Aldo's Ristorante

I had heard that Aldo'S was a local "institution" of sorts and had to check it out. Their Shrimp Gorgonzola pasta was so delicious! I would definitely get it every time I go. Large, perfectly cooked shrimp with a creamy gorgonzola sauce that goes really nicely with the angel hair.They also made a great dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives, which is a favorite ofmine.

I can't think of a restaurant that relies solely on their past reputation more than Aldo's. This restaurant had a great standing in the area. That time is gone. What isn't gone is the arrogance of the staff and the mediocrity of the food. The bartender struggled and failed to get out a successful drink, including a simple Bellini. The ambience is stale. I love the traditional look, but sprucing up your decor every decade or so would be great! So let's move to the food. One person ordered a clam dish with a special sauce, let me give you a hint to the special sauce: pasta water. My dish was decent only because I ordered slightly off menu due allergy concerns. The mozzarella appetizer ($13) came with only two slices of tomatoes. In the past this has been a great shareable dish. I'm not trying to slam them. I just feel like I miss the Aldo's of a few years ago that was warm, welcoming and felt like a special occasion. And back when the attention to detail of the food was so good that problems with any dish were caught by an excellent waitstaff. The front of the house seems guarded by individuals that are irritated that you even came in the doors. And if they grace you with a reservation when you call even months out, it will be at an odd hour that is usually only popular in elder care facilities. There are certainly places that deserve to have month long reservation list. Aldo's, you are not it. In general, Aldo's you are not it. Lose the arrogance and focus on the food and hospitality.

Aldos has been a lifetime favorite of ours. We went last night for my daughter's 32nd birthday and we've been coming here since she was an infant in a car seat, so literally 30+ years and it's always been top notch. The picture I have attached here though shows the absolutely unacceptable pasta that was served with my husband's $48 veal chop. The pasta came all broken up. Like they scraped the bottom of a pot of pasta they'd been digging into all night. He did not cut the pasta to look like this. It literally was brought from the kitchen this way . Any self respecting chef would not serve this train wreck. If you know anything about pasta, it gets broken like this when it's been overcooked and or overhandled. - in a restaurant it means they cooked a huge batch and dug out portions from that batch all night. The digging and stirring combined time spent sitting and possibly heating is what causes this and it's downright gross. Other minor complaints: my daughter got this pasta special with a lobster cream mascarpone sauce. Very tasty but she said way too salty and she ended up stopping eating it because it was so salty (and we love salt in this family and I'm a heavy salter when I cook at home). My veal (Francese) and pasta (penne marinara) was very good but could have been hotter- a little on the lukewarm side. We all got house salads and the complaint was that the carrots in it were in huge chunks that almost broke your teeth trying to bite. The croutons were also too big and hard and if you tried to cut either, the pieces would fly off your plate when you finally cut through haha. In a fine dining establishment attention to detail and consideration of the diner's experience with a salad is expected. Focaccia bread is still 10/10 as is the atmosphere, drinks, and service (except the waiter having the audacity to bring out that plate of abused pasta) C'mom Aldo's. You know better.

My family has always been a fan of Aldo's Ristorante. Stopped in for dinner while visiting my parents recently. First, the pre-dinner cocktails were amazing! The standout was the Grapefruit Basil Gimlet...this is dangerous! For dinner, we enjoyed the Shrimp Gorgonzola, Linguine and White Clam Sauce, Romanelli Alla Vodka, and the featured Short Ribs with Mushroom Risotto. All delicious! Definitely a place to dine when you're in Va Beach.

I go here once or twice a year when visiting my husband's family. They have been going here for years and love it. My husband orders a pasta dish that isn't on the menu anymore but has tomato cream sauce and sausage and Angel hair. The staff always knows what he's asking for when he brings it up. His dad gets the shrimp Gorgonzola pasta. His mom often gets a special or a chicken and shrimp pasta. Most recently my mom joined and got the butternut squash ravioli special. It was awesome. The sauce was so good. I had a create your own pasta with meatballs and mushrooms and tomato cream sauce. It needed a little more salt which of course I could add and the meatballs were very mushy but they had a nice flavor. They also love the focaccia bread but I think the Italian bread is better. It's a really nice spot in a strip mall.

Owner is a dick every time we visit. Really doesn't know how to treat customers. Plenty of other options with better hospitality.

The waitress was incredibly sweet. We came to celebrate me becoming an RN, and she made me feel so special! She brought out an apple pie with 'Congratulations' written on the plate. The food was delicious--I had the lobster pasta, which was a 10/10. My dad rated his clam pasta an 8.5/10, and my mom gave the vodka pasta a 9.5/10. I would definitely go back. The restaurant was very clean and nice.

First time here after seeing lots of good reviews. The restaurant has some charm but feels dated. Even greeters were too dressed in suits giving air that the restaurant is upscale, even with a sign by the door indicating appropriate attire required. But you see patrons in camisoles, sweatshirts, comfortable sweaters. Felt like they are trying too hard to be upscale. I would have rated the food 2.5 stars because the chicken Francese was too lemony and the linguine was slightly undercooked. There wasn't much on the plate to even look appealing; but their lollipop veal on polenta cake saved the day. The veal was well seasoned, tender not dry even when I asked for well done. The balsamic vinegar was great compliment to the polenta cake and sautéed olives. This dish I'd rate 4.5 out of 5.

My recent dinner at Aldo's was excellent primarily due to Vinny's wonderful service! He made us feel welcome and valued. He knows the menu and wines amazingly well, especially considering Aldo's large offering . He was gracious and helpful but not at all intrusive. His suggestions were excellent and the food was delicious. We all will definitely go back and ask for Vinny as our server. Valerie Y

I was served a mimosa that was completely flat. The server messed up our orders (including one with allergy requests). The front of house staff was rude. The pasta was overcooked and gluey. I would write a longer review, but this restaurant has wasted enough of my time.