Carmen’s Café: A Friendly Neighborhood Bistro with Unique Cuisine

Sometimes a favorite restaurant is more about the feeling it gives you than anything else. It’s about the nostalgia that greets you with a familiar hug as you walk in the door. Carmen’s Café in Brookside is this for me. I remember fondly my first meal there, a first date so many years ago with wine, butterflies and manicotti, and the feeling of being treated to something as special as Carmen’s. There have been many more moments since then, too; every time I have dinner at Carmen’s, I forget that I’m not Italian or part of the family, because they make you feel like a beloved relative returning home to break bread with the family.

Like many best-kept secrets, Carmen’s is nondescript from the street. They’re just off 63rd in downtown Brookside, and you might easily walk right by without knowing. It is unassuming and quaint, which is exactly what makes it one of my favorite places in this city. They’re quietly doing what they do best, which is to put some of the most delicious food and fine wine you’ll ever have in front of you. For 18 years, Carmen’s has been creating moments for its customers, and we all love them for it.

Juan and Francisco Bautiste opened Carmen’s in April 1999. Like the restaurant they’ve devoted their lives to, they are modest and friendly. They possess a reverence for the experience one can have over a perfectly executed meal and a devotion to their customers that is unmatched.

“We have customers who come here for all of their family celebrations, and we get to see their children grow up. We have people who came here for their first date and are now married, celebrating anniversaries with us. It’s really special,” shared Juan.

As we all know, the Kansas City food scene is exploding, which means serious competition for establishment A-listers like Carmen’s. So what sets them apart? Why should you choose Carmen’s for your next date night or special occasion?

Carmen’s is wonderful for its value and service. The price point is mid-range for fine dining, making the white tablecloth experience approachable. This is by design; Juan and Francisco prioritize their customers above all else, and they want to be affordable while still offering an exceptional fine dining experience. They offer a couple of unbeatable specials you simply must take advantage of. Monday night is Pasta Night, where you may choose from nine different pasta dishes for only $9.99, including salad and bread. No one wants to cook on a Monday night anyway, so let Carmen’s handle dinner. You can also raise a glass on Sunday nights with a wide selection of half-price bottles of wine.

They offer a lunch special from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can enjoy 30 of your favorites such as chicken spiedini in a lunch-sized portion for less than $10. They will have you in and out in an hour if need be, or they are happy to help you indulge in a more leisurely midday meal.

Happy hour at Carmen’s is as laid back and familiar as I imagine Cheers would be, but with a veil of sophistication that comes with the exquisite wine selection and upscale tapas. It runs Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and it’s more of a prelude to your decadent dinner than it is a destination hot spot. Enjoy $5 house wines and martinis or $3 drafts, and a mouth-watering selection of tapas that you can order for a song, Italian arias preferred.

The signature Don’s Artichoke is the most popular appetizer; it’s a must-order for seafood and artichoke lovers. There is a 99 percent chance that when you tell people you are going to Carmen’s, they’ll say, “Order the artichoke.”

With an equally loyal fan base, the chicken spiedini, in all of its iterations, is a significant contributor to putting Carmen’s on the map. You can always count on the spiedini to be exactly the way you like it, every single time. I know people who have never ordered anything else, which is tragic considering the many treasures on the menu. It’s also understandable because it’s just that good.

Steak Oscar is another stand-out dish, my personal favorite. It is surf-and-and-turf perfection, worth every penny of the splurge. You don’t need to break the bank for an amazing entree, though. The modestly priced baked manicotti is authentic and memorable and the lasagna will inspire you to check flights for Italy as soon as you get home.

After experiencing an evening at Carmen’s, don’t be surprised if you feel like bringing everyone you’ve ever known to eat there. And they are ready for you, because they have a classy upstairs private dining space overlooking downtown Brookside that will accommodate up to 85 people. They staff a full-time event coordinator, Elizabeth Nguyen, who will help give you and your guests a night to remember. The private space features its own interactive kitchen, so while you stand at the bar and sip a glass of your favorite fine wine, you can watch your food being prepared by expert kitchen staff. Or, if you already have a space and just need the cuisine, Carmen’s caters as well. They will deliver anything from the menu or create a customized menu based on your specific needs.

The unforgettable dining experience at Carmen’s offers the warmth of home alongside the best in Italian cuisine, accented with the familiar notes of Sinatra and other smooth crooners, clinking glasses and soft conversation, and striking artwork by local artist Jon Oakes. Make your reservation today! ■

Find Carmen’s Café at 6307 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri; call 816-333-4048 or visit carmenscafekc.com for more information and menu previews.