Went to Carmel on Saturday night and had an amazing experience! The vibes were great, and the food was even better. We started with the San Diego Bluefin Tuna Tartare, which had an incredible burst of flavors. Then we had the Moroccan bread, which was fresh, warm, and delicious. Next came the Japanese sweet potatoes, and they were so good I honestly couldn't stop eating them. We also had the Red Snapper Schnitzel, which was probably one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. We finished with the Hanger Steak Kebab, which was really good as well. Overall, we had a great experience. Carmel is definitely becoming a new favorite spot for my wife and me, and we'll absolutely be back. Next time, we're definitely trying the kosher steak! Highly recommend making a reservation, especially on the weekends because it gets very busy. Amazing food, great vibes, and definitely a place we'll be coming back to! read more

Food: 3.5 stars Ambiance: 3.5 stars Service: 1.5 stars I have now been to this place twice. I was excited to share the experience with my friends, as I recalled it being good when it first opened; so it was definitely repeatable. However this second trip was -- insulting. It looked like a place run by kids in their 20s, with no customer service experience, and unregulated emotions. So let's start with the main star-- the food! With a number of options, it was hard to narrow down what we wanted. But finally, we made our choices between the small plates, shareables, and mains. To our disappointment, they were out of the branzino- fine. We understand. We replanned what we wanted (you have to put your whole order in at one time). Then we decided to get a number of additional small plates-- and wanted wings. Guess what? Womp womp-- after our server informed us the Branzino was out, she moved on to attend other tables. During that time, they ran out of the wings. No problem! We decided to just get the chicken. The Blue Fin Carpaccio The Octopus The Grandmas Cigars The Crispy Tuna 2 orders of the Chicken Jidori 4 glasses of wine for the table This is everything we went with. The wine was excellent. The Blue Fin Carpaccio with Challah - Good, but the Challah was not grilled, instead burnt The Octopus - some of the best I've had, exceptional The Grandma Cigars- underwhelming The Crispy Tuna - salty & nothing outstanding The Chicken Jidori - very good Now here's the problem. When we asked the server to if we could get another challah, she was annoyed. She then brought out another piece, this time much smaller, less fluffy, and entirely dry, and said-- "it wasn't burnt, they grill it". Then I started to explain, well the last one, the taste was burnt and the edges-- but before I could finish, she said, "I'm gonna walk away now". To our shock, she left mid-sentence. This could've been a kitchen issue and not her issue-- but with the way she handled the service, it was absolutely insulting. I asked for the manager, who simply changed our server. Made no additional amends (but she did fix our wobbly table). There was no concession, or enjoy xyz on the house, or remorse. I suspect if she was a friend of the servers that was a host, and not the manager. As she didn't handle the situation like an established and competent manager. In the end, it may have been an off night for the kitchen and the staff-- perhaps the manager went to enjoy the World Cup watch parties and left the restaurant in hands that just couldn't match the demands of the evening. It was a Sunday night, and the vibe was on, with a filled restaurant. I enjoy the space, but I can't say I'd be delighted to experience what I had, not from a food or wine standpoint, but pure service. After $400- I expect better service. I get treated better at Sweetgreens, and that only costs me $25. read more

I had no idea that Israeli food was this good. Honestly, everything I ordered was amazing. We sat in a high booth near the windows with a good view of the interior. The booths were quite roomy but it was a bit awkward climbing into them. The service was good and fast. The server took the time to answer our questions about the menu and brought us drinks quickly and a little 'nosh'. We followed his recommendations and were pleased. My complaint is about the location. It's in a densely populated and busy area with private houses surrounding the very busy streets. So parking is a bit of a pain. I was concerned about my car being damaged or blocked in between others though that didn't happen. I would definitely like to go here again but at a time when it's easier to park. read more

Wow! We found this restaurant through the red dining book and are so happy we did. We ended up making happy hour as well and their HH menu was surprisingly well worth it and had a nice selection. The food was delicious and the drinks were well made. It can get a little loud, so definitely go on the earlier side. read more

Overall 10/10 meal and 10/10 service. It's on Melrose, busy and bad parking but they have valet!! The second you walk in you completely forget where you are, the whole place transforms into open kitchen restaurant. The only time you remember you're on Melrose is when someone opens the front door and the street noise sneaks in like "surprise, traffic still exists." Definitely worth it though. read more

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My wife and I recently dined at Carmel and quite enjoyed it. The food was very good, in particular the two pastas we had - artichoke tortellini and the rigatoni al pesto - pasta was cooked to perfection with interesting veggie-forward ingredients. Another must order is the moroccan frena bread - we should have ordered two of these - it was very tasty and went well with the tahini dip. We also enjoyed the eggplant dip cooked like a creme brulee. There were a few dishes where the saltiness and sourness of the ingredients were a little overwhelming. The tuna tartare was very sour almost like a cerviche and the shuk salad was unexpectedly salty - i think maybe the cucumber was in brine? In any event, perhaps these would match the tastebuds of different guests. Overall, very delicious and will come back again to try more of the menu! read more

Carmel was an okay experience overall. The food was decent, but nothing that really stood out. The service was fine, nothing exceptional, but no major issues either. One nice surprise was that they brought us complimentary mixed drink shots, which were actually really good. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, but it also wasn't memorable enough that I'd go out of my way to return. read more

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This place is so good! Mediterranean cuisine with incredible standouts. The food is absolutely incredible, and the vibes are amazing. I cannot wait to come back! 10/10 read more

Would give 6 stars if I could. This place is a monthly go-to for me. Go for brunch. Go for dinner. The food is creative and excellent across the menu. The chefs are at the top of their game. The open kitchen counter is a vibe - sit there or at the bar or at a table - can't go wrong. The service is great and the staff are the friendliest. Love the music that's playing too, Shazam is always on standby. Here's almost everything we've tried and loved. Must get: - The Bread (Moroccan Frena) - Japanese Sweet Potato Fries - Woodfire Octopus Shawarma - KFKW (Kentucky fried kampachi wings) - Jerusalem Artichoke Tortellini - 6-hour Braised Short Rib Pappardelle - Hanger Steak Kebab - 14 oz woodfire grilled grass fed ribeye - New Zealand Lamb Rack - Harissa-glazed Jidori Chicken - Steak and eggs - Jerusalem bagel - brunch pancakes (forgot what they're actually called) read more

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Went for dinner shortly after they opened and it got busier as the night went on. The small plates and appetizers came out right away. The Moroccan Frena is a MUST order- it comes out hot with different dips. The young crispy cauliflower hummus was smooth and refreshing- delicious with the Frena. The Japanese sweet potato "fries" were thick cut with a little bit of spice heat. The Falafel balls were 5 to the plate, perfect size for shared starters. The Nonna's mushroom bolognese size can easily be for one or can be shared- it's a flavorful savory, red sauce pasta. The Hanger steak kebab was tender & juicy, definitely a MUST order as well! Parking- valet $15 read more

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A great meal, but definitely on the pricier side. I really enjoyed how the items here were pretty unique and veggie-forward. Farmers market hummus was great, the platter with feta was great, sweet potatoes were AMAZING. For mains, the short rib pappardelle was good but on the sweeter side, and the snapper schnitzel was perfectly crispy. The sundae was the perfect dessert to top it off, but at this point we were beyond stuffed. A good Middle Eastern place in LA but I'd recommend ordering fewer items. read more

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A very cute spot and vibe. the food was good, service was good and I'm happy I tried it.

Carmel was such a nice date night spot. It had the charm of an elevated Mediterranean market. Our server was very kind. The food was 100/10. When we got there, they also had happy hours. We had the Peruvian scallop crudo and chicken Bao buns from this menu. They were divine. From the main menu, we had the frena, sweet corn tortellini and hangar steak kebabs. The bread was perfectly spiced, the tortellini was sublime and kebabs were such an elevated take on steak with chimichurri. One super minor thing: I think they could have been even better if it was medium rare, but it was still amazing! Can't wait to go back! read more

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The food was delicious. I had the hummus and the artichoke pasta. The dishes are extremely small and the prices are more inflated than potentially any other restaurant I've ever seen. At least top three. I do not believe this is a warranted. Just the pasta with tax and tip is like $43 and I think there's six or seven pieces. Even if it is heaven, that's seven dollars a bite. That's the only reason I have not returned. The service was lovely ambience was lively. read more

Lovely perfection. Beautiful environment and design, exceptional food, warm service and impeccable food. An absolute YES!

My friend and I dined at Carmel on a chilly Tuesday evening and had a fabulous time. This cozy spot in the corner of Melrose and Martel oozes Mediterranean flair from the moment you walk in. Deep brown and gold hues illuminate the space where you'll find table seating, a few elevated booths along the window, and bar seating with an exposed kitchen. We were seating a two-person table in the middle and taken care of with friendly service throughout the meal. We started off with a couple glasses of wine and dined on hummus, Moroccan bread, smoked eggplant with feta brûlée, tuna tartare, and octopus shawarma. All of the dishes were the perfect size for sharing and very flavorful! My personal favorites were the bread, hummus and tuna tartare! They even have an aperitivo menu from 5:30p-7p, which is a great deal. My friend and I ate everything up with pleasure, so we were too full for dessert; although they all look so good! Overall we had a lovely time at Carmel and highly recommend for a cozy intimate date night (solo, friend date or otherwise!). read more

Carmel - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

What a great spot. The food is memorable. Highly recommend the kampachi crudo, Jerusalem artichoke tortellini, sweet potato "fries" and the knafeh for dessert. The service was really good and staff were on top of everything - great pacing of dishes, refills on drinks, and they fixed our wobbly table. Our table was rather dark and it is pretty loud inside when the restaurant is full. Where are table was situated in the back of the restaurant was near a side door entrance where the light from the window was shining towards our table, which was blinding to one of the ladies in our party. A few negatives from an otherwise great dining experience. Parking, as in most of LA, is tough. Valet at $15 is your best bet. read more

Food was good. Server/staff were great. I don't know why I can't give them a five star... there was something missing. Maybe customers? I don't know... it felt kind of sleepy. But again, drinks were awesome food was great and staff also great but there was just something I couldn't put my finger on. I will call out our server though (young black guy) came over and already knew abt my cucumber allergy, which was so sweet. His demeanor was so great. Loved him. read more

Carmel - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Wow - we had the best date night here. It was Sunday of Valentine's Day weekend and we had a 5:30pm reservation. It was empty when we arrived and was filled up by 5:45pm. Despite how busy it was, the service was excellent. Our waiter, Henry, was kind, attentive, and very helpful as we navigated the menu. Each dish that arrived was better than the last. To start, we ordered: - Farmer's Market Hummus - Crispy Chicken Bao Buns - Spicy Merguez-Stuffed Fried Olives - Grandma's Mushroom Cigar Our entrees were: - Jerusalem Artichoke Tortellini - Wild-Caught Striped Bass Drinks & Dessert: - Bossa Nova - Strawberry "Mule" 8 - Knafe We are already talking about the next time we can come back!! read more

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I recently came here to celebrate my anniversary this past weekend and everything from the food, service & atmosphere was exceptional. We went on a Sunday evening at 5:45 and were the second table there. It quickly filled up by the time we left at 7:30. Our server Henry was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable about all the dishes and helped us pick out items as it was our first time. We started with the bread, scallops and tuna tartare. The bread was fantastic and the tuna tartare was very fresh and flavorful, both I would order again. The scallops were good but very small for the price. Next we got the Japanese sweet potato, eggplant brulee & hamachi crudo. The eggplant brûlée was truly delicious and so unique. For our entrees we got the artichoke tortellini and short rib pappardelle. Both were excellent! We can't wait to go back and try more of the menu! read more

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Decent foods but service needs improvement. Workers besides our main server made several mistakes on our table. For example, the one who was taking out meat from the skewer dropped one of the meat pieces on the table which rolled over and touched my bag that I was holding due to a small table and no place to put belongings. He said sorry but didn't clean the dropped meat pieces right away. Another thing was that they replaced our cutlery for main dish but the person who brought it just anywhere on the table without properly placing them which is not the quality I expected at this level of restaurant. Lastly, my friends hung their bags on the chair as again there was no space on or near the table to put our belongings. The workers kept hitting the chairs and bags fell several times but they neither apologized or picked up the bags. We ordered four food dishes and one dessert. Peruvian scallops - definitely recommended. Very fresh and flavorful Octopus shawarma - was different from last time I ordered. Liked the previous version better as this time it tasted a bit salty for me. Recommend ordering a side of bread Mushroom bolognese - also recommended. A good balance of taste Hanger steak kebab - bigger in portion so great to share. The meat was tender Biscuit cake - tastes like tiramisu. Liked it much better than knafeh I ordered last time I visited They charge healthcare fee of 3% on the bill which you can't ask to remove. I always don't understand why customers needs to pay for this read more

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Two fun brunch experiences. Next will be dinner. I'm sure it'll be the same great time. To start, parking. There's valet but each time, I was luck enough to find street parking on the residential side streets. I saw some on Melrose but I'm not a big fan of paying for parking. Read the signs for restrictions but know that on my most recent visit, I was parked for five hours and I drove away ticket free. Or pay the Valet. Excellent service. Not just the expo/manager, but the server and support staff as well as the preps behind the counter (sat the counter each time). They were attentive, fun and nice. Samples were offered - including alcohol. We even were included in a round with the staff. Awesome food. If you could smell or taste the pics - even that wouldn't do the food justice. Started with appetizers - ceviche and hummus (chicken) and scallops - followed by schnitzel (again chicken). Then three desserts. Because dessert is never optional. I'll say that mix it up if/when you go - like don't order multiple chicken dishes - try other add-ons. And grab the bagel. You're welcome. I'm so anxiously anticipating my next visit that I broke my rule and checked out the menu before going. I already know what I'll be having when I'm there in the new year. read more

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Y'all, I think I found my next favorite restaurant. Such a cozy date vibe inside!! My friend and I sat at the counter because we love watching chefs doing their thing, working their magic in an open kitchen. We went on a Tuesday night and it got packed early, so make sure you make rsvp! Our server, Bookie (?) was so attentive and nice, she kept checking in on us! Let's talk food: Scallops- good but I need to try it again. To me, it wasn't as memorable as the other dishes but again, I think I was just distracted. Kampachi crudo- HELLO! Surprise kick! I licked the spoon while my friend was taking the picture and I was greeted with a punch straight to my throat. I did not expect that at all. But it was the kind of punch that leaves you wanting more. It was light but had 2 types of crunch: cucumber and pistachio. Mushroom cigar- WOW. I did not expect that flavor profile at all, let alone the umami flavor bomb from mushrooms! It was so good!! The sauce that came with it tasted like peanuts. The mushroom cigar can be eaten alone, but dipped in the smoke eggplant?? New flavor level unlocked. I like it. Give me 10 more. This could easily be a "not too sweet" savory dessert for me. Smoked eggplant- MUST. GET. HOLY COW. I don't know how I am supposed to go back to regular baba ghanoush after this. You know how you eat frozen peanut butter off a spoon? I can do that with this. It's the brûlée that elevates it. It's THAT good. Definitely need more pita to scoop up every oz of this dip. A la vodka- "but better." They said that with their whole chest. This is honestly one of my favorite pasta dishes, EVER. There was cheese pull *eyes rolls back*, even consistency of sauce, and perfect amount of sauce in each bite. The thing is, there was enough cheese for a pull and we even had extra grated cheese on top, but it wasn't too cheesy at all!! TRULY AMAZING! Branzino- JUICYYY! Add lemon squeeze, chef's kiss. I haven't had a good branzino in awhile. This fish was moist, perfectly seasoned, and MEATY. 3/4 through the fish, we were STUFFED, but we pushed through because it was too good to go to waste. Kunefe- there is ALWAYS room for dessert. They said it'd send us to Jerusalem and it sure did. It's crispy and delightful for a few bites, and then it got too sweet for me. I think I would opt for a sorbet next time! All in all, I would come back to try other dishes. Everything I ate was a 10/10 (except dessert) and would get it again. Also, the Jaffa Breeze cocktail was delish!! read more

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The food is amazing! Didn't have one bad thing and we tried a lot. We've been back multiple times. Also really good non alcoholic cocktails.

I wasn't too sure what to expect as I hadn't heard of this restaurant before! I got invited to a birthday dinner here at Carmel and let me tell you the food blew my mind. Please keep in mind it is best to get a reservation! The restaurant is cozy and has more of a romantic atmosphere as it is low lit, so bring your flash if you have trouble seeing in the dark! We ordered a lot of food but did it family style so that we could all try a bit of each! Our servers were so attentive, they freshened up our plates after appetizers and kept bringing us water. Let's start with what they call the "shareables" * The Bread- this isn't your typical stone oven bread, there is so much flavor to it! It was hot, spongy and crispy at the same time! It was so good we each wanted one for ourselves. *Mushroom Cigars- the name is a little daunting but I promise you it is so delicious! It resembles a thin puff pastry that has mushrooms rolled inside of it. The sauce it came with was tangy and spicy which was so nice. *The Hummus- this isn't your typical Hummus, it had chickpeas and mushrooms! It was delicious and went perfectly with the laffa. *sweet potato fries- these were cooked perfectly, a nice crisp outside with a soft inside! Paired well with the yogurt sauce, it really balanced the sweetness! Now The Pastas, we got three but there was a top contender that I can't stop thinking about! #1: Jerusalem artichoke Tortellini- this was a flavorful surprise! The sage butter paired so well with the Parmesan and it all just melted in your mouth as soon as you bit the tortellini! If you love cheese, this is a MUST!! #2: 6-hour braised short rib pappardelle- the short rib is tender, juicy and so flavorful! It was sweet and savory at the same time. It paired nicely with the pappardelle. This I would get again if I wanted meat in my meal! #3: mushroom bolognese- this was yummy, it wasn't my absolute favorite but it did have a nice flavor profile. The mushroom ragu paired well with the other flavors of the dish. The mains are next! * Hanger Steak Kebab- 10/10 it was so delicious!! The meat wasn't chewy or full of fatty pieces. It was flavorful and tender. It is served on fresh laffa & those together were a perfect pair. * Flame Grilled Branzino- 7/10 I personally do not enjoy fish that is too fishy & this one was slightly overwhelming. It also did have some small bones which isn't my favorite to look for in my meal. * Red Snapped Schnitzel- 9/10 this was yummy, it topped the other fish plate we had. It was fried but still felt light and airy. The sauce it came with was a great compliment to the fish. I would get this again! If you try one dessert only let it be the Halva Gelato! I was a bit confused to see pine nuts on a gelato but it worked! They added such a nice crunch! The halva is so decadent! The gelato practically melts in your mouth! read more

Carmel - Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Tasty food, pretty restaurant and friendly service! The restaurant itself is very inviting with a mix of big booths and tables and lots of natural sunlight. The service was great and accommodating, giving us a new table when the sun was in our eyes as well as extra bread to go with our shakshuka. The food is great - my favorite was the chicken shawarma and the mushroom cigar despite generally not being a big mushroom fan. The dessert was ok, but wasn't my favorite. read more

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I will come back here just for the tortellinis. I kid you not, that is the second best bite I have ever had in my entire life. My friend and I agree that each dish was incredibly flavorful and unique. The interior decor is really well done, it's open but inviting at the same time. I have to thank Lily our server because we were on a tight time squeeze but thankfully she got everything coursed out in the perfect amount of time. The food: The Moroccan Frena bread is so good! It is pillowy with beautiful spices and herbs. Great mouth feel! It comes with these amazing pitted olives as well. We ordered a second order of it to go with the octopus shawarma and that was a perfect decision so we could enjoy the sauce with the octopus shawarma. 9/10 Not your grandma's cigar was really fun. The mushrooms inside taste great with the dipping sauce (we used the dipping sauce with the Frena too, so good!) it comes with pickled cauliflower which I just absolutely loved, super unique flavors. 8/10 The octopus shawarma was amazing. Great texture, perfect with the Frena. 9/10 The star dish- the Jerusalem artichoke tortellini. I could go on and on about this. Please do yourself a favor and order this. It is full of flavor with beautiful textures. It is, and I have only said this once before, a perfect bite. 10/10. If I could give it a higher rating I would. Green salad - the green salad was a great complement to the meal. It has these nuts that add little pops of texture with a sweet and savory bite. I'm not really a salad person, I just order salads to have some type of greenery - but I would eat this one over and over! Now the red snapper schnitzel is the only thing that was a let down. I read on here that people think it has great flavor, but. my friend and I both thought it was very lacking in flavor. It was breaded fish, and not much seasoning in the breading. Part of the reason it fell flat on taste is because by that point we had had all these super flavorful dishes, so it just didn't stand up to those other dishes. And especially for the price, they have a lot of other great looking main options that I would choose instead. Don't get me wrong, I will still 100% come back - of course when you order as much as we did there will always be one dish that doesn't quite stand up to the rest. 7/10 I think it was the fish that came with an accompaniment of homemade pickles. This was the perfect acidic bite to break up the heavier flavors. This is something Carmel does beautifully with other dishes as well - they know when you need an acidic relief. I can't wait to come back here and try more dishes! It was soooooo good! This place is great, you won't regret it!!! They do have valet parking for $15 but my friend and I both found street parking. read more

Carmel - Moroccan Frena bread, olives, your grandma's cigar and cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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THE BRUNCH HERE IS INSANE. Hands-down the best brunch I've had all year, and honestly one of the best meals I've had in a long while. I came in hungry; I left spiritually renewed. Margarita - exactly as fabulous as I remembered from last visit: bright, balanced, and pretty Bloody Mary - crisp, bold, and unique Chicken schnitzel - HOLY. MOLY. Order this. Don't think. Just do it. Perfect crunch, zero grease, flavor dialed all the way up. Israeli salad - I ordered it to pretend I was being responsible, but joke's on me; it was so good it didn't even feel healthy. Fresh, vibrant, absolutely delicious. Jerusalem bagel - not a bagel. It's bread that shows up like the main character. Ridiculously good. We ordered the spicy platter which made for an assortment of accruements that went well with the bread. And Aria, our server, is a gem. Sweet, attentive, and just genuinely on it. Request her if you can. Do yourself a favor and get brunch here. Bonus: theyre on InKind. read more

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We went here for my sister and dad's birthday. We ordered the kampachi wings, mushroom cigar and tuna tartare for appetizers. The A9 wagyu and octopus shawarma for shareable items. Short ribs pappardelle, lamb chops and hanger steak for main dishes. The food was really good for the most part. The octopus shawarma was a little tangy and I expected it to be more shawarma like but it tasted like tomato sauce. The Wagyu had good flavor but was really salty. Everything else was really good. The waitress was really nice and attentive. The ambience is also really nice but the downside is that it's really loud so it's hard to hear each other. But overall I would give it a 8/10. read more

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Overall, very good experience, the food is great, very well crafted with good ingredients, Mediterranean with a twist, but the portions are small and it's overpriced. Tried that red mullet, Bronzin la, short rib pasta. And the fried red snapper, Kanafa, all were great. The service was amazing and the ambiance is nice. read more

I had an excellent dining experience at Carmel. Our waiter was the kindest soul, who really went the extra mile for us. He was constantly checking in on us, and told us what were his top picks. They were all great recommendations! You must get the Crudo and Tuna Tartare. Both dishes had so much flavor. I can second the Jidori chicken; not dry at all, and a big portion was served. Although, I did think placing an actual fried chicken foot was rather unappetizing. Ambiance was great, with good music playing the entire night. read more

Carmel - Jidori Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Definitely one of my favorite dining experiences in Los Angeles. The food was so flavorful, if I were blond folded I would think I am eating at a restaurant in NYC. We tried about 15 dishes fromt e menu selection... Best hummus I ever had, the bread is amazing, the watermelon salad was refreshing, love the fig carpaccio, the corn filled pasta was divine, the ceviche, Peruvian scallops and tuna tartar were perfect, the sweet potatoes are a must, love the schnitzel and the steak/kabobs were so tender and juicy. Every dish was one of a kind, delicious and prepared with love. We were all very impressed and will definitely be coming back with all our fun foodie friends. Just wish they were open for lunch! read more

Great vibes, great food, great service! We had the spicy platter, the bread, the hummus, the Japanese sweet potato "fries" with labneh (maybe my favorite bite?!), the artichoke pasta (second favorite bite), the octopus shawarma, and the hanger steak kebab. Everything was delicious! The German NA beer very good and the zero proof elderflower spritz was fantastic! Carmel is a great spot for a date night or shared plates with friends. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Melrose can be sketchy but I'll try not to be kvetchy. Bottom line, give the whip to the valet. Inside waits a warm welcome and a cool/hot vibe. The decor is Tel Aviv Construction project. Patches of Subway Tiles, exposed brick under peeling plaster and building guts visible to the ceiling. It's actually charming and inviting. The open kitchen sets the tone as all the line cooks are Whirling Dervishes. The focus is two large bars, a serious Chef's Counter and another one just to hang. The High Bar Chairs at Chef's Counter are so comfy you could easily nap in one till dawn. And you just might nod off after a huge tasty meal. A music loop seems to leak from the Tat house next door and is just enough to get a thump pumpin' without taking over. So you can break up or make up and still be heard. The Bar: Cool cocktails to wash away the 1 1/2 hour slog on the freeway to get here and forget the muttering minions wandering about in the hood. The house serves up a demi Amuse Booze. Arak (pourable Licorice in a glass) and Watermelon which in it's natural state is little more than crunchy water. This balanced petit drinkster should be brought up to the major leagues and offered as a Signature Cocktail. It was a lovely classy beginning. I said yes to a King George Sour which offered Apricot Infused Whiskey, Mediera, Lemon and a float of Natural Red Wine. This sour soared. Pretty is as pretty does and this refresher surely did and did a little better than the Habasta featuring Pineapple Infused Bank's 5 Year Rum, Watermelon Cordial and Lime which was still pretty damn good. The Staff: All as helpful as the produce sellers in the Shuk HaCarmel. No request ignored. Henry was there when needed with a gentle nudge (without being a Nudge) to order this and efficiently bring that. The Food: Carmel is Chef Asaf's love letter to the cuisine of Israel and the Middle East writ large. He tweaks tradition to make the food his own and yours as well. Begin with the 72 Hour Fermented Moroccan Frena Bread right from the Pizza Oven. This beast was the size of Tom Brady's deflated Duke Football and fluffier than My Pillow. Eat your heart out, Mike Lindell. The almost too hot to touch Bread is topped with a sprinkle of "Everything" and comes with a Cup of creamy Tahini with Matucha (Tomato/Red Pepper Spread) plus some Marinated Syrian Olives. Now, order some Hummus with Blistered Sungold Tomatoes, Crisp Garlic, and Chili Oil. This Hummus was truly yummus. On the heels of the magical Bread and Hummus, Henry delivered Grandma's Mushroom Cigar. When you find this on a menu, it's usually party finger food size. Here this monster is as long as Fidel Castro's Splendido or John Holmes...forearm. Talk about food Porn, this is the poster child. An uber crunchy wrapper enrobes the mashed Mushrooms mixed with Chuma (Pepper Paste). It comes with a Cup of Tahini with dollops of Zhoug and Shatta. (Hot and Hotter Sauce). Hot yes, but even so, it's still just Momma Bear spicy. This dish alone urged me to tap my Open Table App for a quick return. Note: It helps to crave Cucumbers when dining here. They show up often with many of the dishes. The Shuk Salad was the weak link for me. Chunks of fresh Tomatoes, large chunks of Persian Cucs, chunks of Red Onion, and chunks of Fennel all awash in a nice Lemon, Herb, Sumac Vinaigrette. Forgive me Chef, the Fennel required a cow to chew it for a hour. The Fennel was thick cut vertically. Perhaps consider cutting it paper thin horizontally on a Mandolin. Just sayin'. The Lamb Neck Boreka was shredded lean Lamb nestled in Puff Pastry with Tahini, Amba (Mango Powder) and Armenian Cucs. This dish was easily suitable for two unless you go with me, because I will hog it all. The high watermark for me was my Red Snapper Schnitzel served just with Lemon wedges and Calabrian Chili Aioli masquerading as Tartare Sauce and let's say it together...Cuc Salad (sliced thin on a Mandolin). This dish was absolutely perfect. The fish was translucent, juicy, and flakey. The greaseless crust was crackling crisp and stayed that way. This dish was simply brilliant. The Fish I took home was terrific with two fried Eggs the next morning, still crisp and moist. Carmel, I fell for you. Love at first bite. read more

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Carmel really took me back to Carmel. Easy 5 stars -- honestly would give 10 if I could. Service, ambiance, and food were all on point. Start with the bread and hummus -- no questions, just order it. The bread comes out hot from the oven and it's unreal. The hummus with the homemade fried potatoes is next level. We got the kush salad and added feta -- super fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, you can taste the quality, and the olive oil ties it all together perfectly. Lamb chops were cooked exactly right, juicy with a perfect pink center and just the right amount of salt. The beef (hanger steak) was insane -- super tender, served on bread with hummus and greens, and we finished every bite. Dessert sealed it -- khanafe and biscuit cake were both ridiculous. No misses here at read more

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Food service vibe. Carmel has it all in spades. We went yesterday for brunch so I cant address others' concerns about noise. We tried a lot of diff dishes because the owner is good friends with our fam. Jerusalem bagel is a must, the eggplant was the best Ive ever eaten, shakshuka, chicken shwarma was excellent, both chopped salads were fantastic, the hummus was different and excellent, we had 3 of the most unique mediterranean desserts Ive ever had. the service was excellent, the staff was attentive and polite, and the table was cleaned regularly. we have our go to mediterranean in the valley but Carmel wasnt just the best Mediterranean rest Ive ever eaten in, this was one of the best meals Ive ever eaten in LA. read more

One of the best Israeli restaurants in Los Angeles, the place is perfect for any kind of gathering- a date or big group, you name it. Food is phenomenal. The service was above and beyond they really care for their guests. read more

It was poppin on a Wednesday evening. Good signs but also I don't know why exactly. Came for a meal with a few friends and easily got a reservation (early) for the night. It looked pretty packed that day though. The food and drinks are pretty good. I think I enjoyed the dips and apps more than the actual entrees. For the apps and dips, I recommend the bread and spicy platter. The bread was very fluffy and the spicy platter had so much flavor as you choose your own adventure across the dips. Things I felt were just ok were the octopus shawarma, corn tortellini, and hanger steak kebab. The octopus was a bit chewy and maybe even with the cut of the octopus, it didn't feel like an unctuous bite. The tortellini was just meh and the hanger steak wasn't very special and if you got the bread, this is just more bread. The vibe itself was nice and hip until they had the live music play and then it was just loud... and almost bro-y... so food is generally good but depends on what you order. read more

Overall, we would rate this place a 3/5. I'll start by saying that our server was extremely kind and the food tasted decent. It was our first time at this restaurant and they brought out complimentary welcome shots for us. Out of all the items we ordered, I would recommend ordering the mushroom cigar, Harissa Jidori Chicken and the Knafeh. As for drinks, would recommend the Melrose Spritz. The mushroom cigar was flavorful and the Jidori Chicken was juicy, tender, and flavorful. Other than that, I don't feel like this place is worth the hype. We had reservations for 8:45 and still had to wait an additional 40 minutes to be seated. Apparently this is a common occurrence based on my discussion with the host. If that is usually the case, there really isn't a point in having a reservation. When we were seated, we noticed how incredibly loud the music was. It was difficult to converse and I felt like I had to yell to have a conversation with my friends. We also had a difficult time hearing our server. Carmel gives off a more bar/lounge vibe rather than a restaurant. Additionally, the food took incredibly long to come out. The entire process from waiting to get seated to ordering our food and receiving our food took 3 hours. Between receiving our appetizers and our actual entrees, it took one hour of waiting. I've never had to wait that long to receive my entrees. Lastly, I felt as if it was a bit invasive for the manager to be looking over my shoulder while I was calculating totals and tip. It felt as if the manager was really looking over my shoulder to see how much I was tipping. Never had that experience. Red flag. For the portion sizes, wait times, and price, I wouldn't recommend coming here. Would much rather spend my money at Lawry's or another fine dining restaurant that offers quick service, good portions and good value. read more

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My boyfriend took me on a surprise dinner date here and I couldn't have been more happy with his choice. The ambiance of this place is so lively with the dim lights with so much chatter and laughter. The food was absolutely phenomenal but what was more enjoyable was our sweet waiter Hunter. I seriously have never met such a kind and joyful soul, she made my birthday and dinner so enjoyable. She lights up Carmel! And it's just over so kind and attentive. We'll definitely be back and have already recommended Carmel to others !! read more