Carmela’s Bistro & Wine Bar (carmelasbistroandwinebar.com) has been in Lincoln’s quaint Pioneers Woods Shopping Center since 2008. It is truly the love child of its owner, Marci Hanshaw. Her vision of a sophisticated-yet-cozy eatery and bar is alive at Carmela’s, and it shines through with a European-inspired elegance combined with the charm of an American bistro. The walls are full of playful wine-loving sayings and photos of Hollywood’s most iconic faces from the 50s and 60s, such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Cash. There is also an impressive wine wall in the main dining area that showcases Carmela’s vast selection of vino.
We had a very pleasant dining experience at Carmela’s. The dinner menu has a starters list with unique options along with some classics such as a Meet + Cheese board and Bruschetta. We were really impressed by the Bruschetta. The bread was toasted well for flavor but was still chewy and easy to eat. The balsamic wasn’t overpowering, it complimented the cheeses, pesto, and herbed tomato very well. The Carmela’s Cakes were very good quality as well, and they come in a generous portion! The lump crab + shrimp and tempura are fried to perfection allowing freshness in each
bite. The starters menu also has Wicked Eggs, Drunken Mussels, an Ahi Tuna Tower, and more—curiosity will definitely bring us back to Carmela’s to give these a try!
The restaurant’s kettle + fields menu is not to be overlooked. There are some delicious, filling options to choose from. The Honey & Blue salad is a great vegetarian plate that delivers sweet and savory with grapes and roasted almonds and walnuts. The blue cheese is complimented well with the house-made white balsamic dressing. The Ahi Salad really stole our hearts, though. The colorful presentation mirrors its taste. The peanut + Thai sauce is amazing and makes this salad unforgettable. Carmela’s seared ahi pretty much melts in the mouth, and we loved the texture and flavor from the wanton strips mixed in with the greens.
It wouldn’t be a bistro without a couple of yummy soups. Carmela’s specialty is their Lobster Bisque, which we thought was very fresh and creamy. Carmela’s also has different daily soups which undoubtedly have the same soul-warming effect as the bisque.
The entree menu is enticing. It was hard to choose because everything sounded tempting. Our server recommended the Walleye Picatta, which we soon learned why it is such a fan favorite. Served with five-grain wild rice and grilled asparagus, the Walleye Picatta is perfectly breaded and lightly coated with a butter garlic sauce. The sundried tomatoes and capers add color and an earthy taste to the plate. We also enjoyed the Filet Oscar, which was dense with flavor but grilled to tender, juicy perfection. The creamy risotto captured us as well. Other entrees include Poblano Salmon, Steak + Mac, Chicken Juliette, Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, Sirloin, Dijon Salmon, and Seabass, which is known to be among the best in town. Carmela’s featured item is their Surf + Turf, which we look forward to sampling on another visit.
As expected, Carmela’s offers top-notch pizzas and pastas in addition to the entree offerings. The Rangoon Pizza is reason enough to make Carmela’s regular dining destination. Similar to the Ahi Salad, the Rangoon Pizza plays with the spicy, salty, sweet, and sour hints of Thai sauce. The parmesan cream sauce, mozzarella, and cream cheese harmonize together with the fresh crab, green onions, and wonton crisps on the toasted flatbread crust. We highly recommend this pizza, but if you’re in the mood for pasta, then you can’t go wrong with the Bistro Pasta. The artichokes in this pasta are delightful. The Bistro Pasta features prosciutto but can also be made vegetarian without sacrificing any flavor.
You’ll find mouthwatering desserts at Carmela’s as well. Though the Carrot Cake might not be your typical go-to, we encourage you to try Carmela’s Carrot Cake because it is truly delectable. The warm pecan bourbon glaze will take your taste buds to new heights.
The last thing to note is, in addition to Carmela’s extensive wine lists, they also have impressive craft cocktails. If you’re interested in a drink and show, the bar does a classic Smoking Gun Revival by infusing the cocktail with a cloud of smoke right in front of you. They also rotate in specialty, seasonal cocktails, some that quite are literally served with a flare!
Carmela’s Bistro & Wine Bar keeps things exciting by doing a Date Night special on Monday and Tuesday evenings, a Million Dollar Burger special on Wednesdays, and more. With two dining areas, an outdoor patio, a variety of seating options, and a private event room, Carmela’s is a welcoming restaurant for all.
