Tamara Schwarting
Google
We had been looking forward to our reservation at Carmelo’s in Covington, Kentucky for the past month. We were celebrating my birthday with a party of four on a Saturday evening in July. Our 6:45 p.m. reservation was perfectly timed—the restaurant was bustling but not overly loud, and the ambiance was definitely a highlight of the night.
We began with the mozzarella and focaccia and the cauliflower. The cauliflower was flavorful and well-executed, but a heads-up: if you’re not a fan of calamari, you might want to skip it. While there’s no seafood in the dish, the seasoning and profile are very reminiscent of a traditional Italian fried calamari plate. The mozzarella, while fresh, felt a bit one-note. I was hoping for something more complex or complementary to elevate it.
Next up was the Caesar salad, which got mixed reviews at our table. Some felt the parmesan was overwhelming, while others found the citrus notes a bit too sharp. Personally, I enjoyed it, but it’s clearly not a one-size-fits-all dish.
Entrées were well presented and ranged across the menu:
• Redfish with a side of kale – this was the lightest dish in theory, but the redfish came with a generous amount of butter, which made it feel heavier than expected. The butter was noted on the menu.
• Lasagna – layered and rich, though the sauce leaned more toward an arrabbiata-style with a noticeable hint of spice. This wasn’t something we typically expect in a traditional lasagna, and it caught a few of us off guard.
• Oxtail ragù – hearty and satisfying.
• Eggplant Parmesan with a side of meatballs – my choice. The eggplant itself was rather bland and relied heavily on the tomato sauce to deliver the flavor. Personally, I would’ve preferred it the other way around—with the eggplant being the star and the sauce offering support.
A consistent theme was the generous use of cheese—which is great if you’re into it, but maybe not the best pick for those who aren’t. The redfish was the clear exception, though again, very buttery.
Service was excellent, attentive without being overbearing. And the ambiance? Spot on. Stylish and perfect for a special night out.
That said, nothing truly wowed us when it came to the food. It was good—solidly executed—but not especially memorable, especially considering the price point. Our bill came in just over $200 for four people, which felt fair for the experience, but it’s worth noting that we’ve had more flavorful Italian meals elsewhere for less.
Would I recommend Carmeló’s? Yes, especially for the ambiance and service. But if you’re going strictly for standout Italian cuisine, you might want to keep exploring.
