Last Updated: ~20 hours ago
Phone: (212) 686-5252
Address: 250 5 AVENUE 10001
Sumptuous ambiance w/ Mediterranean-influenced dishes. A top choice for romantic, refined, and elegant special occasion dining.
This elegant French and Italian fine-dining establishment, situated in the revamped Fifth Avenue Hotel, boasts a sumptuous ambiance with rich wood, velvet, and leather furnishings. The open kitchen delivers meticulously crafted dishes, with standouts including a crab mille-feuille and a rich squab en croûte. It's a top choice for special occasions, offering a romantic and refined dining experience.
The restaurant offers a blend of French and Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence, noted for its refined and elegant dishes. Standout items include a crab mille-feuille, duck tortellini, and squab en croûte. The risotto is also highly praised, with one reviewer calling it the best in NYC. While many find the food fantastic, a few opinions suggest it was only 'OK' or not particularly exciting. The bar is also recommended for its cocktails, particularly martinis.
"Highly recommended dishes include the crab mille-feuille, duck tortellini, and the 'Risotto del Giorno'. The halibut with caviar and the snap pea and almond tart are also praised. The 'Oysters à la pomme' is noted as a unique and surprisingly good dish."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment, praising the beautiful and elegant ambiance, refined food, and good service, making it a popular choice for special occasions. However, a few reviews mention that the food quality was just 'OK' or that the menu was not exciting, and one noted terrible service.
Important Note
Some reviews mention that while the ambiance is stunning, the food and menu may not be exciting or could be considered just 'OK' by some diners. One user reported terrible service.
"Cafe Carmellini is recommended for its stunning room, food, and drinks, offering a great vibe that is not stuffy. It is suggested in combination with a visit to Portrait Bar."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is listed as a restaurant to consider for a special occasion, especially if opting for lunch which often has more reasonable prix fixe options. The commenter suggests aiming for a total cost under $230 before tax and tip to stay within budget."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is recommended as being worth the splurge."
Positive"The commenter finds the dining room of Cafe Carmellini exquisite and the service gracious, comparing the ambiance to a Fred & Ginger waltz."
Positive"This user suggests Cecconi's, S&P, Cafe Carmellini, and Daily Provisions as breakfast options."
Positive"This commenter seconding Cafe Carmellini and highly recommending its hotel bar, The Portrait Bar, for an anniversary. They describe the bar's cocktails and atmosphere as similar to Monkey Bar."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is listed as a restaurant recommendation for the anniversary dinner."
Neutral"The user believes Café Carmellini does not deserve a spot on the mentioned list."
Negative"Cafe Carmellini is presented as an example of a restaurant offering a better ambiance than the Russian Tea Room."
Positive"The Portrait Bar is downstairs from Cafe Carmellini and offers small dishes, described as great. Cafe Carmellini itself is noted as being very beautiful if one wants to dine upstairs with a more extensive menu."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini was highly praised for its excellent food, beautiful design, and great service, described as Italian/French."
Positive"This commenter recommends Café Carmellini, highlighting its gorgeous space and lovely seasonal menu located in The Fifth Avenue Hotel."
Positive"The user found Cafe Carmellini to be beautiful and thanked the commenter for the recommendation."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini was recommended for its refined atmosphere and service, with a thoughtfully seasonal a la carte menu and elegant interior design perfect for special occasions. The commenter also suggested booking a night at The Fifth Avenue Hotel for bonus points."
Positive"The commenter believes the chicken dish at Cafe Carmellini is very good and would be suitable for bringing a child."
Positive"The commenter is planning to visit Cafe Carmellini soon and is asking for recommendations on what to order."
Neutral"This restaurant was recommended as a fine dining option for a date night in NYC."
Positive"This user agrees with the previous comment about Cafe Carmellini, noting that while the space is gorgeous, the food and menu are not exciting."
Neutral"This user found the space at Cafe Carmellini beautiful and the downstairs Portrait Bar fun, but was not impressed with the menu or food quality, stating it was just 'OK'."
Neutral"Cafe Carmellini is mentioned as a fantastic French/Italian restaurant that is à la carte only and aiming for a Michelin star, with a romantic vibe."
Positive
