Carmine's in the Forum Shops at Caesars

We were a party of 4 who wanted to eat Italian before we saw Absinthe, so we wanted to stay close to Caesars. We decided on Trevi's which has always been a solid choice for good food and decent atmosphere. My cousin was late so my wife and I decided to walk around where we came to a new restaurant just down the corridor from Trevi named Carmine's.

I have to say this was the find of this trip. A very nice, laid back, FAMILY styled Italian restaurant. We were seated immediately and had a wonderful waiter name Frank, who couldn't do enough for you. First he told us that for 4 of us, we should order one pasta and one entree as the servings are quite large and that would be plenty for the 4 of us. It was family style, so you just dig in and fill your plate from the main serving, just like Sunday afternoon at home. The pasta we ordered was Spagetti Aglio Et Olio which was mouth watering. And for the entree we ordered Chicken parmigiana which completely melted in your mouth. Others who were in earshot must've thought we were having sex from the moaning coming from our table with every bite.

We also had coffee and dessert, a nice rich chocolate pie shared by all. The drinks we ordered were good too, nice and stiff.

Overall it was an amazing experience and will be the first restaurant we'll eat at next trip.

 

Thanks for the review. I'll look it up next time.

 

This is a restaurant started out in NYC. Very good italian food and like you said, family style. Prices are reasonable for the portions as well.

 

Their portions look HUGE in the pictures I've seen, I'm glad they taste good....

 

You look like a FUN group... thanks for sharin' the review! I've not been, but will find a reason to check it out.

 

We have eaten at the Atlantic City and midtown New York City locations numerous times and the food and service is always really good. We have ordered the two entrees you had and the last time we ordered the steak which was outstanding. It was a 42 ounce steak which was sliced beautifully and came with potatoes and sausages. The steak was so tender and flavorful and there was 8 in our party and it was plenty for all of us. We will definitely try the new location in Vegas.

 

Yes their portions are huge, its all family-style but for a family with a BIG appetite. I've only been to it here in NYC. Its considered a tourist restaurant but my girlfriend likes their lasagna so we'll go sometimes to the one on the UWS which is much less touristy and more serene than their midtown location. Its a fun place if you're with a group and the food is really good if you like those heavy southern italian type dishes. Very reasonable prices too.

Bring your appetite!

 

I enjoyed it in NYC (tourist) and I am happy to read a very favourable review for Vegas since I'm a tourist there too.

 

There's two locations in NYC. One in Times Square, very touristy, and one on the upper west side, which is less touristy. I had a job where groups of us went often. The drinks were generous!

 

We are a fun bunch.

 

Saw it last week in the Forum shops.

We always hit up Carmine's in NYC.

Great food and huge portions as mentioned.

Almost as good as my grandmothers-that is a huge compliment and recommendation.

 

Thank you, you have now furthered my never ending quest to find an Italian restaurant in Vegas that my wife likes. Time to get my folder out and start planning our next trip!

 

You're on the ball, Nicky. I was here last week and they said it just opened. I trust your opinion on Italian food because I know you're from the East Coast.

We went to Trevi instead, but this and Rao's are both on the list.

schwaiguy

 

Love love love this. This was my favorite restaurant in all of NYC. I know most of you probably think I'm German/Irish with a name like Gino (yes it is my birth name) but I'm a Sicilian and am quite the expert on southern Italian food and this is some of the best I've ever eaten - obligatory exclusions: mom, nana, Uncle Tony etc. etc.. However, since I refuse to ever again set foot in NYC, and spend my vacations in Las Vegas this is like hitting a Royal. Diet be damned come November, the lasagna there is food porn. Hugeantic portions and priced reasonably. Really looking forward to this.

 

If you consider places like Olive Garden or Bucca de Beppe "good Italian", then Carmines is probably just what you want.

 

5 posts in and already being a dick huh?

 

If the Las Vegas Carmine's is the same as the NYC Carmine's(and I'm told it is) your comment is so wrong. Carmine's in NYC has great food.

 

You should trust my judgement on Italian food. I have very high standards to meet our regular Sunday dinner in my house.

Gino, I could've written this post. Sicilian, Mom, Nana, Uncle Tony.

 

I have been to the Carmine's in NYC, the Bahamas and Atlantic City and I love it. The real problem is going with just 2 people as the portions are massive.

 

If you were to only only 1 pasta and 1 meat entree, what would you choose?