Carmen's Italian Restaurant Bar

Love this place always returning customers. Pete is always very personable when my fiancé and I come in.

Food is fantastic! Service is slow but worth the wait.

This Bar/Restaurant is Fantastic. It used to be called Della Polla 's for many years while I was growing up in Folsom, the next town over. Surprisingly I never visited this place until now which I think is still managed by the same people though I 'm not certain. But everything they make is so delicious and a much larger amount than a typical entree anywhere else. I got penne w/vodka sauce and it was made perfectly. And anyone who knows anything about Italian Cuisine knows that it takes a special know how to achieve the love that you could taste in this dish. My sister got the same thing and agrees. My brother in-law got the Italian stromboli and it was made perfectly, and served literally on a silver platter (probably stainless steel, but still). The calamari appetizer we ordered was noticeably different than what I 'm used to in a good way, as it appeared to be breaded and fried right there in the establishment rather than bought frozen. I Definitely reccomend Carmens so much that I 'm going to get it published on my next Google Maps list of Favorite Places To Go! If you 're in town, check this place out!

The pasta is homemade and absolutely delicious! I was in the mood for pasta, even though I noticed that many reviews praised the calamari (which I’ll definitely try next time), as well as the pizzas, calzones, seafood, and a few other dishes. I spotted some photos of the carbonara but didn’t find it on the menu. I wasn't planning to order it since I’m accustomed to bacon carbonara prepared with a creamy sauce. After researching, I learned that traditional Italian carbonara usually features black pepper and a type of ham that isn't commonly used here, which is why bacon is typically used in the U.S. If they decided to remove it from the menu, I think it was a wise choice on their part. The staff genuinely cares about the dining experience and is always looking for ways to improve. The prices are very reasonable too. The service was attentive, and the staff were great at navigating the social atmosphere and any subtle language barriers, like when I asked to pack my salad and pasta together instead of waiting for a to-go container.

The meals were supposed to be served with salads, as shown in the menu pictures, but we only received the broth. When the bill arrived, I was taken aback to find an unexpected fee added after they processed my card, which I later discovered was an extra charge for using a debit card. It's important to note that restaurants cannot impose fees beyond the original amount without properly informing the customer. Unfortunately, we will not be returning.