TLDR
Glamorous fine dining destination inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Renowned for its stunning, ornate dining room and polished Italian-French cuisine.
Reddit Sentiment for THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL & CAFE CARMELLINI(based on 101 Reddit opinions)
Instagram Posts References
Cafe Carmellini offers a fancy lunch experience with an appealing atmosphere, though the reviewer felt the prices were a bit high. Despite the cost, most dishes were well-received, demonstrating fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparations, contributing to a generally positive culinary impression.
Details
Located within the elegant Fifth Avenue Hotel, this establishment is celebrated for its old-school New York fine dining glamour and stunning, chandelier-lit dining room [3]. The menu showcases a blend of Italian and French influences, offering dishes like the duck-duck-duck ravioli and chicken “gran sasso” [3]. It is widely considered an excellent, worthwhile splurge for romantic dates and special occasions [1], [2], [4].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on refined Italian and French-inspired cuisine [3], [4], [6]. Highly recommended dishes include the duck-duck-duck ravioli, chicken “gran sasso,” and sticky toffee pudding [3], while the crab mille-feuille also receives specific praise [1], [8]. While most find the food excellent, some diners have noted specific items—like a collaboration hotdog—to be underwhelming or lacking in advertised components [9].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include the duck-duck-duck ravioli, the chicken “gran sasso,” and the sticky toffee pudding [3]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •chicken(2)
- •duck duck duck tortellini(2)
Customer Sentiment
Patrons overwhelmingly praise the restaurant for its beautiful design, gracious service, and festive, romantic atmosphere [1], [4], [7]. While the vast majority of feedback is highly positive, a few diners have occasionally found the food to be underwhelming or unexciting compared to the setting [2], [5].
Caveats
Reservations for dinner can be difficult to secure on short notice, though lunchtime is noted to be more accessible [7].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL & CAFE CARMELLINI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Team Dinner Near 30th And Broadway 10 People For
"This commenter mentioned Cafe Carmellini for French Italian cuisine."
PositiveFrom post: The Great Nosh A Great Waste Of Money Would Not
"The commenter purchased a $15 hotdog from Cafe Carmellini x La Boite but found it to be small and forgettable, noting that it was missing pickled shallots/veggies despite being sold at full price."
NeutralFrom post: Client Dinner Thank You Which Is Better Crane
"The commenter strongly prefers Cafe Carmellini over Crane Club."
PositiveFrom post: Making An Impression Introducing Friends To Fine
"Cafe Carmellini is nice, and the portrait bar downstairs is very fun."
PositiveFrom post: Im Bored Of Italian Food Italian Restaurant For
"Cafe Carmellini is suggested as a French-Italian option with a beautiful dining room, fitting the request for something beyond standard Italian."
PositiveFrom post: Spacious Restaurants Anywhere In Manhattan Or
"Café Carmellini is listed among suggestions for restaurants with booths, implying a more comfortable and potentially spacious seating arrangement."
NeutralFrom post: Spacious Restaurants Anywhere In Manhattan Or
"Café Carmellini is mentioned as a potentially spacious dining option, though price point might be a consideration."
NeutralFrom post: Best Italian Pasta Spot In Manhattan For Euro
"Cafe Carmellini is mentioned for its Italian-ish focus and fine dining emphasis."
PositiveFrom post: Need A Dinner Tomorrow Night For 6 W
"A user recommended Cafe Carmellini for dinner."
PositiveFrom post: Upscale Spot For Milestone Birthday Celebration
"The original poster is considering Cafe Carmellini, noting that it is located in their hotel. While they initially thought the menu was seafood-heavy, they found a 'chicken for two' dish that looks interesting. The user expressed that the restaurant looks nice."
PositiveFrom post: Upscale Spot For Milestone Birthday Celebration
"This user mentioned 'Carmellini'."
NeutralFrom post: Upscale Spot For Milestone Birthday Celebration
"This user listed Cafe Carmellini as a recommendation."
NeutralFrom post: Swanky Dinner For Moms 70th
"This commenter seconded the recommendation for Cafe Carmellini, noting that the upstairs dining area is semi-private and overlooks the main dining room, and suggesting drinks at Portrait Bar before or after."
PositiveFrom post: Swanky Dinner For Moms 70th
"This commenter recommended Cafe Carmellini, emphasizing its luxurious interiors."
PositiveFrom post: Swanky Dinner For Moms 70th
"Cafe Carmellini was suggested as a potential venue that could accommodate a group of 11 people for a special occasion."
PositiveFrom post: Best Place To Get Fatty Tuna Toro
"This commenter had a surprisingly good chutoro appetizer at Cafe Carmellini, enjoying it so much they ordered a second as an entree, though they did not love other aspects of the meal."
PositiveFrom post: Fine Dining With Shared Couch Image Attachedvery
"Cafe Carmellini is suggested as a restaurant that provides the desired seating arrangement for a date night."
PositiveFrom post: Manhattan Dinner Help
"Suggested Cafè Carmellini as an excellent, more upscale option that is a few minutes walk from 230 Fifth."
PositiveFrom post: Tasting Menu For Lunch Recommendations
"This user recommended Cafe Carmellini for a tasting menu at lunch."
PositiveFrom post: Which Tasting Menu
"Cafe Carmellini is listed as a recommended dining option."
Neutral