Whenever we go to Florida, a trip to Carrabba's is an absolute must for us. Please understand that normally, we prefer to dine in. I am a professionally-trained chef and dinners out more often than not are a disappointment. This is not true, however, of any of the several dinners we have enjoyed at Carrabba's. True, they are a chain, but they bear no resemblance to most chain establishments, with their formulaic preparations that taste like they came from a central commissary.
Carrabba's always delights, no matter what the choice. When you arrive without reservations, your name is taken and you will be given a little appliance that lights up when your table is ready. For us, the wait was about a half hour, which we killed in the strip mall adjacent to the restaurant.
The decor is open, with tables and booths set off by high partitions. These afford a little respite from the noise level, which is admittedly high. Don't go here expecting a romantic rendezvous. Carrabba's is always lively, with decibel levels in the upper range.
We started with perfectly fried calamari. They were crispy with no trace of oiliness, and not even slightly rubbery. The slight breading was spiced to perfection. The marinara sauce on the side had a definite kick.
My husband chose the veal piccata and I chose the pollo Rosa Maria. While we waited, we munched on the superb Tuscan-style bread, with its dry, crunchy crust and soft, moist interior, dipped in herbed extra-virgin olive oil. It was hard to pace ourselves, so perfect was this bread.
Our entrees arrived steaming hot. The veal was exquisite, and required only a fork to cut it. The sauce had just the right amount of lemon, which, combined with a dry white wine, made for an intriguingly piquant accompaniment. However, the chicken (pollo) Rosa Maria was the best chicken entree I have ever had in a restaurant! The succulent boneless breasts were stuffed with oozing Fontina cheese, and were enrobed in a coffee-colored sauce, studded with mushrooms and pieces of tomato pulp. The chicken is smoked over wood, and the taste combination caused a collision of flavors that almost gave me sensory overload! If you have occasion to get to Carrabba's, don't miss this one.
One thing we have noticed at all Carrabba's is the waitstaff. The training is impeccable. They are all young because this is a movin'-and-shakin' place. But they never show you if they feel harried. They are attentive, but never intrusive. They refill your water glass without being asked. They are ready to tell you about anything on the menu with knowledge.
If you go out only once during your vacation in Florida, make it a trip to Carrabba's. You will feel that you got more than your money's worth, and you'll leave with a wonderful memory, the tastes of Italy lingering in your mind, as well as your mouth.