I Nonni

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 more

I brought a business partner to OIN on a less than busy Monday night and was somewhat disappointed. I heard much of OIN's reputation and looked forward to showing off the area's culinary expertise to an out-of-towner. The atmosphere was very nice - excellent for privacy and conversation. The food was very good - a nice sauteed skate wing special as well as beef cheek and sweetbread ravioli. The much-hyped calamari appetizer was good, but nothing special. The service will probably keep me from coming back anytime soon. Non-attentive waitress, overly-eager busboys. ONI's decor and food deserve much better! more

I lived in Italy for nine years and this is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the Twin Cities. However, it is expensive and I would only go for special occasions, business meetings, or even an appetizer accompanied by one of the wines on their vast wine list. This is also a great date place if you want to impress that someone special. The Executive Chef is from Rome and he knows how to run a kitchen and make good food. The food is simple yet made with quality fresh ingredients. I have eaten here several times and have been pleased with the food and wine each time. If you are looking for quick American service, this is not the place for you. As all Italians know, the dinner table is a place to converse and slowly enjoy your food. Enjoy a taste of Italy. Buon Appetito! Pros: Great wine list, Authentic, Good Parking Cons: , Need reservations, Closes early more

I tried the calamari fritti, it was the worst stuff I have ever had. It was very under cooked in my opinion, the batter was mushy the calamari was so chewy that I gave up less than 1/2 way through the dish. It was also very bland, no sauce only lemon. When asked if it could be cooked more, I was told that the chef would not cook it longer, that he was from Italy and that's how they prepare it over there. Well I guess that there are no special orders here. Pros: nice ambience Cons: no special orders, poor service more

We arrived and were promptly seated at our two person table. The waitstaff was extremely attentive through the whole meal and our water glass was always filled. The calamari appetizer is a must and is served very simply. The squash risotto was another highlight of the meal and I would go back just for that. The atmosphere was upscale and intimate. I would not hesitate to go back and will return for many visits there and also to the attached Italian market. Pros: waitstaff, good parking, true Italian fare Cons: expensive, limited seating more

Visited in early Dec. Appetizers--Carpaccio (to earlier reviewer--it's supposed to be raw) and Portabellos in balsalmic--were wonderful and huge. Appetizers:8 We ordered fish in parchment and carbonara. Carbonara was mild, a bit too much creme, with only the barest hint of ham/bacon. The fish came as a block in tomato sauce. It was in parchment, yes, but nestled in aluminum foil. Yep. Reynolds Wrap. No garnishments. Fish was just OK. Entrees: 5 Wine--a great Chianti, wine list:9 Dessert--a dry, bland chocolate cake:3 Service was basically friendly, but long spells with empty glasses and no waiters in sight. Strange vibe from wait staff--mixture of aloofness and timidity. The attatched deli and Italian store are nice. Ambience is good--soft lighting, barrel-vaulted ceilings, creamy walls--but loud. Would go there again for the wine and appetizers--but I'd be less tolerant of timid food and slow service. They are new--maybe with time... Pros: Wine List, Appetizers, Ambience Cons: Service, Dessert, Service more

I Noni offers all the things essential to the best Italian Restuarants in ITALY. The best ingredients, simply and thoughtfully prepared, like many of the great restaurants I have been to in Italy. The Chef is from Rome. He's fantastic! The mussels were plump and flavorful, the pasta perfect and not heavy and gloppy like in many Italian restaurants in America .BRAVO! Pros: interesting menu, great wine prices, great wine selection more

Great food with good service in a very comfortable setting. Our first time after being a long time customer at Buon Girono. We will be back with friends. The first two reviews had to be anomolys because the service was exellent. Pros: Good Food, Excellent Service, Pleasant setting. Cons: A little noisy more

Our first and last experience with this restaurant! Our Server was nice, but had little knowledge of the menu items. Food was very slow. Three of the entres were poor & one just Okay. To top off the evening, we were asked to leave as we were finishing our after dinner coffee. They told us they had another reservation for our table & we must leave. Pros: Polite Server, Ambience, Convenient location Cons: Slow, Poor Food, Poor Management more

Perhaps we ate at a different restaurant than the other reviewer. The whole experience was so bad, where to start. First it took 20 minutes to get recognized by our waiter. No bread for 1/2 hour and then with no butter or olive oil to go with it. When the entre's arrived they were warm at best and came individually about 3-5 minutes apart. Is this the kitchen or waiters fault. And to add to the experience a pretentious waiter who thought he was doing a great favor bringing more water. Pros: ambience, location Cons: service, just warm food more

Finally, the search has ended for my husband and me. We have been very disappointed in the quality of restaurants in the Twin Cities until we discovered this place. This is for people with discriminating tastes...Olive Garden types, beware. The service was highly professional, the food was fantastic, lovely atmosphere and the wine selection was the best in town. The owner, Frank, is visible and friendly. Thank you. more

We decided to check this place out three days after it opened. We had a wonderful server who was very knowledgable and friendly. We started out with the specialty risotto and a small meat platter. Our four entrees were Veal Piccata, Chicken in a Saffron and Wild Mushroom Sauce, Steak with proscuitto wrapped fingerlings, and Salmon in Champagne Sauce,which were all fabulous. Our desserts were a fresh coconut and pineapple gelato with fresh fruit and a chocolate mouse cake that was to die for! Pros: Beautiful Atmosphere, Great Parking, Friendly Staff more