Chalet Ticino (formerly Pasta Grotto)

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struesdell

Joined 6 years ago

Charming little place. Went to this place last night based on the reviews found on CitySearch, and the fact that it is so close to our hotel. This restaurant is just lovely. Very understated. The owner/waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. He seemed to know everybody in the restaurant except us. The dining area is small, and you can hear kitchen chatter about order...giving it a very mom & pop type feel.

The food: My salad was a generic spring mix, but the dressing was homemade and quite good. The cherry tomatoes were very good. Big plus for sourcing quality ingredients even for the small stuff. My boyfriend had the wedding soup, which he loved. It was just as it should be... comfort food. We had the sauteed mushroom appetizer, which was wonderful. My orange chicken was good. The chicken was cooked perfectly. He ordered the raclette, which was served up very traditionally, little onions and all. He loved it. We had a warm berry & vanilla ice cream dessert, which was fabulous. We both had the merlot, as recommended by the owner. Very nice table wine that went well with everything.

Overall: this place is not fancy. The food is traditional. They aren't going for creativity points. But serving up what I would call swiss comfort food. It was well worth the time and $, we'll be back.

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patriciasteed

Joined 5 years ago

Excellent find in Foster City!. We tried Trattoria Pasta Grotto, now named Chateau Ticino, based on rating we found on the internet. This is a hidden gem! Very elegant with extremely reasonable prices. Very interesting menu, all kinds of authentic dishes that you won't find anywhere else. The owner was very attentive, even making me a dish from the lunch menu at dinnertime. The wine list is not extensive, but the wine we had was wonderful. A must-try for residents and visitors to the area alike!

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treborz

Joined 6 years ago

Outstanding Food, Great Prices. Recently renamed Chateau Ticino to more accurately reflect the quality and type of meals offered, the restaurant serves outstanding Swiss-Italian and Swiss-German dishes. A small but eclectic wine list compliments the superb dining experience. Whether it is a Veal dish, one of several Fritattas, or Swiss Mixed Grill, the food is excellent - without being over-priced.

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pattyjo

Joined 6 years ago

Charming European Restaurant. This treasure is in an out of the way strip mall in Foster City. I drive from Sunnyvale almost every week because it is just THAT good!!! The owner always greets you with a smile and a dry sense of humor. The staff are polite, friendly and professional. I cannot find another restaurant in the area with this unique of a menu. The Rosti Abondonza is out of the ordinary - a potato pancake/Hashbrown as the base, with greans and grilled chicken on top with a tasty dressing. The specials are wonderful. The lamb dishes gourmet and delicious. The desserts are to die for!! Eat light for the week and then spend all your calories here!!!

I noticed quite a few taking food out. I wish I lived close by as i would be there daily! We are going to the grand opening BRUNCH today - i can hardly wait!!!

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mariabella2007

Joined 6 years ago

Wonderful european flare! Swiss-Italian border food. They offer a fantastic, very reasonably priced, swiss-italian menu. This quaint european style restaurant is a def finitely not on the well traveled path. (one of the things I like about it). It's not hard to find if you know where the post office is on shell blvd. The decor is lovely and makes you feel right at home. The staff is warm, friendly, and service is attentive but not overbearing. The food is wonderful. I love tboth the swiss offerings as well as the italian. Their deserts are even better! They often have a desert of the day that is always worth the extra calories!

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grandmax8

Joined 6 years ago

Peninsula's Best Swiss-Italian dining!. This restaurant is really a great find! Long story short; would not have found this jem of a restaurant if I didn't go to the post office to mail some holiday packages. The lovely twinkling holiday decor drew me in. They have a delightful swiss-italian offering. We took a table next to the fireplace. It was warm and cozy. The bread was fresh, the wait staff was warm and friendly, the fondue and entre' presentations were wonderful. The prices are very reasonable for the quailty of the food. If they had a better location; bet their prices would be much higher. The best part; the food the outstanding; I've been there a few more times since. I've had the lamb, veal zurich, and the peppery polenta; all very delicious! Each time I cannot resist one of their fabulous deserts! If you are headed for dining on edgewater blvd, make a left (or right depending on your direction) and head over to shell blvd; I'm certainly glad I did!

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ghui66

Joined 7 years ago

Bread pudding is a must!. This is a great neighborhood place. It is cozy. Service is good. Price is fair. Food is good. Always have an interesting selection of wine - all very reasonably priced. He will give you a taste if you can't decide... I recently saw a couple enjoying the cheese fondue - it looked great.

If you like bread pudding, it's a must!

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irishrosefc

Joined 7 years ago

Hidden little treasure!. First of all, it's in a horrible location, tough to find but well worth the effort. Alex, the owner, is a hands-on entreprenuer who has designed a delicious and authentic Swiss-Italian menu. The apple streudel for dessert is his secret recipe, and it is fantastic! He has wonderful, unique menu items served in a newly-redecorated little space which is warm, inviting and intimate. Order the antipasto, it has a secret roasted garlic marinade that is delicious. The wine list is limited, but he doesn't insult you with ridiculous prices-they are well chosen and priced to indulge without pain. He also has an extensive catering menu.

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sfmommy74

Joined 8 years ago

Great for lunch and dinner alike. Having been to this establishment a few times, I can say it offers wonderful dishes, particularly any pork dishes. It is a Swiss-Italian restaurant and has a great variety of dishes. The ambiance is quiet and quaint, and the waitstaff is friendly. Sandwiches are great for lunch, and eating outside is an option as well.

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chocotiffy

Joined 8 years ago

interesting... The items on the menu sound far elegant than the decor of the restaurant. The food is better than I expected and adequately priced. The service is great and I would definitely go here again.