Carmela's Cucina

26-Aug-2018 My brother recommended this restaurant, as he and his wife and children have enjoyed the food here on multiple occasions. I was very pleased with his recommendation! We grew up in NYC and are very familiar with small, family owned and operated Italian restaurants like those located in Queens and Brooklyn. "hidden gems" as I like to say. Places you may not necessarily find on your own, but are very glad you did! The food was excellent! My brother commented on how good the Pizza and the stuffed shells are here. My problem tonight was that I didn't want pizza.... I wanted a pasta dinner. So I did what any rational person would do. I ordered a slice of pizza AND the dinner special, the trio of meat lasagna, stuffed shell and manicotti... with extra sauce of course, because in my opinion you cannot have too much red sauce! The pizza was excellent, reminiscent of that I enjoyed as a kid in NY which is the only real style of pizza there is :-) I greatly enjoyed the pasta trio as well! I managed to EAT EVERYTHING. Salad, garlic focaccia, slice of pizza and the entire trio... It was THAT GOOD. My favorite part of the trio was the manicotti. Perfect pasta texture, rolled around perfectly creamy ricotta. Smooth.... So smooth, no lumps. Perfect. I will be back the next time I'm in MD to visit my brother. PS.... I meant to include a full pic of the trio meal plate. I got so excited when the plate reached the table, I forgot to take a pic till is was almost done! I also included a picture of my sister in law's Penne a la Vodka. She loved it!.

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I know, it doesn't look like much from the outside, from the painted cinder blocks to the miller/coors lite fluorescent lights...but they put all their effort into cooking talent, excellent service, and kindness. It was hot inside because the air conditioner was broken, but once the food came we completely forgot. Our palettes were astounded by the food we ordered. We began with the caprese salad. Our entrees were the lemon chicken (sub gnocchi), and the frutta del mare. The lady who served us was exactly the type of lady you'd want taking care of you for the rest of your life. I can't wait to go back!

I was excited for the veggie wrap on how big amazing this wrap is.. the cook explained it... when it was brought to me it was nothing like he explained it... very disappointing... I could not eat it... Burnt taste... hardly could handle two bites.. And the fries had very oily look and saturated.. I always wonder how people can bring other people food when it looking how it looks most of time... Puzzling...