******************************************************************* On Thursday evening, 3 July, my wife and I drove into Austin to dine at Carmelo’s on East 5th Street. We were very impressed with the marble floors and nice furnishings. The wait staff was formally attired and very attentive to our every need. A loaf of warm bread and olive oil was placed on the table soon after we were seated. They also provided a small dish of Italian sausage slices in marinara sauce. We are non-drinkers so the wine list was quickly removed and we were served iced tea. Throughout our meal, our iced tea and water glasses were kept well replenished. We shared a mushroom/spinach appetizer and it was excellent. I ordered Zitti with marinara sauce and Italian Sausage. Chris ordered stuffed shrimp with Italian Style Rice. The Italian sausage with my zitti was ‘chunk’ style like ground beef. It was excessively salty and not very flavorful. It was not on a par with the appetizer sample provided before the meal. Chris’ stuffed shrimp were very good but not in keeping with the decorum of the place. The Italian Style rice was superb!! (This is a very noteworthy compliment from me - the guy who couldn’t even LOOK at rice for more than 10 years after returning from Vietnam.) The dessert cart rates the highest marks I can possible award!! There were several selections and ALL of them appealed to both Chris and I. We finally settled on two selections and the portions were most generous. In summation, we loved the decor, the appetizer, the service, and the desserts. The entrees, while not unacceptable, were not as exciting as what we expected from a restaurant with this type of elegance. Speaking strictly from a gastronomical viewpoint, I think that Spaghetti Warehouse’s entrees combined with Carmelo’s appetizers, dessert, service and decorum would be a world class feast. Bear in mind, however, that Chris and I only tried two of the many entrees offered by Carmelo’s. Perhaps they have specialties that attracts diners with palates unlike mine and my wife’s. Terry at Lake Bastrop ********************************************************************************
Austin, TX