Carino Ristorante Italiano

Doesn't Recommend

SG1

Joined 4 years ago

MISERABLE - AVOID THIS PLACE. I just got back from the worst dining experience I can honestly say I have ever had. The restaurant was hosting a party that took up the majority of the restaurant (essentially all but the four back tables). It should have been a clue when we overhead waiters saying the party before us left without paying. The atmosphere was comparable to chucky cheese. It got progressively louder as the night went on. The people at the tables were screaming across the restaurant to one another as the children were shrieking and running through the aisle. The owner defended the noise by saying there was a large party and they were regulars. She said it was a loud restaurant anyway but this made it louder. After many complaints, by the four back tables she proceeded to scream to everyone in the restaurant, “it’s okay, the customers will just have to get over it or they won’t come back.” Over it we got, with a mediocre, long awaited entrée. You would expect a free dessert, drink, discount, but nothing. Obviously as the owner said, she didn’t care if the customers didn’t come back. We certainly won’t and I would urge everyone to steer clear. You would have a much more enjoyable and obviously more appreciated dining experience anyway else (even the diner down the block would be better deserving of your money).

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TBabyMonmouthCounty

Joined 7 years ago

BEST-KEPT SECRET ON UES. CUTEST little 98-yr-old Italian lady "Mama Carino" walks around and makes sure everything is good. The food is delish, their bar is next door and their cocktails r great, and their chocolate mousse is to die for! Right across from Elaine's, so u'll see limos everywhere all the time.

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nyc_gal_123

Joined 11 years ago

Mama's place!. This truely is THE best neighborhood Italian food you can get in NYC. Not yet Babbo or Lupa, but close. I'm talking about spending $50 for 2 and have a great meal + wine. The place is cramp, but the service & food make up for it. I dont' know why the previous poster says the portion is small. I guess if you're looking for Olive Garden style, this ain't it. But the portion is much better than most places. This is the BEST KEPT SECRET on UES, and I hope it'll stay this way forever.

Doesn't Recommend

surgemaster

Joined 11 years ago

Small Portions. This restaurant serves up some of the smallest portions of food possible. For an appetizer I ordered the hot antipasto was shocked to find one shrimp, one clam, one muscle & one stuffed mushroom on the dish. Save your money and go somewhere else.

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cellarmann

Joined 10 years ago

We LOVE Mama. Mama Carino was tired of putting her neices and nephews into business (she's probably related to 12-15 owners) after she taught them how to cook. She decided to open her own place and has been doing it right for several years now.

She's still around, this 4 ft nothin old Itallian lady yelling in the kitchen, schmoozing with the patrons.

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jamesc

Joined 10 years ago

Sicilian Food. If your looking for true sicilian style food, this is the place. Momma Carino makes this place truely special. I brought out of towners to the restaurant and they can't stop talking about it. The dishes and ambiance are fancy, but that's what makes the place soo good. Give it a try you won't be disappointed

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sandra

Joined 10 years ago

Good for a week night.. I've been about 5 or 6 times and think it is pretty good. It is good for a nice italian weeknight meal. And I think the portion size is fine. As if Americans need a bigger portion size! Service is always good.

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Michael_Andros

Joined 10 years ago

Truely Authentic Sicilian. I have enjoyed many authentic meals in Mama's dinning room. Any one that has complained about the food, doesn't know good sicilian food. Because this is the best, you can not find some of the thing on the menu anywhere else. This is truley home cooking at it best, in a small restaurant. It reminds me of my Grandmothers cooking and she was from Sicily.

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Gradle

Joined 11 years ago

Nice neighborhood spot. If you want to get some good Italian food and not have to go way out of your way, this is your place. Granted it isn't the finest of food, they still do a wonderful job providing one with good selection and fair pricing.

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flatlander

Joined 11 years ago

Splendid Spiedino. Mama Carino is still going strong in the kitchen of this delightful neighborhood gem. I haven't lived on the Upper East Side for 5 years, but traveled 80 blocks north to see if the veal speidino was as great as I remembered it. It was. This is not the hippest place around, but then it's not trying to be. It's about the food and this place gets it right. Red checkered table cloths, brick walls, and old pictures from Italy are the decor. Prices are fair. Worth a try.