Aldo's Ristorante — Restaurant in Middlebury

We were so excited to visit Aldo’s after their long-anticipated opening, and unfortunately we were left disappointed. There are definitely a lot of kinks that need to be worked out with the service, but we also felt that all of our dishes tasted heavily of black pepper and were very salty. When we were initially seated, a man who was not our waiter brought over waters for each of us and a basket of bread, which was great. However, after our waitress came to take our drink orders and a few of us said we were going to stick with our water, she brought over additional glasses while our other ones were still full, which made the table cluttered. Not really a big deal, but we found it strange, and it took a while for a busser to clear off our table, so it began to feel crowded after multiple courses. The house salads were fine, though my mom said the lemon vinaigrette tasted artificially sweet, and as mentioned before, the pasta fagioli type soup was very salty. The waitress was unsure of what the soup was called, but it seemed similar enough to pasta fagioli. For our meals, the mashed potatoes and cavatelli were heavily coated in black pepper, and the bolognese had a distinct nutmeg flavor that we found off putting. When my cavatelli dish first arrived to the table, it appeared with sausage instead of chicken as I requested. A server different from our waitress brought it over, and when I told her I had asked for chicken, she flagged over the waitress to let her know. The waitress was silent, basically looking at the ground, and never apologized for the error. I got the impression that she didn’t believe I had asked for chicken, but my family confirmed that was the choice I made. I will say I was impressed with how quickly they were able to remake the dish for me. A lot of the issues here I’m sure will be fixed over time with more experience, but I definitely won’t be in a rush...

Preparation for opening a new restaurant is key. Sadly, Aldo's just wasn't prepared to have a packed restaurant. They overbooked and accepted reservations KNOWING they did not have enough staff, which left many unhappy and without a meal. The servers were in an impossible situation due to poor management and prep. We watched as several tables up and left around us after no service for an unreasonably long time. We arrived at 5:30, placed an order finally around 6:30 (never received bread some others tables were offered-trivial detail, but still) and decided to pay the drink bill at 8:15 since we still had not received our food. They did end up trying to bring it to us on our way out, but it was way too late. Our server kindly offered to bag it up for us. My friend ordered a salad, which we had been told was ready for over an hour. It had grilled chicken on it and it was just left to sit while the rest of our food was being cooked. 🤢. The owner walked around after 2 hours of us being there greeting customers, in no hurry to help the frantic wait staff rushing about behind him. He even made a comment to the table next to us that he heard we are not happy. Very unprofessional. Seemed the owner was more concerned with making a $ than anything else. It really was a night to be seen and quite embarrassing for the restaurant. A little ambiance would have possibly helped- patio music, flowers in the empty flower pots. The little touches go a long way. Not sure what updates were made inside, but it looked pretty much just like the previous restaurant left it. Disappointed and we waited soooo long to...

Aldo’s Ristorante is an absolute gem for anyone who loves authentic Italian cuisine! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional hospitality that immediately made us feel at home. The cozy yet elegant ambiance of the restaurant, combined with its inviting decor and comfortable seating options, sets the perfect tone for a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. The menu is impressive, offering a wide range of Italian classics and creative dishes that cater to every palate. We started with the appetizers, which were bursting with fresh flavors and perfectly portioned. For our main course, we were blown away by the quality and presentation of the dishes — each bite was a testament to the chef’s expertise and attention to detail. The ingredients were clearly fresh, and the flavors were beautifully balanced. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauces were rich and delicious. To top it all off, the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, always ensuring that we had everything we needed without being overbearing. Their passion for providing a memorable experience truly shines through. Whether you’re planning a date night, a family gathering, or just a casual evening out, Aldo’s Ristorante is the perfect choice. I will highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delightful and authentic Italian dining experience. It’s not just a meal — it’s an experience. I cannot wait to return and try more of their...