Crescendo Exquisite Food & Fine Wines

The only real fine dining option in Albert Lea. Intimate and classy but you don’t have to be super fancy or dressed up to go here. It’s not somewhere I’d want to bring my kids but they won’t turn up their nose at them, quite the opposite! I just like keeping it quiet and special. Ideal for an anniversary celebration dinner or the like.

I cant believe I've never gone here. The food was amazing and the staff were so efficient and friendly! I will be coming here for special dinners.

Fabulous surprise find!! Returning from a road trip in South Dakota. Looking to find good food and a break from burgers everywhere along Highway 90.
What a gem this place is! From the small intimate dining room, to the just right background music on the piano, the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Add to that, attentive service and great suggestions from Sondra. We started with the sweet potato ravioli appetizer. Sitting (not swimming) in brown butter with pine nuts, it was fabulous. I had the Shrimp Gratin and my husband had Chicken Veronique. We loved both dishes, unique flavors. And the wine pairing suggestions were right on. I so wish I had taken photographs! We were too busy enjoying the meal.
Do yourself a favor and go a little bit out of your way to Albert Lea and make a stop at Crescendo.

The wife and I have been here three times and have loved every single one of them. The menu changes with the seasons and is always fantastic. I have yet to have a bad bite. The owner will come out and talk and he will play piano. Its just a very good experience.

Recommended to us. Wife and I shared the crab cakes appetizer, it was delicious. I had the filet mignon, it was phenomenal! The crème brûlée finished up our meal perfectly. Outstanding food, very relaxed sophisticated atmosphere, highly highly recommend. Bonus the chef creates insanely delicious food but even came out and played the piano. Very impressive!

My wife and I are from the east coast and we really enjoyed our visit to Crescendo. The food was Exquisite and we feel that this restaurant would fit in where we live. The steak we had was seasoned well, the parmesan garlic mashed potatoes are delicious, and the asparagus was a great compliment to the meal. The atmosphere was relaxing and the music only added to the ambiance. The servers were very attentive and informative. Albert Lea is lucky to have an establishment such as Crescendo!

Probably the best culinary experience my wife and I have ever had. Its a bit expensive, definitely a fine dining ambience. Probably not the best place for kids. Limited menu that is constantly changing. Portion sizes are a bit smaller, but the food is exquisite. We make a trip down to Albert Lea just to come here to eat (and hit the nearby casino from time to time).

The food was outstanding, the steak cooked to perfection and the service was friendly and professional.

Both our meals were delicious. I ordered an appetizer but it wasn't my taste, nothing wrong on their part. Our food was presented beautifully. It was nice to have something outside of the norm and a bit more upscale.

The night before the Rockin'-the-Lakes Bike ride in town, we decided to stop in for dinner, as we had been there a year before when they were just opening up after many iterations of CoVid restrictions.
Last year, I believe it was only Alex taking care of customers, and and he greeted us as enthusiastically as the year before. Small, nice gestures set the tone in the hospitality biz.

My wife started with a baby spinach salad, and I had a caprese salad, since I am mad about tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Attention to detail with the quality of ingredients and a nice presentation are part of the experience here.

My wife has a saute of Canadian lobster and locally grown sweet corn, which she really enjoyed. I had wild mushroom ravioli (portobello and porcini) sauteed in marsala wine with a basil (summer herbs again). The dish was shimmering from the wine and olive oil, but not swimming in it, as often happens. Both dishes deserved to be eaten slowly, and they were both very satisfying.

The wine list is preponderantly Californian, which usually means that they are massively overpriced, as California is more about real estate and land rents than giving ordinary customers things they can have on their tables. Their list is carefully selected for some quality with good values. We had a Marietta Estates Old Vine Red blend, predominantly Zinfandel. Were we not riding the next day, I might have opted for their cocktails which sounded great too.

Saundra took good care of us, and as the dinner crowd exited, the chef/owner came out and played a Bach prelude quietly, but we've never seen this in snootier Minneapolis spots!

Right next door is a dicey looking dive bar, with its loyal customers and a Taco restaurant closed on Friday night. Don't be put off by this. Parking is easy. If you are ever down near Albert Lea, visit Edgewater Park and don't miss a meal at Crescendo.

Wow! We were VERY pleasantly surprised to find such a gem in small-ish town Minnesota! The musical theme of the restaurant resonates throughout and works perfectly. The menu was superb and seasonal, and the wine list was quite extensive (and reasonably priced). We shared the crab cakes (excellent and made of pure lump crab) and sweet corn fritters (just the right amount of spice!) to start. I had the summer lobster and sweet corn saute with a ginger vinaigrette - an unexpected flavor combination but out of this world! My husband had the wild mushroom ravioli which was also lovely. Our friend had the filet and honestly declared it one of the best steaks she'd ever had. We finished up with the chiffon cake with lemon curd (very light and summery with lots of fresh lemon flavor) and the chocolate lava cake (excellent and dark chocolate-y). Our server was very friendly and professional, paying us just the right amount of attention. The star of the show was the talented Chef Bob, though! In addition to the wonderful food he created, he came out at the end of the night to play several classical and baroque songs for the remaining guests on the grand piano. We had thought the player piano providing the background music during our first two courses was great, but his performance was the perfect dessert accompaniment! If you're heading through Albert Lea on I90 or 35 on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, you definitely should stop. Really, even if it's out of your way, Crescendo is worth a trip!

What a lovely dining experience!
We enjoyed the ambiance and the beautifully played grand piano. The choices on the Winter menu were exquisite indeed. I selected the Holiday Salad, Lobster Bisque and the Lobster Ravioli, which was as beautiful as it was delicious.
Whether dining with friends or an intimate meal with your love, you'll love all that Crescendo offers.

Sadly not a fan in spite of elegant atmosphere for Albert Lea. High metal ceiling required loud conversation to overcome accoustics. Food was beautifully presented and great flavor, but my lamb was so tough it was nearly impossible to cut. Vegetables very tasty, but a bit mushy and overcooked. Waitress apparently knew better than to return to table to ask how everything was....Flavor good. Service okay. Overall just not worth effort and cost. Won't be going back.

Update: Return visit. Food was again beautifully presented. My filet mignon was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. Date's shrimp pasta was "okay". Service was very good. Again room required loud conversation but atmosphere lovely. I would recommend.

Had a wonderful birthday dinner here. The staff went above and beyond and the food was exceptional! Can't wait to visit again!

Best fine dining in Minnesota! Probably could throw iowa in there as well. The filet served here never gets old. Chef has perfected his craft and the serving staff is made up of well informative and very respectful people. Its always nice to be spoken to by name because they care enough about their customers to remember! This is an absolute must go to place!

Awesome dining experience. The food is always a perfect 10. Great selection of wine. I have only ever had one bad experience and it was with a server named Saundra. She had a very bad attitude. Not impressed with her, but the restaurant is great.

Excellent fare and a charming atmosphere. When the server ground the pepper, he legitimately seemed as though there was nothing in the world he would rather have been doing. A marvelous place.

Our favorite fine dining location in Southern Minnesota. Love their seasonal menu, though their staple filet mignon is melt in your mouth delicious and the creme brulee is excellent. Extensive wine list and pairing suggestions. Warm and romantic atmosphere. Chef is talented both in the kitchen and on the baby grand piano. ❤

Nice small menu, intimate atmosphere

Wonderful place. So sad to see it end but totally understand. Enjoy your next adventure!