09/12/09

best tapas bar

by lfhpc

Carmens was such an awesome experience, it's not a restaurant, it's a tapas bar, with live music and they make there own sangria! I went with a bunch of my friends, and it was packed, so it was hard at first to fit, but we hung out, drank sangria, and ate the most amazing food. It's a great place to go if you're looking to try something different in san antonio.

• Pros: food, music, sangria

07/13/09

service is very bad

by jmw1029

I left embarrassed I'd taken people here. The lady at the door was so rude. The service behind the bar was bad. It's sad b/c the food is great and the place is a great atmosphere. Never again will I bring someone here. I tried to show some out-of-town friends some cool things to do here. Carmens made me look bad. Very disappointed.

• Pros: food is good
• Cons: service and door lady no good

03/30/09

False Advertising

by ConsumerofGood

Where do I start? They don't answer their phone. Their voice message says, "no reservations", yet when you walk in with a party of 3, they want to charge you 20% more than is normal. Besides, the $10 cover charge way before 8:30 when it's supposed to be charges.

And we have to get our own plates?

When I go to a restaurant, I want to be served. I don't want to serve myself. I can stay home for that.

With their bad service and bad attitudes, eat someplace else.

• Pros: None that I could see
• Cons: False Advertising

08/13/07

Local Gem

by griptape138

This local gem is set just north of downtown in an older community but the life inside the house-turned-heaven is vibrant. The menu is roughly 15 items, short and sweet. They often have live entertainment, Flamenco, World music, salsa, etc. Dress nice or dress casual, you'll fit right in. Seating is limited in this small home, but that only means its a full house every night.

• Pros: Local flavor, atmosphere
• Cons: parking, seating

11/05/05

User review by vsalas1313

by vsalas1313

I recently went with a friend for the first time and saw a band called Jamaya (?) and it was great. I have never heard of Carmens till tonight but it was worth the cover charge. The environment was great and the band was awesome.

• Pros: live music, different food
• Cons: no waitstaff, no variety in drinks

Funky and vibrant, this spot doesn't miss a beat.

by Contributor

Chef-owner Paula Sullivan hails from Chicago and has blessed San Antonio with a true original. On Thursdays, Carmen's features live jazz and Spanish paella, while Friday nights bring tapas (Spanish-style appetizers) and flamenco dancing with classical guitar.

05/03/03

Excellent tapas

by brittany1983

Carmen's tapas are excellent! I haven't been able to find anywhere else in San Antonio quite as unique as Carmen's. The desserts are great too!

09/04/02

You've got to try this place!

by kheasley

My husband and I were introduced to Carmen's through some friends of ours who had been there before, and it is absolutely wonderful. We now take all our friends there, and everyone loves it. It is an appetizer bar, so if you go hungry be prepared to spend a good amount of money. The two of us can usually get out of there for $50-$75 if we don't go crazy. I recommend eating a light dinner first and then going there, but tables fill up fast, and then there are only barstools or patio tables left. Not so good for large parties; groups of 2-6 probably work best. Flamenco dancing on Friday nights is so exciting; if you only go once you should go then. You must try the mongolian sausage (spicy!) and definitely the sangria.

• Pros: best food & sangria, wonderful atmosphere, flamenco dancing!
• Cons: not a lot of parking, not a lot of seating, little expensive