Carlitos Gardel Restaurant

We had dinner there last week after reading good reviews, is highly recommended to make a reservation because it is a small place, the service was good and the food was above average.\r \r The fried calamari was a little bit over-cooked 15$, the skirt steak was OK 25$ and the filet mignon was good but nothing special 30$.\r \r If you crave a good steak go to a steak house like wood ranch at the grove or stinking rose on la Cienega which are better values, although I would recommend trying Carlitos Gardel at least once.\r \r Hechenle mas ganas muchachos! Pros: Good Service, live piano, Great wine selection, Ok food. Cons: Over-priced and over-rated. more

Well...since I'm from the old country (Argentina) it's hard not to fall in comparisons. But I have to agree that Carlitos is slightly better than many places around town that claim argentinian cusine as its own. Food is ok (nothing out of the ordinary for a guy born and raised in Buenos Aires). The wine selection althought is outstanding and the service is very polite and not pushy. Now, when it comes to price, Carlitos is not your average restaurant. Keep than in mind and get ready to cough up some serious money if you're picking up the tab for a party of 4 or more. In short, for those whom don't have an in-depth knowledge of the argentinian food it may well be an awesome restaurant but not for me. Pros: Service, ambience Cons: Price more

I happened upon this place mistakenly and I'm so glad I did! Mom, Dad, and son Max were all working. Max went out of his way to explain several of the wines from the extensive, exuisitely crafted wine list and to make sure out experience was a positive one throughout the night. I love the round tables, the live music that is kept at the perfect volume, the flavorful Argentinian steaks, the attention to customer service, the varied and fairly priced menu, and the desserts - all made from scratch by Mom. I can'y wait to return. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Pros: family owned = top notch service Cons: our meal came to an end! more

First of all...You have never had a real steak in your life until you have been to Carlito's!! I ordered the 24oz steak that I split between me & my girlfriend. When the steak came out, she started on one side & I started on the other & neither one of us could finish this giant steak!! And we were starving. The service was excellent and the wine selection is so huge that it might take a half an hour just to decide which of the delectable wines you will choose with your meal. I'm not much of a food lover, but this is the kind of meal that you have to eat very sloooow.\r To wolf down a meal like this would be totally uncivilized!\r This apparently is not the place for teenie boppers. The waitress seemed to know everything backwards & forwards, and didn't try to push the expensive items on you like most restaurants.\r Seriously....After the meal I found myself outside trying to understand why this food was so good. I was so stuffed I had to catch my breath!\r Then....they had the nerve to offer me & my guest a free desert!!\r As beautiful as the assortment of deserts were. I found myself trying to peel myself away from the table before an explosion happened!!!\r I will definitely tell everyone about Carlito's Gardel. If you want a real steak.....You would be fooling yourself to think that there is another option! Carlito's is the only option!!\r \r Unless you know something I dont......Which I doubt!!\r Pros: VERY MATURE SETTING, SERVICE IS EXCELLENT, STEAKS ARE HUGE!! Cons: NOT 1 more

I don't how many times my boyfriend and I have driven by Carlitos Gardel and we never stopped. After going there Friday we realize we have been missing out on an amazing dinning experience! From the warm greeting we recieved upon entering, to the very friendly and knowledgable wait staff, and finally to the best steaks we've eaten in ages! My boyfriend had a thick ribeye steak slathered in homemade chimichurri! I opted for a hardy New York steak bathed in a white wine, peppercorn sauce. You must share a plate of the best garlic fries this old lady has ever come across! We started the meal with an order of Hongos: Mushroom caps stuffed with diced chicken and vegatables! The food instantly etched a permanent memory upon our senses! You'll won't visit another steak house for ages! The best part, however: The little touches: An amazingly expansive wine list for such a quaint place. Servers who pay attention to the finer points (We had at least three stop by to make certain everything was as good as could be)! Live music (a nice duet of piano and violin), and an atmosphere that transports you back to Buenos Ares in the 1940's. Hollywood, you have finally gotten it right! We'll back before the weeks out! Bravo! A++ Pros: Giant, savory steaks! Fresh baked garlic everywhere! more

One of my favorite restaurants in town. I personally haven't moved past the appetizers on their menu, it's that good. I always want to try something new, but at the same time I crave what I had last time. Not a big steak person, but my friends who are, claim it's one of the best steaks they've ever eaten. My personal favorite is their special noquis which they serve only one day a month, but it is worth scheduling around it, even though their regular noquis does the trick as well. The service is great, if you're lucky enough to have one of the owners wait on you, then you're really in for a treat. Also, make sure to also have some cafe's and dessert at the end of the night, some of the best latte's and desserts in town. My favorite is the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. Pros: Great Food, Great Service Cons: Cost, but it's still worth it more

Well this family runned place it is just a bit too fancy for some ocassions and service eye locator is more to them espectacles and not to the clientele desired; Server's should focus more on customers desired dont you think. ?? it is not server who eats and enjoy's meal, is the client who does, right. ??, Well; perhaps next time I get more lucky with a good service exelence from other more categoried... Pros: 1/2 Cons: two more

A warm, inviting atmosphere. We were greeted with live tango music (a violinist and keyboardist). There is a nice, comfortable buzz in the air, the feel of many regulars returning for great steaks and a fine selection of wines.\r \r Our waiter, Dan, was super-friendly, energetic but professional. He really seemed proud to work at Carlitos. And who could blame him? This small, family-run restaurant really has a handle on customer service and creating a relaxed environment.\r \r The wine steward, one of the owner's sons, recommended a fine malbec blend, and did not try to push the more expensive or larger bottles. (That night, my cousin and I could only handle a half-bottle, and we definitely wanted to try an Argentinean red.)\r \r We started with a beef empanada. Then progressed on to their famous ""papas fritas"", skinny frites infused with just the right amount of garlic. The portion was quite generous. Then came the meat... we shared the 14-oz. ojo with chimichurri sauce, which was tender, juicy... one of the best steaks that I have had in years!! It was my first time trying chimichurri. It was more subtle than I expected... very addicting.\r \r The various desserts featured at the end were tempting, but at that amount we could only admire them with our eyes... too stuffed! All in all, a place worth many repeat visits. Can't wait to return to try the other cuts of meat. Pros: warm, inviting room; friendly, proud service; live musicians; great wine selection; MEAT Cons: some of the tables-for two are quite close together and may not be the most comfortable more

Amazing food, wonderful service this Argentine steakhouse should not be missed. From the special Caprese Salad with Marscapone injected Buffalo Mozzarella to die for, to the amazing desserts home made by ""Mom"" you cannot go wrong with Carlito's Gardel. The steaks outclass every steakhouse in L.A. and a chimichurri sauce that you can drink. Don't miss the wine list it is outstanding. more

I've never been disappointed with a meal at Carlito's. The food is top-notch, the service is wonderful, and the ambience is soothing and just right. I took my friend on her birthday and we had a blast. Garlic fries are a must. Absolute must. The wine list is really put together with great care; I've never had a bad glass of wine here. All in all, a fabulous place. Highly recommended. Pros: Garlic fries, Steaks, Flavor Cons: None to mention, None, None more

Eating at Carlitos is an amazing experience. I would call it a relaxed elegance. Whether you have one of their famous steaks, their fresh pastas, or one of their specials, you will never leave unsatisfied. I've often said that you can make a meal with their appetizers: their empanadas are delicious. And leave room for their special desserts. They are so tasty and homemade. You need to try the dulce de leche cake. In fact try everything that has dulce de leche in it. Their wine list is extensive, yet not inaccessible. It's very simple to choose a wine when you have the help of their very well informed Sommelier. This restaurant is special because they make you feel like family. Every visit has been memorable. Can't wait to go back! Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance more

I went with my wife's family a few weeks ago, and the waitress suggested the special, a large NY-style steak with all the trimmings. I ordered it, thinking it couldn't be more than $10-15 more than the price of their regular menu items, but when we got the bill the price was over $50!!! Needless to say, I was embaressed to have ordered it since my father in law picked up the tab and everyone else's plate was around $20 each. The waitress was also very pushy when selling us the water. She said their water tap wasn't working (yeah right!), and that they only had the bottled stuff at the time. So with six of us at the table, we had to order 5 of these bottles by the end of the night. Very sneaky. The actual food was very good, but definetaly not worth the price of admission. more

Carlitos Gardel is an Argentine Steakhouse, and as so the best steaks are prepared in Argentine style--with tangy sauces, crisp grilled vegetables, and delicious flavored mashed potatoes or French fries. The service is a little stuffy, yet quite personable. Don't come in looking to rush through your meal, the hosts won't appreciate it. Relax, enjoy your meal, and enjoy the live music. Pros: Steaks, Sides Cons: Not for large parties more

We went there in a group of 4 on a thursday night. It was surprisingly busy for a restaurant that doesn't have good curb appeal. But we were very impressed by the ambience, food, and wine. Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, and Eddie Kay Thomas (Finch from American Pie) were there that night. Their steak is spectacular and their wine selection is deep. And definitely try their Argentinian french fries drenched in olive oil, parsley and garlic! You might pay for it with bad breath afterwards, but it's tough to resist when you see the other guests munching on it. Pros: great wines, flavorful appetizers, not expensive Cons: small menu more

Just wanted to stop by Citysearch and tell everyone that Carlitos has the best Entranas! Service was great! Definitely Recommend this Argentine/Brazilian Restaurant! Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere more

I am always on the hunt for my favorite steak place and this one is it in LA. I always order Rib Eye, and for me, a good steak should be where when you take the first bite you are in ecstasy. I would like to order other things like pasta and gnocchi, but I just can't stop ordering the steak. It's far better than Nick and Stef's steak, and the chains like Ruth's Chris. I haven't tried the really pricey steak joints. Pros: steak, atmosphere Cons: waiter hovers, to serve water more

It was recommended by friends so we went to check it out. Really a unique restaurant that's a true gem. The food was delicious and very well prepared, and the waiter was very knowledgable about the very long argentinian wine list that they have. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a unique and wonderful night! Pros: delicious, cozy, unique more

This place feels sooo peaceful! Even on the busy Saturday night that we went with a group of 7, it felt almost Zen-ish. The food is just absolutely worth stuffing your face over, although you want to enjoy everything slowly and take your time, food this good deserves it! They had a pianist and a violinist that night that played to please all of us, playing our requests and singing happy birthday for one of our friends. The desserts are THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!!! Leave room for dessert!!!! Don't forget! We loved it, just a different kind of place. In LA but not of LA, it's just a different kind of place! Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service more

My point of view as an Argentinian American is that you cannot miss the chance to eat at Carlitos Gardel, because you will be missing the chance to experience what Argentine food is all about. I'm talking about the empanadas, the MEAT, the ñoqui, the fish and of course el VINO ARGENTINO, served with elegance and honesty by an exceptional family that makes Carlitos Gardel unique. Vamos chicos todavia!!! Pros: service, food, atmosphere more

This is a paradise for meat lovers!!! Don't forget the Papas Provencal (garlic drenched shoestring fries!!) to go with the meat, with an exclusive wine selection from Argentina and Itlay. We went with friends that were all meat eaters, and a few of us wanted something different. It was a pleasant and refreshing surprise to find that their free range chicken was out of this world (and I'm talking about chicken...), and to my astonishment they also had fish and pasta on the menu. All of us ended up eating out of each other's plates! We truly had a BLAST!!! I can't wait to go back!!! Pros: Service, Atmosphere, Food more