Reviews for Carlos Bistro in Colorado Springs, CO
I have driven by this restaurant so many times but had the pleasure of finally stopping in. It's a rare moment where you get a... chance to step back in time. I was asked my name as was everyone at the table. The service was personalized and attentivewithout the disruption you often see these days. They truly understood the concept of a fine dining experience. You would expectthe food to be spectacular and they didn't disappoint. True artisans. Their red pepper bisque was a delight of texture andtaste. TRY one of their signature soups. For the next plate I chose risotto to accompany the filet. Risotto in my humble opinionis an easy dish to get wrong but I had a feeling they were going to delight and it was. Creamy but with a gorgeous layering ofsauce. It was served slight Al dente. The Kobe filet? Well there are several great steak places in the Springs and I have a fewfavorites. Carlos just went to the top 3. They asked if I wanted the two sauces they recommended to layer on the filet. Isuggest you try it as well. I love to be surprised in a food experience and wow I really was. I wasn't able to take as manypics as I usually do but I hope this intrigues you enough to try. The 5 stars was not high enough. Read more
This is my head to toe review: Let me start off by giving a shout out to Stephanie!! That woman was on it. She took very good... care of us during this dining experience. Never had to wait for drink refills cuz she was on top of that and the bread wasflowing.. OMG THAT DELICIOUS BREAD. I LoOOVEe me some bread and that was amazing. Speaking of amazing, the esthetics offered anintimate setting and I love the fact that the last seating is at 7p to avoid distraction from your present company but the staffwas accommodating until the last patron left. Carlos, the owner and head chef, was engaging, personable and offered great foodpairing ideas. The menu is vast and food choices are not your typical bunch either. There was so much flavor in our meals. Ireally wanted to try everything. The appetizers looked and tasted delish (we got the shrimp cocktail and crab cake). Our mainmeals were the paella and fruit de mar and we were stuffed. I wish I had-had room for dessert! If I'm asked for company diningideas I'm definitely putting Carlos Bistro in the hat drawing. This experience was worth every penny and I look forward tovisiting again REAL soon. Read more
You are missing out on an entirely different sort of dining experience if you have not visited Carlos and his staff. My wife... and I went last year because we found a deal, but then for our anniversary this past weekend. Deja Vu in the BEST way, as itwas amazing both times. There are deals, and a whole other menu, if you order before 5pm on their Early Bird special. And hewill often have non-advertised specials on the main menu during that time. After 5, just be aware that things cost what theycost and there is pricing all over the board. I would recommend getting hungry before 5 though. He meets people at the door ifhe can. The butter is the best butter in the world. The menu has many items, so don't worry about the place not havingsomething you like. Liz is the most amazing, spot-on server. I had the burger this time, I actively rank burgers in Colorado,and it is now #1. They only carry Stella for beer drinkers, but they offer lots of wine you can branch out on. Wife had theCalamari pasta and it was so different and awesome. The oysters were delicious but know they were larger and more filling. Perfect food, perfect service, and Carlos even came out to say goodbye by the time we drove around. Read more
Fine food, wine, ambiance and service - it was the first relaxing moment since we moved here a month ago. Very pricey -... recommend the 4pm lower cost seating - but everything is the best of the best. Butter flown in from France. The best steak cuts.Carlos came over to sit at our table and chat a couple of times - not sure if that's possible when the restaurant is morecrowded, but it was nice to hear how he got his start and the restaurant came to be. We will be back for our next celebration. Read more
Carlos' Bistro - In a word....Incomparable. Visited for anniversary dinner with my lovely wife. Carlos' was the perfect blend of... intimate and friendly. Carlos is ever the perfect host/chef and Liz was the bomb. The crab cakes and artichoke buttons are sogood you will want to cry. Branzino was fresh, light and perfectly cooked. Filet a la Oscar, there are no words. Seriouslyfolks this is true world class dining right here in CoS. If you enjoy food prepared with love, do NOT wait another day. Pleasetreat yourself, get out of the house! You will not be disappointed. Carlos and Liz, thank you so much for a wonderful night! Read more
Honestly...sigh. the food is fine. It is widely overpriced. The staff worked super hard and Carlos was there and was friendly... enough. There was weird tension that I came alone, and was only told over half way through my dinner they don't usually servesingle tables. Which why they accepted my reservation or sat me at all is a mystery - would loved to have known that is an issuebefore I was seated. I think this is a place for rich white people from the Broadmoor to feel fancy ordering $100+ plates. Thereare better places that are more affordable. Read more
Wow. My friend and I were here from out of town and it was a highlight to end the trip at this restaurant. The service was so... great, Carlos came out and introduced himself right away and got our names. He had a very welcoming atmosphere both inside andout. Our server Stephanie knew lots of knowledge about the menu and had amazing suggestions. Although it is on the pricey side,everything was made with love and we could taste it!! We got the ratatouille bruschetta (great portions!), the crab Alfredo,and pan seared scallops and wow... don’t really have words! Also the cocktails were delicious... the bread pudding alsocarried well to go and the presentation was perfect even at home. Best service we’ve had in awhile. They represent Coloradowell! Read more
My husband and I love food. We live in a small town with limited options to eat out, and we cook most of our own food. So when... we visit a larger city, we want to try the best places! We found Carlos Bistro by a google search of top Colorado Springsrestaurants and made a reservation. When we pulled up a few minutes before 4, we were prepared to wait, but Carlos came out toour van, greeted us by name and congratulated us on our anniversary. He lead us inside and seated us at a table ready for us.Then he reviewed the early bird menu and introduced us to our server. The aesthetics of the inside were everything you couldhope for: quiet, dim lights, candles, wood, old world decor. We started with drinks: myself a pisco sour and for my husband anold fashioned. Both were stellar and paired well with the French bread and French butter. We ordered the ratatouille bruschettafor an appetizer—a true experience for the tastebuds. I knew then that we were in for a real treat when our main dishes showedup right on schedule. For myself, the veal Marsala. For my husband the filet mignon. We had our choice of sides — saffronrisotto, steamed broccoli, and wild rice. The plating art was amazing and the food even better. I tried to finish it all but Ihad to give up eventually. We sat at our table for a while enjoying the ambience and sipping on a lovely red recommended by ourserver. Then we “forced” ourselves to order dessert; rich and creamy crème brûlée and cheesecake crepe. Carlos came byseveral times to check on us and chat—my only regret is that we didn’t get to hear his entire story! Watch out ColoradoSprings—we are going to try to get him to move to Montrose! Definitely give this restaurant a shot for your next corporatedinner, date night, or special day. Read more