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Carlitos Gardel Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Argentine Restaurants Steakhouses Argentine, Steakhouses [Edit]
7963 Melrose AveLos Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhoods: Mid-City West, West Hollywood
(323) 655-0891
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Sat 6 pm - 11 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
254 reviews for Carlitos Gardel Restaurant
Review Highlights
"This was followed by the panqueques with dulce de leche."
(in 35 reviews)
"Papas Fritas Provenzal - This was AMAZING."
(in 18 reviews)
"I especially love the gnocchi and garlic fries."
(in 62 reviews)
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253 reviews in English
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Review from Eden'sdelight n.
Encino, CA
2/7/2012
Whenever you have to impress that special person in your life (in my case, my father visiting from Chicago) with an intimate classy dinner, Carlitos is first rate.
My pops has a steak & potatoes diet that he adheres to religiously. We loved the curb appeal, ambiance, decor & layout of the place. We shared the papitas fritas provincial (garlic fries with parsley) great taste but my dad is old school, he thinks fries should be cut a little thicker. We each had the grilled skirt steak with mash potatoes & veggies as sides & the chumicchuri sauce. The meat was grilled to perfection, well seasoned, tender & still maintaining the juiciness factor.
Our server was attentive without being overly intrusive.
Great selection of reds; our server was able to pair us with a rustic, robust, aromatic Malbec with our steaks.
The son of the founders of Carlitos met us at our table. Great guy: personable, jovial, warm & great customer service. -
Review from Andy K.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
What can I say?
This place is the best
Fantastic wine selection.
Service is always great. Food is well prepared. -
Review from Alex Y.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012
I've done my fair share of fine dining, as have my parents. When they were in town, I took them here on a Yelp-based hunch. I discovered my favorite restaurant in LA, period, and one of the best meals I have ever had.
Red meat is their specialty, and it is *special.* I've had the skirt steak -- it is absolutely outstanding. There's a half-chicken with garlic that looked amazing; I didn't try it, though. When I was last there, the special of the day was a rack of New Zealand lamb that was prepared perfectly. The pumpkin-spiced mashed potatoes are to die for. The vegetables are simple (served al dente -- neither too soft nor too hard) and delicious. The deserts are made by the mother of the owners, and are as amazing as the main course. I had a slice of this type of chocolate cake (I am a chocolate addict) that was breathtaking.
I'm really struggling to find something critical to say of the meal that I had there, but I don't really have anything. Hence the five-star review.
Aside from the food, I love how unpretentious this place is. It's just a wonderful meal with great service and not a lot of "look how cultured we are" b.s.
This is an $$$$ restaurant, and so I would only ever go here 1) when the parental units are in town, and/or 2) for special occasions (birthday, big promotion, etc.) But if the $$$$ isn't an issue, this place has to be on your eating agenda. -
Review from Mark G.
Los Angeles, CA
2/7/2012
Carlitos Gardel is a very good Argentine restaurant. I gave it 3 starts instead of 4 because the steak is not USDA Prime and also because Argentinians like steak that is tastier but not as marbled or as smooth as filet Mignon. My spouse will not eat skirt steak or any other steak that cannot be cut with a butter knife.
I love this restaurant more than my spouse, because it's one of the few restaurants in LA where I can order an entire entree of sweetbreads, which is one of best parts of any cow, either thymus or pancreas--I love them both, and they're grilled to perfection.
The restaurant reminds me of Buenos Aires and the service is quite good. -
Review from Brian K.
1/3/2012
Shangri-La is a mythical utopia in a James Hilton novel but West Hollywood's version is Carlitos Gardel (CG). CG conjures up carefully caded coziness, comfort, and charm.
In the mood for steak but want it dressed with more than just salt and butter? Go see CG. CG has the menu and "budget" of a USDA Prime steakhouse but with better service and less formality. No need to celebrate. While you can order a "plain" steak, go elsewhere for that. Order dressed steaks at CG but that's its specialty.
We were here on a Thursday evening around 8 and the restaurant was at around 10% capacity. Service was very attentive but not obtrusive; I'm told that weekends are much busier and hectic.
Wine service was friendly and knowledgeable. They also have a 1/3-liter option for select wines.
The fresh sweetbreads with sweet peppers (grilled and minimally enhanced) were paired with a '03 Cavas De Weinert (blend of Cab, Merlot, and Malbec). Soft on the nose and finish, one wonders how in Mendoza is this wine going to offset the rustic gaminess of the unseasoned sweetbreads, yet, the soft fragrance of the wine "seasoned" the simply-presented sweetbreads; the pairing was perfect, especially at my price point (thanks to the waiter's knowledge).
The spinach empanada was warm, fresh, and each bite was more inviting than the one before it. The cheese melted uniformly. The empanada certainly wasn't the frozen varietal. Our waiter talked up the empanadas but they lived up to his promises.
The Churrasco Portabella - their signature steak dish that boasts a generously-cut 14-oz Strip - was crafted gorgeously: a good mixture of portabella, cheese, and spinach all wedged between a Strip. This beast was paired wonderfully with an '08 Luca Malbec. Not only is this wine delicious, affordable, and big, it seems so versatile with steak and it even stood up to the red pepper flakes in the chimmichuri sauce. Again, very intelligent wine pairing.
Simply-prepared but flavorful vegetables (though the zucchini was bitter) and the sweet potato mashed potatoes sealed the deal .
Garlic fries? Amazing. They're served in the "French bistro-style" with garlic and fresh parsley. Do your cardiologist a favor and have it with your meal. You could even order an undressed steak and order these fries for some steak frites.
My beef with Carlitos is that it offers too many things on the menu. The seafood pasta (Pasta di Mare) was horrible. When in Rome, do as Romans but many steakhouses cater to those not in the mood for steak. The noodles and seafood were fresh but the sauce killed it - seems as if they just got a pint of cream and poured it over the dish. Over-promised, under-delivered.
Dessert? I couldn't find even a breath to consume another piece of food and unfortunately, a gurney won't fit in my car. -
Review from Nicole M.
Poway, CA
2/7/2012
I love it here. Every time I go, my food is always very good. They never fail to disappoint me! Good environment and pleasant atmosphere...needless to say anything else!
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Review from Khudor A.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2012
I came here for dinner the other night with a couple of friends and had an amazing meal. We had their 14 oz Bone-In Rib Eye, Parrillada Argentina which comes Grilled Skirt Steak, Short Ribs, Sweetbreads, Chorizo and Black sausage, Broccoli soup, and garlic fries. Between 3 of us, we had enough food to satisfy another meal the following day. The service was great as was the atmosphere. The waiter recommended a nice bottle of wine that accompanied the meal perfectly. The staff was extremely attentive, refilling our wine glasses and water frequently, never leaving an empty glass in front of us. I'll definitely be back. Word of caution, they seem to always be busy, so make your reservations at least a day in advance.
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Review from Jackie D.
12/9/2011
Welcome to Carlitos Gardel yelp page. If you are reading this, I know you have come here looking for either a special restaurant with amazing food. You are tired of the snobby restaurants in the area that are all talk and no game. You want to bring your parents, your family, a group of friends or a significant other? Carlitos is perfect for all of the above.
I have to say what I love about this restaurant is A) the food (obviousl) B) the amazing servers C) the wine list D) Garlic fries E) the fact that the owner/family is frequently at the restaurant and greet clients personally...okay I suppose this could go on and on and you would know for a fact that I can say my ABC's until Z. Bottom line is that the food is excellent. The steak, gnocchi, blood sausage, garlic fries and sweetbreads are to die for. I have always left full, satisfied and with a big smile on my face. Valet parkign or street parking (its still LA not Argentina when you are trying to park your car).
Oh, making a reservation is a good idea :) -
Review from Stevie A.
Fillmore, CA
1/3/2012
The food was very tasty and plentiful. I ordered the Lomo a La Marsala medium rare. It was maybe a touch rarer than I care for (not enough to deduct a star) but still very juicy, tasty with a good but not overpowering garlic flavor, and wine/gravy sauce; but when I come back, I might ask for another minute or so of cooking time.
The vegetables and mashed potatoes were also very good. I did not have any wine, but others in my party did. They all seemed to really enjoy their meals; even my vegetarian bro-in-law.
The restaurant itself is small, classy, and comfortable without being too romantic. Our waiter was very helpful and prompt with water refills. I would definitely come back and recommend this for anniversaries, milestones, and good friends visiting from out of town that you haven't seen in years.
Only con, it was pricy, but I didn't pay for all of it. :)
I believe that there is a dress code, but that they only ask for a collared shirt; you may want to double check this.
Steve A. -
Review from Lori S.
Irvine, CA
1/26/2012
So good. You can't go wrong with their skirt steak or the ribeye, and pair it with a wine from the fantastic selection. They've prepared my meal perfectly every time, and I always leave stuffed. I'd also recommend trying the garlic fries, they are delicious.
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Review from Manuel C.
Pasadena, CA
12/26/2011
It was my second time here. Bring a date or a group of friends to share the food.
Try the Parillada Argentina to experience a taste of a variety of Argentine style meats.
The appetizers are exquisite. I love the Hongos Rellenos. The empanadas are delicious.
My friends and I tried the large Bife steak and the lamb shops--both of which were nicely prepared. Order some the fritas provenzal as you wait for you meal.
Lastly, the waiters are great. They will pair you food with a perfect wine. Enjoy. -
Review from Sandy M.
Newport Beach, CA
11/2/2011
This was one of our best dining experiences ever. This was a combination of the atmosphere, the personal service by the owner and wonderful food. Between the 4 of us we had steak (skirt steak was fabulous), veal ravioli was a great combination of flavors and homemade gnocchi. All dishes were presented well and tasted great.
I Highly recommend this restaurant!! -
Review from M P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012
This is more like a 3-1/2 star review. Came here with friends for a Christmas evening meal. It was quite busy but we were seated promptly at our reservation time. (The place was basically deserted the previous time I'd eaten here.) There's something very sweet and homey about Carlitos Gardel; the hostess was charming and our service was pleasant. The terrific piano player made our evening very enjoyable. I just wish I liked the food a little better.
My Caesar salad was drenched in a bland dressing, but the skirt steak was satisfying (and enormous) -- tho it did come out a bit bloodier than I'd ordered. Highlights for me were the truly EXCELLENT garlic fries, a beautiful prosciutto and cheese appetizer and their rich caramel crepe dessert. -
Review from Fred B.
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good... Really Good... Very Really Good...
If I was driving by and saw this place, not in a million years would I stop in for dinner. Ended up going purely on friends advice...
Live music - the server, who actually are a part of the ownership family, take turns singing and dancing to the music that is played by a live pianist. The vibe from the crowd is a very happy / drunk vibe. Everyone is always having a good time, and the facial expressions show it!
Calamari OHHH sooo goood.....
Garlic Fries... OHHHHH sooo gooood.... (HINT: Do not order these as an appetizer... have it be a part of your main dish - or else you have no room to finish the main dish)
The Beef is... OHHHH soooo goood....
The owner is a pastry chef, which immediately tells you to try the deserts. We split one 4 ways and had coffee to go along with everything.
Woke up the next morning, I can still smell the Garlic off my breath as I talk on the phone... I remember the fries.... mmmm.... the fries....
TFR -
Review from Jason C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/21/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Very nice atmosphere and servers. Everybody was helpful and knowledgeable.
Portabella $12 - Grilled Portabella Mushroom, layered with melted provolone cheese, sautéed spinach and feta cheese - very good, of course, because it's smothered in melted cheese!
Pasta Di Mare $22 - Fettuccini tossed with mussels, shrimps and mushrooms, in your choice of tomato or cream sauce - HORRIBLE! Completely bland, mussels were dry and rubbery. I have never had such a poor tasting pasta dish. No seasoning whatsoever. They never asked whether I wanted cream or tomato sauce.
The Salmon special was pretty good.
Pretty disappointing first experience, however. -
Review from Mike K.
Agoura Hills, CA
12/26/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Wow! Went there last Thursday evening for a romantic 1st date. Well, it was supposed to be a st date, but ended up being our 2nd. Already a good sign. We arrived precisely at our designated reservation time and were promptly seated. When presented with the overwhelming wine list, we asked that the Sommelier, Max come over for some guidance as. We both knew we wanted steak, so he recommended a nice Argentine Malbec. I cannot remember the name, but over the course of our meal it opened up nicely.
We started with a Burrata y Prosciutto over Tomato appetizer. The burrata melted in your mouth. Since this was our 1st time there and we both enjoy lamb and steak, we ordered the 14 ounce rib eye (medium rare and the New Zealand Rack of Lamb. Both dishes were cooked as requested and seasoned to perfection. Add in the Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes and fresh veggie and the meal was a hit. How could I forget "The Gardel" dessert? Yum!
Ambiance was perfect for a romantic date. We spent almost 4 hours at the table and we never felt rushed. All in all a perfect evening with a wonderful woman and great food. -
Review from Yeva B.
Glendale, CA
10/10/2011
I first heard of Carlitos Gardel from my parents... who are quite worldly diners and are DEFINITELY very picky in what they consume! Therefore before even dining there I KNEW it was going to be amazing!!!!
The service is impeccable!!!
The wines are decadent, they always know how to provide the PERFECT wine to complete your meal creating an almost orgasmic experience.
The steaks melt in your mouth, the garlic fries make you tingle a little with every bite... and the insane deserts are so mouth-watering and perfect in the level of sweetness that you get a little dizzy from all the ooing and aaing when you're finished with the meal.
As far as the coffee selection, the only other amazing cappuccino I've had in my life was in Rome!!!
The celebrity diners don't hurt the 1920's family owned restaurant feel either!!!
This is one restaurant you feel welcome like you are part of the family weather it's your first time dining there or 10000th.
Thank you Carlitos Gardel for making amazing food and making us feel like part of the family every time we dine there! -
Review from Jackie T.
Los Angeles, CA
9/30/2011
I came here for a last minute meal with my roommate as it's conveniently located walking distance from me. I thought the ambiance was pleasant and upscale. It wasn't too busy only a couple of tables and a small party in the back. We got a salad and the garlic fries, both were good. The bread and chimichurri sauce was the star of the meal. Unfortunately we were forgotten on 2 occasions and even made to wait 15-20 minutes for them to pick up the bill with my card inside. The restaurant wasn't busy and we could clearly see members of the staff dining with guests or in the back joking around with coworkers which made it difficult to get their attention. We asked for dressing on the side, which they forgot to bring. We asked for a side of ketchup which we had to wait half the meal for.
I'm not a fussy person and am pretty understanding when it comes to mistakes and long waits. But with the place being almost empty, I felt that being made to wait such a long time was unacceptable.
If I ever eat here again it'll only be if they make the food to-go. -
Review from Sepi B.
Irvine, CA
11/1/2011
Ohhhhh ya. Skirt steak baby. We came here for lunch and had their skirt steak lunch special... totally hit the spot. The skirt steak was tender and infused with Argentinian flavors. Came with a mountain of garlic fries, which were yummy... sooo garlic-y though.. wouldn't recommend eating and conversing in close quarters with strangers lol
Delicious dipping sauce that comes with the bread...
Weak vanilla ice cream dessert, but that's fine, we were way too full anyway.
Service was friendly.. only problem was some flies that kept swarming around (inside the restaurant). The waiter apologized for them. We were pretty much swatting them away the whole time. It was a super hot day though so maybe that made it worse.
It's a quaint place with lots of pics on the walls of famous people who have dined at the spot (although for the life of me we couldn't recognize a single person). There were only about 2 other parties seated and it seemed like they were regulars. It's one of those neighborhood places that probably gets poppin' in the evenings. -
Review from S W.
West Hollywood, CA
10/14/2011
Family owned :) love this place and its delicious steaks!
Incredible wine selections..... and amazing (homemade) desserts. Bring your wallet and have a DD (so you can drink and try as many wine as possible)! -
Review from Steph R.
Van Nuys, CA
Updated - 10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
So far every time we've gone to eat here we've tried something new and haven't been let down. Last night (10.29.11) was no different. My boyfriend and I chose to dine here to celebrate our 5th year anniversary as opposed to our other favorite restaurant (Mastro's) because we've come to love their food and desserts just a tad bit more (let's keep this between us).
Last night we had the Papas Fritas to begin with, their delicious signature dish. It was also mutually decided on that this time we'd order chicken as the main meal since we've tried their beef before. I had the Pollo Al Ajo and my boyfriend had A La Fiorentina. His plate was delicious, but mine was quite impressive because my chicken had been grilled yet the inside was super moist and tender. After finishing our main course we found a way to make room for dessert and had their chocolate walnut tart with a side of vanilla bean ice cream. I'm not sure of its exact name but it was delicious! As with the main course, we tried a new dessert and were blown away!
All in all the food was outstanding and the service was impeccable. If you're looking for a new restaurant that's worth every penny of your hard-earned money this is just the spot. You won't regret giving them a chance!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/17/2011
This is our new date night restaurant. So far everything we've ordered has come out presented… Read more »
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Review from Martin B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/1/2011
I'm actually giving them 4.5 stars
If you love Argentine food, this is the place to go.
From the appetizers to the dessert, it's one of my favorite restaurants.
Papas Fritas Provenzal is very famous here as appetizers but I'm not much of a Garlic and Parsley type so I usually get the Chorrizo and the Empanadas. You can find other places with better Empanadas but this place has "spicy" chimichurri which is pretty good with the Empanadas. The Provolone is worth a try as well.
If you're looking at Argentine Restaurants, most likely you're craving BEEF..haha You must try their Ojo de Costilla a La Criolla or Entraña a La Parrilla. With the right type of red wine, it melts in your mouth. Since I'm not an expert in wine, I usually get any dry red wine from Mendoza. The Parrillada Argentina is great as well but the portion is too much for two people. The meat gets cold and it doesn't really taste as good as it would if you order a single plate. I would suggest you to split it between 3 people and order more appertizers?
As for Desserts, they have few selections of Dulce de Leche desserts. I'm not much of a dessert guy but I can't stop stealing from my sister's dessert plate. haha she hates it.
I've been to this place more than 10 times and I can't tell you anything about the chicken, salad, or pasta...hahaha Sorry you gotta try that on your own and if you do, please do let me know how it is! hahaha -
Review from Danny S.
Los Angeles, CA
11/8/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Wow this place was good! Everything we had was prepared to perfection. The owner of the restaurant gave us a nice history of the place, while recommending a very tasty, medium-bodied malbec.
They have delicious, warm bread to start. I might be alone in thinking this but I think warm bread goes such a long way in starting the meal off to the right start. Its an easy, cheap way to make me happy! Fyi ha.
We had all three empanadas- chicken, beef, spinach- all of which are worth having.
My father and I ordered the NY Steak. I ordered it medium rare and was so happy I did. It oozed with taste. The veggies and mashed sweet potatoes that accompanied it were ridiculously delightful. The gf had the linguin del mare -excellent. And mom had the creamy chicken -again, great!
Highly recommend. It is in the same vein as Dan Tanas but you dont have to squeeze your way passed fat, over-the-hill producers to get to your table. :) -
Review from Sarkis B.
Glendale, CA
10/23/2011
As usual, the ambiance was excellent, the service tops and the dishes beautifully prepared.
My wife's filet was awesome. My sister-in-law's skirt steak looked and tasted very good - as usual. The bread and chimichuri were wonderful, Goga's rich musical range and our hostess' lovely voice made for a nice mood, and I was looking forward to a "real" meal after a month of careful dieting.
My brother-in-law and I selected the 14 oz. ribeye billed as prime. Ribeye is my signature cut; I've had it everywhere and unfortunately this one was not as tender as I expected. I love the family that runs Carlitos Gardel as well as the restaurant itself, but I want to be honest so that perhaps they will find a better source for their ribeye if they deem necessary. In fairness, I don't know if this is a consistent issue but my brother-in-law did not disagree when i mentioned my thoughts - plus I recall seeing quite a few cuts off to the side of his plate by the time he was done which surprised me as he usually cleans his plate (and yet somehow remains thin). Even so, I still offer five stars because everything else is so fine that I will not ding them on this issue. If it happens again, that would be another story - a $44 steak must be held to a high standard.
That said, dessert (white chocolate encrusted ice cream with a heavenly caramel garnish) was sooo good.
I think very highly of the family and the obvious love they show for their restaurant and patrons, and would wholeheartedly recommend Carlitos Gardel. I have every intention of coming back. -
Review from Tina L.
Los Angeles, CA
9/23/2011
Steak like butter. Dessert like dreams.
So good. So good. -
Review from Madeleine H.
Los Angeles, CA
9/24/2011
I was taken here on a date, not knowing what kind of a restaurant this was, so imagine my delight upon walking into an intimate and beautiful little restaurant on a busy little section of Melrose that is otherwise populated with random stores and boutiques.
While the ambiance was romantic (especially as the sun set and the candles were lit) and the service was attentive and professional (um, hi 5 minute long monologue about the day's specials and table-crumb eater thingy), I just wasn't as floored by the food as I expected. I ordered the gnocchi in red sauce, my date ordered a cesar salad, and we shared an order of sweet bread--but we both felt that the dishes were pretty unexceptional, especially considering the prices. -
Review from Linda C.
Azusa, CA
11/23/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Yes... it was GHOOD!! I had the NY steak and it was cooked perfectly. The garlic fries lived up to what's expected :). Service was good. Great experience!
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Review from laurie g.
Los Angeles, CA
11/28/2011
It 's highly superficial.
The cook is good but the meats don't come from Argentina.
It's not delicate . -
Review from A. Francis C.
Van Nuys, CA
10/6/2011
I've been to Carlitos Gardel several times. And the only reason I haven't given them the outstanding review they deserve is pure selfishness. So please pardon my intentionally terse review, and try not to overcrowd this neighborhood gem.
Food: go for the beef! They're always tender and juicy. If you order the garlic fries, which I suggest you do, have them arrive with your meal. Or else you run a real risk of getting full before the main course (or worse dessert).
Service: disarming and familial while retaining professional efficiencies (because saying fast and friendly would be an understatement). Don't hesitate to ask Max (sommelier) about wine. He will help you navigate their ample wine selection to find something to suit your taste.
Ambiance: Inside, you're enveloped in soft dim lights, warm colored walls, and dark wood accents. Needless to say, Carlitos leans toward the romantic side. But there's enough balanced between the noise level, lighting, decor, etc. for other dining experiences as well. -
Review from Mahmoud E.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
10/16/2011
Stop Playing!!!!!!I felt like i was in buenos aires amongst family.
I lived in Buenos Aires for a while. I have tasted every bottle of Malbec I could and have tasted every cut of meat I could while traveling this beautiful country. After your travels you look at the pics and say what a good trip it was and that's that.
Now since i have been in L.A I haven't had anything that reminded me of Buenos Aires as much as Carlitos Gardel restaurant did.
The Amazing service and the food..... my god!!!
inside:Felt very cosy and romantic i give the atmosphere a 5
service:Felt like a king.
The blood sausage was very flavorful and the Milanesa was crispy on the Outside and tender on the inside ,now check this out! the Appetizer was banging!!!!!!! we had some High class empanadas.ladies and gentlemen i have tasted the real empanadas in buenos aires and Carlitos Gardel was able to bring B.A TO L.A.
Thank you!!! for the great service and the V.I.P Treatment that our party recieved. -
Review from Paul C.
Los Angeles, CA
12/13/2011
Had a reservation, was running 30 minutes late, called in, no problem we arrived and were seated quickly on a Friday night. Servers were friendly and attentive, food was good, wonderful empanadas. Tables are small, dimly lit so can be cozy and romantic except noise level a little high, small table allows one to lean close to have conversation so it works OK.
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Review from Nancy K.
Santa Monica, CA
10/26/2011
Who would have thought an Argentinian restaurant would make one of the best fried catfish ever?! Apparently the mother of the owners used to make this dish and people loved it so much that they offer it as a special here. My friend (who's from the South) was highly skeptical but intrigued so we ordered this and the lamb chops. We were both floored by the catfish, it was delicious! Definitely the best I've had and one of the best he's had. The lamb chops were excellent as well. Definitely get the endive salad with the grilled shrimps, and omg the garlic french fries were so addictive, I could not stop eating them. Service was impeccable and I discovered a new favorite wine, a Luca Pinot Noir. I will definitely be back.
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Review from Candice M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/9/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Had a steak craving and this came highly recommended. Cozy ambience, great service - our waiter was really knowledgable. Got the 14oz with the chimmichurri bast - delicious! Will be back.
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Review from Adam H.
Los Angeles, CA
8/10/2011
My short review is that this place does almost nothing wrong.
The service, the wine, and the desserts are my vote for the highest quality of their kind in town.
The service is just all around amazing. Not much else to say here.
The wine list is the deepest and most extensive selection of fine Argentinian wine in Los Angeles, bar none. The weekly featured glass pours are fantastic selections - the kind of wines that you remember for years after tasting - though they tend to be pricey.
Unlike every other restaurant in Los Angeles the desserts here are not just thoughtless variations on the same desserts that every other restaurant has (you know them... creme brulee, tiramisu, cheesecake, apple pie/tart tatin, chocolate cake/brownie, ice cream, etc.). Every one of Carlitos' desserts are unique to them. Most feature dulce de leche somehow. Most go perfectly with a tawny port, brandy, or cognac. All are delicious. It's worth going here just for dessert and a digestive.
Not everything on the menu is outstanding. But everything is solidly above average and interesting. You might be able to get a better steak at one or two other places in town, but you won't get a bad steak here. And you can't get a steak stuffed with cheese, spinach, and mushrooms like they do it here. They have regular specials that are always yummy too.
I think it's a great place for a special occasion. Sometimes they have live dinner music that provides great ambiance. Make reservations Weds-Sunday as it is cozy. -
Review from Evan G.
8/16/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
I don't understand why this place wasn't even half full when I was here recently. It was absolutely outstanding. Flawless.
This family-owned restaurant (it's been in the same family (since 1983) is an absolute gem. The cozy, dimly lit interior is covered with photographs that detail the restaurant's history, and the family matron is the head chef. We were completely cared for from the time we entered until we left - everyone was so gracious and friendly. You felt like family!
Max, part of the family, is the sommelier, and shared with us that he had stumbled upon the restaurant's last bottle of a Sicilian Nero D'avola (yes, we had Italian wine at an Argentinian restaurant, but it was Max's idea - I swear!), so we gladly shared it. And it was divine. Simply divine.
We had two specials: Mussels in a tomato sauce, which were perfect with the wine, truth be told, and a caprese salad with buffala mozzerella that was the ideal combination of tastes and textures. The chimichurri served with the bread rocked my world. We were swooning before the entrees even thought of arriving at the table.
My friend had lamb shoulder, which was very good, but a bit too tough for his liking, and I had a perfectly prepared lomo a la marsala with green beans (tasty and light) and pumpkin mashed potatoes.
After all that, dessert didn't even seem possible, but my friend talked me into it. After Eduardo - our amazing, kind, and good-humored server - described the dessert menu (nearly everything has dulce de leche in it), my friend settled on one (I forget the name of it) that had a meringue topping and several layers of delicious dulce de leche goodness underneath it. It was sweet and decadent - and the icing on the cake of an amazing meal.
I guess I have to go back. The food and service were completely outstanding - and I need to have the garlic fries! ;-) -
Review from Mina W.
7/20/2011
I'm not quite sure what to make of this place. I was not too impressed at all, but my 2 Cuban friends enjoyed it immensely.
Because they are considered a "steak house" and their yelp reviews are pretty stellar, I expected some out-of-this-world steaks!
I was sadly disappointed when I found the steaks to be just mediocre. I can count on both hands and both feet places that serve up a better hunk of beef.
The garlic fries were good tho! (But c'mon, when have you ever had BAD garlic fries?) -
Review from Edward H.
Diamond Bar, CA
7/30/2011
So for my first review, what other restaurant to review than my favorite restaurant? My girlfriend took me here for my birthday last year and I have to say, it was an amazing experience. We both shared the garlic fries as an appetizer and the prime rib-eye steak for the main course.
The garlic fries were absolutely delicious. It was piping hot, crispy on the outside, and soft and fresh on the inside. The garlic and parsley that was sprinkled on there pretty much made it the best fries I have ever had.
The steak was also delicious. I'm not gonna lie. I love steak and cook it all the time. And usually the steaks I cook are always better than the steaks at restaurants. But not at Carlitos Gardel. The steak was so flavorful, tender, and juicy. It was probably one of the top 5 steaks I've had.
And finally the service and ambience was superb. Waiter was super friendly and attentive, and the restaurant felt so cozy. All and all, this place is great. -
Review from Clelia E.
Los Angeles, CA
8/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yes the people were nice, the wine was excellent, the cave is impressing in size, choices and tastes.
I was expecting from the reviews to have an excellent experience eating steaks but no. The other members of the party thought like me so we got out a little bit disappointed. Food was just so-so. -
Review from Samira I.
Los Angeles, CA
10/31/2011
Seriously LOVE this place... amazing service - really friendly, family vibe... fantastic ambiance - intimate and tastefully decorated... i feel like i'm in an elegant, old school Argentinian restaurant... i'm a filet mignon girl myself which they didn't have so i'm a little sad face... but overall one of the most memorable nights.
ps. they have a piano performance on some nights with the awesome staff singing and it honestly feels like you've known these people forever. -
Review from Angela K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/17/2011
I've dined at this restaurant about 3 times now, and each time has been nothing less than perfect. The food is out of this world flavorful and is as authentic as it gets, especially since it's owned by a sweet family from Argentina.
For food, so far I'd recommend the spinach gnocchi, mussels, vegetable ravioli and garlic fries. After your taste buds have an explosion, try to save room for desert, it is homemade and heavenly. They also have an extensive wine list hand-picked from the Argentinean wineries.
As for ambiance, it has a very 'Old School Hollywood' feel with great live music. No pretentious snobby attitude and no frills, just amazing food and attentive service. Oh, and if you're lucky you might just catch a live musical performance by the family. ;)
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