Im not sure why Andiamo got bad ratings in the past. We had a great time there last night: from the atmosphere to the service to the food. Andiamo is a bit tucked away from the main hustle and bustle of downtown Bellevue, but it makes for a cozier, more romantic atmosphere. We sat there as day turned to night, and the assistant lit candles on every table for ambience even the bathrooms had lit candles. The decor was chic yet evocative of another time a few walls were painted a modern tangerine and the framed decorations were quaint posters from the turn-of-the-century.\r
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The waiter was very knowledgeable about the wine he served us. We had a bottle of Chianti Classico Riserva, which is a medium to full body wine with hints of blackberry. It was semi-intense and tawny, yet rich and smooth.\r
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Within a few minutes of ordering, we were served an appetizer of Mozzarella Caprese. The Mozzarella and basil combination was out-of-this-world. Not much later, our dinner arrived. We both ordered the lamb special. It was served on a bed of gnocci with a side of green beans and baby carrots. The lamb was heavenly we asked for it medium rare and it was flavored and grilled on the outside, but the inside was tender and melted in our mouths. The gnocci was perfectly cooked and served in a gorgonzola cream sauce that is to die for.\r
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For desert we shared tiramisu and tartufo, which is an Italian chocolate ice cream. The tartufo had a nutty flavor; the hazelnut and other nuts combined with the chocolate was an ethereal experience. The tiramisu was delectable.\r
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We didnt expect Andiamo to get as packed as it did on a Monday night, but even so, the waiter never neglected us. He worked very hard to ensure that we were enjoying our meal and checked frequently enough on us, despite the fact he had a 10-person party behind us. We felt very well taken care of and look forward to the next time we go to Andiamo.
Pros: Romantic Atmosphere, Excellent Service, Delicious Food
Cons: None that I can think of
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