We are lucky to have a plentiful amount of excellent Italian restaurants in Marin. This Larkspur landmark has been around for decades but we had not been since a change in ownership. Overall, the service was adequate, but the server missed the mark, and the long awaited food was not up to par. The first course Caesar was scarely enough to cover the plate for $13 and the croutons were minimal and tasteless. My wife ordered the fettuccine with prawns in a lemon cream sauce but was delivered grilled prawns with a lemon butter and mashed potatoes. We asked for the original order to replace since fresh pasta only takes a few minutes to cook. Instead the previous dish was returned to her after 5 minutes. So I'm not sure what was lost in translation but she decided to forgo what she had ordered to eat with us. Our 3rd party ordered the bucatini with pancetta in cream sauce but was also disappointed with the bacon bit size of the pancetta supplied and flavorless sauce. I was also not a fan of the mushy texture of the lasagna noodles in the dish I ordered. It did not appear to have been made like a traditional bajed lasagna should be and ranked low in the lasagna I have had at any place in memory. In the end she was upcharged on the price from what she ordered to the plate they brought us. Overall we did not feel the quality and experience was sufficient to deliver more than 2.5 stars. Sorry, but you need to up your game to keep real Italian food afectionatatos happy. Ciao Don Antonio
Sean D.
I recently dined at this fantastic restaurant and it exceeded all expectations. The staff was not only friendly but also attentive, making the dining experience truly delightful. The menu showcased a perfect experience of true Italian cuisine, each dish crafted with precision and bursting with flavor. The warm and inviting environment added to the overall charm, making it an ideal spot for a memorable meal. Here's to the continued success of this remarkable establishment - a gem that deserves all the accolades it receives.
larkspur girl p.
Great local classical Italian restaurant. Fantastic vibe, with a warm and very welcoming staff. The new owners, Gary and Gary, are super friendly and local to the community. We can't wait to return.
Robert O.
Intimate atmosphere. Delicious lasagna and pasta michelle. New owner greeted us warmly. Highly recommend. Will get back soon
Michael C.
It was a dark and stormy night.. and we were in the mood for a cozy dinner near our home in Larkspur. There are many excellent choices.. we opted for one of our long-time favorites, Don Antonio's.. even going back to when it was located previously in Tiburon many years ago. My wife reminded me ownership had recently changed and maybe we should give it a try. Walking in, we were immediately warmly greeted by what turned out to be a new owner, Gary, and led to a comfy booth. We noted with relief that the waitstaff seemed to not have changed, and they all seemed happy. The overall vibe was great.. nice background music, and just a feeling happy optimism which was infectious. The updated menu had many old favorites, but several new items. Our waiter also surprised us with several enticing specials.. on a midweek eve! We opted for the eggplant appetizer, which arrived quickly and was Delicious! great flavors, and with the edges just so slightly charred to add a smoky complexity. I could've ordered another! For main courses my wife ordered the penne pasta in meat sauce, which was what she was craving that night.. she said it was perfect and hit the spot. I opted for the special Grouper, a new item and something I don't remember having on the west coast. WOW.. the large fillet of grouper was amazing... flavorful, delicate, whitefish with amazing texture and perfectly cooked, on a bed of sautee'ed spinach and mashed potatoes... couldn't ask for a better dish. While we waited for courses, Gary came over to say hi. He explained he and 2 partner/friends had just taken ownership and were eager for feedback as they gently navigate to evolve the venue and menu, keeping traditional fave's and introducing new items they're excited about.. the Grouper as an example. Turns out, Gary has quite an extensive background in the food and wine industry spanning many US regions, and even europe. He lives locally and is stoked for this opportunity to bring all his ideas together. Of note, he showed some examples of revamping the wine list to include several more premium stalwarts by the glass, such as Frank Family Chardonnay, at very reasonable pricing... the intent to offer a nice wine to pair with their dinner without feeling price-gouged... it's all about the experience he says. I love this guy! Needless to say, we were more than pleasantly surprised by our 'new' find, and can't wait to return and share the new Don Antonio journey as Gary and his merry band morph one of our favorites into new and delightful dining experiences!
Suzanne S.
My husband and I decided to try Don Antonio for lunch yesterday and SO glad we did. The food was delicious! The calamari were cooked to perfection, the arancini were delicious, my husband had the veal saltimboca and I had the chicken piccata - both were excellent. The vegetables that came with were delicious - not your usual bag of frozen Normandy - and cooked to perfection. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. We will definitely be putting this on our go to list.
Jeff L.
Fun, intimate, good food, and good,friendly service. Try asking if the pesto has cream in it!
Jooles M.
I was here on a Sunday in September and then again this previous Thursday. I'm not sure what's going on behind the scenes but the quality has taken a dive since the Tiburon days. The portion of their dinner special Mahi Mahi with vegetables was surprisingly small. This was recommended by our server over the Calamari dinner ! I had the lasagne which was basically flavorless. You would think that the Bolonese (sp) sauce could've saved/improved it but no. The noodles were quite soggy making me wonder if this had been sitting in the refrigerator a while. The staff works very hard however, I found myself wishing they could relax a little. In September our experience was slightly better but not by that much. Sorry to say we won't be back.
Marti A.
I have been here many times but this time was disappointing. The maitre d' was grouchy. Then there was a very bright holiday light shining directly into the eyes of two of us, and he did not like it when we pointed it out. Food was good, and service was very good, though they added a 20% tip for our group of 5. I thought the norm was to do that with groups of 6 or more. Won't be going back since there are lots of good Italian restaurants around.
Gloria S.
Don Antonio's was a nice surprise. Very nice ambiance, delicious food from the fresh spinach salad to the perfectly cooked prawns. Very friendly and attentive staff.
Food was consistently not good. Spinach salad was soggy from swimming in overdressed vinegar dressing. Osso Bucco was fatty, having not been trimmed or cooked down sufficiently. Green beans were cold. Chocolate gelato was anything but creamy, with large ice chunks throughout. Service was inattentive, and clearing plates before everyone was finished. There's a reason this restaurant has so few people compared to every other one in Larkspur. They need more supervision oversight in the kitchen and with the wait staff.
Hugh K.
Excellent and attentive service. Pleasant atmosphere Delicious food. We had spaghetti carbonara, baked cod, bruschetta, and Michelle Pasta. All were terrific.
Michael T.
Ambiance: outside, warm, no wind. So nice Service: knowledgeable, friendly, and prompt Food: Had a fascinating Insalata Caprese as a "tower" of larger heirloom tomato slice (Cherokee Purple-like), a deep red, a tasty Burrata ball, and topped with a smaller tomato slice (Early Girl-like). Dandy! Main was half a lobster out of the shell over a saffron risotto. With a glass of Vermentino (white Italian wine). Delightful summer dish! Dessert was La Bomba, a ball of chocolate & vanilla gelato covered in a dark chocolate shell with cherry center. Big fun! If I wasn't driving I'd would want to have glass of port to go with... Also it was a Wednesday and I got a parking space at 11;30 in the Don Antonio parking lot. What's not to like about THAT?!
Emilia G.
This place never disappoints. The staff are very helpful and attentive. The best chicken piccata I've had. The pasta dishes are so fresh and tasty. The bread is hot and delicious. Wine list is very extensive and wonderfully tasty.
Steve G.
Consistently, good food and good service. It is one of my mainstays. I highly recommend the sole. Nice ambience.
We are lucky to have a plentiful amount of excellent Italian restaurants in Marin. This Larkspur landmark has been around for decades but we had not been since a change in ownership. Overall, the service was adequate, but the server missed the mark, and the long awaited food was not up to par. The first course Caesar was scarely enough to cover the plate for $13 and the croutons were minimal and tasteless. My wife ordered the fettuccine with prawns in a lemon cream sauce but was delivered grilled prawns with a lemon butter and mashed potatoes. We asked for the original order to replace since fresh pasta only takes a few minutes to cook. Instead the previous dish was returned to her after 5 minutes. So I'm not sure what was lost in translation but she decided to forgo what she had ordered to eat with us. Our 3rd party ordered the bucatini with pancetta in cream sauce but was also disappointed with the bacon bit size of the pancetta supplied and flavorless sauce. I was also not a fan of the mushy texture of the lasagna noodles in the dish I ordered. It did not appear to have been made like a traditional bajed lasagna should be and ranked low in the lasagna I have had at any place in memory. In the end she was upcharged on the price from what she ordered to the plate they brought us. Overall we did not feel the quality and experience was sufficient to deliver more than 2.5 stars. Sorry, but you need to up your game to keep real Italian food afectionatatos happy. Ciao Don Antonio
I recently dined at this fantastic restaurant and it exceeded all expectations. The staff was not only friendly but also attentive, making the dining experience truly delightful. The menu showcased a perfect experience of true Italian cuisine, each dish crafted with precision and bursting with flavor. The warm and inviting environment added to the overall charm, making it an ideal spot for a memorable meal. Here's to the continued success of this remarkable establishment - a gem that deserves all the accolades it receives.
Great local classical Italian restaurant. Fantastic vibe, with a warm and very welcoming staff. The new owners, Gary and Gary, are super friendly and local to the community. We can't wait to return.
Intimate atmosphere. Delicious lasagna and pasta michelle. New owner greeted us warmly. Highly recommend. Will get back soon
It was a dark and stormy night.. and we were in the mood for a cozy dinner near our home in Larkspur. There are many excellent choices.. we opted for one of our long-time favorites, Don Antonio's.. even going back to when it was located previously in Tiburon many years ago. My wife reminded me ownership had recently changed and maybe we should give it a try. Walking in, we were immediately warmly greeted by what turned out to be a new owner, Gary, and led to a comfy booth. We noted with relief that the waitstaff seemed to not have changed, and they all seemed happy. The overall vibe was great.. nice background music, and just a feeling happy optimism which was infectious. The updated menu had many old favorites, but several new items. Our waiter also surprised us with several enticing specials.. on a midweek eve! We opted for the eggplant appetizer, which arrived quickly and was Delicious! great flavors, and with the edges just so slightly charred to add a smoky complexity. I could've ordered another! For main courses my wife ordered the penne pasta in meat sauce, which was what she was craving that night.. she said it was perfect and hit the spot. I opted for the special Grouper, a new item and something I don't remember having on the west coast. WOW.. the large fillet of grouper was amazing... flavorful, delicate, whitefish with amazing texture and perfectly cooked, on a bed of sautee'ed spinach and mashed potatoes... couldn't ask for a better dish. While we waited for courses, Gary came over to say hi. He explained he and 2 partner/friends had just taken ownership and were eager for feedback as they gently navigate to evolve the venue and menu, keeping traditional fave's and introducing new items they're excited about.. the Grouper as an example. Turns out, Gary has quite an extensive background in the food and wine industry spanning many US regions, and even europe. He lives locally and is stoked for this opportunity to bring all his ideas together. Of note, he showed some examples of revamping the wine list to include several more premium stalwarts by the glass, such as Frank Family Chardonnay, at very reasonable pricing... the intent to offer a nice wine to pair with their dinner without feeling price-gouged... it's all about the experience he says. I love this guy! Needless to say, we were more than pleasantly surprised by our 'new' find, and can't wait to return and share the new Don Antonio journey as Gary and his merry band morph one of our favorites into new and delightful dining experiences!
My husband and I decided to try Don Antonio for lunch yesterday and SO glad we did. The food was delicious! The calamari were cooked to perfection, the arancini were delicious, my husband had the veal saltimboca and I had the chicken piccata - both were excellent. The vegetables that came with were delicious - not your usual bag of frozen Normandy - and cooked to perfection. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. We will definitely be putting this on our go to list.
Fun, intimate, good food, and good,friendly service. Try asking if the pesto has cream in it!
I was here on a Sunday in September and then again this previous Thursday. I'm not sure what's going on behind the scenes but the quality has taken a dive since the Tiburon days. The portion of their dinner special Mahi Mahi with vegetables was surprisingly small. This was recommended by our server over the Calamari dinner ! I had the lasagne which was basically flavorless. You would think that the Bolonese (sp) sauce could've saved/improved it but no. The noodles were quite soggy making me wonder if this had been sitting in the refrigerator a while. The staff works very hard however, I found myself wishing they could relax a little. In September our experience was slightly better but not by that much. Sorry to say we won't be back.
I have been here many times but this time was disappointing. The maitre d' was grouchy. Then there was a very bright holiday light shining directly into the eyes of two of us, and he did not like it when we pointed it out. Food was good, and service was very good, though they added a 20% tip for our group of 5. I thought the norm was to do that with groups of 6 or more. Won't be going back since there are lots of good Italian restaurants around.
Don Antonio's was a nice surprise. Very nice ambiance, delicious food from the fresh spinach salad to the perfectly cooked prawns. Very friendly and attentive staff.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was consistently not good. Spinach salad was soggy from swimming in overdressed vinegar dressing. Osso Bucco was fatty, having not been trimmed or cooked down sufficiently. Green beans were cold. Chocolate gelato was anything but creamy, with large ice chunks throughout. Service was inattentive, and clearing plates before everyone was finished. There's a reason this restaurant has so few people compared to every other one in Larkspur. They need more supervision oversight in the kitchen and with the wait staff.
Excellent and attentive service. Pleasant atmosphere Delicious food. We had spaghetti carbonara, baked cod, bruschetta, and Michelle Pasta. All were terrific.
Ambiance: outside, warm, no wind. So nice Service: knowledgeable, friendly, and prompt Food: Had a fascinating Insalata Caprese as a "tower" of larger heirloom tomato slice (Cherokee Purple-like), a deep red, a tasty Burrata ball, and topped with a smaller tomato slice (Early Girl-like). Dandy! Main was half a lobster out of the shell over a saffron risotto. With a glass of Vermentino (white Italian wine). Delightful summer dish! Dessert was La Bomba, a ball of chocolate & vanilla gelato covered in a dark chocolate shell with cherry center. Big fun! If I wasn't driving I'd would want to have glass of port to go with... Also it was a Wednesday and I got a parking space at 11;30 in the Don Antonio parking lot. What's not to like about THAT?!
This place never disappoints. The staff are very helpful and attentive. The best chicken piccata I've had. The pasta dishes are so fresh and tasty. The bread is hot and delicious. Wine list is very extensive and wonderfully tasty.
Consistently, good food and good service. It is one of my mainstays. I highly recommend the sole. Nice ambience.