Osteria I Nonni

06/14/2008 Posted by dmdaily

Everything we had was average or below average. The main reason I'm giving I Nonni a below average rating is because of the cost. I've had better italian meals at a number of places, for a fraction of the cost. As for the food, the calamari was ordinary and quite tough. My pasta was good, but my wife's risotto was under-seasoned and over-cooked. I've never had a bad risotto, until tonight. And the shrimp was actually fishy. Unreal. Dessert was okay. Overall, very disappointing.

12/18/2007 Posted by mpkennedy3

I have been here a few times over the last two years. The Calamari is to die for, and overall their dishes are excellent. The wait staff is average, but the atmosphere is excellent. This place is pricy, but I would defiantly recommend it for anyone looking for some authentic Italian cooking. I have traveled to Italy, and I would say that this food is very authentic.

Pros: Food, Ambience

Cons: Waitstaff

08/11/2007 Posted by hsnewman

My wife and I have been eating Osteria I Nonni since they opened. We have held private parties and attend parties and in all of the meals never had anything less than good and just about everything being excellent. For those who complain of poor service I view it as non-rushed service. If you want things to speed up just ask. The wine list is exceptional as is the pricing model compared with most places. Traditional high end Italian but do not expect it to be cheap but quality never comes cheap.

Pros: Everything is classic Italian

Cons: Hard to get in some weekends

02/28/2007 Posted by vinophile

With three business associates, I dined at this restaurant last night and I will never return. Despite the impressive wine list and excellent (and apologetic) service, four course meal seemed to stretch over months, with each course taking longer than the one before. After our pastas were cleared, it took 44 minutes for our entrees to arrive--I timed it! And from the looks of it, other tables were experiencing the same exasperation. As the host, I was embarassed that I had recommended this restaurant, and my guests alternated between anger and mockery. The assistant manager sheepishly apologized without any explanation and comped $25 dollars, but still... I had been once previously and had good food/service, but never again.

Pros: good wine, server

Cons: food took FOREVER!!!!

01/23/2007 Posted by markz952

Went there just before New Years '07 with five other couples. We knew we were in trouble when our $12 glass of mediocre red wine was half finished. The service was very slow. The pre-meal bread was outstanding, ... but they never came back to refill the bread bowl despite noticing that it was emptied out very quickly. The appetizers (calamari and also an assorted meat tray) were very mediocre, and again overpriced. The meal was the most disappointing aspect. My wife and I ordered scallops. We received 3 half-dollar sized scallops, and smallish helping of mashed potatoes. That was the entire meal. Two glasses of wine for each of us, a pathetically small meal, and some mediocre appetizers, and they force-fed the tip into our bill. $148 for the two of us. I've honestly had better service, better wine, and infinitely better food at Macaroni Grill, including dessert. We just went there a week ago with our two kids and all of us had wonderful, very filling, heaping portions for a total bill of $40-ish. It was ten times better than I Nonni at a small fraction of the cost. Avoid this joke of a restaurant at all cost. There are many superior alternatives (such as Biaggi's in Eden Prairie).

Pros: Very nice ambience, beautiful interior.

Cons: Horribly overpriced, tiny portions, slow service, mediocre food at best.

01/03/2007 Posted by texastoast

Summary: the food was...fair. The wine was...OK. the atmosphere was good but not great. We were a group of 5 couples and had bigger expectations of the place. It was disappointing qualitatively speaking. Several of the diners later commented that they could pull off some of these dishes at home much better than what they had in the restaurant. The tab was quite a bit more than any of us had paid for much better food. None of the diners live check-to-check, and have dining experiences all around the TC metro. Money is not an issue, unless you're asked to pay for sub-par fare. That was the case here. Maybe the wine selection is better than most restaurants, but the meal itself is something you could find better at Cossetta's. That's not an exaggeration. The wait staff was mildly attendant, but once the main course was done, they vanished. We had to grab someone's attention for coffee and dessert. Getting a refill on the coffee was humorous to the point we asked to have the coffee left at the table (a la Perkins). Go here for the wine and drinks, and maybe the dessert, but after you've had a better meal someplace else.

Pros: Good list of wines, helpful sommelier, decent dessert

Cons: Average to sub-average food, at best

10/15/2006 Posted by anders27

What do you get when you combine the perfect Italian dining experience with two tickets to the Minnesota Orchestra? An unforgettable night. At least that's how my fiancee and I feel after a great evening of food and entertainment. As for I Nonni, I had to move up our reservations a half hour at the last minute: No problem! The ambience was just right, and the service impeccable. If you go with a specal someone, be sure to request a booth (which is more like a love seat). I had mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone Osso Buco, and my fiancee had the chef's special (a beautifully done swordfish). Might I add that out server paired a perfect Brunello with my Osso? We finished dinner with Strawberries Balsamico with a mascarpone whipped cream, and my lovely date had the dark chocolate gelati. Will we go back? Definitely. Bravo, I Nonni!

Pros: Ambience, Accessibility, Service

Cons: A little pricy...but worth it

08/31/2006 Posted by sjones13315

I have been to Nonni on two separate occaisions - once about a year ago - when we finally walked out after waiting over 40 minutes to order - the waitstaff was non-existent! This time we went for a midweek dinner, we were told it would be 25 minute wait for the patio (they inside appeared reserved for a wine tasting) and we could wait in the bar. We waited almost 40 minutes for our table, had excellent service from the bartender however - who was friendly and very attentive, we had the I Nonni appetizer - good but not worth the money. We finally were sat for dinner where we ordered two small pastas' to share and it took a long time to get them - the crab ravioli was awful, very fishy taste and the artichokes did nothing to compliment the dish - they did take it off our bill. The risotto was ok - but certainly not what you'd expect from "one of the best italian restaurants from here to New York - it had mild flavor and was not very exciting. We ordered the New York Strip for our entree (which arrive about 1 hour after we ordered it) - we finally had to ask if it was coming out - they need to time their courses much better. The steak was mediocre, I've had better at some chain restaurants, the sides did not even look appetizing. We finally had to flag our waitress down to get our bill as we had been there way to long already and did not want to bother being disappointed with dessert. Needless to say we will not be going back, nor would I recommend this place to anyone. Your chances are better at the local Olive Garden - and that is not saying much!

Pros: None

Cons: lousy food, lousy service, high prices

10/07/2005 Posted by lauriesquillace

I realized last night that I am spoiled to have Osteri Innoni in my backyard. Since Boun Giornos move to Mendota Heights I have been lucky enough to continue to partake in the fine eats at the market, and also to indulge in superb Italian vino, and exceptional cuisine at Innoni. Last night I dined with a friend, we started the evening by sitting at Innonis beautiful bar enjoying a glass of red (chosen with the help of our knowledgeable bartender). Frank Marchionda stopped by to say hello, and shake hands he is always so welcoming to the guests. Our dinning experience moved us into the dining room where we indulged in a four-course meal. The service was exceptional. We left our evening pleasantly full and very happy exactly the way you should leave an Italian restaurant. The Marchionda family creates a dining experience !

Pros: Service, Cuisine, Parking

Cons: Not open before 5:00

06/09/2005 Posted by newcrit

This is the second time we have dined at OIN and both times have been wonderful. The first time we were celebrating our anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised to find on their wine list, the same Amarone that we had enjoyed when we were in Italy a few weeks before. The second time was just as fantastic. My husband brought a colleague from Europe and we all ordered the featured four course fixed menu with the accompanying wine selections. The food/service/wine were unsurpassed. It was also a great deal; $45 for the dinner and $20 for the wine. The wine that was paired with each course matched perfectly with the food. My husbands collegue, being a wine connoisseur, was very impressed and had a great evening.

Pros: Food, Wine Selections, Ambiance