Carrabba's got it right
Alexis Resnick
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Life!
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When I think of great food the words "Italian" and "chain restaurant" usually don't appear in the same sentence, but Carrabba's Italian Grill seems to effortlessly unite these two concepts in a delicious way. Serving up classic Italian dishes in a rustic, Tuscan setting, Carrabba's definitely creates an enjoyable dining experience.
Although the outside view of rows of trees piled high on the restaurant roof top doesn't scream Tuscan Villa, once inside it definitely does. With warm colors sweeping the walls and laughter filling the room, Carrabba's sets the ambience so that it feels like you are in your own home. The painted grape vines and bricks that adorn the walls combined with the fire from the wood-burning brick oven recreate the beautifully decorated restaurants that I had visited in Italy. The terra cotta pots that line the floor also add to the rustic feeling. The open atmosphere encourages conversation and a chance to take in the rest of the decorative surroundings.
The food at Carrabba's is generally pretty good for an Italian chain, and compared to a similar restaurant chain like Olive Garden, the food at Carrabba's is far superior. The dishes, like the ambience, are warm and comforting, combining traditional flavors of classic Italian cuisine.
Since I went with a large party, the helpful staff suggested the appetizer platter for the table consisting of the mozzarella marinara, calamari and grilled bruschette. While the mozzarella marinara was a little heavy, the bruschette was very fresh and flavorful. The calamari was also crispy and seasoned very nicely. The zucchini fritte, which is basically fresh zucchini that is lightly fried, was also a table favorite and the garlic aioli added a unique touch.
The entrees at Carrabba's come with either soup or salad, and the soup for the night was a lentil with sausage. I definitely recommend trying this soup when they have it again, as the flavors of the lentil and sausage go extremely well together. The faint taste of fennel also heightened the flavors in the soup. It was a prefect balance of a hearty, rich, Tuscan stew and a light, clean soup.
Although the outside view of rows of trees piled high on the restaurant roof top doesn't scream Tuscan Villa, once inside it definitely does. With warm colors sweeping the walls and laughter filling the room, Carrabba's sets the ambience so that it feels like you are in your own home. The painted grape vines and bricks that adorn the walls combined with the fire from the wood-burning brick oven recreate the beautifully decorated restaurants that I had visited in Italy. The terra cotta pots that line the floor also add to the rustic feeling. The open atmosphere encourages conversation and a chance to take in the rest of the decorative surroundings.
The food at Carrabba's is generally pretty good for an Italian chain, and compared to a similar restaurant chain like Olive Garden, the food at Carrabba's is far superior. The dishes, like the ambience, are warm and comforting, combining traditional flavors of classic Italian cuisine.
Since I went with a large party, the helpful staff suggested the appetizer platter for the table consisting of the mozzarella marinara, calamari and grilled bruschette. While the mozzarella marinara was a little heavy, the bruschette was very fresh and flavorful. The calamari was also crispy and seasoned very nicely. The zucchini fritte, which is basically fresh zucchini that is lightly fried, was also a table favorite and the garlic aioli added a unique touch.
The entrees at Carrabba's come with either soup or salad, and the soup for the night was a lentil with sausage. I definitely recommend trying this soup when they have it again, as the flavors of the lentil and sausage go extremely well together. The faint taste of fennel also heightened the flavors in the soup. It was a prefect balance of a hearty, rich, Tuscan stew and a light, clean soup.