In 20 years of exceptional dining in Spain, lunch at Carmen was among the worst restaurant experiences we've ever had--mediocre food and abismal service.
To start, we waited 22 minutes at our table without anyone greeting us or taking an order, despite servers passing by attending to every other table. Thinking we may have been overlooked by accident we went inside to check...only to be brushed off and told someone would be by. Eventually, an inexperienced server begrudgingly took our order and brought and poured wine (which was left in the sun on the table without a cooler).
The fried langostinos were good but nothing special. The scallops came as one scallop in a very unappetizing potato purée. And the rice course was uninspired, soupy rice in bland tomato sauce. While most other Galician restaurants do simply prepared, beautiful seafood, it's as if Carmen tried to elevate the cuisine (to justify their elevated prices)...but failed in their efforts when "simple and done right" would have been far better.
Out of courtesy, we asked to talk with the owner Carmen (a friend of a friend) to let her know our disappointment, but when she came by the table, her servers gathered around and argued with us--defending themselves, denying that we had sat unattended, and pushing their way past the owner, getting in my face and shouting at me. I've never experienced anything quite like it.
With all the delicious and fresh seafood lovingly prepared and served in most every other restaurant in town, I would highly suggest you eat elsewhere and not waste a meal here (or at their sister restaurant Berberecho) when there is such a bounty of great Galician food available at dozens of better deserving spots. read more
