Honestly... every time we dine here.. we say.. "why aren't we here every week". ? We just love it. The food. The atmosphere. The service. The wine. Come on. Old school Italian. Outstanding. read more

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I have a lot to say about Avanti. Everything makes so much sense and at the same time, nothing makes sense at all. The atmosphere inside is incredibly uncomfortable. The servers have a very odd/suspicious energy and the decor is not only outdated and tacky, but also uncomfortable with so much black and red. However, the food is pretty great. I hate that I love it. The couple times I've been in, the restaurant has been fairly dead (only 1-2 other tables besides mine), which is also suspicious to me. And there have been several single people in the restaurant that linger for a very long time. To each their own and not placing any judgment on anybody's social preferences - sometimes I go out to eat by myself too. It's just something I noticed and something that doesn't sit very well. There are a ton of photos near the entrance of celebrities and well-known figureheads who have dined at Avanti. Maybe things were different several decades ago but I just can't understand it in today's world. read more

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We went for the Thanksgiving day Buffet because we didn't want to cook and clean! Well worth it. $75 pp, the buffet included Italian and traditional Thanksgiving day food. All the regular Thanksgiving day fixings plus lots of Italian pastas and specialities. The buffet was filled with high priced items which is why it's $75 pp. come hungry, there's a lot of food! The fish piccata was an unexpected favorite! Yum read more

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We had a wonderful time in addition to the great food. Sergio and staff made our evening special. The history of the restaurant is very interesting and in this day and age, to have survived for 5 decades is a testament to the importance of food. We had a variety of dishes and none disappointed. They have a jazz pianist in the weekend so we will be back to enjoy the music. read more

Was looking forward to celebrating our anniversary here. High marks for ambience. Drinks were good. But... as an appetizer we ordered the gnocchi and meatballs. The meatball was cold! I had the lasagne which was recommended and good but the salmon was so tough and hard to cut. The vegetables were cold. When we made the reservation it asked if we were celebrating anything. I marked anniversary. Nothing to acknowledge it. I mentioned to the waiter (not his fault) about out issues. A manager removed the salmon and appetizer from the bill which was nice. But in the end, it was a disappointing anniversary dinner. read more

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Food was great as always. We opted for the antipasto to share (which is a great value and super filling, probably could feed 6-8 easily) and the meatball with gnocchi in honor of meatball day. Pasta combo was my go to choice for dinner once I heard the pasta selections for the night. The gnocchi is out of the world. It's fluffy and very freshly made. Tonight it was very loud in the restaurant, not fault to Avanti, but to the loud party to our right. Other than that, it's a classic place with great service and heavy pours and portions. read more

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Food was just okay, very much not worth the money- might as well make better pasta from a box at home. Service was very strange- at least our guy was jokey in an uncomfortable way. Hated the ambiance- dark and it was really hard to get around. Would love to never return read more

We took our Mom here for the Mother's Day Brunch. Everything was wonderful. Everything had amazing flavor. Standouts for me were lamb, meatballs, fresh shrimp, chicken wings (sooo good) and crème brûlée. Service was top notch. Highly recommend. read more

Ordered the linguine with clams, ended up with overcooked pasta, and I couldn't taste the clams because it was so full of garlic.. The worst clamps of linguine I've ever had. read more

You wouldn't be able to tell that this is fine dining restaurant based off the rest of the neighborhood and its parking lot. The interior is definitely a stark contrast compared to the other businesses on the same street. There is a veritable plethora of seating and we were pleased to find that they were set up and ready to go because we arrived right as they opened. The servers are friendly and quite knowledgeable about their dishes. I tried out their eggplant rollatini, salmon, and cannoli. One of the things I noticed was that their water is of lower quality than other waters I've had. The eggplant was dish was quite nice. The salmon tasted good, but I've had better. The vegetables that it came with were amazing. I felt that the cannoli was average. Although not amazing, I felt that the complimentary buttered bread was a nice touch. It was also nice that there's no strict dress code here either. Overall, a slightly above average experience here. read more

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We went here for a birthday celebration dinner and wow did it end up being the perfect place for just that. We really enjoyed the old skool ambiance. Today things are so modern and while I appreciate the clean lines and sophistication, there is something to be said for the nostalgic feel of an old neighborhood classy Italian restaurant. I appreciate how this restaurant caters to families, couples and business meetings with ease. They have several areas for larger gatherings and have it sectioned off properly so if you are there as a couple you still have the romantic ambiance and the intimate dining you may desire. The food was so good it will be ultimately what has us going back. While the service was excellent, the food is always what makes the meal, right? The calamari had that light breaded feel and so was not too heavy. I recommend the Caesar salad and the Shrimp and Scallops Linguini: some of the best I have ever had. Enjoy! Cin Cin, Saluti! read more

I was in Phoenix for a conference and our group brought a few clients to Avanti for dinner. We reserved the private room for a larger group. The staff were all exceptional! Luis was our main host and he was clearly very proud of the restaurant and the food, and he took good care of us. We originally had 24 people confirmed, but then the day of we had several people cancel and the restaurant was accommodating to our changes. The ambiance of the restaurant was reminiscent of an 80s mobster movie and we all really enjoyed it. When we arrived around 6:00pm, the restaurant wasn't very busy, but when we left around 8:00 it was packed! The appetizers were delicious - we had calamari, oysters, and shrimp. Both the oysters and shrimp were jumbo sized and tasty. The calamari was cooked perfectly. We also had a pasta sampler that included three different homemade pastas. The gnocchi was absolutely amazing. All three were good but the gnocchi was the highlight. For my main course I had a pasta with a tomato based sauce and pork sausage. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 was because the sausage wasn't very good and tasted like it had been frozen for a while. The pasta and sauce were delicious though. The other reason for the 4 star rating is my drink (aperol spritz) was pretty watered down unfortunately. One of our clients had the seafood platter (I can't remember what it was called) and said it was outstanding. We had several people get the oso bucco, and all said it was fantastic. One of my coworkers got the spaghetti and meatballs and said it was just ok. Key takeaways, they do a great job with the more specialized food like oso bucco, lamb, etc. read more

Waiter was super smug. Food was very OK. Music was too loud. Overpriced. You could tell the waiter got a real charge out of working at a place that was so expensive. I'm a sheltered, small time music teacher. Guys like him in places like that love to zero in on people like me and try and make us feel small. My manners were impeccable and I was extremely low maintenance. The bus boy was a prince. I can't imagine what his life must be like putting up with the waiter. read more

Ambiance was very dated. Food tasted home-made, but like it wasn't freshly made, like it was warmed up leftovers. Service was nice. Probably won't go again. Really wanted it to be better. read more

Excellent food, great atmosphere, attentive staff, great experience! And the mussels were perfect!

Had a wonderful dining experience! Food excellent and service by entire staff was great. Definitely will be returning!

In all my years going to Avanti (12 years) and bringing friend and colleagues I thought I had written at least one review. It seems not, so here it is in short since I am tired and need sleep. PROS Go there! It's fantastic! Great food Service with stories and anecdotes like no other place that entertains and makes you laugh Fancy back east Italian decor with pleasant lighting and comfortable everything. CONS Specials are hit and miss. I had the Lobster Ravioli two nights ago and they were the worst lobster ravioli I can remember. It was pink, but it did not taste like Maine Lobster. Maybe old Rock Lobster from when the B-52's cut that song? I grew up on the New England coast in a heavy Italian-populated town in an Italian family from Manhattan/Brooklyn. The decor needs a refresh On my visit last month, I brought a close friend who likes cutting edge cocktails from high end craft-cocktail bars and the best food money can buy. He was disappointed with the cocktails. Loved the food and all the stories! read more

We drove passed this restaurant many times in the past several years. We decided to try it out during the restaurant week. The vibe is so cool and the music is great. We missed our big time. We should have been here sooner. The food is so delicious. I had the best beef lasagna. This lasagna is the juiciest and creamiest. So good! The house white wine is so good and I could not imagine how good the other wines on their list would be. read more

Definitely the best Italian I've found so far in AZ!! We went in a large party for thanksgiving & the food really blew us all away. The lamb chops, The Ossobucco, the Lasagna all highly recommended! The service was good, the decor is unique I liked it. Ultimately I wasn't expecting it to be so good because it only had a 4 star- this place is a 5 to me. I think I found a new favorite place for Lasagna! There's a reason why this place has been around for decades. Try them, so good- happy eating!! read more

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This has been our go to spot for Xmas eve for a few years now. This year something just felt off. The food was spectacular as always, but the service that is usually spot on was just off this year. I've chatted with a few folks and the consensus is that everything is slipping. I beg to differ, the food was spot on and just as memorable as always. The service felt like maybe they were down a server. We didn't feel rushed, the food like I mentioned was spot on. The service just wasn't as attentive as it has been in the past. The table next to us definitely had a "Karen" seated there, and she seemed to have frazzled our server. We are easy going, come from the service industry, we get it. That's the only reason it's a 4 star and not a 5 star review. We are going to try and make it a point to try and get downtown to enjoy this restaurant more than once a year. read more

It was good! But for the price, I probably would not go back. I don't want to say it was underwhelming because the ambiance and service was great and very fun! But the food itself was not worth the hype. Food was cooked okay, but everything was quite under seasoned and the meat quality was not particularly good. Not sure if we came on an off day or what, but in truth, I probably would not recommend this spot. read more

Food is always top notch. Avanti is the Italian version of Durant's. Celebrating their 51st year. If you haven't been, I highly recommend.

Such a great place. Old world Italian vibe meets modern cuisine and taste. This place is a gem for all of you who love classic Italian dishes done right, generously sized, and made with love. The pasta is incredible as well as the selections on this menu. Drinks are generous, and the atmosphere is great. We ordered quite a few dishes. The stand out was the fettuccine Alfredo, and the double pork chop, which were excellent. others at the table had spaghetti and meatballs with sausage, spaghetti with marinara sauce, and extra side of meatballs. We also enjoyed the Caesar salad, which was great. read more

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My partner and I tried Avanti for the first time yesterday and were completely blown away by the atmosphere, service, and amazing Italian food. To start, walking into this restaurant makes you feel like you have been transported to the east coast. The charm of this place is unmatched; the chrome chairs, leopard print booths, and mirrored walls are all so nostalgic. Italian opera music playing in the background is just the cherry on top. Our server, Alessandro, greeted us warmly and made suggestions that were perfect for us. He was polite, kind, and very attentive. All the staff was dressed in a classic way with vests and slacks--something you just don't get very often anymore. We really cannot express enough how amazing the food was. This is easily the best Italian food we've found in AZ. The complementary bread is warm and buttery, and the recommended "award winning" Caesar salad was a perfect start. I wish I could share a picture of the gnocchi that we had, but we inhaled it so fast that there was no chance to snap a picture. My chicken parm and his osso buco (pictured) were rich with flavor. My partner said "this food would make my Italian grandmother proud." In short, this local spot deserves all the love! Don't hesitate to come here for a nice meal and great service. read more

Avanti - Ossobuco Milanese - Italian Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What a wonderful gem in the city. Did not know about this place and they've been here 47 years. Had the most amazing meal I have ever had in a long time. There were 4 of us and we each ordered a selection of foods. Can't recall all their names but I'll do my best First and foremost, service was impeccable. Joanie our server was beyond amazing and took very good care of us. For our drinks, we all ordered martinis then we switched to red wine. Basic but the martinis were simply delicious and they had blue cheese olives y'all. For appetizers we ordered escargot and fried calamari. Both Highly recommended and that escargot butter and garlic sauce, I could dip my garlic bread in it all day and I'd be happy. I had the Sole fish, and that fish was so delicious, flaky and the lemon and caper sauce was just Devine. My friend had the ossobuco Milanese and he loved it and o gave it a try and the meat was tender and juicy. My other friend had the pasta special, which included three different pastas, and he enjoyed every bite of it. Finally, my other friend, he had the scampi and scallops and it just was amazing. We also ordered a 5th dish of papardelle for the table just so we can enjoy more pasta. Everything was amazing and we are definitely returning. read more

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I was seated right away on a Friday night, and was greated by a manager looking fellow that pretended we were fist fighting, randomly. To which I pretended right along with him all the while saying "I always get in fights when I walk into Italian restaraunte." I was seated at a booth and had bread and water right away. I ordered a pasta fagaloi and a Ceasar salad with salmon, and recieved my soup right away! The Ceasar salad and salmon were also very tasty and came to the table in a reasonable amount of time. The hospitality was stupendous. Cheerful atmosphere with a subtle elegance. read more

Avanti - Ceasar salad and salmon - Italian Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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What an experience! This place is beautiful literally designed like a Manhattan lounge. Which a New Yorker can appreciate! The staff is so attentive and gave off family vibes. From the front door to when you leave you will love it all. The drinks were delicious, the food was fresh and yummy. The ambience was romantic and classy without feeling stuffy or uptight. Michael attended to us and he was so funny and attentive. Service was impeccable and food came out delicious, hot, and quick. The place was not over crowded and the music was such an amazing list of the best oldies adding to the experience. The two that served water and cleared tables were super kind and had stopped to converse with us as well! We ordered: cesar salad, escargot, pappaderele pasta with braised beef Red Wine and French 75 5 out of 5 rating Shrimp and crab cake Chicken parmigiana Lemon drop 3-4 out of 5 rating Rapini pasta Double pork chop Lemon drop 5 out of 5 rating Dessert for my bday provided Tiramisu and chocolate mousse 5 out of 5 Service Awesome!!!! read more

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This was our first visit to this landmark restaurant and upon arrival we were very pleased. We were seated in the glass walled dining room and the staff were prompt to bring drinks and a bread basket. This room in Particular really brings out the 50+ years this location has been in business. we started with the fried kalamari and escargo which was served by our waitress gabby unexpectedly quick. for entrees i had the halibut with pecan sauce snd she had the flounder which angelo deboned table side. the dessert menu is superb but having been our first visit we chose the canoli to go. avanti will be s monthly inclusion to our date night options and the go to when entertaining guests. read more

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Amazing service and some of the best Italian food I've had since I've been in Italy. Ambience was old school. Loved it.

We came in with high hopes based on the many good reviews, but the experience didn't quite live up to them. I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could. Ambiance: The place feels like a throwback to the 1980s--retro Italian lounge vibes with old-school decor. It's clean and well kept, but there was visible dust on the chandeliers and quite a few gnats around, which was off-putting. Service: Service was underwhelming. Our server seemed annoyed by a few simple requests, and even the busser acted bothered when we asked for butter. It took a while to get our order in, and there was a quiet argument between staff nearby, which didn't help the mood but may explain the server's attitude. Food: The veal was decent--not great, but solid. Unfortunately, most of the other dishes were way too salty and heavy on the garlic, especially the meat sauce that came with the veal. Overall, the retro vibe was kind of cool, and the veal was okay--but the rest of the experience, from the food to the service, didn't impress read more

A must visit. This is ok'd school baby, from the old celebrity photos on the wall to the 70s decor. They open at 430 but start serving at 5pm. I believe they are closed for lunch during the Summer but you can google that. The food was really good. This Italian girl from Brooklyn was very pleased. The marinara sauce was perfect. We ordered, beef tips with a gorgonzola sauce that was perfect according to my friend and my husband. This was a special but we were told you can call the night before and ask for it if you want it. I had the chicken with lemon sauce, it came with vegetables but the waiter (whose been there for 20 years) heard me say that I really wanted to check out the raviolis so he had some put on a plate for me. No one complained about their meals. The calamari was delish, the service was great. We will go back read more

Avanti - Cannoli... was perfect - Italian Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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First time here. Stumbled upon this place while searching for a place to eat that wasn't too busy. I was able to make a reservation online just in case they were busy when we showed up. When I first walked in we stood there for a little bit unsure where a host was. We eneded up getting greeted by an older man that took us to our table 10 mins later. Our waiter was friendly in the beginning and then it change after a bug incident in my drink. But that is just my perspective on the shift of energy. Food was mediocre and I pretty much loss my appetite after what was in my drink. Also, my main entree was the pasta combination and I took a bite of the pasta and felt like I bit down on a rock. There was broken shells in my pasta, mind you my pasta doesn't come with any seafood. Definitely not a great experience for me. The highlight: Ceasars salad. It was so flavorful, fresh, and delicious. Definitely try it for yourself. read more

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I was just thinking about this place and I can recall the pork chop and how tender it was years back, I need to come back for another amazing dinner. I recall the service was on point and I love the old school ambience, it's very nostalgic. read more

Food was very good, atmosphere is awesome, it's like taking a step back in time starting when you walk into the place and get greeted by the staff. We went for a birthday party and it was very good. The only complaint, if there was one , is the price. Prices are decent but a bit on the higher side. However well worth it, if you have the mind set that it will be on the expensive side then it makes the receipt a bit more palatable. . read more

We knew we weren't going to be coming back to America for some time and we wanted to relive a memory of one of our special anniversary dinners. It was more than 25 years ago that we entered the restaurant for the first time. We were poor, living near 24th street and Thomas, but we wanted to do something epic for our anniversary, so we saved up money to come here. Fast forward 25 years later, and we came here for Valentine's Day, shortly after our anniversary which is on the 11th of Feb. It was just as wonderful as we remember. Avanti has an old-world Italian charm with impeccable service and sublime food. We started out with the escargot because that's what we do when they're on the menu. We love them. These were among the best we had. They gave us complimentary bread, and it was nice and chewy. It went well with the escargot. We also had their crab cakes. The sauce was a flavorable surprise. We never had crab cakes with a sauce, but we were definitely not complaining. The Osso Bucco was tender with a sauce that was well balanced. The owner was friendly and gave us all sorts of stories about the history of the restaurant. We were so happy that we came. It felt like we were with a big happy Italian family at their table, and it made for a nice farewell as we shortly left the states for the Philippines afterward. read more

Really cool establishment that feels like it's been around for a while. Food was delicious and service was quick. Appetizers were ok, nothing too crazy but the beef carpaccio was excellent. Would certainly come back here with friends and family to scratch an Italian food itch. read more

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My husband and I were in town for business and his business partner recommended Avanti for us. Dinner was fantastic! Service was amazing. I recommend Fred! Ambiance was homey-Italian read more

Incredible food and what a menu. Such variety in menu options and great wine selection. We had the BV Cab with the shrimp and lobster appetizer before enjoying lasagna and pasta. A shame they were out of canelloni as it's my favorite, but excellent overall. Also lovely staff. read more

This is our second time here and it is amazing! I love the food the homemade lasagna was delicious for the drink I got a non alcoholic black cherry lemonade and it was amazing the do have a great variety of alcoholic drink for those who enjoy alcohol! The dessert was amazing so rich in flavor I enjoy this place everytime! The costumer service was amazing our waiter checked up on us so much we felt very welcomed he also took his time to explain things on the menu when we had questions. 10/10 read more

Avanti - Homemade Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Service was good and attentive. Caesar salad was very good. The crab cake unfortunate was the worst crab cake I've ever had in my life. It's my favorite food so I was incredibly disappointed. The decor inside did not match the outside but the live music was a nice touch. The shrimp and scallop scampi was disappointing. The shrimp were good but the scallops were rubbery and the pasta was greasy albeit relatively flavorful read more