The Sexiest Italian Restaurant...
Written: Jan 03 '01 (Updated Mar 27 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: everything
Cons: not one in my hometown
The Bottom Line: I love this place...:-)
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| i_culookn's Full Review: Arkansas |
Restaurant Overall:
Johnny Carino’s Country Italian is by far the best Italian Restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of dining in. The Outback once upon a time was my favorite restaurant but in the last few years Johnny Carino’s has taken over the spot as the number one restaurant in my eyes.
The concept at Johnny Carino’s is that they serve you authentic Italian food that was meant to be shared among the individuals within your party. They make everything from scratch including their homemade lasagna, manicotti and meatballs, their delicious bread, to homemade pizzas. They bake these items in a wood fired oven before your eyes. The Tiramisu which is to die for is made from their personal family recipes dating back generations.
Food
The food is to die for. My mouth is watering right now as I am preparing this review. I have never had a bad meal here in the six years that I have been dining at Johnny Carino’s. I cannot give enough praise to the restaurant. All of the Parmesan cheese is freshly grated for you when they bring you your meal and they also offer freshly ground pepper.
With each meal you will be served the best homemade bread in the world. It is so piping hot when it is brought out to your table. IT is literally a mouth pleaser. The bread can be eaten alone or dipped in an olive oil mixture with seasonings that makes it truly delicious. I always ask for fresh ground garlic to add to the olive oil mixture.
The menu is super easy to read and offers two different prices for each food item. The first price is SOLO which is for a single person. The second price is GRANDIOSO which is a family platter.
The Appetizers range from Fried Calamari, Stuffed Mushrooms, Italian Nachos to The Combo Platter. The prices range from $3.99 to $10.99. Keep in mind the higher prices will be for the family platters.
Salads are quite popular at this restaurant. The choices are wonderful from several different choices of salads ranging from Shrimp & Artichoke Caesar to a Chopped Chicken & Pasta for your meal. Also available in smaller portions are the famous Caesar or House Salad at only $1.50. The salads as a main meal range from $6.69 to $6.99.
Pizza is definitely a specialty here at Johnny Carino’s. Six different varieties are offered if you are in the mood for a real pizza. My personal favorite is the Chicken Alfredo Pizza which is absolutely wonderful. They also serve a basic cheese pizza, create your own, and meat combo pizzas. The prices range from $5.65 to $6.95.
The Specialties include Skilletini which is yet another favorite of mine. The Skilletini is served to you in a sizzling skillet with peppers, onions, spaghetti and marinara sauce and your choice(s) of chicken, shrimp, or sausage. The only one I haven’t tried is the shrimp since I am not a big seafood person. As your mouth is probably watering you can just imagine how wonderful this is when your taste buds get what they have been craving!
Homemade Lasagna is yet another specialty that has 12 layers of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce. A total of 15 menu items are considered Specialty items here at Johnny Carino’s. My absolute favorite is the Chicken Milano. This dish is made up of chicken medallions layered with ham, provolone, basil, and mushrooms and is served with Fettuccine Alfredo. As usual I have the chef hold the mushrooms, as they are not a food item that I like at all.
The prices range from $7.89 Solo to $21.99 Grandioso for the Specialty menu items.
If you may be in the mood for something that is not so Italian they do offer a selection of Veal, Pork Chops, or a Tuscan Ribeye. The prices range from $7.79 Solo to $21.95 Grandioso. The Pork Chops and Tuscan Ribeye are only offered Solo.
If you are in the mood for pasta then the menu offers you 12 different choices to choose from. You may be in the mood for Shrimp Scampi, Penne Gorgonzola, or Cheese Ravioli. The prices range from $5.95 Solo to $19.99 Grandioso.
If you have any room left for dessert then you will surely love to give anything a try. They offer a Midnight Chocolate Velvet Cake that is absolutely heavenly. My personal favorite is the New York Cheesecake served with a delightful orange liqueur-flavored sweet berry sauce. The prices range from $3.95 to $5.95. So be prepared when they bring the dessert tray around as the desserts on the tray all look so wonderful.
Service
The service at Johnny Carino’s has always been above and beyond. Generally there is a wait for a booth so we always head to the bar and get a drink or two. The have offer a Peach Bellini which is one of their better-frozen drinks. I usually order a Mudslide. If you are a familiar face in this restaurant and are recognized by certain waiters you can usually get a few drinks free. At least this is what I have experienced.
Décor
When you enter you will notice that the restaurant is wonderfully decorated. Straight ahead you will see the place where the grills are and the wood fire ovens are located. If you desire you can watch the meals be cooked. Behind this area is their actual kitchen.
The restaurant has awesome “kitchen items” placed throughout the restaurant. These items range from pasta filled glass bowls to fruit baskets.
On each table there is a fresh piece of white paper that you can draw on with the colors that you were given by your hostess. I always love to draw and doodle!
Special Notes, Tips, or Menu Recommendations
Sausage/Chicken Skilletini, Homemade Manicotti, Four Cheese Fettuccine
Kid Friendly: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Food Quality: Excellent
Favorite Dish: Chicken Milano
If you are ever in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Texarkana, Texas, or Dallas, Texas then I highly suggest you give Johnny Carino’s Country Italian a try. You will not be disappointed at all.
Johnny Carino’s Country Italian
4421 Warden Road (McCain Mall)
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72216
Hours: 11 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week
~Thanks for reading and have a great day~
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
i_culookn
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Miss Tara
Location: Wylie, Texas
Reviews written: 119
Trusted by: 1016 members
About Me:
I am a newlywed as of November 22, 2003!!!!!
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