Carlitos Gardel

04/30/2008 Posted by sonofliebling

I have to say this is the most professional Argentinean restaurant I have been to in the States. The maitre d and sommelier are suited and there is a serious attempt to present the country's wines, to good effect. The appetizer salads were nice, and the fried calamari greaseless. A special of sweetbreads in a ragout of mushrooms, peppers and onions was tasty but the vegtables overwhelmed the organs. A parillada (mixed grill) for two was well-prepared if not overly generous, one each of the chorizo and morcilla. I did not think the marination improved the flavor of my ribeye, which otherwise was a nicely sized, suitably tender cut. Next time I will try a bife de chorizo, My son's gnocchi were tiny like spaetzle, a bit disappointing. The star item is the french fries. For dietary reasons we did not order any, so the maitre d comped us Well seasoned and complimented with sauteed peppers, they are worthy of a trip all by themselves. If I were you, I would start wih salad, have the parillada for two, and maybe, just maybe, have room for dessert. Don't skip the fries. Try it!

Pros: Ambience, Staff, French Fries

Cons: None

03/16/2008 Posted by signupname

The music was nice, the restaurant was crowded, and the fish was terrible. It was the "fishiest' fish I have ever had. I could only manage to get down a few bites. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who has working taste buds.

06/10/2007 Posted by mcnamarastvn

Well... I just returned from Argentina from a 10 day expedition to experience the country that everyone seems to be talking about. The wines, the people, the club scenes, the restaurants... it's all true!!! Buenos Aires is truly an amazing place, with a countless things to see and do. After returning back home, I got together with a group of friends to share with them my experiences and the Malbecs I was daring enough to smuggle out of the country. One of my friends mentioned that there was an Argentine restaurant in town that he always loved to go to. I thought he went one of the Gaucho chains, and immedietly discarded his comment, but then he mentioned that the restaurant was named after a tango singer, and I realized we weren't talking about the same place. I was intruiged and decided that on my next night out I would check the place out. It turned out to be Carlitos Gardel restaurant on Melrose Ave! The ambiance was just like that of Buenos Aires, which was a wonderful surprise. I expected to run into the usual "LA" vibe. But the part that delighted my friends and I most was the food. From our appetizers to the steaks that arrived at our table, the dinner was outstanding and impressive. The steaks most of all had nothing to envy the best ones I had in Buenos Aires, and the wines that were paired with our dinner were more than impressive, some of which I do remember drinking in Argentina. For dessert we were offered some unique cakes and tarts created by the owner herself. They also were delicious and with enough dulce de leche to satisfy just about any Argentinian I'm sure. Overall I highly recommend this place for anyone interested in Argentina and it's food.

Pros: Ambiance, Steaks, Winelist

06/09/2007 Posted by otanda

We had dinner there last week after reading good reviews, is highly recommended to make a reservation because it is a small place, the service was good and the food was above average. The fried calamari was a little bit over-cooked 15$, the skirt steak was OK 25$ and the filet mignon was good but nothing special 30$. If you crave a good steak go to a steak house like wood ranch at the grove or stinking rose on la Cienega which are better values, although I would recommend trying Carlitos Gardel at least once. Héchenle más ganas muchachos!

Pros: Good Service, live piano, Great wine selection, Ok food.

Cons: Over-priced and over-rated.

04/25/2007 Posted by mendoza64

Well...since I'm from the old country (Argentina) it's hard not to fall in comparisons. But I have to agree that Carlitos is slightly better than many places around town that claim argentinian cusine as its own. Food is ok (nothing out of the ordinary for a guy born and raised in Buenos Aires). The wine selection althought is outstanding and the service is very polite and not pushy. Now, when it comes to price, Carlitos is not your average restaurant. Keep than in mind and get ready to cough up some serious money if you're picking up the tab for a party of 4 or more. In short, for those whom don't have an in-depth knowledge of the argentinian food it may well be an awesome restaurant but not for me.

Pros: Service, ambience

Cons: Price

04/05/2007 Posted by skygirl12

I happened upon this place mistakenly and I'm so glad I did! Mom, Dad, and son Max were all working. Max went out of his way to explain several of the wines from the extensive, exuisitely crafted wine list and to make sure out experience was a positive one throughout the night. I love the round tables, the live music that is kept at the perfect volume, the flavorful Argentinian steaks, the attention to customer service, the varied and fairly priced menu, and the desserts - all made from scratch by Mom. I can'y wait to return. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Pros: family owned = top notch service

Cons: our meal came to an end!

02/23/2007 Posted by hornzandhalos

First of all...You have never had a real steak in your life until you have been to Carlito's!! I ordered the 24oz steak that I split between me & my girlfriend. When the steak came out, she started on one side & I started on the other & neither one of us could finish this giant steak!! And we were starving. The service was excellent and the wine selection is so huge that it might take a half an hour just to decide which of the delectable wines you will choose with your meal. I'm not much of a food lover, but this is the kind of meal that you have to eat very sloooow. To wolf down a meal like this would be totally uncivilized! This apparently is not the place for teenie boppers. The waitress seemed to know everything backwards & forwards, and didn't try to push the expensive items on you like most restaurants. Seriously....After the meal I found myself outside trying to understand why this food was so good. I was so stuffed I had to catch my breath! Then....they had the nerve to offer me & my guest a free desert!! As beautiful as the assortment of deserts were. I found myself trying to peel myself away from the table before an explosion happened!!! I will definitely tell everyone about Carlito's Gardel. If you want a real steak.....You would be fooling yourself to think that there is another option! Carlito's is the only option!! Unless you know something I dont......Which I doubt!!

Pros: VERY MATURE SETTING, SERVICE IS EXCELLENT, STEAKS ARE HUGE!!

Cons: NOT 1

02/17/2007 Posted by stephanieeats

I don't how many times my boyfriend and I have driven by Carlitos Gardel and we never stopped. After going there Friday we realize we have been missing out on an amazing dinning experience! From the warm greeting we recieved upon entering, to the very friendly and knowledgable wait staff, and finally to the best steaks we've eaten in ages! My boyfriend had a thick ribeye steak slathered in homemade chimichurri! I opted for a hardy New York steak bathed in a white wine, peppercorn sauce. You must share a plate of the best garlic fries this old lady has ever come across! We started the meal with an order of Hongos: Mushroom caps stuffed with diced chicken and vegatables! The food instantly etched a permanent memory upon our senses! You'll won't visit another steak house for ages! The best part, however: The little touches: An amazingly expansive wine list for such a quaint place. Servers who pay attention to the finer points (We had at least three stop by to make certain everything was as good as could be)! Live music (a nice duet of piano and violin), and an atmosphere that transports you back to Buenos Ares in the 1940's. Hollywood, you have finally gotten it right! We'll back before the weeks out! Bravo! A++

Pros: Giant, savory steaks! Fresh baked garlic everywhere!

Cons: none

02/15/2007 Posted by mightymoogity

One of my favorite restaurants in town. I personally haven't moved past the appetizers on their menu, it's that good. I always want to try something new, but at the same time I crave what I had last time. Not a big steak person, but my friends who are, claim it's one of the best steaks they've ever eaten. My personal favorite is their special noquis which they serve only one day a month, but it is worth scheduling around it, even though their regular noquis does the trick as well. The service is great, if you're lucky enough to have one of the owners wait on you, then you're really in for a treat. Also, make sure to also have some cafe's and dessert at the end of the night, some of the best latte's and desserts in town. My favorite is the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Pros: Great Food, Great Service

Cons: Cost, but it's still worth it

01/30/2007 Posted by choicefantasia

Well this family runned place it is just a bit too fancy for some ocassions and service eye locator is more to them espectacles and not to the clientele desired; Server's should focus more on customers desired dont you think. ?? it is not server who eats and enjoy's meal, is the client who does, right. ??, Well; perhaps next time I get more lucky with a good service exelence from other more categoried...

Pros: 1/2

Cons: two