Venticello Ristorante

07/10/09

Intimate, relaxed, Top Notch Northern Italina Food

by meiacomida at Citysearch

Waiter/Sommelier/Host was wonderful, really knows his wines and foods.

Everyone was thrilled with the food, from our business dinner. Even the foodie in the group spoke highly of the sole and polenta. Strips of Lamb tender and the chicken were wonderful.

Good mix of Italian and No. Californian wines. Teroldego was excellent and a pleasant surprise. The Cain Concept was almost as good as the Cain 5.

Great views, relaxed and attentive service. This is a top notch Italian restaurant. Cozy but not crowded, high end value for reasonable prices. Would go again just for the antipasti plate.

• Pros: Appetizers are heavenly
• Cons: Out of the way

04/02/08

Delicious food met with cozy atmosphere

by nannersnrice at Citysearch

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and I couldn't have been more impressed. Perched atop Nob Hill, it had a breathtaking view of the city. As soon as we walked in the host made us feel welcome and comfortable. The atmosphere inside was gorgeous and I felt as if I stepped into a Tuscan villa. The bread promptly brought to our table was extremely fresh, still warm as if straight out of the oven, and was the softest moistest bread that I had ever tasted. I ordered the carbonara, with home-made pasta and wanted to faint it was so good! The cream sauce was rich in flavor, but not too heavy or salty. I could tell the pasta was home-made because it was so fresh and it was cooked perfectly al dente. I took a bite of my boyfriend's veal which was also delicious and tender. I finished with a strawberry cheesecake. I thought Cheesecake factory was good but this put it to shame!!! It was beautifully decorated and presented. I took a bite of my boyfriend's pannacotta which was wonderful and beautiful as well. This one experience brought Venticello to the top of my list of Italian restaurants. My roommate who is a fierce food critic and self-proclaimed "foody" dipped into my left-overs and reported that even though she hates carbonara, that it was one of the best pasta dishes she had ever tasted. And that was the next day after it had been sitting in our fridge! That meant a lot to me.

• Pros: Carbonara, the bread, the cheesecake, ambiance, romantic, intimate
• Cons: A little pricey for me, but well worth it! Parking is expensive :/

09/16/07

Nice Cozy Place with Good Food

by drastler at Citysearch

We were promptly seated, friendly service and good food. We started with the gnocchi entre and split if four ways for starter. Mushroom sauce was rich and intense. Caesar Salads with white anchovie was also very nice with large bands of cheese. The lobster bisque pasta special was excellent as was the lamb special and the pork tenderloin. Reasonable Itallian wines; limited CA reds however. I would goback. Nice for a quite romantic dinner.

• Pros: Small intimate feeling; pasta specials where great.
• Cons: Limited CA wines, limited menue selection

08/25/06

What happened?

by sollje at Citysearch

For years, I have been going here once a year for special occasions --- birthday dinner, friends coming in from out of town, a accomplishment at work. Went last night, a Thursday night, and should have figured out something was wrong when it was almost completely empty at 8pm. While the pasta carbonara that a friend and I shared was OUTSTANDING, the rest of the meal was disappointing and blah. Heirloom tomato salad completely drenched in a vinagrette that made you pucker, a dry, mealy caesar were the starts. I regret not sending my almost untouched tomato salad back. My veal scallopini and his rosmary lamb looked like the exact same plate with two different meats on it. Looking at the sprinkles of parsley, little mounds of red cabbage, and meat drowning in brown sauce made me think of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. I have to find a new great Italian, because I won't be coming back, despite the wonderful, romantic interior.... Well, maybe I will..... because that carbonara was truly AMAZING.

• Pros: carbonara, great ambiance, cool
• Cons: other than the pasta, food not up to par.

08/11/06

Great pasta

by lkcoops at Citysearch

This is a wonderful place to go with a group of friends or that someone special. The atmosphere is comfortable, the food is outstanding, and the service is great. The pastas are all out of this world! But leave room for dessert. The lemon sorbet is a great way to end the evening.

• Pros: Food, service, ambience
• Cons: corner tables can be hot