have three words for their Sunday brunch buffet "Oh My Goodness!!" The brunch was amazing! The french toast was delicious, the eggs were heavenly and the mimosa hit the spot! The buffet had so many options that each time I visited I got to try something different. Carpaccio is definitely worth the drive from DC to Annapolis to have such an amazing Italian style brunch in such a beautiful atmosphere.
I LOVE the food here but not the service! There just isn't any. We had yet another evening of wondering whether or not our server had gone home early....... The manager or host does nothing to ensure that we were being taken care of, not once did he even come outside. It was our servers first day on the job and she was clearly overwhelmed as he had her inside making capuccinos for another table. We waited for 20 minutes to even ask for a check and have our food boxed up and still no waitress. What ensued after I went inside to inquire about getting our check was so unbelievable that I decided to never, ever, ever go back to this restaurant. My vote is for Brio!
(2)
Regina S.
This place gets stars for the decor, overall ambiance, and an enjoyable outdoor dining area. The food can be hit or miss however, but we keep going back because we can dine here with our choco lab when we visit Annapolis by water during the boating season. They are quite dog friendly and bring out cold bowls of water for our pup complete with ice cubes to keep things chilled in the warm air. It's nice dining next to the fountain too. I can't say I have ever been sorely disappointed with my meals, although some definitely shined brighter than others. Our last meal - Pasta Sophia Loren for me (linguine with clams in the shell with a light wine sauce) was too flavorless. The clams were tender, but the sauce was so gentle that if you took a sip of wine, the subtle flavors dissipated immediately. A heavier hand with garlic, lemon, and salt could have transformed the dish. My husband's tenderloin Carpaccio was very well received however. It was beautifully presented and the flavors were spot on. The bread assortment is always nice, but the warm soft rolls were overpowered by the fresh rosemary. (That is just a personal taste preference however). The pizzas are OK, the spinach salad with macadamia nuts and raspberry vinaigrette a true delight, and the spaghetti carbonara decent. I will have to try the Vodka sauced pasta next as it seems to get very good reviews here.
(3)
Jessie D.
Great calamari, decent pizza and the best cannoli in Annapolis. Plus the staff is great and it's decorated really nicely for Christmas!
(4)
Katherine E.
Food was good, but service not so good. Made reservations through Open Table (which is what the restaurant's website pointed me to) for 7:30 pm on Satuday night. When my date and I arrived, we were told they were clearing some tables and it would be 5-10 minutes. While waiting 30 minutes to be seated, a family of 4 arrived who were clearly friends with the maitre d' and they got seated first (at an identical booth so it wasn't as if it was a difference between 2 vs 4). Luckily they seated us next because my date was fuming when he realized the family who arrived after us was being seated before us due to favoritism. Maitre d' didn't seem to be using the computer to keep track of who should be seated next. Then it took a while for our waitress to acknowledge our presence and even longer for her to come take our order. Food was OK with more selection than a chain restaurant. We ordered Pappardelle Bocelli (tomato ragu too overpowering and the lamb was practically non existant) and Pappardelle Donatello (great sauce, but beef overcooked). Might be better if the shoddy service didn't leave a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)
Brian K.
STAY AWAY!!!! AWFUL experience. The waitress was never around, which was probably a good thing as she was far less than friendly. The food took 48 minutes to arrive at the table (I timed it). We ordered four meals -- one was cold on arrival, two had pasta that was woefully under-cooked, and the fourth, while sufficiently warm, did not taste good at all. I'm no chef, but cooking pasta is not rocket science. They could be giving away free meals, but I would NEVER go back.
(1)
D. T.
Had drinks and food in the bar. Great friendly and helpful server. Steak sliders were good and homemade chips were, as well. Atmosphere just ok...little like a slightly upscale Olive Garden. Everything else ++. Server gets ++++!
(4)
Sierra S.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was amazing! Went back on a week night and it was mediocre which is why I gave three stars. First, the brunch was very affordable, the service was great but I didn't feel like there was enough of a variety for a brunch buffet. I should add that my "go-to" brunch place is Mrs. K's in Silver Spring so it is possible that I am biased. When I went back during the week, I ordered a pizza (if you live in Annapolis, recommend either the Italian Market or Whole Foods) which was so so. The truffle mac and cheese which is supposed to be "amazing" was disgusting and half of it went to the trash. Why do people use penne, toss in some cheese and claim it is mac and cheese? Not!
(3)
Christine C.
I am a total fan, I think if I could give it 4.5 I would and I like to savor my 5s for those that just really stand out from the rest. This place was rather unexpected though. I found here on Yelp, and tried it out on a Wed night. The place was mildly crowded, mostly folks at the bar. We were seated right away at a booth which we adore and the lighting was low. We were greeted immediately by a very italian looking gentleman who took us to our seats with a warm smile. Once seated were were given menus, water and some breads (slices of pizza and rolls - delish). We had parked in front of the fado which is pretty close by too. The neat thing about their appetizer menu is how you can order half portions. So say you just wanted a nibble prior to the meal you could. So we ordered the ? Orangine (sp), and they were two rice balls (half portion) filled with roasted red pepper and fontina cheese. They were lightly fried and absolutely wonderful. For dinner I enjoyed the MilleFiogio (sp) Galelio, a green olive leaf pasta with cannelini beans, olives, fried artichoke leaves, garlic and a white wine sauce topped with Parmesan flakes. The plate was just delicious.. it had amazing flavor running throughout. Just delicious and I was able to save half my dish it was so big... I will be enjoying that tomorrow. Neil had a dish of orrechinis with spicy italian sausage (galore), greens (broccoli, spinach) in a wine sauce. The food was fabulous. He paired it with a syrah the house recommended which was a perfect match according to him. I am unfortunately off the wine ... I am beautifully pregnant! It's a pretty good trade off! Well we also indulged in a desert. We skipped the Tiramisu and indulged in an Italian Ricotta Cheese cake that was different, it was not sweet by taste but it was deliciously spongy. I think you have to have a taste for it, but just don't be surprised when it's not super sweet. Note on parking they do have valet for $7 through the Westin or Park Place I would gather, but there is street parking and garage parking on site. For the price of the food I think we got what we paid for, it was a wonderful meal accompanied by wonderful ambiance and Jessica was a wonderful server, just enough attention. The only thing that would make the place more authentic is if they brought the plates out a bit slower so that you could enjoy it more.
(4)
Karen P.
Had lunch here and everything was very good including the service. I had the eggplant in a red sauce.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Came to Annapolis for a couple days and stayed at the Westin next door. This is what my boyfriend and I ordered: Il Sorrentino- vodka, limoncello, pineapple juice and prosecco- delicious drink Cozze and Vongole Impapate- mussels and clams, nicely cooked, just wished it came with more than two little crostini as my bf loves to dip bread in the broth Polpettine Di Granchio- crab balls, very delicious Papardelle Bolognese- so delicious, fresh pasta with just the right amount of cheese i the sauce cannolis- delicious but overpriced for their small size (2 mini for $8) The food was really good, but I agree with another Yelper as to the lack of a hostess. Also, we dined pretty late on the patio and the staff made us feel quite rushed to complete our meal and head out. If the overall service were better, I'd give this place another star.
(3)
Gary S.
If you are looking for a great casual date restaurant this is it! Split one of the pizzas, my favorite includes Kobe beef carpaccio, fresh mozzarella slices and topped with rocket lettuce. Drizzled across is a sweet balsamic vinegarete that completes the crunch on this thin crispy crust. They have an excellent selection of wines by the glass, the waiters are always full of suggestions on what goes best. Finish with one of their sweet deserts and your date night will be complete. In the spring and summer the patio is great and adds to the mystique of date night with a beautiful lit fountain.
(4)
Bernadette N.
I wish this place was fantastic, because it's about 3 blocks from our house. But it's just not. We ordered takeout from here a few weeks ago, two pizzas and a Cesar salad. We were not totally disappointed, but for $45, I was not impressed. I still decided to give it another try last week on a warm night, since they have tons of outdoor seating. We started with the mozzarella di bufala, which is typically AMAZING, but this was just so sad at $17. And the tomato accompaniment was not even done with ripe tomatoes. This was highly offensive; I wouldn't recommend ordering this here because it will turn you off of something that's meant to be fabulous. It was like eating a fallen souffle. Anyway, we then received our bread, which was really just pizza crust and tomato sauce. Different take, but not good. I would have rather had crusty bread and olive oil. Then we got our mains. I actually ordered the eggplant parm appetizer, but the best part was honestly the salad garnish in the middle. my friend had a cheese pizza, she said it was OK. Chances are I will come back here at one point when I'm being lazy and have to have some pasta. But seriously, I'd rather eat outside at Fados and spend 1/3 of the $$. I will say, I don't consider this a totally fair review since I did not try any real main courses or pasta. But they all sounded too heavy for a summer night. Maybe we'll go back in winter and I'll update my review.
I'm a little biased when it comes to Italian... Friend and I were staying at the Westin Annapolis a stone's throw away from this place. As usual, we were on the hunt for an Italian place and this was one of the places the concierge suggested. First off, the decor. It reminded me of a family restaurant, a little too Ruby Tuesday, not enough...what is it I'm looking for? Maybe their intention was to be "family-oriented". If so, they did a pretty good job. The service was pretty bad, lackluster at best. Our server didn't even introduce himself (he was the Italian guy with the shaved head tweaked out on steroids) and pretty much ignored us for most of the evening. I think he came to our table three times in total, only to bring us something, including the check. As a general matter, the servers seemed kind of aloof and kind of ignored the diners. Not really a nice way to treat a newcomer. The only good thing was the pizza bread they brought out (late, I must say...they actually asked us if we wanted bread!). I had the one ravioli dish on the menu, the one with the basil pesto sauce. That dish was FLOODED to the max. I pretty much lost my appetite after ravioli #2...plus it tasted like something out of a can of Chef Boyardee. For an appetizer I had the tomato salad, which was decent enough. It was a HUGE salad though. My friend had a pasta dish with bacon in it (the name escapes me) which he thought was good. At least he ate better than I did. For dessert I had the tiramisu, which was very mediocre. It tasted like it had been sitting out on the counter for a while, and you could distinctly taste the dryness of the ladyfingers. Another thing that I didn't really like was the dinnerware...they have some interesting plates (especially for the tiramisu) that I felt didn't really go with the restaurant. All in all, it was just "meh". A Cheesecake Factory-style menu plus your typical Italian fare. I wouldn't come here again myself.
(2)
Lawrence S.
Good cocktail and wine selection. Our party of three split four appetizers: tomatoes + mozzarella, granchio avocado, cozze + vongole, and clams casino. The mozzarella was on par with expectations, as were the cozze + vongole. The fontina cheese gave the clams an extra flavorful twist, and the highlight was definitely the granchio -- the avocado and the lumped crabmeat were a tasty pairing. Other members of my party, fittingly, had carpaccio for the main course -- thinly sliced meat with suitable garnishes. I had seafood polenta; the shellfish pieces surrounded the polenta, which was crispy and delicious. Our service was very good -- our waitress frequently checked in and promptly took care of everything. We left absolutely stuffed.
(5)
Marcia O.
This is my home town and Carpaccio's has a real presence here, so I am drawn to write a review for those new folks as a warning. First of all, the food is pricey for the value. Secondly, if you want to sit outside with your dog, there is no opposition, but be ready to wait a long time for your service! I do believe that I was frankly forgotten by my server who stated that 'he had some really interesting customers inside, so was sorry for the wait." What does that comment show? Is a single woman with a chihuahua uninteresting? I've been there before and will return, despite the price and the rudeness and the wait because it is dog friendly, but be warned that this is not Brio's service or value. I expect better and hope this review is read and that the place improves.
(2)
Lauren W.
One of the best brunches I've had. We sat outdoors next to a waterfall, made for wonderful ambiance. The brunch buffet was plentiful. The egg Benedict were delicious, as were the seafood salad, ceaser salad (I actually had seconds of this it was that delicious) and pasta carbonara (I think?) The mimosa's were yummy (and half price with brunch too) The dessert selection, was large and delicious! I cannot wait to make another trip back for brunch, or even to try dinner here!
(5)
Pete S.
Went to a birthday dinner recently. I had the Pollo Sunrise which was outstanding. My wife ordered veal Marsala and was served veal piccata. The waiter was very adamant that the piccata was in fact Marsala. The young man needs to learn his menu. My wife did say it was a great piccata. This should have been a five star experience. The pizza bread opener was great and the wines were reasonably priced. I would like to hear from management. If that's possible.
(4)
Mona T.
This is the best Italian restaurant around. The bread is fabulous. The wait staff is knowable, professional and you feel well taken care of. We love the fish and have gone several times. Never a disappointing meal,
(5)
Elle H.
My family and I dined here for an early Mother's Day dinner. No one in our party had been to this restaurant before, so we were eager to try it out. There was only one other party in the restaurant when we arrived. We were given water almost immediately after we sat down. The person who showed us to our table didn't give us menus, so we talked amongst ourselves for 5 minutes before our server appeared. He took our drink orders (3 alcoholic beverages) and left. Still no menus. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to show up and we finally got our menus. We waited another 20 minutes for our order to be taken. While we were waiting, we were served rolls and some kind of pizza bread with red sauce on top. The bread was divine! The rolls with the rosemary on the bottom were my favorite. When our server finally arrived, we ordered two large apps for the table: Meatball Mediterranean (meatballs topped with feta cheese in marinara sauce with crostinis) and Orangina Vesuviana (fried tomato and rice balls with red peppers, fontina, and mascarpone cheese). The rice balls were excellent and were a hit with the table. The meatballs weren't anything to write home about. They had a good flavor, but they didn't taste freshly made to me. Plus, the meatball I cut into was hot on the outside and cold on the inside... Hm. For our main courses, we ordered Risotto Con Carne, Vitello Annapolis, Chicken Parmigiana, Calamari Fritti, Polenta Di Mare, Pappardelle Bolognese, and Fettucine Mediterraneo. Risotto Con Carne: Two of us had this dish. The menu said this dish came with "mignon tips". There were a lot of meat tips in the dish, but the meat was overcooked, difficult to cut and had zero flavor. The meat was the consistency of a meat you would put in a beef stew - no exaggeration. It definitely was not mignon. The pancetta was chewy. The "asparagus tips" were actually sliced pieces of the middle of the asparagus. The carrots were cut into pieces so tiny, that I could barely make out what they were. There were also several hard, uncooked grains of rice I bit into. It didn't look appetizing either. A huge disappointment for both of us. Vitello Annapolis: One person in our party had this dish. The dish was veal scallopini, with crab meat, mushrooms, and fettuccine pasta in a cream sauce. She wanted a bit more crab meat added to her dish and her food was drowning in cream sauce. She left half of her meal on her plate. Chicken Parmigiana: Two people in our party had this dish. The meal featured three breasts of chicken with capellini underneath. They both agreed the red sauce tasted a little salty, but the portions were huge and they liked the taste. Calamari Fritti: A child in our group ordered the appetizer portion for her main entree and she loved it. She said the calamari was fresh and it wasn't heavily breaded. Polenta Di Mare: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, crab meat, and capers on top of polenta. He said it was okay. The prawns and scallops were cooked perfectly, but was pretty bland in terms of seasoning and flavor. Pappardelle Bolognese: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of meat lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella and ragu. She loved it and had no complaints. Fettucine Mediterraneo: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, and crab meat with marinara sauce and fettucine pasta. He said everything tasted fine, but was disappointed with the quantity of seafood that came with his dish. He said for the price of the dish, he expected more seafood. Our server was friendly, but the service was severely lacking. He gave recommendations of what he enjoyed, but he constantly mumbled, so it was hard to understand what he was saying. Most of us had to ask for a refill on water. Others went with their glasses unfilled for the rest of the night. The water refill was room temperature. A couple of us had alcoholic beverages and no one was offered another. Once our food came out, we never saw our server again. No one came to our table to check on us. Once we got the check, he disappeared and never returned. We like to make sure the server gets the money in hand before we leave, but we got tired of waiting for him and just left it on the table. Also, during our meal, one of us requested a to-go order of the Chicken Parmigiana for a family member who could not attend our outing. The order was never given to us, nor was it on our bill. The server forgot to give the kitchen our order. We couldn't say anything to our server about it because he never came back to our table. Several people in our party enjoyed their food, so I have to give them that credit. I took stars away for the awful Risotto Con Carnes and for the poor service. The people who generally enjoyed their food agreed that while they liked their dishes, the prices were too high. I, personally, don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
(2)
Greg O.
We originally wanted to try Miss Shirley's, which is around the corner, but the wait was ridiculous and we were hungry. Carpaccio is right around the corner so we decided to try it. It was pretty empty with only a handful of tables taken in the dining room, but the service was very friendly and pretty attentive. The food was hit or miss though. First, the bread is quite good to start with, with both seasoned rolls and a pizza like bread stick (not sure of the exact name). For meals my wife went with a margherita pizza, and I tried the marcelo panini. The pizza was definitely the better choice- a nice thin crust, a tasty sauce and cheese topping. The panini was disappointing, but this was partially my fault, as I hadn't realized that rapini was bitter broccoli. Lesson learned for next time. The fries were ok, but not very crispy. Overall not bad, but not great either.
(3)
Gary H.
Great!!! Carpaccio's is our favorite go-to restaurant in Annapolis. The bar is fabulous and the table area is wonderful and classy. The bartenders know us and most other regulars by name and what we like to drink. Many people eat at the very spacious bar area. There are high tables in the bar area as well. The food has always been great. I love the salmon and their custom made pizza or pizza off the menu. It is a classy place but you can go here casually. There is also a lot of outdoor seating which is great in the summer and nice weather. Valet parking is the easiest because it will be tough finding street parking at peak times. The parking garage is nice but you need to enter and exit via the Weston hotel. They can't comp the garage or valet because the city or Annapolis owns the Town Park company. Anyway Carpaccio's is also very active in charity events in the area. I have seen them provide food for fund raising charities many times. Definitely give this place a try if you haven't yet!
(5)
Ryan B.
We are regulars to this place, but most likely will not go back. We went to have a nice dinner outside with our daughter and it took 15 min for someone to come over to serve us. Meanwhile, we had asked twice for a high chair for our daughter as the first one was broken. Meanwhile, three employees stood outside and just stared at us. Clearly, this place was judging us for bringing our daughter and not kid friendly.
(1)
Stephen L.
Love the half off pizzas at happy hour! staff is great every time we have been as well. Can't complain about anything I have had there.
(4)
Debra S.
Carpaccio's is ALWAYS a delightful meal - wonderful food and great atmosphere. They offer a wide selection of the finest Italian foods, and always serve their complimentary pizza bread as soon as you sit down. I've had their spinach salad with salmon and several fish dishes, and their spaghetti reminds me of my trip to Venice. Perfect. And parking is just steps away underground. Very convenient location and a great meal with courteous service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Ellen Y.
Service leaves much to be desired. Waited over 30 minutes for appetizer. Never heard about the specials. Still waiting for dinner. Food is good but not great. Ambiance outside is wonderful
(5)
Louisa E.
This review is for togo pizza side only. Pizza is some of best in Annapolis. Thin crust with great sauce and perfect amount of cheese and toppings. Ordered an Ischia last week off their special list and it ended coming with eggplant instead of roasted peppers which wasn't advertised but ended up being AMAZING. Best when served hot! Love the Caprese, Ischia and Margherita. Just looked at ,menu and realized that the round and square Ischia pizzas have different toppings which is why sometimes it comes with eggplant and sometimes not.
(4)
Christy F.
This review is for the Carpaccio 2 go Pizzeria - located adjacent to the Wine Bar. I'm guessing it tries to cater to the office workers in Park Place and the guests at the Westin across the street. The pizza by the slice is decent, big slices, but it sits out on the countertop and they heat it up, so the dough was all soggy and the slice, though big, unimpressive. The $9 salad I got was a huge disappointment. It had a few beet slices thrown on lettuce which was dusted with goat cheese and a few candied walnuts. It came with 3 pieces of bread, but I suspect that was to make up for the lack of substance for the salad. I'm more than happy to pay $9 or more for a quality salad, but this salad was laughably bad.
(2)
Rosanna M.
There is nothing about this restaurant I don't love!!! The food is wonderful, they let me play with the menu. My husband isn't eating carbs so they let him create a "pizza toppings" meal that others now enjoy. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The bar crowd is fun. Everything is great!
(5)
Terrence P.
Delicious! Had the Salmon capricciosa main course and puff pastry scallop dish for app. Sat outside which was fantastic. Service was good. Definitely want to go back and try different dishes
(4)
Mike G.
We were staying at the Westin across the street. Came over for a quick lunch today. We just got a couple of slices of pizza. The gentleman who helped us was very polite. Typical New York style pizza. My pepperoni pizza was pretty greasy, but I don't fault the restaurant for that. It still had great flavor. If we are in the area again we would return.
(4)
Andrea Y.
As an Italian I was skeptical about trying Carpaccios but was looking for a good food date night. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic service & the authentic flavored & cooked food. We had the Tuscan Market platter to start and the meats & cheeses were the best I have had since I was last in Italy. My main course, linguini Mediterranean was perfect with the seafood tender & flavorful. The wait staff was eager to modify the menu to my husband's taste (he wanted a spicy red sauce on ravioli that was not on the menu) & he loved his meal equally as much. The almond cake for dessert was delicious, much like a tiramisu but with amaretto flavoring & the limoncello transported me back to a small Tuscan restaurant I ate at years ago. The good was surprisingly amazing, the waiter did not rush us which allowed for a relaxed romantic evening & my Italian roots were impressed by the authenticity of everything we ate. I highly recommend this restaurant & can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mike L.
Awesome! Beef Rollatini NEEDS to be a permanent menu item!!! Great Floridian drink as well
(5)
Kiaira B.
OMG! I can't wait for the weather to break to go back and sit outside by the fountain. This spot gives me such as sexy french vibe. I took my mother and little sister here for dinner and must I say our waiter was great! The food was amazing. Appetizer calamari which was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had Salmon Casino Style and everything was seasoned amazingly. My mom had the special lobster ravioli with crab sauce. They do not have a formal kids menu but they will create anything for your little one. My little sister had ravioli and there was nothing left on the plate when we left. Overall great food and atmosphere. I would come back again and again. Great date vibe and the wine list looked great. I have had better Italian food in NYC but this is in my top 7. Especially for this MD Area.
(4)
Julie H.
I was staying at the Westin next door and came here with some co-workers. What a treat! Started off with a glass of Pinot Noir. Loved that it came in a nice, big glass. I hate it when restaurants serve reds in tiny cheap glasses. They also brought out some seriously delicious bread. Someone called it pizza bread, not sure if that's the real name but it was so good with the marinara. I could have just eaten that it was so good! For dinner I got a seafood pasta. Pasta was nice and al dente with plump, juicy shrimp and of course topped with crab. I was sad I didn't have a fridge at my hotel because it was so good but impossible to finish. The service was only okay. It seemed kind of slow and we had trouble finding our server when needed. We finally asked a bus boy for salt and pepper, but we never received it and finally gave up. Great food, great ambiance, hopefully they can improve the service! I'm still giving them 4 stars because the food was so good and the service wasn't awful, just room for improvement!
(4)
Sean D.
Took wife here for Birthday/Valentine dinner. Service was top notch, food was better than 5 star. Only complaint is the wine list. Very good list but seems to be way over priced. You expect a $20 bottle to cost around $40 or maybe $45 in restaurant, here it's around $60. Would not hesitate to go back for the food though.
(5)
Shauna K.
If I could leave a 10 star review, this place would get it. We found this place by accident one night when we were lost on our way to the theater, and have been back 3 times since. From the bread they put on your table to the fresh fish to the awesome sauces, every single thing we've eaten here has been amazing. The service is always top notch. We did my birthday dinner here with a group of 15. We were there a long time and had gifts (it was right around Christmas so we were exchanging presents) piled up everywhere and our server was very accommodating, never complaining about the gigantic mess we were making. Awesome ambiance, stellar food, fantastic service. Likely my favorite place in Annapolis.
(5)
Tab G.
This is by far one the best restaurant experiences we've had in Annapolis. The food was great. The price definitely matched the quality. If you like good Italian food, this is the place. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)
Laura T.
We've probably eaten at Carpaccios five times now. Their pizza is our favorite....especially the Ischia. It's a perfect place for a warm dinner in the winter or a courtyard dinner in the summer. Highly recommend this spot!
(5)
Rob B.
Restaurant Week Experience 3 Course dinner $32.95 I thought it a good time to give Carpaccio another try. Lovely setting, I sat at the bar. The owner or manager greeted me, then promptly walked away to join some girls on the other side of the bar. Hum, About 10 minutes later a waiter asked me if I would like something. I had the Medeterranean salad wonderful and then the eggplant parmesan. Both dishes were very good, but the bread basket was a sleeper. Pizza bread and pizza dough knot roll were wonderful ! The bread went well with the $6 happy hour Avalon Cabernet. A half tiramisu dessert was good, over sweet for me but nice. Restaurant week has given me another thought about Carpaccio's food. 5 star if the Majordomo could have taken the time to do more than say hello and walk away.
(4)
Heather T.
Stopped at this restaurant during an overnight stay in Annapolis. For an out of towner, the adjacent underground parking garage was perfect. Everything was perfect. The starters were delivered immediately and my wine soon behind. The waitress took her time describing the differences in a certain type of pasta I was interested in. We had the eggplant and pappardelle bolognese. Both were incredible. The bathroom is amazing and even features mouthwash! Totally recommend this to anyone In the area who doesn't want to deal with downtown Annapolis traffic.
(4)
Larissa J.
Lunch time prices are great but hope you're not in a rush because the servers aren't! And don't expect to be checked on more than once, luckily the bussers are quick with the water refills!
(2)
Linda G.
Less than expected. Service was friendly, good wine recommendations, but intermittent in attentiveness. Calamari arrived lukewarm. Carpaccio was very good as was the pasta. Risotto was mediocre. Overall a good dinner out but not exceptional. No food O here.
(3)
Tuck T.
Service was not that great, hardly ever saw the waiter. And brio's carpaccio was way better. Oysters Rockefeller were weird- very non traditional
(2)
Annp O.
went there with my boyfriend for restaurant week. picked out spinach salad and linguini seafood. salad was ok dressing a bit sour. pasta had no flavor. very bland ... couldnt even taste any garlic. mussels were so so. just no taste to it. not impressed with the food. had cannoli for dessert and that was good. so was tiramisu.
(2)
Derick L.
My favorite place for a nice dinner though it could easily be a casual setting as well. Tasty seafood and pasta with a good selection of affordable and expensive wine.
(5)
Emily J.
For Sunday Brunch at least!! If you are in the Annapolis area go here for brunch. It had all your traditional breakfast items including two types of egg benedict. Some of the fabulous items included...prime rib, lamb chops, various fresh pasta, seafood, vegetable, chicken salads. Hot traditional Italian dishes. There were 4 of us who all tried different things and not one of us had something we thought was bad. And what made it great! It was so in our minds "cheap"! 20 bucks and you leave more than satisfied for your 20 dollars. Oh yes, and it includes fondue and other various desserts. The outside area is great to sit and there was live music the Sunday we were there.
Friday night reservation at 8p for 6 on one of our first excursions from Baltimore to Annapolis. Our friends highly recommended this place. We found it to be very good. We were seated shortly after arriving. The ambience was lively, classy. Pizza bread was complementary and a good start to the night. Cocktail list was creative and the wine list extensive. Reasonable bottled beer selection, geared towards Italian fare, nothing on draft. Apparently they've pared down the menu, but it still offered many choices (and was the same as that on the website); they offered specials, rack of lamb and crab ravioli that we didn't want to ask the price of. To start, we settled on the organic spinach salad that neatly combined goat cheese, macademia nuts, strawberries, pears, light raspberry vinaigrette; nothing extraordinary but was what we expected. We got the risotto con carne that was a large portion and heavy on the meat, perfect for husband's carnivorous ways, so he didn't mind sharing. Shared a Vesuvio pizza. Their wood-fired pizzas are on the doughy side. The creamy cheese was the dominant feature. Arugula piled high. Everything was so filling we actually opted out of dessert. Plus we had been there for 2.5 hours as we, our company, and the service were in no hurry. This place had the potential for 5 stars if it were either less expensive or more inventive. As it was, this was a place to get tasty Italian food that wasn't boring, in a pleasant atmosphere, for a price commensurate with the quality provided.
(4)
Mike O.
I've had the pizza from their pizza spot and it was good. I had a post in Annapolis and stopped there for a slice of pizza before work and I must say it was pretty good. It was so good that I got a second slice can't remember the name of the slice I got but it was damn good.
(3)
Beth K.
I ate here last Friday, after making last minute dinner plan changes. I was dying to try this restaurant simply because the fountain in front of it is so pretty at night. We were easily seated (a trend I see in Annapolis overall, which is so nice). The waitress was attentive, and immediately brought us waters and a bread basket. The bread was sort of like marinara pizza sticks, which were delicious. There were also rosemary rolls, as well. My date and I split a caesar salad to start. It was overall very heavy on the dressing, but the croutons were obviously homemade and the portion size was big. They also split the salad in two plates which was appreciated. I got the pollo scarpariello, which was basically chicken marsala with pearl onions over thick sliced potatoes. The chicken was flavorful, and had a good rosemary flavor and marsala reduction. Date had the tornado al gorgonzola, a steak stuffed with gorgonzola and a side of the potatoes. He seemed happy with the temperature of the steak, and the bite I tried was delicious. I enjoyed the meal overall, and really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. It's dimly lit and wasn't too loud so conversation was easy. I think the food deserves four stars, but it's pretty over priced which is why I had to knock it to three. I read some other reviews about spotty service, but I our service was pretty good.
(3)
Adam C.
Pre-made, microwaved meatballs? At least that's what they tasted like. Good service and decent atmosphere but the food was below average at best.
(2)
Ben H.
I took my wife hear for her birthday because she loved the outdoor patio seating area with the fountain and plants. It was a great way to eat their amazingly fresh and organic brick over pizza with a smooth glass of Riesling on a warm evening. We also scoped out the inside which has a beautiful ambience in both the restaurant and bar area which open to each other. We will definitely be getting some more pizza in the future (they have a to-go store front as well) and look forward to trying some other menu items as well. Overall experience is classier than your typcial Italian restaurant.
(4)
Lenny B.
Food was OUTSTANDING! Even heated up leftovers later. Vodka Penne Capaccio Style was fabulous!! Peas in pasta??? Who'd have think it? Best part of evening -- the waiter! Knowledgeable. Accommodating. Very polite! Took pride in his job. Don't see that a lot but because of that I'll be back.
(5)
Rob N.
Based on the one lunchtime visit I've had, I'd have to say I really like Carpaccio. It's a business-casual type place with reasonable prices, decent food, and plenty adequate service to get you in and out in a normal lunch hour. The ragout for my pasta tasted fresh-made. Papardelle (wide, flat noodles) with a tomato and lamb ragout was my choice. The noodles were cooked nicely, the tomatoes and meat had been baked or stewed together until beautifully thick with tender shreds of lamb. Rosemary and goat cheese topped it all off. All in all, it was definitely a candidate for inducing a post-lunch coma. I also like that instead of just standard crusty Italian loaf or tired focaccia, you get a basket of baked tomato bread and herb-seasoned rolls.
(4)
Brian A.
Carpaccio's is the best Italian restaurant in Annapolis! I have eaten at Carpaccio's several times, spending a majority of the time in the bar/lounge area. The restaurant has a great feel to it and will make you very relaxed the moment you arrive. The service, which is a very big deal to me, is top notch! Brooke, Jason, and Christina, to name a few, are absolutely wonderful and will make sure that you're having a great meal, or a great drink. They are very knowledgeable of the menu as well as the drinks and they will never steer you wrong. The food at Carpaccio's is fresh, and delicious all around. The scallops appetizer and the mussels and clams appetizers are wonderful. The salads are quite filling and tasty. The specials, such as the lobster ravioli, are exquisite. I would even try a pizza if I were you. They have a happy hour special on them Monday-Friday till 7pm, so it's a great deal. I could continue to talk about this wonderful restaurant and hidden gem in Annapolis, but you should stop reading this review and definitely try it for yourself because you will be greatly satisfied!
(5)
Tim D.
This is probably my favorite Italian restaurant outside of little Italy. I've had a good number of the dishes here and here are some of my favorites: gnocci (reasonable portion, well cooked and served with some fresh basil), mushroom risotto (you gotta love mushrooms) and the heirloom tomato salad (fresh mozzarella, heirlooms, basil...mmmm). The drinks at this place are pretty good as well. They'll know most of the cocktails you've had before and do a reasonable rendition of it. Their signature cocktail list is full of interesting choices as well. The ambiance is borderline romantic and when the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is a choice place to be. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(5)
Jill J.
I know this is a very belated review, but when I saw this place pop up while browsing, I just couldn't let go of my horrible experience.... I can't even begin to explain the rudeness from the "host" on a Saturday night last summer...we had reservations, but we were ignored so hard we couldn't even give him our name...walked out after exchanging words with the arrogant bastard... it would have been comical if I hadn't been so enraged. I would have liked to eat there, but I'll never go back.
(1)
Cat O.
We had a really nice meal at Carpaccio's on December 7, 2012 around 7pm. I was pleased that we were seated promptly thought we were a few minutes early for our reservations. The place was bustling but had an organized and well-staffed vibe. Our table wasn't fabulous from a location standpoint, but it was a nice comfy booth with seat backs high enough to create a sense of privacy. Our server was Amy, and she was pleasant, busy, efficient, and knowledgeable (though no real warmth, we didn't mind at all, but she definitely wasn't working the old tip-O-meter) She said "My pleasure." very automatically, every time we said "Thank you." including on time when I was thanking my date! Sorry Amy, you were fine, and I know you were busy. We started with the Orangina Vesuviana (cheesy, deep-fried rice balls) which were tasty, but a little bland. Our server was a briefly thrown when I asked for a side of pesto to brighten up the appetizer, but she rallied nicely and the punch of raw garlic and fresh basil did wonders for the bland, rich balls. I had the Penne Pasticiio and it was awesome! Penne perfectly cooked at tossed with mini meatballs, crispy salami, slices of hard-boiled egg and lots of cheese with a tomato bechamel. Ummmmm, sooo good! My date and I were both over the roof about it! Washed down with their by-the-glass Super Tuscan, it couldn't have been better. My date had the chicken parm which is typical of him the first time in any italian restaurant. He considers it a bit of a litmus test... Carpaccio did not disappoint, and the serving was huge, but the ratio of chicken to pasta seemed a little off (needed more pasta) The chicken was perfectly cooked and he was happy (except that mine was BETTER!) lol Anyway, I was sad that they were sold out of the chocolate cake-y meets cheesecake dessert I wanted to try, but truth be told, I was too full anyway. We finished off the meal with espresso and Sambuca and were happy to take our leftovers home for what was a VERY good lunch over the weekend. Appetizer, Wine for 2, 2 Entrees, espresso and sambuca... $150 with tip. Not a bargain, but we felt it was worth it! Feedback for the restaurant is to turn up the warmth a little bit table-side and be sure to be in-stock on menu items for Friday night dinner rush.
(4)
Victoria S.
If I had to pick my favorite restaurant in downtown Annapolis, it would be Carpaccio. I have only been here a handful of time but every experience has been different and wonderful. Lunches- They had a deal going for a while *not sure if they still are* But if you buy one Lunch entree you get one for about 3-5 dollars. This is perfect if you want a GOOD lunch but for a reasonable price. Dinner- They have a ladies night with half priced bottles of wine. This is in the bar area. The Bar area consists of high top tables, which are seat yourself. Wait time if you go during peak dinner make cause a wait, but I'm telling you it is worth it! The wine list is amazing, as well as the bread they bring to the table. Consists of flat bread a a pizza like appetizer! If its summer, I suggest you sit outside- although their patio is right on the main road the fountain and the atmosphere is so romantic! I've tried a few different things here, the seafood pasta, salads, fish, etc. But my altime favorite is the mushroom ravioli. I could eat here every day if I could!
(5)
Gonzalo Y.
I had a very good dinner. Rock fish highly recommended. he owner or manager takes really care of their customers. Nice ambiance. Very good option if you are around the neighborhood.
(4)
Jen L.
I think you can finish a novel faster than you can look through the menu. WAY too many options! The bread basket is the BEST! I love the Foccacia bread in the basket that you get before the meal. There is a variety of bread that comes in the basket, but the Foccacia is my favorite. As for the wine list, its more like a wine book. I defer to the boyfriend for picking out the wine. I love wine, but I am no wine expert. Everything he has picked (mostly cab blends) have been great picks. I have been here several times and I have NEVER had a bad meal. All of the ingredients are fresh and the portions are large. They have small plates if you want to nibble to large pasta dishes to steaks. I wish I had thought to take a picture, because the presentation is awesome. The desserts are awesome! They have many specials as well your typical Italian Desserts like Canoli and Tiramisu and a variety of sorbets. The outdoor seating is beautiful. In the summer, I feel like I'm in Europe in eating outside next to the beautiful fountain on a starry night. It's a perfect place for a romantic date. The valet parking in Park Place is very convenient. I think its only $7 to park. There is no valet validation. It's pretty close to the cool part of West Street and next to Fado' Irish Pub.
(4)
Valerie G.
For the second year in a row, we chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary with my dad and step-mom at Carpaccio in Annapolis, MD. Carpaccio is one of their favorite restaurants; especially since my step-mom Monica has a special connection with the owner (they're both crazy Italians). Carpaccio has a great location in Downtown Annapolis on a block with a lot of walking traffic, coffee shops, and hotels. There is plenty of parking; both street and garage and a huge bonus is that it's right by the stop for the free trolley that will take you all over Annapolis. It has a great outside area that is shared with another restaurant and a beautiful fountain. The interior of the restaurant is sophisticated with high-end decorations, an open view of the kitchen, and a large and fully stocked bar and yet the restaurant also has a comfortable feel to it. This is one of those rare places where upon entering you know that you can both feel at home here and know that you're getting a quality, high-end meal that you couldn't ever get at home. The wait staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. On this occasion our waiter even advised us on a dish he didn't recommend we tried as it wasn't one of his favorites. That might not enamor him of the owner or chef, but it did of me for sure. When deciding what to order, I asked him to choose my wine for me based on the entree I chose and he was knowledgeable in that aspect, picked me a great wine, and checked back to make sure I liked it. He was very attentive and had such a lovely, friendly attitude; it made you want to come back regardless of the food. Thankfully, the food made you want to come back even more. The bread that you start with at the table is a mixture of different kinds, the best of which Monica calls their "pizza bread" as it's covered in a delicious red sauce. The table started with carpaccio di manzo toscano (thinly sliced filet mignon, baby spinach, mixed mushrooms, shaved parmesan cheese, drizzle of white truffle oil) which was perfectly sliced, a beautiful presentation, and just the right amount of filling to really wet your appetite for the meal you're about to tuck into. For entrees, I ordered the risotto al funghi porcini (arborio rice slowly cooked in a mushroom broth with imported Italian Porcini mushrooms, drizzled with white truffle olive oil and topped with shaved parmesan cheese) and Mike ordered the polenta di mare (fresh prawns, deep sea scallops, jumbo lump crab cake meat, fancy capers, scampi sauce, resting on a crispy polenta). My risotto was perfect; it was the perfect mix of creamy and al dente. The mushrooms and truffle oil were decadent and just the perfect richness. I took my leftovers home and finished it with steak for dinner and it was just as good the second time around and held up perfectly next to a piece of red meat. Mike loved his polenta and his prawns and scallops were perfectly cooked. For dessert, I ordered the cannelloni which were delicious. They were the perfect size for one person and were the exact right amount of sweet. Often with cannelloni you can get filling that is way too sweet and ruins the whole dish; these were perfect. The only criticism of my dessert is that the shells were a little to hard to cut into and I ended up stabbing at my cannelloni like a sugar crazed caveman. Mike ordered the flourless chocolate cake. His cake was incredibly rich, but given in a tiny slice so as to not overwhelm. He loved it and devoured the whole thing quickly. Mike finished of his meal with a dessert liquor suggested by our waiter that Mike found surprisingly delicious. Walking away from a meal at Carpaccio, you feel full, satisfied, and happy. We all left with smiles on our faces knowing we had just eaten quality food with just the right amount of decadence served by someone you now felt like was a friend.
(4)
Adrienne R.
Carpaccio as a restaurant is good. But my true love is around the side they have Carpaccio To Go. You can order at the counter and eat there or take it home. You can get pizza by the slice or sandwiches. This pizza is my favorite of all time. They have several to choose from. There is a pesto chicken that is superb. They also make one with multi colored tomatoes on top with feta. That is good as well and not on the regular pizza menu. The white pizza is good too, very garlicky. Often I get plain cheese, you can't beat it. I like to get a side of pizza sauce to eat with it. As far as sandwiches, I've liked the couple I have tried. They come with fries which is nice. They aren't your usual french fries, but are battered. The guys that work there are very nice, especially Ray. They get to know you by sight and are super friendly and remember your usual. Parking is hard, you usually have to park illegally. Valet takes over the spaces out front. Luckily I live a block away and can walk.
(5)
L M.
Restaurant Week day 1 Monday Feb 25, 2013 our first choice was Carpaccio. We had never been and had read mixed reviews. Our experience for the 3 course price fix meal for $32.95 was ..For starters, very dimly lit hard to see menus, we were given way too many menus shoved in our face..a wine ,bar, restaurant week and finally regular menu !! Yet no desert menu? Our service was rushed even though the restaurant was 2/3 empty the whole time we were there from 1800hrs to 2000hrs Bread arrives hot and water guy actually were the most attentive to our table. Our salad was very small leafy greens with berries, nuts cheese and raspberry vinegret dressing slightly off in taste. Before we could finish the salad the entree was in our face I couldn't find nor taste any eggplant within the cheese n spaggetti noodles on my plate? We stopped eating salad to eat entree which was lukewarm (waiter told us its cooked in a heated convection oven. Strange we thought? We found very small portions for the high price their asking even during Restaurant Week. Our service just ok , little awkward and kinda annoying at times with a trainee tagging along. We were told 2 seconds after our entree was put in our face that the waiters were to check in to see how things were. Very hard to give honest feedback on it when Im being rushed and still working on salad. Desert Tiramasu small portion 2"x2" with an awkwardly cut berry Never had such a minute portion looked like a sampler. Ascertaining parking from their web page was unclear We called and were given directions I couldnt follow. We found an awkward garage down a hill and underground with no idea how to get outta it to the restaurant we ended up in the Westin Hotel. The other option was the $7.00 valet. Kinda pricey for location. Our paid parking cost us 5.00 for 2 hrs in this garage. Based on review we felt very let down and disappointed. We don't eat out to often and had been looking forward to it . Would not recommend and would not return especially if we had to pay the regular menu prices. At $9.00 for a salad we expect a salad not a few leafs of greens. The atmosphere was somewhat cold and uninviting..Upon leaving we were not thanked or spoken too By this strange looking gentleman standing with his arms crossed near exit We would not recommend and would not return and found it hard to believe they had received such high Zagat and other reviews.
(1)
Colleen M.
Went to Carpaccio's for a family dinner on Friday night. They do offer reservations and knowing that this was a Friday evening in downtown, we made a reservation for 7. They have outside seating and there was music but, outside seating was packed. We were seated inside immediately. The complimentary bread was awesome. We also split an order of bruschetta. It was decent. They have a full bar but, I went with an Italian beer (recommended by the server) which was very tasty and something I don't normally get. As for dinner, I went with the special, Lobster Ravioli. It was good but the sauce was a little spicy for my liking and normally, I like spicy. The best part of the meal was dessert. Three of us split this cake...Can't remember what the name was but, I think it was called the naught angel maybe??? Anyways, it was spectacular and large enough for the trio. The service was great and best of all they did not rush us. I would recommend this place for a nice evening out in downtown and will next time, weather depending, make a reservation for outside when they have music. They don't have parking but, there is a garage close by. If you are patient and don't mind walking a short distance, you might be able to find off street parking for free down one of the side roads.
(3)
LaToya E.
I only have three words for their Sunday brunch buffet "Oh My Goodness!!" The brunch was amazing! The french toast was delicious, the eggs were heavenly and the mimosa hit the spot! The buffet had so many options that each time I visited I got to try something different. Carpaccio is definitely worth the drive from DC to Annapolis to have such an amazing Italian style brunch in such a beautiful atmosphere.
I LOVE the food here but not the service! There just isn't any. We had yet another evening of wondering whether or not our server had gone home early....... The manager or host does nothing to ensure that we were being taken care of, not once did he even come outside. It was our servers first day on the job and she was clearly overwhelmed as he had her inside making capuccinos for another table. We waited for 20 minutes to even ask for a check and have our food boxed up and still no waitress. What ensued after I went inside to inquire about getting our check was so unbelievable that I decided to never, ever, ever go back to this restaurant. My vote is for Brio!
(2)
Regina S.
This place gets stars for the decor, overall ambiance, and an enjoyable outdoor dining area. The food can be hit or miss however, but we keep going back because we can dine here with our choco lab when we visit Annapolis by water during the boating season. They are quite dog friendly and bring out cold bowls of water for our pup complete with ice cubes to keep things chilled in the warm air. It's nice dining next to the fountain too. I can't say I have ever been sorely disappointed with my meals, although some definitely shined brighter than others. Our last meal - Pasta Sophia Loren for me (linguine with clams in the shell with a light wine sauce) was too flavorless. The clams were tender, but the sauce was so gentle that if you took a sip of wine, the subtle flavors dissipated immediately. A heavier hand with garlic, lemon, and salt could have transformed the dish. My husband's tenderloin Carpaccio was very well received however. It was beautifully presented and the flavors were spot on. The bread assortment is always nice, but the warm soft rolls were overpowered by the fresh rosemary. (That is just a personal taste preference however). The pizzas are OK, the spinach salad with macadamia nuts and raspberry vinaigrette a true delight, and the spaghetti carbonara decent. I will have to try the Vodka sauced pasta next as it seems to get very good reviews here.
(3)
Jessie D.
Great calamari, decent pizza and the best cannoli in Annapolis. Plus the staff is great and it's decorated really nicely for Christmas!
(4)
Katherine E.
Food was good, but service not so good. Made reservations through Open Table (which is what the restaurant's website pointed me to) for 7:30 pm on Satuday night. When my date and I arrived, we were told they were clearing some tables and it would be 5-10 minutes. While waiting 30 minutes to be seated, a family of 4 arrived who were clearly friends with the maitre d' and they got seated first (at an identical booth so it wasn't as if it was a difference between 2 vs 4). Luckily they seated us next because my date was fuming when he realized the family who arrived after us was being seated before us due to favoritism. Maitre d' didn't seem to be using the computer to keep track of who should be seated next. Then it took a while for our waitress to acknowledge our presence and even longer for her to come take our order. Food was OK with more selection than a chain restaurant. We ordered Pappardelle Bocelli (tomato ragu too overpowering and the lamb was practically non existant) and Pappardelle Donatello (great sauce, but beef overcooked). Might be better if the shoddy service didn't leave a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)
Brian K.
STAY AWAY!!!! AWFUL experience. The waitress was never around, which was probably a good thing as she was far less than friendly. The food took 48 minutes to arrive at the table (I timed it). We ordered four meals -- one was cold on arrival, two had pasta that was woefully under-cooked, and the fourth, while sufficiently warm, did not taste good at all. I'm no chef, but cooking pasta is not rocket science. They could be giving away free meals, but I would NEVER go back.
(1)
D. T.
Had drinks and food in the bar. Great friendly and helpful server. Steak sliders were good and homemade chips were, as well. Atmosphere just ok...little like a slightly upscale Olive Garden. Everything else ++. Server gets ++++!
(4)
Sierra S.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was amazing! Went back on a week night and it was mediocre which is why I gave three stars. First, the brunch was very affordable, the service was great but I didn't feel like there was enough of a variety for a brunch buffet. I should add that my "go-to" brunch place is Mrs. K's in Silver Spring so it is possible that I am biased. When I went back during the week, I ordered a pizza (if you live in Annapolis, recommend either the Italian Market or Whole Foods) which was so so. The truffle mac and cheese which is supposed to be "amazing" was disgusting and half of it went to the trash. Why do people use penne, toss in some cheese and claim it is mac and cheese? Not!
(3)
Christine C.
I am a total fan, I think if I could give it 4.5 I would and I like to savor my 5s for those that just really stand out from the rest. This place was rather unexpected though. I found here on Yelp, and tried it out on a Wed night. The place was mildly crowded, mostly folks at the bar. We were seated right away at a booth which we adore and the lighting was low. We were greeted immediately by a very italian looking gentleman who took us to our seats with a warm smile. Once seated were were given menus, water and some breads (slices of pizza and rolls - delish). We had parked in front of the fado which is pretty close by too. The neat thing about their appetizer menu is how you can order half portions. So say you just wanted a nibble prior to the meal you could. So we ordered the ? Orangine (sp), and they were two rice balls (half portion) filled with roasted red pepper and fontina cheese. They were lightly fried and absolutely wonderful. For dinner I enjoyed the MilleFiogio (sp) Galelio, a green olive leaf pasta with cannelini beans, olives, fried artichoke leaves, garlic and a white wine sauce topped with Parmesan flakes. The plate was just delicious.. it had amazing flavor running throughout. Just delicious and I was able to save half my dish it was so big... I will be enjoying that tomorrow. Neil had a dish of orrechinis with spicy italian sausage (galore), greens (broccoli, spinach) in a wine sauce. The food was fabulous. He paired it with a syrah the house recommended which was a perfect match according to him. I am unfortunately off the wine ... I am beautifully pregnant! It's a pretty good trade off! Well we also indulged in a desert. We skipped the Tiramisu and indulged in an Italian Ricotta Cheese cake that was different, it was not sweet by taste but it was deliciously spongy. I think you have to have a taste for it, but just don't be surprised when it's not super sweet. Note on parking they do have valet for $7 through the Westin or Park Place I would gather, but there is street parking and garage parking on site. For the price of the food I think we got what we paid for, it was a wonderful meal accompanied by wonderful ambiance and Jessica was a wonderful server, just enough attention. The only thing that would make the place more authentic is if they brought the plates out a bit slower so that you could enjoy it more.
(4)
Karen P.
Had lunch here and everything was very good including the service. I had the eggplant in a red sauce.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Came to Annapolis for a couple days and stayed at the Westin next door. This is what my boyfriend and I ordered: Il Sorrentino- vodka, limoncello, pineapple juice and prosecco- delicious drink Cozze and Vongole Impapate- mussels and clams, nicely cooked, just wished it came with more than two little crostini as my bf loves to dip bread in the broth Polpettine Di Granchio- crab balls, very delicious Papardelle Bolognese- so delicious, fresh pasta with just the right amount of cheese i the sauce cannolis- delicious but overpriced for their small size (2 mini for $8) The food was really good, but I agree with another Yelper as to the lack of a hostess. Also, we dined pretty late on the patio and the staff made us feel quite rushed to complete our meal and head out. If the overall service were better, I'd give this place another star.
(3)
Gary S.
If you are looking for a great casual date restaurant this is it! Split one of the pizzas, my favorite includes Kobe beef carpaccio, fresh mozzarella slices and topped with rocket lettuce. Drizzled across is a sweet balsamic vinegarete that completes the crunch on this thin crispy crust. They have an excellent selection of wines by the glass, the waiters are always full of suggestions on what goes best. Finish with one of their sweet deserts and your date night will be complete. In the spring and summer the patio is great and adds to the mystique of date night with a beautiful lit fountain.
(4)
Bernadette N.
I wish this place was fantastic, because it's about 3 blocks from our house. But it's just not. We ordered takeout from here a few weeks ago, two pizzas and a Cesar salad. We were not totally disappointed, but for $45, I was not impressed. I still decided to give it another try last week on a warm night, since they have tons of outdoor seating. We started with the mozzarella di bufala, which is typically AMAZING, but this was just so sad at $17. And the tomato accompaniment was not even done with ripe tomatoes. This was highly offensive; I wouldn't recommend ordering this here because it will turn you off of something that's meant to be fabulous. It was like eating a fallen souffle. Anyway, we then received our bread, which was really just pizza crust and tomato sauce. Different take, but not good. I would have rather had crusty bread and olive oil. Then we got our mains. I actually ordered the eggplant parm appetizer, but the best part was honestly the salad garnish in the middle. my friend had a cheese pizza, she said it was OK. Chances are I will come back here at one point when I'm being lazy and have to have some pasta. But seriously, I'd rather eat outside at Fados and spend 1/3 of the $$. I will say, I don't consider this a totally fair review since I did not try any real main courses or pasta. But they all sounded too heavy for a summer night. Maybe we'll go back in winter and I'll update my review.
(2)
Pamela K.
This is an average of the two -- Carpaccio and Carpaccio to go. I was working in Annapolis for two weeks recently, and this was very near the office. I loved the To Go side! Prompt attention, great food. The pizza is delicious, and the salads are beautiful. The priciness mentioned by other reviewers is not so much in evidence here as in the main restaurant. I'd recommend them any time. As for the restaurant, I dropped in one evening for dinner,and was absolutely underwhelmed. As with other reviewers, I experienced spotty service. The gnocci was only so-so, which was a great disappointment. The selection of wine by the glass was not terrible, but it was not particularly impressive either.
I'm a little biased when it comes to Italian... Friend and I were staying at the Westin Annapolis a stone's throw away from this place. As usual, we were on the hunt for an Italian place and this was one of the places the concierge suggested. First off, the decor. It reminded me of a family restaurant, a little too Ruby Tuesday, not enough...what is it I'm looking for? Maybe their intention was to be "family-oriented". If so, they did a pretty good job. The service was pretty bad, lackluster at best. Our server didn't even introduce himself (he was the Italian guy with the shaved head tweaked out on steroids) and pretty much ignored us for most of the evening. I think he came to our table three times in total, only to bring us something, including the check. As a general matter, the servers seemed kind of aloof and kind of ignored the diners. Not really a nice way to treat a newcomer. The only good thing was the pizza bread they brought out (late, I must say...they actually asked us if we wanted bread!). I had the one ravioli dish on the menu, the one with the basil pesto sauce. That dish was FLOODED to the max. I pretty much lost my appetite after ravioli #2...plus it tasted like something out of a can of Chef Boyardee. For an appetizer I had the tomato salad, which was decent enough. It was a HUGE salad though. My friend had a pasta dish with bacon in it (the name escapes me) which he thought was good. At least he ate better than I did. For dessert I had the tiramisu, which was very mediocre. It tasted like it had been sitting out on the counter for a while, and you could distinctly taste the dryness of the ladyfingers. Another thing that I didn't really like was the dinnerware...they have some interesting plates (especially for the tiramisu) that I felt didn't really go with the restaurant. All in all, it was just "meh". A Cheesecake Factory-style menu plus your typical Italian fare. I wouldn't come here again myself.
(2)
Lawrence S.
Good cocktail and wine selection. Our party of three split four appetizers: tomatoes + mozzarella, granchio avocado, cozze + vongole, and clams casino. The mozzarella was on par with expectations, as were the cozze + vongole. The fontina cheese gave the clams an extra flavorful twist, and the highlight was definitely the granchio -- the avocado and the lumped crabmeat were a tasty pairing. Other members of my party, fittingly, had carpaccio for the main course -- thinly sliced meat with suitable garnishes. I had seafood polenta; the shellfish pieces surrounded the polenta, which was crispy and delicious. Our service was very good -- our waitress frequently checked in and promptly took care of everything. We left absolutely stuffed.
(5)
Marcia O.
This is my home town and Carpaccio's has a real presence here, so I am drawn to write a review for those new folks as a warning. First of all, the food is pricey for the value. Secondly, if you want to sit outside with your dog, there is no opposition, but be ready to wait a long time for your service! I do believe that I was frankly forgotten by my server who stated that 'he had some really interesting customers inside, so was sorry for the wait." What does that comment show? Is a single woman with a chihuahua uninteresting? I've been there before and will return, despite the price and the rudeness and the wait because it is dog friendly, but be warned that this is not Brio's service or value. I expect better and hope this review is read and that the place improves.
(2)
Emily D.
very very average... Went there during our weekend stay at the Weston for a friends wedding and had lunch outside. Our server was really great and could accommodate our large party but the food was just so-so. They do serve amazing bread but really its almost too much. I can see myself being a cheap ass and getting wine and complimentary bread and easily being full. I had a tomato salad which was had a nice mix of tomatoes that were clearly not in season although the sure did look pretty on the plate. I had a bite of my boyfriends pizza but it really was just average. The restaurant is very pretty both inside and out but sadly their food doesn't quite match. We went back the next day just to have a drink and enjoy the sun and would you believe they don't serve Firefly (minus one star)...alas we had to go to Fodo next door...
(3)
Tim S.
This place gets four stars because everything was good, not great, but definitely good. We had a professional server named Jessica and met two friends for a casual Friday dinner. For the record, Jessica has a twin sister named Rachel, who we know from Davis' Pub. We did not know this before we asked Jessica if her name was 'Rachel' . . . it is not. Guess that explains why Jessica looked at us like we had multiple heads when we greeted her knowingly, without actually knowing her. I picked a Cabernet (Guenoc? Bin 131 for sure) that we ended up getting a second bottle of. It was quite good with very little air. Everyone enjoyed their salads, apps and the table breads of different varieties (all fresh). The table oil had a fresh sprig of rosemary and a couple cloves of garlic - very impressive for a chain. I had the calamari and lamb chops and couldn't have been happier. The calamari was cooked to my preference, lightly breaded and fried, and served with a horseradish mustard dipping sauce ( I didn't use much of the hot, fresh marinara that was also generously portioned). And my pork was excellent. I would highly recommend it for its portion size (large), toppings (pepper and onion), and temperature. It was fully cooked, moist, and easily de-boned. Everyone else was satisfied as well. The ladies shared a pizza and Chris had the carpaccio platter. The only complaint was "stale" bread served with the carpaccio, but that was easily replaced with the fresh table bread. Jessica and Rachel have good service in common. We were more than happy with the service from Jessica and her support staff. Full water, cleared dishes, good timing, poured wine . . . well done!
(4)
Shane N.
I would give this place 5 stars based on the Salmon Casino Style alone. Every time I have it the Salmon is cooked perfectly. It also comes with a tasty crab risotto. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice. The Tiramisu is kind of generic but is good enough. If the prices were a little cheaper, it would probably be five stars. Still one of the better places to go for Italian food in Annapolis. Think of it as 4.75 stars.
(4)
Greg B.
Carpaccio was a "good" choice for the hyped Valentine's Day dinner. Why? They offered their standard menu, unlike almost every other restaurant in Annapolis. Their pricing was actually fair. Their food was good and the portions were healthy. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly suprised to find that the tables were not on top of each other and the restaurant wasn't ridiculously crowded. (It was however a very amusing dinner as every odd couple seemed to be within the walls of the restaurant!) As I had read in other Yelpers comments, the wait staff is not shy about bringing you and unlimited supply of bread, which is amazing! However, you find yourself filled up on bread by the time dinner arrives! As for the main course; it came out very quickly, was piping hot, and quite delicious! The meal was paired perfectly with the wine (which we couldnt finish and were able to take home) and the atmosphere made for a great night on the town. I was give this restaurant a thumbs up for anyone looking for a good meal in a unique setting.
(3)
Lauren W.
One of the best brunches I've had. We sat outdoors next to a waterfall, made for wonderful ambiance. The brunch buffet was plentiful. The egg Benedict were delicious, as were the seafood salad, ceaser salad (I actually had seconds of this it was that delicious) and pasta carbonara (I think?) The mimosa's were yummy (and half price with brunch too) The dessert selection, was large and delicious! I cannot wait to make another trip back for brunch, or even to try dinner here!
(5)
Jen G.
I moved from Severna Park, MD to Boston a few months ago and Carpaccio is one of the few restaurants that I really miss in Annapolis. I don't think I have had better Italian in the area. It is a solid 4.7 stars in my book so I'll round up. The Vodka Penne is fabulously tasty as is the Penne Pasticcio. I wish that I could tell you about other entree's but I can't help but get one of these two every time I go. Portions sizes are right on target. You won't leave hungry or feeling like a cow ...unless you eat too much of their AMAZING bread (which is very easy to do because it is pretty much like pizza in a basket). I would recommend the calamari as an appetizer (crispy, crunchy, zesty and delicious sauce on the side) A great place for a date or even family dinner. The atmosphere is very nice without being uncomfortably upscale or effecting the price of your meal. I have never had an unpleasant experience with the waitstaff and the restrooms are always immaculate. You can park valet there but leaving your car at the Westin garage if you're going to walk around town a bit isn't a bad idea either. Stop reading about it and go there. Go Now!
(5)
Heather C.
I just always come back to Carpaccio... no matter what kind of atmosphere or type of food or price range I'm going for that night, I seem to drift back here time and time again. Love, love, love this pizza. Currently working my way down the pizza menu and have loved them all. Salads are delicious and they kindly split up a salad into two plates when that special someone is sharing with you. One date night, they stayed open just for us -- served us coffee and dessert long after the other diners had left. Always had friendly service. Sounds like brunch is a must-try and on my to-do list...
(4)
Jim E.
After three dinners here, I think I am ready to write a review. First off, the valet service is nice. Seven dollars, plus a few for tip, is worth not having to try and find street parking. The valets themselves are nice and courteous. They opened up the door for my wife before they opened my door, which is more than I can say for another valet in the area. Entering the restaurant is mildly uncomfortable. The foyer is nice, and the waiting area reasonably large, but the reservation desk is kind of a surprise when you walk in for the first time. Not a deal breaker, but a pleasant smile would be nice to see when you first walk in; they should not save it till you round the corner. Along those lines, please have someone dedicated to the reservation counter. At IHOP I do not mind waiting a moment for a host(ess) to appear. However, this is a place I am potentially spending 100+ dollars at, I expect someone to be waiting for people to arrive and call a seater over. Two out of the three visits we had to wait for a hostess to come sprinting over. The decor is nice. Not over the top, but pleasantly decorated and maintains a very romantic air while sill being well lit. It probably will not win any design awards, but it works well. The appetizers were all very good, as was the carpaccio. We have not enjoyed the full menu, but judging by what we have sampled I feel confident putting the appetizers well into the "very good" category. The dinners themselves were hit or miss. Some of them were excellent, others hit the mark. I question some of the seasoning choices, and at least one dish was CLEARLY over seasoned. Again, nothing that would make the food bad, but definitely something a good chef should pick up on. If this were 20 dollars a plate I would not mind, but for these prices I expect a certain standard. The wine list is good, but the mark-up is borderline ridiculous. My biggest complaint is dessert. An establishment like this should have a dedicated pastry chef, not pull desserts out of the freezer and serve before they are fully thawed. Unless you really have a sweet tooth I would suggest skipping dessert and either making your own or going somewhere else. The coffee was good, though. If you are still reading this, please understand I think this is a very good place to eat dinner. I am only being very nit-picky because I hope they read this and fix a few of the things I mentioned. It is painfully obvious that this place is new, and even in today's market they need to work on establishing themselves as a five-star venue before worrying about a bottom-line. Spending the extra time, and money, now, even if it means going further into the red, will only set you up for more success, and better profits in the future. At the very least invest in a good pastry chef and reduce your wine prices a little bit. Also, cut your menu in half and make it physically less bulky. Carpaccio is well worth 4 stars and your time. Until a true five-star restaurant appears in Annapolis, this is one of the best places you can go on a Saturday night.
(4)
Esha D.
A Very Classy and Upscale Italian gem in downtown Annapolis. Gorgeous locale right near the Westin. The decor was superb! Very classy and refined. Food was pricey, but spectacular!! Our waiter spoke a little too low, but other than that was good. Highly recommended for a special occasion!!
(4)
damian a.
We went to Carpaccio with some friends when we visited Annapolis earlier this year. Everyone at the table was pretty impressed with the food and the service. I loved the large menu and various carpaccio choices. Alas, it's in another state. We will definitely go there again the next time we visit Annapolis.
(4)
Karin J.
This was delicious. An absolute joy. BREAD: You get some bread. It looks kind of foccacia-y, but then you think, no, it is just flat bread wedges. Oh, but they are so much more. They had a nice chewiness that I appreciated. It made you earn that bread. CARPACCIO: The filet carpaccio was quite tasty indeed, and there was no bad-chewiness about it at all. No, I don't remember which one we got, it was a month ago. RISOTTO: I got a risotto with... asparagus? Corn? in it, and it was soooooo good. The "sauce" was so delicious and rich, but the meal did not sit too heavily in my stomach (no moreso than a fancy meal would without it being risotto). My dining partner got... something that came with figs, and it was divine as well. Venison? It was good, at any rate. OH and I neglected to mention... BELLINIS: Yeah, they're tasty. RICOTTA CHEESECAKE: Approaches how good homemade ricotta cheesecake is. It isn't fluffy enough for my tastes, but really, I did not care at the time and the fact they had a ricotta cheesecake at all makes me want to hug someone. SERVICE: Our waiter was pleasant and unobtrusive. He wasn't at all fazed by our request of an ice bucket for the red we got (the red was warm)(do you really want a wine geek's explanation of what temperature a red wine should be? because I do a fair impression) and it was itself reasonably priced, as I recall. PARKING: They validate for a nearby garage. Didn't have too much of a problem finding a spot on a Saturday night. TO SUM UP: Great place, and I look forward to going there again (which I will get to do in a couple months!).
(5)
Elizabeth O.
By far the BEST dining experience my husband and I have had in a long itme! Our reservation was for 7pm, we arrived early and still got seated right away. The decor inside is beautiful. We had the most amazing waiter, Wyane, that we can remember having in probably 3 years. He was very courteous and prompt. Very attentive to our table the entire time. The food was wonderful and beautiful presented. It is a little bit on the pricey side, but completley worth it. I would strongly reccomend this place to anyone who wants to have a fantastic meal with fantastic service!!! We will most definetley go back!
(5)
Brian J.
Loved the location of the restaurant and the food was delicious. I'd give it four stars just on the food. However, the wine list was very unimpressive. Aside from places like Olive Garden which I don't really consider Italian restaurants, this had the most disappointing wine list I've seen at an Italian restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant / wine bar and they had 37 red wines by the glass. FIVE of them were Italian and they were all from Tuscany. No Piedmont wines by the glass! Very disappointing. A large majority of the wine list was generic, usually boring California wines. I expect that from Applebee's or TGIF or even P.F. Chang's, but not an Italian restaurant in a ritzy part of Annapolis that has the term wine bar in the title. I'll be moving to Annapolis next year and hope the wine list improves or I might not come back.
(2)
Joe T.
Molto buono! We all sat at a table outside and enjoyed a fine menu of Italian specialties and wine. You can walk off the dinner with a nice passagiata down the local streets.
(4)
C E.
Wanted up have a nice al fresco early dinner this past Saturday. What we ended up with were poorly executed over priced pasta dishes, barely drinkable super Tuscan glass of wine, and indifferent service. The pappardelle with lamb ragu- pasta was mushy and the "ragu" was a bland sauce. The lobster ravioli was smothered in a tasteless tomato cream sauce. Reminiscent of a bad olive garden type experience.
(2)
Jen M.
Only went for lunch but we had a great experience. We sat outside on the sunny patio. The foccacia bread and rosemary rolls are super yummy. The grilled chicken caesar salad is tasty, and my best friend ordered the Bento box which is You-Pick-Three for $14.99. I was surprised the portions were as large as they were for lunch. Great service and great food.
(4)
K B.
Pretty good brunch - had lots if variety. The executive chief was very and knowledge. A fair Tuscan alternative option.
(3)
Christopher S.
4.5****/* We took our youngest daughter to Carpaccio for her birthday this week. We sampled two styles of Carpaccio prepared with beef tenderloin. They were delicious. We then had three different types of pasta. The Vodka Penne Carpaccio was out of this world. Salads were beautiful and tasty. Great chocolate chip cheese cake that I did not get to try because it was consumed so quickly. Excellent server, very knowledgeable. Great vibe going on. This is a top notch restaurant that will do very well in Annapolis. $124 for four with wine. Excellent price/value relationship.
(4)
Chris M.
I am sure alot of you are wondering why I am only giving 2 stars. This is strictly based of the quality of food. I had the chicken dish with marsala wine, which the wine over powered everything else on the plate. I also had the canoli for desert, it was pre-filled and sitting in the shell for many hours. Anyone who knows canoli's , you know you have to fill at time of ordering so the shell does not get soft.
(2)
Terri S.
Feels like being in Italy! Great atmosphere. Had the special of Bone in Veal Milanese. Wow! Ask Jason for his specialty, Italian Negronis! Bravo!
(5)
tracey s.
I've been to Carpaccio 3 times - all being impressive. Its a nice, consistent place with a relaxing atmosphere. I plan to continue going back!
(4)
karen f.
A lovely social venue with great selection of Italian offerings. The ahi tuna salad was tasty and the vodka penne is a must. There seemed to be a lively bar if you like that scene. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. A great find for Annapolis
(4)
Patrick H.
We have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of the latest edition of the Monte Restaurant group's mini Italian empire here in Anne Arundel county. Each of their restaurants bears it's own name and distinct/ unique concept. We've only made one visit, but the early buzz about Carpaccio is that this in MRG's finest hour. With a decor that echoes some of MRG's previous restaurants, namely PomoGrille (Bowie) and 4Season's (Crofton), but with a much subdued and more sophisticated slant. Housed on the curve of the new Park Place development on West Ave in Annapolis, the outdoor seating here reminds one of being in a chic cafe in Florence, Italy. I would typifiy the interior as decidedly elegant casual. The menu is clearly "upmarket" when held against some of the other locations. 6 types of Carpacci are offered, including filet mignon, tuna, anchovies, eggplant and prosciutto. A nice selection of salads is offered. On our visit my dining companion and I both ordered the Panzanella. It was very good, but I would have preferred a "breadier" presentation. These were more akin to homemade croutons, which is not a bad thing, just not what I think of when I think 'Panzanella". Pappardelle Bolognese is one of those things that... if it's on the menu... I'm going to order it. I can honestly say this was the best Pappardelle Bolognese I've ever tasted. This is a real diet breaker. If I was at home I would have been licking the bowl. My friend had the Monte Santo Pizza, one of the 9 choices of wood burning brick oven Neapolitan pizzas. All I can say is MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Mozz, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Parmacotta on a crisp and snappy crust. It was equally good the next morning with eggs and coffee. There are 18 homemade pasta choices (some classics and some not so classic) and 5 Risottos. That's all before you get to the fish or meat entrees. For dessert, we split a Tiramisu. Typically I wouldn't order Tiramisu as it is so overdone, and rarely done right, but this was the real McCoy. I watched one pass by our table earlier and I went all "Homer Simpson" for a minute. "Arrrghghghhhghg" Actual lady finger cookies, with espresso and rum and a heapin' helpin' of sweetened Mascarpone. DEEE-lightful. Word is already out and it's difficult to get in on a weekend evening, so if you are going, I suggest you make a reservation. Lucky for me I live nearby and a weeknight visit is not out of the question.
(5)
Jillian T.
Well, this place isn't bad. I'm pretty certain it's not great either. I've had some good dishes and some not so good dishes, which seems to be the problem. The menu is so big that there is some serious inconsistency in the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and after having a really nice meal one time, it's followed up by a mediocre meal the next. This type of inconsistency makes it difficult for me to enjoy this place. The other problem I have here is the service. It's not up and down, it's just always blah. I've never had a server here that made me enjoy my experience or made me strive to come back. They all seem to go through the motions, but they seem to lack personality or interest in what they're doing. I know others have had better experiences, so maybe mine is not the norm, but nevertheless, it's doesn't get me that excited.
(3)
r. h.
Summary judgment: competent chef, not so competent bartender. Honestly, my expectation had not been high. From the outside, the restaurant looked like yet another chic bar/lounge at the lobby of an upscale hotel where ambiance often trumps actual food quality. Not so at Carpaccio. First, the complimentary breads were actually decent. I also liked the special carpacci section of the menu -- it's nice to have options beyond the common prosciutto & melones. The appetizer we ordered (little crab balls) was also delicious. Emboldened, I took a gamble and ordered the venison & figs for my main course. In the hands of an inexperienced chef, venison can come out gamey or tough. Happily, not so tonight! The meat was tender, and the sweet fig sauce complemented it well. If I were to nitpick, my only suggestion would be to vary the garnish a bit (a sprig of rosemary in every plate can only get you so far). While I was pleasantly surprised by the food, the drinks were less impressive. I ordered a glass of bellini. The drink arrived in a diminutive flute, looking less sparkling and more concentrated fruit-juicy. The taste had more sourness to it than I liked (cheap champagne?). The ratio of my companion's negroni was also off. They are not worth their upscale-hotel-bar price-tags. Our waiter was competent but not memorable. The overall service suffered from a few rough spots -- the host was preoccupied and inattentive; our table missed a salt shaker; the sugar bowl had no sugar; my coffee was served with a gigantic soup spoon -- all very minor imperfections, to be sure, but they contribute to make the restaurant venture seem amateurish. All in all, this may be the best Italian dining Annapolis has to offer now that La Picola Roma is gone.
(4)
Tina T.
One of my favorites in Annapolis! The variety of Carpaccio is my favorite & always have to get one when I go. Great wine selection too, although kind of pricey. Would definitely refer a friend!
(4)
Alex L.
Amy was one of the best servers we have ever had. Seriously, if you go to Carpaccios ask for Amy she was amazing!!!! The white anchovy carpaccio was exactly like in Italy, the filet mignon carpaccio with white truffle oil was perfect, and the baked gnocchi were cooked perfectly. They start you off with a nice assortments of freshly baked breads. Directly across the walk from the Westin hotel. Worth going here if staying at the Westin or not!
(5)
Kathy M.
Run, don't walk for their Sunday Brunch. The food is delicious, one of the best brunches I've had in quite some time.
(5)
S S.
For Annapolis, I think this place is great and I'd definitely come back. Its a nice looking restaurant, but it was very loud in my opinion; for this reason, I'm not sure if I'd go here on a first date unless I didn't actually care about being able to hear well what my date was saying. Anyway. I'm vegetarian and pizza is obviously customizable. I mentioned i was veg to the waiter who said they can accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions. But I made my own pizza anyway and was pretty happy. Its relatively traditional Italian style pizzas with the thin crust, which is my favorite kind. Toppings available were of high quality. The vegetable sampler platter appetizer was good. I wouldn't rave about it, but a nice selection of things to nibble on. My family members were very happy with what they got and have been back a few times.
(3)
Sobhna S.
We went to this place because it's right across from the very nice hotel we are staying at. When we walked in, the place was literally empty yet the manager asked us if we had reservations. We said no and he seated us right away. Not sure what the purpose of a reservation would be since it was an early Sunday evening and the place was clearly not busy. Our waiter was friendly enough and seemed knowledgeable But the rest of the service was very bad. You tend to be forgotten about. The only time someone came to the table, which was rarely, was when they had some food for us. Our drinks were not refreshed so we had empty water glasses. When we did ask for a refill, they brought us a new glass but still left the empty glass on the table. We didn't even get our main course and we had empty glasses and empty plates from our appetizers. Finally, we got tired of waiting for our main course, and of course some water so I tried to get someone's attention to get my check. I was willing to forego the rest of my dinner to get out of there. But, of course everytime I tried to get someone's attention, I coldn't. Finally, I walked up to the manager and told him about our bad service and that I just wanted to pay for dinner and leave. He asked me what happened and I told him. He said not to worry about the check but when I insisted on paying for our dinner, he told me to "just go". Bad manners, bad service, just ok food.
(1)
Tony S.
Full Disclosure: I have been to Carpaccio twice, but I am writing this review based only on my most recent visit as the first time was the weekend of my 10 year reunion and to be honest, I don't remember much. Very good Italian restaurant. I am pretty critical, as I am 1/2 Sicilian and was raised on a diet of my mother's and grandmother's wonderful fare. The plusses: Bread: Yum! Fresh, warm, lightly coated with olive oil. Just the thing to get you ready for dinner. Caesar Salad: Lightly dressed, fresh shaved cheese, not overly fishy. Couldn't be better. Arancini: A worthy effort, tasty and not too greasy, but not nearly as good as grandma's. I will leave it at that. Veal Parmesean: Excellent. Nicely prepared over a bed of thick spaghetti perfectly done. The Bad: This is the reason why Carpaccio is 4 stars and not 5. The forks. You may think I am crazy, but when you are eating pasta, a proper fork is VITAL, and I am sorry, but the forks at Carpaccio are not at all conducive to twirling. They are round with a weird bump, and just don't want to spin. They are very pretty and fine for eating meat, salad, cheesecake, whatever, but it is ingrained in the DNA of my people to twirl your pasta around the fork and an Italian restaurant should take that into account.
(4)
Morgan S.
Note: This review is only based on one slice of pizza as I went to the Carpaccio 2 Go and brought it back to my hotel room. Overall - just meh. I've had better pizza at pizza chains but the price was right. Just around $2 for a slice of cheese and convenient as it was across from the Westin where I was staying.
(2)
S B.
What can I say, some of the best Italian food I ahve had outside of Venice. We started with several Antipasti. I have never been a fan of Oysters Rockefeller but the ones served here I would order again and again. The Scallpos Napoleon are a meal in itself. The scallops are tender yet big and very flavorfull. The Meatball Mediterranean was bland but then didnt ahve high expectations for meatballs. THe Vera Mozzarells was as good as one could expect and twice as filling. There were 9 of us and to say all the antipasti and meals that we got would take a page but will go into one or two. The Polenta Di Mare was tateful and more than one person could eat. The crab meat was shell free and vry flavorful and the prawns were HUGE! One person ahd the Lasagna and said it was wonderful and by its size it could have fed two people. Our party also had 2 of the specials that night: the Grouper which both said was exceptional and the paella which had a ton of seafood and sausage and was very flavorful. Lastly you have tohave the bread with tomato sauce on it that they serve before dinner as it is outragious. I will come here again and again until I have tried everything on the menu and then to try all their specials. I cant wait to try brunch here!
(5)
Special K.
A much needed Italian place in Annapolis. They have organic pastas on their menu and the portion/flavor is just perfect. I love the black (squid-ink infused) linguine with seafood (lobster, etc.). We love it!
(4)
Michael B.
Outdoor seating is a plus and the food was good. I had a seafood risotto which was ok but missed the mark. the table had a few apps which were very tasty( carpaccio). They have a large menu so pretty much anyone could find something they were in the mood for. Heavy Heavy use of butter made the carbonara taste great but super rich. ( Next day we reheated the leftovers and it was literally swimming in butter.) Good though. I would go back if I had a hankering for some Italian but would not wake up dreaming about it. Service was good.
(3)
R C.
The food is decent, especially for Annapolis, and they have an extensive menu that is vegetarian-friendly. Love their bread too! I also really appreciate their relaxing ambiance and spacious floorplan that allows for conversation and some seclusion from your neighbors. The reason, however, I give Carpaccio only two stars is for the service. The first couple times I went here, it was not terrible -- the host/hostesses were not particularly friendly or helpful, which leaves a bad first impression, but I can deal with that. The third and last time I went here, we were visiting with out-of-town family that we had not seen in months. One person was running late due to traffic from the Navy game, a reality in Annapolis that the staff was well-aware of. Because we hadn't seen these family members for such a long time, we decided to hold off on ordering our entrees (but rest assured we were providing plenty of business with our continuous wine and app orders). After some time, the server came to pressure us to order, telling us the management was pressuring her to "get us out of here." What was once a relaxing, enjoyable dinner turned rushed and uncomfortable. We ordered quickly and went elsewhere for dessert. I don't necessarily blame the restaurant for wanting to turn the tables over quickly; I know they are running a business and there may have been a wait. But I think they could have handled it much better and with a little more understanding for a family that hadn't seen each other in a long time.
(2)
Veronica L.
I was craving desert last Wednesday, kind of late, so my boyfriend and I hopped in my car and headed towards Annapolis. As we were getting ready to pass Carpaccio, I suggested we stop there and check it out. There is a parking garage in the plaza to park out and I think that's the only option but the fee was maybe just a few bucks, so not bad. We sat down at the bar and there were like three bartenders working, so we got pretty good and fast service. My boyfriend and I both ordered drinks first. I got a pineapple vodka martini type drink, which had a good amount of alcohol but not so much that it took away from the flavor and my boyfriend got a Guinness. I ordered a chocolate cake and my boyfriend got the tiramisu. Both were delicious, although, not being a fan of tiramisu, I don't think I would have liked more than the bite I stole from my boyfriend's plate but he really enjoyed it. The bill for those two drinks and two deserts was around $30 - kind of expensive in my opinion. Even so, I would probably like to come back and try a main course here.
(4)
Janice R.
My second visit to Carpaccio was just as good as my first. I love a good red sauce and my SO a cream sauce. So we each ordered our litmus test. Mine, the eggplant parmagian and his the spaghetti carbonara. Of course, I also wanted to try the bolognese sauce and the waiter gladly brought me a bowl on the side that I poured over my pasta. We shared a caesar salad and a plate of mixed cheeses, meats and vegetables from the Tuscan Market, which could have easily served 3 or 4 but they gladly packaged it for us to take with. As, they also packed 1/2 of my eggplant and the remaining bolognese sauce. What a wonderful lunch this made for Sat. The wine list is limited and it does not have the year the wine was produced, but we had a Merlot for $66 that was perfect with our meal. Our waiter was great and very knowledgeable (explains the specials very well), our food was exactly what we both wanted and the bread basket refilled TWICE! Put tomato on bread and I'm happy! Also, don't miss the martinis! We'll be back. There were 2 hostesses and a host. We were seated at exactly 7:31 for our resv. at 7:30 pm. There was not an empty table when we arrived or when we left so definitely make a resv. for a Fri. or Sat. evening. Buon Appetito
(4)
Marianna R.
I love this place. I am an Italian food snob with high food standards as my mother was a fabulous Italian food cook. And this place surely meets my standards. The food is outstanding and the bar area is really nice and spacious for both socializing and eating. This restaurant has style, class and has a sophisticated yet not stuffy atmosphere. There service is good and the wine list is outstanding. And with all that, the prices are average for quality food. I plan to frequent this establishment.
(5)
Mike A.
great outdor patio with live band. pizza was good. linguine with white clams was good. penne vodka was ok as was chicken parmigana. i only gave it 3 stars because the food was so overprices. pastas at $18-$34 was more expensive than Babbo, Felicia or Del Posto in NY.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No 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.
Mona T.
This is the best Italian restaurant around. The bread is fabulous. The wait staff is knowable, professional and you feel well taken care of. We love the fish and have gone several times. Never a disappointing meal,
(5)Elle H.
My family and I dined here for an early Mother's Day dinner. No one in our party had been to this restaurant before, so we were eager to try it out. There was only one other party in the restaurant when we arrived. We were given water almost immediately after we sat down. The person who showed us to our table didn't give us menus, so we talked amongst ourselves for 5 minutes before our server appeared. He took our drink orders (3 alcoholic beverages) and left. Still no menus. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to show up and we finally got our menus. We waited another 20 minutes for our order to be taken. While we were waiting, we were served rolls and some kind of pizza bread with red sauce on top. The bread was divine! The rolls with the rosemary on the bottom were my favorite. When our server finally arrived, we ordered two large apps for the table: Meatball Mediterranean (meatballs topped with feta cheese in marinara sauce with crostinis) and Orangina Vesuviana (fried tomato and rice balls with red peppers, fontina, and mascarpone cheese). The rice balls were excellent and were a hit with the table. The meatballs weren't anything to write home about. They had a good flavor, but they didn't taste freshly made to me. Plus, the meatball I cut into was hot on the outside and cold on the inside... Hm. For our main courses, we ordered Risotto Con Carne, Vitello Annapolis, Chicken Parmigiana, Calamari Fritti, Polenta Di Mare, Pappardelle Bolognese, and Fettucine Mediterraneo. Risotto Con Carne: Two of us had this dish. The menu said this dish came with "mignon tips". There were a lot of meat tips in the dish, but the meat was overcooked, difficult to cut and had zero flavor. The meat was the consistency of a meat you would put in a beef stew - no exaggeration. It definitely was not mignon. The pancetta was chewy. The "asparagus tips" were actually sliced pieces of the middle of the asparagus. The carrots were cut into pieces so tiny, that I could barely make out what they were. There were also several hard, uncooked grains of rice I bit into. It didn't look appetizing either. A huge disappointment for both of us. Vitello Annapolis: One person in our party had this dish. The dish was veal scallopini, with crab meat, mushrooms, and fettuccine pasta in a cream sauce. She wanted a bit more crab meat added to her dish and her food was drowning in cream sauce. She left half of her meal on her plate. Chicken Parmigiana: Two people in our party had this dish. The meal featured three breasts of chicken with capellini underneath. They both agreed the red sauce tasted a little salty, but the portions were huge and they liked the taste. Calamari Fritti: A child in our group ordered the appetizer portion for her main entree and she loved it. She said the calamari was fresh and it wasn't heavily breaded. Polenta Di Mare: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, crab meat, and capers on top of polenta. He said it was okay. The prawns and scallops were cooked perfectly, but was pretty bland in terms of seasoning and flavor. Pappardelle Bolognese: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of meat lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella and ragu. She loved it and had no complaints. Fettucine Mediterraneo: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, and crab meat with marinara sauce and fettucine pasta. He said everything tasted fine, but was disappointed with the quantity of seafood that came with his dish. He said for the price of the dish, he expected more seafood. Our server was friendly, but the service was severely lacking. He gave recommendations of what he enjoyed, but he constantly mumbled, so it was hard to understand what he was saying. Most of us had to ask for a refill on water. Others went with their glasses unfilled for the rest of the night. The water refill was room temperature. A couple of us had alcoholic beverages and no one was offered another. Once our food came out, we never saw our server again. No one came to our table to check on us. Once we got the check, he disappeared and never returned. We like to make sure the server gets the money in hand before we leave, but we got tired of waiting for him and just left it on the table. Also, during our meal, one of us requested a to-go order of the Chicken Parmigiana for a family member who could not attend our outing. The order was never given to us, nor was it on our bill. The server forgot to give the kitchen our order. We couldn't say anything to our server about it because he never came back to our table. Several people in our party enjoyed their food, so I have to give them that credit. I took stars away for the awful Risotto Con Carnes and for the poor service. The people who generally enjoyed their food agreed that while they liked their dishes, the prices were too high. I, personally, don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
(2)Greg O.
We originally wanted to try Miss Shirley's, which is around the corner, but the wait was ridiculous and we were hungry. Carpaccio is right around the corner so we decided to try it. It was pretty empty with only a handful of tables taken in the dining room, but the service was very friendly and pretty attentive. The food was hit or miss though. First, the bread is quite good to start with, with both seasoned rolls and a pizza like bread stick (not sure of the exact name). For meals my wife went with a margherita pizza, and I tried the marcelo panini. The pizza was definitely the better choice- a nice thin crust, a tasty sauce and cheese topping. The panini was disappointing, but this was partially my fault, as I hadn't realized that rapini was bitter broccoli. Lesson learned for next time. The fries were ok, but not very crispy. Overall not bad, but not great either.
(3)Pamela K.
This is an average of the two -- Carpaccio and Carpaccio to go. I was working in Annapolis for two weeks recently, and this was very near the office. I loved the To Go side! Prompt attention, great food. The pizza is delicious, and the salads are beautiful. The priciness mentioned by other reviewers is not so much in evidence here as in the main restaurant. I'd recommend them any time. As for the restaurant, I dropped in one evening for dinner,and was absolutely underwhelmed. As with other reviewers, I experienced spotty service. The gnocci was only so-so, which was a great disappointment. The selection of wine by the glass was not terrible, but it was not particularly impressive either.
(3)Joe T.
Molto buono! We all sat at a table outside and enjoyed a fine menu of Italian specialties and wine. You can walk off the dinner with a nice passagiata down the local streets.
(4)C E.
Wanted up have a nice al fresco early dinner this past Saturday. What we ended up with were poorly executed over priced pasta dishes, barely drinkable super Tuscan glass of wine, and indifferent service. The pappardelle with lamb ragu- pasta was mushy and the "ragu" was a bland sauce. The lobster ravioli was smothered in a tasteless tomato cream sauce. Reminiscent of a bad olive garden type experience.
(2)Emily D.
very very average... Went there during our weekend stay at the Weston for a friends wedding and had lunch outside. Our server was really great and could accommodate our large party but the food was just so-so. They do serve amazing bread but really its almost too much. I can see myself being a cheap ass and getting wine and complimentary bread and easily being full. I had a tomato salad which was had a nice mix of tomatoes that were clearly not in season although the sure did look pretty on the plate. I had a bite of my boyfriends pizza but it really was just average. The restaurant is very pretty both inside and out but sadly their food doesn't quite match. We went back the next day just to have a drink and enjoy the sun and would you believe they don't serve Firefly (minus one star)...alas we had to go to Fodo next door...
(3)Tim S.
This place gets four stars because everything was good, not great, but definitely good. We had a professional server named Jessica and met two friends for a casual Friday dinner. For the record, Jessica has a twin sister named Rachel, who we know from Davis' Pub. We did not know this before we asked Jessica if her name was 'Rachel' . . . it is not. Guess that explains why Jessica looked at us like we had multiple heads when we greeted her knowingly, without actually knowing her. I picked a Cabernet (Guenoc? Bin 131 for sure) that we ended up getting a second bottle of. It was quite good with very little air. Everyone enjoyed their salads, apps and the table breads of different varieties (all fresh). The table oil had a fresh sprig of rosemary and a couple cloves of garlic - very impressive for a chain. I had the calamari and lamb chops and couldn't have been happier. The calamari was cooked to my preference, lightly breaded and fried, and served with a horseradish mustard dipping sauce ( I didn't use much of the hot, fresh marinara that was also generously portioned). And my pork was excellent. I would highly recommend it for its portion size (large), toppings (pepper and onion), and temperature. It was fully cooked, moist, and easily de-boned. Everyone else was satisfied as well. The ladies shared a pizza and Chris had the carpaccio platter. The only complaint was "stale" bread served with the carpaccio, but that was easily replaced with the fresh table bread. Jessica and Rachel have good service in common. We were more than happy with the service from Jessica and her support staff. Full water, cleared dishes, good timing, poured wine . . . well done!
(4)Shane N.
I would give this place 5 stars based on the Salmon Casino Style alone. Every time I have it the Salmon is cooked perfectly. It also comes with a tasty crab risotto. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice. The Tiramisu is kind of generic but is good enough. If the prices were a little cheaper, it would probably be five stars. Still one of the better places to go for Italian food in Annapolis. Think of it as 4.75 stars.
(4)Greg B.
Carpaccio was a "good" choice for the hyped Valentine's Day dinner. Why? They offered their standard menu, unlike almost every other restaurant in Annapolis. Their pricing was actually fair. Their food was good and the portions were healthy. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly suprised to find that the tables were not on top of each other and the restaurant wasn't ridiculously crowded. (It was however a very amusing dinner as every odd couple seemed to be within the walls of the restaurant!) As I had read in other Yelpers comments, the wait staff is not shy about bringing you and unlimited supply of bread, which is amazing! However, you find yourself filled up on bread by the time dinner arrives! As for the main course; it came out very quickly, was piping hot, and quite delicious! The meal was paired perfectly with the wine (which we couldnt finish and were able to take home) and the atmosphere made for a great night on the town. I was give this restaurant a thumbs up for anyone looking for a good meal in a unique setting.
(3)Jim E.
After three dinners here, I think I am ready to write a review. First off, the valet service is nice. Seven dollars, plus a few for tip, is worth not having to try and find street parking. The valets themselves are nice and courteous. They opened up the door for my wife before they opened my door, which is more than I can say for another valet in the area. Entering the restaurant is mildly uncomfortable. The foyer is nice, and the waiting area reasonably large, but the reservation desk is kind of a surprise when you walk in for the first time. Not a deal breaker, but a pleasant smile would be nice to see when you first walk in; they should not save it till you round the corner. Along those lines, please have someone dedicated to the reservation counter. At IHOP I do not mind waiting a moment for a host(ess) to appear. However, this is a place I am potentially spending 100+ dollars at, I expect someone to be waiting for people to arrive and call a seater over. Two out of the three visits we had to wait for a hostess to come sprinting over. The decor is nice. Not over the top, but pleasantly decorated and maintains a very romantic air while sill being well lit. It probably will not win any design awards, but it works well. The appetizers were all very good, as was the carpaccio. We have not enjoyed the full menu, but judging by what we have sampled I feel confident putting the appetizers well into the "very good" category. The dinners themselves were hit or miss. Some of them were excellent, others hit the mark. I question some of the seasoning choices, and at least one dish was CLEARLY over seasoned. Again, nothing that would make the food bad, but definitely something a good chef should pick up on. If this were 20 dollars a plate I would not mind, but for these prices I expect a certain standard. The wine list is good, but the mark-up is borderline ridiculous. My biggest complaint is dessert. An establishment like this should have a dedicated pastry chef, not pull desserts out of the freezer and serve before they are fully thawed. Unless you really have a sweet tooth I would suggest skipping dessert and either making your own or going somewhere else. The coffee was good, though. If you are still reading this, please understand I think this is a very good place to eat dinner. I am only being very nit-picky because I hope they read this and fix a few of the things I mentioned. It is painfully obvious that this place is new, and even in today's market they need to work on establishing themselves as a five-star venue before worrying about a bottom-line. Spending the extra time, and money, now, even if it means going further into the red, will only set you up for more success, and better profits in the future. At the very least invest in a good pastry chef and reduce your wine prices a little bit. Also, cut your menu in half and make it physically less bulky. Carpaccio is well worth 4 stars and your time. Until a true five-star restaurant appears in Annapolis, this is one of the best places you can go on a Saturday night.
(4)tracey s.
I've been to Carpaccio 3 times - all being impressive. Its a nice, consistent place with a relaxing atmosphere. I plan to continue going back!
(4)Jen G.
I moved from Severna Park, MD to Boston a few months ago and Carpaccio is one of the few restaurants that I really miss in Annapolis. I don't think I have had better Italian in the area. It is a solid 4.7 stars in my book so I'll round up. The Vodka Penne is fabulously tasty as is the Penne Pasticcio. I wish that I could tell you about other entree's but I can't help but get one of these two every time I go. Portions sizes are right on target. You won't leave hungry or feeling like a cow ...unless you eat too much of their AMAZING bread (which is very easy to do because it is pretty much like pizza in a basket). I would recommend the calamari as an appetizer (crispy, crunchy, zesty and delicious sauce on the side) A great place for a date or even family dinner. The atmosphere is very nice without being uncomfortably upscale or effecting the price of your meal. I have never had an unpleasant experience with the waitstaff and the restrooms are always immaculate. You can park valet there but leaving your car at the Westin garage if you're going to walk around town a bit isn't a bad idea either. Stop reading about it and go there. Go Now!
(5)Karin J.
This was delicious. An absolute joy. BREAD: You get some bread. It looks kind of foccacia-y, but then you think, no, it is just flat bread wedges. Oh, but they are so much more. They had a nice chewiness that I appreciated. It made you earn that bread. CARPACCIO: The filet carpaccio was quite tasty indeed, and there was no bad-chewiness about it at all. No, I don't remember which one we got, it was a month ago. RISOTTO: I got a risotto with... asparagus? Corn? in it, and it was soooooo good. The "sauce" was so delicious and rich, but the meal did not sit too heavily in my stomach (no moreso than a fancy meal would without it being risotto). My dining partner got... something that came with figs, and it was divine as well. Venison? It was good, at any rate. OH and I neglected to mention... BELLINIS: Yeah, they're tasty. RICOTTA CHEESECAKE: Approaches how good homemade ricotta cheesecake is. It isn't fluffy enough for my tastes, but really, I did not care at the time and the fact they had a ricotta cheesecake at all makes me want to hug someone. SERVICE: Our waiter was pleasant and unobtrusive. He wasn't at all fazed by our request of an ice bucket for the red we got (the red was warm)(do you really want a wine geek's explanation of what temperature a red wine should be? because I do a fair impression) and it was itself reasonably priced, as I recall. PARKING: They validate for a nearby garage. Didn't have too much of a problem finding a spot on a Saturday night. TO SUM UP: Great place, and I look forward to going there again (which I will get to do in a couple months!).
(5)Elizabeth O.
By far the BEST dining experience my husband and I have had in a long itme! Our reservation was for 7pm, we arrived early and still got seated right away. The decor inside is beautiful. We had the most amazing waiter, Wyane, that we can remember having in probably 3 years. He was very courteous and prompt. Very attentive to our table the entire time. The food was wonderful and beautiful presented. It is a little bit on the pricey side, but completley worth it. I would strongly reccomend this place to anyone who wants to have a fantastic meal with fantastic service!!! We will most definetley go back!
(5)Brian J.
Loved the location of the restaurant and the food was delicious. I'd give it four stars just on the food. However, the wine list was very unimpressive. Aside from places like Olive Garden which I don't really consider Italian restaurants, this had the most disappointing wine list I've seen at an Italian restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant / wine bar and they had 37 red wines by the glass. FIVE of them were Italian and they were all from Tuscany. No Piedmont wines by the glass! Very disappointing. A large majority of the wine list was generic, usually boring California wines. I expect that from Applebee's or TGIF or even P.F. Chang's, but not an Italian restaurant in a ritzy part of Annapolis that has the term wine bar in the title. I'll be moving to Annapolis next year and hope the wine list improves or I might not come back.
(2)karen f.
A lovely social venue with great selection of Italian offerings. The ahi tuna salad was tasty and the vodka penne is a must. There seemed to be a lively bar if you like that scene. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. A great find for Annapolis
(4)Patrick H.
We have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of the latest edition of the Monte Restaurant group's mini Italian empire here in Anne Arundel county. Each of their restaurants bears it's own name and distinct/ unique concept. We've only made one visit, but the early buzz about Carpaccio is that this in MRG's finest hour. With a decor that echoes some of MRG's previous restaurants, namely PomoGrille (Bowie) and 4Season's (Crofton), but with a much subdued and more sophisticated slant. Housed on the curve of the new Park Place development on West Ave in Annapolis, the outdoor seating here reminds one of being in a chic cafe in Florence, Italy. I would typifiy the interior as decidedly elegant casual. The menu is clearly "upmarket" when held against some of the other locations. 6 types of Carpacci are offered, including filet mignon, tuna, anchovies, eggplant and prosciutto. A nice selection of salads is offered. On our visit my dining companion and I both ordered the Panzanella. It was very good, but I would have preferred a "breadier" presentation. These were more akin to homemade croutons, which is not a bad thing, just not what I think of when I think 'Panzanella". Pappardelle Bolognese is one of those things that... if it's on the menu... I'm going to order it. I can honestly say this was the best Pappardelle Bolognese I've ever tasted. This is a real diet breaker. If I was at home I would have been licking the bowl. My friend had the Monte Santo Pizza, one of the 9 choices of wood burning brick oven Neapolitan pizzas. All I can say is MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Mozz, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Parmacotta on a crisp and snappy crust. It was equally good the next morning with eggs and coffee. There are 18 homemade pasta choices (some classics and some not so classic) and 5 Risottos. That's all before you get to the fish or meat entrees. For dessert, we split a Tiramisu. Typically I wouldn't order Tiramisu as it is so overdone, and rarely done right, but this was the real McCoy. I watched one pass by our table earlier and I went all "Homer Simpson" for a minute. "Arrrghghghhhghg" Actual lady finger cookies, with espresso and rum and a heapin' helpin' of sweetened Mascarpone. DEEE-lightful. Word is already out and it's difficult to get in on a weekend evening, so if you are going, I suggest you make a reservation. Lucky for me I live nearby and a weeknight visit is not out of the question.
(5)Jillian T.
Well, this place isn't bad. I'm pretty certain it's not great either. I've had some good dishes and some not so good dishes, which seems to be the problem. The menu is so big that there is some serious inconsistency in the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and after having a really nice meal one time, it's followed up by a mediocre meal the next. This type of inconsistency makes it difficult for me to enjoy this place. The other problem I have here is the service. It's not up and down, it's just always blah. I've never had a server here that made me enjoy my experience or made me strive to come back. They all seem to go through the motions, but they seem to lack personality or interest in what they're doing. I know others have had better experiences, so maybe mine is not the norm, but nevertheless, it's doesn't get me that excited.
(3)r. h.
Summary judgment: competent chef, not so competent bartender. Honestly, my expectation had not been high. From the outside, the restaurant looked like yet another chic bar/lounge at the lobby of an upscale hotel where ambiance often trumps actual food quality. Not so at Carpaccio. First, the complimentary breads were actually decent. I also liked the special carpacci section of the menu -- it's nice to have options beyond the common prosciutto & melones. The appetizer we ordered (little crab balls) was also delicious. Emboldened, I took a gamble and ordered the venison & figs for my main course. In the hands of an inexperienced chef, venison can come out gamey or tough. Happily, not so tonight! The meat was tender, and the sweet fig sauce complemented it well. If I were to nitpick, my only suggestion would be to vary the garnish a bit (a sprig of rosemary in every plate can only get you so far). While I was pleasantly surprised by the food, the drinks were less impressive. I ordered a glass of bellini. The drink arrived in a diminutive flute, looking less sparkling and more concentrated fruit-juicy. The taste had more sourness to it than I liked (cheap champagne?). The ratio of my companion's negroni was also off. They are not worth their upscale-hotel-bar price-tags. Our waiter was competent but not memorable. The overall service suffered from a few rough spots -- the host was preoccupied and inattentive; our table missed a salt shaker; the sugar bowl had no sugar; my coffee was served with a gigantic soup spoon -- all very minor imperfections, to be sure, but they contribute to make the restaurant venture seem amateurish. All in all, this may be the best Italian dining Annapolis has to offer now that La Picola Roma is gone.
(4)Tina T.
One of my favorites in Annapolis! The variety of Carpaccio is my favorite & always have to get one when I go. Great wine selection too, although kind of pricey. Would definitely refer a friend!
(4)Alex L.
Amy was one of the best servers we have ever had. Seriously, if you go to Carpaccios ask for Amy she was amazing!!!! The white anchovy carpaccio was exactly like in Italy, the filet mignon carpaccio with white truffle oil was perfect, and the baked gnocchi were cooked perfectly. They start you off with a nice assortments of freshly baked breads. Directly across the walk from the Westin hotel. Worth going here if staying at the Westin or not!
(5)Kathy M.
Run, don't walk for their Sunday Brunch. The food is delicious, one of the best brunches I've had in quite some time.
(5)S S.
For Annapolis, I think this place is great and I'd definitely come back. Its a nice looking restaurant, but it was very loud in my opinion; for this reason, I'm not sure if I'd go here on a first date unless I didn't actually care about being able to hear well what my date was saying. Anyway. I'm vegetarian and pizza is obviously customizable. I mentioned i was veg to the waiter who said they can accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions. But I made my own pizza anyway and was pretty happy. Its relatively traditional Italian style pizzas with the thin crust, which is my favorite kind. Toppings available were of high quality. The vegetable sampler platter appetizer was good. I wouldn't rave about it, but a nice selection of things to nibble on. My family members were very happy with what they got and have been back a few times.
(3)Heather C.
I just always come back to Carpaccio... no matter what kind of atmosphere or type of food or price range I'm going for that night, I seem to drift back here time and time again. Love, love, love this pizza. Currently working my way down the pizza menu and have loved them all. Salads are delicious and they kindly split up a salad into two plates when that special someone is sharing with you. One date night, they stayed open just for us -- served us coffee and dessert long after the other diners had left. Always had friendly service. Sounds like brunch is a must-try and on my to-do list...
(4)Esha D.
A Very Classy and Upscale Italian gem in downtown Annapolis. Gorgeous locale right near the Westin. The decor was superb! Very classy and refined. Food was pricey, but spectacular!! Our waiter spoke a little too low, but other than that was good. Highly recommended for a special occasion!!
(4)damian a.
We went to Carpaccio with some friends when we visited Annapolis earlier this year. Everyone at the table was pretty impressed with the food and the service. I loved the large menu and various carpaccio choices. Alas, it's in another state. We will definitely go there again the next time we visit Annapolis.
(4)Jen M.
Only went for lunch but we had a great experience. We sat outside on the sunny patio. The foccacia bread and rosemary rolls are super yummy. The grilled chicken caesar salad is tasty, and my best friend ordered the Bento box which is You-Pick-Three for $14.99. I was surprised the portions were as large as they were for lunch. Great service and great food.
(4)K B.
Pretty good brunch - had lots if variety. The executive chief was very and knowledge. A fair Tuscan alternative option.
(3)Sobhna S.
We went to this place because it's right across from the very nice hotel we are staying at. When we walked in, the place was literally empty yet the manager asked us if we had reservations. We said no and he seated us right away. Not sure what the purpose of a reservation would be since it was an early Sunday evening and the place was clearly not busy. Our waiter was friendly enough and seemed knowledgeable But the rest of the service was very bad. You tend to be forgotten about. The only time someone came to the table, which was rarely, was when they had some food for us. Our drinks were not refreshed so we had empty water glasses. When we did ask for a refill, they brought us a new glass but still left the empty glass on the table. We didn't even get our main course and we had empty glasses and empty plates from our appetizers. Finally, we got tired of waiting for our main course, and of course some water so I tried to get someone's attention to get my check. I was willing to forego the rest of my dinner to get out of there. But, of course everytime I tried to get someone's attention, I coldn't. Finally, I walked up to the manager and told him about our bad service and that I just wanted to pay for dinner and leave. He asked me what happened and I told him. He said not to worry about the check but when I insisted on paying for our dinner, he told me to "just go". Bad manners, bad service, just ok food.
(1)Tony S.
Full Disclosure: I have been to Carpaccio twice, but I am writing this review based only on my most recent visit as the first time was the weekend of my 10 year reunion and to be honest, I don't remember much. Very good Italian restaurant. I am pretty critical, as I am 1/2 Sicilian and was raised on a diet of my mother's and grandmother's wonderful fare. The plusses: Bread: Yum! Fresh, warm, lightly coated with olive oil. Just the thing to get you ready for dinner. Caesar Salad: Lightly dressed, fresh shaved cheese, not overly fishy. Couldn't be better. Arancini: A worthy effort, tasty and not too greasy, but not nearly as good as grandma's. I will leave it at that. Veal Parmesean: Excellent. Nicely prepared over a bed of thick spaghetti perfectly done. The Bad: This is the reason why Carpaccio is 4 stars and not 5. The forks. You may think I am crazy, but when you are eating pasta, a proper fork is VITAL, and I am sorry, but the forks at Carpaccio are not at all conducive to twirling. They are round with a weird bump, and just don't want to spin. They are very pretty and fine for eating meat, salad, cheesecake, whatever, but it is ingrained in the DNA of my people to twirl your pasta around the fork and an Italian restaurant should take that into account.
(4)Morgan S.
Note: This review is only based on one slice of pizza as I went to the Carpaccio 2 Go and brought it back to my hotel room. Overall - just meh. I've had better pizza at pizza chains but the price was right. Just around $2 for a slice of cheese and convenient as it was across from the Westin where I was staying.
(2)S B.
What can I say, some of the best Italian food I ahve had outside of Venice. We started with several Antipasti. I have never been a fan of Oysters Rockefeller but the ones served here I would order again and again. The Scallpos Napoleon are a meal in itself. The scallops are tender yet big and very flavorfull. The Meatball Mediterranean was bland but then didnt ahve high expectations for meatballs. THe Vera Mozzarells was as good as one could expect and twice as filling. There were 9 of us and to say all the antipasti and meals that we got would take a page but will go into one or two. The Polenta Di Mare was tateful and more than one person could eat. The crab meat was shell free and vry flavorful and the prawns were HUGE! One person ahd the Lasagna and said it was wonderful and by its size it could have fed two people. Our party also had 2 of the specials that night: the Grouper which both said was exceptional and the paella which had a ton of seafood and sausage and was very flavorful. Lastly you have tohave the bread with tomato sauce on it that they serve before dinner as it is outragious. I will come here again and again until I have tried everything on the menu and then to try all their specials. I cant wait to try brunch here!
(5)Special K.
A much needed Italian place in Annapolis. They have organic pastas on their menu and the portion/flavor is just perfect. I love the black (squid-ink infused) linguine with seafood (lobster, etc.). We love it!
(4)Michael B.
Outdoor seating is a plus and the food was good. I had a seafood risotto which was ok but missed the mark. the table had a few apps which were very tasty( carpaccio). They have a large menu so pretty much anyone could find something they were in the mood for. Heavy Heavy use of butter made the carbonara taste great but super rich. ( Next day we reheated the leftovers and it was literally swimming in butter.) Good though. I would go back if I had a hankering for some Italian but would not wake up dreaming about it. Service was good.
(3)R C.
The food is decent, especially for Annapolis, and they have an extensive menu that is vegetarian-friendly. Love their bread too! I also really appreciate their relaxing ambiance and spacious floorplan that allows for conversation and some seclusion from your neighbors. The reason, however, I give Carpaccio only two stars is for the service. The first couple times I went here, it was not terrible -- the host/hostesses were not particularly friendly or helpful, which leaves a bad first impression, but I can deal with that. The third and last time I went here, we were visiting with out-of-town family that we had not seen in months. One person was running late due to traffic from the Navy game, a reality in Annapolis that the staff was well-aware of. Because we hadn't seen these family members for such a long time, we decided to hold off on ordering our entrees (but rest assured we were providing plenty of business with our continuous wine and app orders). After some time, the server came to pressure us to order, telling us the management was pressuring her to "get us out of here." What was once a relaxing, enjoyable dinner turned rushed and uncomfortable. We ordered quickly and went elsewhere for dessert. I don't necessarily blame the restaurant for wanting to turn the tables over quickly; I know they are running a business and there may have been a wait. But I think they could have handled it much better and with a little more understanding for a family that hadn't seen each other in a long time.
(2)Veronica L.
I was craving desert last Wednesday, kind of late, so my boyfriend and I hopped in my car and headed towards Annapolis. As we were getting ready to pass Carpaccio, I suggested we stop there and check it out. There is a parking garage in the plaza to park out and I think that's the only option but the fee was maybe just a few bucks, so not bad. We sat down at the bar and there were like three bartenders working, so we got pretty good and fast service. My boyfriend and I both ordered drinks first. I got a pineapple vodka martini type drink, which had a good amount of alcohol but not so much that it took away from the flavor and my boyfriend got a Guinness. I ordered a chocolate cake and my boyfriend got the tiramisu. Both were delicious, although, not being a fan of tiramisu, I don't think I would have liked more than the bite I stole from my boyfriend's plate but he really enjoyed it. The bill for those two drinks and two deserts was around $30 - kind of expensive in my opinion. Even so, I would probably like to come back and try a main course here.
(4)Janice R.
My second visit to Carpaccio was just as good as my first. I love a good red sauce and my SO a cream sauce. So we each ordered our litmus test. Mine, the eggplant parmagian and his the spaghetti carbonara. Of course, I also wanted to try the bolognese sauce and the waiter gladly brought me a bowl on the side that I poured over my pasta. We shared a caesar salad and a plate of mixed cheeses, meats and vegetables from the Tuscan Market, which could have easily served 3 or 4 but they gladly packaged it for us to take with. As, they also packed 1/2 of my eggplant and the remaining bolognese sauce. What a wonderful lunch this made for Sat. The wine list is limited and it does not have the year the wine was produced, but we had a Merlot for $66 that was perfect with our meal. Our waiter was great and very knowledgeable (explains the specials very well), our food was exactly what we both wanted and the bread basket refilled TWICE! Put tomato on bread and I'm happy! Also, don't miss the martinis! We'll be back. There were 2 hostesses and a host. We were seated at exactly 7:31 for our resv. at 7:30 pm. There was not an empty table when we arrived or when we left so definitely make a resv. for a Fri. or Sat. evening. Buon Appetito
(4)Marianna R.
I love this place. I am an Italian food snob with high food standards as my mother was a fabulous Italian food cook. And this place surely meets my standards. The food is outstanding and the bar area is really nice and spacious for both socializing and eating. This restaurant has style, class and has a sophisticated yet not stuffy atmosphere. There service is good and the wine list is outstanding. And with all that, the prices are average for quality food. I plan to frequent this establishment.
(5)Mike A.
great outdor patio with live band. pizza was good. linguine with white clams was good. penne vodka was ok as was chicken parmigana. i only gave it 3 stars because the food was so overprices. pastas at $18-$34 was more expensive than Babbo, Felicia or Del Posto in NY.
(3)Gary H.
Great!!! Carpaccio's is our favorite go-to restaurant in Annapolis. The bar is fabulous and the table area is wonderful and classy. The bartenders know us and most other regulars by name and what we like to drink. Many people eat at the very spacious bar area. There are high tables in the bar area as well. The food has always been great. I love the salmon and their custom made pizza or pizza off the menu. It is a classy place but you can go here casually. There is also a lot of outdoor seating which is great in the summer and nice weather. Valet parking is the easiest because it will be tough finding street parking at peak times. The parking garage is nice but you need to enter and exit via the Weston hotel. They can't comp the garage or valet because the city or Annapolis owns the Town Park company. Anyway Carpaccio's is also very active in charity events in the area. I have seen them provide food for fund raising charities many times. Definitely give this place a try if you haven't yet!
(5)Ryan B.
We are regulars to this place, but most likely will not go back. We went to have a nice dinner outside with our daughter and it took 15 min for someone to come over to serve us. Meanwhile, we had asked twice for a high chair for our daughter as the first one was broken. Meanwhile, three employees stood outside and just stared at us. Clearly, this place was judging us for bringing our daughter and not kid friendly.
(1)Stephen L.
Love the half off pizzas at happy hour! staff is great every time we have been as well. Can't complain about anything I have had there.
(4)Debra S.
Carpaccio's is ALWAYS a delightful meal - wonderful food and great atmosphere. They offer a wide selection of the finest Italian foods, and always serve their complimentary pizza bread as soon as you sit down. I've had their spinach salad with salmon and several fish dishes, and their spaghetti reminds me of my trip to Venice. Perfect. And parking is just steps away underground. Very convenient location and a great meal with courteous service. Highly recommend.
(5)Ellen Y.
Service leaves much to be desired. Waited over 30 minutes for appetizer. Never heard about the specials. Still waiting for dinner. Food is good but not great. Ambiance outside is wonderful
(5)Louisa E.
This review is for togo pizza side only. Pizza is some of best in Annapolis. Thin crust with great sauce and perfect amount of cheese and toppings. Ordered an Ischia last week off their special list and it ended coming with eggplant instead of roasted peppers which wasn't advertised but ended up being AMAZING. Best when served hot! Love the Caprese, Ischia and Margherita. Just looked at ,menu and realized that the round and square Ischia pizzas have different toppings which is why sometimes it comes with eggplant and sometimes not.
(4)Christy F.
This review is for the Carpaccio 2 go Pizzeria - located adjacent to the Wine Bar. I'm guessing it tries to cater to the office workers in Park Place and the guests at the Westin across the street. The pizza by the slice is decent, big slices, but it sits out on the countertop and they heat it up, so the dough was all soggy and the slice, though big, unimpressive. The $9 salad I got was a huge disappointment. It had a few beet slices thrown on lettuce which was dusted with goat cheese and a few candied walnuts. It came with 3 pieces of bread, but I suspect that was to make up for the lack of substance for the salad. I'm more than happy to pay $9 or more for a quality salad, but this salad was laughably bad.
(2)Rosanna M.
There is nothing about this restaurant I don't love!!! The food is wonderful, they let me play with the menu. My husband isn't eating carbs so they let him create a "pizza toppings" meal that others now enjoy. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The bar crowd is fun. Everything is great!
(5)Terrence P.
Delicious! Had the Salmon capricciosa main course and puff pastry scallop dish for app. Sat outside which was fantastic. Service was good. Definitely want to go back and try different dishes
(4)Mike G.
We were staying at the Westin across the street. Came over for a quick lunch today. We just got a couple of slices of pizza. The gentleman who helped us was very polite. Typical New York style pizza. My pepperoni pizza was pretty greasy, but I don't fault the restaurant for that. It still had great flavor. If we are in the area again we would return.
(4)Andrea Y.
As an Italian I was skeptical about trying Carpaccios but was looking for a good food date night. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic service & the authentic flavored & cooked food. We had the Tuscan Market platter to start and the meats & cheeses were the best I have had since I was last in Italy. My main course, linguini Mediterranean was perfect with the seafood tender & flavorful. The wait staff was eager to modify the menu to my husband's taste (he wanted a spicy red sauce on ravioli that was not on the menu) & he loved his meal equally as much. The almond cake for dessert was delicious, much like a tiramisu but with amaretto flavoring & the limoncello transported me back to a small Tuscan restaurant I ate at years ago. The good was surprisingly amazing, the waiter did not rush us which allowed for a relaxed romantic evening & my Italian roots were impressed by the authenticity of everything we ate. I highly recommend this restaurant & can't wait to go back!
(5)Mike L.
Awesome! Beef Rollatini NEEDS to be a permanent menu item!!! Great Floridian drink as well
(5)Kiaira B.
OMG! I can't wait for the weather to break to go back and sit outside by the fountain. This spot gives me such as sexy french vibe. I took my mother and little sister here for dinner and must I say our waiter was great! The food was amazing. Appetizer calamari which was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had Salmon Casino Style and everything was seasoned amazingly. My mom had the special lobster ravioli with crab sauce. They do not have a formal kids menu but they will create anything for your little one. My little sister had ravioli and there was nothing left on the plate when we left. Overall great food and atmosphere. I would come back again and again. Great date vibe and the wine list looked great. I have had better Italian food in NYC but this is in my top 7. Especially for this MD Area.
(4)Julie H.
I was staying at the Westin next door and came here with some co-workers. What a treat! Started off with a glass of Pinot Noir. Loved that it came in a nice, big glass. I hate it when restaurants serve reds in tiny cheap glasses. They also brought out some seriously delicious bread. Someone called it pizza bread, not sure if that's the real name but it was so good with the marinara. I could have just eaten that it was so good! For dinner I got a seafood pasta. Pasta was nice and al dente with plump, juicy shrimp and of course topped with crab. I was sad I didn't have a fridge at my hotel because it was so good but impossible to finish. The service was only okay. It seemed kind of slow and we had trouble finding our server when needed. We finally asked a bus boy for salt and pepper, but we never received it and finally gave up. Great food, great ambiance, hopefully they can improve the service! I'm still giving them 4 stars because the food was so good and the service wasn't awful, just room for improvement!
(4)Sean D.
Took wife here for Birthday/Valentine dinner. Service was top notch, food was better than 5 star. Only complaint is the wine list. Very good list but seems to be way over priced. You expect a $20 bottle to cost around $40 or maybe $45 in restaurant, here it's around $60. Would not hesitate to go back for the food though.
(5)Shauna K.
If I could leave a 10 star review, this place would get it. We found this place by accident one night when we were lost on our way to the theater, and have been back 3 times since. From the bread they put on your table to the fresh fish to the awesome sauces, every single thing we've eaten here has been amazing. The service is always top notch. We did my birthday dinner here with a group of 15. We were there a long time and had gifts (it was right around Christmas so we were exchanging presents) piled up everywhere and our server was very accommodating, never complaining about the gigantic mess we were making. Awesome ambiance, stellar food, fantastic service. Likely my favorite place in Annapolis.
(5)Tab G.
This is by far one the best restaurant experiences we've had in Annapolis. The food was great. The price definitely matched the quality. If you like good Italian food, this is the place. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)Laura T.
We've probably eaten at Carpaccios five times now. Their pizza is our favorite....especially the Ischia. It's a perfect place for a warm dinner in the winter or a courtyard dinner in the summer. Highly recommend this spot!
(5)Rob B.
Restaurant Week Experience 3 Course dinner $32.95 I thought it a good time to give Carpaccio another try. Lovely setting, I sat at the bar. The owner or manager greeted me, then promptly walked away to join some girls on the other side of the bar. Hum, About 10 minutes later a waiter asked me if I would like something. I had the Medeterranean salad wonderful and then the eggplant parmesan. Both dishes were very good, but the bread basket was a sleeper. Pizza bread and pizza dough knot roll were wonderful ! The bread went well with the $6 happy hour Avalon Cabernet. A half tiramisu dessert was good, over sweet for me but nice. Restaurant week has given me another thought about Carpaccio's food. 5 star if the Majordomo could have taken the time to do more than say hello and walk away.
(4)Heather T.
Stopped at this restaurant during an overnight stay in Annapolis. For an out of towner, the adjacent underground parking garage was perfect. Everything was perfect. The starters were delivered immediately and my wine soon behind. The waitress took her time describing the differences in a certain type of pasta I was interested in. We had the eggplant and pappardelle bolognese. Both were incredible. The bathroom is amazing and even features mouthwash! Totally recommend this to anyone In the area who doesn't want to deal with downtown Annapolis traffic.
(4)Larissa J.
Lunch time prices are great but hope you're not in a rush because the servers aren't! And don't expect to be checked on more than once, luckily the bussers are quick with the water refills!
(2)Linda G.
Less than expected. Service was friendly, good wine recommendations, but intermittent in attentiveness. Calamari arrived lukewarm. Carpaccio was very good as was the pasta. Risotto was mediocre. Overall a good dinner out but not exceptional. No food O here.
(3)Tuck T.
Service was not that great, hardly ever saw the waiter. And brio's carpaccio was way better. Oysters Rockefeller were weird- very non traditional
(2)Annp O.
went there with my boyfriend for restaurant week. picked out spinach salad and linguini seafood. salad was ok dressing a bit sour. pasta had no flavor. very bland ... couldnt even taste any garlic. mussels were so so. just no taste to it. not impressed with the food. had cannoli for dessert and that was good. so was tiramisu.
(2)antoin k.
A disappointing experience all around. Parking is atrocious with the nearest being a garage that is a good walk for the handicapped. Valet parking is normally available but not this particular night of restaurant week. We had reservations at 6 P.M. to take advantage of a highly advertised Happy Hour. Upon being seated, we were informed that the Happy Hour was only available in the bar and not for dinner patrons. When asked why we were informed the restaurant is a fine dining facility! When queried what that meant, we received a blank stare. Bottom line - rather than spend $10-11 for a mixed drink and or wine, we drank water. I have run into this before in other restaurants and do not understand the rationale as it irritates the diner. Our ticket and tip amount were certainly diminished by drinking water vice drinks and wine. Food was average to poor at an expensive price. We started with grilled calamari that clearly hadn't remotely seen a grill and appeared to have been baked or sautéed in its own juices. Squid milk (?) diluted the olive oil and whatever garlic may have been in it. Certainly no grill marks, with the tasteless squid dish being overpowered by bits of bell pepper scattered over the dish. $10 for maybe two squid tubes with no tentacles. Meatballs were mediocre. Small and mushy balls with a slight freezer burned taste - though my wife thinks the off taste was the filler. The sauce was OK but certainly not outstanding. Chicken Parmesan was decent but the $32 restaurant week price, which included a salad and two small cannoli's, certainly was no bargain. Décor is beautiful and service was good.
(2)Supriya M.
Friday night reservation at 8p for 6 on one of our first excursions from Baltimore to Annapolis. Our friends highly recommended this place. We found it to be very good. We were seated shortly after arriving. The ambience was lively, classy. Pizza bread was complementary and a good start to the night. Cocktail list was creative and the wine list extensive. Reasonable bottled beer selection, geared towards Italian fare, nothing on draft. Apparently they've pared down the menu, but it still offered many choices (and was the same as that on the website); they offered specials, rack of lamb and crab ravioli that we didn't want to ask the price of. To start, we settled on the organic spinach salad that neatly combined goat cheese, macademia nuts, strawberries, pears, light raspberry vinaigrette; nothing extraordinary but was what we expected. We got the risotto con carne that was a large portion and heavy on the meat, perfect for husband's carnivorous ways, so he didn't mind sharing. Shared a Vesuvio pizza. Their wood-fired pizzas are on the doughy side. The creamy cheese was the dominant feature. Arugula piled high. Everything was so filling we actually opted out of dessert. Plus we had been there for 2.5 hours as we, our company, and the service were in no hurry. This place had the potential for 5 stars if it were either less expensive or more inventive. As it was, this was a place to get tasty Italian food that wasn't boring, in a pleasant atmosphere, for a price commensurate with the quality provided.
(4)Mike O.
I've had the pizza from their pizza spot and it was good. I had a post in Annapolis and stopped there for a slice of pizza before work and I must say it was pretty good. It was so good that I got a second slice can't remember the name of the slice I got but it was damn good.
(3)Beth K.
I ate here last Friday, after making last minute dinner plan changes. I was dying to try this restaurant simply because the fountain in front of it is so pretty at night. We were easily seated (a trend I see in Annapolis overall, which is so nice). The waitress was attentive, and immediately brought us waters and a bread basket. The bread was sort of like marinara pizza sticks, which were delicious. There were also rosemary rolls, as well. My date and I split a caesar salad to start. It was overall very heavy on the dressing, but the croutons were obviously homemade and the portion size was big. They also split the salad in two plates which was appreciated. I got the pollo scarpariello, which was basically chicken marsala with pearl onions over thick sliced potatoes. The chicken was flavorful, and had a good rosemary flavor and marsala reduction. Date had the tornado al gorgonzola, a steak stuffed with gorgonzola and a side of the potatoes. He seemed happy with the temperature of the steak, and the bite I tried was delicious. I enjoyed the meal overall, and really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. It's dimly lit and wasn't too loud so conversation was easy. I think the food deserves four stars, but it's pretty over priced which is why I had to knock it to three. I read some other reviews about spotty service, but I our service was pretty good.
(3)Adam C.
Pre-made, microwaved meatballs? At least that's what they tasted like. Good service and decent atmosphere but the food was below average at best.
(2)Ben H.
I took my wife hear for her birthday because she loved the outdoor patio seating area with the fountain and plants. It was a great way to eat their amazingly fresh and organic brick over pizza with a smooth glass of Riesling on a warm evening. We also scoped out the inside which has a beautiful ambience in both the restaurant and bar area which open to each other. We will definitely be getting some more pizza in the future (they have a to-go store front as well) and look forward to trying some other menu items as well. Overall experience is classier than your typcial Italian restaurant.
(4)Lenny B.
Food was OUTSTANDING! Even heated up leftovers later. Vodka Penne Capaccio Style was fabulous!! Peas in pasta??? Who'd have think it? Best part of evening -- the waiter! Knowledgeable. Accommodating. Very polite! Took pride in his job. Don't see that a lot but because of that I'll be back.
(5)Rob N.
Based on the one lunchtime visit I've had, I'd have to say I really like Carpaccio. It's a business-casual type place with reasonable prices, decent food, and plenty adequate service to get you in and out in a normal lunch hour. The ragout for my pasta tasted fresh-made. Papardelle (wide, flat noodles) with a tomato and lamb ragout was my choice. The noodles were cooked nicely, the tomatoes and meat had been baked or stewed together until beautifully thick with tender shreds of lamb. Rosemary and goat cheese topped it all off. All in all, it was definitely a candidate for inducing a post-lunch coma. I also like that instead of just standard crusty Italian loaf or tired focaccia, you get a basket of baked tomato bread and herb-seasoned rolls.
(4)Brian A.
Carpaccio's is the best Italian restaurant in Annapolis! I have eaten at Carpaccio's several times, spending a majority of the time in the bar/lounge area. The restaurant has a great feel to it and will make you very relaxed the moment you arrive. The service, which is a very big deal to me, is top notch! Brooke, Jason, and Christina, to name a few, are absolutely wonderful and will make sure that you're having a great meal, or a great drink. They are very knowledgeable of the menu as well as the drinks and they will never steer you wrong. The food at Carpaccio's is fresh, and delicious all around. The scallops appetizer and the mussels and clams appetizers are wonderful. The salads are quite filling and tasty. The specials, such as the lobster ravioli, are exquisite. I would even try a pizza if I were you. They have a happy hour special on them Monday-Friday till 7pm, so it's a great deal. I could continue to talk about this wonderful restaurant and hidden gem in Annapolis, but you should stop reading this review and definitely try it for yourself because you will be greatly satisfied!
(5)Tim D.
This is probably my favorite Italian restaurant outside of little Italy. I've had a good number of the dishes here and here are some of my favorites: gnocci (reasonable portion, well cooked and served with some fresh basil), mushroom risotto (you gotta love mushrooms) and the heirloom tomato salad (fresh mozzarella, heirlooms, basil...mmmm). The drinks at this place are pretty good as well. They'll know most of the cocktails you've had before and do a reasonable rendition of it. Their signature cocktail list is full of interesting choices as well. The ambiance is borderline romantic and when the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is a choice place to be. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(5)Jill J.
I know this is a very belated review, but when I saw this place pop up while browsing, I just couldn't let go of my horrible experience.... I can't even begin to explain the rudeness from the "host" on a Saturday night last summer...we had reservations, but we were ignored so hard we couldn't even give him our name...walked out after exchanging words with the arrogant bastard... it would have been comical if I hadn't been so enraged. I would have liked to eat there, but I'll never go back.
(1)Cat O.
We had a really nice meal at Carpaccio's on December 7, 2012 around 7pm. I was pleased that we were seated promptly thought we were a few minutes early for our reservations. The place was bustling but had an organized and well-staffed vibe. Our table wasn't fabulous from a location standpoint, but it was a nice comfy booth with seat backs high enough to create a sense of privacy. Our server was Amy, and she was pleasant, busy, efficient, and knowledgeable (though no real warmth, we didn't mind at all, but she definitely wasn't working the old tip-O-meter) She said "My pleasure." very automatically, every time we said "Thank you." including on time when I was thanking my date! Sorry Amy, you were fine, and I know you were busy. We started with the Orangina Vesuviana (cheesy, deep-fried rice balls) which were tasty, but a little bland. Our server was a briefly thrown when I asked for a side of pesto to brighten up the appetizer, but she rallied nicely and the punch of raw garlic and fresh basil did wonders for the bland, rich balls. I had the Penne Pasticiio and it was awesome! Penne perfectly cooked at tossed with mini meatballs, crispy salami, slices of hard-boiled egg and lots of cheese with a tomato bechamel. Ummmmm, sooo good! My date and I were both over the roof about it! Washed down with their by-the-glass Super Tuscan, it couldn't have been better. My date had the chicken parm which is typical of him the first time in any italian restaurant. He considers it a bit of a litmus test... Carpaccio did not disappoint, and the serving was huge, but the ratio of chicken to pasta seemed a little off (needed more pasta) The chicken was perfectly cooked and he was happy (except that mine was BETTER!) lol Anyway, I was sad that they were sold out of the chocolate cake-y meets cheesecake dessert I wanted to try, but truth be told, I was too full anyway. We finished off the meal with espresso and Sambuca and were happy to take our leftovers home for what was a VERY good lunch over the weekend. Appetizer, Wine for 2, 2 Entrees, espresso and sambuca... $150 with tip. Not a bargain, but we felt it was worth it! Feedback for the restaurant is to turn up the warmth a little bit table-side and be sure to be in-stock on menu items for Friday night dinner rush.
(4)Victoria S.
If I had to pick my favorite restaurant in downtown Annapolis, it would be Carpaccio. I have only been here a handful of time but every experience has been different and wonderful. Lunches- They had a deal going for a while *not sure if they still are* But if you buy one Lunch entree you get one for about 3-5 dollars. This is perfect if you want a GOOD lunch but for a reasonable price. Dinner- They have a ladies night with half priced bottles of wine. This is in the bar area. The Bar area consists of high top tables, which are seat yourself. Wait time if you go during peak dinner make cause a wait, but I'm telling you it is worth it! The wine list is amazing, as well as the bread they bring to the table. Consists of flat bread a a pizza like appetizer! If its summer, I suggest you sit outside- although their patio is right on the main road the fountain and the atmosphere is so romantic! I've tried a few different things here, the seafood pasta, salads, fish, etc. But my altime favorite is the mushroom ravioli. I could eat here every day if I could!
(5)Gonzalo Y.
I had a very good dinner. Rock fish highly recommended. he owner or manager takes really care of their customers. Nice ambiance. Very good option if you are around the neighborhood.
(4)Pete S.
Went to a birthday dinner recently. I had the Pollo Sunrise which was outstanding. My wife ordered veal Marsala and was served veal piccata. The waiter was very adamant that the piccata was in fact Marsala. The young man needs to learn his menu. My wife did say it was a great piccata. This should have been a five star experience. The pizza bread opener was great and the wines were reasonably priced. I would like to hear from management. If that's possible.
(4)Christopher S.
4.5****/* We took our youngest daughter to Carpaccio for her birthday this week. We sampled two styles of Carpaccio prepared with beef tenderloin. They were delicious. We then had three different types of pasta. The Vodka Penne Carpaccio was out of this world. Salads were beautiful and tasty. Great chocolate chip cheese cake that I did not get to try because it was consumed so quickly. Excellent server, very knowledgeable. Great vibe going on. This is a top notch restaurant that will do very well in Annapolis. $124 for four with wine. Excellent price/value relationship.
(4)Jen L.
I think you can finish a novel faster than you can look through the menu. WAY too many options! The bread basket is the BEST! I love the Foccacia bread in the basket that you get before the meal. There is a variety of bread that comes in the basket, but the Foccacia is my favorite. As for the wine list, its more like a wine book. I defer to the boyfriend for picking out the wine. I love wine, but I am no wine expert. Everything he has picked (mostly cab blends) have been great picks. I have been here several times and I have NEVER had a bad meal. All of the ingredients are fresh and the portions are large. They have small plates if you want to nibble to large pasta dishes to steaks. I wish I had thought to take a picture, because the presentation is awesome. The desserts are awesome! They have many specials as well your typical Italian Desserts like Canoli and Tiramisu and a variety of sorbets. The outdoor seating is beautiful. In the summer, I feel like I'm in Europe in eating outside next to the beautiful fountain on a starry night. It's a perfect place for a romantic date. The valet parking in Park Place is very convenient. I think its only $7 to park. There is no valet validation. It's pretty close to the cool part of West Street and next to Fado' Irish Pub.
(4)Derick L.
My favorite place for a nice dinner though it could easily be a casual setting as well. Tasty seafood and pasta with a good selection of affordable and expensive wine.
(5)Emily J.
For Sunday Brunch at least!! If you are in the Annapolis area go here for brunch. It had all your traditional breakfast items including two types of egg benedict. Some of the fabulous items included...prime rib, lamb chops, various fresh pasta, seafood, vegetable, chicken salads. Hot traditional Italian dishes. There were 4 of us who all tried different things and not one of us had something we thought was bad. And what made it great! It was so in our minds "cheap"! 20 bucks and you leave more than satisfied for your 20 dollars. Oh yes, and it includes fondue and other various desserts. The outside area is great to sit and there was live music the Sunday we were there.
(5)Chris M.
I am sure alot of you are wondering why I am only giving 2 stars. This is strictly based of the quality of food. I had the chicken dish with marsala wine, which the wine over powered everything else on the plate. I also had the canoli for desert, it was pre-filled and sitting in the shell for many hours. Anyone who knows canoli's , you know you have to fill at time of ordering so the shell does not get soft.
(2)Terri S.
Feels like being in Italy! Great atmosphere. Had the special of Bone in Veal Milanese. Wow! Ask Jason for his specialty, Italian Negronis! Bravo!
(5)Valerie G.
For the second year in a row, we chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary with my dad and step-mom at Carpaccio in Annapolis, MD. Carpaccio is one of their favorite restaurants; especially since my step-mom Monica has a special connection with the owner (they're both crazy Italians). Carpaccio has a great location in Downtown Annapolis on a block with a lot of walking traffic, coffee shops, and hotels. There is plenty of parking; both street and garage and a huge bonus is that it's right by the stop for the free trolley that will take you all over Annapolis. It has a great outside area that is shared with another restaurant and a beautiful fountain. The interior of the restaurant is sophisticated with high-end decorations, an open view of the kitchen, and a large and fully stocked bar and yet the restaurant also has a comfortable feel to it. This is one of those rare places where upon entering you know that you can both feel at home here and know that you're getting a quality, high-end meal that you couldn't ever get at home. The wait staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. On this occasion our waiter even advised us on a dish he didn't recommend we tried as it wasn't one of his favorites. That might not enamor him of the owner or chef, but it did of me for sure. When deciding what to order, I asked him to choose my wine for me based on the entree I chose and he was knowledgeable in that aspect, picked me a great wine, and checked back to make sure I liked it. He was very attentive and had such a lovely, friendly attitude; it made you want to come back regardless of the food. Thankfully, the food made you want to come back even more. The bread that you start with at the table is a mixture of different kinds, the best of which Monica calls their "pizza bread" as it's covered in a delicious red sauce. The table started with carpaccio di manzo toscano (thinly sliced filet mignon, baby spinach, mixed mushrooms, shaved parmesan cheese, drizzle of white truffle oil) which was perfectly sliced, a beautiful presentation, and just the right amount of filling to really wet your appetite for the meal you're about to tuck into. For entrees, I ordered the risotto al funghi porcini (arborio rice slowly cooked in a mushroom broth with imported Italian Porcini mushrooms, drizzled with white truffle olive oil and topped with shaved parmesan cheese) and Mike ordered the polenta di mare (fresh prawns, deep sea scallops, jumbo lump crab cake meat, fancy capers, scampi sauce, resting on a crispy polenta). My risotto was perfect; it was the perfect mix of creamy and al dente. The mushrooms and truffle oil were decadent and just the perfect richness. I took my leftovers home and finished it with steak for dinner and it was just as good the second time around and held up perfectly next to a piece of red meat. Mike loved his polenta and his prawns and scallops were perfectly cooked. For dessert, I ordered the cannelloni which were delicious. They were the perfect size for one person and were the exact right amount of sweet. Often with cannelloni you can get filling that is way too sweet and ruins the whole dish; these were perfect. The only criticism of my dessert is that the shells were a little to hard to cut into and I ended up stabbing at my cannelloni like a sugar crazed caveman. Mike ordered the flourless chocolate cake. His cake was incredibly rich, but given in a tiny slice so as to not overwhelm. He loved it and devoured the whole thing quickly. Mike finished of his meal with a dessert liquor suggested by our waiter that Mike found surprisingly delicious. Walking away from a meal at Carpaccio, you feel full, satisfied, and happy. We all left with smiles on our faces knowing we had just eaten quality food with just the right amount of decadence served by someone you now felt like was a friend.
(4)Adrienne R.
Carpaccio as a restaurant is good. But my true love is around the side they have Carpaccio To Go. You can order at the counter and eat there or take it home. You can get pizza by the slice or sandwiches. This pizza is my favorite of all time. They have several to choose from. There is a pesto chicken that is superb. They also make one with multi colored tomatoes on top with feta. That is good as well and not on the regular pizza menu. The white pizza is good too, very garlicky. Often I get plain cheese, you can't beat it. I like to get a side of pizza sauce to eat with it. As far as sandwiches, I've liked the couple I have tried. They come with fries which is nice. They aren't your usual french fries, but are battered. The guys that work there are very nice, especially Ray. They get to know you by sight and are super friendly and remember your usual. Parking is hard, you usually have to park illegally. Valet takes over the spaces out front. Luckily I live a block away and can walk.
(5)L M.
Restaurant Week day 1 Monday Feb 25, 2013 our first choice was Carpaccio. We had never been and had read mixed reviews. Our experience for the 3 course price fix meal for $32.95 was ..For starters, very dimly lit hard to see menus, we were given way too many menus shoved in our face..a wine ,bar, restaurant week and finally regular menu !! Yet no desert menu? Our service was rushed even though the restaurant was 2/3 empty the whole time we were there from 1800hrs to 2000hrs Bread arrives hot and water guy actually were the most attentive to our table. Our salad was very small leafy greens with berries, nuts cheese and raspberry vinegret dressing slightly off in taste. Before we could finish the salad the entree was in our face I couldn't find nor taste any eggplant within the cheese n spaggetti noodles on my plate? We stopped eating salad to eat entree which was lukewarm (waiter told us its cooked in a heated convection oven. Strange we thought? We found very small portions for the high price their asking even during Restaurant Week. Our service just ok , little awkward and kinda annoying at times with a trainee tagging along. We were told 2 seconds after our entree was put in our face that the waiters were to check in to see how things were. Very hard to give honest feedback on it when Im being rushed and still working on salad. Desert Tiramasu small portion 2"x2" with an awkwardly cut berry Never had such a minute portion looked like a sampler. Ascertaining parking from their web page was unclear We called and were given directions I couldnt follow. We found an awkward garage down a hill and underground with no idea how to get outta it to the restaurant we ended up in the Westin Hotel. The other option was the $7.00 valet. Kinda pricey for location. Our paid parking cost us 5.00 for 2 hrs in this garage. Based on review we felt very let down and disappointed. We don't eat out to often and had been looking forward to it . Would not recommend and would not return especially if we had to pay the regular menu prices. At $9.00 for a salad we expect a salad not a few leafs of greens. The atmosphere was somewhat cold and uninviting..Upon leaving we were not thanked or spoken too By this strange looking gentleman standing with his arms crossed near exit We would not recommend and would not return and found it hard to believe they had received such high Zagat and other reviews.
(1)Colleen M.
Went to Carpaccio's for a family dinner on Friday night. They do offer reservations and knowing that this was a Friday evening in downtown, we made a reservation for 7. They have outside seating and there was music but, outside seating was packed. We were seated inside immediately. The complimentary bread was awesome. We also split an order of bruschetta. It was decent. They have a full bar but, I went with an Italian beer (recommended by the server) which was very tasty and something I don't normally get. As for dinner, I went with the special, Lobster Ravioli. It was good but the sauce was a little spicy for my liking and normally, I like spicy. The best part of the meal was dessert. Three of us split this cake...Can't remember what the name was but, I think it was called the naught angel maybe??? Anyways, it was spectacular and large enough for the trio. The service was great and best of all they did not rush us. I would recommend this place for a nice evening out in downtown and will next time, weather depending, make a reservation for outside when they have music. They don't have parking but, there is a garage close by. If you are patient and don't mind walking a short distance, you might be able to find off street parking for free down one of the side roads.
(3)LaToya E.
I only have three words for their Sunday brunch buffet "Oh My Goodness!!" The brunch was amazing! The french toast was delicious, the eggs were heavenly and the mimosa hit the spot! The buffet had so many options that each time I visited I got to try something different. Carpaccio is definitely worth the drive from DC to Annapolis to have such an amazing Italian style brunch in such a beautiful atmosphere.
(5)L H.
Reasonable prices (cheaper than i expected from yelp reviews), Great location (by the Westin hotel), friendly staff, and honestly - a really awesome menu. I didn't know what to expect from the reviews, but the food is really solid. And, the staff was really accommodating. I currently don't eat meat or dairy, and the item that I ordered (Fettuccine Primavera) came with a rose sauce - meaning, tomatoes and cream. I told our waiter the situation, and they switched it from rosé to marinara. Yum! *also found out that the sauces on the menu are interchangeable, so don't feel that you have to order a menu item with the sauce that is listed. Great wine selection; we weren't drinking tonight, but it is a wine bar! If I had known that, I would have planned to indulge. Great atmosphere, low lighting at night and outdoor seating; perfect for date night.
(4)Rhonda K.
I LOVE the food here but not the service! There just isn't any. We had yet another evening of wondering whether or not our server had gone home early....... The manager or host does nothing to ensure that we were being taken care of, not once did he even come outside. It was our servers first day on the job and she was clearly overwhelmed as he had her inside making capuccinos for another table. We waited for 20 minutes to even ask for a check and have our food boxed up and still no waitress. What ensued after I went inside to inquire about getting our check was so unbelievable that I decided to never, ever, ever go back to this restaurant. My vote is for Brio!
(2)Regina S.
This place gets stars for the decor, overall ambiance, and an enjoyable outdoor dining area. The food can be hit or miss however, but we keep going back because we can dine here with our choco lab when we visit Annapolis by water during the boating season. They are quite dog friendly and bring out cold bowls of water for our pup complete with ice cubes to keep things chilled in the warm air. It's nice dining next to the fountain too. I can't say I have ever been sorely disappointed with my meals, although some definitely shined brighter than others. Our last meal - Pasta Sophia Loren for me (linguine with clams in the shell with a light wine sauce) was too flavorless. The clams were tender, but the sauce was so gentle that if you took a sip of wine, the subtle flavors dissipated immediately. A heavier hand with garlic, lemon, and salt could have transformed the dish. My husband's tenderloin Carpaccio was very well received however. It was beautifully presented and the flavors were spot on. The bread assortment is always nice, but the warm soft rolls were overpowered by the fresh rosemary. (That is just a personal taste preference however). The pizzas are OK, the spinach salad with macadamia nuts and raspberry vinaigrette a true delight, and the spaghetti carbonara decent. I will have to try the Vodka sauced pasta next as it seems to get very good reviews here.
(3)Jessie D.
Great calamari, decent pizza and the best cannoli in Annapolis. Plus the staff is great and it's decorated really nicely for Christmas!
(4)Katherine E.
Food was good, but service not so good. Made reservations through Open Table (which is what the restaurant's website pointed me to) for 7:30 pm on Satuday night. When my date and I arrived, we were told they were clearing some tables and it would be 5-10 minutes. While waiting 30 minutes to be seated, a family of 4 arrived who were clearly friends with the maitre d' and they got seated first (at an identical booth so it wasn't as if it was a difference between 2 vs 4). Luckily they seated us next because my date was fuming when he realized the family who arrived after us was being seated before us due to favoritism. Maitre d' didn't seem to be using the computer to keep track of who should be seated next. Then it took a while for our waitress to acknowledge our presence and even longer for her to come take our order. Food was OK with more selection than a chain restaurant. We ordered Pappardelle Bocelli (tomato ragu too overpowering and the lamb was practically non existant) and Pappardelle Donatello (great sauce, but beef overcooked). Might be better if the shoddy service didn't leave a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)Brian K.
STAY AWAY!!!! AWFUL experience. The waitress was never around, which was probably a good thing as she was far less than friendly. The food took 48 minutes to arrive at the table (I timed it). We ordered four meals -- one was cold on arrival, two had pasta that was woefully under-cooked, and the fourth, while sufficiently warm, did not taste good at all. I'm no chef, but cooking pasta is not rocket science. They could be giving away free meals, but I would NEVER go back.
(1)D. T.
Had drinks and food in the bar. Great friendly and helpful server. Steak sliders were good and homemade chips were, as well. Atmosphere just ok...little like a slightly upscale Olive Garden. Everything else ++. Server gets ++++!
(4)Sierra S.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was amazing! Went back on a week night and it was mediocre which is why I gave three stars. First, the brunch was very affordable, the service was great but I didn't feel like there was enough of a variety for a brunch buffet. I should add that my "go-to" brunch place is Mrs. K's in Silver Spring so it is possible that I am biased. When I went back during the week, I ordered a pizza (if you live in Annapolis, recommend either the Italian Market or Whole Foods) which was so so. The truffle mac and cheese which is supposed to be "amazing" was disgusting and half of it went to the trash. Why do people use penne, toss in some cheese and claim it is mac and cheese? Not!
(3)Christine C.
I am a total fan, I think if I could give it 4.5 I would and I like to savor my 5s for those that just really stand out from the rest. This place was rather unexpected though. I found here on Yelp, and tried it out on a Wed night. The place was mildly crowded, mostly folks at the bar. We were seated right away at a booth which we adore and the lighting was low. We were greeted immediately by a very italian looking gentleman who took us to our seats with a warm smile. Once seated were were given menus, water and some breads (slices of pizza and rolls - delish). We had parked in front of the fado which is pretty close by too. The neat thing about their appetizer menu is how you can order half portions. So say you just wanted a nibble prior to the meal you could. So we ordered the ? Orangine (sp), and they were two rice balls (half portion) filled with roasted red pepper and fontina cheese. They were lightly fried and absolutely wonderful. For dinner I enjoyed the MilleFiogio (sp) Galelio, a green olive leaf pasta with cannelini beans, olives, fried artichoke leaves, garlic and a white wine sauce topped with Parmesan flakes. The plate was just delicious.. it had amazing flavor running throughout. Just delicious and I was able to save half my dish it was so big... I will be enjoying that tomorrow. Neil had a dish of orrechinis with spicy italian sausage (galore), greens (broccoli, spinach) in a wine sauce. The food was fabulous. He paired it with a syrah the house recommended which was a perfect match according to him. I am unfortunately off the wine ... I am beautifully pregnant! It's a pretty good trade off! Well we also indulged in a desert. We skipped the Tiramisu and indulged in an Italian Ricotta Cheese cake that was different, it was not sweet by taste but it was deliciously spongy. I think you have to have a taste for it, but just don't be surprised when it's not super sweet. Note on parking they do have valet for $7 through the Westin or Park Place I would gather, but there is street parking and garage parking on site. For the price of the food I think we got what we paid for, it was a wonderful meal accompanied by wonderful ambiance and Jessica was a wonderful server, just enough attention. The only thing that would make the place more authentic is if they brought the plates out a bit slower so that you could enjoy it more.
(4)Karen P.
Had lunch here and everything was very good including the service. I had the eggplant in a red sauce.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Came to Annapolis for a couple days and stayed at the Westin next door. This is what my boyfriend and I ordered: Il Sorrentino- vodka, limoncello, pineapple juice and prosecco- delicious drink Cozze and Vongole Impapate- mussels and clams, nicely cooked, just wished it came with more than two little crostini as my bf loves to dip bread in the broth Polpettine Di Granchio- crab balls, very delicious Papardelle Bolognese- so delicious, fresh pasta with just the right amount of cheese i the sauce cannolis- delicious but overpriced for their small size (2 mini for $8) The food was really good, but I agree with another Yelper as to the lack of a hostess. Also, we dined pretty late on the patio and the staff made us feel quite rushed to complete our meal and head out. If the overall service were better, I'd give this place another star.
(3)Gary S.
If you are looking for a great casual date restaurant this is it! Split one of the pizzas, my favorite includes Kobe beef carpaccio, fresh mozzarella slices and topped with rocket lettuce. Drizzled across is a sweet balsamic vinegarete that completes the crunch on this thin crispy crust. They have an excellent selection of wines by the glass, the waiters are always full of suggestions on what goes best. Finish with one of their sweet deserts and your date night will be complete. In the spring and summer the patio is great and adds to the mystique of date night with a beautiful lit fountain.
(4)Bernadette N.
I wish this place was fantastic, because it's about 3 blocks from our house. But it's just not. We ordered takeout from here a few weeks ago, two pizzas and a Cesar salad. We were not totally disappointed, but for $45, I was not impressed. I still decided to give it another try last week on a warm night, since they have tons of outdoor seating. We started with the mozzarella di bufala, which is typically AMAZING, but this was just so sad at $17. And the tomato accompaniment was not even done with ripe tomatoes. This was highly offensive; I wouldn't recommend ordering this here because it will turn you off of something that's meant to be fabulous. It was like eating a fallen souffle. Anyway, we then received our bread, which was really just pizza crust and tomato sauce. Different take, but not good. I would have rather had crusty bread and olive oil. Then we got our mains. I actually ordered the eggplant parm appetizer, but the best part was honestly the salad garnish in the middle. my friend had a cheese pizza, she said it was OK. Chances are I will come back here at one point when I'm being lazy and have to have some pasta. But seriously, I'd rather eat outside at Fados and spend 1/3 of the $$. I will say, I don't consider this a totally fair review since I did not try any real main courses or pasta. But they all sounded too heavy for a summer night. Maybe we'll go back in winter and I'll update my review.
(2)Christopher M.
Last night my wife and I had one of the most singularly outrageous, virtually inexplicable experiences while dining at Carpaccio. I'm still speechless. After arriving we were seated at a booth at the far end of the restaurant, near the kitchen. We were starving so after ordering some fried calamari for an appetizer we began perusing the wine list. I asked for a recommendation on a Sangiovese, but our waitress was clueless. She said the $28 bottle was popular so we got it. Cynthia returned with a different bottle, saying that they were out of the other, but that this bottle was also $28 (weird that she didn't ask if we were okay with that first). We accepted her replacement and it was awful. In spite of the disappointment we continued to snack on calamari and drink the wine without saying anything, figuring, at least its got alcohol. Around this time is when I began to notice something very peculiar that occurred when each server rounded the bend to the kitchen (or from the kitchen to the dining room) - they were using the back of my seat as a railing! And I understand why that happens. When you're rushing around as servers do, making a sharp turn requires leverage. I, too, when making a quick turn on foot, grab onto the nearest object for stability. However, this was not simply a quick grab for balance; in fact, most of the servers used the entirety of the booth top to run their hands across as they passed by. If you can't quite picture this scenario, the end result is feeling like someone is bumping into your chair, or running their hands across the top of your chair, every time they walk by! The first eight to ten times this happened I said nothing. Eventually our food came and I'll be honest, it was good. Not amazing, but good. As we ate our dinner the bumping and sliding continued with no regard at all to the fact that it was my seat! I cannot properly explain how uncomfortable this was. After about 20 or so times of this happening I thought it would be wise to inform the manager of how this small detail was big hindrance to the enjoyment of my meal, and that he should be aware of this for the future (I am sure we were not the only patrons to have been seated in this particular booth, nor the last). After having a long, jovial conversation with a group a few booths down, the manager walked over to our table and looked at me, said nothing, just looked. So I spoke up, and explained the situation, even going as far as having him sit in my seat while I demonstrated the incident, so he could see how I felt through the entire evening. His response floored me. "Oh, ok, sorry about that." That was it. He walked away. I had expected nothing more than a genuine apology and a new-found awareness, on his part, of this strange phenomenon. I got neither. He couldn't have cared less about what I had to say. I am not one to generally complain at restaurants. I am polite, and was very polite with all with whom I spoke at Carpaccio, but I have never been treated with such disrespect in my entire life. I was not expecting, or asking for, a discount on our meal in my initial request to speak with the manager, though I felt that it was surely in order after such terrible treatment. Not. Cynthia brought us our check at full price. $94 by the way, for two, with cheap, awful wine. If we had been eating at Denny's, I would not have even brought it up. This restaurant claims (with their prices) and appears (with the décor) to be in the mid-upper echelon of dining in Annapolis, though I beg of you, do not be fooled. I suppose that's why the place was empty.
(1)Michael S.
I'm a little biased when it comes to Italian... Friend and I were staying at the Westin Annapolis a stone's throw away from this place. As usual, we were on the hunt for an Italian place and this was one of the places the concierge suggested. First off, the decor. It reminded me of a family restaurant, a little too Ruby Tuesday, not enough...what is it I'm looking for? Maybe their intention was to be "family-oriented". If so, they did a pretty good job. The service was pretty bad, lackluster at best. Our server didn't even introduce himself (he was the Italian guy with the shaved head tweaked out on steroids) and pretty much ignored us for most of the evening. I think he came to our table three times in total, only to bring us something, including the check. As a general matter, the servers seemed kind of aloof and kind of ignored the diners. Not really a nice way to treat a newcomer. The only good thing was the pizza bread they brought out (late, I must say...they actually asked us if we wanted bread!). I had the one ravioli dish on the menu, the one with the basil pesto sauce. That dish was FLOODED to the max. I pretty much lost my appetite after ravioli #2...plus it tasted like something out of a can of Chef Boyardee. For an appetizer I had the tomato salad, which was decent enough. It was a HUGE salad though. My friend had a pasta dish with bacon in it (the name escapes me) which he thought was good. At least he ate better than I did. For dessert I had the tiramisu, which was very mediocre. It tasted like it had been sitting out on the counter for a while, and you could distinctly taste the dryness of the ladyfingers. Another thing that I didn't really like was the dinnerware...they have some interesting plates (especially for the tiramisu) that I felt didn't really go with the restaurant. All in all, it was just "meh". A Cheesecake Factory-style menu plus your typical Italian fare. I wouldn't come here again myself.
(2)Lawrence S.
Good cocktail and wine selection. Our party of three split four appetizers: tomatoes + mozzarella, granchio avocado, cozze + vongole, and clams casino. The mozzarella was on par with expectations, as were the cozze + vongole. The fontina cheese gave the clams an extra flavorful twist, and the highlight was definitely the granchio -- the avocado and the lumped crabmeat were a tasty pairing. Other members of my party, fittingly, had carpaccio for the main course -- thinly sliced meat with suitable garnishes. I had seafood polenta; the shellfish pieces surrounded the polenta, which was crispy and delicious. Our service was very good -- our waitress frequently checked in and promptly took care of everything. We left absolutely stuffed.
(5)Marcia O.
This is my home town and Carpaccio's has a real presence here, so I am drawn to write a review for those new folks as a warning. First of all, the food is pricey for the value. Secondly, if you want to sit outside with your dog, there is no opposition, but be ready to wait a long time for your service! I do believe that I was frankly forgotten by my server who stated that 'he had some really interesting customers inside, so was sorry for the wait." What does that comment show? Is a single woman with a chihuahua uninteresting? I've been there before and will return, despite the price and the rudeness and the wait because it is dog friendly, but be warned that this is not Brio's service or value. I expect better and hope this review is read and that the place improves.
(2)Lauren W.
One of the best brunches I've had. We sat outdoors next to a waterfall, made for wonderful ambiance. The brunch buffet was plentiful. The egg Benedict were delicious, as were the seafood salad, ceaser salad (I actually had seconds of this it was that delicious) and pasta carbonara (I think?) The mimosa's were yummy (and half price with brunch too) The dessert selection, was large and delicious! I cannot wait to make another trip back for brunch, or even to try dinner here!
(5)Pete S.
Went to a birthday dinner recently. I had the Pollo Sunrise which was outstanding. My wife ordered veal Marsala and was served veal piccata. The waiter was very adamant that the piccata was in fact Marsala. The young man needs to learn his menu. My wife did say it was a great piccata. This should have been a five star experience. The pizza bread opener was great and the wines were reasonably priced. I would like to hear from management. If that's possible.
(4)Mona T.
This is the best Italian restaurant around. The bread is fabulous. The wait staff is knowable, professional and you feel well taken care of. We love the fish and have gone several times. Never a disappointing meal,
(5)Elle H.
My family and I dined here for an early Mother's Day dinner. No one in our party had been to this restaurant before, so we were eager to try it out. There was only one other party in the restaurant when we arrived. We were given water almost immediately after we sat down. The person who showed us to our table didn't give us menus, so we talked amongst ourselves for 5 minutes before our server appeared. He took our drink orders (3 alcoholic beverages) and left. Still no menus. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to show up and we finally got our menus. We waited another 20 minutes for our order to be taken. While we were waiting, we were served rolls and some kind of pizza bread with red sauce on top. The bread was divine! The rolls with the rosemary on the bottom were my favorite. When our server finally arrived, we ordered two large apps for the table: Meatball Mediterranean (meatballs topped with feta cheese in marinara sauce with crostinis) and Orangina Vesuviana (fried tomato and rice balls with red peppers, fontina, and mascarpone cheese). The rice balls were excellent and were a hit with the table. The meatballs weren't anything to write home about. They had a good flavor, but they didn't taste freshly made to me. Plus, the meatball I cut into was hot on the outside and cold on the inside... Hm. For our main courses, we ordered Risotto Con Carne, Vitello Annapolis, Chicken Parmigiana, Calamari Fritti, Polenta Di Mare, Pappardelle Bolognese, and Fettucine Mediterraneo. Risotto Con Carne: Two of us had this dish. The menu said this dish came with "mignon tips". There were a lot of meat tips in the dish, but the meat was overcooked, difficult to cut and had zero flavor. The meat was the consistency of a meat you would put in a beef stew - no exaggeration. It definitely was not mignon. The pancetta was chewy. The "asparagus tips" were actually sliced pieces of the middle of the asparagus. The carrots were cut into pieces so tiny, that I could barely make out what they were. There were also several hard, uncooked grains of rice I bit into. It didn't look appetizing either. A huge disappointment for both of us. Vitello Annapolis: One person in our party had this dish. The dish was veal scallopini, with crab meat, mushrooms, and fettuccine pasta in a cream sauce. She wanted a bit more crab meat added to her dish and her food was drowning in cream sauce. She left half of her meal on her plate. Chicken Parmigiana: Two people in our party had this dish. The meal featured three breasts of chicken with capellini underneath. They both agreed the red sauce tasted a little salty, but the portions were huge and they liked the taste. Calamari Fritti: A child in our group ordered the appetizer portion for her main entree and she loved it. She said the calamari was fresh and it wasn't heavily breaded. Polenta Di Mare: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, crab meat, and capers on top of polenta. He said it was okay. The prawns and scallops were cooked perfectly, but was pretty bland in terms of seasoning and flavor. Pappardelle Bolognese: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of meat lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella and ragu. She loved it and had no complaints. Fettucine Mediterraneo: One person in our party had this dish. The dish consisted of prawns, scallops, and crab meat with marinara sauce and fettucine pasta. He said everything tasted fine, but was disappointed with the quantity of seafood that came with his dish. He said for the price of the dish, he expected more seafood. Our server was friendly, but the service was severely lacking. He gave recommendations of what he enjoyed, but he constantly mumbled, so it was hard to understand what he was saying. Most of us had to ask for a refill on water. Others went with their glasses unfilled for the rest of the night. The water refill was room temperature. A couple of us had alcoholic beverages and no one was offered another. Once our food came out, we never saw our server again. No one came to our table to check on us. Once we got the check, he disappeared and never returned. We like to make sure the server gets the money in hand before we leave, but we got tired of waiting for him and just left it on the table. Also, during our meal, one of us requested a to-go order of the Chicken Parmigiana for a family member who could not attend our outing. The order was never given to us, nor was it on our bill. The server forgot to give the kitchen our order. We couldn't say anything to our server about it because he never came back to our table. Several people in our party enjoyed their food, so I have to give them that credit. I took stars away for the awful Risotto Con Carnes and for the poor service. The people who generally enjoyed their food agreed that while they liked their dishes, the prices were too high. I, personally, don't see myself returning to this restaurant.
(2)Greg O.
We originally wanted to try Miss Shirley's, which is around the corner, but the wait was ridiculous and we were hungry. Carpaccio is right around the corner so we decided to try it. It was pretty empty with only a handful of tables taken in the dining room, but the service was very friendly and pretty attentive. The food was hit or miss though. First, the bread is quite good to start with, with both seasoned rolls and a pizza like bread stick (not sure of the exact name). For meals my wife went with a margherita pizza, and I tried the marcelo panini. The pizza was definitely the better choice- a nice thin crust, a tasty sauce and cheese topping. The panini was disappointing, but this was partially my fault, as I hadn't realized that rapini was bitter broccoli. Lesson learned for next time. The fries were ok, but not very crispy. Overall not bad, but not great either.
(3)Gary H.
Great!!! Carpaccio's is our favorite go-to restaurant in Annapolis. The bar is fabulous and the table area is wonderful and classy. The bartenders know us and most other regulars by name and what we like to drink. Many people eat at the very spacious bar area. There are high tables in the bar area as well. The food has always been great. I love the salmon and their custom made pizza or pizza off the menu. It is a classy place but you can go here casually. There is also a lot of outdoor seating which is great in the summer and nice weather. Valet parking is the easiest because it will be tough finding street parking at peak times. The parking garage is nice but you need to enter and exit via the Weston hotel. They can't comp the garage or valet because the city or Annapolis owns the Town Park company. Anyway Carpaccio's is also very active in charity events in the area. I have seen them provide food for fund raising charities many times. Definitely give this place a try if you haven't yet!
(5)Ryan B.
We are regulars to this place, but most likely will not go back. We went to have a nice dinner outside with our daughter and it took 15 min for someone to come over to serve us. Meanwhile, we had asked twice for a high chair for our daughter as the first one was broken. Meanwhile, three employees stood outside and just stared at us. Clearly, this place was judging us for bringing our daughter and not kid friendly.
(1)Stephen L.
Love the half off pizzas at happy hour! staff is great every time we have been as well. Can't complain about anything I have had there.
(4)Debra S.
Carpaccio's is ALWAYS a delightful meal - wonderful food and great atmosphere. They offer a wide selection of the finest Italian foods, and always serve their complimentary pizza bread as soon as you sit down. I've had their spinach salad with salmon and several fish dishes, and their spaghetti reminds me of my trip to Venice. Perfect. And parking is just steps away underground. Very convenient location and a great meal with courteous service. Highly recommend.
(5)Ellen Y.
Service leaves much to be desired. Waited over 30 minutes for appetizer. Never heard about the specials. Still waiting for dinner. Food is good but not great. Ambiance outside is wonderful
(5)Louisa E.
This review is for togo pizza side only. Pizza is some of best in Annapolis. Thin crust with great sauce and perfect amount of cheese and toppings. Ordered an Ischia last week off their special list and it ended coming with eggplant instead of roasted peppers which wasn't advertised but ended up being AMAZING. Best when served hot! Love the Caprese, Ischia and Margherita. Just looked at ,menu and realized that the round and square Ischia pizzas have different toppings which is why sometimes it comes with eggplant and sometimes not.
(4)Christy F.
This review is for the Carpaccio 2 go Pizzeria - located adjacent to the Wine Bar. I'm guessing it tries to cater to the office workers in Park Place and the guests at the Westin across the street. The pizza by the slice is decent, big slices, but it sits out on the countertop and they heat it up, so the dough was all soggy and the slice, though big, unimpressive. The $9 salad I got was a huge disappointment. It had a few beet slices thrown on lettuce which was dusted with goat cheese and a few candied walnuts. It came with 3 pieces of bread, but I suspect that was to make up for the lack of substance for the salad. I'm more than happy to pay $9 or more for a quality salad, but this salad was laughably bad.
(2)Rosanna M.
There is nothing about this restaurant I don't love!!! The food is wonderful, they let me play with the menu. My husband isn't eating carbs so they let him create a "pizza toppings" meal that others now enjoy. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The bar crowd is fun. Everything is great!
(5)Terrence P.
Delicious! Had the Salmon capricciosa main course and puff pastry scallop dish for app. Sat outside which was fantastic. Service was good. Definitely want to go back and try different dishes
(4)Mike G.
We were staying at the Westin across the street. Came over for a quick lunch today. We just got a couple of slices of pizza. The gentleman who helped us was very polite. Typical New York style pizza. My pepperoni pizza was pretty greasy, but I don't fault the restaurant for that. It still had great flavor. If we are in the area again we would return.
(4)Andrea Y.
As an Italian I was skeptical about trying Carpaccios but was looking for a good food date night. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic service & the authentic flavored & cooked food. We had the Tuscan Market platter to start and the meats & cheeses were the best I have had since I was last in Italy. My main course, linguini Mediterranean was perfect with the seafood tender & flavorful. The wait staff was eager to modify the menu to my husband's taste (he wanted a spicy red sauce on ravioli that was not on the menu) & he loved his meal equally as much. The almond cake for dessert was delicious, much like a tiramisu but with amaretto flavoring & the limoncello transported me back to a small Tuscan restaurant I ate at years ago. The good was surprisingly amazing, the waiter did not rush us which allowed for a relaxed romantic evening & my Italian roots were impressed by the authenticity of everything we ate. I highly recommend this restaurant & can't wait to go back!
(5)Mike L.
Awesome! Beef Rollatini NEEDS to be a permanent menu item!!! Great Floridian drink as well
(5)Kiaira B.
OMG! I can't wait for the weather to break to go back and sit outside by the fountain. This spot gives me such as sexy french vibe. I took my mother and little sister here for dinner and must I say our waiter was great! The food was amazing. Appetizer calamari which was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had Salmon Casino Style and everything was seasoned amazingly. My mom had the special lobster ravioli with crab sauce. They do not have a formal kids menu but they will create anything for your little one. My little sister had ravioli and there was nothing left on the plate when we left. Overall great food and atmosphere. I would come back again and again. Great date vibe and the wine list looked great. I have had better Italian food in NYC but this is in my top 7. Especially for this MD Area.
(4)Julie H.
I was staying at the Westin next door and came here with some co-workers. What a treat! Started off with a glass of Pinot Noir. Loved that it came in a nice, big glass. I hate it when restaurants serve reds in tiny cheap glasses. They also brought out some seriously delicious bread. Someone called it pizza bread, not sure if that's the real name but it was so good with the marinara. I could have just eaten that it was so good! For dinner I got a seafood pasta. Pasta was nice and al dente with plump, juicy shrimp and of course topped with crab. I was sad I didn't have a fridge at my hotel because it was so good but impossible to finish. The service was only okay. It seemed kind of slow and we had trouble finding our server when needed. We finally asked a bus boy for salt and pepper, but we never received it and finally gave up. Great food, great ambiance, hopefully they can improve the service! I'm still giving them 4 stars because the food was so good and the service wasn't awful, just room for improvement!
(4)Sean D.
Took wife here for Birthday/Valentine dinner. Service was top notch, food was better than 5 star. Only complaint is the wine list. Very good list but seems to be way over priced. You expect a $20 bottle to cost around $40 or maybe $45 in restaurant, here it's around $60. Would not hesitate to go back for the food though.
(5)Shauna K.
If I could leave a 10 star review, this place would get it. We found this place by accident one night when we were lost on our way to the theater, and have been back 3 times since. From the bread they put on your table to the fresh fish to the awesome sauces, every single thing we've eaten here has been amazing. The service is always top notch. We did my birthday dinner here with a group of 15. We were there a long time and had gifts (it was right around Christmas so we were exchanging presents) piled up everywhere and our server was very accommodating, never complaining about the gigantic mess we were making. Awesome ambiance, stellar food, fantastic service. Likely my favorite place in Annapolis.
(5)Tab G.
This is by far one the best restaurant experiences we've had in Annapolis. The food was great. The price definitely matched the quality. If you like good Italian food, this is the place. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)Laura T.
We've probably eaten at Carpaccios five times now. Their pizza is our favorite....especially the Ischia. It's a perfect place for a warm dinner in the winter or a courtyard dinner in the summer. Highly recommend this spot!
(5)Rob B.
Restaurant Week Experience 3 Course dinner $32.95 I thought it a good time to give Carpaccio another try. Lovely setting, I sat at the bar. The owner or manager greeted me, then promptly walked away to join some girls on the other side of the bar. Hum, About 10 minutes later a waiter asked me if I would like something. I had the Medeterranean salad wonderful and then the eggplant parmesan. Both dishes were very good, but the bread basket was a sleeper. Pizza bread and pizza dough knot roll were wonderful ! The bread went well with the $6 happy hour Avalon Cabernet. A half tiramisu dessert was good, over sweet for me but nice. Restaurant week has given me another thought about Carpaccio's food. 5 star if the Majordomo could have taken the time to do more than say hello and walk away.
(4)Heather T.
Stopped at this restaurant during an overnight stay in Annapolis. For an out of towner, the adjacent underground parking garage was perfect. Everything was perfect. The starters were delivered immediately and my wine soon behind. The waitress took her time describing the differences in a certain type of pasta I was interested in. We had the eggplant and pappardelle bolognese. Both were incredible. The bathroom is amazing and even features mouthwash! Totally recommend this to anyone In the area who doesn't want to deal with downtown Annapolis traffic.
(4)Larissa J.
Lunch time prices are great but hope you're not in a rush because the servers aren't! And don't expect to be checked on more than once, luckily the bussers are quick with the water refills!
(2)Linda G.
Less than expected. Service was friendly, good wine recommendations, but intermittent in attentiveness. Calamari arrived lukewarm. Carpaccio was very good as was the pasta. Risotto was mediocre. Overall a good dinner out but not exceptional. No food O here.
(3)Tuck T.
Service was not that great, hardly ever saw the waiter. And brio's carpaccio was way better. Oysters Rockefeller were weird- very non traditional
(2)Annp O.
went there with my boyfriend for restaurant week. picked out spinach salad and linguini seafood. salad was ok dressing a bit sour. pasta had no flavor. very bland ... couldnt even taste any garlic. mussels were so so. just no taste to it. not impressed with the food. had cannoli for dessert and that was good. so was tiramisu.
(2)Derick L.
My favorite place for a nice dinner though it could easily be a casual setting as well. Tasty seafood and pasta with a good selection of affordable and expensive wine.
(5)Emily J.
For Sunday Brunch at least!! If you are in the Annapolis area go here for brunch. It had all your traditional breakfast items including two types of egg benedict. Some of the fabulous items included...prime rib, lamb chops, various fresh pasta, seafood, vegetable, chicken salads. Hot traditional Italian dishes. There were 4 of us who all tried different things and not one of us had something we thought was bad. And what made it great! It was so in our minds "cheap"! 20 bucks and you leave more than satisfied for your 20 dollars. Oh yes, and it includes fondue and other various desserts. The outside area is great to sit and there was live music the Sunday we were there.
(5)antoin k.
A disappointing experience all around. Parking is atrocious with the nearest being a garage that is a good walk for the handicapped. Valet parking is normally available but not this particular night of restaurant week. We had reservations at 6 P.M. to take advantage of a highly advertised Happy Hour. Upon being seated, we were informed that the Happy Hour was only available in the bar and not for dinner patrons. When asked why we were informed the restaurant is a fine dining facility! When queried what that meant, we received a blank stare. Bottom line - rather than spend $10-11 for a mixed drink and or wine, we drank water. I have run into this before in other restaurants and do not understand the rationale as it irritates the diner. Our ticket and tip amount were certainly diminished by drinking water vice drinks and wine. Food was average to poor at an expensive price. We started with grilled calamari that clearly hadn't remotely seen a grill and appeared to have been baked or sautéed in its own juices. Squid milk (?) diluted the olive oil and whatever garlic may have been in it. Certainly no grill marks, with the tasteless squid dish being overpowered by bits of bell pepper scattered over the dish. $10 for maybe two squid tubes with no tentacles. Meatballs were mediocre. Small and mushy balls with a slight freezer burned taste - though my wife thinks the off taste was the filler. The sauce was OK but certainly not outstanding. Chicken Parmesan was decent but the $32 restaurant week price, which included a salad and two small cannoli's, certainly was no bargain. Décor is beautiful and service was good.
(2)Supriya M.
Friday night reservation at 8p for 6 on one of our first excursions from Baltimore to Annapolis. Our friends highly recommended this place. We found it to be very good. We were seated shortly after arriving. The ambience was lively, classy. Pizza bread was complementary and a good start to the night. Cocktail list was creative and the wine list extensive. Reasonable bottled beer selection, geared towards Italian fare, nothing on draft. Apparently they've pared down the menu, but it still offered many choices (and was the same as that on the website); they offered specials, rack of lamb and crab ravioli that we didn't want to ask the price of. To start, we settled on the organic spinach salad that neatly combined goat cheese, macademia nuts, strawberries, pears, light raspberry vinaigrette; nothing extraordinary but was what we expected. We got the risotto con carne that was a large portion and heavy on the meat, perfect for husband's carnivorous ways, so he didn't mind sharing. Shared a Vesuvio pizza. Their wood-fired pizzas are on the doughy side. The creamy cheese was the dominant feature. Arugula piled high. Everything was so filling we actually opted out of dessert. Plus we had been there for 2.5 hours as we, our company, and the service were in no hurry. This place had the potential for 5 stars if it were either less expensive or more inventive. As it was, this was a place to get tasty Italian food that wasn't boring, in a pleasant atmosphere, for a price commensurate with the quality provided.
(4)Mike O.
I've had the pizza from their pizza spot and it was good. I had a post in Annapolis and stopped there for a slice of pizza before work and I must say it was pretty good. It was so good that I got a second slice can't remember the name of the slice I got but it was damn good.
(3)Beth K.
I ate here last Friday, after making last minute dinner plan changes. I was dying to try this restaurant simply because the fountain in front of it is so pretty at night. We were easily seated (a trend I see in Annapolis overall, which is so nice). The waitress was attentive, and immediately brought us waters and a bread basket. The bread was sort of like marinara pizza sticks, which were delicious. There were also rosemary rolls, as well. My date and I split a caesar salad to start. It was overall very heavy on the dressing, but the croutons were obviously homemade and the portion size was big. They also split the salad in two plates which was appreciated. I got the pollo scarpariello, which was basically chicken marsala with pearl onions over thick sliced potatoes. The chicken was flavorful, and had a good rosemary flavor and marsala reduction. Date had the tornado al gorgonzola, a steak stuffed with gorgonzola and a side of the potatoes. He seemed happy with the temperature of the steak, and the bite I tried was delicious. I enjoyed the meal overall, and really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. It's dimly lit and wasn't too loud so conversation was easy. I think the food deserves four stars, but it's pretty over priced which is why I had to knock it to three. I read some other reviews about spotty service, but I our service was pretty good.
(3)Adam C.
Pre-made, microwaved meatballs? At least that's what they tasted like. Good service and decent atmosphere but the food was below average at best.
(2)Ben H.
I took my wife hear for her birthday because she loved the outdoor patio seating area with the fountain and plants. It was a great way to eat their amazingly fresh and organic brick over pizza with a smooth glass of Riesling on a warm evening. We also scoped out the inside which has a beautiful ambience in both the restaurant and bar area which open to each other. We will definitely be getting some more pizza in the future (they have a to-go store front as well) and look forward to trying some other menu items as well. Overall experience is classier than your typcial Italian restaurant.
(4)Lenny B.
Food was OUTSTANDING! Even heated up leftovers later. Vodka Penne Capaccio Style was fabulous!! Peas in pasta??? Who'd have think it? Best part of evening -- the waiter! Knowledgeable. Accommodating. Very polite! Took pride in his job. Don't see that a lot but because of that I'll be back.
(5)Rob N.
Based on the one lunchtime visit I've had, I'd have to say I really like Carpaccio. It's a business-casual type place with reasonable prices, decent food, and plenty adequate service to get you in and out in a normal lunch hour. The ragout for my pasta tasted fresh-made. Papardelle (wide, flat noodles) with a tomato and lamb ragout was my choice. The noodles were cooked nicely, the tomatoes and meat had been baked or stewed together until beautifully thick with tender shreds of lamb. Rosemary and goat cheese topped it all off. All in all, it was definitely a candidate for inducing a post-lunch coma. I also like that instead of just standard crusty Italian loaf or tired focaccia, you get a basket of baked tomato bread and herb-seasoned rolls.
(4)Brian A.
Carpaccio's is the best Italian restaurant in Annapolis! I have eaten at Carpaccio's several times, spending a majority of the time in the bar/lounge area. The restaurant has a great feel to it and will make you very relaxed the moment you arrive. The service, which is a very big deal to me, is top notch! Brooke, Jason, and Christina, to name a few, are absolutely wonderful and will make sure that you're having a great meal, or a great drink. They are very knowledgeable of the menu as well as the drinks and they will never steer you wrong. The food at Carpaccio's is fresh, and delicious all around. The scallops appetizer and the mussels and clams appetizers are wonderful. The salads are quite filling and tasty. The specials, such as the lobster ravioli, are exquisite. I would even try a pizza if I were you. They have a happy hour special on them Monday-Friday till 7pm, so it's a great deal. I could continue to talk about this wonderful restaurant and hidden gem in Annapolis, but you should stop reading this review and definitely try it for yourself because you will be greatly satisfied!
(5)Tim D.
This is probably my favorite Italian restaurant outside of little Italy. I've had a good number of the dishes here and here are some of my favorites: gnocci (reasonable portion, well cooked and served with some fresh basil), mushroom risotto (you gotta love mushrooms) and the heirloom tomato salad (fresh mozzarella, heirlooms, basil...mmmm). The drinks at this place are pretty good as well. They'll know most of the cocktails you've had before and do a reasonable rendition of it. Their signature cocktail list is full of interesting choices as well. The ambiance is borderline romantic and when the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is a choice place to be. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
(5)Jill J.
I know this is a very belated review, but when I saw this place pop up while browsing, I just couldn't let go of my horrible experience.... I can't even begin to explain the rudeness from the "host" on a Saturday night last summer...we had reservations, but we were ignored so hard we couldn't even give him our name...walked out after exchanging words with the arrogant bastard... it would have been comical if I hadn't been so enraged. I would have liked to eat there, but I'll never go back.
(1)Cat O.
We had a really nice meal at Carpaccio's on December 7, 2012 around 7pm. I was pleased that we were seated promptly thought we were a few minutes early for our reservations. The place was bustling but had an organized and well-staffed vibe. Our table wasn't fabulous from a location standpoint, but it was a nice comfy booth with seat backs high enough to create a sense of privacy. Our server was Amy, and she was pleasant, busy, efficient, and knowledgeable (though no real warmth, we didn't mind at all, but she definitely wasn't working the old tip-O-meter) She said "My pleasure." very automatically, every time we said "Thank you." including on time when I was thanking my date! Sorry Amy, you were fine, and I know you were busy. We started with the Orangina Vesuviana (cheesy, deep-fried rice balls) which were tasty, but a little bland. Our server was a briefly thrown when I asked for a side of pesto to brighten up the appetizer, but she rallied nicely and the punch of raw garlic and fresh basil did wonders for the bland, rich balls. I had the Penne Pasticiio and it was awesome! Penne perfectly cooked at tossed with mini meatballs, crispy salami, slices of hard-boiled egg and lots of cheese with a tomato bechamel. Ummmmm, sooo good! My date and I were both over the roof about it! Washed down with their by-the-glass Super Tuscan, it couldn't have been better. My date had the chicken parm which is typical of him the first time in any italian restaurant. He considers it a bit of a litmus test... Carpaccio did not disappoint, and the serving was huge, but the ratio of chicken to pasta seemed a little off (needed more pasta) The chicken was perfectly cooked and he was happy (except that mine was BETTER!) lol Anyway, I was sad that they were sold out of the chocolate cake-y meets cheesecake dessert I wanted to try, but truth be told, I was too full anyway. We finished off the meal with espresso and Sambuca and were happy to take our leftovers home for what was a VERY good lunch over the weekend. Appetizer, Wine for 2, 2 Entrees, espresso and sambuca... $150 with tip. Not a bargain, but we felt it was worth it! Feedback for the restaurant is to turn up the warmth a little bit table-side and be sure to be in-stock on menu items for Friday night dinner rush.
(4)Victoria S.
If I had to pick my favorite restaurant in downtown Annapolis, it would be Carpaccio. I have only been here a handful of time but every experience has been different and wonderful. Lunches- They had a deal going for a while *not sure if they still are* But if you buy one Lunch entree you get one for about 3-5 dollars. This is perfect if you want a GOOD lunch but for a reasonable price. Dinner- They have a ladies night with half priced bottles of wine. This is in the bar area. The Bar area consists of high top tables, which are seat yourself. Wait time if you go during peak dinner make cause a wait, but I'm telling you it is worth it! The wine list is amazing, as well as the bread they bring to the table. Consists of flat bread a a pizza like appetizer! If its summer, I suggest you sit outside- although their patio is right on the main road the fountain and the atmosphere is so romantic! I've tried a few different things here, the seafood pasta, salads, fish, etc. But my altime favorite is the mushroom ravioli. I could eat here every day if I could!
(5)Gonzalo Y.
I had a very good dinner. Rock fish highly recommended. he owner or manager takes really care of their customers. Nice ambiance. Very good option if you are around the neighborhood.
(4)Jen L.
I think you can finish a novel faster than you can look through the menu. WAY too many options! The bread basket is the BEST! I love the Foccacia bread in the basket that you get before the meal. There is a variety of bread that comes in the basket, but the Foccacia is my favorite. As for the wine list, its more like a wine book. I defer to the boyfriend for picking out the wine. I love wine, but I am no wine expert. Everything he has picked (mostly cab blends) have been great picks. I have been here several times and I have NEVER had a bad meal. All of the ingredients are fresh and the portions are large. They have small plates if you want to nibble to large pasta dishes to steaks. I wish I had thought to take a picture, because the presentation is awesome. The desserts are awesome! They have many specials as well your typical Italian Desserts like Canoli and Tiramisu and a variety of sorbets. The outdoor seating is beautiful. In the summer, I feel like I'm in Europe in eating outside next to the beautiful fountain on a starry night. It's a perfect place for a romantic date. The valet parking in Park Place is very convenient. I think its only $7 to park. There is no valet validation. It's pretty close to the cool part of West Street and next to Fado' Irish Pub.
(4)Valerie G.
For the second year in a row, we chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary with my dad and step-mom at Carpaccio in Annapolis, MD. Carpaccio is one of their favorite restaurants; especially since my step-mom Monica has a special connection with the owner (they're both crazy Italians). Carpaccio has a great location in Downtown Annapolis on a block with a lot of walking traffic, coffee shops, and hotels. There is plenty of parking; both street and garage and a huge bonus is that it's right by the stop for the free trolley that will take you all over Annapolis. It has a great outside area that is shared with another restaurant and a beautiful fountain. The interior of the restaurant is sophisticated with high-end decorations, an open view of the kitchen, and a large and fully stocked bar and yet the restaurant also has a comfortable feel to it. This is one of those rare places where upon entering you know that you can both feel at home here and know that you're getting a quality, high-end meal that you couldn't ever get at home. The wait staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. On this occasion our waiter even advised us on a dish he didn't recommend we tried as it wasn't one of his favorites. That might not enamor him of the owner or chef, but it did of me for sure. When deciding what to order, I asked him to choose my wine for me based on the entree I chose and he was knowledgeable in that aspect, picked me a great wine, and checked back to make sure I liked it. He was very attentive and had such a lovely, friendly attitude; it made you want to come back regardless of the food. Thankfully, the food made you want to come back even more. The bread that you start with at the table is a mixture of different kinds, the best of which Monica calls their "pizza bread" as it's covered in a delicious red sauce. The table started with carpaccio di manzo toscano (thinly sliced filet mignon, baby spinach, mixed mushrooms, shaved parmesan cheese, drizzle of white truffle oil) which was perfectly sliced, a beautiful presentation, and just the right amount of filling to really wet your appetite for the meal you're about to tuck into. For entrees, I ordered the risotto al funghi porcini (arborio rice slowly cooked in a mushroom broth with imported Italian Porcini mushrooms, drizzled with white truffle olive oil and topped with shaved parmesan cheese) and Mike ordered the polenta di mare (fresh prawns, deep sea scallops, jumbo lump crab cake meat, fancy capers, scampi sauce, resting on a crispy polenta). My risotto was perfect; it was the perfect mix of creamy and al dente. The mushrooms and truffle oil were decadent and just the perfect richness. I took my leftovers home and finished it with steak for dinner and it was just as good the second time around and held up perfectly next to a piece of red meat. Mike loved his polenta and his prawns and scallops were perfectly cooked. For dessert, I ordered the cannelloni which were delicious. They were the perfect size for one person and were the exact right amount of sweet. Often with cannelloni you can get filling that is way too sweet and ruins the whole dish; these were perfect. The only criticism of my dessert is that the shells were a little to hard to cut into and I ended up stabbing at my cannelloni like a sugar crazed caveman. Mike ordered the flourless chocolate cake. His cake was incredibly rich, but given in a tiny slice so as to not overwhelm. He loved it and devoured the whole thing quickly. Mike finished of his meal with a dessert liquor suggested by our waiter that Mike found surprisingly delicious. Walking away from a meal at Carpaccio, you feel full, satisfied, and happy. We all left with smiles on our faces knowing we had just eaten quality food with just the right amount of decadence served by someone you now felt like was a friend.
(4)Adrienne R.
Carpaccio as a restaurant is good. But my true love is around the side they have Carpaccio To Go. You can order at the counter and eat there or take it home. You can get pizza by the slice or sandwiches. This pizza is my favorite of all time. They have several to choose from. There is a pesto chicken that is superb. They also make one with multi colored tomatoes on top with feta. That is good as well and not on the regular pizza menu. The white pizza is good too, very garlicky. Often I get plain cheese, you can't beat it. I like to get a side of pizza sauce to eat with it. As far as sandwiches, I've liked the couple I have tried. They come with fries which is nice. They aren't your usual french fries, but are battered. The guys that work there are very nice, especially Ray. They get to know you by sight and are super friendly and remember your usual. Parking is hard, you usually have to park illegally. Valet takes over the spaces out front. Luckily I live a block away and can walk.
(5)L M.
Restaurant Week day 1 Monday Feb 25, 2013 our first choice was Carpaccio. We had never been and had read mixed reviews. Our experience for the 3 course price fix meal for $32.95 was ..For starters, very dimly lit hard to see menus, we were given way too many menus shoved in our face..a wine ,bar, restaurant week and finally regular menu !! Yet no desert menu? Our service was rushed even though the restaurant was 2/3 empty the whole time we were there from 1800hrs to 2000hrs Bread arrives hot and water guy actually were the most attentive to our table. Our salad was very small leafy greens with berries, nuts cheese and raspberry vinegret dressing slightly off in taste. Before we could finish the salad the entree was in our face I couldn't find nor taste any eggplant within the cheese n spaggetti noodles on my plate? We stopped eating salad to eat entree which was lukewarm (waiter told us its cooked in a heated convection oven. Strange we thought? We found very small portions for the high price their asking even during Restaurant Week. Our service just ok , little awkward and kinda annoying at times with a trainee tagging along. We were told 2 seconds after our entree was put in our face that the waiters were to check in to see how things were. Very hard to give honest feedback on it when Im being rushed and still working on salad. Desert Tiramasu small portion 2"x2" with an awkwardly cut berry Never had such a minute portion looked like a sampler. Ascertaining parking from their web page was unclear We called and were given directions I couldnt follow. We found an awkward garage down a hill and underground with no idea how to get outta it to the restaurant we ended up in the Westin Hotel. The other option was the $7.00 valet. Kinda pricey for location. Our paid parking cost us 5.00 for 2 hrs in this garage. Based on review we felt very let down and disappointed. We don't eat out to often and had been looking forward to it . Would not recommend and would not return especially if we had to pay the regular menu prices. At $9.00 for a salad we expect a salad not a few leafs of greens. The atmosphere was somewhat cold and uninviting..Upon leaving we were not thanked or spoken too By this strange looking gentleman standing with his arms crossed near exit We would not recommend and would not return and found it hard to believe they had received such high Zagat and other reviews.
(1)Colleen M.
Went to Carpaccio's for a family dinner on Friday night. They do offer reservations and knowing that this was a Friday evening in downtown, we made a reservation for 7. They have outside seating and there was music but, outside seating was packed. We were seated inside immediately. The complimentary bread was awesome. We also split an order of bruschetta. It was decent. They have a full bar but, I went with an Italian beer (recommended by the server) which was very tasty and something I don't normally get. As for dinner, I went with the special, Lobster Ravioli. It was good but the sauce was a little spicy for my liking and normally, I like spicy. The best part of the meal was dessert. Three of us split this cake...Can't remember what the name was but, I think it was called the naught angel maybe??? Anyways, it was spectacular and large enough for the trio. The service was great and best of all they did not rush us. I would recommend this place for a nice evening out in downtown and will next time, weather depending, make a reservation for outside when they have music. They don't have parking but, there is a garage close by. If you are patient and don't mind walking a short distance, you might be able to find off street parking for free down one of the side roads.
(3)LaToya E.
I only have three words for their Sunday brunch buffet "Oh My Goodness!!" The brunch was amazing! The french toast was delicious, the eggs were heavenly and the mimosa hit the spot! The buffet had so many options that each time I visited I got to try something different. Carpaccio is definitely worth the drive from DC to Annapolis to have such an amazing Italian style brunch in such a beautiful atmosphere.
(5)L H.
Reasonable prices (cheaper than i expected from yelp reviews), Great location (by the Westin hotel), friendly staff, and honestly - a really awesome menu. I didn't know what to expect from the reviews, but the food is really solid. And, the staff was really accommodating. I currently don't eat meat or dairy, and the item that I ordered (Fettuccine Primavera) came with a rose sauce - meaning, tomatoes and cream. I told our waiter the situation, and they switched it from rosé to marinara. Yum! *also found out that the sauces on the menu are interchangeable, so don't feel that you have to order a menu item with the sauce that is listed. Great wine selection; we weren't drinking tonight, but it is a wine bar! If I had known that, I would have planned to indulge. Great atmosphere, low lighting at night and outdoor seating; perfect for date night.
(4)Rhonda K.
I LOVE the food here but not the service! There just isn't any. We had yet another evening of wondering whether or not our server had gone home early....... The manager or host does nothing to ensure that we were being taken care of, not once did he even come outside. It was our servers first day on the job and she was clearly overwhelmed as he had her inside making capuccinos for another table. We waited for 20 minutes to even ask for a check and have our food boxed up and still no waitress. What ensued after I went inside to inquire about getting our check was so unbelievable that I decided to never, ever, ever go back to this restaurant. My vote is for Brio!
(2)Regina S.
This place gets stars for the decor, overall ambiance, and an enjoyable outdoor dining area. The food can be hit or miss however, but we keep going back because we can dine here with our choco lab when we visit Annapolis by water during the boating season. They are quite dog friendly and bring out cold bowls of water for our pup complete with ice cubes to keep things chilled in the warm air. It's nice dining next to the fountain too. I can't say I have ever been sorely disappointed with my meals, although some definitely shined brighter than others. Our last meal - Pasta Sophia Loren for me (linguine with clams in the shell with a light wine sauce) was too flavorless. The clams were tender, but the sauce was so gentle that if you took a sip of wine, the subtle flavors dissipated immediately. A heavier hand with garlic, lemon, and salt could have transformed the dish. My husband's tenderloin Carpaccio was very well received however. It was beautifully presented and the flavors were spot on. The bread assortment is always nice, but the warm soft rolls were overpowered by the fresh rosemary. (That is just a personal taste preference however). The pizzas are OK, the spinach salad with macadamia nuts and raspberry vinaigrette a true delight, and the spaghetti carbonara decent. I will have to try the Vodka sauced pasta next as it seems to get very good reviews here.
(3)Jessie D.
Great calamari, decent pizza and the best cannoli in Annapolis. Plus the staff is great and it's decorated really nicely for Christmas!
(4)Katherine E.
Food was good, but service not so good. Made reservations through Open Table (which is what the restaurant's website pointed me to) for 7:30 pm on Satuday night. When my date and I arrived, we were told they were clearing some tables and it would be 5-10 minutes. While waiting 30 minutes to be seated, a family of 4 arrived who were clearly friends with the maitre d' and they got seated first (at an identical booth so it wasn't as if it was a difference between 2 vs 4). Luckily they seated us next because my date was fuming when he realized the family who arrived after us was being seated before us due to favoritism. Maitre d' didn't seem to be using the computer to keep track of who should be seated next. Then it took a while for our waitress to acknowledge our presence and even longer for her to come take our order. Food was OK with more selection than a chain restaurant. We ordered Pappardelle Bocelli (tomato ragu too overpowering and the lamb was practically non existant) and Pappardelle Donatello (great sauce, but beef overcooked). Might be better if the shoddy service didn't leave a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)Brian K.
STAY AWAY!!!! AWFUL experience. The waitress was never around, which was probably a good thing as she was far less than friendly. The food took 48 minutes to arrive at the table (I timed it). We ordered four meals -- one was cold on arrival, two had pasta that was woefully under-cooked, and the fourth, while sufficiently warm, did not taste good at all. I'm no chef, but cooking pasta is not rocket science. They could be giving away free meals, but I would NEVER go back.
(1)D. T.
Had drinks and food in the bar. Great friendly and helpful server. Steak sliders were good and homemade chips were, as well. Atmosphere just ok...little like a slightly upscale Olive Garden. Everything else ++. Server gets ++++!
(4)Sierra S.
Went there for Sunday brunch and it was amazing! Went back on a week night and it was mediocre which is why I gave three stars. First, the brunch was very affordable, the service was great but I didn't feel like there was enough of a variety for a brunch buffet. I should add that my "go-to" brunch place is Mrs. K's in Silver Spring so it is possible that I am biased. When I went back during the week, I ordered a pizza (if you live in Annapolis, recommend either the Italian Market or Whole Foods) which was so so. The truffle mac and cheese which is supposed to be "amazing" was disgusting and half of it went to the trash. Why do people use penne, toss in some cheese and claim it is mac and cheese? Not!
(3)Christine C.
I am a total fan, I think if I could give it 4.5 I would and I like to savor my 5s for those that just really stand out from the rest. This place was rather unexpected though. I found here on Yelp, and tried it out on a Wed night. The place was mildly crowded, mostly folks at the bar. We were seated right away at a booth which we adore and the lighting was low. We were greeted immediately by a very italian looking gentleman who took us to our seats with a warm smile. Once seated were were given menus, water and some breads (slices of pizza and rolls - delish). We had parked in front of the fado which is pretty close by too. The neat thing about their appetizer menu is how you can order half portions. So say you just wanted a nibble prior to the meal you could. So we ordered the ? Orangine (sp), and they were two rice balls (half portion) filled with roasted red pepper and fontina cheese. They were lightly fried and absolutely wonderful. For dinner I enjoyed the MilleFiogio (sp) Galelio, a green olive leaf pasta with cannelini beans, olives, fried artichoke leaves, garlic and a white wine sauce topped with Parmesan flakes. The plate was just delicious.. it had amazing flavor running throughout. Just delicious and I was able to save half my dish it was so big... I will be enjoying that tomorrow. Neil had a dish of orrechinis with spicy italian sausage (galore), greens (broccoli, spinach) in a wine sauce. The food was fabulous. He paired it with a syrah the house recommended which was a perfect match according to him. I am unfortunately off the wine ... I am beautifully pregnant! It's a pretty good trade off! Well we also indulged in a desert. We skipped the Tiramisu and indulged in an Italian Ricotta Cheese cake that was different, it was not sweet by taste but it was deliciously spongy. I think you have to have a taste for it, but just don't be surprised when it's not super sweet. Note on parking they do have valet for $7 through the Westin or Park Place I would gather, but there is street parking and garage parking on site. For the price of the food I think we got what we paid for, it was a wonderful meal accompanied by wonderful ambiance and Jessica was a wonderful server, just enough attention. The only thing that would make the place more authentic is if they brought the plates out a bit slower so that you could enjoy it more.
(4)Karen P.
Had lunch here and everything was very good including the service. I had the eggplant in a red sauce.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Came to Annapolis for a couple days and stayed at the Westin next door. This is what my boyfriend and I ordered: Il Sorrentino- vodka, limoncello, pineapple juice and prosecco- delicious drink Cozze and Vongole Impapate- mussels and clams, nicely cooked, just wished it came with more than two little crostini as my bf loves to dip bread in the broth Polpettine Di Granchio- crab balls, very delicious Papardelle Bolognese- so delicious, fresh pasta with just the right amount of cheese i the sauce cannolis- delicious but overpriced for their small size (2 mini for $8) The food was really good, but I agree with another Yelper as to the lack of a hostess. Also, we dined pretty late on the patio and the staff made us feel quite rushed to complete our meal and head out. If the overall service were better, I'd give this place another star.
(3)Gary S.
If you are looking for a great casual date restaurant this is it! Split one of the pizzas, my favorite includes Kobe beef carpaccio, fresh mozzarella slices and topped with rocket lettuce. Drizzled across is a sweet balsamic vinegarete that completes the crunch on this thin crispy crust. They have an excellent selection of wines by the glass, the waiters are always full of suggestions on what goes best. Finish with one of their sweet deserts and your date night will be complete. In the spring and summer the patio is great and adds to the mystique of date night with a beautiful lit fountain.
(4)Bernadette N.
I wish this place was fantastic, because it's about 3 blocks from our house. But it's just not. We ordered takeout from here a few weeks ago, two pizzas and a Cesar salad. We were not totally disappointed, but for $45, I was not impressed. I still decided to give it another try last week on a warm night, since they have tons of outdoor seating. We started with the mozzarella di bufala, which is typically AMAZING, but this was just so sad at $17. And the tomato accompaniment was not even done with ripe tomatoes. This was highly offensive; I wouldn't recommend ordering this here because it will turn you off of something that's meant to be fabulous. It was like eating a fallen souffle. Anyway, we then received our bread, which was really just pizza crust and tomato sauce. Different take, but not good. I would have rather had crusty bread and olive oil. Then we got our mains. I actually ordered the eggplant parm appetizer, but the best part was honestly the salad garnish in the middle. my friend had a cheese pizza, she said it was OK. Chances are I will come back here at one point when I'm being lazy and have to have some pasta. But seriously, I'd rather eat outside at Fados and spend 1/3 of the $$. I will say, I don't consider this a totally fair review since I did not try any real main courses or pasta. But they all sounded too heavy for a summer night. Maybe we'll go back in winter and I'll update my review.
(2)Pamela K.
This is an average of the two -- Carpaccio and Carpaccio to go. I was working in Annapolis for two weeks recently, and this was very near the office. I loved the To Go side! Prompt attention, great food. The pizza is delicious, and the salads are beautiful. The priciness mentioned by other reviewers is not so much in evidence here as in the main restaurant. I'd recommend them any time. As for the restaurant, I dropped in one evening for dinner,and was absolutely underwhelmed. As with other reviewers, I experienced spotty service. The gnocci was only so-so, which was a great disappointment. The selection of wine by the glass was not terrible, but it was not particularly impressive either.
(3)Christopher M.
Last night my wife and I had one of the most singularly outrageous, virtually inexplicable experiences while dining at Carpaccio. I'm still speechless. After arriving we were seated at a booth at the far end of the restaurant, near the kitchen. We were starving so after ordering some fried calamari for an appetizer we began perusing the wine list. I asked for a recommendation on a Sangiovese, but our waitress was clueless. She said the $28 bottle was popular so we got it. Cynthia returned with a different bottle, saying that they were out of the other, but that this bottle was also $28 (weird that she didn't ask if we were okay with that first). We accepted her replacement and it was awful. In spite of the disappointment we continued to snack on calamari and drink the wine without saying anything, figuring, at least its got alcohol. Around this time is when I began to notice something very peculiar that occurred when each server rounded the bend to the kitchen (or from the kitchen to the dining room) - they were using the back of my seat as a railing! And I understand why that happens. When you're rushing around as servers do, making a sharp turn requires leverage. I, too, when making a quick turn on foot, grab onto the nearest object for stability. However, this was not simply a quick grab for balance; in fact, most of the servers used the entirety of the booth top to run their hands across as they passed by. If you can't quite picture this scenario, the end result is feeling like someone is bumping into your chair, or running their hands across the top of your chair, every time they walk by! The first eight to ten times this happened I said nothing. Eventually our food came and I'll be honest, it was good. Not amazing, but good. As we ate our dinner the bumping and sliding continued with no regard at all to the fact that it was my seat! I cannot properly explain how uncomfortable this was. After about 20 or so times of this happening I thought it would be wise to inform the manager of how this small detail was big hindrance to the enjoyment of my meal, and that he should be aware of this for the future (I am sure we were not the only patrons to have been seated in this particular booth, nor the last). After having a long, jovial conversation with a group a few booths down, the manager walked over to our table and looked at me, said nothing, just looked. So I spoke up, and explained the situation, even going as far as having him sit in my seat while I demonstrated the incident, so he could see how I felt through the entire evening. His response floored me. "Oh, ok, sorry about that." That was it. He walked away. I had expected nothing more than a genuine apology and a new-found awareness, on his part, of this strange phenomenon. I got neither. He couldn't have cared less about what I had to say. I am not one to generally complain at restaurants. I am polite, and was very polite with all with whom I spoke at Carpaccio, but I have never been treated with such disrespect in my entire life. I was not expecting, or asking for, a discount on our meal in my initial request to speak with the manager, though I felt that it was surely in order after such terrible treatment. Not. Cynthia brought us our check at full price. $94 by the way, for two, with cheap, awful wine. If we had been eating at Denny's, I would not have even brought it up. This restaurant claims (with their prices) and appears (with the décor) to be in the mid-upper echelon of dining in Annapolis, though I beg of you, do not be fooled. I suppose that's why the place was empty.
(1)Michael S.
I'm a little biased when it comes to Italian... Friend and I were staying at the Westin Annapolis a stone's throw away from this place. As usual, we were on the hunt for an Italian place and this was one of the places the concierge suggested. First off, the decor. It reminded me of a family restaurant, a little too Ruby Tuesday, not enough...what is it I'm looking for? Maybe their intention was to be "family-oriented". If so, they did a pretty good job. The service was pretty bad, lackluster at best. Our server didn't even introduce himself (he was the Italian guy with the shaved head tweaked out on steroids) and pretty much ignored us for most of the evening. I think he came to our table three times in total, only to bring us something, including the check. As a general matter, the servers seemed kind of aloof and kind of ignored the diners. Not really a nice way to treat a newcomer. The only good thing was the pizza bread they brought out (late, I must say...they actually asked us if we wanted bread!). I had the one ravioli dish on the menu, the one with the basil pesto sauce. That dish was FLOODED to the max. I pretty much lost my appetite after ravioli #2...plus it tasted like something out of a can of Chef Boyardee. For an appetizer I had the tomato salad, which was decent enough. It was a HUGE salad though. My friend had a pasta dish with bacon in it (the name escapes me) which he thought was good. At least he ate better than I did. For dessert I had the tiramisu, which was very mediocre. It tasted like it had been sitting out on the counter for a while, and you could distinctly taste the dryness of the ladyfingers. Another thing that I didn't really like was the dinnerware...they have some interesting plates (especially for the tiramisu) that I felt didn't really go with the restaurant. All in all, it was just "meh". A Cheesecake Factory-style menu plus your typical Italian fare. I wouldn't come here again myself.
(2)Lawrence S.
Good cocktail and wine selection. Our party of three split four appetizers: tomatoes + mozzarella, granchio avocado, cozze + vongole, and clams casino. The mozzarella was on par with expectations, as were the cozze + vongole. The fontina cheese gave the clams an extra flavorful twist, and the highlight was definitely the granchio -- the avocado and the lumped crabmeat were a tasty pairing. Other members of my party, fittingly, had carpaccio for the main course -- thinly sliced meat with suitable garnishes. I had seafood polenta; the shellfish pieces surrounded the polenta, which was crispy and delicious. Our service was very good -- our waitress frequently checked in and promptly took care of everything. We left absolutely stuffed.
(5)Marcia O.
This is my home town and Carpaccio's has a real presence here, so I am drawn to write a review for those new folks as a warning. First of all, the food is pricey for the value. Secondly, if you want to sit outside with your dog, there is no opposition, but be ready to wait a long time for your service! I do believe that I was frankly forgotten by my server who stated that 'he had some really interesting customers inside, so was sorry for the wait." What does that comment show? Is a single woman with a chihuahua uninteresting? I've been there before and will return, despite the price and the rudeness and the wait because it is dog friendly, but be warned that this is not Brio's service or value. I expect better and hope this review is read and that the place improves.
(2)Emily D.
very very average... Went there during our weekend stay at the Weston for a friends wedding and had lunch outside. Our server was really great and could accommodate our large party but the food was just so-so. They do serve amazing bread but really its almost too much. I can see myself being a cheap ass and getting wine and complimentary bread and easily being full. I had a tomato salad which was had a nice mix of tomatoes that were clearly not in season although the sure did look pretty on the plate. I had a bite of my boyfriends pizza but it really was just average. The restaurant is very pretty both inside and out but sadly their food doesn't quite match. We went back the next day just to have a drink and enjoy the sun and would you believe they don't serve Firefly (minus one star)...alas we had to go to Fodo next door...
(3)Tim S.
This place gets four stars because everything was good, not great, but definitely good. We had a professional server named Jessica and met two friends for a casual Friday dinner. For the record, Jessica has a twin sister named Rachel, who we know from Davis' Pub. We did not know this before we asked Jessica if her name was 'Rachel' . . . it is not. Guess that explains why Jessica looked at us like we had multiple heads when we greeted her knowingly, without actually knowing her. I picked a Cabernet (Guenoc? Bin 131 for sure) that we ended up getting a second bottle of. It was quite good with very little air. Everyone enjoyed their salads, apps and the table breads of different varieties (all fresh). The table oil had a fresh sprig of rosemary and a couple cloves of garlic - very impressive for a chain. I had the calamari and lamb chops and couldn't have been happier. The calamari was cooked to my preference, lightly breaded and fried, and served with a horseradish mustard dipping sauce ( I didn't use much of the hot, fresh marinara that was also generously portioned). And my pork was excellent. I would highly recommend it for its portion size (large), toppings (pepper and onion), and temperature. It was fully cooked, moist, and easily de-boned. Everyone else was satisfied as well. The ladies shared a pizza and Chris had the carpaccio platter. The only complaint was "stale" bread served with the carpaccio, but that was easily replaced with the fresh table bread. Jessica and Rachel have good service in common. We were more than happy with the service from Jessica and her support staff. Full water, cleared dishes, good timing, poured wine . . . well done!
(4)Shane N.
I would give this place 5 stars based on the Salmon Casino Style alone. Every time I have it the Salmon is cooked perfectly. It also comes with a tasty crab risotto. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice. The Tiramisu is kind of generic but is good enough. If the prices were a little cheaper, it would probably be five stars. Still one of the better places to go for Italian food in Annapolis. Think of it as 4.75 stars.
(4)Greg B.
Carpaccio was a "good" choice for the hyped Valentine's Day dinner. Why? They offered their standard menu, unlike almost every other restaurant in Annapolis. Their pricing was actually fair. Their food was good and the portions were healthy. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly suprised to find that the tables were not on top of each other and the restaurant wasn't ridiculously crowded. (It was however a very amusing dinner as every odd couple seemed to be within the walls of the restaurant!) As I had read in other Yelpers comments, the wait staff is not shy about bringing you and unlimited supply of bread, which is amazing! However, you find yourself filled up on bread by the time dinner arrives! As for the main course; it came out very quickly, was piping hot, and quite delicious! The meal was paired perfectly with the wine (which we couldnt finish and were able to take home) and the atmosphere made for a great night on the town. I was give this restaurant a thumbs up for anyone looking for a good meal in a unique setting.
(3)Lauren W.
One of the best brunches I've had. We sat outdoors next to a waterfall, made for wonderful ambiance. The brunch buffet was plentiful. The egg Benedict were delicious, as were the seafood salad, ceaser salad (I actually had seconds of this it was that delicious) and pasta carbonara (I think?) The mimosa's were yummy (and half price with brunch too) The dessert selection, was large and delicious! I cannot wait to make another trip back for brunch, or even to try dinner here!
(5)Jen G.
I moved from Severna Park, MD to Boston a few months ago and Carpaccio is one of the few restaurants that I really miss in Annapolis. I don't think I have had better Italian in the area. It is a solid 4.7 stars in my book so I'll round up. The Vodka Penne is fabulously tasty as is the Penne Pasticcio. I wish that I could tell you about other entree's but I can't help but get one of these two every time I go. Portions sizes are right on target. You won't leave hungry or feeling like a cow ...unless you eat too much of their AMAZING bread (which is very easy to do because it is pretty much like pizza in a basket). I would recommend the calamari as an appetizer (crispy, crunchy, zesty and delicious sauce on the side) A great place for a date or even family dinner. The atmosphere is very nice without being uncomfortably upscale or effecting the price of your meal. I have never had an unpleasant experience with the waitstaff and the restrooms are always immaculate. You can park valet there but leaving your car at the Westin garage if you're going to walk around town a bit isn't a bad idea either. Stop reading about it and go there. Go Now!
(5)Heather C.
I just always come back to Carpaccio... no matter what kind of atmosphere or type of food or price range I'm going for that night, I seem to drift back here time and time again. Love, love, love this pizza. Currently working my way down the pizza menu and have loved them all. Salads are delicious and they kindly split up a salad into two plates when that special someone is sharing with you. One date night, they stayed open just for us -- served us coffee and dessert long after the other diners had left. Always had friendly service. Sounds like brunch is a must-try and on my to-do list...
(4)Jim E.
After three dinners here, I think I am ready to write a review. First off, the valet service is nice. Seven dollars, plus a few for tip, is worth not having to try and find street parking. The valets themselves are nice and courteous. They opened up the door for my wife before they opened my door, which is more than I can say for another valet in the area. Entering the restaurant is mildly uncomfortable. The foyer is nice, and the waiting area reasonably large, but the reservation desk is kind of a surprise when you walk in for the first time. Not a deal breaker, but a pleasant smile would be nice to see when you first walk in; they should not save it till you round the corner. Along those lines, please have someone dedicated to the reservation counter. At IHOP I do not mind waiting a moment for a host(ess) to appear. However, this is a place I am potentially spending 100+ dollars at, I expect someone to be waiting for people to arrive and call a seater over. Two out of the three visits we had to wait for a hostess to come sprinting over. The decor is nice. Not over the top, but pleasantly decorated and maintains a very romantic air while sill being well lit. It probably will not win any design awards, but it works well. The appetizers were all very good, as was the carpaccio. We have not enjoyed the full menu, but judging by what we have sampled I feel confident putting the appetizers well into the "very good" category. The dinners themselves were hit or miss. Some of them were excellent, others hit the mark. I question some of the seasoning choices, and at least one dish was CLEARLY over seasoned. Again, nothing that would make the food bad, but definitely something a good chef should pick up on. If this were 20 dollars a plate I would not mind, but for these prices I expect a certain standard. The wine list is good, but the mark-up is borderline ridiculous. My biggest complaint is dessert. An establishment like this should have a dedicated pastry chef, not pull desserts out of the freezer and serve before they are fully thawed. Unless you really have a sweet tooth I would suggest skipping dessert and either making your own or going somewhere else. The coffee was good, though. If you are still reading this, please understand I think this is a very good place to eat dinner. I am only being very nit-picky because I hope they read this and fix a few of the things I mentioned. It is painfully obvious that this place is new, and even in today's market they need to work on establishing themselves as a five-star venue before worrying about a bottom-line. Spending the extra time, and money, now, even if it means going further into the red, will only set you up for more success, and better profits in the future. At the very least invest in a good pastry chef and reduce your wine prices a little bit. Also, cut your menu in half and make it physically less bulky. Carpaccio is well worth 4 stars and your time. Until a true five-star restaurant appears in Annapolis, this is one of the best places you can go on a Saturday night.
(4)Esha D.
A Very Classy and Upscale Italian gem in downtown Annapolis. Gorgeous locale right near the Westin. The decor was superb! Very classy and refined. Food was pricey, but spectacular!! Our waiter spoke a little too low, but other than that was good. Highly recommended for a special occasion!!
(4)damian a.
We went to Carpaccio with some friends when we visited Annapolis earlier this year. Everyone at the table was pretty impressed with the food and the service. I loved the large menu and various carpaccio choices. Alas, it's in another state. We will definitely go there again the next time we visit Annapolis.
(4)Karin J.
This was delicious. An absolute joy. BREAD: You get some bread. It looks kind of foccacia-y, but then you think, no, it is just flat bread wedges. Oh, but they are so much more. They had a nice chewiness that I appreciated. It made you earn that bread. CARPACCIO: The filet carpaccio was quite tasty indeed, and there was no bad-chewiness about it at all. No, I don't remember which one we got, it was a month ago. RISOTTO: I got a risotto with... asparagus? Corn? in it, and it was soooooo good. The "sauce" was so delicious and rich, but the meal did not sit too heavily in my stomach (no moreso than a fancy meal would without it being risotto). My dining partner got... something that came with figs, and it was divine as well. Venison? It was good, at any rate. OH and I neglected to mention... BELLINIS: Yeah, they're tasty. RICOTTA CHEESECAKE: Approaches how good homemade ricotta cheesecake is. It isn't fluffy enough for my tastes, but really, I did not care at the time and the fact they had a ricotta cheesecake at all makes me want to hug someone. SERVICE: Our waiter was pleasant and unobtrusive. He wasn't at all fazed by our request of an ice bucket for the red we got (the red was warm)(do you really want a wine geek's explanation of what temperature a red wine should be? because I do a fair impression) and it was itself reasonably priced, as I recall. PARKING: They validate for a nearby garage. Didn't have too much of a problem finding a spot on a Saturday night. TO SUM UP: Great place, and I look forward to going there again (which I will get to do in a couple months!).
(5)Elizabeth O.
By far the BEST dining experience my husband and I have had in a long itme! Our reservation was for 7pm, we arrived early and still got seated right away. The decor inside is beautiful. We had the most amazing waiter, Wyane, that we can remember having in probably 3 years. He was very courteous and prompt. Very attentive to our table the entire time. The food was wonderful and beautiful presented. It is a little bit on the pricey side, but completley worth it. I would strongly reccomend this place to anyone who wants to have a fantastic meal with fantastic service!!! We will most definetley go back!
(5)Brian J.
Loved the location of the restaurant and the food was delicious. I'd give it four stars just on the food. However, the wine list was very unimpressive. Aside from places like Olive Garden which I don't really consider Italian restaurants, this had the most disappointing wine list I've seen at an Italian restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant / wine bar and they had 37 red wines by the glass. FIVE of them were Italian and they were all from Tuscany. No Piedmont wines by the glass! Very disappointing. A large majority of the wine list was generic, usually boring California wines. I expect that from Applebee's or TGIF or even P.F. Chang's, but not an Italian restaurant in a ritzy part of Annapolis that has the term wine bar in the title. I'll be moving to Annapolis next year and hope the wine list improves or I might not come back.
(2)Joe T.
Molto buono! We all sat at a table outside and enjoyed a fine menu of Italian specialties and wine. You can walk off the dinner with a nice passagiata down the local streets.
(4)C E.
Wanted up have a nice al fresco early dinner this past Saturday. What we ended up with were poorly executed over priced pasta dishes, barely drinkable super Tuscan glass of wine, and indifferent service. The pappardelle with lamb ragu- pasta was mushy and the "ragu" was a bland sauce. The lobster ravioli was smothered in a tasteless tomato cream sauce. Reminiscent of a bad olive garden type experience.
(2)Jen M.
Only went for lunch but we had a great experience. We sat outside on the sunny patio. The foccacia bread and rosemary rolls are super yummy. The grilled chicken caesar salad is tasty, and my best friend ordered the Bento box which is You-Pick-Three for $14.99. I was surprised the portions were as large as they were for lunch. Great service and great food.
(4)K B.
Pretty good brunch - had lots if variety. The executive chief was very and knowledge. A fair Tuscan alternative option.
(3)Christopher S.
4.5****/* We took our youngest daughter to Carpaccio for her birthday this week. We sampled two styles of Carpaccio prepared with beef tenderloin. They were delicious. We then had three different types of pasta. The Vodka Penne Carpaccio was out of this world. Salads were beautiful and tasty. Great chocolate chip cheese cake that I did not get to try because it was consumed so quickly. Excellent server, very knowledgeable. Great vibe going on. This is a top notch restaurant that will do very well in Annapolis. $124 for four with wine. Excellent price/value relationship.
(4)Chris M.
I am sure alot of you are wondering why I am only giving 2 stars. This is strictly based of the quality of food. I had the chicken dish with marsala wine, which the wine over powered everything else on the plate. I also had the canoli for desert, it was pre-filled and sitting in the shell for many hours. Anyone who knows canoli's , you know you have to fill at time of ordering so the shell does not get soft.
(2)Terri S.
Feels like being in Italy! Great atmosphere. Had the special of Bone in Veal Milanese. Wow! Ask Jason for his specialty, Italian Negronis! Bravo!
(5)tracey s.
I've been to Carpaccio 3 times - all being impressive. Its a nice, consistent place with a relaxing atmosphere. I plan to continue going back!
(4)karen f.
A lovely social venue with great selection of Italian offerings. The ahi tuna salad was tasty and the vodka penne is a must. There seemed to be a lively bar if you like that scene. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. A great find for Annapolis
(4)Patrick H.
We have been waiting with baited breath for the opening of the latest edition of the Monte Restaurant group's mini Italian empire here in Anne Arundel county. Each of their restaurants bears it's own name and distinct/ unique concept. We've only made one visit, but the early buzz about Carpaccio is that this in MRG's finest hour. With a decor that echoes some of MRG's previous restaurants, namely PomoGrille (Bowie) and 4Season's (Crofton), but with a much subdued and more sophisticated slant. Housed on the curve of the new Park Place development on West Ave in Annapolis, the outdoor seating here reminds one of being in a chic cafe in Florence, Italy. I would typifiy the interior as decidedly elegant casual. The menu is clearly "upmarket" when held against some of the other locations. 6 types of Carpacci are offered, including filet mignon, tuna, anchovies, eggplant and prosciutto. A nice selection of salads is offered. On our visit my dining companion and I both ordered the Panzanella. It was very good, but I would have preferred a "breadier" presentation. These were more akin to homemade croutons, which is not a bad thing, just not what I think of when I think 'Panzanella". Pappardelle Bolognese is one of those things that... if it's on the menu... I'm going to order it. I can honestly say this was the best Pappardelle Bolognese I've ever tasted. This is a real diet breaker. If I was at home I would have been licking the bowl. My friend had the Monte Santo Pizza, one of the 9 choices of wood burning brick oven Neapolitan pizzas. All I can say is MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Mozz, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Parmacotta on a crisp and snappy crust. It was equally good the next morning with eggs and coffee. There are 18 homemade pasta choices (some classics and some not so classic) and 5 Risottos. That's all before you get to the fish or meat entrees. For dessert, we split a Tiramisu. Typically I wouldn't order Tiramisu as it is so overdone, and rarely done right, but this was the real McCoy. I watched one pass by our table earlier and I went all "Homer Simpson" for a minute. "Arrrghghghhhghg" Actual lady finger cookies, with espresso and rum and a heapin' helpin' of sweetened Mascarpone. DEEE-lightful. Word is already out and it's difficult to get in on a weekend evening, so if you are going, I suggest you make a reservation. Lucky for me I live nearby and a weeknight visit is not out of the question.
(5)Jillian T.
Well, this place isn't bad. I'm pretty certain it's not great either. I've had some good dishes and some not so good dishes, which seems to be the problem. The menu is so big that there is some serious inconsistency in the quality of the food. I've been here a few times and after having a really nice meal one time, it's followed up by a mediocre meal the next. This type of inconsistency makes it difficult for me to enjoy this place. The other problem I have here is the service. It's not up and down, it's just always blah. I've never had a server here that made me enjoy my experience or made me strive to come back. They all seem to go through the motions, but they seem to lack personality or interest in what they're doing. I know others have had better experiences, so maybe mine is not the norm, but nevertheless, it's doesn't get me that excited.
(3)r. h.
Summary judgment: competent chef, not so competent bartender. Honestly, my expectation had not been high. From the outside, the restaurant looked like yet another chic bar/lounge at the lobby of an upscale hotel where ambiance often trumps actual food quality. Not so at Carpaccio. First, the complimentary breads were actually decent. I also liked the special carpacci section of the menu -- it's nice to have options beyond the common prosciutto & melones. The appetizer we ordered (little crab balls) was also delicious. Emboldened, I took a gamble and ordered the venison & figs for my main course. In the hands of an inexperienced chef, venison can come out gamey or tough. Happily, not so tonight! The meat was tender, and the sweet fig sauce complemented it well. If I were to nitpick, my only suggestion would be to vary the garnish a bit (a sprig of rosemary in every plate can only get you so far). While I was pleasantly surprised by the food, the drinks were less impressive. I ordered a glass of bellini. The drink arrived in a diminutive flute, looking less sparkling and more concentrated fruit-juicy. The taste had more sourness to it than I liked (cheap champagne?). The ratio of my companion's negroni was also off. They are not worth their upscale-hotel-bar price-tags. Our waiter was competent but not memorable. The overall service suffered from a few rough spots -- the host was preoccupied and inattentive; our table missed a salt shaker; the sugar bowl had no sugar; my coffee was served with a gigantic soup spoon -- all very minor imperfections, to be sure, but they contribute to make the restaurant venture seem amateurish. All in all, this may be the best Italian dining Annapolis has to offer now that La Picola Roma is gone.
(4)Tina T.
One of my favorites in Annapolis! The variety of Carpaccio is my favorite & always have to get one when I go. Great wine selection too, although kind of pricey. Would definitely refer a friend!
(4)Alex L.
Amy was one of the best servers we have ever had. Seriously, if you go to Carpaccios ask for Amy she was amazing!!!! The white anchovy carpaccio was exactly like in Italy, the filet mignon carpaccio with white truffle oil was perfect, and the baked gnocchi were cooked perfectly. They start you off with a nice assortments of freshly baked breads. Directly across the walk from the Westin hotel. Worth going here if staying at the Westin or not!
(5)Kathy M.
Run, don't walk for their Sunday Brunch. The food is delicious, one of the best brunches I've had in quite some time.
(5)S S.
For Annapolis, I think this place is great and I'd definitely come back. Its a nice looking restaurant, but it was very loud in my opinion; for this reason, I'm not sure if I'd go here on a first date unless I didn't actually care about being able to hear well what my date was saying. Anyway. I'm vegetarian and pizza is obviously customizable. I mentioned i was veg to the waiter who said they can accommodate a lot of dietary restrictions. But I made my own pizza anyway and was pretty happy. Its relatively traditional Italian style pizzas with the thin crust, which is my favorite kind. Toppings available were of high quality. The vegetable sampler platter appetizer was good. I wouldn't rave about it, but a nice selection of things to nibble on. My family members were very happy with what they got and have been back a few times.
(3)Sobhna S.
We went to this place because it's right across from the very nice hotel we are staying at. When we walked in, the place was literally empty yet the manager asked us if we had reservations. We said no and he seated us right away. Not sure what the purpose of a reservation would be since it was an early Sunday evening and the place was clearly not busy. Our waiter was friendly enough and seemed knowledgeable But the rest of the service was very bad. You tend to be forgotten about. The only time someone came to the table, which was rarely, was when they had some food for us. Our drinks were not refreshed so we had empty water glasses. When we did ask for a refill, they brought us a new glass but still left the empty glass on the table. We didn't even get our main course and we had empty glasses and empty plates from our appetizers. Finally, we got tired of waiting for our main course, and of course some water so I tried to get someone's attention to get my check. I was willing to forego the rest of my dinner to get out of there. But, of course everytime I tried to get someone's attention, I coldn't. Finally, I walked up to the manager and told him about our bad service and that I just wanted to pay for dinner and leave. He asked me what happened and I told him. He said not to worry about the check but when I insisted on paying for our dinner, he told me to "just go". Bad manners, bad service, just ok food.
(1)Tony S.
Full Disclosure: I have been to Carpaccio twice, but I am writing this review based only on my most recent visit as the first time was the weekend of my 10 year reunion and to be honest, I don't remember much. Very good Italian restaurant. I am pretty critical, as I am 1/2 Sicilian and was raised on a diet of my mother's and grandmother's wonderful fare. The plusses: Bread: Yum! Fresh, warm, lightly coated with olive oil. Just the thing to get you ready for dinner. Caesar Salad: Lightly dressed, fresh shaved cheese, not overly fishy. Couldn't be better. Arancini: A worthy effort, tasty and not too greasy, but not nearly as good as grandma's. I will leave it at that. Veal Parmesean: Excellent. Nicely prepared over a bed of thick spaghetti perfectly done. The Bad: This is the reason why Carpaccio is 4 stars and not 5. The forks. You may think I am crazy, but when you are eating pasta, a proper fork is VITAL, and I am sorry, but the forks at Carpaccio are not at all conducive to twirling. They are round with a weird bump, and just don't want to spin. They are very pretty and fine for eating meat, salad, cheesecake, whatever, but it is ingrained in the DNA of my people to twirl your pasta around the fork and an Italian restaurant should take that into account.
(4)Morgan S.
Note: This review is only based on one slice of pizza as I went to the Carpaccio 2 Go and brought it back to my hotel room. Overall - just meh. I've had better pizza at pizza chains but the price was right. Just around $2 for a slice of cheese and convenient as it was across from the Westin where I was staying.
(2)S B.
What can I say, some of the best Italian food I ahve had outside of Venice. We started with several Antipasti. I have never been a fan of Oysters Rockefeller but the ones served here I would order again and again. The Scallpos Napoleon are a meal in itself. The scallops are tender yet big and very flavorfull. The Meatball Mediterranean was bland but then didnt ahve high expectations for meatballs. THe Vera Mozzarells was as good as one could expect and twice as filling. There were 9 of us and to say all the antipasti and meals that we got would take a page but will go into one or two. The Polenta Di Mare was tateful and more than one person could eat. The crab meat was shell free and vry flavorful and the prawns were HUGE! One person ahd the Lasagna and said it was wonderful and by its size it could have fed two people. Our party also had 2 of the specials that night: the Grouper which both said was exceptional and the paella which had a ton of seafood and sausage and was very flavorful. Lastly you have tohave the bread with tomato sauce on it that they serve before dinner as it is outragious. I will come here again and again until I have tried everything on the menu and then to try all their specials. I cant wait to try brunch here!
(5)Special K.
A much needed Italian place in Annapolis. They have organic pastas on their menu and the portion/flavor is just perfect. I love the black (squid-ink infused) linguine with seafood (lobster, etc.). We love it!
(4)Michael B.
Outdoor seating is a plus and the food was good. I had a seafood risotto which was ok but missed the mark. the table had a few apps which were very tasty( carpaccio). They have a large menu so pretty much anyone could find something they were in the mood for. Heavy Heavy use of butter made the carbonara taste great but super rich. ( Next day we reheated the leftovers and it was literally swimming in butter.) Good though. I would go back if I had a hankering for some Italian but would not wake up dreaming about it. Service was good.
(3)R C.
The food is decent, especially for Annapolis, and they have an extensive menu that is vegetarian-friendly. Love their bread too! I also really appreciate their relaxing ambiance and spacious floorplan that allows for conversation and some seclusion from your neighbors. The reason, however, I give Carpaccio only two stars is for the service. The first couple times I went here, it was not terrible -- the host/hostesses were not particularly friendly or helpful, which leaves a bad first impression, but I can deal with that. The third and last time I went here, we were visiting with out-of-town family that we had not seen in months. One person was running late due to traffic from the Navy game, a reality in Annapolis that the staff was well-aware of. Because we hadn't seen these family members for such a long time, we decided to hold off on ordering our entrees (but rest assured we were providing plenty of business with our continuous wine and app orders). After some time, the server came to pressure us to order, telling us the management was pressuring her to "get us out of here." What was once a relaxing, enjoyable dinner turned rushed and uncomfortable. We ordered quickly and went elsewhere for dessert. I don't necessarily blame the restaurant for wanting to turn the tables over quickly; I know they are running a business and there may have been a wait. But I think they could have handled it much better and with a little more understanding for a family that hadn't seen each other in a long time.
(2)Veronica L.
I was craving desert last Wednesday, kind of late, so my boyfriend and I hopped in my car and headed towards Annapolis. As we were getting ready to pass Carpaccio, I suggested we stop there and check it out. There is a parking garage in the plaza to park out and I think that's the only option but the fee was maybe just a few bucks, so not bad. We sat down at the bar and there were like three bartenders working, so we got pretty good and fast service. My boyfriend and I both ordered drinks first. I got a pineapple vodka martini type drink, which had a good amount of alcohol but not so much that it took away from the flavor and my boyfriend got a Guinness. I ordered a chocolate cake and my boyfriend got the tiramisu. Both were delicious, although, not being a fan of tiramisu, I don't think I would have liked more than the bite I stole from my boyfriend's plate but he really enjoyed it. The bill for those two drinks and two deserts was around $30 - kind of expensive in my opinion. Even so, I would probably like to come back and try a main course here.
(4)Janice R.
My second visit to Carpaccio was just as good as my first. I love a good red sauce and my SO a cream sauce. So we each ordered our litmus test. Mine, the eggplant parmagian and his the spaghetti carbonara. Of course, I also wanted to try the bolognese sauce and the waiter gladly brought me a bowl on the side that I poured over my pasta. We shared a caesar salad and a plate of mixed cheeses, meats and vegetables from the Tuscan Market, which could have easily served 3 or 4 but they gladly packaged it for us to take with. As, they also packed 1/2 of my eggplant and the remaining bolognese sauce. What a wonderful lunch this made for Sat. The wine list is limited and it does not have the year the wine was produced, but we had a Merlot for $66 that was perfect with our meal. Our waiter was great and very knowledgeable (explains the specials very well), our food was exactly what we both wanted and the bread basket refilled TWICE! Put tomato on bread and I'm happy! Also, don't miss the martinis! We'll be back. There were 2 hostesses and a host. We were seated at exactly 7:31 for our resv. at 7:30 pm. There was not an empty table when we arrived or when we left so definitely make a resv. for a Fri. or Sat. evening. Buon Appetito
(4)Marianna R.
I love this place. I am an Italian food snob with high food standards as my mother was a fabulous Italian food cook. And this place surely meets my standards. The food is outstanding and the bar area is really nice and spacious for both socializing and eating. This restaurant has style, class and has a sophisticated yet not stuffy atmosphere. There service is good and the wine list is outstanding. And with all that, the prices are average for quality food. I plan to frequent this establishment.
(5)Mike A.
great outdor patio with live band. pizza was good. linguine with white clams was good. penne vodka was ok as was chicken parmigana. i only gave it 3 stars because the food was so overprices. pastas at $18-$34 was more expensive than Babbo, Felicia or Del Posto in NY.
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