Carnivale: User Reviews

I really don't understand the rave after all this time. I have seen the lines and heard the stories since Carnivale cracked opened the doors. Everything about this Latin fusion place is average. The server was had a decent knowledge of the menu and the food was decent overpriced small portions that you would expect at a lot of trendy places in the city. The only thing I can give a small thumbs up on is the ambiance. The dining room is unique and the decor was probably the highlight to a pretty average dining exp.

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Last reviews sounded a little harsh. Two of us were there for 9:00 pm reservations on July 4th (thats right, the holiday). Let me first say the food was GREAT. really, we had a great meal. We had the Duck Confi appitizer and some serrano ham, and then dinner was the Skirt Steak and Rum glazed pork. The Quality of the meal, presentation and mix of flavors were excellent.

The drinks, yeah they were expensive. The Ginger mojito was about $11, but you know what... Up in the viagra triangle, I've paid more (The New Trader Vics Mai-Tai with way too much ice). For Someone who eats out at a quality Chicago Restaurant about once a month, I was not surprised nor appalled. Are some of these other people leaving a review really from the suburbs and just now getting chicago "sticker shock"?

The service was good. It was good and bad both. The waitress was VERY knowledable. We asked here several questions on the items and she gave us the information right away. She indicated she had eaten ever dish on the menu. You know, at a place like this, it is VERY helpful when the staff has done so. Did she check on us enough during dinner.... No. She missed one delivery of my drink. Ok, it was a mistake. She was hard to catch to get that corrected. Ok.she appologized 3 times. Appology accepted. Did we feel rushed (sat down at 9:30), no. The place was not packed. and we had a "well paced" meal. Could she have done better.... yes.... Could she have done worse? Yes.... I would not hold the service performance out as a deciding factor if we return!

Did we have to wait to be seated? Yes. Why.... it seems a real mystery. I think the Host in charge is trying to set some type of tone. I think its in bad form. He should realize, that making people wait DOES NOT make a place "trendy". When they see many seats available, it makes us not feel welcomed. We waiting 20 mins, after arriving about 10 minutes early. The owners need to discuss this with the person in charge of dining. Do not make people wait, seat the if you can immediately, or give them a choice to relax in the bar.

Will we be back... .Yes... Would I recommend... Yes.... was the price resonable for the food/service Yes. And there were vegetarian choices on the main menu... A+ We have friends that are vegetarian and just ordering sides at other places is NOT appropriate.

I would suggest to any dining in such an establishement if they enounter ANY problems during the meal, ask for the Host in charge of the restaurant, and have a discussion while you are having the meal. I don't think they intend for you to have a less than perfect impression.

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I agree with the last several reviewers. We had reservations for 9:30 and weren't seated until 10:00. We sat down and the first words out of the waitress's mouth were "we don't want to rush you, but the kitchen closes at 10:00." WTF!? We just sat down and we're being told the kitchen is closing? It states here on Metromix that the place is open on Thursdays until 1:00am. Anyway, we ate a pretty tasty meal and cocktails/wine all the while being glared at by our waitress standing off to the side. We loved the space and the food was good, but the service was awful. Don't think we'll be back for a while, if ever.

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This place was O.K. at best. First of all, we had to wait with a pager for our reservation; which was seated at least 20 minutes late. What's the point of a reservation?
Our server was absolutely terrible. After telling her time and time again that we were in no hurry tonight, she kept telling us that we had to place our order as soon as possible because "often the kitchen gets backed up"! In other words: EAT AND GET OUT!!! IT wasn't like we had only ordered a water and an appetizer or something... the 4 of us ordered at least 10 total drinks, 3 total appetizers, 4 main courses, and 2 desserts! Additionally, after questioning her, she didn't know what ingredients were in some of the mixed drinks, and had no idea what Yucca was on the appetizer menu. The food itself was ok, very over salted. The drinks are expensive at $7-$11 each and almost all served over a glass full of ice. Choose this restaurant only if you are willing to wait for your reservation, deal with terrible service, and over pay for mixed drinks.

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I visited Carnivale on Halloween night. It was surprisingly quiet. I assume there were many parties elsewhere that night; but it allowed my friends and me to enjoy the restaurant and lounge. Appetizers, Drinks, Entrees, Dessert, and Lounge after dinner: all Perfect. I highly recommend the restaurant for its liely and beautiful decor and the flavorful food and well-mixed drinks. Relax in the lounge, or dance the night away.

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Bright colors and cool accents make Carnivale a sight to see. I've been here for a couple of bday dinners and i still think it's average. The food was decent but i think they just hyped this place up based on its appearance. The bar is cool and the dining area is pretty spacious. It looks like a fun happy hour place if you like hanging out at trendy bars and maybe a first date. I'd go back but it wouldn't be my decision. Overall it's still just ok!

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Again, I go to Carnivale and have a great time. Again, I read other reviews and cannot understand why anyone would have a bad time here. I think the other reviews are fake. I have a reservation, we are seated on time. We have a nice server who is prompt and professional. His neckwear is weird but I dont hold it against him. My one complaint is that He does go into WAY TOO MUCH detail about the specials but he probably thinks I want to hear exactly HOW and WHY and WHERE the special is prepared. He probably should wait to hear if I ask more questions without really offering a 5 minute diatribe about the salmon special (especially when I hate salmon and would never order it so he is wasting both of our time). Anyway, I order a ceviche for an appetizer and my dining partner orders a salad. Both come out in a different, neat beautiful presentation and the ceviche is probably one of the best I had. Really delicious and a generous portion. The salad was fresh and delicious too. The entree that was really wonderful was the Guatemalan Chicken with Olives. I just loved it. In fact, I loved it so much, I went back the very next tight and ordered it again. Seriously. Anyway, I brought a friend with me who had never dined at CARNIVALE and was super impressed with the over the top decor in the dining room. So, I would recommend going to this place, don't expect that it will help your failing marriage, or get your kid into HArvard. But if you just want a latin, busy, bustling, cool place with good, interesting, neuvo latino food, you will find it here! Ciao!

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The service was terrible at Carnicale! Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait over an hour to be seated and the hostess had a major attitude problem. Then we had to wait 20 minutes just to get our drink order and the waiter was no where to be found through most of our dinner.

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Went to Carnivale for our anniversary and really enjoyed it. We made early (6:30) reservations since we both work downtown. Got seated very promptly and had the choice to sit inside or on the patio because restaurant was pretty empty when we arrived (packed when we left though)- we opted for the dining room. It was a little loud in the restaurant - I could barely hear our waitress and they seated us next to the stairs and cash register, which placed us in a high traffic area, but we didn't ask to be moved. We both thought the food was GREAT. Had the shrimp appetizer - it was delicious - the bean puree and sauce were so tasty. We both had steaks - beef tenderloin and prime ribeye. Both were wonderfully prepared and very tender. My husband said it was one of the best steaks he'd had in awhile. Portions were perfect sized -- just big enough to not have any leftovers! Chocolate cake and orange ice cream dessert was wonderful!!! I wasn't sure how the orange would go with the chocolate, but it was great. Overall, we had a great experience - wait staff was very attentive - our plates were cleared almost immediately after we were done, but we didn't feel like we were being rushed. Waitress was also patient with us as we asked her questions about almost everything on menu. My husband and I agreed that we would definitely return to Carnivale again!!

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This place has too much attitude. Had a 9pm reservation. Got there at 8:55. Were told 5-10min......4 times. At 9:30 walked out as there was still no table. What's the point of reservations? Only had one drink, which was prepared well, on a stiffer side actually, but at $8.50 it better be.
Overall, the atmosphere smells attitude, everybody is trying to show off. "Live DJ" is .... a professional button pusher on two CD decks ....but he is live, alright.
Cannot review the food, because we did not eat. Some plates that were carried through looked interesting, although one of the servers almost took off the top of my head with a tray he was carrying.
Overall, I would not recommend going unless you are prepared to deal with long waits, attitude from staff and looking at people who like to show off.
One positive - parking is not really an issue.

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