al Vento - (612) 724-3009

We made reservations for 7:15 on a recent Saturday. We showed up early and they were able to seat us immediately. We asked to sit out on the patio where we passed on the first table offered and pointed to a different table for two that we like more. Seemed like the hostess was more interested in balancing the waiter load but did seat us at the table we picked. We enjoyed the atmosphere on the patio, very nice and relaxed. Waiter was busy and did not seem to have time to be warm. Very thorough but it was clear he was just there to serve us and move us along. Waiter did give us input on the bruschetta and checked with the chef if he would add vegetables to the Cannelloni per my wife’s request. I had the Hanger Steak and my wife, the Cannelloni with vegetables for an additional fee. Steak was good but not outstanding. I would not order it again. Cannelloni was outstanding although it did not have a lot of vegetables. I would go here again.

I called the restaurant with a couple quick questions regarding a Living Social coupon that I purchased/was intending to use and received some of the worst customer service EVER from the employee who answered the phone - Straight-up rude biznatch for absolutely no good reason. I have never been to Al Vento and that less than 60 second phone conversation has confirmed that I probably never will.... A shame because I was very much looking forward to trying a new place in my neighborhood. Good luck running a successful small business with employees like that. I'd rather eat the $15 bucks I spent on the coupon than patron Al Vento. I'll stick with Broder's....

We heard good reviews about this place from friends, and were quite excited to eat there for Sunday brunch. As soon as we arrived, there was a slight line to be seated, which was no big deal, except that the hostesses (who was also a waitress) did not seat in order of those who were waiting (people who came after us were seated first). Also noteworthy, was the other staffs attentiveness to the waiting line, nobody welcome us or told us somebody would be there to help us. So we finally get seated (and by seated, I mean pointed in the direction of the table we were to sit), we find only one set of silverware and a bunch of loud over sized patrons basically on top of us. Ten minutes later, we get our drink order and are told simply to begin and the waitress walked away. The food was sub-par, everything was cold and soggy, and there were large wait times to refill their "buffet' style Sunday brunch. The fish available was not fresh, the eggs benedict was sitting in warming pan far to long (soggy), and the only potatoes left were drenched in oil. We were only offered refills to our drinks as we were trying to get our bill (which took literally 15 minutes to get). Our waitress offered no type of thanks or pleasantries as we left. This is the type of service and horrid food you would expect at an Old Country Buffet (but even they are friendlier). Stay away from this junk hole.