Azzurro Restaurant
What People Are Saying About Azzurro Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
A wood stove infuses the food at Azzuro with a unique smoked flavor, a robustness that seems as much a part of the meal as the accompanying bread. A truly marvelous interior is tempered by horrible acoustics. The noise level is just below a roar. But the service is impeccable and the food stands on its own merit. The romance factor is pretty high because of the ultra-smooth dining room, delicious Italian food and wines and service. Despite the noise, it should impress.
The Food
The menu at Azzuro is a geographical trip through Italy drawing from the top to the bottom of the boot-shaped country's unique cities and their signature cuisines. Pastas cooked al dente and gorgeous risottos highlight this road map of Italian fare. With the right vintage to complement the harmony of an elegant dining area and savory meal, the effect is not soon forgotten.
User Reviews
Assumptiones
December 13, 2008
My husband and I have been Saturday night regulars for many years, and each Saturday night has been a wonderful experience. Beginning with the awesome manager, who is unfailingly classy, gracious and concerned, to the amazing waitstaff, who are intelligent, beautiful (guys and girls alike, inside and out!), efficient, interested and knowledgable (they also have a great sense of timing and never bring out the next course before the current course is finished, always clear in a timely fashion, often come by to quietly and subtley check on you, repour your wine, refill your water, etc--something that doesn't always occur in some of the best restaurants i have visited in large cities), to the gorgeous ambiance, whether indoors in winter w the fire, or outdoors on the patio in nice weather, to the delicious appetizers, creative salads, out-of-this-world entrees (their sauces are all to die for! the ravioli tartuffo-w black truffe cream sauce, the eggplant rolatini, the perfect risotto, the best shrimp gazpacho in town..just to name a few! yum!) and desserts (love the tiramisu and the bomba), to the wine list (if you are unsure, they are GREAT at choosing a nice pairing, and are respectful of your budget!), Azzurro is hands down the best place in town. We have taken many out-of-town guests there and all have raved. It is loud but if you ask when you make reservations, they will seat you in the quieter areas. Italian friends say it is the ONLY authentically Italian restaurant in town. You can find a ton of delicious items if you are vegetarian (more difficult for vegans as they use a lot of cheese...but the marinara and always perfectly al dente pasta are the bomb!). They are really busy so absolutely you need a reservation for most evenings. And if you are especially celebratory, don't forget to order a Godiva martini!!!
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PartridgeCynthia
April 25, 2008
I needn't delve into their service, most know it is the most courteous and most gifted in Richmond. Every time I revisit Azzurro (hoping I can sit outdoors most of the time), I find myself to have a better experience each time overall. I was hosting a birthday party for my girlfriends earlier this week (after eating lunch al fresco that day), a couple of us were having issues with the amount of vegetables in the Gaspacho. Our service wait candidly offered to correct the situation immeadietely (most people would frown upon this and I felt bad having to complain) and in addition asked us if we would try pairing a Rose' with the Gaspacho to receive the full enjoyment of eating it. All of us tried and I had never had a Rose' with soup before. The rest of the meal came out timely. The Manager checked on us a few times and he came by to make sure the air conditioning was comfortable enough for us since we were sitting under a vent. Everyone had a hand in assisting our party as the front end hostess filled our waters and the food runner cleared our forks and knives in between courses. I just feel that everyone that works here goes above and beyond in making sure we have a great experience every time. I love it.
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JilesVa
April 24, 2008
We ate there with a few couples last weekend and the entire place was loaded with people (inside and out). I have been to this restaurant in the West End only a few times in the last 3 years and they are very efficient. The Maitre'D or manager always seems to be very helpful and the staff seems to always be moving at the right place and the right time. We split the fresh Mozarella salad (which was very good), and then went on to having their crisp Calamari and a Pasta with Bolognese sauce. We were in a noisy corner and the Manager was quick to move us to a more accomodating, and less noisy location in the restaurant. My wife is a big fan of the Martinis, I'm a bigger fan of the food and wine list. This is a very good restaurant that produces great food and accomodating service.
read full reviewThe Details on Azzurro Restaurant
What To Wear:
Dressy casual to dressy.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
People Watching, Romantic Dining, Outdoor Dining
