I Nonni

Love the atmosphere. The food was just ok for me. We started with the squash blossoms and they were good. The meal itself was good, too. I was not impressed with dessert. more

This is an upscale restaurant. If you are looking for traditional dishes or want to wear your jeans, head to Cosetta's downtown St. Paul instead. more

Based on some of the reviews, I was reluctant to come but had a gift certificate so brought the whole family - babies to 90 year old parents. Everyone found something they loved. Had a wonderful dinner and a great evening. Calamari are outstanding, wines were perfect (especially the brunello). Italian secundi were wonderful. Beef, pork chops and seafood were perfectly cooked and presented. We ordered all the desserts and loved them all. The Chocolate Budin cake was outstanding. A marvelous evening and a restaurant we will return to with frequency. Pros: great wines, nice variety of food - all excellently prepared Cons: not so much for kids more

Great ambiance, great food, superb wine list. We ate here with my parents in July 2009 who are first generation italian-americans and who live in Ft. Lauderdale. The 4 of us have traveled greatly in Europe and my husband and I travel to Italy frequently. Trust us, the food is great as is the attached stores. Unbelievable cheese! The service could improve some as it was slow toward then end and a little irritating... Pros: Authentic or close to being in Italy more

..........What a joke!!!! Pros: Nothing Cons: Bad food + small portions+overpriced = dishonest more

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 more

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

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 more

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 more

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

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! more

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. more

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 more

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 more

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!!!! more

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. Pros: Very nice ambience, beautiful interior. Cons: Horribly overpriced, tiny portions, slow service, mediocre food at best. more

Summary: the food was...fair. The wine was...OK. the atmosphere was good but not great. Pros: Good list of wines, helpful sommelier, decent dessert Cons: Average to sub-average food, at best more

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 more

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! Cons: lousy food, lousy service, high prices more

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 more