Carmel Cafe

Last night I had a date with my Ashley. She is a friend that I met at UCF and we like to keep in touch and get together every now and then.

Well I knew of this new restaurant opening near me and asked Ashley if she would like to make the trek over to check this place out.... A few of the people helping out to open the restaurant came in to my job last week and told me about the opening. I thought it would be a fun opportunity.

So Tuesday night around 8:45 pm Ashley and I met at Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar in Altamonte Springs near the Jamestown Publix. We walked in and immediately got a table. 

The wine list is very extensive so if you enjoy wine (or you are looking to get into wine) this is the place to be. They serve wine by the 3 oz (this is the best way to taste many different wines *wink*) and also by the glass 6 oz and 9 oz.

I got a 6 oz glass of Malbec from Mendoza Argentina, Elsa Bianchi. It was very delicious. Ashley went for the 6 oz Riesling from Washington, NxNW. She said it was delicious. 

We then started off with calamari and complimentary bread sticks with a kalamata olive spread, very olivey but good. They also offer sparkling or still water at no extra charge.

I have never had fried calamari that came in sticks... who cares they were delicious and that sauce was yummy. Ashley did not like it as much (but then again she said she's not very adventurous when it

 comes to food.) Me on the other hand was like give me more *wink* The sauce is a zesty tomato aioli.

For my main course I had Grilled Shrimp and Pasta with a horseradish tomato jam. I was skeptical at first about the horseradish tomato jam (even though I enjoy horseradish and tomato). I ordered it anyways... and this beautiful master piece is what came out.

The shrimp were delicious perfectly seasoned and grilled. The noodles were excellent, even though at first they reminded me of ramen. That's what I get for judging a book by its cover, I guess. The sauce was outstanding. I wanted more of it. It was a sweet jam, but I didn't really taste any horseradish. Oh well still a very good choice for dinner.

After dinner A and I decided on a refreshing cocktail. A watermelon granita. OMG this drink was freaking out of this world. I sucked that thing down quicker than I would have liked to *wink* A drink that I will definitely order again. 

If you are interested in going details can be found on their website Carmel Cafe.

*My Thoughts*

They close at 10 pm which, to me, is very early. I am a late night person and like to stay out late to enjoy a few cocktails after my meal. Especially if I am with company that I do not get to see very often. Other than that the food was good as were the drinks.

I am sorry about the terrible quality of the photos they were taken with my iPhone. I left my DSLR at home because I thought the restaurant would be packed and I didn't want it to get broken. However I will be making another trip back to Carmel Cafe and I will snap some better photos. But for now these will have to do.