Originally posted on A Bloggy Mom

It's always exciting to find a new place to eat while on vacation. We typically try to stay with local restaurants while we are away. It's nice to try something we can't find around our hometown.

While Carino's Italian Restaurantisn't local to Pigeon Forge, it is also not a restaurant located closely to us.

We enjoy Italian food very much. Well, we enjoy food immensely.

On the Carion's menu we found a variety of appetizers, entree's and yes - deserts!

Photo Credit: Carinos.com

Breaded in special seasonings.
Served with spicy marinara.

Photo Credit: Carinos.com

Photo Credit: Carinos.com

Photo Credit: Carinos.com

I was overwhelmed with choices and on the suggestion of our server, I decided on the Grilled Chicken Bowtie Festival.  I don't prefer any type of red sauce on my pasta - so this was perfect for me!  The serving was so large, I wasn't able to finish it - but don't worry, I tried!

Sliced grilled chicken sautéed with bacon, fresh garlic, red onions and roma tomatoes, tossed with bowtie pasta in a creamy asiago cheese sauce

Dan chose the Grilled Ribeye Steak.  Yes, I did try that as well.  Though he doesn't have his cooked as well done as I do, it was also pretty delicious. 

A flavorful 12 ounce richly marbled, center-cut Ribeye grilled to your liking and served with rosemary potatoes and vegetable medley

Photo Credit:  Carinos.com

Between the favorable portions, the appetizers and the bread with salad - I wasn't sure there would be any room for desert.  However, one glance at the desert menu - and we decided to give it a try!  It was hard to pass up the cheese cake, chocolate cake and ice cream.

If we order a desert, we usually share the desert between us.  Portions are usually so large that no one could eat an entire desert on their own.  Carino's, however, offers mini versions of several of their deserts.  So, the kids and I opted for Mini Turtle and New York styles cheese cakes as well as Homemade Tiramisu and Italian Chocolate cake.

Our sever was fantastic and as you can see - we loved the menu options! The only downside, is that the closest Carino's to us is an hour away.  Guess what, not a week after being home - yes, we drove that hour to Carino's!

Find a Carino's location near you.