10/15/09

I can't believe they claim to be an Italian restaurant.....

by omis72

..........What a joke!!!!

My husband and I dined at Osteria I Nonni few nights ago craving a good Italian meal and a romantic night together. After our experience there, I am dumbfounded how they are still in business.

This place ranks in my top 3 of HORRIBLE dining experiences. I have been to hundreds of dining places, so that is really bad. The food was horrible. The portions were extremely small. It was not worth the money at all. This has to be on the list of worst places ever

I prefer to pass over the appetizers, our first mistake and focus my review on the pastas.

I ordered house-made gnocchi with fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. Very simple dish.

I get my food. The gnocchi (an insult to the real GNOCCHI) were sitting in... tomato water.YUMM, I mean, IT’S BAD.

Really bad!!!! I was really hungry and couldn't down this shit...it tasted legitimately bad, and I love gnocchi, and I love mozzarella, and I love tomatoes.

Next..... My husband has been itching for Carbonara, his favorite Italian dish. Needless to say, they brought him a plate of spaghetti with Alfredo sauce and guanciale. Considering cream is NOT EVEN AN INGREDIENT in Carbonara, I'm still confused where the Alfredo sauce came into play. To go back to the definition of Carbonara, "The original recipe from the Italian region of Lazio uses eggs, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino romano, guanciale, black pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Cream is not an ingredient in this recipe. it was terrible! I think we ate three bites and let the rest go. Fish was overcooked and rubbery. All portions were extremely small.

We just wanted to get out of there by the end. out out out...BUT we couldn't because we first had to pay 120 dollars...SERIOUSLY THE MOST OVERPRICED BAD FOOD I"VE EVER EATEN.

I wouldn't even give one star if i didnt have to in order to write this review.

• Pros: Nothing
• Cons: Bad food + small portions+overpriced = dishonest

10/13/09

Forget about Osteria I Nonni

by Franchie

Osteria I Nonni is to ITALIAN CUISINE as Philip Morris is to health care......... they are both IMPOSTORS!!!!!!!!!!

• Cons: Over priced- Disgusting food-Ridiculous portions

05/26/09

Balance balance balance

by CSMobileUser

Balancing the flavor of truffle and fennel in the same dish, is an art

03/22/09

Horrible service over salted food

by RedMoni

My fiance and I chose this restaurant for its romantic reviews. We arrived for 6pm reservations and were coldly greeted by two young hostesses, one of which directly looked me up and down. We were seated and as I scanned the room I noticed that we were significantly younger then the other patrons. Our waitress ranked unbelievably poor in her service. She was very easily distracted and would look away as she explained menu items, so much so that my fiance had to ask her to please explain a menu item twice. The food was good, but not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination. This restaurant was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT and would never recommend it. I do highly recommend The Sanctuary, Chambers Kitchen and D'Amico Cucina for a romantic restaurant with fantastic service and food.

• Pros: Romantic seating for two
• Cons: Service, food, stuffy old clientel

02/16/09

Best restaurant the the Twin Cities

by nnmsgst

I firmly believe this is the best restaurant in the Twin Cities. I've eaten there 4-5 times now and the food has always been absolutely perfect along with the service. Highly recommended

• Pros: Fantastic food, great service, nice setting
• Cons: Wine list is somewhat overwhelming

11/19/08

Overpriced and Average

by macguyver

On a cool night a fireplace is great except when it's surrounded by 2 doors leading in and out of the kitchen-way too distracting and noisy for conversation. Although the waiter was knowledable, he was unattentive once the place got busy. In addition he was seemingly only recommending every high priced food or drink. Don't get the ahi tuna if you're hungry or plan on splitting it as it's a very small portion (4 pieces) for $30; the calamari was rubbery and old tasting, that too was a small portion barely enough for 4 to split. Drinks are expensive and martinis didn't fill up the small martini glass.

Too much cheaper and better entrees from competitors to go back for awhile.

• Pros: Experienced server, easy parking, decent atmosphere away from the kitchen traffic areas
• Cons: high priced food and drinks, stay with deli

09/02/08

Very good food and service

by foodies2008

For all the reviewers complaining about the prices...since moving to Minneapolis, I have never experienced so many people and companies that are SO cheap in my life. When you want fresh food, prepared well, in season, and local, with good service, you pay for it. When you are in a real city like Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you pay for good food and service, and this place is cheap compared to restaurants in those cities, so go back to Applebee's and stop complaining, you cheap asses!

06/14/08

Disappointing

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.

12/18/07

Good Food, but pricy

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

08/11/07

Great Place never Disappointed

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