Ottimista Enoteca'cafe

Doesn't Recommend

winelvr77

Joined 7 years ago

One apple spoiled the whole bunch. Overall I thought this place was very nice and the ambiance was great... However, there was one waiter there that treated our party (of 13) as though we were annoying him. I invited some friends to share my wifes birthday and enjoy some wine, and unfortunately the poor service dominated the evening. I do have to say the bartenders were very nice, and made excellent recommendations. Unfortunately the one bad apple made me not want to spend my hard earned money there again. Take my opinion for what its worth i am upset about my wifes b-day being ruined.

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ocdw

Joined 7 years ago

Bad waiter ruins an otherwise great place.... Food, ambience, wine selection, and bartenders were great. A spot like this fills a real void on Union.

That being said, our waiter was one of the rudest servers I have had the misfortune of coming across. He rarely deigned to acknowledge our existence and when we could flag him down he acted as though we were asking for one of his kidneys rather than a glass of wine.

Having worked in restaurants for 5 years, I know it can be a difficult job. I always try to be courteous to wait staff. I have NEVER asked to speak to a manager, and the first time I have ever done so was at Ottimista. It's unfortunate that he ruined an otherwise great experience for us.

I hope Ottimista fine-tunes the staff, because aside from this guy they have a great team and a fine establishment.

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nlongo77

Joined 7 years ago

Cute, cozy wine bar with great food. So I have been about 5 times. I bring everyone I know. The food is so good. All the pizzas are delicious. So is the gnocchi and risotto. Also, brunch is fun on the porch. The breakfast pizza (with bacon and fried eggs) is so yummy.

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jamaj79

Joined 8 years ago

Cool wine bar, mainly Italian wines though. This is a fun place in Cow hollow, it has a variety of good wines that you can try and the bartenders are always friendly. Very willing to give you a taste and not charge you. IF you are not familiar with italian wines then note that this may not be the best place for you to sample wines by the glass. Definitely a good place to hang out and chat with friends.

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jamesinsf

Joined 7 years ago

People Watch Over Delicious Small Plates. I had a meeting for the Junior League at Ottimista last night, followed by a happy hour. The service was good--we were constantly checked on by our waitress. Among us we sampled the gnocchi (which was absolutely outstanding, I can't wait to go back for more), the crostini, the salmon appetizer, and the breaded olives. Everything was delicious. The olives took me back to dinner parties at my parents house as a child and, now that I could pair it with a nice wine, they were even better.

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pepita

Joined 8 years ago

yes, yes and yes. Ottimista...I think so! The energy is laid back and happy. An excellent place to connect with friends and enjoy a little wine/food pairing. Rustic furniture with pillows everywhere, Billy Holiday playing softly in the background and lighting that reaks of romance. If you have a group, the front porch is perfectly warm in every sense of the word... again, pillows surround you, heat lamps warm you, candles relax you....a feeling of the film, "Stealing Beauty"if you've seen it. Excellent selection of wine and food with knowledgable and fun staff to help you pair them up. You have the option of staying safe with wines you already know or venturing into new territory without feeling intimidated... I recommend venturing. The food sums up "the whole" of Ottimista....creative and fulfilling; I recommend risotto with truffles and the ricotta donuts!! Oh yeah, and a glass of "Refosco".

Doesn't Recommend

melissa1219

Joined 8 years ago

HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED!. I would not suggest this place to any of my close friend's and or associates for that matter. I found it to be very stuffy, the service was at best fair, food far less than fair and way over priced. I met the blonde female owner and found her to be extremely rude & quite offensive, not quite what I expected being a new restaurant in the area! The location is great, but I would not suggest this place to anyone nor will I or my friend's go back there are "plenty" of other fabulous places in the city and this one is not worth it to.

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phistina

Joined 8 years ago

Lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.... Finally, maturity comes to Union Street in the form of Ottimista. Talk about finding nothing like this on Union or anywhere else nearby, this cozy, warm, rustic joint provides respite from the nearby frat bars. Ottimista boasts staff that are so down-to-earth, smiley, friendly and helpful. A big deal on Union Street I would say. Did I mention romantic? Coupled with the fact one can find a classy glass for $7-$10 is, well, lovely.

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wineguy2005

Joined 8 years ago

Finally a comfortable wine bar with great food. What a great place!!!! Great wine selection at almost retail prices, friendly staff, well executed and thoughtout menu.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Rustic Italian-style wine bar with seasonal small plates opens in Cow Hollow.. In Short
An exposed wine cellar, marble-topped bar and soaring timber ceiling give this sophisticated wine bar an airy, open feel. The wine list offers 25 by the glass and 200 by the bottle options, mostly varietals from small, family-owned Italian and California producers. Even the seasonal small plates, such as artisanal cheese plates, truffled risotto, and fresh ricotta doughnuts with nutmeg sugar, are designed to complement the selection of vino. Weekend brunch options feature frittatas and savory parmesan French toast.