One of the reasons that I always recommend Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar in Winter Park and Altamonte Springs to friends is that I can get a good deal on my meal and drinks here. Plus, every time I have visited, I have had excellent service in a relaxing, classy atmosphere.
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| Braised Short Ribs |
I was reminded of the feasibility of dining at the restaurants recently when I ate there on a Sunday and a Monday. On these two evenings, a three-course Prix Fixe menu is available with a few different entrees features. For $14, one can choose from two different apps (including my favorite - Chickpea Fries!), soup or salad, and from four entrees. On the nights I went, the Steak Frites, Moroccan Lemon Chicken, Spinach Gnocchi, and Basil Grilled Salmon were all available. The entrees alone are typically $12-$13 for the small size so the Prix Fixe menu is a great deal!
I have tried all of the dishes except the Spinach Gnocchi, and was very pleased with all of them. The Moroccan Lemon Chicken is accompanied by a light, delicious sauce and the chicken is tender. I would suggest ordering a different side than the roasted vegetables, though, since some of them are not cooked that well. The Basil Grilled Salmon was also cooked perfectly and very flavorful. If you order the Steak Frites, the steak is pretty good - not the highest cut of meat or anything - but the crispy fries are to die for.
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| Moroccan Lemon Chicken |
We also tried the Braised Short Ribs entree and were impressed with how tender the meat was and how delicious the accompanying sauce was. While the Poached Pear is the most popular dessert at Carmel, I wanted to try a new dessert. I would recommend the Pound Cake and Strawberries, which reminds me of a shortcake. While the strawberries were not that great, the cake was simply delicious.
Let me know your favorite dishes at Carmel in the comments section below.
You have heard me rave about Carmel Cafe Winter Park in the past. Now, Carmel Cafe Altamonte Springs is open and the food and atmosphere are just as great as its Winter Park counterpart. Actually, I like the design of the bar area a bit better at the Altamonte location. And service is outstanding at both locations.
When we dined at Carmel Cafe Altamonte with family recently, we were able to taste some new items we hadn't had before. That night, the happy hour special was a house-infused Cherry Bourbon cocktail. I don't normally like bourbon, but this was delicious and refreshing! By the way, Happy Hour - every weekday from 4 to 7 p.m. - is a good time to go to the restaurant. You get to try some of the restaurant's appetizers and drinks for only $4 each.
On this night, we tried some apps and entrees that we had not tried before. The Short Rib Empanadas were so flavorful, and the Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta were cooked perfectly and flavorful as well. I'm so glad I ordered the Moroccan Lemon Chicken, a tender chicken breast with pine nuts, saffron, and olives. Again, the flavor was delicious and different than anything I had tried before.
We also recently visited Carmel Cafe Winter Park and tried some of the new summer entrees and traditional apps on the menu. We started out with the Mezze Platter, a huge sharing plate that was more than enough for a table of five. The platter features Edamame Hummus, Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers, Crispy Fried Feta and Marinated Artichoke Hearts, and other tastings, served with warm pita. If you like hummus and Mediterranean cuisine, this is definitely a dish to order.
We also tried the Pasta Marseilles, which is a light, flavorful bouilliabasse broth with plentiful helpings of shrimp, scallops, mussels, fennel and gnocchi. This is different from any bouilliabasse I have had, and I must say, it was delicious. The fennel paired very nicely with the seafood and broth.
For dessert, we always get the Warm Poached Pear, which is served with caramel sauce and ice cream. It was delicious. Soon, I hope to have room to try the Chocolate Lava Cake and the Pound Cake with Strawberries.
Every visit, I have great food, service, and atmosphere at both Carmel locations. Let me know your experience at Carmel Cafe Altamonte and Carmel Cafe Winter Park in the comments section below.
