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It's All In The Family - Italian Food, Carmine's Style
by Amy Allen
In Bites each month, we aim to help you ready your taste buds with a bit of background and some menu choices from your neighborhood restaurants. We realize the true test is in the taste, but you’ll find enough here to help you decide where best to satisfy your appetite.
Carmine's On Penn Italian Restaurant
92 S. Pennsylvania St.
303-777-6443
www.carminesonpenn.net
Full bar
Nestled in its neighborhood niche at the corner of Bayaud Ave. and Pennsylvania Street, Carmine’s On Penn has been dishing out popular family-style Italian food since 1994. Year round, under the large green awnings, you’ll see groups of diners out enjoying a meal on the enclosed patio.
Owners Shannon and Steve Bangert had been regular guests at Carmine’s before deciding to buy the restaurant a couple of years ago. Along with the help of manager Bill Ritter and Chef Ryan Hill, they’ve stayed true to what’s kept Carmine’s popular all these years: large, family-style portions (each entree serves 4) of consistently good food, cooked from scratch and served by friendly staff in a comfortable setting.
You won’t find a typical menu here, just a large chalkboard on the wall filled in daily with a list of old favorites, such as the Chicken Montana, and newer choices, such as Orecchiette Basilicata (pasta with broccoli and spinach). Carmine’s also offers a rich assortment of parmesan dishes, as well as marsala and piccata, and a wait staff eager to help you navigate your way between the besciamella and the Bolognese. All entrees are meant to be shared – so order accordingly.
Servers are also happy to suggest a wine to best complement your meal. “We believe that wine is part of dinner,” says Ritter. “So many folks don’t know about Italian wines, so we like to offer familiar choices, as well as suggest some new and interesting wines to go with a meal.”
Large parties are always welcome at Carmine’s. The staff’s not shy about pushing a few tables together to accommodate groups. And, regardless if you’re coming with a couple or a crowd, reservations are recommended – unless you like to wait. Make reservations online at Open Table, or if you’d rather take it with you, Carmine’s does a healthy “to-go” business, too.
Here are some favorites from the menu, but please be aware that selections and prices are subject to change.
House Specials
Eggplant Parmigiana – Sliced, breaded eggplant baked with three cheeses and marinara sauce. $19.95
Ravioli alla Vodka – Twelve 4-cheese raviolis in a hearty vodka cream sauce with a hint of marinara, topped with fresh arugula. $23.95
Baked Ziti – Ziti baked with four cheeses and mainara sauce. Italian sausage, vegetables or Bolognese available upon request. $21.95
Sausage and Peppers – Four links of spicy Italian sausage, onions, roasted red and green peppers in a marinara sauce. $19.95
Chicken & Veal Entrees
Chicken Paisana – Four chicken breasts sauteed in pomodoro sauce topped with besciamella, sauteed spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. $29.95
Chicken Pazzo – Four chicken breasts with button mushrooms, topped with breaded eggplant and mozzarella cheese, baked in a robust marsala sauce. $29.95
Fontina alla Pesto – Four chicken breasts topped with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto and fontina cheese, baked in a light white wine, tomato and basil sauce. $29.95
Veal Marsala – Veal scaloppini and button mushrooms in a marsala sauce. $35.95
Veal alla Carmine’s – Veal scaloppini and button mushrooms topped with capocollo ham and mozzarella cheese and baked in a hearty white wine and marinara sauce. $35.95
Veal Milanese – Breaded veal scaloppini topped with fresh lettuce mix, vine ripened tomatoes, olive oil and spices. $35.95
Pasta Entrees
Brian’s Shrimp – Eight jumbo shrimp, sauteed spinach, basil, and toasted pine nuts in an olive oil, white wine and roasted garlic sauce. $35.95
Chicken Montana – Rosemary chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and asparagus in a gorgonzola cream sauce. $29.95
Seafood Marinara or Fra Diavalo – Ten clams, ten mussels and five jumbo shrimp in marinara sauce. $39.95
Strozzapreti – Boneless chicken breasts, spicy Italian sausage, shrimp, onions with red and green peppers in a spicy marinara sauce. $33.95
Boscaiolo – Portobello mushrooms, sauteed spinach, and pan-seared tomatoes in a light white wine and gorgonzola sauce. $24.95
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