Andrea's this past weekend

[BTG]

We met another couple at Andrea’s for dinner on Saturday and ended up having a surprisingly good meal. Part of the reason I picked the place was because of a gift card I had or we probably would not have ended up there due to some average meals I have had in the past.

The new bar area that they added on is very nice and the bartender seemed to know what she was doing. The piano player seemed to be working out pretty well for everyone also.

I had the crabmeat raviolis which I thought were outstanding. The wife had one of the fish dishes with crabmeat and one of the other diners had duck and both seemed to enjoy their dishes. Sorry my food part of this is a little lacking, but we were drinking pretty good and my memory was off.

The server was typical of the old time waiters you find around places like this. Quite the foreign accent and it sounded like he has been waiting tables for 20 plus years. One of the places he spent quite a few years was La Riveria. He did a great job for us.

[Backstrap]

I have always found this place rather, uh, "commercial." In some unknown way, I've always felt the bottom line was the most important aspect. This guy is the ultimate salesman. Can't argue with his community service, though.

Not necessarily a bad thing, in my opinion there are much better options.

[jodyrah]

We went there a couple Fridays ago, having never been. Spur of the moment after hearing his nightly spiel on TF's show. He was touting the salt crusted branzino which he stated he personally fillets tableside. We made a quick resv. and 4 of us headed over. Not only was the aforementioned branzino not available, our waiter said Andrea was too busy to fillet it's substituion. We started with 1/2 shell while perusing the menu. Two of us had the crabcake w/ eggplant app. which was quite good. Another had the caprese salad, can't recall son's app. Entrees: cioppino: plentiful bowl of seafood atop linguine. I requested it extra spicy. It arrived under spiced and delicately seasoned. Son had the crabmeat ravioli which he said was "ok". Husband had the gnocchi with tomato basil sauce. Nice portion of the little depthcharges. Fourth entree was gnocchi w/ cheese sauce. Another "ok". Prices are reasonable, service was slow.

[spudly]

That waiter had to be Oresto (sp)? Glad to see he's still at Andrea's. He was a great host at La Riviera but they parted ways before Katrina. I really liked Andrea's years ago and they can, on occasion, do a great job but I found it to be very inconsistant.

If it's gotten any better lately, it would be good to know.

[Jesse]

Orestes Rodriguez was the Maitre d' at La Riviera for a long time, and the last time I went to Andrea's (almost 5 years ago now) he was serving that post there too. I wonder if he's ended up waiting tables now?

[NoNoNanette]

Not only was the aforementioned branzino not available, our waiter said Andrea was too busy to fillet it's substituion.

That would have bugged the hell out of me, Jody. Especially if it was the radio spot that enticed me to make reservations.

Have always wondered about that joint. (Everytime I cross the Causeway). Sounds like your experience was just "OK".

[Isabella Maja]

Orestes Rodriguez was the Maitre d' at La Riviera for a long time, and the last time I went to Andrea's (almost 5 years ago now) he was serving that post there too. I wonder if he's ended up waiting tables now?

Orestes is the Maitre d' at La Boca now.
That place really runs a tight ship & the food is superb!

[JudiB]

Yep, he's at LaBoca.