Derek Stevens is truly one of a kind. The Detroit transplant wasted no time in achieving his singular vision when he arrived here 15 years ago. His downtown property, The D, was so named as a tribute to his hometown. (Stevens has since opened downtown hot spot Circa Resort & Casino.) All you need to know about Stevens is this: He spares no expense. All he cares about is your experience while you’re in town. And there’s no bigger example of that philosophy than The D’s premier restaurant, Andiamo Steakhouse.
The warm décor and super-attentive waitstaff are the first things you’ll notice upon entering. You immediately feel like a VIP, and you haven’t even ordered a cocktail yet. And no matter your selection, be it an Old-Fashioned or a Cosmo, Andiamo delivers it with panache. There’s also a mind-boggling selection of wine.
Appetizers are all solid, with particular highlights being the barbecue shrimp, sautéed with garlic, Worcestershire sauce and Cajun seasoning, calamari fritti (an Andiamo favorite, flash-fried with banana peppers and ammoglio sauce), and, of course, the Andiamo Grande Meatball, practically a meal itself, handmade and smothered with tomato sauce and ricotta.
The steak selection here is beyond criticism: Andiamo works with the nation’s top butchers to ensure its cuts are in the top 8 percent of all beef in the country. And with the restaurant’s program of 30-day aging (minimum), expect tenderness and flavor to spare in selections like filet mignon, bone-in ribeye, porterhouse and the massive, 32-ounce tomahawk. We personally recommend trying the “zip” sauce, one of the most unique and addictive we’ve ever tasted. Make sure to pair these babies with sides like Tuscan roasted potatoes, lobster-black truffle baked ziti and cauliflower au gratin.
Not in the mood for a steak? Andiamo has a wide variety of pastas (we’re partial to the agnolotti, handmade pasta filled with ground veal, spinach mascarpone crème, black truffle and wild mushrooms), as well as lamb chops, veal chops and veal osso buco. Seafood lover? The pan-roasted sea scallops will send you away floating on air.
The D, 702.388.2220
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