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- Hours:
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 11 pm
Sun 4 pm - 8 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
82 reviews for Angelina Italian Bistro
Review Highlights
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"You MUST try the butternut squash ravioli." In 9 reviews -
"in fact I can't get that honey butter off my mind." In 10 reviews -
"oil, honey infused butter and white bean dip." In 4 reviews
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Kathleen N.
Southfield, MI
4/30/2012
Good food. A group of us went for Detroit Restaurant Week. The price was amazing! The place is nice and there's valet parking. 10 dollars I think but they take forever to get to you. so we opted to park in a lot nearby.
To the food:
Appetizers were le-git! everything was delicious! Anaracini [fried risotto with mozzarella cheese stuffed inside ] was amazing . calamari was amazingly tender and the combination with honey-like sauce was also very clever. In general their sauces are very good. the mussels were okay not as flavorful.. but the white wine sauce was bread worthy! Salmon cakes were okay/ good. not exceptional but I'm not a fan of salmon cakes... however it was better than most.
Entrees: Apple glaze porkchop was good but slightly dry. perhaps more sauce or a side of it... with proper sauce ratio i think it could have been great. Salmon was salty. Halibut was amazing! tender and the sauce was ooh la la! Get the halibut!!
Dessert: amaretto torte was good.. rich and delicious! the canoli was refreshing with the orange zest.. both good.
Sooo i cant wait to go try everything else on their menu!
If you're curious, you should go! it was yummy for us! except the salmon... -
Review from John C.
Grosse Pointe, MI
4/25/2012
I had a chance to go to Angelina's for restaurant week in Detroit and overall it was a luke warm experience. I had the Halibut with Gnocchi and while the fish was done to perfection the Gnocchi was very bland. With exception of a bite with mushrooms it could have been much better. The other people i was with all kind of felt the same way that there food was decent but could have been much more flavorful.
The overall ambiance of the restaurant seemed a little thrown together but the view outside was pretty good as you can see center filed at Comerica Park.
When we went there was a Tigers game and an Opera happening and unfortunately they ran out of valet spots which was pretty annoying. You have this great location and not a huge restaurant make sure you have spots to park for your patrons.
Our server was great and took pretty good care of our table of 10. The wine list was pretty decent as well.
Overall a ok experience but not enough to warrant another trip back to Angelina's. -
Review from Rachel M.
Charter Township of Clinton, MI
4/6/2012
I enjoyed Angelinas late one weekend night. The server was friendly and the place was much more casual and quiet than I'd expected (but that was fine with me).
First, there isn't much parking around here - so you valet. Not a big deal. However, the valet attendant did something I'd never seen before to the point it was comical. He stood next to my date's car door (did not open it) and when we finally exited and he handed him the ticket we began to walk inside and he called out "Oh, you want to pay now or later?" we said later (I am used to paying when I give my ticket and/or when I tip after they bring my car around) and he says "Oh, well people do it ahead of time here." So outside in the cold Detroit winter we dig around for a few dollars (minus any tip he was going to get... he blew that one) before even being able to enter. That kind of left a sour taste to start - but whatever...
One we entered, things changed... our server was super friendly. I opted for a gnocchi dish while my date had a steak dish that was a special. Personally, I felt my food was GREAT and was very happy with it! My date was not too excited about his steak (HELLO, he ordered a steak at an Italian place... what was he thinking?) not that it was not good - just nothing spectacular. The veggies (carrots and parsnips) were perfection however.
The martinis we ordered were great but when my date opted for a long island iced tea it was watery as hell... our dessert however was tasty. I had the creme brulee and he had apple turnover and ice cream type dish.
Personally, I wasn't as excited about the place as I thought but my food was tasty. My date wasn't as impressed so I doubt it will be high on his list of return places, but if I found myself in the area again I'd stop in especially since I now know it's casual and kid friendly. -
Review from Sarah C.
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for dinner last night with group. We made reservations for 5.30pm but that wasn't necessary since there were only 3 other tables occupied. You may need reservations if you plan on coming later. When we left around 7pm it was pretty packed.
We were given a table by the window underneath this very large and interesting fixture above us. Looks like a massive collection of colorful balloons but just blown glass. The decor is quite nice.
We were given bread while we browsed the menu. With the bread they gave us three different spreads: honey butter, olive oil, and this bean spread. I like how they place effort in their spread then just giving us the typical olive oil or straight butter.
We waited 15 minutes for our waitress to return to take our orders. While we were ordering she tried to dupe us into paying extra for a soup or salad when we ordered the entrees.
Waitress: What would you like today?
Us: The gnocci.
Waitress: Would you like soup or salad with that?
WARNING! NOT INCLUDED!
The food wasn't bad. You get a good amount. Don't worry you will definitety be full. The noodles on my PEI mussel pasta dish was a bit tough. Didn't feel like they cooked it al dente.
Not sure if this was worth 20 dollars + tip and tax. -
Review from Ava M.
Birmingham, MI
5/4/2012
Amazing food and very good service i love this place
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Review from Robby H.
New Baltimore, MI
1/9/2012
My wife and I reserved Angelina's out for our wedding in July of 2011 and it was amazing! Their food & atmosphere is incredible and being located in downtown Detroit is a huge perk as well!
The staff was ever preset without being overbearing (always keeping beverages full and available for any request). Similarly their bar & wine list is extensive & has depth! They offer a great selection of drinks and are very knowledgeable on their alcohal.
They make their pasta from scratch every morning and have pastry chefs who've studied at la cordon bleu!
We went there recently for a date night and got to talk to some of the staff that worked our wedding who told us how much fun they had and enjoyed hosting our special event. They never disappoint! -
Review from Shub S.
West Bloomfield Township, MI
1/29/2012
We Went New Years Eve.
The HoneyButter dip with the house bread is absolutely amazing!
The food is great, and the service is also really good.
Nice decor.
They have delicious desserts.
They also have the really good Organic Motor City Blend Coffee! -
Review from Alexandra K.
Astoria, NY
10/3/2011
This place, as my friends would agree, was a solid 3-star restaurant. Sadly, I think it's easier in this case to start with the negative. I've dined in different cities and experienced many a version of Restaurant Week. I respect that many of the menu items are prepared ahead of time to allow for an easy execution and seamless service, that said, when I was not thrilled with the offerings, I inquired about the possibility of ordering two starters, having one served as an entree, I was shut down quickly and rudely.
Had I ordered from the main menu, my choice would have been about the same price, so I went along with the RW shenanigans and ordered the minestrone soup, the primavera ravioli, and the chocolate torte for dessert.
I was surprised by how powerfully seasoned the soup was. After a small nosh of bread dipped in a Tuscan-style hummus, the soup was a great delight. Really well seasoned, and a bit spicy.
The entree was pretty disappointing. The ravioli lacked flavor, and the arrabiata sauce carried the dish. Even the finely chopped vegetables were bland and unseasoned.
The dessert was delicious. I only tasted it, and passed it off on my friends, but it was an amazing combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Really decadent, rich . . . delicious.
I doubt I'd come back, but it was not awful overall. -
Review from Regina T.
Detroit, MI
11/22/2011
I'm underwhelmed.
This place is in such a great location, and has such great potential. Too bad they're so mediocre.
You can get fantastic food for these prices elsewhere in the city. Nothing spectacular about it. I had the Linguine with Clams. The clams were sandy, and the whole plate was too greasy (that means a lot, seeing that I loove me some grease.) My dining partner had the Braised Pork Ravioli, and highly recommends it, so you get an extra star for that.
Bottom line: come here if you need the convenience, but don't make it a habit.
Redeemer: the staff was lovely. -
Review from Dan N.
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not quite the ambience I was expecting, but still very good and fairly priced italian food. My girlfriend had the meatballs, which were good, but I found them somewhat dry. I forget the dish that I had, but it tasted just like an italian version of pot roast to me. The bread to start was GREAT--especially with the sweet butter I give you.
Just FYI, this place is MUCH more casual that you might expect. I expected a bit of a "fancier" more romantic atmosphere, but it's definitely not that! -
Review from Julie F.
8/21/2011
It had been at least a year since we had been to Angelina after going several times during its early days. I couldn't really remember why we hadn't felt like rushing back, especially since we're downtown often for Tigers games and Angelina is within spitting distance of Comerica Park. On our return visit this weekend, I remembered why it's not on our short list of downtown faves: the food's just not very good. This is really a shame because of the aforementioned prime location, warm ambiance, large, inviting bar, and friendly service.
We did remember that the standouts on the menu were the salumi and smoked fish (the "La Angelina" tasting platter is a good way to sample them all), and those were the only things that didn't disappoint last night. Otherwise, the pork ravioli was overcooked but arrived cold (and under-seasoned), while the accompanying broccoli rabe was undercooked and crunchy. The wild mushroom risotto was also crunchy with not the slightest hint of the creaminess that's supposed to define risotto, and was woefully in need of some cheese (not offered) to wake up the flavors. No one in our group was excited about anything that came after the apps. Another unwelcome touch was that they were out of the first two bottles of wine we tried to order.
If I go back, I'll limit myself to what Angelina does best and have a drink and some salumi at the bar. -
Review from Lesley H.
Berkley, MI
9/11/2011
We've been to Angelina several times now. All pasta is made in-house, and they cure their own meats and smoke their own fish. The La Angelina appetizer is a must - it's a plate of the meats and fish with some other goodies thrown on there. It's fantastic. We've typically stuck to pasta entrees when we've been there, and haven't been disappointed. One other shout-out is the white-bean hummus they serve with bread at the beginning of your meal. I could fill myself up just on this!
This place is cool to visit in the summertime, as they open up the windows to the street and let the breeze blow through. This also seems to be a solo-diner friendly joint, for what it's worth. Last time we were there, there were several tables of people dining by themselves. Service has always been attentive and prompt, and valet is available if that's what you fancy. -
Review from Alanna S.
Detroit, MI
6/24/2011
I've been here a few times, and it is truly an outstanding restaurant. The pasta is all made in-house, as is the charcuterie.
Now, I LOVE Calamari. Really, really love it. And Angelina's is FANTASTIC. Instead of rings like many places serve it, it's actually strips of squid. And tentacle free, for those who don't do tentacles. It's very lightly fried and served with 2 different dipping sauces, both of which are divine. The bread they serve is also great-- it comes with 3 fantastic different dipping options: a honeyed butter, seasoned olive oil, and a white bean dip.
The braised pork ravioli is great, as is their butternut squash ravioli. The sweet potato gnocchi will seriously change your life-- sweet potato gnocchi served with a pear Gorgonzola sauce! Heaven! However, I was here once and after waiting an unusually long time, the waiter came back to tell me that for some reason, the gnocchi weren't coming together. Which was strange, as I've made gnocchi multiple times and never had a problem. Nonetheless, they asked me to order a different item. I went with the seafood risotto and was underwhelmed, but am writing that off as the result of a rush job.
Overall, a great experience. Fantastic martinis! Good ambiance, great food, and I'm always looking for a reason to go back. -
Review from Liz R.
4/3/2011
My absolute first choice for DRW this time around, and I must say I was a bit disappointed.
We were seated promptly for our 6pm reservation Saturday (after paying $10 for valet, which is a steal if anything is in town because just a half block away they were charging $20 for parking). The restaurant never filled up, despite it being a weekend AND them being the new kid on the DRW block. Our waiter was excellent at first glance, but he lacked follow through (other staff brought two of our three courses, and I didn't see this with other tables).
The highlights: My app, Crispy Fried Artichoke Hearts, served with a lemon-caper aioli drizzle (recommend you ask for more sauce). More breading than I was expecting, but a good dish overall. VERY popular with other patrons - I swear 80% of the apps coming out of the kitchen were this dish. Ken's Herb-Encrusted Veal Milanese was nice. I didn't see any herbs, but the breaded cutlets were not greasy. Served with a delicious chianti reduction, baby arugula and cherry tomatoes, and a side of polenta (online DRW menu shows warm potato salad).
The not-so-highlights: Ken's Arancini, served with a killer basil aioli, were very lead-y. My Wild Mushroom Risotto was not wild, containing all button mushrooms, and bland, plus the rice was undercooked (making for not so creamy).
Desserts: Marscapone cheesecake with strawberries and balsamic drizzle, and Orange Creme Caramel with poundcake (DRW menu showed Orange Flan). Both of these desserts were teeny tiny, and average in taste.
This is the first DRW restaurant we've been to where some of the courses seemed to be smaller than normal size. Noticeably small. For example, the calarami app at the table next to us came in a small soup bowl, with the single dipping sauce (menu showed there should be two) in the bowl too. The salads were OK sized, as were the entrees. But, if you're looking for exciting, new, woohoo DRW bang for your buck, this might not be it. My app is normally $7, my entree $17... so for the $4 difference I got a tiny piece of cheesecake...worth about $4. -
Review from Walter P D.
Northville, MI
1/23/2012 1 photo
Angelina Italian Bistro is an excellent choice before or after the Theatre. Excellent hot out the oven loaf of bread with a triptic of butter, olive oil, white bean dip. Wonderful pasta. Our server was 100% Sicilian.
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Review from Hilary D.
Birmingham, MI
1/21/2012
Angelina's does an adequate job, period. Bread was stale tonight. Bibb lettuce salad was soggy. Pizza wasn't bad but i asked for it cooked up well done.. with cheese browned ... and it wasn't.. Greyhound Martini adequate ... but not outstanding (fresh grapefruit juice would be too much to ask for I guess.) Last visit brought tepid butternut squash ravioli that was sent back to be reheated.What Angelinas does have is a fantastic location and good service. decor looks like a run of the mill charmless room... although the bar seating has more character.This was our second meal there,and frankly our standards are higher. so I doubt we will return...... guess they are just coasting on the location....
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Review from Torrie B.
4/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I decided to check this place out for Detroit Restaurant Week.
The bread was splendid. They bring out honey butter, olive oil, and hummus and each was delicious atop my warm, fluffy bread.
They also have excellent wine. The sauvignon blanc was crisp and refreshing. For appetizers, we tried the fried artichoke, cous cous, and brucshetta. No one had anything left over on their plates.
Our main entrees were Pasta Bolognese , and chicken. We had plenty left to take home and the mashed potatoes that were paired with the chicken were oh so good!
Finally, for dessert one of my friends had the canollis, which she described as Divine! While, I settled on the cheesecake which was light, sweet, and yummy.
I would definitely return to Angelina Bistro...in fact I can't get that honey butter off my mind!! -
Review from Nikki C.
4/6/2011
My place of employment is literally in walking distance and I've never been to Angelina's. Shame on me.
Soooo, what better time to try Angelina Italian Bistro than Detroit Restaurant Week, right?
I made it there a good 20 minutes before the time of my reservation... I planned it that way, though, so I could try the bar, check out the wine list and enjoy a drink and take in my surroundings. The place was rather crowded, which seems to be a change from alot of the other reviews I've browsed.
Nice bar. I liked the woodwork, the structure of the bar and the middle wine...shelf? The rest of the interior didn't quite give me an "Italian Bistro" vibe, though. My bartender was very nice and attentive. The wine list included one of my favorite brands of Moscato D'Asti (Beni di Batasiolo) for $8.
At 7 pm, I checked back in with the host and was offered a nice window seat facing the front of the restaurant giving me a view of Woodward. I was glad we were seated at a table, although it started off rather chilly by the window. I don't care too much for seating arrangements that include one long bench for different parties to share. That means you have to scoot in, trying not to put your behind in another diner's face or disturb their meal at all while you're trying to get seated.
Anyway, the very nice host seated us, got us set up with menus and water. The waiter (Jason) was nice and attentive, answered our questions about the food and offered us wine. I had a 2nd glass of the $8 wine.
I had an idea of what I wanted to try there. I've heard great reviews of the fried calamari and it was on the DRW menu, so that was a definite for me. I was torn, though, because the fried artichoke hearts sounded delicious.
The fried "Crispy Calamari Strips" weren't so crispy. They weren't dreadfully soggy, but I didn't get a crisp from them at all. They were served with a sweet sauce (Carmelo sauce) and another sauce with more of a bite to it (Allegro sauce).
The bread that was served in the very beginning, was good. It came with a trio plate of honey butter, olive oil and hummus. The honey butter was great, but the sweet sauce that was meant for my calamari strips went very well with my bread.
My friend's fried artichoke hearts were tasty, from what I had. She mentioned that it could have used more sauce and even the waiter mentioned that when he served it and offered up a smaller cup of the sauce for her to dip with.
So, for the entrees... I wasn't in love with the list of entrees for the special DRW pricing. Of the items on the list, I chose the Pappardelle Bolognese, only to be told 10 minutes later that the Italian Bistro was out of bolognese sauce. The waiter offered a substitution of something that wasn't on the DRW menu list. He suggested the Braised Pork Ravioli. No biggie, I went with that. It was served with a brown "Marzetti" sauce. It looked dreary, like a gravy, but overall, the dish wasn't bad. The portion size was decent and the ravioli was stuffed with pork, so it was a rather hearty meal.
For dessert, I chose the marscapone cheesecake. It was a miniscule portion indeed. I wonder if that's the usual size or if they downsized for DRW. Better yet, I wonder how much it costs. We didn't have a dessert menu, so I couldn't compare that cost. It was tasty, but I literally had to eat.... it.... slowwwlllyyyy.... to enjoy it before it was gone.
SO, let's talk money.
DRW's 3 course meals are all $28. Add my 2 glasses of $8 wine and I spent a total of $44 on a Tuesday night.
Had it NOT been DRW, my appetizer would have been $9.50, entree $18 and I'm not sure how much the cheesecake would have been, but I hope they aren't raping people for it at all. My bill MINUS the cheesecake would have been $43.50 on a Tuesday night.
I based my tip on how much my bill would have been had it NOT been DRW (which I read on a blog by a waitress before the last DRW). I hope everyone remembers to do that-- of course, based on the actual service provided by the waitstaff.
Overall, we enjoyed our time there. I'd definitely go back to try some other things on the menu. I'd like to try their happy hour and I'm on their mailing list, so I've been seeing some upcoming wine tastings that I'd like to attend, also.Listed in: Wine Tastings
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Review from Claire A.
Detroit, MI
6/5/2011
I haven't even had dinner here yet, but I'm already a huge fan just based on 1. Ambiance, 2. Appetizers, and 3. the accoutrements they serve with their bread.
I always chose Detroit Beer Co over Angelina's because DBC just LOOKS cooler, but eating here was a lesson in not judging books [or restaurants] by their covers!! Not sure what it is about the look of this place from the outside, but it always just looked kind of...tacky? Maybe that's just me, but if you thought that too, seriously, don't worry about.
The interior is wide open and relaxing, not stuffy at all.
As Maria B. said, the bread comes with three dipping options - honey butter (the best), olive oil and hummus. The fish antipasti platter is HUGE and has an impressive, delicious selection. It's technically an appetizer but could easily be a dinner.
I also tried the crispy fried artichoke hearts appetizer which made me very, very happy. The breading was a little bit heavy, but the flavor of the artichoke and lemon sauce was so good that it didn't matter.
I can't wait to come back here for dinner soon! -
Review from Henry B.
11/24/2010
I love love love this place.
The food here is carefully prepared. I love the antipasti plates here but honestly everything I've had here has been delicious.
The wine menu is second to none and they're always changing the wine list to the changing seasons. The staff is friendly especially the owner, wine gal, and chefs.
Happy hour here is great as well and it's a good way to avoid the evening traffic jam back home. -
Review from Jeff G.
Sterling Heights, MI
11/26/2011
I highly recommend eating at Angelina's. The food was amazing, the wait staff was fantastic, and the owner was as genuine as they come. The butternut squash ravioli was phenomenal! The calamari was fantastic! My wife and I knew we would love this place from the bread dips alone. Well worth the trip!
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Review from Elizabeth M.
Houston, TX
11/27/2010
I visited Angelina on 11/26/2010. Lovely white bean hummus and honey butter greets you at your table with white, crusty bread. Delicious.
Good:
Caesar Salad - great dressing
Minestrone Soup
Seafood Risotto
Veggie Flat Bread Pizza - $10, and probably the best dish on the menu
Potato Gnocchi - order this...it is wonderful, the best i have had in the city.
Bad:
Mushroom Risotto - terrible, even the waitress told us to avoid it
Butternut Squash ravioli - extremely sweet, almost a dessert. Be prepared before you order it.
Brick Chicken - poorly seasoned and soupy veggies on the side - there is plenty on the menu to try...not this dish.
Overall - the portions are decent - the prices are a little high but it is a great experience. I would recommend going to Angelina for any type of event - dressed up, or down. -
Review from Hannah R.
Detroit, MI
Updated - 6/5/2011
Just wanted to update to say that Angelina is still going strong! We took a pair of friends there last night as a belated Christmas present. In this materialistic world, who needs more stuff when you have good company and good food? *gag* Sorry, couldn't help myself.
We've raved about this place, and they were excited to finally check it out. Of course, our reputation as people with good taste in restaurants was on the line! Although we've had a few dinners in the past few years that were only good instead of fantastic, Angelina was firing on all cylinders last night. The arancini (fried risotto) and bruchetta appetizers were both great, the swordfish special was good enough that our companion who ordered it insisted on sharing. This place does seafood well! The less adventurous eater at our table ordered a sausage pizza and declared it "shockingly good". We finished our dinner with a flourless chocolate cake, homemade chocolate gelato and blueberry cheesecake gelato.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/28/2010
EAT HERE. This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Detroit. Whenever we have a "fancy" occasion,… Read more »
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Review from Brittany S.
Detroit, MI
2/16/2011
My husband and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day as a married couple here. It was fabulous!
They bring out bread with the yummiest trio of sweet butter, olive oil, and hummus. We ordered the fried artichoke hearts appetizer. Delicious! I would go back just for those! The breading on them was perfect.
He ordered the pork ravioli and loved it. Despite having eaten almost an entire loaf of bread, he devoured the ravioli.
I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi. So good! So much food! It made for great left overs.
For desert we got the tiramisu. Again, delicious. Not a single qualm with the entire meal.
Great service. Delicious food. If you're looking for a nice, reasonably priced meal downtown, try Angelina's! -
Review from Keiths M.
Eastpointe, MI
3/13/2011
Love this place!
The food is excellent, the owner usually seats you and checks on you, the view is nice (especially in the Summer with the windows open), and even though the atmosphere is elegant/modern and the food is incredible, you can show up in your jeans or shorts straight from the ball game.
This is one of my favorite locations in Detroit. Love to eat in the Madison Theatre lobby, home of the 1984 Black Flag/NH riot. -
Review from Todd S.
Royal Oak, MI
2/13/2011
Went there tonight (Sun) for a Vtines dinner. WOW Awesome Awesome. It was a slow night for the restaurant, which was fine with us. It was our first time there and the place looked great. Super nice blown glass chandelier. Sat by the window and was taken care of by Aaron, who was great. Dinner started with some very good crusty bread and fantastic white bean dip. I had a perfectly grilled blue cheese crusted pork chop with roasted potatoes and braised cabbage with pancetta. The dish tasted soooo very good. She had a pasta bolognese which also tasted great and huge. We had such a great time there and can't wait to return and try the rest of the tasty sounding menu. Just another reason to visit and enjoy Detroit.
PS. The bar looked really cool too. -
Review from Jeff M.
Canton, MI
5/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have to preface this review; we were only there for drinks. I can't speak to the quality of the food.
The beer selection is good. They have a number of local beers on tap which is great. I love to see a place supporting local brews.
The coffee and specialty drink selection are good too. The ambiance seemed really cool and fresh. The glass windows on broadway open like sliding doors.
Will be back for dinner! -
Review from Tina L.
Detroit, MI
11/23/2011
Get the Sicillian Brick Chicken...it is amazing!! I love this restaurant and I found out they even have wine tasting nights for as little as $25.00.
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Review from Keith G.
Northville, MI
8/25/2010
My Angelina experience was terrific.
To be a fair review, I must first peel away all happy reflections of my favorite friend and a killer Tiger game. Such bias could kill my reputation, and I gotta think of my follower..s?
Prior to the main course, we enjoyed the bread with a honey-butter. It was also served with a hummus, but the dairy was a better complement. I don't eat much bread anymore, but I did splurge on a second piece. The Caesar side-salad carried a nice dressing, just fishy enough to tell it wasn't of a bottle, though not at all close to sucking on an anchovy.
My friend went with the wild mushroom risotto, while I tried one of the specials: a ravioli stuffed with zucchini and other veggie goodness, a vodka-style sauce on top. It was tasty, yet I was disappointed that it was luke-warm. I really have a thing about my food coming out hot.
We enjoyed a nice pinot noir. Sure, it wasn't Trader Joe's prices, but the atmosphere called for more than just beer. There's definitely a next-level thing that happens when red wine buddies with Italian food.
Our server was fun and down-to-earth. I joked with her when she went through the whole wine service. I'm too blue-collared to ever take that production (or myself) that seriously. She rolled with it, and we all laughed along.
I'm a function over form guy, so food always takes precedence over atmosphere. Yet, the location, street views, and style of Angelina are undeniable. There's just a sense of place here that will make your trip to the city feel complete.
Angelina caters to a crowd that ranges from opera-goers to baseball fans. You won't feel out of place if dressed for summertime at Comerica (we were), or a night on the town. And there's a lot to be said for a restaurant that can service a varied audience without reducing itself to too-common a denominator.
In short, I will be back. The menu offers some intriguing options, while the geography is perfect for any excursion into the Foxtown area. -
Review from Maria B.
3/22/2011
Fresh, flavorful, excellent!!!
Instead of the typical bread basket, this place serves up a fresh gourmet twist on the concept. They serve you bread with honey/butter, navy bean hoummous, & olive oil. Amazing!!! Then for the antipasti (or starters) we ordered the pesce (Italian for fish) platter with smoked salmon, white sardines, smoked trout, and delicious arugala salad with a great lemon vinagrette. Refreshing & absolutely deeelish!! The pesce dish comes in two sizes, and we ordered the smaller one. But, if dining alone this would make a wonderful meal in itself : )
For the entrée I ordered the papardelle Bolognese with housemade pasta & sauce, and we also ordered the Seafood Risotto which was cooked to perfection! Buonissimo!!! I'm definitely coming back to Angelina's, and I'm impressed with their authentic Italian food, their use of fresh local ingredients, friendly service, and the fact that almost everything there is made from scratch!!!Listed in: My favs!!!
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Review from J M.
Farmington, MI
2/21/2012
WONDERFUL service, butternut squash ravioli and gnocchi were both delicious, as were the bread and dips, sea bass was "eh." Loved the location as well. I will be back!
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Review from Allen L.
Updated - 7/14/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I'm still loving Angelina.
Had dinner outside the other night. Service was great.
The food is still spot-on and wonderful.
The Boston lettuce salad with candied pistachios was great.
The house-made braised pork ravioli were fantastic. The gnocchi were really light.
It's a beautiful place - doing all the right things.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/2/2009
Wow! Everything made in-house. SUPPORT THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE! Charcuterie, smoked fish, mozzarella,… Read more »
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Review from Mary M.
Utica, MI
4/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great Flavor!!
I've tried several different dishes here and I loved all of them. Everything is so well seasoned and prepared that I'm amazed this place isn't packed every weekend. And the Hard Luck Martini? Yes please! For all of you folks out there that say "it tastes like cough syrup" clearly you don't have a love of Swedish Fish! It's like drinking Swedish Fish with a little bit of vodka. How can candy and booze be a bad thing?
For you artichoke lovers out there - get the appetizer plate. You will not be disappointed. -
Review from Mark C.
Royal Oak, MI
9/23/2011
Good food, indifferent service and they refused to take our Groupon! After spending about a thousand there this summer before and after Tiger games, McCartney and Taylor Swift we will NOT be back! Nice job Angelina's we will NEVER come back!
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Review from Matt B.
Southfield, MI
2/28/2011
First time here at Angelina. It was pretty good. The food was delicious and the atmosphere great. We went on a Friday, before a show. All of the good tables near the windows were taken but we enjoyed ourselves the same. We started with the Fried Artichoke Hearts (very good) and split a plate of Mushroom Risotto. The risotto was creamy, not too juicy.
We plan on going back. -
Review from Liz W.
3/16/2010
This place has such a lovely bar area happy hour.
I used to work down the street and met an old work mate as this is her new fave haunt. I have been wanting to try here so I was more than game to make the trek when our schedules both finally cleared enough.
Tuesday through Thursdays happy hour runs from 5-7 pm. Fridays and Saturdays it is 4-6 pm. The bar is pleasant and there seems to be a few people wanting to take advantage of the deals (steals) but we managed to snag seats.
Of course they feature cheaper drinks. Four dollar 20 oz beers including many faves from Detroit area breweries, mostly Motor City Brewing (5 of theirs) but also one each from Detroit Brewing and Atwater.Three dollar wells, four dollar wines and a five buck martini du jour. Sadly I had to stick to iced tea. The upside though, was it was very tasty tea.
We noshed on some of the lovely appetizers but not all of them. The list is quite long and happy. They are all priced between four and five dollars and are great for a light nosh as you chat
The pesto marinated chicken skewers were happily dipped into tasty cheese sauce and were served with field greens. The crispy calamari was perfectly cooked and I really liked the the horseradish marinara, it was my fave of the appetizers. The salumi plate was a treat with very good salami, genoa ham and house made mortadella. The pesce plate was a no brainer pick as I cannot go wrong with hot smoked trout or cold smoked salmon, the whitefish sausage was a new thing for me and I liked it.
Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. My tea was kept filled and I was surprised at how smoothly it all ran. A good happy hour is hard to come by really but here it is beyond merely good.
Street parking is plentiful and the area is safe, trust me, do not let the Detroit locale scare you off a bit. I can't wait to return for some pasta with my husband soon.Listed in: Dishing Detroit, Italian-ish..., Lushy Liz, Happy Hour Noshing, Charcuterie
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Review from Amy G.
9/20/2011
I had been wanting to try this place for a while so when I found a Groupon (20 bucks gets you 40 dollars in food and drinks) I decided it was finally time. I was a bit surprised that the only choices were to valet my car or park in a garage for 10 bucks. It kind of negated the Groupon deal. Once we sat down, the service was very good. Our server was knowledgable about the wine list. The fresh bread was served with a white bean dip, olive oil and honey butter. The salad was just so-so, but the ricotta ravioli really made up for it. It was served with diced veggies primavera style. Nice presentation and excellent taste. Had just enough room left for tiramisu, which was worth every calorie. I definitely recommend Angelina's for the homemade food and comfortable atmosphere.
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Review from mariah c.
Ann Arbor, MI
I was duly impressed with Angelina. Quite honestly, I has heard reviews from friends and family than ran from "this place was so wonderful," to "this place seems to be working the bugs out." I wasn't sure what to expect, but trusted that I would get a good idea at a recent Detroit Synergy Supper Club event.
I got to meet Duke A in person, which was great, and we ended up with a wonderfully lively group of people at our table and some heated conversation on everything from public transit to where we were on election day.
The food was really the center of all of our attention at one moment or another, though. There were a few pleasant lulls as people just enjoyed their entrees. The encrusted whitefish was cooked absolutely perfectly. I wasn't a big fan of the texture of the couscous that it was served upon, but that was really just a side-note to the taste of the fish.
Appetizers were good - the calamari had good taste and texture. The winner dessert was most definitely the Tiramisu. I don't normally like Tiramisu... sometimes I find it rather soggy, but this was just the right amount of fluffiness to satisfy my picky palate.
The price range is a bit above what I'd normally spend, but it would be a perfect place to head with family for a special occasion.
One thing I found funny -- I don't know if they normally do valet, but the night that I was there, they did. I couldn't fathom why people would pay for valet when there was plenty of street parking just down the (well-lit, close-by) street!Listed in: Special Occasion Spots in SE…, Sweet Treats!
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Review from Emily D.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2009
Lately, I've been feeling like I can save the world. It's due in no small part to a recent meeting of the G7: seven savvy, engaging and beautiful women. Sure we didn't discuss climate change or the bank bailout, the tough times in Michigan or the flailing economy. More important than all of this, one G has a bun in the oven.
*SQUEAL!*
Angelina rose this occasion with ease, for the most part. We command attention, we make picky requests (one of us is inexplicably only eating steak and lettuce right now), we bring stunning cakes to be cut and complain our wine glasses aren't full enough. Our server was a touch frazzled and eager to push us along. She should have known better.
But the food was a treat across the board. The complimentary hummus and fresh country bread were a tasty precursor to the wonderful spinach salad (with praline pine nuts??) and papardelle bolognese I had as an entree. The pasta is made fresh on site and like any good chef should, the bolognese had a touch of cream added for richness. I didn't have to season a damn thing.
We carried on for hours until we had the place to ourselves, and then had an impromptu photo shoot. No one batted an eyelash at our guffawing and capricious ordering. The G7 is voluble, and Angelina rose to the task. I would recommend it for even the most coveted of occasions.
Happy baby, G1. -
Review from Duke A.
Detroit, MI
1/30/2009
Worth coming back for more.
The space is designed nicely, with a dining area facing Grand Circus Park and Detroit Opera House, a spacious bar area that's perfect for socializing, and some seating in front of the kitchen for food enthusiasts. Decor is a little plain but a view of the city makes up for it to create an intimate ambiance.
Some food I tried was amazing (it was a special of the day - Scallops and fried gnocchi), others met my expectations (Calamari, bruschetta, Bolognese, clam linguine). Their pasta is made fresh daily, and has got a nice chewy al dente texture. I also liked Tiramisu quite a lot.
Special thanks to Matt from Detroit Guerrilla Queer Bar and Nicole from Detroit Synergy Supper Club for providing me a reason to visit this place. I had been curious for quite some time.
