This restaurant is quaint. The service is timely, professional and the food is absolutely outstanding!
Jesse O'Hara
Who's the tall owner manager clown? Please don't be creepy to my wife when she picks up food. Thanks
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Eddie
I have been going to Fresco since mid 2000's and their food is always on point. We have gotten to know the staff and they are very friendly and attentive. If you are ever in the Bonsall area looking for some good Italian food with a good atmosphere. Stop by and relax with a nice glass of wine.
Fumi
I don't often order spaghetti and meatballs because the pasta is usually overcooked, so I was pleasantly surprised to find the spaghetti noodles were cooked perfectly al denté! The one big disappointment was my sister's order was missed so she wasn't served hers for another 10 minutes. The waitress let us know about it right away and was very apologetic and gave us a free cannoli. Nice ambiance too
Wolf Design
I have been frequenting here since before their renovations -- at least 8 years. The owner is kind and welcoming, the food has always been very good, I like their patio and new decor. However, my reason for a big drop in stars is a new practice they developed that I find horrible for customers - if you pay cash its one price they list, but if you pay with a credit card YOU get charged 3.5% for your entire meal and they give you a different price (it shows you both prices on your receipt - price if you pay with cash, price if you pay with credit card). In addition of course to the 15% - 20% tip expected. Since when is basic payment option that any restaurant or retail store has as a part of their basic business operating expense the customer burden? (And I was a CEO of many companies, I well understand business expenses that get built-in to overall operating cost). It doesn't feel great to have a $250 meal tab for a family or group of friends, and suddenly see an additional 3.5% tacked on for credit card charge if we wont pay cash (so... are we all just supposed to get up from the table and go find a bank ATM across the street to get cash out and come back?). I get if this was a small mom and pop ice cream shop on a $4 ice cream where it's easy to pay cash. But at what I consider a nicer restaurant where it's usually well in the $150 - $300+ range, it feels tacky and insulting. Even the waitress mentioned that customers didn't like it and it was interfering with her tip amounts, too. I highly suggest the owner reconsider this practice. It feels like he's trying to run an all cash business to scam on taxes, and pushing that on his customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jerry
When filled with customers it is loud. Menu curtailed from earlier this y ear, offering fewer choices. Bring back Clams Linguine!
Mykele
I love this restaurant. The service, the food, the atmosphere! Always good and consistent!
freshroasted coffee
I had a limited experience at this restaurant. We were there on a preselected menu. I really enjoyed the salad with the marinated pears.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
GenSting
First of all, the ambiance is wonderful. Whether you’re inside or outside, the restaurant feels very welcoming and comfortable and fairly upscale. The people are also wonderful! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Very welcoming and knowledgeable.
The food tasted good and was served in a reasonable amount of time, but unfortunately resulted in an evening of nasty food poisoning for yours truly. Also is a fairly expensive place for the quality of the food served.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
cal
Ordered wine and it never came, we had to remind the waiter about the wine order. Appetizers came out 30 minutes plus after we ordered. Food was not good. Halibut was over cooked not at all flaky, so was not eaten. The 2 NY strip steaks plates we ordered were requested at medium temp. But came out medium well. One guest requested to have her steak sent back, only to receive the steak come out raw. The lamb was over cooked, the spaghetti with seafood was horrible that our friend ended up sick throughout the rest of the night. Service was not on point, although the waiter was very nice, the food and delay in service was unacceptable. We will not frequent this restaurant again.
We’ve been going to this restaurant for more than 15 years and have really enjoyed the food and ambiance here in the past — it’s always been delicious and well prepared. That said, the prices are some of the highest around, and unfortunately the service from two of our latest visits (same server) left us feeling unwelcome. For a restaurant at this price point, the experience should match the quality of the food, but the service has not reflected that.
We truly hope the owner considers investing in more thorough training for the staff, as it could make a big difference. After the latest experience we’ve decided we won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Sharon
The service and food was fantastic. The restaurant seating has changed and was very comfortable.
Trina
This is our third time dining at this facility and our previous experiences were great. Not sure what happened last night but the quality of the food from start to finish was not an enjoyable one. To start, I ordered a Pinot Grigio -very good. My husband ordered one of the Martini's and it was dry and too tart, so he switched over to a smooth Cabernet. I ordered the Strawberry salad and my husband ordered the Caesar. There was too much salad on both plates - too much dressing on mine and not enough on my husband's. We both ordered the filet mignon, medium. The meat came out precut, medium well and unfortunately too dry. Having the meat come out precut was not something we expected. The potatoes were too hard and lacked taste and the veggies were overcooked. There was a live quartet jazz band that kept the establishment entertained, so no complaints there. Not sure we'll come back.
REGINALD
Great experience for a family and friends gathering. We had lunch and everything was wonderful. Great personable service. We will be returning soon!
Frank
This was our first visit, and we were immediately impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and stylish décor. The olive oil served with the bread was exceptional, and the artichoke starter was truly outstanding—one of the highlights of the meal. We were looking forward to the entrées, anticipating the same level of authenticity and flavor. The salmon was well-prepared and enjoyable. However, the Spaghetti Carbonara was disappointing. The menu described a traditional preparation with guanciale, egg, pecorino Romano, and black pepper. Unfortunately, the dish arrived overly heavy with cream, lacking the expected pepper, and the guanciale was partially burnt, resulting in a bitter taste. The egg appeared to have been scrambled rather than emulsified with pasta water to create the classic creamy texture, leaving bits of cooked yolk instead of a smooth sauce. For a restaurant that positions itself as authentically Italian, I expected a more faithful execution of this iconic dish. I left disappointed, as the Carbonara was far too rich and unbalanced to enjoy.
This restaurant is quaint. The service is timely, professional and the food is absolutely outstanding!
Who's the tall owner manager clown? Please don't be creepy to my wife when she picks up food. Thanks
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I have been going to Fresco since mid 2000's and their food is always on point. We have gotten to know the staff and they are very friendly and attentive. If you are ever in the Bonsall area looking for some good Italian food with a good atmosphere. Stop by and relax with a nice glass of wine.
I don't often order spaghetti and meatballs because the pasta is usually overcooked, so I was pleasantly surprised to find the spaghetti noodles were cooked perfectly al denté! The one big disappointment was my sister's order was missed so she wasn't served hers for another 10 minutes. The waitress let us know about it right away and was very apologetic and gave us a free cannoli. Nice ambiance too
I have been frequenting here since before their renovations -- at least 8 years. The owner is kind and welcoming, the food has always been very good, I like their patio and new decor. However, my reason for a big drop in stars is a new practice they developed that I find horrible for customers - if you pay cash its one price they list, but if you pay with a credit card YOU get charged 3.5% for your entire meal and they give you a different price (it shows you both prices on your receipt - price if you pay with cash, price if you pay with credit card). In addition of course to the 15% - 20% tip expected. Since when is basic payment option that any restaurant or retail store has as a part of their basic business operating expense the customer burden? (And I was a CEO of many companies, I well understand business expenses that get built-in to overall operating cost). It doesn't feel great to have a $250 meal tab for a family or group of friends, and suddenly see an additional 3.5% tacked on for credit card charge if we wont pay cash (so... are we all just supposed to get up from the table and go find a bank ATM across the street to get cash out and come back?). I get if this was a small mom and pop ice cream shop on a $4 ice cream where it's easy to pay cash. But at what I consider a nicer restaurant where it's usually well in the $150 - $300+ range, it feels tacky and insulting. Even the waitress mentioned that customers didn't like it and it was interfering with her tip amounts, too. I highly suggest the owner reconsider this practice. It feels like he's trying to run an all cash business to scam on taxes, and pushing that on his customers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
When filled with customers it is loud. Menu curtailed from earlier this y ear, offering fewer choices. Bring back Clams Linguine!
I love this restaurant. The service, the food, the atmosphere! Always good and consistent!
I had a limited experience at this restaurant. We were there on a preselected menu. I really enjoyed the salad with the marinated pears.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First of all, the ambiance is wonderful. Whether you’re inside or outside, the restaurant feels very welcoming and comfortable and fairly upscale. The people are also wonderful! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Very welcoming and knowledgeable.
The food tasted good and was served in a reasonable amount of time, but unfortunately resulted in an evening of nasty food poisoning for yours truly. Also is a fairly expensive place for the quality of the food served.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Ordered wine and it never came, we had to remind the waiter about the wine order. Appetizers came out 30 minutes plus after we ordered. Food was not good. Halibut was over cooked not at all flaky, so was not eaten. The 2 NY strip steaks plates we ordered were requested at medium temp. But came out medium well. One guest requested to have her steak sent back, only to receive the steak come out raw. The lamb was over cooked, the spaghetti with seafood was horrible that our friend ended up sick throughout the rest of the night. Service was not on point, although the waiter was very nice, the food and delay in service was unacceptable. We will not frequent this restaurant again.
Restaurantji Recommends
We’ve been going to this restaurant for more than 15 years and have really enjoyed the food and ambiance here in the past — it’s always been delicious and well prepared. That said, the prices are some of the highest around, and unfortunately the service from two of our latest visits (same server) left us feeling unwelcome. For a restaurant at this price point, the experience should match the quality of the food, but the service has not reflected that.
We truly hope the owner considers investing in more thorough training for the staff, as it could make a big difference. After the latest experience we’ve decided we won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
The service and food was fantastic. The restaurant seating has changed and was very comfortable.
This is our third time dining at this facility and our previous experiences were great. Not sure what happened last night but the quality of the food from start to finish was not an enjoyable one. To start, I ordered a Pinot Grigio -very good. My husband ordered one of the Martini's and it was dry and too tart, so he switched over to a smooth Cabernet. I ordered the Strawberry salad and my husband ordered the Caesar. There was too much salad on both plates - too much dressing on mine and not enough on my husband's. We both ordered the filet mignon, medium. The meat came out precut, medium well and unfortunately too dry. Having the meat come out precut was not something we expected. The potatoes were too hard and lacked taste and the veggies were overcooked. There was a live quartet jazz band that kept the establishment entertained, so no complaints there. Not sure we'll come back.
Great experience for a family and friends gathering. We had lunch and everything was wonderful. Great personable service. We will be returning soon!
This was our first visit, and we were immediately impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and stylish décor. The olive oil served with the bread was exceptional, and the artichoke starter was truly outstanding—one of the highlights of the meal. We were looking forward to the entrées, anticipating the same level of authenticity and flavor. The salmon was well-prepared and enjoyable. However, the Spaghetti Carbonara was disappointing. The menu described a traditional preparation with guanciale, egg, pecorino Romano, and black pepper. Unfortunately, the dish arrived overly heavy with cream, lacking the expected pepper, and the guanciale was partially burnt, resulting in a bitter taste. The egg appeared to have been scrambled rather than emulsified with pasta water to create the classic creamy texture, leaving bits of cooked yolk instead of a smooth sauce. For a restaurant that positions itself as authentically Italian, I expected a more faithful execution of this iconic dish. I left disappointed, as the Carbonara was far too rich and unbalanced to enjoy.
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