On our first night in NYC, we decided to dine at Carmine's. By the time we got checked into our hotel, it was past lunchtime but not yet dinnertime. However, our group was starving, so we decided to eat a big meal. At 4pm on a Thursday, we got right into Carmine’s but were told they would need the table back by 5:30 for a dinner reservation. The atmosphere was very pleasant. The meals are served family-style and are giant. The menu is a big sign on the wall.

Our group of four started with Carmine’s salad while we decided on our main course. The salad was very large and very good. A bread basket full of different varieties was also served. We decided to order two entrees: cheese ravioli, which was $20, and the vodka penne, at $23. Both were, in our opinions, just above average. One thing I did not like is that there are no free refills on tea or sodas. Our table ordered a pitcher of iced tea for $12, and it was barely enough for us.

I found the waitstaff to be a little rude and standoffish, but then again, they seemed to be busier preparing for the pre-theater rush than tending to us. Would I go there again? Probably not, but everyone should dine at Carmine’s at least once.

Carmine's is located right in the heart of the theater district, walking distance to most of the shows playing in the area. There is a second location in the Upper West Side at 2450 Broadway, between 90th and 91st Streets (212) 362-2200, but I have only frequented the location on 44th Street. This is one of the groups favorite places to go for lunch as the food here is quite yummy, the service is good and the prices reasonable for a large group. Large portions of pastas, antipasti, seafood and meat entrees are served family style and each entree will serve a minimum of 4 normal people.

The atmosphere is lively and noisy, but not so much that you cannot carry on a conversation with the others at your table. As you walk in the single entry doorway, you are greeted by your host or hostess and may be seated on one of two levels. The first level contains both table and booth seating and a large bar runs halfway up one wall with plenty of seating room. Bathrooms are located up one flight of stairs, I believe above the kitchen, so it is always a little toasty up there.

Reservations are recommended and are definitely needed for large groups. We usually go with about 20 people, and the only negative experience I have had here is that the restaurant always splits up our party into two tables of ten and the tables are not near one another. At my last visit, I was told to call and speak to Penny, who handles the private parties and she would be able to help us out with our seating next time, but a fixed menu would be provided, entries to be determined before we arrive.

The food here, as mentioned earlier, is delicious. In my 4-5 times here, we have sampled many of the items on the menu. The stuffed mushrooms are one of my favorite appetizers, meaty and a little tangy. The calimari is always a favorite with our group, although I don't eat seafood, everyone else raved about it. The chicken scarpiello and veal marsala have never disappointed, and the salads are always top-notch. I have never had an entree that we did not enjoy. I recommend that you choose 2-3 dishes for every four to five people, but the wait staff will always tell you what they feel would be best suited for your group. This place is not really geared for parties of less than four people, unless you like to take home LARGE doggie bags.

Meals run about $30-$40 USD per person, with drinks and dessert for parties of our size, but well worth the money for the quality of the food and for being right in midtown tourist area.