Planning an evening out with a group of boisterous friends, lively conversation, good food, and a few glasses of vino, and not too worried about having to wait between courses because you'll be busy chatting it up anyway? Excellent choice. Planning a romantic, quiet, well-paced dinner for two? Maybe not so much.
Last night was my second time at Venti. The first time, it wasn't too long after they opened, and although the food was wonderful (the melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi de ricotta was the best gnocchi I've ever had), the service was a little off. The food warranted a second try though, and this time I had a fabulous evening (and better service) with a group of friends. We laughed, ate, and drank all night long.
The cod crostini was the perfect mix of creamy and salty, and the cornish hen was full of flavour. My boyfriend raved about the veal meatballs. The only thing I would skip if I returned is the arugula salad (I've had better).
The menu is divided into many courses: crostinis, antipasti, primi, secondi, sides, and of course dessert. The mains (secondi) don't come with any sides, so order a side dish if you want some veggies. For big groups, it's worth considering the timing of the courses, since it's unlikely that anyone will order each course. Ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing is a good way to go.
Venti also has a great Italian wine list: we had a lovely, crisp Prosecco to start the night, and a juicy Amarone with our mains.