Andino's was a smaller restaurant, but we were able to get our party of 7 a window side seat due to reservations. Although a little cramped due to the odd circle-square table combination, we all were able to settle in just fine. After ordering a Ketel One/tonic, we then ordered a large sampler appetizer. It had fried calamari, clams casino, roasted red peppers, and some other shellfish dish. Though I am not a seafood eater, I did try the calamari (decent fried item since it was fried) and one of the shellfish (don't know if it was the clams casino or what I think was oyster rockefeller). I did not like the clam/oyster. The roasted red pepper was decent for me not being a pepper fan. Also my drink seemed suspiciously like Absolut/tonic since that is what another diner ordered - the drink was kind of harsh. Sadly the bread was what seemed to be basic white bread with non-soft butter.
For my main entree, I ordered the veal chop topped with roasted red peppers, broccoli rabe, gorganzola cheese, and black olives (which I ordered without) cooked medium-rare. It was then drizzled with olive oil and served over choice of pasta (I chose linguini). Allegedly it was a huge dish according to my coworkers who seemed amazed that I finished it all. The veal chop was cooked fairly precisely (perhaps a tad overcooked) but still had good flavor, although at the end the strong gorganzola prevented me from eating all of the cheese. The rabe tasted great especially mixed with the olive oil.
No desert was ordered.
Overall the food was good and the portions large which I always like. However the unimpressive bread/cold butter combination was pretty poor for an Italian restaurant. Combined with my bias for Italian restaurants, I would give this a 3 out of 5.
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| yes there is a veal chop buried under there |
This late addition picture changes everything.
ReplyDeleteMight have to try veal at one of the italian places around me. I don't think any of the italian places here are exceptional. They're good, not exceptional.