One of the best valued restaurants in the area, Il Fornaio features excellent italian food, a large bar, a fun rotunda to lounge in, and a coffee shop in the back. For the price, I can think of no better place. Excluding drinks, it usually comes to ~$35-45 but you still get a fantastic setting and great service. Their bread is amazing – always fresh.
This place has been around for a while and there’s a great variety of people at the bar – from young professionals to retired seniors.
You can rent out the rotunda in the back for a private party which is a great thing to do.
Personally I think it’s one of the top 3 restaurants in Carmel.