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Caruso's Italian Caf & Catering
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
5745 Inland Shores Way NKeizer, OR 97303
(503) 393-8272
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Caruso's Italian Caf & Catering
11 reviews in English
-
Review from Chuck B.
6/5/2010
"Superb"
For fine Italian cuisine and atmosphere, Caruso's is hard to beat. I love their new location on Staat's lake. Especially enjoy dining alfresco on the patio. We are fortunate to have three excellent Italian eateries in the area. This one's at the top of the stack! -
Review from Michael M.
Portland, OR
8/14/2011
This place is decent for Salem but mediocre overall. Service was notably bad. Halibut entree was pretty good and the wine selection and location are solid (think Hayden's in Tualatin on the man-made lake).
The review that says this place is reminiscent of Italian places in Boston's North End made me want to downgrade my rating to 1 star to compensate for that absurd overrating.
Bottom line, I think, is that it's another decent spot to try in Salem but to not go in with real high expectations. -
Review from Shane D.
3/15/2011
It's very good food, has a nice view over a small lake (in a housing development though), and good service.
However, for me personally, the food is not quite as authentic as other Italian places (like DaVinci's), the prices are higher, and it feels a little stuffier. I prefer a more rustic style of elegance for Italian cuisine. This place feels more like a French style restaurant.
So it's a solid choice, but it didn't woo me the way I was hoping. -
Review from Elizabeth E.
Portland, OR
3/4/2007
I finally got around to trying Caruso's and its even better than I hoped it would be based on what I'd heard about the place.
This is a family owned and run Italian restaurant just like you might find in Boston's North End, the food is just as fresh, tasty and authentic. Service was friendly and efficient and everything we ordered was superb. I'd recommend the Bruschetta appetizer--the presentation is unique (including some antipasto favorites on the plate) and the flavors were unbeatable. I also order the ravioli of the day (salmon), which melted in my mouth. Prices are reasonable ($15-$20).
The last thing I want to rave about is the atmosphere. Cozy, cute, and perfect for a date or family celebration. The lighting was low and the decor was Italian themed, black gauzy curtains separated some seating areas. Mostly, it felt like any excellent family run Italian place: its very inviting but the quality of the food and service outshines everything else.
They also have 50% specials on certain nights, so check out their website if you're looking for a good deal. For example, I think on Mondays you get 50% off wine. -
Review from rachel n.
Salem, OR
12/2/2008
I've only been there once and perhaps my expectations were too high, so take this with a heaping pile o' salt.
The setting is fine (the restaurant has moved to Keizer and is lakeside) and the atmosphere seems on the more romantic/sophisticated side. Our server was charming but rather forgetful on a slow night. I don't normally mind that sort of thing, but combined with the mediocre food and high prices, I was not impressed.
I ordered the ravioli du jour - thinking, well, it's made specifically for that day and is then somewhat of a "special" so it must be good, right? Wrong. It was quite bland - both the ravioli itself and the sauce. My dining partner's selection (I forget what it was now) was also unremarkable. He has been to restaurant on several occasions in the past and reported that it had been good then - so maybe we hit the place on an off night. Regardless, I'm not keen on going back.
If you're interested in checking it out and don't want to put a huge dent in your wallet, they do have some weeknight specials (i.e. Tuesday is 1/2 off appetizers) so consult the website (which has improved quite a bit over the previous one). -
Review from Cynthia H.
Wayne, NJ
5/29/2010
The best thing about this restaurant is the view. As an out of stater, I visited this place, based on Yelp reviews. It seemed to be the only restaurant in Keizer, other than food chains. There was no bar to idle at, the service for One at a table was abysmal. I was stuck in a corner, and the waitress forgot me a few times. The mozzarella was plastic in consistency. Pasta was overcooked, and where was the spinach that was supposed to be in there?
I am sorry I didn't check out one of the many Latin or Mexican restaurants while I was in Keizer. -
Review from stephanie W.
Salem, OR
2/27/2007
This is the best Italian restaurant in the Salem area (and personally, I think its the best restaurant here period). The service is great, and the food is even better. Everything tastes fresh and rich, and there is a great variety of dishes. My favorite is the pasta of the day. The chef takes local produce and incorporates it into a dish that is always unique and tasty. To make this place even better, it's reasonably priced and has a cozy atmosphere. I can't recommend it enough!
-
Review from Evan B.
Portland, OR
11/29/2009
The quick summary: You don't eat like this anymore. Most dishes are heavy in cream sauces, and thus very rich. Portion size is large for the $$, so it's not that it doesn't delivery quantity. Waitstaff was fine, on a Sunday noon. You just want some lighter fare ... well, check the menu out and if you don't want lighter, healthier fare, then you've made the right choice.
-
Review from Rebecca A.
San Jose, CA
3/26/2007
Caruso's is wonderful--I'm just sad it opened after I moved away from Keizer! But every time I go home to visit my mom we have dinner at Caruso's. I don't remember what dishes I've tried but I know everything has been wonderful and I've usually taken some home with me to enjoy the next day because the portions are ample. Plenty of vegetarian options and good wine, too. It's cozy and intimate with great service and the feeling that you're sitting in a secluded niche even when you're at a table right next to another one. Love it!
-
Review from kathy m.
1/5/2010
I'll admit that this isn't as great as it was in their previous location but it's still by far the best restaurant in Keizer. I disagree that the staff are snobby, as a matter of fact, I kind of felt that they were a little on the trashy side. The crab cakes are TASTY!
-
Review from Missy S.
Salem, OR
11/5/2009
Not a big fan of this place since they moved to the location on the lake. The food was incredibly salty and portion sizes were appetizer size. If you are looking for good italian, I would check elsewhere. They've also appreared to have aquired a very "pompus" attitude since the expansion. Very snobby hostess and waitstaff for sure.
