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Carmen's Cafe - Brookside Reviews List
Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
In the heart of the unique Brookside Shops you'll find the classic charm and warmth of Carmen's Cafe. Stop by for a drink in the cozy bar or wind your way past the open cooking area into the mirrored dining area, where the sunlight pours in through large windows at lunch and white tablecloths and candles form a softer mood for dinner. From all over Kansas City they come to break bread at this delightful neighborhood bistro.
See more Carmen's Cafe - Brookside details
64 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 64 reviews
5 stars
(25)
4 stars
(28)
3 stars
(8)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(46)
- special occasion(32)
- romantic(26)
- fit for foodies(17)
- notable wine list(16)
- good for groups(9)
Carmen's Cafe - Brookside Reviews List
Review 1 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Dinner before Starlight
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Just a few blocks away from Starlight Theater, we stopped here before going to Spamalot. Excellent Italian Cuisine with a variety of pastas and meats."
Dined on 6/03/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 2 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
AMAZING
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"It was our first time there and it was outstanding!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, scenic view, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 3 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice little neighborhood spot.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The wife and I tried Carmen Cafe after we missed happy hour down in the Brookside area. We decided to try Carmen Cafe. From the outside, it was very unassuming, but inside had a nice ambiance. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They were attentive, but not hovering over you. For dinner, we decided on "tapas", the crab cake and the stuffed artichoke were good, the muscles were so-so. I would definitely be willing to dine again."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 4 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Carmen's is a well established Brookside Italian restaurant. The food and service are always excellent. I have never had anything but an excellent experience there."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 5 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The meal was wonderful, but they did not have my reservation. Luckily they were able to seat us, but there was a breakdown somewhere between Open Table and Carmen's. I printed out my confirmation, so am sure I completed the process properly. Not sure where the fault lies, but in spite of the glitch, we had a very good dining experience."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 6 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love having dinner at the bar
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Brian the bartender will take great care of you sitting at the bar for dinner!
We love Carmens and always have a great time when we stop in.
Food is always wonderful!"
We love Carmens and always have a great time when we stop in.
Food is always wonderful!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 7 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Bad food. Bad service
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went in on our anniversary. The service was awful. Our waitress did have another big table, but even the time for tables to be cleaned or a serving tray to be removed was inordinate. The food was awful. I ordered the steak Oscar. The steak was bland and under seasoned covered in what was supposed to be a garlic cream sauce. It was Alfredo. My wife oredered the chicken Marsala. It tasted like brown gravy instead of Marsala sauce. It came with a side of red sauced pasta, it tasted like ragu. Lastly , but sums up the whole experience they use kraft (the green can powder) Parmesan. All of this wouldn't be bad had we spent 20$ but it was closer to 90$"
Dined on 5/04/2013
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Review 8 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Underwhelming
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Overall the experience was just okay. We had heard very good things and had been looking forward to trying it for the first time.
We started off with the artichoke leaf which was basically breadcrumbs and butter. I wouldn't recommend that to anyone.
My wife ordered the steak medallions medium well. It came out medium rare, which wasn't a big deal. It actually ended up being delicious so I would highly recommend that dish. It also came with a bowl of penne and marinara. The pasta and sauce were both lukewarm at best and tasted like ragu.
I had the salmon diablo with shrimp and scallops. This dish would have been fantastic if it would have been served hot. It was warm but had definitely been sitting out a bit.
We probably won't be back."
Dined on 4/28/2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 9 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We like to sit at the bar
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We like to sit at the bar in front of the chefs & watch them cook.
Great entertainment!"
Great entertainment!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Carmen's is good and has been
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Carmen's is good and has been consistant over the several times we have been there. Food is always excellent and the staff is friendly and efficient. will go back!
TK"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 11 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This wss our second trip to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This wss our second trip to Carmen's albeit after an interim of close to 10 years. WE loved it the first time, and loved it as much this time. We go for the food, and Carmen's didn't disappoint. The place was crowded when we arrived for our 7:30 reservation...but we had expected that it would be based on our previous experience."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 12 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Exceptionally Good!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We've enjoyed Carmen's for many years. The food, service and prices are always exceptionally good. We are fortunate to have such a great neighborhood restaurant and we are pleased to patronize a local small business."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Can't say I was impressed
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Can't say I was impressed with this meal. The fried calamari was bland, as was the sauce that came with it. As for the salmon oscar - the fish and asparagus were overcooked and there was entirely too much cream on the plate. My pasta was overdone and the vodka tomato cream sauce lacked flavor. Not worth the $80 bill. Probably won't be returning anytime soon."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2007
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Review 14 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great salad and always good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great salad and always good food."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best seafood pasta
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My wife and I have lived in Kansas City for over 10 years and have been on the lookout for a great seafood pasta. I think we finally found what were were looking for. I have a bad memory but the pasta that has the last word s diablo is just about perfect. We had it once before, this time it wasnt as spicy so you may want to ask them to make it as spicy as possible. My wife had that and I had the lasagna. Both were amazing and arrived pretty quickly as well.
I am not sure if the waiter was just trying to turn a lot of tables but we did feel a little rushed. But only a little. We will be back several more times this year. Thats saying a lot because we do not eat out often at all."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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Review 16 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was absolutely fantastic!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was absolutely fantastic! We loved the atmosphere, too. Service was good. But the food was just delicious!"
Dined on 02/19/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 17 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Some of the reviews I read
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Some of the reviews I read prior to visiting Carmen's were not great. Not sure if these folks had perhaps visited a different Carmen's? Our experience was terrific. The dining room is romantic and cozy, but not so small that you could overhear neighbor's conversations.
The food was delicious. The server could have been a bit friendlier, but was quick and attentive. I highly recommend this for date night and we will be frequent visitors."
The food was delicious. The server could have been a bit friendlier, but was quick and attentive. I highly recommend this for date night and we will be frequent visitors."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 18 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good well prepared, traditiona
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good well prepared, traditional Italian food. Maybe just 1-2 entrees on the light side."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 19 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I've been going to Carmen's
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I've been going to Carmen's for years and it's an asset to the Brookside neighborhood. My friend had a question about the wine and our server was very friendly and knowledgeable, the food is good, and I enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Put this one on your list if you've never been."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 20 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a delightful Valentine's
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"We had a delightful Valentine's Day Our food was good, service was great. Tables were a little close, but sat next to a friendly couple. They added to our good time."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 21 for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We've been to Carmen's several
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We've been to Carmen's several times in the past but this time wasn't a success. We sent back one appetizer and my pasta. The fact that it was Valentine's Day may have added some pressure to the cooking and wait staff."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Carmen's Cafe - Brookside
Based on the average of (43) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
6 out of 6 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic