Donatello’s Italian Restaurant

Specialties

Enjoy a romantic evening at Donatello’s Italian Restaurant, an intimate fine dining destination located in the lively Arts and Design District, right in the heart of downtown Carmel. Owner Patrick Aasen (of Arturo’s fame) cooks fresh Northern Italian cuisine to order while his wife Beth and son Adam serve customers. Specialties include Chicken Marsala, Tortellini Michelangelo, Ravioli Gorgonzola, Fried Calamari Steaks, Veal Dolce Vita and Penne with Pesto Sauce and Shrimp. Grandma bakes fresh cakes (including her award-​winning Italian Cream Cake) right at the restaurant. There are only 32 seats in this place, so reservations are suggested. Call 317−564−4790 or check us out at www​.donatel​losi​tal​ian​.com.

History

Established in 2010.

Patrick, Beth and Adam started this tiny restaurant with not a lot of money and not many other people. They designed and built the place almost entirely on their own and the plan was for the staff to be… well… just the three of them. Fortunately, the business took off immediately and more staff was needed fast. They kept adding improvements to the place (outdoor deck, awnings, better equipment) while growing in the wonderful Carmel Arts and Design District.

In August 2012, they expanded into a spot next door that used to be a French restaurant, doubling their space and improving the experience for the customers (less noise, less hurried customers, more food options). In September, they opened a connected coffee lounge that provides cappuccinos and espressos to the restaurant but is also perfect to sit in after a meal. They also added thin-​crust pizzas, a full bar with cocktails and more outdoor dining. In 2012, they hope to keep adding to their experience.

Meet the Business Owner

Patrick A.

Business Owner

B. Patrick Aasen (Chef/​Owner) — Patrick has been cooking in Italian restaurants in Indianapolis since he was a teenager. Drawing on his more than three decades of kitchen experience, Patrick is a perfectionist when comes to creating flavorful, savory Italian cuisine. He was the owner/​chef behind Arturo’s Italian Restaurant, an award-​winning institution located at 86^th and Keystone in Indianapolis for more than 10 years. The critics of Indianapolis Monthly honored Arturo’s with awards for Best Italian Restaurant, Best Cappuccino and Best Tiramisu. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and rooting for the Indianapolis Colts.