Much like the *ONLY* Ninfa’s I go to is the original one on Navigation, the *ONLY* Carrabba’s I’ll go to is the flagship one on Kirby. Eh, you won’t find the sophistication of Da Marco or the creativity of Dolce Vita, but you will find classic Italian dishes, well prepared with beautiful sauces and pasta al dente.
Crab cakes are light and fresh, chicken dishes cooked just right. The pizza crust could use some work, but the fresh toppings and pure simplicity almost make up for it. Cappelletti -- ravioli-like pasta stuffed with chicken, ricotta, and spinach in a tomato cream sauce -- stole the show as the evening favorite. But the Pasta Weesie -- with mushrooms, scallions, and sautéed shrimp -- sings with flavor in a neck-and-neck, NASCAR-like race.
The original Carrabba’s isn’t anything mindblowing. Really, it’s not. But it is a fun night out with great food, nice service, and an upbeat atmosphere. So why the heck not?
Carrabba’s -- 3115 Kirby (near Richmond)
5 comments:
You are so right about the two originals. Can't beat the food or the service....
The pancetta-wrapped, sage-stuffed quails resting on polenta cakes at the original Carrabba's — one of the best things you can put in your mouth, 'nuff said.
I agree with the premise of your article: The family-owned stores are head and shoulders above the chain Carrabba's locations.
A couple of corrections: Both the Kirby store and the Voss store are still owned by the family. And Damian's last name is Mandola, not Carrabba.
Thanks for the correction on the name! My bad. But, uh, not sure where the other one is coming from... I reference twice that the original two shops are still family owned. Glad to have someone keeping me on my feets, though.
My wife and I are meeting planners. We recently took a client to your restaurant. The experience was so wonderful I was motivated to write a blog on our website to promote you to all of our clients. Thank you, Rick Buchborn
meetinginnovations.com
Post a Comment