By Lauren C
Recently
Megan visited the new South Tampa Carmel Café for their grand opening. I saw her
post and it reminded me of my longtime love for this restaurant. I knew I
had to make a visit to check out the new location. I’ve long been a fan, ever
since the first location opened almost two years ago. After my visit this week, I think this one is
my favorite of the three.
Megan visited the new South Tampa Carmel Café for their grand opening. I saw her
post and it reminded me of my longtime love for this restaurant. I knew I
had to make a visit to check out the new location. I’ve long been a fan, ever
since the first location opened almost two years ago. After my visit this week, I think this one is
my favorite of the three.
 |
| Interior/Bar |
This one is a free-standing
location (meaning it’s not in a plaza setting, like the others.) The outdoor
seating area here is expansive and the interior has high ceilings.
location (meaning it’s not in a plaza setting, like the others.) The outdoor
seating area here is expansive and the interior has high ceilings.
 |
| Wine Room |
There is a beautiful wine
room dining area. The entire space is beautiful
and big, but it still has the same warm ambiance you find at the other two locations.
The South Tampa spot somehow just has its own feel and character and seems like
it embodies everything that Carmel Cafe is supposed to be. Now on to the best part, the reason we all
read food blogs:
room dining area. The entire space is beautiful
and big, but it still has the same warm ambiance you find at the other two locations.
The South Tampa spot somehow just has its own feel and character and seems like
it embodies everything that Carmel Cafe is supposed to be. Now on to the best part, the reason we all
read food blogs:
 |
| Basil Grilled Salmon with quinoa and kalamata olive tapenade |
For my entree I tried the
basil salmon, and this is a new favorite for me. Warm grilled salmon, it was crispy on the
outside and perfectly cooked inside and served with a cold quinoa salad, which
was a nice contrast. The tapenade had kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes and
capers throughout. Paired with a glass of Petite Petit syrah, what could be
better?!
basil salmon, and this is a new favorite for me. Warm grilled salmon, it was crispy on the
outside and perfectly cooked inside and served with a cold quinoa salad, which
was a nice contrast. The tapenade had kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes and
capers throughout. Paired with a glass of Petite Petit syrah, what could be
better?!
 |
| Meatball Lollipop Pomodoro |
These are always a go-to
item for me. Not only are they delightful to look at, the flavor in these is
incredible. The pomodoro sauce has a really unique fire- roasted flavor; not
your average marinara sauce. It’s clear
that a lot of thought goes into the ingredients and presentation of every
single dish.
item for me. Not only are they delightful to look at, the flavor in these is
incredible. The pomodoro sauce has a really unique fire- roasted flavor; not
your average marinara sauce. It’s clear
that a lot of thought goes into the ingredients and presentation of every
single dish.
IPAD PHOTO
 |
| Ordering on an iPad: Carmel Cafe has been a pioneer with this technology |
I can’t forget to add, I
always love ordering off the ipad. Aside from the convenience of it, I love
that I can see a beautiful photo of my dish before I order it. This way,
there are no surprises with the appearance of your dish when it arrives, only
in the amazing flavors that each one offers up. For me, it’s kind of like using
Pinterest as a menu – but unlike on “real” Pinterest, my ideal dish is just a few clicks away.
always love ordering off the ipad. Aside from the convenience of it, I love
that I can see a beautiful photo of my dish before I order it. This way,
there are no surprises with the appearance of your dish when it arrives, only
in the amazing flavors that each one offers up. For me, it’s kind of like using
Pinterest as a menu – but unlike on “real” Pinterest, my ideal dish is just a few clicks away.
 |
| Chocolate Lava Cake |
A lovely ending to the
meal, I had the molten chocolate lava cake. In my book, the pairing of a warm
chocolate dessert with vanilla ice cream is heaven on a plate, and this one is
the best around. I adore the gooey, dark
chocolate-y goodness and I simply Cannot.Get.Enough.
meal, I had the molten chocolate lava cake. In my book, the pairing of a warm
chocolate dessert with vanilla ice cream is heaven on a plate, and this one is
the best around. I adore the gooey, dark
chocolate-y goodness and I simply Cannot.Get.Enough.
I always opt to share
deserts when dining out, but not with this one.
This is a different story. Lava cake, you are mine.
deserts when dining out, but not with this one.
This is a different story. Lava cake, you are mine.
 |
| Strawberry Pound Cake |
Light and airy with a
delicious sauce and homemade whipped cream on top, this was our other dessert
choice. It pleased the palate in every
way and I would highly recommend it, but Lava Cake will always hold a dear
place in my heart. (sigh….)
delicious sauce and homemade whipped cream on top, this was our other dessert
choice. It pleased the palate in every
way and I would highly recommend it, but Lava Cake will always hold a dear
place in my heart. (sigh….)
If you haven’t yet, check
out their 5 After 5 every Wednesday.
All flatbreads and a list of wine and cocktails are all only $5, the makings of
a perfect mid-week date night or girls’ night out. This location will be
serving lunch and brunch starting this fall and I heard there are some new and
interesting items that will be on those menus, and I can’t wait to return.
Lauren C.
out their 5 After 5 every Wednesday.
All flatbreads and a list of wine and cocktails are all only $5, the makings of
a perfect mid-week date night or girls’ night out. This location will be
serving lunch and brunch starting this fall and I heard there are some new and
interesting items that will be on those menus, and I can’t wait to return.
Lauren C.
