Ariano's Ii Trattoria - Carmel

I highly recommend Pat’s Brick Oven Restaurant (the new name of what was previously Ariano 's) for a truly enjoyable dining experience. My wife and I became regulars here late last year and that would not be the case if the food and service were not always top notch. We 've dined here at least a dozen times since. It 's where we arrange to meet friends because we are confident that the food will be excellent. They 've never let us down and I 've never heard a negative word about the food that anyone has been served. Quite the contrary. I 've yet to have the pizza here, so I cannot speak to its quality although I 've seen plenty of them served and devoured eagerly they look great. Enjoying their pizza is on my to do list if they were more local to me it 'd already be done. Always ask about the specials, as there are usually some excellent selections such as porcini ravioli or gnocchi and an outstanding squid/octopus combination that has become my entree of choice. While you 're waiting for your entrees enjoy the fresh out of the oven bread with dipping sauce that is provided and consider one of the fine wines they offer. I learned about an Argentinean malbec here as a result of Luigi 's recommendation and now I can 't get enough of it delicious! The menu is diverse enough to satisfy just about any palette so I 'm sure you 'll find something that appeals to you. Pat likes to greet her guests and inquire as to how much they are enjoying their meals, so don 't be surprised to see the owner come out of the kitchen and extend her hand to you. If she makes a recommendation for an appetizer or an entree, give it serious consideration. She 's changed my mind a couple of times and I 'm grateful that she did. After dinner they 'll make you any kind of espresso, cappuccino, etc that you like and tempt you with some really nice desserts, so save some room or just ask to have some of your dinner wrapped to go you 'll want it again tomorrow. The place is always clean and nicely decorated with pleasant background music. The only change I 'd like to see is an upgrade from paper napkins to cloth, but that 's not a reason to drop my rating from 5 stars to 4. This is a store front restaurant, so seating is limited to a dozen or so tables, although I 've seen them squeeze in more when they 've needed them. Make a reservation if you can to possibly save yourself a wait. But wait if you must you 'll find it worth your while. Tell 'em the mushroom guy sent you.

This place is awesome!! I cannot stop talking about it! From the wine all the way to my cappuccino and Tiramisu...never had a bad meal here. Service is just as excellent. Will go back again and again and again!!!

Food is bland as well as the personality of the staff especially the owner. Tried it a 2nd time because they stay open until 11 showed up at 10:40 and wouldn't serve us!

Two male customers were almost fighting at a table right behind us. When we told the staff, they did nothing. I asked them to take our drinks off of the bill, as our meal had been ruined by their cursing and yelling. The restaurant staff just offered us more wine which is the last thing we wanted as we wanted to get the hell out of there. We will not be back as the staff has no security sense and allowed other patrons to ruin our meal as well as all of the other patrons dining at this time in the restaurant. My husband almost got into a fight with one of the men who was carrying on, and again, nothing was done. You need to know when to call 911 if you are running a restaurant. I consider this restaurant unsafe and really poorly managed.

I like it a lot thin pizza is very good