Honest Bao

Finally reviewing this Birmingham signature: San Carlo. Now, I'll be honest, my experience with chain Italian restaurants has been... meh. So, when I heard San Carlo had built an entire Italian empire from its humble Birmingham beginnings, I was intrigued but hesitant. Could a place that successful actually be good? There was only one way to find out. The Scene: The Empire Strikes Back I visited on a busy weekday evening, and the place was buzzing. The energy was high and the decor, with its famous celebrity photo wall, showed some signs of age but still had a classic charm. The staff were excellent—professional, attentive. The Food: A Crisis Averted Hot and crispy  calamari I'm happy to report that the food was a pleasant surprise. The truffle bread was simple but perfect, with a great aroma that didn't feel artificial. The calamari, a true test for any chain, was a triumph. It was crispy, hot, and blessedly not rubbery. For the main, I had the Frutti di Mare seafood pasta...