Al Vento

I had some pasta dish with duck and chicken ragu and goat cheese that made me want to eat myself into a coma. Even their table bread was above average. Very good fresh food and a wonderful waitstaff! I will go back to sample their ever changing menu.

The meal started out well- although we were seated at a dirty table. This doesn't bother me at all if the host acknowledges it and comes by to wipe it off. There were large chunks of food left on the table, but she just set our menus on top of the food bits. We started with the crab cakes and caesar salad, and both were very good. We ordered the scallop and steak entrees, and were both disappointed. The scallops were cold- really cold, when they arrived, and were covered with an odd relish. The risotto underneath was warm and good, but it didn't really save the dish. The steak was tasteless. It was warm, but the mashed potatoes were lumpy and unremarkable. We were surprised that both entrees were so bad. We might try this place again, but stick with a pizza entree.

We were very impressed with all aspects of our experience. To put it simply, the quality of the food started with the "basics" done properly, which are too often overlooked. The freshness and quality of the pasta was remarkable, as was the cesar salad. From that base, the combination of flavors also worked very well, across the board. We started with the truffled pecorino packets - very tasty (while the plate was drowing a bit in the brown butter, as long as you don't swish the food through the butter it is great). The cesar was just the right combination of flavors on perfectly fresh romaine. The sauces, meat and cheese all worked very well for our entrees. For dessert, we had the creme brulee trio. My wife loves creme brulee, I do not. So, when we order it, it is usually a compromise for me. Not this time - their "twist" was to serve three small portions, one each of pistachio, espresso, and orange liqueur - and the first time I really enjoyed creme brulee. Also, as we dined on an off night (Sunday) and early (5:30), we did not experience any issues with noise and overcrowding that others have reported (but hey, what do you expect with a good restaurant?).

We have frequented this location often when it was Marimar. Sad to see them close the doors but when Al Vento opened we were very happy to have a neighborhood restaurant again. We started going there from the get go and with a few blips have watched it evolve to what it is now. Consistently great. Servers are attentive and genuinely friendly. Rarely does my water glass go empty. And when I sent my Pork Tenderloin back for being Med well instead of the med-rare I ordered - I had a new one within 1-2 minutes. If you are not happy with what you ordered - speak up. They will graciously try to fix it. Everything is made in house, from the Foccacia to the pasta which I've never received short of al dente. Try the stuffed mushrooms to start, Fish special is always good, and who can go wrong with Spaghetti and Veal Meatballs?

This is a true Southern Italian restaurant, of which we have very few in Minneapolis. There are a lot of Tuscan (Northern) style places, but nothing like this that I've found other than in other cities.

The olive bruschetta is outstanding, along with all of the other entrees I have had there. I've been to Al Vento 4 times, and have had outstanding food each time, always ordering something different. This is a great romantic spot for a date. Price is very reasonable.