Incredible Italian Restaurant
Oct 20th, 2004, 07:09 PM
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Incredible Italian Restaurant
I just wanted to post this message because the tastes are fresh in my mind. I live in Austin, which is not known for being a hot bed of great italian cooking. There are basically two types of Italian dining experiences you can have in town: 1) Incredibly over priced over blown fussy italian meals like at Siena. or 2) Italian-American checkered table clothes spaghetti and meatball meals. Well tonight my wife and I found something much much better. The restaurant is called Andiamo and it owned and operated by a fellow named Giovanni who is from Rome. The restaurant is located in very boring (and one might might say, run down) strip mall on North Burnett. And he appears to be struggling to get started. But this is as close to authentic italian cooking as I have had in the last 12 years stateside. We decided to go with the Menu Gastronomico, which is essentially the "Chef's Choice", five courses for $40 per person. Well worth it. For antipasti we received a plate of proscuitto, mozarella, grilled fennel, cherry tomatoes, roast pepper and garlic. Dressed with Olive Oil and a pesto sauce. Next was the pasta. Freshly handmade ravioli stuffed with veal. They came topped with a light sauce (perhaps a veal reduction) and sauteed portabello mushrooms. Then the fish course. This was a prefectly prepared snapper. done with a very light egg wash, golden brown, topped with a caponata sauce of capers, olives and tomatoes. On the side were the freshest, most perfectly cooked green beans and carrots (tossed with a little garlic and olive oil). For the meat dish we were served Filet Mignon with another great veal reduction sauce. This was placed on a very delisicous polenta and some spinach on the side. The meat was perfectly medium rare and could be cut with a fork. The polenta had a very light cheese flavor, not sure what kind of cheese, maybe asiago??? Spinach was great. For il dolce, Taramisu, amaretto gelato and strawberries and a cream sauce. Incredible. Giovanni was extremely attentive, and told us all about where he gets his local produce and breads. In fact, we talked about a trip to Italy we are taking next week and he gave us the name of his relative "Pasquale" who owns a restaurant in Roma. He put the address on his business card and said: " Just tell Pasquale that Giovanni sent you" , corny but cute! he also insisted that we walk out with a loaf of the their delicious Sicilian bread. My only less than glowing comments: 1) This is not a four start environment, the chairs look like they came out of an American Legion reception, and 2) Andiamo does not yet have a liquor license so you must remember to bring your own bottle of wine, which they will be happy to uncork for you. In conclusion: Austinites and Visitors to Austin, you gotta check this italian restaurant out. I think that Fodors might frown on me giving out the web site, but the name of the Restaurant is Andiamo and its on the corner of Burnett and Rutland. That's all, Ciao, Buona Sera!
Oct 20th, 2004, 08:18 PM
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Chris...Chris...Chris. On behalf of all who follow, I am requesting that you re-post on this same thread with paragraph breaks.
You'll actually get people to read and respond to this one paragraph posting if you break it down and make it easy on the eyes.
You'll actually get people to read and respond to this one paragraph posting if you break it down and make it easy on the eyes.
Oct 21st, 2004, 09:35 AM
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yes I am talking about Austin Texas. That is why I posted the original message in the Texas forum. I guess I could have been more specific. So, to ya'll you forum readers out there: There is a great Italian Restaurant in Austin, TEXAS.
Oct 21st, 2004, 09:48 AM
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Okay, okay, I'll check this out...but don't tell me you haven't tried Vespaio on S. Congress? It's also and excellent Italian restaurant that does not fall into the two 'types' you describe. It has been written up favorably quite a few times!
Oct 21st, 2004, 10:16 AM
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Ally, you got me there. I have not tried Vespiao yet. I have heard good things about it. Some of the things going for Andiamo: For me its much closer being in north austin and easier to get to than the SOCO location of Vespiao. Also, since Andiamo is just starting out in business it seems that there would be no problem at all getting a table on a Friday night. But, I still have to get to Vespiao so i can make an educated and informed comparision.
Oct 21st, 2004, 10:33 AM
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Ally
Vespaio, I've been trying to remember the name of the place, we went there in Feb this year. It is awesome - we chanced upon it accidentally it was near the marathon expo - and absolutely loved the food.
Vespaio, I've been trying to remember the name of the place, we went there in Feb this year. It is awesome - we chanced upon it accidentally it was near the marathon expo - and absolutely loved the food.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 03:19 AM
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A real dinner restaurant without even a beer and wine permit?...i'm afraid its days might be numbered. i thought austin was a bit more relaxed about these things.
it's too bad if this turns out to be the case. i always thought that places like this (locally owned) should be put on a fast track for a permit ...they don't have the money and lawyers that chillis and applebees have and they never seem to have an issue getting permits.
it's too bad if this turns out to be the case. i always thought that places like this (locally owned) should be put on a fast track for a permit ...they don't have the money and lawyers that chillis and applebees have and they never seem to have an issue getting permits.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 06:10 AM
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Sometimes I like the no liquor license because then you can bring a nice $15 bottle of wine, and have them open it. The same bottle of wine when purchased at another restaurant with a liquor license would cost over $35 to $40.
Anyways, I hate to keep gushing about this place, but I just have this horrible feeling in my gut that its going to go under and we'll have lost a real gem.
Anyways, I hate to keep gushing about this place, but I just have this horrible feeling in my gut that its going to go under and we'll have lost a real gem.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 04:46 PM
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chris, i agree. here in london i often go to brick lane for curry because byob is accepted at all restaurants there. get an £8 bottle at odd bins which is twice as good as a £15 at a restaurant.
however, having no permit starves the owner of a vital revenue source...hence my comment. also, unless it can carve out a real niche, i think not serving at least beer/wine is a real negative for many people as it is just expected in a place like the one you describe.
however, having no permit starves the owner of a vital revenue source...hence my comment. also, unless it can carve out a real niche, i think not serving at least beer/wine is a real negative for many people as it is just expected in a place like the one you describe.
