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Al Vento
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
5001 34th Ave SMinneapolis, MN 55417
Neighborhood: Nokomis
(612) 724-3009
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 4:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 4:30 pm - 11 pm
Sun 10 am - 2 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
124 reviews for Al Vento
Review Highlights
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"...meal we opted for the Creme Brulee Trio, Oooo it was yummy." In 4 reviews -
"The salad and stuffed mushrooms were very tasty as well." In 11 reviews -
"The chocolate fountain was a nice touch, too, made an..." In 8 reviews
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124 reviews in English
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Review from Meghann F.
Minneapolis, MN
5/8/2012
LOVE IT.
Have I really never reviewed this? I can't believe it!
This place is awesome - AND walking distance. Sun and monday nights are half price wine.
Anyways, went there last night for the Morels. I was drooling after seeing them on the menu - and had to have them.
There was a pizza with Morels on it and a pasta. The pizza crust was perfect and also had asparagus on it - which I loved. It was more of an olive oil sauce and it was divine.
The pasta was a gnocci w/ the morels and spring peas - oh man - I wanted to lick the bowl clean - the sauce was all kinds of delcious. And there were good sized pieces of morels in both dishes, so you definitely got what you paid for!!
We also tried the trout crostini with a rhubard compote - highly recommend this as well if it's on the menu!!
Tuesday nights is date night - also definitely worth the visit!!Listed in: Yelp 100 challenge
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Review from Emily L.
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
After being referred to Al Vento via Yelp Talk, we visited with a group of 4 for Easter Brunch & were so very excited!
Al Vento met & exceeded our expectations! The tables are situated family style such that they can accomodate large groups. The ambiance is contemporary & vintagy @ the same time w/ an old Italian feel. Our server was fantastic; attentive and friendly.
Brunch was $16/person & included a spectacular array of food & a bottomless beverage of your choice including mimosas, bloodys, screwdrivers, coffee, tea, juice, coke products, & Italian sodas. The breakfast buffet consisted of eggs benedict, sausage & bacon, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, waffles, pasta, salad w/ fresh greens & veggies, smoked salmon, salami, bagels & cream cheese, European pastries, fresh fruit, & a chocolate fountain. We tried a little bit of everything & everything cooked & prepared perfectly. The bacon was crispy, veggies & fruit were extremely fresh, & the drinks were plentiful!
Definetly the best brunch I have had in years. Can't wait to go back for dinner! -
Review from Mike W.
4/30/2012
A classy Italian restaurant in a great part of town!
The atmosphere is great for a group dinner or date night (call ahead for reservation!) . It seemed every table was full when we arrived at dinner time on Saturday. Each table had candle light and great smelling food.
The menu is updated daily to reflect seasonal items. When we went it was morel mushroom season and their menu reflected that with 2-3 items featuring fresh morels. Each appetizer and entree we had was quite good. I really enjoyed the ravioli entree and the meat/cheese platter.
I will certainly be back for more! -
Review from Ben D.
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ahhhhh, there was plenty of Amore in the air last night for Valentines Day, and plenty at my table as well! The lighting was dim, the linen table cloths had a nice covering on them, and the candle light was in full force. I thank the heavens above that I had the sense to put in a dinner reservation a week ago, because there were a lot of seemingly unhappy people waiting for tables, that also didn't seem to like the fact that a younger person than them was smart enough to make a reservation on such a busy day! (It's V-Day people, get with the program).
We were seated as soon as I told the hostess my name (and what a little blonde ray of sunshine she really was). It was interesting to me how the actual restaurant was laid out... it seemed as though the poor wait staff had to thrive in the literal three feet between each table.
Our drink orders were taken promptly as well as a nice plate of bread with some olive oil and cracked pepper. I got the Italian Cosmo, and Kyle got the Espresso Martini. Both were FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!! They actually made the limoncello in house (which is truly an art)!
Onto the food. We shared the Bruschetta Sampler (with all four types of Bruschetta) and were in absolute heaven! The marinated white bean one was phenominal, and the eggplant one was both our favorites! Not going to lie, the tampanade one was a litle too salty for my taste, and the brussel sprouts one had almost no flavor until you got to the herbed ricotta.
For our entree's we each got the grilled beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes and a redwine gorgonzola reduction. I got mine rare (yes I like to hear my meat moo before I eat it), and Kyle got his medium. I could totally tell the difference in the way that ours were cooked. Mine was falling apart and dripping its wonderful juices into the reduction, Kyle's was slightly less juicy, but still very tender.
For dessert a chocolate tarte was on tap, as well as another cocktail to finish off.
All in all I would say that our experience here for our Valentines Dinner was a very pleasant one! I will for sure complain though, that there were three seperate occasions where it seemed like the wait staff on the floor was not communicating with one another. The bussers were doing a really great job, and so was our waitress, but this male waiter came over halfway through service and started berating us with questions over who our waitress was, and trying to figure out what we had to drink... midway through his conversation with us our waitress popped back with the cocktails she had hand made for us because the bar was backed up.
I couldn't tell if he was trying to get her in trouble, or get the massive tip I left for her at the end of the meal... but I would say that it was pretty unprofessional on his part, even if he was trying to be helpful.
Will I be back? Absolutely! Will I be back soon? Hell no, I need to start saving again for a dinner like we had last night!Listed in: My Yelp 100 Challenge
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Review from MALEAH A.
1/7/2012
We had a groupon to use, and my friend swears this is the best restaurant in town, so we were excited for our weekend lunch date!
The location is somewhat off the beaten path, and it doesn't look like much from the outside. The inside is cozy, but small. I would think probably more inviting during the evening than in the middle of the day, when we were there.
Service was friendly. Wine was good (and a good deal on the carafe!) We tried the bruschetta sampler to start. It was okay. I appreciate that they were trying to do interesting flavor profiles, and while some were good, some were too strong-- in less palatable flavors (ie- too many black olives). We also split the spaghetti and meatballs. This was very good. Noodles tasted fresh, cooked just right. The sauce and meatballs were very tasty, comparable to Carmelo's in St. Paul.
I think we also had a dessert, but alas, it's been a few weeks now, and my memory is muddled with all of the holiday eating we did.
I think it's safe to say we would be up to try this place again. They have a date night special on Tuesdays, and I look forward to it! -
Review from Kelly J.
Minneapolis, MN
2/3/2012
What a great neighborhood restaurant. Cozy, with a warm vibe. The tables are close together but you don't feel as though you are dining with the people at the table next to you. I highly recommend the Tuesday date-night menu: $20 per person for a 4-course meal. And the meal is ample and well-prepared. A salad/soup, appetizer, main dish and dessert.
Great food, great setting, kind wait staff. Definitely try to eat at Al Vento in the summer to take advantage of the cute patio dining! -
Review from Mike E.
12/6/2011
Man, Al Vento just knocks it out of the park. Its got a romantic, cozy neighborhood vibe, the service is exceptional, and you get a classy dining experience at a reasonable price. Great date spot, for sure.
This is just one of those spots that will probably come to hold a special place in your heart. My sister and I took my mom here for Mother's Day Brunch a couple years ago, and we have great memories of that meal together. The brunch menu is a "European-style buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, salads, meats, cheeses, smoked salmon, sausage, roasted potatoes, eggs benedict, waffles, crepes, a chocolate fondue fountain with strawberries"- so it's pretty rad.
They also have a date night special on Tuesday nights - $20 per person for a 4-course meal. Or $5 sandwiches on Wednesday nights. Win win. -
Review from Leah G.
10/31/2011
I tried Al Vento for the first time with some friends during Restaurant Week. The main reason we chose to try it was because the 3 course meal was priced at $15 instead of the usual $30 that other participating restaurants charge.
Al Vento is a quaint little restaurant, you sit pretty close to other diners, which is awesome because you can scope out what they ordered. My gals and I ordered a glass of wine which was well priced at $5/glass. I loved this as I am usually spending between $8 and $10 if I want vino with my dinner.
I started with an app of stuffed mushrooms and mother's sauce. The mushrooms caps had walnuts in them and the mother's sauce is spaghetti sauce. The app was the perfect size and was very tasty.
I then got the spaghetti with more mother's sauce-yes a bit too much mother's sauce. It came with two humongous meatballs (insert balls joke here.) The spaghetti was good but I feel like I could make it better at home, maybe I had just od-ed on the sauce though.
For dessert you could choose between the creme brulee or the chocolate torte and the torte was calling my name. I had told my boyfriend I would bring him home some of my dessert but when the torte came out I knew that wasn't happening. It was about two bites worth of chocolate and caramel. It was perfect for some added sweet to the end of your meal but the man didn't get anything brought home.
The service was extremely attentive and our server was funny and knowledgeable.
It was a pleasant experience but nothing that I would go rushing back for.Listed in: Wino Forever, South Side Pride
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Review from Colleen H.
Glen Lake, MN
1/3/2012
Sister to RINATA - how can you go wrong?
You can't go wrong with good wine, wonderful bread, scrumptious homemade pasta!
When in doubt, the Spaghetti and Meatballs will never lose their magic!
Lovely little place - except by the door where the cold air comes in (why do they think we won't notice that?) -
Review from Jess F.
10/23/2011
Taste good, food quality decent, priced reasonable, awkward service, cheap decor, and restaurant week timing.
We had everything on the 2011 Fall Restaurant Week menu:
Stuffed mushroom in mother sauce was really tasty. Bean and pesto bruschetta had some seriously vampire killing raw garlic action in it. The beet salad was the most sad little plate of little greens and mushy beets I've ever seen, but the hazel nuts were a nice touch.
I love their home made pasta in their spaghetti and meat balls entree. Not the pasta itself, but that they actually make home made pasta. The distinction is that the pasta itself was bland and sided with very salty meat balls, but the work that went in for the price and portion size is awesome. The chicken and roasted root veg: chicken breast was great but root veg were over cooked. The butternut squash ravioli in brown butter sage was okay; I think it needed more sage infusion.
Dessert can be skipped 'cause there's not much to write about.
It's odd; there's really nothing straight up bad to talk about. I feel like I'm some how being overly picky. At the same time, I really didn't enjoy myself. I just left feeling I got my 15 dollars worth, and that's just not enough. -
Review from Sarah G.
Minneapolis, MN
12/30/2011
I adore this restaurant. I can't describe the feeling it brings, but it transports me.
The ambience is warmly lit perfection. Servers are cool and witty, yet unpretentious and helpful. The perfect blend of clientele always seems to converge; couples sharing quiet conversation, families enjoying a night away from home, groups in friendly celebration.
Favorites: bruschetta sampler, Caesar & Mista salads, seasonal gnocchi.
Prosecco Negroni: ask for it.
This restaurant may not be textbook 5 star, but in my book, it sets the precedent for other establishments. -
Review from Sarah C.
9/29/2011
Inconsistency is the name of the game!
I wanted to give this place four stars, as on one of our visits, our experience was indeed great. Unfortunately, all subsequent visits fell really short of this, hence the three star rating.
What I like about this place is that they are vegetarian friendly and that it is elegant without being pretentious.
The first time we ate there, the food was very, very good. The stuffed mushrooms in particular, were wonderful, as was the gnocchi and even the bruschetta was good! Similarly the service was very good - there were a few odd moments, but for the most part the food was the star of the show, as it should be.
Unfortunately it all went downhill after that. The next time around, the service was lousy. We had a server who was difficult to understand, and he had a hard time understanding the three of us - although to be fair, two out of the three of us have "accents" - but still, this hadn't been a problem anywhere else, nor had it been a problem at this place on other occasions! As a result, our server seemed frustrated with our table, and was somewhat "short" with us. This was unnecessary in my opinion, because although this place is loud (in a good way) - other servers had no problems understanding us, and vice versa.
In addition to this extremely awkward service, the food was sub par - the same mushroom dish that I'd talked up to one of my dining companions (and in fact the deciding factor for our visit) was just awful - tasteless and just texturally flailing! The only thing that saved the meal from being a complete flop was the tiramisu for dessert. It wasn't the best tiramisu on earth (the best I've had in the cities so far is at Carmelo's in Saint Paul) but it was sadly the best thing that we had all night, and our waiter, at least, understood us when we ordered dessert.
Overall, I may try this place again, if I'm feeling lucky, but honestly the last time really turned me off.
On a good night it is a great place for a date, as it is very intimate, and the lighting is very warm and flattering - sadly, it is difficult to know beforehand whether the restaurant will flop or shine! -
Review from Whitney F.
Minneapolis, MN
10/27/2011
It took a 5-star restaurant to revitalize my yelping career... just wowed by Al Vento!
Usually skeptical of the restaurant week menu, but this place was just buzzing with guests excited to try the fantastic offerings, and for $15... it cant be beat.
We started with the white bean bruscette and stuffed mushrooms. The boy would have eaten a meal of those little mushrooms - amazing! The bruschetta was chilled, and really garlicky, but I love some garlic so happy camper!
We started the meal with delightful heavy seasoned bread, which was welcomed with the liter of wine (which was a super reasonable $18). Only qualm was that I later realized that a liter is more than a bottle and for the best left some at the table.
For our entrees we both ordered the spaghetti. Often skeptical of any of my "foodie" restaurant choices, the boy half serious asked if he could get an order for lunch tomorrow...
The dessert was fine. Nothing special.. next time we'll skip it. A great chocolate tart, but we're here for the homemade pasta! -
Review from Mary P.
Minneapolis, MN
4/15/2012
Overall, quite good dinner. The atmosphere is nice, the wait staff attentive, good food, convenient parking at no additional charge and reasonable prices for the food. We started with the Caesar and the mixed green salad, both contained quality ingredients and right amount of dressing. For entrees, we had the trout, the fettuccine nero and the spinach maltagliati. All were quite good, thought the sauce with the maltagliati was quite rich. I would have preferred a light sauce as the ingredients would hold well on their own. For dessert we had the strawberry semifreddo, excellent quality and a the portion was nice sized -- enough to feel we had our sweet ending, but not so huge we felt stuffed.
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Review from Rachel W.
7/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I think this place is one of the "best kept secrets" in town. If you're looking for a charming little Italian restaurant then you need to put Al Vento on your list.
On recent visit were lucky enough to have a perfect summer evening and sat outside on the patio. This is my favorite spot here as most of the tables are enclosed by a wooden fence and lots of greenery. There was an abundance of wait staff and we were impressed with the service. They were always "attentive" and seemed to check back with us at just the right moments.
I love their spaghetti here and have had it on several occasions. It comes with a mother sauce and 2 large meatballs. It's been consistently good. My son opted for the clams with linguine and white wine sauce. It was loaded with clams and flavor.
To sum it all up you really can't go wrong here. Reasonable prices...delicious food...exceptional service. It's a winning combination. -
Review from Megan S.
Inver Grove Heights, MN
9/12/2011
My husband made reservations at Al Vento for my birthday on 9/9/11. We got there and were seated outside in the back of the patio where they forgot about us. After sitting there for about 10 minutes someone finally stopped by and apologized, then forgot about us again. He stated that the waiter that was working that part of the patio had been cut a few minutes earlier so they didn't have any coverage and would stop by "when he could."
The food was very good once we finally got it. Our reservation was for later in the evening so we had to sit in complete darkness while we ate. The tiny candle they put on the table just didn't cut it, and it kept getting blown out with the slightest gust of wind. We ended up going to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert because we had been sitting there for so long it just seemed like the better choice.
I will not be going back nor would I recommend it. -
Review from Christina C.
Minneapolis, MN
7/12/2011
Maybe it was the food, or maybe it was just the great company in the relaxed environment, but I loved my evening at Al Vento!
I decided to try the place out because of their restaurant week deal, and I have to say their marketing efforts worked wonders. I never would have stopped in otherwise, and I left with the intention to return soon.
First course: The caprese salad was outstanding. It didn't look like anything special on the plate, but their combination of olive oil and salt to the tomato and mozarella was perfect.
Second course: Gnocci with mushrooms. When you go here, you must try this!
Third course: Peach creme brule. This was their only miss. In fact, it looked and tasted a little like baby food peaches. I ALWAYS order creme brule when I see it on a dessert menu, and this is the first time that I ordered it anywhere and didn't like it. -
Review from Angie S.
7/27/2011
My boyfriend and I took a 'let's try somewhere new' night and came here. We came right after work - so there were no many people in the restaurant and more people at the bar for happy hour. We had a reservation - so this helped us be seated. I would recommend a reservation because the seating didn't seem to be very big in selection - and the turn over on tables were quick.
The waiter was very helpful, after we ordered out wine he suggested to just buy a bottle which was a cheaper option (so we did-note to self a whole bottle always better than a part)... I ordered the Braised Boar Risotto... this was delicious! it had amazingly flavor and WAY too much for my eating. I took it home and it could easily feed 4 other people.
I think with 2 meals and a bottle of wine our bill came to about $80. The food was delicious and it was a great feel and set up. I would save this spot for a romantic date for two. -
Review from Michael K.
Minneapolis, MN
11/13/2011
Great brunch!!
Best bacon I've ever had!!! -
Review from Mandy J.
8/31/2011
I love when you find a restaurant tucked far away from other restaurants, that doesn't look like much on the outside, but happens to be quite special on the inside. This is how I felt about Al Vento. It looked so unassuming on the corner, but upon entering the sweet aromas of garlic and the laughs of darling couples taking in the romantic atmosphere.
The restaurant is low lite, a perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner with my spouse. We soaked up the many specials that got us to the restaurant. Half-price wine (just get there before 6pm) and the date night menu (Tuesdays) of a 4-course meal for only $20/each. The deals were enough to get us there, the ambiance was enough for us to stay.
The food was enough to bring us back. The beet salad was the darling for me, luscious red beets paired with a citrus vinegar dressing, kept my mouth guessing. My husband was intrigued by his Gnocchi.
I wouldn't say anything we tried bugged our eyes and made us want to come back the next night, but in the same vein, nothing disappointed. -
Review from Liuyin S.
Surprises make events memorable, and this applies to meals. No one gushes about a meal that was exactly what they expected; when I want to be completely and predictably bored, I go to McDonalds for a bite of the familiar.
But Restaurant Week got me out to Al Vento's, and, well, I was surprised. The Caprese salad claimed to be made from homemade mozzarella - and it was! The Spaghetti and Meatballs was delicious; the spaghetti was springy and square, the signs of a handmade noodle, and the meatballs were full of flavor and not dense nuggets of meat. One must also love the presentation of tomato sauce covered spaghettis topped with two GIANT fist-sized meatballs! :)
The Gnocchi was good and utterly creamy, the Salmon Pizza very pleasant, and the Bruschetta a bit more clever than you'd expect. But it was dessert that really surprised me.
They served a cherry crème brulee. I love creme brulee and was excited to try a flavored one... and found it tasted like tart cherry cough syrup. The dish was served so warm that the brulee toping bent around my spoon. The entire table took a slurp, and not two, and the decision was unanimous: we were surprised, and not pleased.
If you go, for dessert, get another plate of the Spaghetti. -
Review from Kim E.
Minneapolis, MN
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent food, friendly wait staff and great atmosphere. Place was packed at 6:30, only negative a bit warm in restaurant in the back
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Review from Jason K.
Edina, MN
6/18/2011
My wife and I had a $30 Living Social coupon for Al Vento near Nokomis and it was a rainy day so we decided to sit inside the small and quaint, yet large in back restaurant. They just opened up to having lunch on Saturdays and I think the rest of the week, so we hopped on in. There were about 5 other tables in there and everyone had a smile on their face.
Our waiter (Who had the best radio voice I have ever heard, deep and steady) seated us. The decor was lovely with small and large tables situated strategically among the small front room. (I went in the rear and there were about 100 more tables back there, which I am guessing the Sunday brunch crowd uses.) They have a bar, but no tap beer, boo, so I stuck with H2O.
I ordered the sample brochette, which had 4 styles of brochette, each one fantastic, my favorite was the olive salad one with walnuts. They were all good though. It was only $5, then I ordered the mussels. This was the only dish I wasn't ecstatic about. Maybe a little too fishy, and I usually love mussels. The broth, I ate like a soup after I was done though, and it was awesome! Plus they gave me like 15 mussels, which was a win, also these were like $7, good value.
My wife ordered a margarita pizza without cheese and olive oil, so basically sauce and crust. The crust was light and chewy, very good. The sauce could have used a little more zing to it, it was pretty sweet tasting for some reason, maybe the meats they usually put on it with the salt balances it out, but they were very nice for taking care of her special request.
For my entree, I ordered the roast chicken panini. It came out, beautifully plated with a focaccia type bread and mixed greens on the side with a few wonderful olives to balance it out. The dressing on the greens was a light vinaigrette with just enough flavor to make it perfect. The chicken on the crisp, yet doughy bread was juicy and plentiful. There wasn't too much cheese, just the right amount. It was heavenly. It came with a mustard vinaigrette sauce on the side which was viscous and just set the table of wonderfulness all around. I spread it on top like a light glaze. So wonderful.
The service was amazing, great dude that had to handle the whole room, but he did it with efficiency. We really liked this place. Give it a shot. -
Review from Kimberly T.
Minneapolis, MN
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Al Vento a few times, but not for about a year. I remembered how much I loved it, so I decided to make a reservation during restaurant week for dinner.
This is the first restaurant week menu I've ordered from; usually when I get to the restaurant I'll see something else I want & forget about the RW menu completely.
First of all, the bread is to die for! I would have been fine having just that for dinner. But...I didn't. I ordered the caprese salad, gnocchi & tiramisu. My husband ordered the stuffed mushrooms, smoked salmon pizza & tiramisu. The caprese salad didn't look like much, but it was fabulous. The gnocchi was also great & full of flavor. The smoked salmon pizza was delicious & unlike anything I've tried before. The standout course for both of us was dessert - the tiramisu was by far the best we've ever had.
The food was great & so was the service. I definitely won't be waiting another year to come back; it's reasonably priced and one of the best 'date night' restaurants in the city. -
Review from Nicole S.
Minneapolis, MN
1/23/2012
My husband went here during Restaurant Week and are so glad we did. Neither one of us got the same thing so we had a pretty wide variety of items to judge and I don't think we were let down by any of them.
It has a very nice low lighting ambience that is great for a date at night.
They are know for their Spaghetti and Meatballs with Mother Sauce. My husband was in heaven dining on it. I had the beet salad for starters and the butternut squash ravioli as my entree. Delish! I had the chocolate torte for desert. I know other reviewers thought the dessert was just ok but I would definately get it again. Actually I'd problably get that entire meal again.
The only downfault was the staff. I felt like the staff was a little cold toward us. Maybe they were annoyed with the people like us who were just there for restaurant week. We were sat in the back of the restaurant when there was basically nobody else there. Who knows maybe this is the prime location to dine there. -
Review from Lilly M.
Updated - 10/20/2011
$16 European-style brunch including unlimited mimosas, bloody marys or screwdrivers?! Enough said. Run, don't walk. Everything on the brunch menu made my tastebuds sing. It's love!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/3/2011
I can't stop thinking about my 3-course, $15 restaurant week dinner at Al Vento.....it's amore. :)
… Read more »
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Review from Mon P.
Minneapolis, MN
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Take my mom here for brunch.
They have a pretty nice brunch spread. .. egg benedict, sausage, potato, egg frittata, waffle, fresh salad, smoke salmon, cold cut, fresh fruits, bakery items, chocolate fountain, and bottomless mimosa, orange juice, and coffee.
Almost everything tasted good, but I felt like foods that were supposed to be eaten warmer to hot, were all cold. Eating cold eggs, cold sausage, cold fried potato, and cold waffle makes the food less desirable. However, even the hot foods were kind of cold, we still liked it. My mom really liked the sausage. I really liked the waffle with whipped cream, and my bf really liked the frittata and waffle. I love love love smoked salmon with mozzarella cheese, so I can totally get my money worth eating the smoked salmon with mozz. However, mozz cheese the day that we went was a little bitter. Fresh mozz should never have bitter tasting. (maybe the amount of rennet and other coagulating agent should be reduced if you make the fresh mozz in house)
Anyway, we liked it there, and will definitely return.Listed in: cibo italiano, Breakfast - Brunch, South Mpls
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Review from Nicole P.
Minneapolis, MN
5/28/2011
My first visit to Al Vento was for a very tasty and reasonably priced Sunday brunch. The buffet consists primarily of classic brunch items with a few Italian favorites and antipasti. Highlights included the breakfast sausages, bucatini, Italian pancakes (like a sweet focaccia), and of course, the chocolate fountain for coating the sweet strawberries and other fruits. The selection isn't huge, but just enough for everyone to find something they'll enjoy.
I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, but there wasn't a very long line waiting when we arrived around 11:30. The atmosphere was very casual and the noise level was at a comfortable hum. Service was friendly and attentive - never had to ask for more water or juice. All in all, I'm certain we'll be back for brunch again in the future and now I'm very interested in trying their regular menu. -
Review from Dee T.
Royal Oak, MI
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really do not know how reviews for this restaurant have escaped my attention for this long, because I did not realize this place existed until just a few days ago! We were famished and hubby was craving pasta (as usual) and I got on Open Table and saw an open table...and went for it.
I love little neighborhood restaurants such as this. So much of the place seems homey/homemade, from the wall treatments to the (rather weird) fabric light covers to the not-one's-the-same menus with charred edges.
We got the bruschetta sampler and split each one. The bean and pistachio was my runaway favorite. More carbs came in the form of focaccia; sadly, the only negative of the meal was the bland and non-fruity olive oil that was served with it. We also split the mixed greens and roasted pear salad, which was delish. But the best part of the meal was the best pasta dish that i've had in a while - fresh pappardelle with duck ragu in a red pepper sauce and goat cheese. Hubby actually ordered the same and positively inhaled his and half of mine. It was absolutely divine and I hope to see it on the menu in the future.
Way too full for dessert. I am already plotting another visit, for brunch this time, and definitely for dinner. -
Review from Edward H.
Minneapolis, MN
8/29/2011
Al Vento is a hidden secret in South Minneapolis. They recently started serving lunch, and I must say, you've got to try it. I consistently get the tomato spinach pannini. It comes with a side order of perfectly seasoned baby red potatoes and a marinara dipping sauce. The best part is, it's only $7!
The menu changes on a nightly basis, and I always tend to try something new. I have never been disappointed. -
Review from Katy R.
12/5/2011
One of my favorite Italian fare spots. The pasta here is fresh and delicious. The menu changes seasonally as all good menus should. One of their staples is the Spaghetti with Mother Sauce. This is a favorite, the best "schetti" & meatballs around! Their fresh pasta (makes a huge difference) and the hint of rosemary in their mother sauce is so tasty and comforting. Pair that with a nice Chianti, and you can at least say you started your evening off right. Their pizzas are unique and the perfect size. They've had one in the past that had goat cheese, figs, and prosciutto... um yum. I also, tend to go with their papperadelle dishes as they've always been delicious. Hit up a Tuesday night and take advantage of their Date Night Special. 4 Courses for $20/Person - excellent deal. This place offers a cozy dining experience with a very nice serving staff. Enjoy!
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Review from Scott K.
Minneapolis, MN
7/9/2011
The food was fine -- not great -- but good. The atmosphere was pleasant, a little too muggy the evening we were there to sit on the patio.
What I didn't like was the tag team approach to service. A woman who watched over our water glasses and the like seemed confused about whether we should get bread, left it and walked away all in silence. Our waiter appeared and my companion asked what seemed to me to clearly be a leading question hoping for some advise on choosing a wine. The waiter offered only, I'll give you more time to decide.
The water woman tried to give us our neighbors entries. Our waiter, who was also bar tending, reappeared and took our orders. The appetizer was brought out by a un-uniformed man whom I had not seen to this point and would not see again. And so on...
I did not feel well tended to and while the food was good it was not as good as other reviews here imply. -
Review from Lindsay C.
Minneapolis, MN
3/22/2011
Being a huge fan of Rinata, their sister restaurant, I've been wanting to try AV for awhile. It did not disappoint, I'm just glad I didn't encounter the "rude biznatch" Chrisanne H did...hopefully she's gone.
My future mom-in-law could not get over the "half price wine night" concept (all night Sunday and Monday, and every night until 6pm). Apparently they don't do this in California. Collectively at our table we supped on: mixed greens/roasted pear salad, yukon gold potato pizza, bucatini all'amatriciana, and the pistachio semifreddo. All were spectacular, we'll definitely be back. -
Review from Lisa M.
1/2/2011
Date Night - alright!
I've finally made to Al Vento. When I get an idea in my head, sometimes I can't let it go. I've been wanting to check this place out since Restaurant Week. We've had reservations 2 other times and I had to cancel.
We went last week for Tuesday Date Night. I was very excited!
We were seated at a small cozy table in the back, away from the action and served water and bread immediately. The bread was good, better than the bread we'd had a couple nights before at another place on the other side of the river.
The server came over and went over any questions we may have had, took our wine order, and promptly came back with the wine. I had a carafe of a nice Pinot Grigio and dining companion had a Pinot Nior which wasn't too bad.
I expected the portions to be small for the price. I had the white bean bruschetta, the Caesar salad, and the gnocchi. Dining Companion had the stuffed mushrooms, Caesar salad, and the salami pizza.
He liked all his food. I tried his pizza which had a nice combination of items - salami, herbed ricotta, and a nice sauce.
My bruschetta was pretty good - 2 smallish pieces of bread with white beans, olive oil and some spices.
The Caesar salad had quite a kick of garlic! Whoa, it was good, but so much for any kind of romance that night.
My gnocchi was good, about what I expected, but nothing spectacular.
I really wanted the Olive Oil cake, but I was stuffed. I'm saving it for our return trip. I think it was a good first Al Vento experience. It reminded me Cave Vin, but the food wasn't quite as salty.
The service was quick, friendly, and efficient without her being overbearing. I like the fact she left us alone to enjoy our meal. -
Review from Kari L.
Minneapolis, MN
Updated - 1/31/2011
This place just seems to get better and better, but note that the word is out on how great their brunch is, so you better make a reservation!
What I love about their brunch is that it can be super quick if you really need to run and do something, or if you want to stay and linger for hours, they are not the pushy, get out of here type of place. Very relaxed feel. I've been here with groups of 10 and with just one other friend, a total of about 10 brunches. Each time the quality and service is above my expectations, especially for the price. Add the bottomless mimosa and chocolate foundation and I don't think there is a better way to start off a Sunday.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2010
I've gone to Al Vento's Sunday brunch 3 times. The first time was about a year ago and I would not… Read more »
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Review from Joseph N.
Minneapolis, MN
Updated - 2/27/2011
Update to my recent review: We were back again last night, a Saturday, and everything was just as good! We had a 7:00 reservation, and we were seated immediately, even though the place was completely full. Service was prompt and excellent throughout the meal. This sort of service is difficult to achieve when things get really busy.
We were a party of four again, but with a different couple. We had most of the same dishes, but a couple of new ones. I shared the mussels again, and they were fantastic. After consuming them in record time (I held back a little to be sure my friend got her share) we sopped up the white-wine-lemon-butter-garlic sauce with the generous and excellent foccacia that was provided.
I tried the fettuccine nero, which was excellent, with small clams, shrimp and mussels in a nice cream sauce with octopus-inked fettuccine. Two of the others had the house special spaghetti and meatballs, reviewed before, and one had the chicken breast entrée, which he enjoyed, but wasn't remarkable.
We shared two desserts, tiramisu and semi fredo. Both were quite good.
With cocktails, wine, taxes and tip, the bill came to about $60 per head.
Highly recommended. Still 4.5 for now. If the entrées were more diverse and appealing, I would go to 5.
2/6/2011 Review
This is an excellent Italian restaurant near our home. I have eaten there several times, most recently last night. Even when the place was completely full, service was excellent. You will need a reservation for Friday or Saturday evening. If you don't make one several days in advance, you may have to negotiate your seating time.
The menu is limited, but the choices are all good. Salads and appetizers are quite generous, and they will split them at no extra charge. Their pastas are particularly good. Unless you are a huge eater, you will be hard pressed to finish 3 courses. My wife and I split a Caesar salad, and we also shared a mussel appetizer. (Not to be missed!) Both of us had an order of spaghetti and meatballs, a delicious specialty of the house. We were with another couple, and we all shared a desert serving of tiramesou. Everything we had was great.
The wine list is relatively short and almost exclusively Italian, but with a quite reasonable selection. There are no great bargains, but prices are not out of line with other restaurants. Plus, bottles are half-price on Sunday and Monday and every day from 4:30 to 6:00.
If you are looking for a bargain date, go on Sunday or Monday or before 6:00. Order your bottle of wine, split a salad, split an appetizer and order a pizza, pasta dish or entree for each of you. Depending on your choices, you could spend as little as $60 for both of you. They also have a "date night" special on Tuesdays, but it seems to include more food than most people could eat.
On the down side, the place is really loud when it is full, and there are only a few free-standing coat racks to put your coats on. A real problem during Minnesota winters. During the summer, they have service on an attached deck, which is very pleasant if you can get a table.
If partial points were allowed: 4.5
Highly recommended.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/6/2011
This is an excellent Italian restaurant near our home. I have eaten there several times, most… Read more »
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Review from Elizabeth H.
Saint Paul, MN
3/5/2011
Went here for Restaurant Week as a party of 4 after dying to try this place for years and hearing great things.
If you like Italian, this place is definitely worth a try: the boar is quite "exciting" especially the Boar soup and boar risotto. The beet salad (can't be "beat"...I'm sorry just had to do it!) with pistachios was so good I almost had a "fork war" with other folks at the table as they tried to sneak bites when I wasn't looking. I think I could eat that salad straight for a week without getting sick of it.
Also, we tried to order a carafe of wine and they were out, so the waiter offered us a bottle of (more expensive) wine for the same price, which was a nice gesture. Of course we accepted. And then ordered another bottle...the service was prompt and friendly. Our waiter had worked there for 6 years which I think says a lot.
This place would have easily gotten 4 stars but bare walls in some spots and 8th grade home-ec inspired lighting brought the place down (really? those brown tissue papery fabric light covers over bare light bulbs? One wasn't doing its job and shining directly into my eye the whole night). It was also so loud that we had to shout across the table to hear each other. My throat hurt!
I was really glad to see the place hopping in the middle of the week and will gladly return during non-restaurant week, despite the home-ec projects. -
Review from Rachel G.
Updated - 10/4/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I've eaten here many more times since my first review.
Always solidly good food. Not sure why people would go to Olive Garden, when for the same price they can support a local business that hand crafts each of their dishes. Servers also know their wine list, which is great.
TIP: Come on Sunday or Monday nights, for 1/2 priced bottles.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/9/2009
We went for brunch today - because of all of the positive reviews. I thought the atmosphere was… Read more »
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Review from Brooke S.
Loring Park, Minneapolis, MN
10/29/2011
Amazing food and excellent service, get the gnocchi! Tried this place out during restaurant week and have been back numerous times since. Love that this place is so off the beaten path, very unassuming and real. I'd recommend the daily specials, always amazing.
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Review from sarah p.
Minneapolis, MN
10/27/2009 1 photo
Husband, Ilsa, myself and my parents came here tonight for their 20 dollar date night deal, which is 3 courses for 20 bucks. It was really lovely.
We each ordered our courses...the salmon bruchetta was good, as was the tapenade and stuffed mushrooms. The pear salad was good, but the ceasars had so much garlic it was overwhelming. To the point that it was almost "garlic spicy"! I had the butternut squash ravioli as my entree, which I really enjoyed. Everyone else had the spaghetti and meatballs, which they also liked.
Ilsa was tired, and it is always a challenge to eat out with a baby that is on the verge of toddlerhood. They were great about it. She made a complete mess, but loved everything she tried. Our waiter was patient and expedited all of our meals as he understood that she was melting down and we were not going to be able to have a nice and relaxing meal.
For the price, this is a great deal. I was extremely happy with our service, food, and atmosphere. If anyone is on a budget and wants to have a romantic date night, I'd highly recommend Al Vento...just be wary of the ceasar...you might not want to do much kissing afterwards! ;)Listed in: Italian
