Casanova Restaurant Carmel

Casanova Restaurant Carmel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. K

   Kathryn VIP

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Such a pleasant surprise- menu was flawless, ambiance a break from kitschy tourist stops, approachable wine list and great value for a really special experience.
   

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2. L

   Leah

   San Francisco4 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   Horrible service, overpriced food, racial discrimination. We were huge fans of Casanova for over 10 years. Since the pandemic, it's been going downhill while prices went up. They used to serve a free breadstick starter; they now charge $9 for bread they don't even make in-house. The menu is limited and repetitive. Recently, I asked for the wagyu steak "medium rare", and it came out solidly "medium well", dry, and tough. The mains took 45 minutes to come out. All this may be excusable given the lovely ambiance and vibes. However, we had the most unpleasant service for an early Mother's Day dinner and will not be back. We were seated out front even though I had NOT selected the "outdoor" option on OpenTable. This was after the host told an elderly white couple ahead of us that she was "moving things around" to get them a courtyard table. Our server was curt and rude for no discernible reason, other than our appearance. She dropped (literally) things avoiding eye contact, never checked in on us (even when waiting 45 min for food), and very clearly seemed upset that we ordered neither alcohol nor dessert, even though we ordered 2 mocktails, starters, and mains. In contrast, she was chatting and joking it up with the white people at other tables and offering free birthday champagne. She couldn't even muster up a "Happy Mother's Day" to us, even though I specified in the reservation notes, and it was Mother's Day weekend. The owners don't seem to care and are clearly coasting on the historic reputation and name. Go elsewhere - there are so many other restaurants in Carmel that are more deserving of your money and business. Positives: Someone else complimented the saucier, and I agree - the buttermilk sauce on the salad, the gnocchi sauce, and the brown butter sauce on the dover sole were all delicious. All of the busboys and food runners were friendly and great, as was the guy who de-boned our fish and the man in grey suit who checked in on us.
   

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3. M

   Matt

   Detroit4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Got engaged and came here to celebrate, rolled out the red carpet and it was magical
   

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4. M

   Matthew VIP

   Los Angeles208 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   For an oft recommended restaurant our visit was underwhelming… nice ambiance but we paid $80 for a wagyu ribeye that felt overly chewy. Seared scallops we good and we like their version of an old fashioned with Galliano… but the prices were too Carmel-inflated and the cooking fell short.
   

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5. M

   Matt VIP

   Central Coast10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great atmosphere and wonderful service. Classic Italian food done well. Not to be missed if you’re in Carmel- just book in advance!
   

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6. S

   Sam VIP

   Alabama35 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Cocktails, starters, entrees and dessert were all excellent. Gnocchi was delicious, pork chop extremely tender and tasty and chocolate mousse was wonderful ending. Needed a special night out and they delivered. Small tables but ambiance was nice…felt like we might have been in Italy.
   

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7. l

   lynne VIP

   San Francisco205 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   It's a mix here. The food is good, especially the linguine, but the service is always just somewhat off. The front desk will argue with you; the waiter will reach right across your face just an inch away, the food will be put down confidently in front of the wrong people without asking who had what, some dishes will arrive late so that some in the party are waiting while others have their food getting cold...you get the idea. I know it's tough now to be fully staffed, but this is one of the places in town in which you feel it and the total effect impacts the experience here.
   

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8. S

   Sonyia

   Richmond4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service and food were lovely. Was a bit windy on the patio, though warm with heaters.
   

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9. W

   Wendy VIP

   Orange County31 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 3, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The burrata is delish, bright an fresh with lemon and parsley. The short rib is dry, though the scarce sauce is tasty. The cauliflower broccoli is al dente. The Starry Night is a good cocktail (like a manhattan). The basque cheesecake is creamy.
   

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10. R

    Robert VIP

    Atlanta10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Simply amazing experience. Can’t wait to go back. Marina and her team were outstanding
    

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