Carnivale

I wanted to check out a new restaurant last weekend, so on Friday I took the bf for a surprise visit to Carnivale. We had a blast, and this place has such a "Wow" factor. The real treat is the dining room, but they also deliver delicious nuevo latino cuisine and decent drinks.

This restaurant sits about 450 people, and is usually full on weekends from what I hear. And the place is beautiful. You walk into the dining room and are greated by bright colors, a huge space, dramatic design elements. A great spot to impress out of towners, and a very memorable space.

For dinner we started with a sampler of a few ceviches, all fresh and good, but really just the shrimp one stood out. We also had the ropo vioja appetizer, which was shredded beef on plantains, and so so good. I had the pork shoulder, which crumbled at the touch of a fork and was served with rice and beans and more plantains. The bf had the lamb chops with garbonzo beans and lamb chorizo. I never knew garbanzo beans could taste so good!

The service was a little lackluster, but you pretty much can expect that going in with a place this big. But, come on, your server should be able to tell you how to pronounce a word on the menu in spanish if you ask.

Grade: A-