After 15 Years East Nokomis’ Wine and Pasta Restaurant Has Closed

Al Vento, known for fresh pasta, wine, and a popular patio, has closed after fifteen years on 34th Avenue and 50th Street in South Minneapolis.

According to City Pages, Friday night guests arrived with reservations only to find the door locked.

The cozy restaurant was a hit when it first opened and named Restaurant of the Year by the Star Tribune. As the times and tastes progressed, it remained a beloved neighborhood eat ery for date nights and evenings on the secluded patio.

In the intervening years, Hunt opened and closed Sparks in Bryn Mawr and opened Rinata in Uptown serving some similar Italian dishes to Al Vento. Sparks closed last year and Hunt divested in Rinata over four years ago.

Hunt started in the hospitality industry at age 15, studying at St. Cloud Technical college and traveled, working around and eventually landing at Pane Dolce Vino, where he took readily to Italian cuisine. He opened Al Vento in October of 2004.

Correction: an earlier version of this story stated that Hunt was still an owner of Rinata. He parted ways with the restaurant and Rinta stresses it will not honor Al Vento gift cards. Eater regrets the error.

• Al Vento in South Minneapolis Closes Abruptly [CP]