During a recent lunch outing with two girlfriends to Carmela’s on the Extension in Middletown, I learned to love eggplant fries: Carmela’s are perfectly breaded and served with a small, delicious portion of marinara sauce, making them worth their $9 price tag.
Other standout appetizers include a tangy bruschetta ($6) with tomatoes, balsamic and pesto served on Carmela’s homemade bread (the true standout of this dish); mussels fresca ($12); mozzarella sticks ($7); and several flavors of buffalo wings (8 for $7.95, boneless are $8.95).
We had opted for an early lunch at Carmela’s, which had a soft opening in October. We arrived about 11:30 a.m., and although only a few tables were occupied then, the place was nearly full by the time we left.
Carmela’s salad menu intrigued us. Meatballs in the Garden consists of two meatballs with marinara on top of romaine, tomato, roasted pepper, fresh mozzarella, Kalamata olives and onions. Other salads include a Sriracha lime chicken and a shrimp Cobb. All salads are $7 for a small and $9 for a large (except for the garden salad, which is $6 and $8).
Sandwich options include a nice variety of paninis. We tried the meatball parm panini loaded with meatballs and just the right amount of sauce (although next time I might ask for a little extra mozzarella). All paninis are $9.95 and served with fries. I ordered sweet potato fries for $1 extra. Other paninis include a turkey club, roast beef dijon and the Godfather (capicola, pepperoni, salami, provolone and roasted red peppers).
Craving a burger? Carmela’s offers a delicious Tuscan burger for $10.50. Lettuce, tomato, fresh mozz, onion and a pesto mayo top a sizable beef patty. We liked the homemade bread on the bruschetta so much we asked for it instead of a bun.
Carmela’s Reuben comes with corned beef or pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss and Thousand Island dressing. We modified it a bit and just ordered the (lean) corned beef on rye. Excellent.
Carmela’s “bowls” section on the menu includes a buffalo chicken rice bowl, a cilantro lime shrimp bowl and a mango chicken bowl. Prices are $8.50 and $9.50.
Breakfast includes egg dishes, omelets, pancakes and waffles. The chicken n’ waffle platter is on our list for our next visit: three fried crispy tenders, a Belgian waffle, two eggs with syrup and honey mustard for $9.75.
Carmela’s On the Extension, 139 Main St. Ext., Middletown, is open Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. 860-788-7922.
