Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
525 W 1st Ave, Kennewick, WA, 99336
Carmine’s Italian Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Kennewick for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Kennewick for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
525 W 1st Ave
Kennewick, WA, 99336 - Phone (509) 396-7890
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Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
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JD S.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Food is simple but delicious, serving sizes are worth the price. Wine is excellent, no silly wine glasses here. Love this place. I'm not Italian but you feel like family when you're in here. It's a good feeling. If I had to complain about something... I don't know maybe the lack of selection of dishes might throw some people off. They serve only a few dishes on each day they open, check their menu BEFORE you go so you're not surprised. It's usually busy around opening time so make reservations. Lasagna is hands down the best in town.
(5)Heather W.
Love love love We love this place. It's in someone's house turned into a restaurant. They serve two dishes every night. We have had the spaghetti and lasagna. Their food is very good. We always leave stuffed and happy. It's fun for the family but can get spendy. I recommend this place for a date night. Small, romantic and delicious.
(5)Tom M.
Carmines..family atmosphere..friendly..great food..good people..Carmine came out. Nice to meet the owner. Great place pics on the wall are amazing and fun.
(5)David E.
Read my other reviews. I'm a transplanted Jersey Boy... half Sicilian on my mother's side. I love GOOD Italian food and when we were in Kennewick this last weekend, I looked for a place my wife and I could get a decent Italian meal at. We took a gamble on Carmine's, walked in on Thursday night. Carmine greeted us at the door and gave me a (playful) hard time about not having a reservation. Once he gave me a hard time about me being from Jersey, I asked him if he was a local... nope, Carmine is a Sicilian Jersey Boy as well. Based on that, I said we were going to make reservations for Saturday. THEN we sit down. The menu items consist of salad, bread, soft drinks and two different entrees each night. Thursday was Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken breast and Cheese Ravioli with meatballs and sausage. MAMA MIA! Everything tasted fresh. The salad reminded me of what my Nana would make. The bread was hot and fresh out of the oven. The entrees were authentic fresh made and HOT. Saturday, we brought friends... we shared a dish of spaghetti and meat balls and sausage and also had the baked ziti. I was speechless. I don't even make baked ziti this good. In regards to Carmine himself, he is a bonus. He is like the favorite uncle I never had. You immediately like the guy when you enter his place and love him when you leave. Very genuine and gives each customer his attention. Now, the food can come in individual orders but homestyle is the way to go. The plates are melmac (Hey, Carmine... too bad it's not Boontonware!), he served my friend a glass of wine in a jelly jar and it feels like home. Anyone who gives this place less than five stars needs to keep eating at Olive Garden, since they have no idea what real Italian food is. For me to eat at one place two out of four nights (with left overs consumed the other two days) on a trip is a staggering accomplishment. Carmine's is the bright spot for me in Kennewick and I WILL be back any time I'm in town.
(5)Ryan L.
I am from Seattle and came here based off of yelp. I had a wonderful experience as both the food and atmosphere, and service was fantastic! I got a kick out of Carmine, and love supporting this type of place. I will come here anytime I visit from Seattle now. Skip olive Garden or whatever plastic corporate restaurant you were going too, and give this place shot.
(5)Jose M.
Excellent food at an affordable price. The service is like awsome, they treat you like family the moment you walk in. We all left stuffed and with enough leftovers for lunch. Can't wait to try another dish.
(5)Niki A.
Love this place! Great food and great atmosphere! Will come just to talk to Carmine!
(5)Troy P.
Wow. How this joint is in Kennewick is amazing! Came at the end of the night and Carmine was running out of food! But he was totally cool and whipped up a couple dishes. The food is great and authentic...... Lots of pasta, meatballs and sausage! Red and white sauce. The ambiance is the best part of this place!! The photos on the wall are priceless! #OldSchool. Love it! The music is THE BEST! Lots of Dino, Nat and Frank. Even a Jimmy Durante song came on Carmine is The Man. He runs a great joint, with great food. This is the best Italian restaurant in the Tri-Cities!
(5)Michele B.
Many thanks to previous Yelpers who led us to Carmine's. There is nothing about this restaurant that my family and I didn't love. From the welcome we received upon entering, to the homey atmosphere, to the great service, and a visit to our table from Carmine- we loved it. (I will get to the food- which is off the hook- in a moment.). My husband peppered Carmine with questions about the pictures on the walls- which depict various stages in his and his family's life. When we asked what led him to open a little restaurant in Kennewick, he explained that his grandchildren are here- and upon visiting- his wife wanted to stay with the family- so Carmine worked to make it work. How awesome is that?!? And Kennewick benefits! Ok- so then there is the food. OMG- BEST meatballs and Italian sausage I have EVER had in my life. And the marinara (Carmine calls it gravy)- incredible! The food is fresh, made with impeccable ingredients and love. The menu is small- with only a couple of options each night. I am a firm believer in creating a manageable menu that is executed well. This is what is going on at Carmine's. Food done really, really, really well. We will definitely find our way back to Carmine's- even with the long trip from San Diego. Carmine- many thanks for a great dinner and experience. Do yourself a favor and go have a great dinner at Carmine's.
(5)Franki T.
We were greeted at the door by who I suspect was Carmine. He found us a table, brought us bread and a sample of tonight's special. We ordered both specials and they were both delicious. Highly recommend!
(5)Susan B.
Excellent food and great service. You will not regret this dining experience. The food is fresh and homemade. Love the ambiance.
(5)Joe C.
Just got back from best Italian I've ever had in Eastern Washington. Family-run business. Carmine is an excellent host and has a keen sense of humor (ask him for a big spoon for the spaghetti) and everyone went out of their way to make us welcome.
(5)Avery W.
Best local food I have had in the Tri-Cities! We had the ravioli and lasagna and both were very delicious. They are only open Thursday-Sunday 5:00-9:00 so I would suggest making reservations if you want a table next to the fire places. The decor is also very cute with pictures from Carmine's life filling the walls. Very highly suggest this for a great dinner! :)
(5)NellieBly W.
Fantastic place! We came on a Wednesday. The food, the service, everything was top notch! I will return here anytime I am in the area.
(5)Brian G.
After a hard two weeks of work out here we had our last meal in the area at Carmine's and it was well worth the wait. The atmosphere was truly Italian there was memorabilia throughout the front room. Tonight was lasagna. They came out with fresh bread and a large salad all delicious! The three of us ordered a large lasagna it was more than enough for us to eat. Probably one of the best lasagnas I have ever eaten! Finished up with the Italian ice cream which had pistachio chocolate and raspberry ice cream in it. We got to have good conversation with Carmine who we found out was from Orange New Jersey and we are from New Jersey our waiter was his godson Who was excellent! My son said that the chianti wine was superb! If we ever get back into this area I will definitely come back!!!
(5)Jeremy Y.
I had dinner here this evening with a couple of friends - the restaurant is in a residential neighborhood and I actually drove right past it the first time. There are about a dozen tables - and the atmosphere is cozy and the walls are decorated with pictures and memorabilia. It's not the random stuff you find in a typical restaurant - it's the life of the proprietor on the walls. Carmine's serves a regular rotating menu - tonight was spaghetti and a chef's choice of fettucini in a cream and tomato sauce. Other nights feature lasagna, baked ziti, etc. All of the food is served family style. The bread is served warm with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and the garden salad was good. Portion sizes are large, tasty, and service was spot on. Carmine has led a fascinating life and he's willing to share it. He's got tons of stories - backed up by the photos and news clippings on the walls. It was a great dining experience and felt like being brought into his home. Highly recommended.
(5)Jen L.
What a wonderful experience and delicious dinner! Mr. Carmine himself greeted us and spent some time chatting with our table. He was a joy! We ordered two small courses and a bottle of Sicilian red wine. Everything was delicious, especially the meatballs! Great experience, great food, I truly felt like I was part of the Carmine family!
(5)Jeremy F.
This is a must for anybody who lives in the Tri-Cities or are even just visiting. The restaurant is ran by an Italian family whose family story is displayed in news stories and pictures along the walls. Carmine's just an amazing job of making you feel as though you are a guest in an Italian home in the old country. The feature I appreciated most was the menu. Being open only from Thursday to Sunday, each day offers only one or two menus options. I had the spaghetti on Friday and it alone made me feel the need to write this review. Between the free bread and salad before the meal, to the entrée and the amazing service and feel, Carmine's earns my 5 out of 5 as a must experience restaurant in the tri-cities.
(5)Diane K.
Awesome. I'm an authentic Italian from NYC. The only better food I've had my Nana or Mama cooked. Yummy.
(5)Emma P.
SO GOOD. I love this place. First time here, and I can already say that I'll come back as often as I can. The atmosphere is really homey. It's comfortable without being "dive-y" (what with the walls being covered in interesting photos), the staff are really friendly, and they play great music. I'm one who firmly believes that most, if not all, food establishments should be playing jazz and vocal music, and Carmine's didn't fail me. Frank Sinatra makes my heart happy. Besides that, the food is pretty dang good. There's endless bread and salad, both of which are really tasty. The bread is nice and warm, and the salad is light, with a tasty Italian dressing. I had a strawberry Italian soda, to drink, and it was definitely the best one I've ever had. Today's (Thursday) entree choices were Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken or a Cheese Ravioli in a red sauce with a meat platter, which had sausage and meatballs. I ordered the former, my parents the latter. Both were good. I think they could've used a tad more salt on the Alfredo, but it's better (in my opinion) to be under-salted rather than over-salted. Under-salted can be fixed. For dessert, Dad ordered us a chocolate cake with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. I can't remember the exact name (I most definitely do not speak Italian), but it was super good and I highly recommend it. Overall, I'd say that the biggest drawback was the price. It cost a pretty penny for our meals, but they were really good, so it was worth it.
(4)Patrick B.
I am both happy and sad to be writing this review. Happy that this was a great meal with wonderful service from Carmine himself. They are welcoming and friendly. I suggest making a reservation. I got there early, but saw a lot of tables had "reserved" signs on them. The salad was plentiful and tasty and I struggled to stop eating the warm bread. On Friday, it is spaghetti with red sauce or a red/white blend with your choice of meat. I had the blend sauce with meatballs and sausage.. It was hot, fresh and amazing. I am sad because I live in Tennessee and do not see being able to come back to this area any time soon. They have a limited menu but it shouldn't matter. You will love whatever comes to your table.
(5)Cheryl L.
We saw the other reviews for this unique Italian restaurant and decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed! We also we're met at the door by Carmine. The salad and bread is wonderful. We had spaghetti and the penne with vodka sauce. The meat balls and sausage are delicious. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant. It was just like sitting around our own kitchen table. Thanks for the great experience!
(5)Olivia S.
We had the pleasure of dining at Carmines tonight. We were traveling in our RV and looked up the various restaurants in the area and saw the 4.5 rating and decided to give it a try. Don't be dissuaded by the drive inland, nor the lackluster downtown. You will see a charming little grey house and be greeted by the one and only Carmine. His friendly and warm nature will immediately make you feel at home. Be prepared for great service, lovely wine ( i recommend the Sicilian wine :) ) and homemade fare. Thank you to the Carmine family for the perfect ending to our long travel day. Ciao till next time.
(5)George M.
Great Restaurant, must try! Great staff and food. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Pui L.
I really enjoy this place. They have superb service and the food is so good! I love local business with good service and food. This is one of those gems. The people are extremely friendly and attentive. We came here tonight and I took my brother that came to visit from Seattle. Him and my boyfriend shared the chicken Alfredo and I had the cheese ravioli with meatballs and sausage. The Alfredo sauce is creamy and the chicken is very tender. My ravioli was delicious. The meatballs were really well done - good flavor The sausage had a little kick to them but really good. We had dessert which I forgot to take pictures of. My boyfriend had the ice box cake and I had the bread pudding. Yum! I just figured out you can order take out! Whaaaa?! My boyfriend and I are definitely taking advantage of that in the future!
(5)Debra M.
Stopped here this summer and Carmine himself greeted us. Food and ambiance was fantastic. We loved the lasagna and ravioli. My husband couldn't stop eating the bread. We're from the east coast originally and live in Montana so we don't get a lot of authentic Italian food like we grew up with, that is until we went to Carmine's. Next time we're passing through, we'll be back. Also, thank you for the tour Carmine!
(5)Jimmy R.
Best local restaurant in Tri Cities! Excellent service, amazing food, and an atmosphere unlike any other place in Tri Cities. Will be returning shortly!
(5)Margaret W.
Excellent atmosphere and food. Served family style. You won't leave feeling hungry. We live 30 miles away. Our friend read about this place and we decided to try it. We didn't have reservations but it might be a good idea in the future. We were treated very well by the staff. The food was delicious and we could have had seconds. The cost is about $15 per person.
(5)Doug N.
Great dinner in a wonderful setting.
(4)Danielle D.
Craving Italian and the regular places were booked so we found Carmine's on Yelp. Glad we did! Not your typical restaurant when it comes to menu selection but the atmosphere was fun and the food was wonderful! I don't know what it was about the homemade recipe but I want to crack that recipe. Carmine is hoot! We'll definitely be going back. :)
(4)E M.
Superb family restaurant with Italian charm, excellent salad and sausages in sauce. Great conversation with Carmine, the owner. Thank you for accommodating our special requests.
(5)Christine B.
Great food and great experience. A true Italian restaurant. The sausage is absolutely amazing. I love the icebox dessert. Yummmm! Really fun place to go. Support local business. Beats Olive Garden 100%.
(5)Ashley S.
This place has excellent food! They always have a couple of entrées every night. Make sure to call in for a reservation, because it gets pretty busy during dinner time. They have a private parking lot. Recommended!
(5)Shawn W.
My wife and I came over from Western Washington to visit our daughter in Richland, and decided we would love a good Italian dinner. We are so glad that we chose Carmine's, which we did based on reviews - fantastic experience. Great ravioli, beautifully stuffed with Ricotta. The meatballs and sausage were nicely seasoned, and Carmine and his staff were so friendly and genuine. This is not a fancy, $100 per plate kind of place - more like going to your favorite Italian grandparents' house for dinner - if your grandparents could really cook!
(5)Amy W.
Love this family owned and ran Italian Restaurant! It's like eating in their personal home! The food is fantastic and the service was great! We took our son there for his 13th Birthday and the picky eater ate EVERYTHING...from the Salad to the Pasta with Meatballs, and Italian Sausage...to the fabulous Ice Box Cake! Thanks for a great night! We will be back!
(5)Jefferson S.
Loved it. Been living and traveling every where but Kennewick ... Loved this place. Simple from the outside and wonderful people on the inside. Both the staff and customers were great. Wonderful food and a pleasant home style of eating. Loved the decorations. Good Job !!! We will be back.
(5)Ryan M.
This place is great. We found it on Yelp as we were passing through town. Out of towners, stop for dinner here! It's just like eating at home, only WAY more delicious! The meatballs were amazing, the lasagna was out if this world. It's friendly, homey and worth a visit.
(5)Mindy S.
Went for a Birthday party recently and I am so impressed with the quality of food! I love that the family is all part of the dinner process and I felt truly cared for! YUM!!!
(4)Jerry W.
Our hotel recommended Carmines and I'm SO glad they did! WOW, I wish there was one in Spokane. The bread came and was the best we'd ever had and we've eaten a lot of places in our 65 years, including Italy. Then the pasta came and it was homemade and fabulous, but the sauce took the cake. The owner, a sweet older gentlemen, told me it was a 100-year-old recipe that he cooks for 8 hours. Be sure to make reservations or you may not get it. BUT, GO! And you will end up being a regular, even if it means driving over from Spokane!
(5)Michael R.
Dining at Carmine's is like being invited over to an Italian family's house for dinner. Carmine greeted us, helped us with our selections, made us feel at home and checked on us to make sure our dinner was going well. We were served family style so it was easy to share the offerings. They only have two items on the menu a night, and whereas it was Sunday we had Cheese Ravioli, Lasagna as well as warm bread, salad, meatballs and sausages. It was delicious and plentiful.. A great dining experience.
(5)Deawn H.
Ate there last night this place was terrific. It's mom and papa style, think Italian Sunday dinner. It is terrific from the tea towels for napkins, years of family history on the walks, great conversation with Carmine to the red wine served in a Jelly jar and all that is before mentioning the food !!!!! The menu has no choices (just like Sunday dinner at grandmas) but you don't need them when everything is terrific and well priced. Though they will accommodate a vegetarian. A must go to for the experience alone plus the food. One note Carmine likes to tell amazing stores from his youth as a light weight prize fighter to his years as a Vegas dealer all very interesting but it can make it hard to get out the door .
(5)Stefanie B.
Mmm. Went there once for a wedding reception and it was very good! Plus I love the inside, feels like home.
(5)Don J.
I've been all over the United states, west coast to the east coast. Finding italian food like my granmother makes is a tough task. I just moved here from New Jersey and needed some home cooked italian food, so I decided to try Carmines. I walked in and was greeted by Carmine himself, which was a great start, but after that it was down hill. I'll just fast forward to what matters, the food! The menu was spaghetti with gravy, sausage and meetballs. The sausage tasted nothing like home or any other good italian rest I've eaten at, very bad, and the meetball tasted like it had been frozen for a year. The gravy had no flavor and tasted like an old crushed tomato with salt. I think Carmines from the east coast, but his food doesn't taste anything like the east coast food I've had. Maybe they had a bad night. I will try it again, Because I believe in second chances. Maybe there vodka sauce is better!
(1)Sam B.
Best Italian place in town! Never leave disappointed with food however it is a little spendy.
(5)Mark S.
I was tricked by all the rave reviews on here. The baked ziti we had last night was very disappointing. The pasta was over cooked and worse yet, the sauce was lacking in flavor. The meatballs and the Italian sausage were good. We'd expected a bustling business on a Saturday evening when we arrived at 7:30 but the restaurant only had 3 tables (a five top, a 6 top and a 10 top) filled. I wish I'd noticed that several of the 5-star reviewers only had created only one review which makes the genuineness of those reviews very suspect. The waitresses were good but the older woman who seated us was rather matter of fact - not the overwhelming warm reception other reviewers have described. There was only one uni-sex restroom which simply isn't enough. In a word, disappointing.
(2)Fidel P.
No fus Italian food. They tell you what they are serving and is great! Carmine is a great host as well as all of his family. I would recommend.
(5)Thalia C.
We absolutely love this place. The atmosphere is so quaint and homey. It's inside a cute house, decorated with vintage pictures. We've been on nights when they've had spaghetti, baked zit-ti, and penne. Every single time was phenomenal. It's authentic and even Carmine walks around and greets guests. The bread and salad were fresh and they keep bringing you more. We also had some Italian sodas that were very good as well. The meatballs and sausage that comes with each meal is so tasty as well. Anytime we want Italian we go to this place. If you want regular Italian food, you can go to Olive Garden, but if you want great food with an experience, you have to go to Carmines.
(5)Walt C.
We had dinner at Carmine's on a Thursday evening during a trip to the Washington wine country. There were two choices on the family-style menu. We went for the cheese ravioli and meatballs. It came with unlimited salad and bread, and the price was super-reasonable. Everything was excellent. I'm an Italian-American, born in Brooklyn, NY, and dinner was exactly what my Calabrian taste buds were looking for. Loved looking at the old family pictures on the walls; in fact, I'm going to send Carmine a picture of my grandmother's family.
(5)Shibu T.
Carmine's is an excellent restaurant that really surprised me. I flew in to the tri-cities on Sunday night and got a recommendation from a nice family on the plane ride over. They even called ahead to Carmine's on my behalf, to let them know that I was on my way. As soon as I arrived, I felt like one of the family. Carmine was there with his wife and entertaining family and customers. This place really feels like you're eating at home. It's a family-style dining restaurant. But they even accommodate a single customer with a single portion of food. Every night is a different dish and that's basically your choice when you arrive. Sunday is lasagna day, and that's what I had. It was so good! It wasn't a slice of lasagna. It was an individually baked glass tray of lasagna. It comes with a side of a few links of italian sausage and a few meatballs as well. Wow! The meal includes a nice salad, and bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dipping. Their desserts look amazing. I had an eclair. The food and service are so good! And they really set themselves apart from typical restaurants this way. I felt like I was a part of the family from the beginning. Carmine and his family were talking about movies and other things and I say at the next table over, and included me on the conversations! He and his wife even came over toward the end of my meal and I chatted with them for about 20 minutes. They said they won't ever get bigger or maybe more commercial. The charm of this restaurant is that it has such a truly homey feel. It's not some national chain restaurant. After a long journey from VA, and being that far from my family, eating at Carmine's was exactly what I needed to start the trip right! I will definitely be coming back to Carmine's!
(5)Emily A.
Carmine's has excellent food. It was some of the best Italian food we've ever had! We live in portland, OR and were passing through Kennewick on our way home from a road trip. We are so glad we found Carmine's. The food is served family style with all you want bread and salad. Carmine was there and was so nice and hospitable. We had the lasagna and cheese ravioli with a platter of meatballs and Italian sausage. The serving sizes are very large and the food was so delicious. We will definitely be back to eat there even though its a 3.5 hour drive for us. The food is that good!
(5)Ronald A.
I was lucky enough to stop in here for dinner last Thursday; I was in town for a conference and five of us came over for dinner. This is a true experience. It is located in a house on what feels like a residential street. The place if full of pictures, mostly of family. We were there for dinner and it is served family style. This feels just right given how it is decorated. This is not a place for a gourmet; this is a place to come, talk and enjoy good comfort food. We ordered a small order of the cheese ravioli; it comes with meatballs and sausage. We also ordered extra meat; we also ordered a small fettucini alfredo. We did not finish all of the dishes. The salad came in a salad bowl we all shared. So did the two pasta dishes. We passed them around and it felt like we were in someone's home. It was very relaxed and comfortable. After a long day of being "on", it was just right. It was just the right way to end a very long day.
(4)Sheri M.
We will be back!!! This is our 1st visit to Carmine's and I must say, what a wonderful experience. The owner actually deserves more than a 5 star! So accommodating. We showed up at a very busy dinner hour w/out reservations, but he still made room for us and even escorted us to our table, and kept checking on us. The food was fabulous! We were here on a Friday night for the penne w/meat tray. Penne slightly spicy, but the family loved it. Meatballs were so tender and I loved the salad. Walking away Very happy......
(5)Josh H.
Old school New York Italian - this ain't a trattoria, so don't go looking for that. As the ratings on help here can attest, this place is POPULAR. We arrived about 15 minutes after opening on a Saturday and were the only customers in the place. When we left roughly an hour later, the lot and street were both full. Flavorful sauce, meatballs, sausage, well cooked pasta. The salad was a bit overdressed for my liking, but I think it is pretty traditional!
(4)Kirk M.
Great family style restaurant. Appropriate for family dinner or romantic date, which is very hard for any restaurant to pull off. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, the warm reception and attentiveness of Carmine and his staff, and that we found a real gem of a place we can look forward to going back to.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I loved the family style dinner! My husband's family coming from Calabria which is a hop skip and jump where Carmine came from, the food is just what he grew up on, he loved it as did I. Also it was enjoyable meeting Carmine, we so enjoyed his stories. Made me miss all my favorite Italian in-laws who have since passed
(5)J D.
This is a fantastic place to eat. The food is extraordinary! The salad was so delicious and the Ravioli was great--the meatballs were definitely my favorite. But, the best was the ambiance! You know how you can find a great place to eat, the food is great, but the seating and the room is not so great--? This place has it all, the seating arrangements are in a lovely home with sections and a private feel to each table. But, let's not forget Carmine himself--wow, what a caring and wonderful person to share the evening with! This was my first time visiting, I live in VA and make a few business trips to WA and finally found the time to stop in. I plan on visiting Carmine's as many times as my schedule allows. Thanks for the evening and for finding the time to take a picture with me at the front of the restaurant! See you soon Carmine!
(5)Jenny H.
I hate to do this because the owner was SO nice and friendly, and his daughter was a fabulous waitress, totally attentive, nice and anticipating what I would need, but the food was very disappointing. I came here on a Wednesday night for their fettucine alfredo special which I was really excited about. They have only one pasta per night, no menu, and it comes with bread and salad in the beginning. The bread was just OK in the beginning, and the salad was also pretty standard with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olives in a Italian dressing. The fettucine alfredo I was most disappointed with. While they give you generous portions of everything, the pasta was not flavorful, it tasted like instant fettucine alfredo I made out of a box one time. The sauce was not flavorful at all, and it was doused with some dried herbs before it was served. Service and ambience were great, but food was subpar.
(2)Tracy G.
This establishment is very delicious fixed menu and very quaint atmosphere excellent for a date night! Very friendly and Carmine makes it a point to introduce himself and make you feel welcome! And the food was excellent to boot!
(5)Corey G.
With so many glowing reviews of this joint, I feel ashamed that it's taken me so long to finally make it to Carmines! So, I went here on a date, and as a good little boy, I called ahead and made a reservation. Our table was waiting for us when we got there. Our table was a little odd. It was just a bit too big. I think it was meant for more people; for some reason, it felt like we were on stage on this table. But that was ok, we gave a good performance thanks to Carmine's EXCELLENT food! For a beverage I went with an Italian beer (their dark one was out, so I went with their light one). They brought out some foil-wrapped bread in a basket as well as a dish with oil/vinegar in it---this was YUMMY. Their bread was warm and tasty. The meal for the evening was cheese ravioli, sausage, and meatballs. Holy smokes! This was some good food. The sauce was great, the ravioli was off the chain, the meat was funky fresh. Man, I was lovin it. Now, I probably looked like a slob when I used the bread to soak up all the left over sauce on the plate, but I didn't care. An overall 4.5 Star experience on my first visit, but I have to round up for a locally run biz like this! For the record, things didn't work out with the date, but I can't wait to give Carmine's another try---even if I'm solo!! ('cuz then I can act like a slob all by my lonesome!)
(5)Dene' M.
Went to Carmine's on a whim on our way from eastern Oregon to Seattle. After entering this quaint establishment, we immediately knew we made an excellent choice. Carmine greeted us right away and instantly made us feel at home. The walls contain many family pictures that really add to the overall charm and ambiance. The evening started out with some warm bread and salad. Followed by mouth watering pasta, meatballs and sausage, all were phenomenal. I swear the Italian accents didn't have anything to do with my review on that. If you're looking for an overall authentic quality dining experience oozing with atmosphere, GO! My only complaint is it's not in Seattle. I will definitely be spreading the word and will start looking for excuses to head back to Kennewick soon.
(5)Candace C.
The food was dry. The portions were small. We had the baked ziti and meatballs. The bread and the salad were good, but not worth the price.
(1)Brie S.
My husband, daughter and I stopped here on our way through town. Good food although pretty simplistic. Was disappointed that they don't make the pasta in-house. Seems like this used to be stellar but is now lacking. Service was SUPER slow... and only one other occupied table in the place (at 7PM on a Saturday night).
(3)Alina M.
34 dollars for lasagna one mini sasauge, two meatballs, salad, and a pop. Food was as good as I could make at home. Not worh the money! Go to costco and you will get the same results for a fraction of the price. If I'm walking out paying 68 for two people I expect better food and maybe enough food for some left overs. Should have gone to Anthony's!
(2)Eileen W.
Been there twice: lasagna and something unmemorable. American-Italian ala TC...meh...mediocre. Tried to rush us out of the restaurant, so they could clean the tables. That didn't feel right.
(2)Shane D.
Have been to Carmine's about four times now, and every time has been special. I spent three years in Philadelphia in the Navy and had meals at some of my shipmate's homes who were from that area. Carmine's is like being in one of these homes. I have seen some bad reviews and can only say to those people they must have come on a bad night. The sausage and meatballs that come with every family style meal are outstanding. My wife hates meatballs but loves those served at Carmine's. The "gravy" (sauce) that is served with each night's "macaroni" (pasta) is outstanding, and you'll want extra bread just to wipe it all up. And speaking of the bread, also outstanding. And the salad too. All this great food and atmosphere for a great price. Can't wait to go again...and again
(5)George C.
This place is great! If you live in the Tri-Cities, you are lucky to have Carmine's! Carmine introduced himself at the door and then sat my wife and I. Italian hospitality at it's best! The menu changes each night and I was there on a Sunday when they serve lasagna. We ordered the small size for 2 and it was more than enough for my wife and I. The lasagna was awesome but my favorite was the meatballs and sausage that was served as a side plate. You can tell the meatballs and sausage were cooked slowly in the sauce just like my grandmother used to make. The sauce was very flavorful and perfect for dipping bread in. This is the most authentic Italian food in eastern Washington. The service was great too! They really made us feel at home. The dining area is set up in a covered porch/living room setting so it feels like you are sitting in Carmine's house. The walls are covered with old black and white photos of Carmine's family. You will also find some old pictures of famous people too. Every picture has a story at Carmine's! I was also excited to see Ice Box Cake on the dessert menu! That alone is worth 5 stars! Carmine's is small so you should make a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night. Eat at Carmine's...you will love it!
(5)Scott H.
I've had GREAT Italian for 43 years, since I met my wife. This is NOT good Italian food. The host is very nice, but not the food. Go somewhere else for real Italian.
(1)Charlie G.
FINALLY!! We have a totally legit New York Italian restaurant and not just a run of the mill Italian..this is exceptionally good even measured by NE standards. If you chose,bring your own vino..they have a very fair corkage fee but the house wines are also great. My only complaint is they are so popular the owners needed to go to 4 days a week. Try a lunch 11am-1pm..I love the Sausage and Peppers Sub but also the Meatball. As good as it gets..
(5)Abner S.
I liked this place. I enjoyed a great dinner with my wife and I will come again. Joyce and Carmine are good people who make the stay welcoming and warm. I must say I am a big fan of the salad and the pasta! Though the gravy is the best! Yes the GRAVY! :-) If you want to know more about Carmine and the history you can visit the podcast called, The Entrepreneurial Life
(5)Mia S.
I'm smitten. Feels like home, tastes like home. We went on Lasagna night and it was so yummy! Huge portions! Wonderful staff. The sign when you walk in says "Come as guests, leave as friends" holds true. It may be a 40 minute drive for us, but every mile is worth it! We'll be back often.
(5)Tripp K.
This is my new favorite restaurant in the Tri-Cities area. We took our rowdy group of 2 adults and 6 kids after visiting the travelling circus and they ate and ate, but the food never ran out. We went on a Sunday night, which is Lasagna night, and it was FABULOUS!! Our kids even ate seconds and thirds of the salad. And the bread never ended, another definite PLUS in our families book. We got the Extra Large, plus the additional meat platter, which took care of everyone at the table, plus lunch the next day. I am looking forward to going back again soon, except without my kids, to enjoy a more charming night with just my wife.
(5)Rick L.
The "Large" shrimp scampi was $70. Our other option that night was Spaghetti (they have select nights where you can choose from two options - visit their website for more info). They say it's enough to feed 4 people. Well, it was enough to feed three of us for dinner, TWO DAYS IN A ROW. The small would have been plenty though they say it serves two. We went home with leftovers. The dinner includes the entree of the evening, bread, butter, and pre-dressed salad. The salad was nice as the pieces weren't so huge you had to cut them before eating them like at some places. Here, they were chopped up and it was tasty. The bread looked like a sliced hot dog bun in tin foil. It tasted slightly better. The shrimp and pasta was ok; oily, seasoned and cooked with bits of vegetables. The atmosphere on the Friday we came in was lively and loud. I suggest making reservations and parking is limited in the small private lot, so street parking may be your only option. The food was ok, I didn't feel it was the best Italian food or what I would call exquisite. I think more than anything you're paying for the experience. Engage Carmine in chatter and he might talk your ear off! We did feel the waitstaff (the family) are all attentive and hard-working. Though I gave it three starts this time, I'll be back another night to try out some of their other menu's and some wine.
(3)Gary R.
Try this place! Short hours & limited menu ... and an excellent value. I visited on a Thursday evening; the two choices were ravioli and fettucine with an alfredo sauce. The ravioli came with a robust marinara, meatballs (deliciou) and sausage (only okay) and a nice house salad and bread. I will try Carmine's a few more times over the next couple of weeks while I'm working in the area.
(4)Food C.
Had dinner here on a Sunday night and again it was great. Sunday night is cheese ravioli and lasagna night. The salad and bread again are excellent. For the lasagna you are suppose to call a head and request it since it takes about 40-60 minutes to bake, but we didn't. They still allowed us to order it and we didn't mind the wait. We ordered a small cheese ravioli and lasagna for 3 of us which was more than enough food, and ended up taking home about half the lasagna. Both were excellent, but I think most of us preferred the cheese ravioli over the lasagna, and thought the lasagna would have been better had it been loaded more with lasagna noodles. As for the sausage and meatballs, they were again great. Suggest if you eat here and there are 2-3 of you, if you only want one dish, only order the small lasagna or the large cheese ravioli. We also had the cheese cake with mixed berries on top, which as delicious. Service was great, a bit slow but we were not in any hurry.
(4)Lisa L.
Truly a great place to eat for any occasion!!!
(5)Becky-Scott G.
Husband, son & I stopped here because of previous reviews. Stopped in for dinner on ravioli night. I was a bit worried since my son & I are picky eaters. I knew I would be okay but he is pickier than me so I was shocked when he asked if we could order some extra meatballs to go. The service was the best we've had in a long time. We mentioned we were going to a show @ 7, so Carmine himself showed us to our table and requested our order be rushed. Service: A++ Food: A++
(5)Kimberly S.
I LOVE this place. The staff and surroundings make it feel like you are right at home. The Rigatoni was amazing. My husband and I split a small portion and had left overs to take home to our kids. The sausage and meatballs that came with the dinner were so moist and tender. The bread was nice and warm. We tried the Amaretto bread pudding and that to me was delicious. Make reservations and grab a seat this place is reserved very quickly. Or you can call in for take out. They also just opened up a mini Carmine's in the Kennewick Cancer Center. The daughter runs this one and serves smaller portions than the resturant. I am anxious to try it out.
(5)Brian G.
The schtick: Family style Italian food in an older historic house in almost downtown Kennewick. No menu, because they only serve one item, which changes each night they're open. I went on a Sunday -- lasagna night. They also had a meat-free version. The small is listed as being able to serve two people, but I think it could easily serve 3 or 4 unless you like MONSTER portions. The add-on of a "meat plate" comes with meatballs and Italian sausage for the real meat lover. The real charm of this place comes not entirely from the food, but instead from the atmosphere. It really is an older house that has been cleared out of all furniture and filled with old wooden antique-style dining room tables. On this visit we were in the living room, but the front porch (enclosed) and actual dining room are also choices. Most of the dishes don't match; the wine is served in mason jars; kitchen hand towels take the place of napkins and the walls are adorned with family photos. It's like visiting a family member for dinner, and I liked that immensely. Our server, Gus, was stellar. It wasn't as busy as I've gathered it often is and that allowed a much more personal experience. I'd say a solid 4.5 stars for the experience but I'm going to round down one star though for not having Tiramisu! Sad sad day!
(4)Marcelle R.
We went with some family and friends. Place was clean and cute. I was not impressed with the food we had three different dishes that were offered that night. I found the red sauces to be acidic and tomato paste flavor. The white sauce plain with no flavor. With the sauce the shrimp was over cooked same with the noodles.
(1)Jeff F.
Excellent! Simply excellent describes both the service and the food. Home-made pasta noodles, sauce, meatballs, sausage, etc. I felt as if I was eating at an Italian grandparent's home! Carmine himself greeted us when we got there and he was able to accommodate our party of six even though we didn't have a reservation on Friday night. The food is served family style, and will cost you more than a chain restaurant, but we felt it was worth it. We look forward to going back the next time we visit the Tri-Cities!
(5)Brandy S.
Service and hospitality are only second to the food! I've been several times and the Ziti and meatballs are my favorite!
(5)Carl S.
Wonderful, quaint restaurant! Carmine and the whole staff were very friendly. The food was amazing! Warm bread with oil and vinegar, salad with just the right amount of dressing, and spaghetti with meatballs and slightly spicy sausage, yum! We'll definitely be back and this time with the whole family!
(5)Mike S.
I've been here many times. Never been disappointed. They have changed the menu to have 2 options every night (instead of just 1). Tonight we had the Cheese Ravioli with the meat platter and Bread Pudding for dessert.
(5)Joey T.
In our culture, we have to make hundreds of small decisions every single day and sometimes it can all be completely overwhelming. Paper or plastic? Which of these 42 types of toothpaste should I buy? Some nights, it's a struggle just to figure out what type of cuisine you're in the mood for. Asian? Mexican? Greek? Italian? And then once you decide, how do you narrow down on what specific dish to order? Gaaaaa, decisions, decisions! With so many decisions, it's easy to get anxious about whether you made the "right" decision and then to be dissatisfied with that decision because something else might have been "better". Sometimes I get Analysis Paralysis just thinking about it. Well, Carmine's solves that for you. There's not really a menu, per se. It's more of a schedule. It's like going to your mama's house. Just show up and you'll get some of whatever's cooking tonight in this friendly, comfortable, homey atmosphere. Sunday is lasagne night. That's actually the only night I've ever been there. I have no idea what's for dinner any other night. But I'm sure it's YUMMY. Some people have a really hard time with the whole idea of not having a menu and not being able to order whatever they want, whenever they want. I call those people control freaks. So control freaks, calm down! Stop worrying. Just enjoy the fact that whatever you're eating is yummy and you didn't have to cook it yourself.
(4)Dean D.
Loved it!!! I didn't have high expectations as I'm what you would consider a foodie, traveling around the world for business and sampling the finest cooking local area's have to offer. When I walked into the front door, it was like I'd stepped into my best friends home in Sisile for dinner where he had spent the last two days preparing a meal just for my family and I. We were warmly greeted by Carmine and his staff/family. I had explained we were on a tight schedule and questioned if they could get us in and out quickly. No surprise, they did. The service was out of this world, attentive and friendly. We'll make sure next time to allocate more time for our visit. This is a family style restaurant, where they serve one specific dish a night. Spaghetti with meatballs and sausage were on the menu when we visited. The sauce was to die for, the meatballs and sausages were flavored and cooked to perfection, while the portions gave everyone plenty to eat with little room for desert. I wish we would have had time to enjoy desert as I imagined it was as good as the main course. What a great experience to have found such authentic and fantastic Italian food in the tri-city area. You've won us over and assure you we'll see you every time we come back to the tri-city area. My recommendation would be hit it early and plan to enjoy a wonderful meal. Your friends from Bainbridge Island
(5)Scott P.
DON"T GO!!!!! Cause I want this place all to myself! vino + meat + pasta + gravy = crazy delicious! My backpack had this to say "Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. Delicioso!" So do yourself a favor and don't go, or you will forever be tarnished. Your world will not look the same. Your friends will hate hearing about how great Carmine's is. You will become an unofficial spokesperson telling the world about the great food. Please I beg of you stay away from Carmine's! PS I LOVE YOU CARMINE'S
(5)Sid T.
Loved the atmosphere, home cooked Italian, good prices, we will be back!
(4)Dreamer D.
Oh my gosh.. This little place is fabulous!! Totally authentic, fresh, home cooked food. Portions are generous. It just doesn't get any better than this. Not only is the food incredible but the service is prompt, friendly, informed. It doesn't end there. When you step inside, its like stepping back in time, the family pictures on the wall tell the family stories, the decor has a grandmas dinning room feel. Tables and chairs are all wood and a mix match style. I have no doubt you will love this place. Everyone I have sent there does. I recommend calling ahead and making a reservation. People are finding out about it and it fills up fast. I just wish they would bring back the meatball soup, it was wonderful and my favorite! So, if your reading this Carmine....how 'bout it?? :)
(5)Frank P.
Carmine's is an interesting and unique place, especially in the Tri-Cities. The Italian food is served family style (meaning a big portion of the dish put in the middle of your table) and only one dish is available per night. This place is an all around great experience and on the short list of best restaurants in the Tri-Cities. My family came on Saturday, which is rigatoni in tomato sauce night. There were three of us and we ordered the 45 dollar large meal. There was more than enough food for this reasonable price. We brought enough home to feed another person and we were all stuffed. The meal comes with bread, salad, pasta, meatballs and sausage. Dessert is extra. The bread was good, but was not crusty at all. It was a softer style of bread, but still had a good flavor. It was served with olive oil and balsamic. The salad was very fresh and was very generous portion. It came dressed, and they put the right amount of their vinaigrette dressing on the vegetables. The pasta was the star of the show, as I had hoped. The sauce was a medium consistency and very rich. The rigatoni was perfectly al dente. You can't ask much more than that. It was served with a plate of sausage and meatballs. The meatballs were delicate and full of flavor, the sausage was pretty average, lacking boldness I usually associate with Italian sausages. The sausage did not stand up well to the meatballs or the sauce. The wine list was short, but OK. I was surprised to find out they chose to use local wines rather than Italian wines. Although Columbia Valley wines can stand up to any in the world, I would have preferred a glass of chianti with my tomato sauce. They did have some of the better local wines, however, including Barnard Griffin, one of my favorites. To round out the experience, the staff was very interesting and very Italian. Our waiter had an accent (always a plus in my book) and Carmine, the owner, was shuffling around the whole time, making conversation. He's sort of grumpy, but a nice guy just the same. The service was good overall. A unique experience that I hope to repeat whenever I come back to the TC.
(4)Lee G.
Went there for the first time for my 12 year anniversary. Great food, wonderful place to be. Pictures adorn the walls, and the owners history is on the back of the menu.
(5)sandrine C.
Carmine is like going to an old Italian family and eating in their living room! They serve family style too, which adds to the feeling that you've been invited to a family affair. We took a friend there on Wednesday - which is Fettucine Alfredo with chicken, which was great but what was really out of this world was the Stuffed Eggplant!!! OMG - my husband who is not fond of eggplant REALLY enjoyed it. The wines are very affordable, i couldn't tell you about the desserts, i'm always too stuffed to try them.... It's an awesome experience but MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!!!!
(4)Dannette G.
I wanted to feel the love. The reviews are all wonderful. We took family along, hoping for a special meal. Maybe it was a bad night. Carmine wasn't talking to anyone at all, and looked glum. There was a bit of conflict between family members that was a tad uncomfortable to overhear. Service was not good. I had to prompt our waitress about other options (didn't offer wine, then didn't have the wine we wanted at 6:30 at night). Didn't serve other drinks until reminded. Didn't ask if things were okay, if we needed anything. Didn't ask if we wanted dessert and, after being prompted, didn't have the dessert we wanted, or a couple of others, though they were on that evening's menu and we had an early reservation. Food was blah. Salad was soggy and tasted exactly like Olive Garden, only not as crisp. Bread wasn't anything special. No one offered us oil and vinegar until bread was all but gone (we held off eating it). My adult daughter pretty much summed up the pasta and meat, although she meant it as a compliment "Tastes just like Chef Boyardee," and she was right. Not that I'm going to run out and buy any Beefaroni to duplicate the experience any time soon. Despite a prolonged wait, didn't come back to collect the bill. Luckily we left cash, and eventually worked it out so we didn't need change just so we could leave, but it affected her tip. I'm really very sad to say that I don't think we'll be back, because I was so excited about finding our new favorite Italian restaurant in the Tri-Cities. I guess this means more room for the rest of you! I hope you have the more common Carmine's experience found on other reviews.
(2)April P.
We visited Carmine's after passing by so many times and saying "we should try that place". We went on Cheese Ravioli night and we are hooked. The food was very tasty; you could tell it was made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Carmine starts cooking the daily gravy (you know it's authentic Italian food when the pasta sauce is called "gravy") at 7:30 a.m. - which he told us while chatting us up at our table. The food was fantastic, the service was great, and the atmosphere is very, very comfortable.
(5)Suzanna F.
My friends and I were in town for the Tri-City Water Follies and after meal after meal of fast food (we worked the entire time!), we decide we wanted to sit down for once and actually enjoy a meal. We perused Yelp for awhile and came across Carmine's, which had very good reviews! So off we went... Carmine's was wonderful! The service was AMAZING. I am a fan of when owners come around to their guests and get to know them a bit. Carmine certainly did! Our waiter was friendly as well and even let us keep the olive oil/balsamic vinegar on our table (we're addicted!). Carmine's is one of those places where you almost feel like you're sitting around your own dining room table (it is actually a converted house, so this helps!). My friends and I absolutely loved that aspect of the restaurant. As for the food... they do things a little different here and we loved it. Instead of offering personalized dishes, they serve everything family style and they have one main pasta dish and meat plate that is served to all. A delicious salad and warm bread compliments the entrees as well. So, if you happen to be in the Tri-City area and are craving Italian... Carmine's is the place to go! Here, you feel like family.
(4)Josh T.
Great food and service!! The family is very friendly, and the spaghetti was some of the best I've had in years!! Two thumbs up :D
(5)Ben M.
This place is a gem. Old school Italian in a family style environment. Carmines is an old house converted into a restaurant. Mind you, this is not a quick in-and-out restaurant. They appear much more focused on quality and environment, than speedy service. So if your looking for something quick, this is not the place. Everyday of the week, they have one item (I hit Sunday, Lasagna Day). Everything has salad and bread. Desserts look good, but optional. The food is EXCELLENT! The service staff seemed a bit overworked. We sat on the front sun porch. Nice environment. This is old school family Italian at its best. So pull up a bottle of Chianti and enjoy.
(4)Anna K.
Can I pick up this restaurant and transplant it back in Milwaukee? It's absolutely adorable and the food is can't-stop-stuffing-yourself good. I knew people said it'd be busy, but I didn't think much of it being a Wednesday night (and I was by myself) so I didn't bother with reservations, but I almost should have. I just take that as a sign of how fantastic this restaurant is. Walking up the porch steps, Carmine was there to open the door for me and show my to my seat. I really felt like I was just eating on a friendly Italian man's front porch. He and his daughter (my waitress) stopped by often to chat and the waitresses' husband and kids were sitting just a few tables down. So basically, if you're from out of town and feeling a little homesick, this is the place for you. They have a set menu - I went on chicken alfredo night, which I definitely recommend. The only problem I see with the set menu is that now I feel the urge to go back every night so I can try it all. Also, the ice box cake was literally happiness on a plate. But the guy next to me looked like he was enjoying his cheesecake even more than his date, so I'm guessing that'd be a good option, too. I can't think of an Italian restaurant I've ever enjoyed more.
(5)Chris M.
This place is the most inviting and welcoming restaurant I've been to in the Tri-Cities. It's family-owned and operated, in a house (built in 1929) they've restored it to all it's old-charm glory, including the incredibly detailed floors. Beyond the setting, the food is great. No menus for dinner, but they have certain dishes, depending on the day (Sundays are lasagna, with a side of sausage and meatballs)--all served family-style, at a table that makes you feel like you're in your grandma's house for a family get-together. The food is great (for those who like dessert, get the Icebox Cake--PERFECTION), and the service is excellent. Also, when you see Carmine--which you will, since he is always there--start up a conversation with him, if he doesn't do it himself. He's hilarious, and he loves to chat it up. It's like hearing stories from your grandfather. This is one place I will be sure to visit every time I come back to the TCs.
(5)Koni K.
small and intimate setting for huge family style eating! if you have never had family dinner nights growing up, then head to Carmines you will get a taste of what its like. loud, laughter, stories, clanking dishes, great smells coming from the kitchen! go the their website to look at what they are serving each night. pick your fave and make a reservation.
(5)Christopher C.
Great place to bring out-of-town guests. Very friendly and delicious. Some people might not appreciate the family-style or the way the menu is set for each day of the week without a lot of choices, but if you are willing to let the staff do their thing then you will be treated well and have a great meal.
(5)Richard F.
This place is terrific. Carmine greeted us at the door, told us the story of his family, and made us feel like a guest in their house. Great food, love the meat balls, and great atmosphere. A must any time visiting the Tri-Cities.
(4)Kathleen C.
This is old school Italian American cuisine. There's no fancy presentation, it's all family style, but foodies shouldn't let that deter them. While the gravy made me wistful for my family in Jersey, the cheesecake was executed perfectly with clearly local berries and the spumoni was from an Oregon creamery, definitely the best I've tasted. We went on a Thursday which meant our options were either ricotta ravioli with meatballs, Italian sausage and (of course) gravy or fettuccine Alfredo. While the protein portions were smaller all were perfectly cooked. The meatballs were butter soft and perfectly seasoned and the sausage had the assertive fennel seed flavor I prefer. As comfortingly delicious as the meal was, perhaps the best part of the dining experience was Carmine himself. He is charmingly funny, generous with their delicious bread and obviously takes pride in making you feel at home. If you want real Italian American cuisine with a genuine warm welcome, skip the chain restaurant and visit Carmine's!
(5)Rich B.
Fantastic!! love the place. great old style family establishment. Just like eating at grandmas house.
(5)Megan V.
My husband and I first started visiting Carmine's about a year ago when we were in town visiting my parents on a Sunday afternoon - not a time when a ton of restaurants are open in the Tri-Cities. It happened to be the first Sunday Carmine's was open for lunch and it was pretty quiet, but we decided to give it a chance anyway because Carmine, the owner, was so chatty and friendly and I really love small, family-owned businesses. It was completely worth it! I believe we had lasagna for two that day, which is really enough for three or four, and it was delicious. Great sauce, and I am not a sauce gal! We now make a special trip most times we're visiting the fam. I particularly love the wine list - lots of tasty regional wines at a fair price - the bread, and the homemade cheesecake. My husband loves the sauce and any of the meat items. My only complaint is the salad - I wish it didn't have iceburg lettuce. But it is still very tasty and I usually have seconds. :o) I would also definitely recommend making a reservation on Friday and Saturday nights, as word has certainly spread about this fabulous place! As an aside, as the restaurant has gotten more popular, I've noticed that Carmine has seemed a bit more stressed out so I wouldn't go expecting a huge conversation with him. However, the service has always been excellent.
(4)Kyla C.
Went to Carmine's for our 1 year wedding anniversary, what a lovely place! The owner was a very nice man who, you can tell, loves what he does. His grandkids were bussing tables and there were pictures all over the walls of family, friends and Italian culture. We felt right at home! The food was comforting and delicious. Only things I didn't love were the bread and the "wine glasses" (mason jars) but those were minor. I would definitely come back here if I'm ever in the Tri-Cities again!
(5)Megan E.
Best place to eat in Tri-cities. Period.
(5)rob b.
Great restaurant. Wonderful atmosphere. Good food. Carmine is a great host. The food is a bit pricey so beware. Four people with drinks was $75...$90 including a tip. So for those of you on a budget, a lot of food can be purchased for that kind of bread.
(4)Mark P.
I found this place from an app on my phone and I knew it was just what I was looking for just from the Yelp reviews. Carmine is a gracious host and his staff is very helpful and friendly. Food and price were well matched. This is an old school Good Fellas type of joint. This is not for you foodies looking for a Mario Batali type of meal. Good solid food made from scratch at a fair price. I'm from Seattle but I'll dine here everytime I'm in the Tri-cities. Thanks for a great meal Carmine!
(5)Jason J.
Cool place. Good atmosphere. Neat concept. Friendly owner. Kids loved the spaghetti and the bread. So glad we have a place like this right here in the Tri-Cities!
(5)DanandShelley T.
This is quite a little find. I love kitschy little places full of character where you can get a great meal, and this is one of those places. Great food (we went on lasagna night), wonderful ambiance with decades old photos plastering the walls...my wine arrived in a Kerr jar which was just adorable! Great staff, possibly owned by the nicest people in town?
(5)Shawn S.
Had to check this place out. We are big fans of Italian and the last time we stopped by they only had reservations available. This time no kids we planned ahead and called for reservations on rigatoni night. Anyone not familiar with Carmines should know its familia style which means they only serve one main dish all night. Its a different dish each night of the week so plan to go for your favorite pasta accordingly. The bread came out first and was nice and warm with some traditional oil and vinegar on the table. The salad was fresh and crisp with a sweet italian dressing. We ordered the serving for two and it was huge. Two sausages, 4 meatballs, and more pasta than me and my wife could eat. It was at least two meals. Whats more is it was only $26 which averages out to $13 apiece, very reasonable. The pasta was excellent. The sausage was great with a slightly spicy taste. The meatballs were so soft they melted in your mouth. The rigatoni was just right, not overcooked and mushy like some other chain restaurants in town. They have options for feeding a family of four as well for around $45 which I thought for the quality of food was a good bargain. At last me and my wife split the amaretto bread pudding. My wife is a huge fan of bread puddings, however I really dont particularly care for them but was willing to try it. I have to say it was very good. We will be back for sure. I cant wait to take some relatives here when they come to visit from out of town. Just remember to call ahead for reservations. They got quite busy after we arrived at five.
(5)gail k.
The food was very good and the service was even better. Carmine is very nice and very accomdating to all of the customers
(4)Rick C.
Carmine's is located on the corner of West 1st Avenue & Fruitland. The restaurant is a renovated 1929 downtown Kennewick home. Antique tables and chairs are situated in four dining areas inside the restaurant. In addition there is an enclosed front porch dining area that holds approximately eight additional tables. The ambiance reminds me of Little Italy in New York. Many historical family portraits are hung on the walls in all the dining areas .. ask the owner Carmine and he will describe the significance of each photo.. he is "a kick"to talk to and I love his New Jersey accent! Great Italian music is "piped" throughout the restaurant... the volume of the music is not over bearing but delightful... My wife and I had lunch and the two entrees exhibited excellent flavors. One critique is that the lunches should be served with a salad selection. We checked out the dinner menu and discovered the entrees did come with a salad and bread. Only one entree is offered on a given night and the entree changes for each night of the week. Dinner prices are very reasonable (~$12.95 for a single), (~$24.95 for two), (~$34.95 for four). Desserts are homemade and baked daily. Nice selection of wines and are not marked-up excessively. We will be back again to try their various dinner themes.
(4)Joe S.
Went here last Sunday. Like Danette I also wanted to "feel the love" and had heard good things from friends about Carmines. Carmine himself is a sweetheart and this place has the potential to be really eclectic and fun. Great collection of pictures on the wall of Italian family and celebs. These were useful because it helped distract us from the 45 minute wait just to get the bottle of wine we ordered. A pitcher of water was placed on the table but no glasses. I overheard another table with the same complaints about waiting for wine. Another table brought their own bottle but had to wait at least a half an hour or longer to get it uncorked. Family style menu is different and you think would simplify for the wait staff but it didn't the night we were there. Lasagna night. Lasagna was mundane (even the leftovers a few days later didn't pick up the flavor as dishes like this sometimes do) and the bread is one step above a hot dog bun. Salad is a homemade version of Olive Garden's. The family style menu also includes a "meat plate" that was supposed to have meat balls and sausage. The meatballs actually were the highlight of the meal but I don't know about the sausage because there was none on our plate. There are better choices for Italian in the tri-cities. Hope someone will let me know if the service gets better or if maybe Sunday/Lasagna is just the wrong night to go. If you do decide to go, just make sure you have a couple of hours and are well hydrated before you get there.
(2)Wayne B.
Very good Italian food made even better by the host and his family. Our meal here was a real highlight of our vacation.
(5)Dennis M.
Thursday nights, that's the ticket. I'm sure the food on other nights is great, but the cheese filled ravioli on Thursday nights, combined with the personality of Carmine makes this a must see. My wife is kicking me as I write, because we wanted this to be a secret place, but my penchant for expostulating over rules. Family style service, looped Italian music, dishtowel napkins, Carmine circulating and talking about old days, old pictures on the wall, eclectic furniture, older house in historic district of K-town, meatballs that have soaked in gravy (Italian word for sauce) since 8 a.m., big salad servings, waitresses who tell you whether or not they are Carmine's granddaughters, busy kitchen (they tell me they have only one oven--how they crank out the baked ziti on Tuesday nights (I think) is a mystery. So, don't bring your spoiled children who might say "I don't want that" and wreck the single item menu every night. We'll all thank you for that. Ciao, bella!
(5)