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I was hesitant to try this place because of the mixed reviews but we gave it a shot anyway. Huge mistake. Prices look reasonable at first but when you see the amount and quality of food you get, boy, how disappointing. If looking to have good Italian food around that area, you're better off somewhere. Sorry to say but Aleo is off my list --- for good.

The food here was so-so. I ordered the Rigatoni with the sirloin and veggie ragu sauce...the beef in the sauce was incredibly dry and the noodles were way too al dente. Not very satisfying when I'm craving a good pasta dish. However, my boyfriend ordered the Capellini and liked it just fine. Service was slow, and the waitress didn't come to check on us once and ask how our food was. As far as the atmosphere, they sat us in the back near the kitchen and all I could concentrate on was the clanging of pots and pans being washed throughout the entire dinner. Not very romantic. On a positive note, I liked the fact that they offered half orders of their pasta dishes - just the right amount of food.

We've been coming here for about 5 years, so that tells you we like the place a lot. Have brought many out of towners - sophisticated diners - who all liked it. A few times I've had some disappointing things, but that can happen anywhere. The service is always friendly, the wines by the glass generously poured and reasonably piced. They never rush you out, and I've seen the owner offer a complimentaty after dinner drink (lemoncello) to many tables. It's also a nice & friendly place if you're alone and would like to eat at the bar.

It was overall a pleasant experience. I agree the food could have come a tad faster. The decor could be touched up a bit so it can be fancier. Yes, everything is plain: the decor, the atmosphere, the food, the service. BUT: My steak was nice, not the most flavorful cut of meat, but done perfect medium, as I asked, the mozzarella mashed were good, the sauteed spinach needed a bit more garlic, but was good. Overall, I was happy. The shrimp risotto was also done nicely, again not stellar, but good, fresh, and tasty. The staff actually do a pretty good job. The place can use an infusion of freshness and ambition and life, but I don't regret eating there.

Went to Aleo with a few girl friends the other night. Perhaps we should've known better to go starving to a restaurant whose menu warns "All Dishes Prepared To Order, Please Allow For Adequate Cooking Time," but waiting 50 minutes for our entrees seemed ridiculous. When the food finally arrived, the sole "special" was dry as could be, the linguini was mushy, the tuna was "eh," and my penne with eggplant, mushrooms, and ricotta, came without the eggplant. Normally I would have asked the waiter to please see if he could get me some eggplant, but I did not want my plate to disappear for another 50 minutes, so I just ate it. We will not be returning.

We like this place a lot, come here about once a month and are never disappointed, and we have discerning tastes. Once when I was disappointed with something, the waiter graciously apologized, took it back and a whole new main course was made. We find the place friendly and no one has a bad attitude. The owner is usually around and often sends over a free after dinner drink to diners, a choice of homemade lemoncello or port. Nice selection of wines by the glass. And a nice place for an after-work drink, which are discounted for happy hour.

Although very friendly, the staff just did not have it together on a recent dinner at Aleo. They seemed confused and unfocused. The food was also unfocused.