I’d call the Carlton an “Old School Fancy” restaurant. Located in the bottom of a down town skyscraper it’s one of those restaurants that feels like it’s been around for ever. Old school bar with little tables lit by tea lights, traditional menu including my ever favorite wedge salad, New York Strip steak, Veal Scaloppine, etc.. Heck, they even offer free limo service to downtown shows.
The wine list is deep and rather good, the service is old school and first rate. The food is good but nothing out of the ordinary.
You know it’s an old school place when, as you are leaving, you pass though the bar where the slightly past middle aged lady is sitting, talking a bit to loud because she’s already had her third or fourth martini of the night and you know she’s just getting started. The game is on the TV and the bar tender is hand washing a glass. The hand drawn caricatures of famous guests hang on the wall, the room still smells of smoke even though smoking was banned years ago and the whole place looks to need a fresh coat of paint.
It’s all good. Sit back, relax and enjoy the dinner. You’re most likely here with friends and that’s what it’s all about after all.. Stupid COVID-19 didn’t care if the restaurant was new or old…what a loss.