The Carvers Reserve - Hazleton (PA)

5 /5 Sunny Jo: On Thursday, I had one of the best meals of my life at Carvers Reserve in Hazleton. This restaurant is exactly what Hazleton has needed for a long time—a high-end experience at a very reasonable price. Finally, we have a place where you can enjoy a delicious meal or relax at a beautifully designed bar, feeling completely safe and at ease. Walking in, you feel as if youve been transported to Las Vegas or Miami. The restaurant is stunning, with a spacious bar and elegant design throughout. Now, let’s talk about the food. The menu has a wide variety of options catering to every palate, from the finest cuts of steak to seafood, burgers, and chicken sandwiches—theres truly something for everyone. I ordered the tomahawk steak, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked with a flavor that was simply incredible. For dessert, I indulged in the peanut butter pie while my wife enjoyed the baked banana Alaska, and both were absolutely heavenly. The standout aspect of Carvers Reserve is the staff. They are warm and welcoming, making you feel right at home. Their attention to detail is remarkable, particularly from one of the managers, Eric, whose dedication to service is unparalleled and evident throughout the restaurant. Everything here is executed flawlessly, and they strive for nothing less than perfection. I wish this establishment all the best, and I highly encourage everyone to check it out if youre looking for a fantastic social spot with an unforgettable meal. I’d give it 10 stars!

4 /5 Krystal Finneran: the steaks were cooked to perfection. the corn brulee to DIE FOR. and they only make 24 a night just a heads up. i got the steak sauce on the side for my steak but the directory of hospitality said to try the chimichurri and im glad we did. amazing. didnt even need to dip the steak but im a dipper so i had to try. excellent and attentive staff and amazing atmosphere.

4 /5 Taira Ferreras: If I could rate The Carvers Reserve in Hazleton a 5, I honestly would… but realistically, it sits at a solid 4 for me.... The food and service were impressive, but the overall ambience held it back from being the full luxury experience it tries to present.... When you first walk in, the place looks beautiful ... the entrance is elegant, the layout is classy, and the greeting (along with the unexpected coat check) gives you the feeling that youre walking into an upscale dining experience.... The waitresses were attentive and warm, which added to that initial impression. But once you actually sit down, the aesthetics take a noticeable dip..... The dining area feels more rustic and minimal than refined.... The décor doesn’t match the high-end first impression you get at the entrance .... It almost feels like youre stepping into two completely different restaurants .... the front says upscale, but the booth and table area lean plain and underwhelming..... A richer color palette (gold, bronze, warm tones), some texture and deliberate design choices would instantly elevate the atmosphere.... The lack of ambience really takes away from what could be a truly luxurious experience.... Even something as simple as soft jazz or lounge music would set the tone better.... We went for my birthday dinner last night ....my husband made reservations....and once seated, we started with the lobster and crab appetizer... For us, it leaned more fishy than expected, giving a tuna-like flavor instead of that sweet crab taste. It wasn’t terrible, but definitely not our favorite...... The entrées, though? Phenomenal...!!!!!!! I ordered the 14 oz Wagyu steak, and my husband got the aged steak. Both were cooked perfectly .... exactly to temperature ....and the waitress checked in to make sure everything was right. We paired them with Brussels sprouts tossed in a teriyaki-style glaze (amazing) and mashed potatoes that were creamy and delicious. No complaints there... The espresso martini was also done beautifully . .. smooth, balanced, and honestly one of the better ones I’ve had in the area.... Price-wise, it is on the expensive end, which I don’t mind for a special occasion of course...if the environment matches the ticket.... For the quality of the food, the pricing is fair, but the ambience doesn’t quite match the level you expect when you’re paying upscale steakhouse prices....it totaled around $230+ ....Overall, the food and service are strong truly enjoyable .... but the atmosphere needs some love to match the vision they’re clearly aiming for..... A little more attention to design and mood would take this place from an 4 to a real 5....

5 /5 thomas leshko: I enjoy an incredible meal on night 2. From an amazing whiskey special cocktail to our wine and more. The salmon was perfect with an amazing glaze. We also had the pork saltimboca. I wish i had more room to try a dessert. I will be back. The atmosphere was perfect and a great staff. Definetly not one complaint

5 /5 Lloyd Merriam: Our first time last night at The Carver Reserve, 695 South Poplar St, was for a 5 p.m. reservation during their (pre?)grand opening. The restaurant is beautiful—stunning even. And the food was delicious! I had the wonderful Grilled salmon over smoked tomato cream, pickled fennel, and roasted carrots. It was a HUGE portion of salmon—perfectly seasoned and prepared (listed at $28 on the menu but, annoyingly, $29 on the bill). My wife had the very flavorful Pan-Seared European chicken breast with crispy au gratin potatoes and finished with a chicken demi-glace. Our server was friendly, efficient and professional, exactly what you expect at a fine-dining establishment. The couple at the next table raved about their food and drinks (and said the whiskey sours were exceptional). But I had two complaints: First, the restaurant was practically empty when we arrived, yet we were seated at a bench table with a split in the cushion (see photo) right where I’d be sitting. When I asked to be moved to a table with chairs, I was told, “We’re very sorry, but we’re fully booked for the opening.” A manager overheard the conversation and (somewhat disingenuously, I felt) offered “If it’s REALLY a problem,” he would “see what he could do.” Not wanting to be difficult, I said "I would try to make it work.” Sitting on that uncomfortable split bench for 80 minutes soured the mood considerably. Worse, by the time we finished dinner, the restaurant was still no more than 25% full. My discomfort, therefore, was completely unnecessary, and in retrospect, I regret not having insisted on a proper table or simply walking out the door if they couldn’t accommodate us. Second, we were mistakenly billed for two bottles of still Saratoga water when we only received one. Our server, to her credit, removed both from the bill. Would we return to The Carver Reserve? Absolutely! Probably not for a spur-of-the-moment “Where should we eat tonight?” but certainly for special occasions or when we have guests to impress from out of town. Carver is several steps above the likes of Top of the ’80s and Damenti’s and, I’d argue, is indisputably the new top restaurant in the area. There may be no better place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, so long as cost is not a primary concern. Hazleton now has a new superstar in fine dining, and we wish them much luck and success!