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When it comes to Italian
food, Austin is a town where Northern styles and sensibilities prevail.
But as Vito Corleone learned at an early age, there's a lot to be said
for Sicily, literally the "boot" of Italy. And there's a lot
to be said for this week's restaurant, Carmelo's.
Let's start with the Avocado and Seafood, a delightful
combination of shrimp, crabmeat and scallops served with a cream sauce
and sweet avocado. This is as stellar an appetizer as you'll find in
Austin. I very much enjoyed it.
Also a delight was the Soft Shell Crab topped with
lump crabmeat done in a butter sauce and topped with pinoli and sliced
tomatoes. Both of these dishes should have "to die for" written
next to them on the menu.
The calamari with marinara sauce is also a treat.
Tender, and served with a savory marinara, this dish is very comforting
and easy to eat. I highly recommend.
Several lunch items are also strongly suggested.
First, the Salsiccia Italiana, which is homemade Italian sausage [is
there any sausage better?] with spaghetti and a sweet, lovely red sauce.
Then, the Fried Oysters with Shrimp in a Champagne sauce. Served with
garlic-mashed potatoes, this dish creates the sensation of a mélange
of textures. The oysters are cooked perfectly and the champagne sauce
is the perfect complement. Lovely.
For dinner, and a taste of Southern Italy, try the
Breaded Chicken Scaloppini. The chicken is pounded thin and sautéed
and served in a lite sauce of wine and butter and served with Spaghetti
Pomodoro. Also excellent is the Fettuccine Luisa. This is made in a
cream sauce with clams, crabmeat and shrimp, and a dash of Orvietto
Secco, the classic white wine from the Umbria region. I love this dish.
And I've yet to have a better Carbonara than the ones made tableside
at Carmelos. This classic dish, starting with sautéed pancetta,
mushrooms, and adding parmesan, pepper and a little cream and finished
with any kind of pasta you like…I prefer Penne. is just outstanding.
I could go on, but you get the idea. Even
though Carmelos is downtown, there's a real parking lot. You can actually
park the car without having to shell out $6 bucks. Now that's Italian.
Lots of moderately priced items along with a few in the upper stratosphere…but
there's a lot to like at Carmelos.
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