Carmelo’s

This was our first time here — food was great, service was wonderful!

I am from Los Angeles traveling through upstate New York. I feel like I have pretty high standards, and not a lot of places have been meeting them. But THIS place by far met and exceeded anything I could have dreamed up! We walked in with 2 kids in tow and they sat us even though we didn’t have a reservation. Our server Heather was so accommodating and kind and funny and very knowledgable about the menu. The whole staff was amazing and friendly, and totally on their game! Before we needed anything, someone would be at our table refilling or asking us if they could get us anything! The menu was locally sourced and so creative, so you know they only serve what is fresh and in season. We got the stuffed focaccia, a side of potatoes and some amazing bread to start! Then pastas for the kids and the white Bolognese and the chicken as our entrees. Their chard cakes are definitely worth trying, so delicious! With some amazing wine too! Everything we tried was beyond delicious! They even brought out little ice creams for the girls and boxed up what we couldn’t finish. I cannot recommend this place enough! Go go go! I hope we make it back while we’re here!

Amazing food, polite staff, wonderful atmosphere — everything you could hope. And neatly tucked into the beautiful town of Lewiston. Rather expensive, so save for it special occasions — we went for our anniversary — but I can’t find anything to complain about. Beautiful interior, nice lighting, and our dishes were unique and delicious.

Carmelo’s is hands down my favorite restaurant north of Buffalo. Part of its charm is its Center St. location in the sleepy village of Lewiston, the emphasis and explanation of local sourced ingredients and its super friendly staff. I have eaten here more times than I can count and I’ll be honest, I’ve caught an underwhelming dinner here and there, but the hits far out number the misses. The menu has slight variations from week to week and major changes season to season, which adds to the pleasure of returning. I recommend sharing as many things as possible and don’t be afraid to ask your servers about what is interesting.

I was really wanting to get here for 2 years and finally for my birthday we did. Basically, my drink was great, the service was good. My hubby’s pot roast was excellent. But it was so cold in the restaurant (November) as other customers went in and out (it’s small, we were seated near the front) that I couldn’t really relax or take off my shawl. Now, I’m sure I’m paranoid and watch too many Law & Orders, but what is up with all the weirdly placed mirrors in the Ladies Room? I was so uncomfortable that there might be a hidden camera, I couldn’t shake it. It really kind of started the evening off badly for me — (This situation did happen not that long ago in a deli in my area and the owner was arrested).
*I’m not accusing anyone of anything, I’m just telling you how it made me feel. And in my opinion, it is a poor design choice.*
I ordered duck; I was asked how I wanted it cooked. I was confused b/​c it’s what I would consider poultry and I have ordered duck elsewhere and never had that question. That threw me off. I looked up about duck being a dark meat and able to eat rare and apparently this has been a normal way to serve duck at finer restaurants but everything else I read from medical websites said this is simply not safe. So that’s up to you, personally, even though it was very tasty (I tried one piece), I couldn’t stomach the rare-​ness, I’m sure it was psychosomatic, and I know I could have sent it back but I just wasn’t in the mood to stay. I took it home and made it into tacos the next day.
To recap, go in the warmer months, order the pot roast and pee at home! You’ll love it!

Over-​priced, pretentious servers, & very little portions. Very slow as we waited over an hour for our food to be served. btw, «fried potatos on the menu are french fries. Ordered a $ 34 Beef filet, it was very small and served with french fries. My husbands drink was wrong & the waitress bit his head off. Definitely nothing compared to the original Coat of Arms years ago.

Took my husband here for his birthday. We loved everything that touched our mouths. We started with mussels, which were delicious. We then got the crispy calamari salad, which was to die for. Then, I got the pork chop and my husband got the roast duck. We shared a side of the brussel sprouts. Everything was out of this world. Seriously. The brussel sprouts were the best brussel sprouts I have ever had in my life.
The only negative thing I can say about the place was that the service was a bit terrible. We were there for a total of 2.5 hours, and that’s with reservations. We even wanted to get dessert, however our waitress never came back to the table to ask us for our order, so we just paid the bill and left. Which is a shame, because they had banana foster!
Otherwise, I would recommend this place as a nice, cozy place to discover some new tastes that are amazing to your palate!

Went here to celebrate our 25^th anniversary and were very pleased we did. Only negative we encountered was the bread order for the day got missed and no Italian bread was available. We ordered the Calamari appetizer/​salad and it was well prepared and different from the usual preparation of Calamari. The lobster with homemade pasta and duck breast entrees were executed perfectly. The duck was cooked to perfection and the pasta managed to be both rich and flavorful and light all at the same time. The sauce was a cauliflower sauce– that tasted like an Alfredo, but without the heaviness of a lot of heavy cream. Beignets with chocolate sauce was a perfect ending to the meal. Atmosphere was very nice at the holidays. Tastefully decorated. Couldn’t believe they had been open over 20 years and we had never been here, but we will be back sooner than later.

I came with very high hopes for Carmelo’s, but left feeling disappointed with the food and service.
It’s been at least four years since I last dined here; that meal stood out as one of the best I’d had in a long time. This one, not so much.
Service: We arrived on Friday night with a reservation and stood waiting at the front for longer than seemed appropriate without being acknowledged by the hostess who was moving about slowly throughout the restaurant, chatting with other diners. Finally, a woman from behind the bar came and sat us. It took a while for our server to come over. She was pleasant, but the evening was full of noticeable long waits between visits to our table (surprising because the restaurant was quiet that night) and staff trying to pick up our plates before we were finished eating. In general, service was lacking and unpolished, even for a casual upscale restaurant like Carmelo’s.
Food: Would have loved to know that «crispy squid» means pretty standard fried calamari (albeit with interesting peanut preparation); it wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t have ordered it had I known it was calamari. Meatballs were good but salty, not memorable. Orecchiette was also underwhelming. I ordered my filet medium rare and it came out medium well; the accompanying lemon and blueberry balsamic flavors were interesting but a bit overpowering for the dish. These were all recommendations from our server.
Highlight of our meal was chatting with a couple seated beside us. They, like so many others, swear by Carmelo’s. I think we must have been here on an off night and will have to try again.

I love Carmelo’s. The food is fantastic. It’s a small restaurant, with a small bar. It doesn’t feel overcrowded when you are in there — even if it’s packed. The food is original and delicious. I’ve had the duck there several times — always perfect with crispy skin. I’ve had pork belly (a special on a day I was there), and corn ice cream — which was beyond belief.
My only issue is the fact that the menu is week-​to-​week. I always check on Tuesday morning to make sure I like what they will have for the week. And if it’s late in the week — or a heavy tourist week, you could find that things on their menu is out. Which is disappointing. I went one night and they were out of several appetizers, and a few entrees. Plus, we didn’t find out they were out of the entrees until after we’d already ordered.
As long as you go with an open mind and a few back-​up plans — it’s a wonderful experience.

A foodies paradies! Then menu changes with the weather. Whatever foods are in season is what is on the menu. Carmelo’s was farm to table before it was cool.

best restaurant meal I have had in Lewiston area since coming here occasionally the past 15 years. not sure why I had not tried this place before but I am glad we found it.
the lobster salad was better than expected, tender lobster meat wrapped in lettuce with light dressing and bread crumbs. I shared this with my wife.
I had the spaghetti with brussel sprouts — home made pasta cooked al dente to my liking tossed with EVOO and small pieces of brussel sprouts. everything I ate was seasoned well, I tend to like salt and did not need to add any to my meals.
the wife had baked cod with sausage crust — it was also very good.
we shared a bottle of reasonably priced Italian red Mont. d’abruuzo.
not the cheapest place to eat in Lewiston but i do not mind paying for quality

Carmelo’s far exceeded our expectations, and they were fairly high going in for our first visit. The chef here has a strong commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, which he blends with things like seafood from faraway shores (and Idaho, of all places). His efforts are nothing short of amazing.
We ate at Carmelo’s at the peak of harvest, and so items like tomato, corn, and peaches were front and center in just about every dish. I’ve never had a meal quite like it. The flavors were familiar, but new, pleasant, yet also intense.
I think the menu changes regularly, so I won’t say «get the head-​on shrimp and cold corn soup with lump crab.» Those dishes might be gone next week.
I will say: Just go, and get some dishes that feature local produce or meats. The result is bound to be unforgettable.
Also, a special shout-​out to our server, Frank, who seemed as though he’d been waiting tables for decades because of his warm, knowledgeable, and engaging manner. Turned out he’d just taken up the gig only recently because his local meat processing business (Dispenza’s) had a fire and was still getting back on its feet. We listened to Frank’s advice on what to get when we were stuck on a choice, and were rewarded.

The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. The gemelli was out of the world, as was the pork. Beignets for dessert! Yes! This was the perfect choice!

Out-​of-​town friends were staying in the Falls for a night and wanted to meet for dinner. Kicked around a few places in the Falls area but Carmelo’s was on my ‘Do’ list for a while and it was time to ‘do it’. I don’t quite get all the 5 star ratings it has.
I really wanted to give it 4 stars but not sure it will make it to my ‘do again’ list so it gets 3 for now because it was… «A-​OK».
We started with App’s of: Eggplant Lasagna (too salty), Arancini (good), and Mussels (also good).
Three of our party had the NY Strip and Filet steaks. All steaks were VG. The Strip had a choice of 2 sides. Both the Polenta and the Potatoes were good. The Filet’s came with Risotto and a Blueberry-​Balsamic topping. Believe me, I know Rissoto is a tuff thing to get perfect and this was good but was a little el dente.
The other entrée was the house made Gemelli pasta with loose Italian sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pesto and was VG.
Desserts of Tiramisu and Cheesecake were shared and enjoyed with good coffee and espresso.
Although it’s not on my ‘do again’ list I would like to try them again if the opportunity arises.
Sláinte

I’m hard-​pressed to award 4 stars, as 3.5 would be more appropriate. Locally sourced ingredients make up the extra star. This was my second visit to Carmelo’s, and I have to say, my first was far better. We took the in-​laws here after perusing the Lewiston Art Festival. I love the interior: cozy, old-​world, exposed brick and beams. Very genuine, not manufactured like many restaurants try to do.
Simply put, the pros are house-​made pasta, locally sourced meats and veggies, and a menu that does not overwhelm when trying to make a choice. However, the cons are small pasta dishes (especially for the price). If I’m paying ~$ 20 for a pasta dish, I want to be full, not hungry in an hour. Compared to Trattoria Aroma, Carmelo’s could improve in this category. One party member ordered the strip steak, which looked delicious, and served over a salad of fresh tomatoes and a balsamic reduction. He was quite pleased. The rest of us pasta eaters left wishing for something more, and that was after eating the pizza dough ball (can’t remember the real name) for an appy.
Our waitress was sweet but a bit inattentive, and was not terribly familiar with the menu. I doubt she was new, as she seemed to navigate everything else in the house pretty easily, but she was not familiar with the cocktail list (only 3 drinks) nor could answer many questions about the pastas (only 4). She received a healthy tip regardless, but when you’re dropping $ 150+ on dinner, you expect a bit more.
Overall, I won’t be making the drive up from Buffalo any time soon to visit again. Trattoria Aroma is a comparable cuisine, with a deeper menu and more attentive staff. The folks awarding 5 stars probably don’t get out for fine dining as much, or just have lower overall expectations.

This is literally the best restaurant in WNY. You definitely need to visit here. If this restaurant was in buffalo it could easily double the prices for what they charge. My mother always likes to reminise about visiting ArtPark when I was 4 and we stopped by for a meal and Carmelo senior made a special plate of kiddie sized meatballs even though they weren’t on the menu. Well I’m 30 yo now and am still going back for more local sourced, seasonal appropriate, and all out delicious food.

The night was still, the breezes warm, our bellies were aching for something different, something delicious… whose bellies don’t ache for such?
Tired of the same old fare in our town; Amherst, NY, we decided to drive north just a ways and visit one of our favorite ‘hamlets’ in Western New York, Lewiston. No, there was not an Art Fair, no, there was not a Jazz Festival, nor was there a Peach Festival in town, just locals, just peace and quiet, a still night with warm breezes wafting in the wind…
Now on to my review of probably one of the most consistently high caliber restaurants in the region. Alas, regional ingredients shine here, from the chilled sweet corn soup, to the orchetta with sweet pesto and local sausage, to the salad of beets, I believe arugula, goat cheese and sweet candied pecans. Perfecto!
Our waitress, Julie was superb… attentive, knowledgeable, and a great personality to boot! She really went out of her way to make our evening one to remember.
And that is one reason that I spend time submitting reviews to Unilocal.It helps me remember that special person, that wonderful aroma, the first bite of an entrée, the sights of a great day-​trip, the joy of a Jackson Pollock at a particular museum, on and on and on…
Carmelo’s we will see you very soon!
Thank you!

Carmelo’s is amazing… but where to begin? From farm fresh ingredients and house made pasta to locally raised /​sourced meat, this restaurant offers simple dishes that feel anything but. (A wonderful example of simple does not necessarily equal easy…) The thoughtful menu never disappoints. The house made desserts are incredible. If you’ve never been, you must go. Now!

5 stars, woohoo as good as it gets for sure!
I have dined here twice. Months apart. The first time left me wanting to go right back however finding the time personally to do such is sometimes difficult. It was amazing and unfortunately like all the best things in life left me comparing everything else to this.
Carmelo, Bruce and David set the bar.
Local meats, wines, produce. House made charcuterie… who does that anymore (Bruce does). Amazing.
We originally went to try the charcuterie after hearing a lot of fan fare and were blown away by the rest. Normally I would go into a long description of what I had how it was presented and tasted but I’m not going to do that because I will be typing forever.
Here’s what I will say.
It’s location being in Lewiston probably puts some off due to the drive from Buffalo, NY. However it’s worth the drive anytime. Their proximity to the city is probably a good thing for most foodies because getting a reservation same day is probable. Each time I have been there it has been cozily filled. Service is pleasant and knowledgeable. Skills in the kitchen are some of the finest in the WNY area. The ingredients are top notch. Desserts amazing!
In my opinion Carmelo’s is short changing themselves. For instance. A bottle of wine, three appetizers including charcuterie, two top notch entrees and a desert cost my wife and I $ 120. I would expect to pay (which I have) at least 2 – 300 at Mike A’s, Tempo, Hutch’s, Chophouse whatever. Carmelo’s is a supreme value to the customer in every way. Carmelo’s is simply the best restaurant in all of WNY.