FoodHawk Review:
Serving what is by far the best northern Italian cuisine in north Austin, Andiamo's culinary delights are prepared by Chef Jose Lopes under the watchful eye of co-owner Joe Melomo. Daniella Marcone enthusiastically welcomes diners into a sparkling, comfortable interior complete with that compelling combination of aromas that only a fine Italian restaurant can produce. But Andiamo isn't about comfort food.this is no spaghetti and meat balls eatery. In fact members of Italy's "Authentic Italian" organization visit the restaurant each year to authenticate the cuisine. Chef Lopes delivers signature, divine dishes that you know were prepared with tender loving care. A recent daily special, snails and mussels were extraordinary, and we picked the platter clean. On another visit my husband  ordered a baked (not fried) squid dish because "if Chef Lopes could get that one right he could probably get everything right." It was wonderful, and sure enough, Chef Lopes gets just about everything right! The sauces are as unusual and fabulous as the imaginative dishes themselves. Lunch antipasti like cozze in umido, hearty soups and salads preview tasty pasta dishes like penne ortolana and  gnocchi alla bava, and of course wonderful seafood, chicken, beef and veal entrees (don't miss the scaloppini al pesto). An expanded dinner menu features tilapia mare chiara, pollo con asparagi, vitello rosmarino, the aforementioned calamari in umido and too many mouth watering dishes to list. Andiamo is now featuring special dinners that match its northern Italian cuisine with the region's wines; as well as a series of special occasions like Mother's Day (check this listing for current special events). Believe me, for Italian food as good as any in the region, Andiamo is your best bet.