Andiamo Italiano

I've been to northern Italy many times and have a pretty good idea of what the cuisine is supposed to be about. To me, Andiamo seems most like an Italian restaurant catering mainly to foreign tourists; overpriced wine (300% or more above average wine-shop retail -- hey, let me BYO and I won't complain about any corkage fee), unsurprising and unadventurous cuisine featuring lots of pounded filets, heavy sauces (including the ponderous plate o'red) and almost everything stuffed with crabmeat. To me, Andiamo seems almost more like a French restaurant in that instead of emphasizing the natural, vibrant taste of fresh ingredients (which is what Italian cuisine means to me), their focus is on DISGUISING the natural taste through aforementioned stuff-stuff with heavy sauce. Call it artistry if you like, but if this is authentic Italian then I'm Vic Damone, or at least his initials. Pros: Unique for the area, they sometimes still try Cons: Service can be spotty; overpriced more

We had been looking forward to visiting Andiamo for over a year having heard about it at an Italian language course last summer. We were preparing for a second visit to Italy last fall. We love Italian food and dining and had hopes for a true Italian dining experience in Central Texas. Our visit on a Saturday evening a week or two after Thanksgiving was very disappointing, especially with all the prior recommendations. Parking is easy near the Jack In The Box. The ambience is not romantic or anything striking, but a room with some Venetian artwork. The restaurant was not full at 7:30. Our reserved table for two was against the wall. After being graciously seated, over ten minutes passed before even the bus boy brought bread and olive oil. No olive oil was left on the table. Our waiter finally appeared and we selected two entrees from the evening's chef offerings. The shared warm calimari/polenta appetizer was excellent as were the two house salads. My wife selected the lobster ravioli after being assured the sauce was light tomato-basil. The actual sauce was so rich and heavy we could not taste the lobster, if it was really there. My zuppa di mare was very hearty and satisfying. No one visited our table to check on the entrees once we were served. Our waiter was woefully untrained in wine service and the wine list. Our glasses were over-filled only once and I had to ask for an ice bucket for our chilled white wine. In Italy, as well as the rest of Europe, once you are seated at a restaurant, the table is yours until you finally leave. At Andiamo, even with a less-than-full house, we had our table bussed while we were trying to salvage our evening over the wine remaining after our meals. We had high hopes for a pleasant evening meal event and were very disappointed on this first visit. We will return someday with lower expectations and hopes the next dining experience will be more professional to match the very good cuisine. Pros: cuisine Cons: service, ambience, table, too Americanized more

Andiamo's has very pleasant ambience. It's one of the few high quality restaurants in Austin where you can actually talk over the table without shouting to be heard over other customers. The food is very good too. more

We were greeted as if we were family! Were surprised to experience such wonderful menu items such as the creamy, flavorful artichoke and potato soup. Andiamo is a hidden treasure discovered by those who truly appreciate great Italian food. We will definitely return for the fantastic food and warm friendly service. Pros: Great for couples! Cons: Hidden location more

This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The ambience is a little lacking to me but the food more than makes up for it. I thought the prices were reasonable. Although, it is out of the way... not really close to anything in my opinion. It's in a shopping mall which can take away from the atmosphere... I wouldn't take a 1st-3rd date here... someone you know will appreciate good food and you aren't looking to be flashy. Service was awesome! Pros: food, food, food Cons: location, price is a wee bit high for the ambience more

Second time I've been there for lunch. Everything is well-prepared. My wife had the special, spinach ravioli, and I, baked tilapia almondine. The wait staff is VERY attentive, the sauces are understatated but delicious, and the presentation is very attractive. The luncheon prices are quite reasonable, and there are ample choices. The house wine was great. It's a great place to join friends for lunch knowing it will be a memorable experience. Pros: Waitstaff, presentation, quality of food and wine Cons: Ambiance is somewhat store-frontish and the Mexican clay plaques don't belong there. more

My boyfriend and I absolutely love this place. We have been there numerous times and have not been disappointed. The food is amazing and the waiters make you feel very comfortable. This place has a very cozy feel to it. I'm not crazy about the location though but hey, there's tons of parking. You don't need to know what authentic Italian is to know good food and this is great food. Pros: Food, Service, Parking Cons: Location more

What a find in North Austin, a Classic old style Italian Ristorante, , The Food is Fantastic , and the Waitstaff is Proffesional. On Christmas Eve, my Wife and I Were hoping to find a new place to dine , we did not have reservations, but we were seated at a nice table right away. We started our meal with the sauteed calimari over polenta , wow I usaully do not like calamari , but this was excellent . next we shared the green bean salad , great combination of flavors. For the entrees My wife had Chicken Marsala, and I ordered the Rosemary Lamb, the food was the best Italian I have had in Texas, and the service was very good , from the Waiters wine , and food recommendations, to the way the Owner made us feel right at home, save room for the Tiramisu ! Pros: Moderately Priced, Great Food, Wonderful Service more

I have eaten here twice and plan on going again whenever I can. The food is to die for. The ravioli melted in my mouth, and their gnocchi is just wonderful. The only complaint I have is that our waiter last time was very chatty, and he corrected us when I wanted to start with a salad and my husband wanted to start with an antipasto. I'd expect more refined service from a restaurant with food of this quality. Pros: FOOD Cons: service more

Except for the location, this place is nicely done. Superior service. Exceptional cuisine. The wine list needs some work though. This is a praiseworthy restaurant that I believe will do well. I just suggest they serious think about getting out of the ghetto like strip mall location. more

Excellent restaurant... Great service and food... Makes you feel comfortable.. Celebrated my anniversary and enjoyed everything. i am definately going back... Pros: Service, Food, Warmth more

EXCELLENT Italian food- it is TRUE italian, as one would get in Northern Italy. I have lived there, and it is very authentic. The lack of a liquor license makes it more affordable as we take our own wine-Very attentive ownership and staff- we try to go every 2 weeks or so- when it first opened, there was no need for reservations, but now, call ahead on weekends- more

Andiamo is a really good restaurant. Their pastas are wonderful. We had a couple of the specials, including a terrific asparagus soup and a fennel salad with truffle oil (yum!). The service was great -- the chef came out to greet us and ask how we liked everything, which is really nice. The only odd thing about the service -- we had reservations, but arrived a few minutes late. Though the restaurant was half empty, the host clucked at us. (well, very Italian, I guess.) Also, call ahead to find out if they have their liquor license yet. We were forewarned, and brought a bottle of wine -- but they charged us a corking fee! I thought that was pretty cheap, considering we couldn't have bought a glass of wine from them had we wanted to. The free glass of amaretto with dessert was nice, though. go here! Pros: Awesome food, Great specials, Good service Cons: No liquor license, a little expensive more

At last, a top of the line Italian restaurant which surpasses any other Italian fare in Texas. I've dined at many Italian restaurants from Dallas to Corpus and can truly say this place puts them all to shame. The owner and his staff are friendly yet professional and made my visits very enjoyable. The polenta and veal are the best I've ever had and Giovanni's tiramisu dessert is great. You won't go away hungry and you will come back. Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere more

Austin was in dire need of another good Italian restaurant. But this one is the best of the best. I can only think of three of what I consider good, fine dining Italian restaurants in Austin and Andiamo is the best of them all. We were a party of eight and the food was prepared and presented in an all professional way, not to mention how delicious it was. The service was impeccable as well. I thought I was back in New York where Italian restaurants of this caliber are many. I highly recommend giving it a try. I'm sure you will become a regular. Pros: Food, Service, presentation more