CHIANTI GRILL Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Burnsville

I've been here many times in past years, just not so much as I used to. However, I still enjoy the service, the ambiance and flavorful Italian food especially on a snowy winter's day, like last Friday.

The greeting at the front desk was a little "chilly," my petite co-worker and I had been completely ignored by the young man behind the desk. He had curtly helped the guest in front of us telling her she had to take a seat as he put her on a "wait list" then instantly exited the counter without giving us another glance! We both looked at each other, shook our heads then turned to the other two young gals behind the desk, I took a step forward announcing myself and the table we were to be joining since we had reservations at 11:30 and we were on time despite the weather. The host then kindly, with a smile directed us in the direction of our party.

Fortunately, things went up hill from there! Our server was a delight! She listed off the specials, the foods that were being offered at their $11.95 All you Can Eat Lunch Buffet - which usually includes 2 soups, build your own fresh house salad, 2 hot pastas of the day and 2 kinds of pizzas...I'm sure I'm forgetting more. Anyway, several of the ladies in my group ordered the Lunch Buffet coming back with some wonderful smelling and tasty looking food. Just remember most of the food at the Lunch Buffet varies daily and runs Monday through Friday from 11:30am - 1:30pm, Dine In Only.

I ordered the Seafood Cannelloni with a side salad - $16.50. The Cannelloni is filled with shrimp, scallops and lump crab meat that's baked in rolled sheets of pasta smothered in a sherry cream sauce topped off with aged Parmesan Cheese [pictured]! Not only was it flavorful, you never had a problem spotting your seafood or tasting it! The shrimp, scallops & crab flavors came through clearly with the perfect amount of seasoning for the dish. The pasta was al dente' as it should be and the seafood perfectly cooked. I would definitely order this dish again!

Another co-worker of mine ordered the Chicken Sorrento with a side salad - $16.50. It looked delicious! It's chicken breast with capers, tomatoes and artichokes sauteed in lemon basil wine sauce served over a bed of angel hair sorrento. I could smell the lemon basil wine sauce! She said it was really good, perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Just like me she too had to take half of her meal home! Our side salads were fresh including red onions, ripe grape tomatoes and we loved the aged balsamic dressing!

During our time eating our server was very attentive to us, filling our drinks continuously, clearing dirty dishes, polite, knowledgeable, answering a bombardment of questions and always had a smile on her face! In my opinion, a true asset to this restaurant.

The atmosphere has a modern yet warm welcoming feel with cozy booths heavy dark wood tables covered with table linens, silverware and glasses of water. Towards the back of the restaurant it opens up to a high vaulted ceiling room that includes a large natural looking rock fireplace with lots of floor to ceiling windows. We were fortunate enough to be seated at a large round table that faced the fire place, so we could watch the large flakes of snow fall through the windows. However, I will say that it does get quite loud in there when the place fills up, especially if there's large groups.

Chianti is a really nice place that serves good Italian food. Something you can always count on that's done right! It's worth the...

The worst experience we've had at Burnsville Chianti Grill. We met another couple at the grill - a group of four. The only reason I gave 2 stars is because of the server's efforts. Our meals came out at different times, even though two of us ordered the same thing (lasagna with a side italian sausage). First one lasagna came out and it was warm, but the sausage was room temp. Then came out Seafood Cantelini and Spicy Penne. The Penne was just "warm, but edible". The Seafood Cantelini was cold (less than room temp). We sent it back to heat it. Then the last lasagna and sausage came out. The lasagna was perfect and served hot, however the italian sausage was barely warm. The Seafood Cantelini came out, and we sent the sausages back to heat. When my wife tried her Cantelini again, it was cold in the center. When our sausages came back, they were barely warm, not much difference from when we sent them back. My wife then ordered a salad instead. All the other guests were already finished eating, and my wife only ate half the salad.

I know problems can occur, but sending food back, and still having it below temperature is unacceptable. Having the food come out at different times and at inconsistent temperatures indicates some management/inefficiencies in the kitchen.

There was a manager who stopped by, but she appeared indifferent to our problems. We were offered one free dessert. The waitress removed the sausage I didnt eat, and the Seafood Cantelini off our bill but did charge us for my wife's $12 salad. I would have expected my wife's meal to be totally removed. Is $12 a big expense for the restaurant? I dont think this is the way to treat (repeat) diners. I doubt we'll be returning here...

Last week my family and I went to Chianti Grill to celebrate a family birthday. It was chosen for the excellent quality we had experienced before along with the terrific selection of entrees for the whole family. Appetizers we're great and I highly recommend the spicy tenderloin tips - they were excellent and had a great flavor profile.

Now, everything that I had experienced up until this point earned a 5 star rating, but what happened after we received our entrees cemented this restaurant in my mind as one of the best places to dine south of the river.

I had ordered the Filet Mignon for the entree which came with garlic mashed potatoes. Upon biting into the filet, I knew it was overcooked and there was a very strong flavor of grill charring on the outside. Don't get me wrong, I like a bit of char, but this was excessive. Upon mentioning to our server, she immediately apologized and took it back to the kitchen for a replacement filet. A few minutes later, the kitchen manager came out and apologized again, saying he saw exactly what I was talking about and agreed that the steak had been overcooked and said they were cooking up a new filet as we spoke. After the new filet came out (which was cooked perfectly by the way), the restaurant manager came over and checked in on the new filet and apologized again.

I am very happy with how they handled the situation and I totally understand that not every piece of meat will come out of the kitchen cooked perfectly. Very happy that the staff made everything right and honestly made the night better for all of us.

Cannot recommend this restaurant enough! All can find something on the menu for them and the service is impeccable. Can't wait to...