☰
*This restaurant operates as Ceres for Breakfast and Carmel Room for Dinner. Ceres: Mon-Fri, 6 a.m.-11 a.m.; Sat, 7 a.m.-noon; Sun, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Carmel Room: Sun-Thurs, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
This restaurant was reviewed in the February 2008 LVA; some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate. The Carmel Room is the gourmet restaurant at the Rampart. Because it’s not in a Strip casino, it doesn’t get much buzz, but this is one of those neat little gems that you have to hear about to know about. The Carmel isn’t a pure bargain play, but it’s good value compared to other gourmet rooms in town. For example, a rib eye and rack of lamb were $30 and $32, respectively. Given the price of steaks and chops these days, that’s a good $15-$20 (combined) under market. Both stacked up well against others we’ve reviewed, but the meal’s highlights were the “liver & onions” (it’s really foie gras) appetizer for $14 and the must-have truffle mashed potatoes. Good food, service, and ambience. The bill for two with drinks and two $9 glasses of pinot noir came to $165. If you have the monthly Cannery & Rampart Reporter (this periodical is sent to locals, but you might be able to get one at the booth), it usually contains a $10-off coupon.
