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Appetizers and flatbreads, dinner salads, traditional Italian entrees such as spaghetti and meatballs, house specialty pastas, grilled chicken and beef, pizza.

ATMOSPHERE

Located in the Wharfside at Boca Pointe shopping center, Carrabbas has an outside patio on the wooden deck overlooking a small lake. Ducks waddle by. Inside, the restaurant floor is tightly seated with mostly four-top tables that can be pushed together for bigger groups.

FAVORITE ITEM/PRICE

Cozze in bianco ($9 small, $11.90 large) appetizer is a flavorful bowl of mussels in a white wine broth. If you have any bread left, mop up some extra broth. Pasta weesie ($15.70) is my husband’s favorite indulgence, but don’t check the calorie count on this fettucine alfredo that adds shrimp scampi on top. The pasta sostanza ($14 with chicken) is a bowl of tagliarini (like a thinner, smaller version of linguine) with mushrooms, artichoke hearts and spinach in a chunky tomato basil sauce.

REASON TO GO

Consistently good service, and Jose was on top of things this night, making sure our children’s meal got out fast to keep our 2-year-old happy. You’ll love the hot bread and dipping oil with ground spices, and the side salads and soups (try Mama’s Sicilian chicken soup).

SERVICE

Servers are attentive, keeping the iced tea full and attending to all the extras. Even the pick-up dinners come with the bread, oil and spices and a container of grated cheese to top.

NOISE LEVEL

With lots of families and a busy restaurant during peak dinner hours, it’s not quiet.

KID FRIENDLY

Crayons, a colorable menu and kid’s cups with straws will keep most young ones happy. The menu will too: Try the quattro ravioli ($6.50).