Andiamo Italian Ristorante — Restaurant in Woodbury

We just had reservations at Andiamo in Woodbury MN, and left shortly after being seated because we were both so angry about our treatment upon arrival that we had to leave. We have eaten here before and previously had good experiences, but definitely not tonight. The hostess seated us the table closest to the door. We asked to be moved to one of the 4 open booths or 5 open tables further away, and the hostess said, rudely and dismissively, 'Unfortunately all of our tables are booked, and there is nowhere else I can move you.' We asked how they got booked. She didn't really answer us, but said she would try to find us a different table. She did not return, but a server did. He said that the other tables and booths were booked. We asked him HOW they got booked, and what we would have to do to get 'booked' on a specific table. He said we would have to put a special request in the reservation, which gets reviewed by staff. My wife asked 'What special request do we have to make in the reservation? That we want to be seated away from the door?' He said 'that would work', and stepped away. We were both pissed. We don't get angry very often, so I think we were even MORE angry about this situation. I said to her 'we can leave', and she asked me 'and go where'. I said we could go home. She noted that we make great food at home, and I got up and handed her jacket to her, and put mine on. It's sad, but we do not put up with this disrespect, which seems to be more prevalent than it used to be. Unfortunately for the server, he lost the tip on a customer who typically spends at least $100 at that restaurant, including a bottle of wine, because they could not give us any reasonable explanation for why we could not be seated elsewhere, given all the 'booked' tables and booths. I also noted that another couple came in during the brief time we were at the crappy table, and were seated in one of the booths. Perhaps they knew the secret code for 'booking a table'. We may never go to this...

To preface, I began my cooking career at 3, helping my Nonno and Nonna make Italian specialties for local restaurants, delis and, of course, famiglia. So, I'm perhaps a bit over critical ¯⁠\⁠⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠⁠/⁠¯

Andiamo is tucked away in the small Valley Creek strip mall in Woodbury. I sat at the curved bar & began with a glass of Montepulciano ($4 Happy Hour), while admiring the decor: marble floor, brick accents and a 360° fireplace gracing the dining room, their impressive wine collection adorning the make entrance.

After ordering, I was brought a complimentary basket of 2 breadsticks & 3 slices of Italian bread. The sticks were unappealing to me. However, the Italian bread was light, fluffy & slightly sweet, crowned by a thin crispy crust. Perfecto!

I began with the seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The mix, flash finished under the broiler to brown the breadcrumbs, had a delicate, creamy texture, but a strong fishy flavor. However, some lemon squeezes, combined with the cheesy, creamy pesto sauce they swam in, mellowed them out perfectly.

For my entree, I ordered lasagna. I was thrilled to find a restaurant that made it's own pasta. It may have been great, but I couldn't get past the garlic in the marinara. It was so plentiful and raw tasting, it was as if a spoonful of jarred, chopped garlic was sprinkled on the sauce before serving. Unfortunately, I found it inedible. My suggestion: roast or caramelize the garlic first.

However, I enjoyed the ambiance and the service, so I will return to try a dish without marinara, like their...

From the moment we stepped into Andiamo, we were enveloped in an incredible atmosphere that set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The decorations are beautiful, capturing the essence of Italian elegance, and making us feel transported to another world.

We arrived right as they opened and had the pleasure of being the only table for a short period, which made the experience feel even more intimate. As we settled in, we were delighted to receive a complimentary bowl of warm bread and butter—an inviting start that promised good things to come.

For appetizers, we opted for the fried calamari and stuffed mushrooms. Both were exquisite in flavor and presentation, setting high expectations for the main course, and they did not disappoint.

I chose the Fettuccine alla Romana for my meal, and it was divine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the creamy sauce was rich yet balanced. My sister ordered the Linguini Frutti di Mare, a sumptuous medley of seafood that harmonized beautifully with the pasta. Each dish was so full of flavor, it felt like a culinary journey through Italy right at our table.

In summary, Andiamo offers an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. From the ambiance to the food, everything is impeccable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy an excellent...