Totally agree with some other reviews...Most restaurants in the area that claim to be top notch…read moreItalian end up being a disappointment. I like dishes that are new and unique, carry the same passion I have for cooking and include the ingredients that I enjoy. I have seen quite a few reviews for Vivacino in No. Andover, all were good. The prices are a little elevated from your norm but the food preparation, quality, service and all-around food experience explain that. I would rather go out less often and enjoy a great experience, than go out more often and eat subpar food. Firstly, of all nights we picked New Years Eve to go with no reservation! But we thought we'd give it a shot. We were greeted by I'm assuming Richard the Owner General Manager and a lovely young lady who let us know what we already knew, they were packed with reservations. Richard did inform us that the bar had two available seats at the end and my husband said we'll take it. I was shocked because he never sits at the bar. But it was an end seat for him and he must have really wanted to try this restaurant. We sat down and were greeting by bar waitress Toast B who gave us menus. She was super friendly and pleasant. She let us know the specials of the evening. After looking at the menu, I asked her if I was crazy, I thought I saw Chicken Piccata and Veal Parmesan on their online menu. She said they did have it, those were on their other menu of items carried over from Buono. My husbands not too adventurous, he just wants his Veal Parm or Chicken Parm and is very critical of it, since that's all he gets. We ordered drinks and a basket of freshly baked bread and oil was brought over. Delicious. We didn't order appetizers, just went ahead ordering our entrees. I figured it would be quite a while, with the restaurant being so full. But shockingly, our meals came out really quick. My husband couldn't believe how huge his veal was! And he said it was super tender. I tasted his sauce and it was over the top delicious, and I never order red sauce. He got Penne with his entrée. I had asked for Chicken Piccata, which comes with roasted veg, but asked that the veg come on a separate plate. Good thing I did as I got a HUGE plate of roasted veg, which hubby would have never helped me eat if the Piccata sauce was all over it. The veggies were perfectly roasted, and the potatoes in it were perfectly charred and cooked. Carrots, zucchini, summer squash and potatoes in a slight bit of seasoned olive oil. The service was here was perfect. No screw ups here as with some other restaurants, the dishes came exactly as we asked. The chicken was very tender, and the sauce was exactly what a Piccata sauce should be. Deliciously lemony and buttery. Disappointingly, we were too full for dessert, but will def try the dessert next time there. The pistachio cake looks delicious! I am already planning my next adventure. I was thinking of asking if they could do the Saltimbocca with Chicken. The grapes in it, reminded me of the sausage dish I make from Anna Rossi with fennel and grapes. The sirloin looks phenomenal, as does the Chicken Broccoli and Penne, and the Caramelle. Next time for sure. The grilled Shrimp in Amaretto sauce (I'm assuming was a special?) looks out of this world also, as does the grilled sausage appetizer. I have to say the entire experience was enjoyable. Food, service, ambiance, all of it. Especially on a busy holiday night. If you haven't tried Vivacino and enjoy really unique and good food, TRY IT. And when I say unique, I don't mean strange ingredients you will never eat. They take everyday ingredients to a whole new level, one that is worth every penny you pay.

Ironically, I have been very hesitant about visiting Italian places since moving to Boston. Despite…read morehaving quite a vibrant Italian food scene, especially towards the North End, most of my visits to Italian establishments have proven to be a disappointment. One would feel like Nona's tired or Nona doesn't want to feed you or Nona doesn't want to have anything to do with you. Obviously, that's not what ANY good Nonas ever do since they want you to have the very best. So one may ask what's truly going on? Is it the same issue with other cuisines where the food quality is not properly preserved or because there is no standard to uphold anymore? It reminds me of someone who once said to me that those who care deeply about any cuisine have moved on to NYC and other food-centric areas. All that's left are those who send out food to customers who either don't know or don't care. Perhaps, there is some thinly veiled truth to this statement. I've been acquainted with Chef Nimesh for a few years and know his deep passion for Italian food. In prior locations where he was based, there were always limitations to how much he was allowed to express his art and understanding of the cuisine. So while he was throttled over there, here in Andover after taking over a dying business, I'm able to witness just how good his expression of Italian food is. Every dish I ordered tonight were things I knew he was particularly passionate about. Yes, the whole menu is well designed...but I'm talking about things I knew he would choose to serve in particular until the world ends. Signature dishes on his take of Italian cuisine. I loved every bite. I truly savored and enjoyed it. So much so that I'm willing to just make the drive up to Andover just for a meal any given day. Mind you, the place is well designed, clean, and upscale. You can thank his business partner, FOH extraordinaire for bringing that side to life. The staff working here are great and the wine selection is immaculate. You will definitely enjoy your visit here. Absolutely recommend this spot for anyone wanting a great and non-pretentious Italian food experience!

For double date night we tried Dicor Italian and Argentinian Restaurant. The food, drinks, and…read moreservice were all wonderful! We can't wait to go again! I love supporting small family owned restaurants. We had 2 orders of the Parillada grilled meat platter: Short Ribs, Black Sausage, Sausage, & Flank Steak. Served with French fries and a mixed salad. My boyfriend had the Fussili Alla Matriciana - Homemade Fussili sautéed with Pancetta in a light tomato Sauce and said it was delicious. We also had some tasty strawberry mojitos, spicy margaritas, and wine as well.

We went for dinner on a Saturday night. It is a small family business that had about 10 tables. The…read moredad was cooking, mom snd daughter serving. Very friendly. There were 2 other couples when we got there. I ordered the Red Sangria that was 1/2 wine 1/2 orange juice. Not to my liking. Exchanged for a glass of moscato. He had the spicy margarita served in a short glass. which he said was ok. The wine was a little flat. Drinks were $15 each. Dinner i got the seafood special that said shrimp, scallops, lobster tail, and mussels over linguine with a pink sauce. He got the cannelloni one beef and one spinach. My entree had no price listed on the specials menu. I have never let price deter me snd I Was shocked to see it was $60. We eat out a lot but that was in no way a $60 dish. The portions were small. Seafood quality was mediocre. And the lobster tails were rock lobster. Which is a coarser meat and not as flavorful as Maine lobster. Which was misleading on the description. Overall one and done for us. In my opinion its too expensive for what they are serving.

our party of 15 had the most enjoyable time last night at orzo. We one waitress assigned to us…read more Nicole was amazing from the beginning to the She was very polite, very attentive and just the best ! everybody loved their food. All the dishes came out at the same time, hot, and exactly what everybody ordered. Such a special place in our community that takes pride in food and .

Today I went to Orzo for the 2nd time with my dad and sister. I want to thank the waitress Nina for…read morereally doing her best - she gave us 100% effort and I think she was the only waitress so I felt bad. However, today's lunch was really mediocre. The food was honestly gross, it took them a while for anyone to come to our table after being seated, and it was clear the staff were struggling with the number of tables they had. I ordered raviolis, and I was disappointed by how watery the sauce was, and that I only got 5 raviolis on my plate! My sister got the bolognese and it just tasted off and very chewy. Luckily they were willing to take her dish off the bill, which we appreciated. I don't think I'll be returning unfortunately.

Reservations - super easy to call and make a reservation. I was worried they weren't going to be…read moreable to accommodate our large group of 12 but it was no problem the week of but it all worked out. I was even able to move up the reservation when our plans changed the day of. The restaurant is in a random shopping complex in Salem, NH. We were driving North for a race so the stop here was a nice break in the drive. Not going lie, when we were walking towards the restaurant, it looked a tiny bit sketch - wrapping across all the windows. Slightly deserted shopping complex. But when we walked in, wow it was so beautiful inside, very spacious, huge bar to the left and then large dining area to the right. There were cozy booths lined up against the perimeter of the room. The staff was so incredibly warm and welcoming. We were a very loud group (sorry!); 12 adults, mostly dudes, laughing uncontrollably at all the dumb jokes. None of the staff was upset by this though; our server was so much fun and even joined in. Food is fantastic. HUGE portions. I love chicken parm, I also love eggplant parm. They have a menu item of both of them together. It doesn't get much better than that.

Veal Parm may very well be the best in the Valley. Crispy and tender in every bite. Fettuccine…read moreAlfredo was outstanding. I may have happily ruined a shirt with the leftovers. ....and I'd do it again.

We ate at the North Andover location last night with another couple. Reservations were easy and our…read moretable was available when we arrived. As with the Andover location, the service was excellent, the menu compelling, the cocktails generous, and the food beautifully and competently prepared. We would love to continue patronizing both locations, but they both suffer from the same issue - an overly loud environment ... so much ambient noise , that conversation was more than difficult. The server said that week nights weren't so loud, but that limits options. As much as we'd love to go back, the noise factor will likely prevent us from doing so. Others have complained about this issue - maybe management can do something to ameliorate the din.

Love the food and service at Andiamo's. Always consistently good and reasonably priced!!! It's one…read moreof our regulars!

We were looking for an eatery close by that serves lunch and came across "Andiamo" in Andover and…read moreit was just 10 minutes away on I93 south right off the highway! We were greeted by Emily a pleasant Hostess/Waitress! Andiamo had a nice Pub atmosphere and we were seated in a corner booth! We started with 2 Martinis that were filled to the brim which Emily very carefully brought to the table so not to spill a drop! We had checked the menu online and were both interested in their Chicken Piccata which had gotten rave reviews from fellow Yelper's and that dish didn't disappoint, we both loved it, the chicken was tender and the pasta cooked perfectly El Dente, and it was a huge portion, enough to satisfy the healthiest appetite! For dessert we opted for the Tiramisu that we took to go! After we got home we were looking forward to our tasty treat later in the day! Since our Chicken Piccata entrees were so delicious we thought that the Tiramisu would be as well, it wasn't! We both agreed that it was the worst Tiramisu that we've ever had! Instead of it consisting of the traditional ingredients of coffee soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese and whipped egg yolks, it was like eating a three by two inch high square of cool whip that was topped with a sliced Strawberry, which BTW, was the only plus of this dessert! Don't know if they have their own pastry chef or they get it from a local Italian bakery but whoever makes this needs to be spoken to and at $12 a slice it was, to put it mildly, a complete ripoff! Emily, The Martinis and the Chicken Piccata were all five Stars but please skip the Tiramisu!

Andiamo is awesome! Jim has totally impressed us over the years, and we absolutely love supporting…read morethem. We've catered their dishes for family parties multiple times, and everyone always freaks out over how delicious everything is. The food is consistently amazing and such a crowd-pleaser. It's also a GREAT dine-in experience - beautiful, welcoming, and just as delicious when you eat there. Highly recommend!

We went to Brix Grill about a week ago, and this place never disappoints! We sat at the bar for…read moredrinks, apps, and dinner, and Evelyn was our bartender. She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and perfectly paced without ever rushing us. The drinks were well-crafted and delicious. We loved the crab cakes and wings as appetizers -- the crab cakes were so generous they could easily be a full meal. For dinner, we both had the Brix Burger, cooked perfectly with a great char and tons of flavor. I love the cozy vibe while still being able to watch the game. Even when it gets busy, the service stays excellent. The whole staff is friendly and attentive. We can't recommend Brix Grill enough -- and if you go, ask for Evelyn!

Reasonably okay lunch spot but dinner wasn't great. I will give them credit, they are trying... but…read morethe cocktails with a burnt piece of rosemary for a "smoked" flavor were absolutely terrible (first time in my life I didnt finish a cocktail). It was like drinking liquid used to extinguish a burning christmas tree. (also this was paired with a fruity pink drink....not really a great combo) Dinner was overall fine but nothing really to right home about, crab cakes were great but the fried calamari had zero salt on it and was a bit chewy. The chicken florentine wasn't bad but it was not a thinly pounded or sliced piece of chicken that was pan fried....it was a whole breaded chicken breast that was deep fried. The service was good but it didnt make up for the food being just okay.

The pizza here is absolutely fabulous. We before win for a hockey prospect camp, and found this…read moreplace. Got the garlic bread with provolone and the wings.

We stopped at Amici's pizza after reading good reviews about their food. We had a pizza loving…read moretoddler, who is definitely a pizza critic. If you do not have good pizza and quality ingredients, he will not eat it. this hit the spot for him. Covered all the bases. Great sauce, good crust, quality toppings. We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door. Ordering was very easy and they had parking right in front of the shop. There was ample amount of seating if you wanted to eat inside. Bathrooms were clean. If we lived in the area, this would be one of our go to pizza shops.

We contacted Salvatore's regarding a bereavement meal. I spoke with Marci about our needs. She…read morereserved the 'Caesar' room based on the number of guests we expected and emailed several meal options they offer for private events. Once we had chosen a meal package, we spoke again on the phone where she asked for some additional information (such as how many 'littles' would be part of the event) and forwarded a contract to me via email to sign. On the day of the event, there seemed to be a bit of a misunderstanding with staff on duty about the timing of our event. Our contract stated 4:30 but when people began to arrive the doors were still locked, the bar was not yet set and the coffee service not yet out. By the time we arrived from the funeral home about 5pm they had most of these things addressed. In the meantime, guests were able to purchase drinks at the restaurant bar. The room was set with seven tables of eight seats. Each table had a white cloth, silk floral center piece, flatware, cloth napkin and water glass. The room itself has high ceilings and large windows overlooking the river. A buffet station was set up at one end of the room near the bar. The staff did a wonderful job serving the buffet. Bread, butter and salad were self serve while entrée options were served by staff. Once everyone had received their food a staff member came around to each table to be sure everyone was happy with their meal. He very much wanted to be sure everyone was satisfied. The hot food remained available throughout the event and take away containers were left nearby for those who wished to take home any left overs once an appropriate amount of time had passed. Cannoli, cookies and brownies were laid out near the coffee urns (regular and decaf, along with hot water and tea bags) for dessert. About thirty minutes before departure, take away containers were left on this table too. We paid the bartender the agreed upon amount for our event before departing. All of the staff were very helpful, considerate and kind. All of our guests were very happy with both the accommodations and the meal, as were we. Salvatore's is located in a renovated mill building with shared parking. A ramp leads up to their door for wheelchair access. Gendered restrooms are located off a hallway between the entrance and the event room. The temperature inside was quite pleasant, neither cold nor hot.

Very happy with Salvatore's. I had a chicken Caesar salad…read morewrap that was excellent. The fries were also so delicious! I believe they were homemade. The waitress was also great. She was very patient and attentive. The atmosphere is very pleasant along the river. A great experience!

Loved our meal last night! We made a reservation same day and were seated right away! Our waitress…read morewas extremely friendly and made sure we had everything we needed! Cocktails were great and the meatballs were great with the sweet ricotta! The chicken LaRosa was honestly a show stopper. The sauce was on the lighter side and creamy and the chicken was still tender and crispy. The vongole was great as well! I love a thicker noodle with clams so I really enjoyed it! I did opt out of the chili flakes on it just cause I'm a bit or miss with spice! Overall, it was a great dinner and we are definitely looking forward to going back very soon!

LaRosa's is a cute little restaurant. I was torn between ordering the bolognese and the vongole…read more(both my favorite dishes at any Italian restaurant). I went with the vongole. It was good, but I wasn't particularly a fan of the noodles. It was hard and maybe a little too al dente for me. I had to use my knife to cut it. More of a personal preference, I don't do well with spice and felt there were was a lot of chili flakes in the sauce. The Nutella tiramisu was delicious though! I'd come back again to try the bolognese.