Armando's Cafe Italiano

It had been a while since I ate at Armondo's but now that I've moved to Renton it was time to go back. Actually, the day I showed my partner Michael the house I wanted to buy we went there for dinner to talk it over. Much like a prior reviewer there didn't seem to be anyone covering the hostess stand but we went ahead and seated ourselves at the bar and ordered a martini. The gal who was working the bar was pleasant enough although she was busy covering tables and the bar. We had our martini and ordered dinner including starter Ceasar salads. So far so good. The Ceasar's were good and we got extra anchovies just the way we like. For an entree I ordered the eggplant parmesiana. It was very tasty and I had enough for leftovers the next day (dreamy for me). Michael was able to order the puttanesca (his favorite Italian dish behind pizza) but he had to ask them to NOT put in the eggplant in their version. He can't stand that particular veggie and he thought it odd that it was included in the ingredients - but at least they did post it and they make each batch to order so he could ask for it to be left out. I think that's a good thing in terms of customer service. We had a glass of wine each with dinner and called it good for the night. We'll be back for sure since it's pretty close to home now. more

i'm a five-year renton resident and i've been to armondos about three times. the first time i went there my friend and i had an early dinner of sorts. i think we both ordered fettuccini alfredo with chicken and the calamari steak. the service at best was so-so, the server was friendly but seems very detached and almost bored with her job. my friend and i picked on our food wondering what was wrong with it. it wasn't overcooked, undercooked, salty, nothing really, and then we realized that's what's missing: it was just bland. my friend is not a food snob unlike myself but she returned her pasta because she just didn't like it. they gave her a new one with some random herbs thrown in (closely following her directions, because she's a good cook as well), she took a few bites on her new plate and it was the same thing. i tasted her plate and we both said the same thing: "it needs oomph!" i've never had calamari steak before and i probably never will again. i just didn't like it, i wasn't sure if it was because of how armondo's prepared it or maybe it's just me but i just didn't like it. round 2: i went to armondo's myself. i stood at the hostess table for about 15 minutes. i finally sat myself and a server went to my table. i apologized for sitting myself and she promptly ignored me and plopped a menu on my table. i can't remember what i ordered and i usually have a pretty good memory for those things and i think the reason why i don't remember it's because it was so forgettable... round 3: i visited armondo's this afternoon (in their new location), it just felt like it was time to do so. once again i stood in front of the hostess table for about 5 minutes. a server sat me in her section and before i even completely sat down she asked me what i wanted to drink. i've been waiting tables myself for about 3 years now and i usually wait for my guests to get settled in before i ask them anything. i asked for water and 2 mins later she came back asking for my order. i just felt like i was being rushed or maybe i'm just having a bad day, i don't know. i ordered the seafood fettuccini which comes with a soup or salad. i asked for the minestrone soup and it was so delicious. the bread basket is paired with 3 different types of star-shaped butter, it was a nice touch but the bread tasted stale. lunch is cheaper here so my seafood pasta was only about $9. it really was very good, a good amount of mussels, scallops, prawns and calamari were thrown in but sadly not enough pasta. it's served on a basil cream sauce which was wonderful but after a few bites it just weighs heavily on you. nevertheless i was happy with my food. i left armondo's not fully convinced yet they'll sure to see me back at some point in the next few months. PS: i worked at gene's ristorante (in renton) for a few months 5 years ago and i have to say nobody has been able to fill the void they left in the italian food industry in renton... more

I rarely dine out in Renton and Armondos is the fist place that I've actually dined at in Renton! It's located in downtown Renton; the area is looking a lot nicer and much more chic now! The restaurant is very casual and the wait staff is pretty good. Our waitress sat us down quickly but it took her a while to get us water and the menu. Once we got out menus, it took her about 10 minutes to take our order. We ordered Eggplant Parmesan, Steamed Mussels,Spinach Ravioli, and tiramisu for dessert. Our mussels came out and it was perfect! Not too salty, very light, and great tasting. The mussels were huge and very juicy! After tasting it, I was thinking the rest of the food would be great! Our pasta dishes were just ok, my ravioli was a bit dry. As for the tiramisu, it was lacking rum and had more than enough cream! It was just very rich and we felt pretty sick after the tiramisu. Aside from the mussels, the rest of our meal was just mediocre. But I must say, for the mussels, it's great! more

Think the tastiest veal piccata or a chicken stir fry with a touch of hot. The food comes quickly even with a full house. Pizza is a specialty. Bread comes with rosemary oil or butter if you ask. House wines are drinkable. Worst wait I ever had was 5 minutes. Located downtown with easy access to Cedar River walking trail, antiques, glass blowers, and other shopping. more