12/26/07

Authentic, refreshing, comfortable, brilliant experience

by hope444

I have been here twice and just love it! Our meals were excellent, the staff was extremely attentive without constantly hovering (which takes skill, timing, and grace), and they do not rush you out the door but let you relax as long as you want with your coffee. The owner is from Italy, along with most of the staff (from what I can tell), so I think that helps with understanding the art of restaurant service. They seem to take it very seriously. (And the prices are very reasonable for what you get!) I find that so refreshing after disappointing experiences at other restaurants with mediocre food and shockingly inexperienced and unsophisticated wait staff (e.g., Left Bank in Menlo -- boy, have they gone down hill). We are excited to have found a new favorite!

• Pros: very reasonable prices for the stellar quality of the cooking and the excellent service, large skylight, comfortable
• Cons: that I do not live closer!

05/24/07

Worst service I've experienced

by dpcardila

Can't comment on the food because couldn't eat it! After waiting for over 30 mins for a Panini from the specials list (you might think they're prepared for that order) we got a cold dish...? the sandwich was cold and the French fries soggy and cold as well. So we send it back, ten minutes later we got the SAME plates with the exact same food... this time the plate was hot...the food still cold though!

Send it back again and asked for the manager who came out and said he was sorry but there were really busy so the waiters didn?t have time to refill water and the chefs were very busy too ? that?s why the food was cold? come on!

Of course they didn't charge for the Panini, but still charged for the iced tea? service? I get much better service at a fast-food drive-thru! No even an apology!

• Pros: Location, outside seating
• Cons: Everything else!

01/05/07

best italian in san mateo

by catgerm

this is mine and my boyfriend's favorite place to go. it has wonderful food and an upscale atmosphere without the super high prices. the food is also fantastic. the linguini ala vongole and the ny steak are the best! The service is also wonderful.

• Pros: service, food, and prices
• Cons: parking on busy nights