Carmen's Cafe is one of those neighborhood bistros that opened its doors and immediately developed a loyal following. With their mother as the restaurant's namesake, the Bautista brothers created a warm and relaxed restaurant where families are just as welcome as couples out for an intimate dinner. Stop by for a drink in the dark, cozy bar or wind your way past the open cooking area into the mirrored dining area, where the sunlight pours in through large windows at lunch and white tablecloths and candles form a softer mood for dinner. Italian cuisine served with Latin flair, Carmen's offers diners small plates of tapas to share such as shrimp and crab meat stuffed artichokes, spicy empanadas filled with chorizo and potatoes or steamed mussels topped with Diablo sauce. Fresh, soft bread topped with sesame seeds is brought to each table to enjoy along with special dipping oil. And there is Carmen's famous house salad - a heaping plate of romaine and iceberg lettuce tossed with vinegar and oil, a squeeze of lemon, pimento bits and purple onion, chunks of artichoke hearts and a generous helping of freshly grated Parmesan. Save room for fresh seafood, flavorful pasta, or tender and richly seasoned veal, chicken or beef entrees. Please call for reservations or information about Carmen's private dining room.