Reviews
Love this place, we’ve come here countless times over the 7 years they’ve been open here. There’s a great out door dining area that wraps around the corner of the building, so you can generally find shade & it’s dog friendly. The menu is extensive and everything I’ve ever had is fantastic. I usually go for the clams & linguine or the chili corn park over spaghetti or a margarita pizza. The salads are really good too.
I came here for dinner one night after the fine readers of Orlando Weekly voted this place as one of the best restaurants in College Park. Since I live in Oviedo, I don't get over to College Park as much as I would like to, so they would surely know better than I would. I decided to take their advice and come see what this place was all about. I made my reservations, found nearby parallel parking, and walked up to this beautiful brick building-esque restaurant that looked like I was walking into an Italian winery of some sort. It's really a stunning visual. Very impressive. We got seated and starting looking at the intimidating menu. We started off with a couple of apps, including the Insalata di Cesare Romaine, Anchovies, Croutons, and Parmesan Cheese Tossed with Ceasar Dressing. A small salad with a fun salt-bomb anchovie on top. Well-dressed, and a good amount of cheese and croutons. No complaints. Margherita Pizza Fresh Mozzarella, Plum Tomato Sauce and Basil. The classic pie. The tomato sauce was very fragrant. You can tell it did not come from a can. The mozz was ooey and gooey and gave a good stretch. Could have used more basil, for sure. But the crust was excellent. Held up to the toppings, not too thick, had some bite and some good chew to it. Really good. Then the mains. I got the Vitello Saltimbocca Tender Veal Scallopini, Topped with san Daniele Prosciutto Crudo, and Fresh Sage, Finished in a White Wine Butter Sauce, served with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes. Veal, cooked perfectly, very tender. A nice umani, salty prosciutto on top to add some depth. The mash was a little much, a huge serving. But overall, quite nice, not something you eat every day. I also got to try the indulgent Ravioli di Aragosta al Frutti di Mare Lobster Ravioli with Baby Shrimp, Mussels and Calamari Finished in a White Wine Lemon Butter Sauce. Oooh so good. Seafood everywhere, and plenty of it. The butter sauce was nice, and there were mushrooms all through, which always helps. This was clearly the winning dish of the night. Overall, I really enjoyed the ambiance, the service, and the food here. I have no real critiques, and I would recommend this place as a nice date night restaurant to anyone reading this.
I was excited to try this place. Tried to go to the on in Hannibal square, but no one picked up to make reservations. So i saw they had another location in College Park and Lake mary. We arrived at 8:55 and asked to be seated outside. We were seated at the corner of edgewater Drive as outside seating goes around the corner. I judged it by the Hannibal square location, which was always packed on a Friday, and was surprised by the many open seats inside and out. Well, 15 minutes goes by, and no one comes to our table. However, we are seated next to a lady with a litter white dog, and the server for her a young girl looked at us several times but said nothing. Not one moment, someone will be with you, not have you been helped, not let me get someone for you and not can i get you something to drink while you're waiting. She was serving the two tables to our left, totaling 5 people and a dog. We got nothing. Next to those two tables was a table by the entrance. The server was a guy who was serving 5 people at that table, and two people were on the far left. Finally, after 25 minutes, i went inside and explained we've been seated for 25 min and no one had come to our table. During that time, a family of 5 had walked up and sat by the other table by the front door and was immediately addressed by the guy server, who i later found out was Ricky. The hostess apologized and said someone would be out immediately. Another 10 minutes went by, and another server walked by us to clear the tables around the corner. He was an older gentleman. Not one word. At this point, we were about to leave when finally Ricky passed the two tables in between us and asked if we wanted to order drinks. Customer service goes a long way with me. My wife was already upset at the young girl for not acknowledging us whatsoever. So Ricky said they were busy. I must've been blind because there were two tables pushed together by the entrance that was empty across from that at the curb was a table for 2. Down from that, 3 more tables for two were empty, and across from one of them was us at a table for 4. Compared to the Hannibal square location, I disagree with that assessment. When i looked around the corner, I saw empty tables. I ordered the lasagna, and my wife ordered the chicken on top of spaghetti. No one ever brought bread to the table, so i don't know if that is a thing at this establishment. We ordered a plate of meat and vegetables. I took one bite and didn't like it. But the little white dog was intrigued by it. Another 25 minutes later i food arrives. The lasagna was just ok. My wife's chicken to her was just ok. I will say this Ricky was a nice guy, but his shirt was filthy. Presentation goes a long way also. I appreciate him stepping up to serve us. He asked if we were taking the meat tray home. We said no, we didn't like it. He brought us the check. i didn’t even look at it but gave him my card so we could leave asap. I was pretty much done and disappointed at my first time experience at Armandos. I'm curious if the Hannibal square location is like this, but i assume not because they're always packed on Fridays when we ate nearly. I was just disappointed by the lack of service and acknowledgment by the staff at the college park location. I'll definitely not come back here for another date night.
Went last night. Met with some friends to celebrate another friend we haven't seen in over 20 years. Of course the company was great. The service was great at first but then it waned. The salad was excellent. The pizza was okay. And that's only because I feel like I'm a fancy pizza expert lol. The only disappointing part for me was that I rarely get out these days and I had ordered a second drink which was a martini espresso which I'd never tried and was really looking forward to. The rest of my table got their second round and mine never came. My waitress also never came so I couldn't ask about it. By the time she came back around it was time to leave so I pointed out to her to make sure it wasn't on my bill. That was very disappointing.
HAPPY HOUR ….. $5 wine and it’s not that bad. Also, their free bread is AMAZING!! I absolutely loved the stuffed eggplant and definitely recommend if you are looking for a lower carb option. Their house made ricotta was very tasty. We also got Chicken Parmigiana but to me it tastes the same everywhere I eat it so I would forgo that and try something different next time. Heather was an excellent waitress. Very friendly and helpful. We didn’t make a reservation but fortunately we came early enough on a Friday night they could squeeze us in. Be sure to make a reservation if you have your heart set on this place though. It got busy quickly after 5:00.
So this review is really all about service at the management level at the College Park location. The general manager is not familiar with true customer service. My family and I frequent this restaurant and not only have I seen her upset other people including her employees but today was my turn. We were seated in the very back in a bazaar, little corner that they have with no ventilation. Coupled with the 101° weather right now in Orlando. It was not comfortable at all. We had not ordered dinner, and when I asked to move and we would close out our check, we were told no. They had another table for seven set up, clearly was available and they could’ve put the other people where we were but instead she gave me no reason why, they couldn’t move us except it maybe that table was requested. A random table in the middle of the floor is probably not being requested. So when I asked her to check in the notes to see if it was requested, she said she would, and then just completely ignored me and never got back to me. I went back to the host stand and asked if we were going to move and they said no and that was it. We had a large scale party there last year, which on the day of the party, She completely changed things on me, and did not notify me, and that was quite upsetting but this is just another example that she really doesn’t care about her customers and doesn’t show any kind of emotion or empathy when communicating with them. In short, she basically acts like she could care less. Would love if Armando gets to actually read this review himself and talk to his general manager. As successful as a restaurant can be, you should never discount customers especially ones that frequent your restaurant and recommend your restaurant to other people and have social gatherings there. As fast as you are number one you can be on the opposite side of the spectrum if you treat people poorly.
I am amazed by some of the less than five star ratings. From start to finish, this was one of our best dining experiences. We had a party of 8 including my 10 month old granddaughter who was very animated. The staff was truly top notch all stopping by the table to interact with “Millie” which warms the heart. The food was tremendous perfectly prepared. And would not hesitate to take any client or family member to this wonderful restaurant. Kid-friendliness: Staff was tremendous with our granddaughter!
This is my new favorite Italian place ! This is the best and most beautiful calzone I have ever had!!! The marinara sauce was perfect. Their crust was amazing!! The pizza was also delicious. I highly recommend stopping in if you have the chance!!! Wonderful bread/flat bread service. 10/10 will definitely come again
Everything was great.... except for the pasta, sadly. The concensus amongst the ones who ordered pasta multiple kinds... was that it lacked in flavor. This is just hard for me to believe at an Italian restaurant. Hopefully it was just an off night. The delicious Crème brûlée sort of made up for it. I do love Crème brûlée!!Dine in: Yes
Food is absolutely delicious. We ordered the bruschetta which was super yummy needed a dash of salt, the mushroom ravioli and the parpadelle a la vodka were both homey, flavorful, creamy and pasta was perfection. However, We We’re first timers from out of town and arrived around 3:30pm. No reservation. The restaurant was pretty empty. Straight off the bat with an attitude, the host asked whether we had a reservation and when we said we didn’t he said it would’ve been recommended as they are very short staffed and over worked servers and it’s hard to serve the customer , I get it. We’re in weird times but come on. Then he proceeded to walk around the entire restaurant complaining and very loudly saying “yes we all look miserable, if you don’t like it don’t visit during the holidays”. He also went outside and had a beer with outdoor guests. No matter how great the food was and how nice our actual server was, The bad impression left by the host guy was not necessary. Something to work on.
