Al Vento

Al Vento is a neighborhood favorite in South Minneapolis. The restaurant has a small dining room and outdoor dining patio and a delightful Italian menu that changes daily.

We started with the bruschetta sample, which allowed us to try one each of their four varieties of crostini:
Tomato and Pesto
Caponata (cooked and marinated eggplant)
Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese
Corn and Herbs

I had Gnocchi (potato-pasta dumplings, pronounced nyoh-kee) with a thick tomato sauce, spinach, and aged pecorino cheese.
Lemoncello is a tasty after-dinner digestivo that packed a punch which made my ears warm.

My dining companion had Radiatore pasta with black tiger shrimp and artichoke hearts.
Rush River BubbleJack was "very hoppy - too hoppy."
Lake Superior Oatmeal Stout had "hints of chocolate" and was "thick like a milkshake - thick enough to chew".

Al Vento: Highly recommended. Would like to go back often to try the constantly changing menu offerings.
5001 34th Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55417