I have always wanted to try Cetrella but never got the chance as my kids love the State Street Diner that is next door which trumps going to this spot. So when I had the chance, I ended up going to this for a dinner party I hosted for 7 guests and me. Everyone had a blast. Food: We had 7 or 8 starters that we shared. I highly recommend getting a bunch of starters and sharing them. The beat salad and the crab cakes were the highlights. Service: We had exquisite service and the staff was very courteous. I am sorry that there are no pictures, but I will be going here again. Ash
Hardwin
Nice experience at Cetrella last night. The owner was present and gracious and our server Timothy was pleasant, professional and took good care of us. Small but decent list of wine by the glass. Timing of our salads and entrees perfect for a relaxing evening, only slightly disappointed that my paella dish did not have the crispy rice bottom to it. We arrived early but the place filled up, not too loud and easy to carry on conversation. We will return.
Singh
Worst food ever I had. Tasteless not recommended. 👎🏻
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jamie Johnson
This is hands down the best restaurant in Los Altos! The food is incredible, the music makes me feel like I’m in Europe and the staff is so wonderful! We try to make it here weekly because we love it so much. And it’s so clean!!! Immaculate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Forest Mushroom Risotto, New Zealand Ōra King Salmon Tuscan Kale Salad, Pan Seared Bronzino, Glazed Short Rib, Braised New Zealand Atkins Ranch Lamb Shank, Spanish Paella, Branzino, Lamb Meatballs, Grilled Filet Mignon, Pot Roast
Veronica Morgan
Cetrella is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Los Altos for upscale dining, special occasions, or a romantic night out. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and elegant, the perfect blend of modern California charm and classic sophistication.
The food was phenomenal. We ordered the seasonal fish crudo to start, which was perfectly tender and flavorful, followed by the fava bean hummus, corn soup, Mezze Rigatoni, and forest mushroom risotto, all cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The seasonal ingredients and attention to detail in every dish truly set this place apart. Amol the chef even came out and greeted us.
Service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and made excellent wine and drink pairing suggestions from their impressive cocktail list. All made with fresh ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for a top-rated restaurant in Los Altos or planning a private event, Cetrella delivers exceptional quality and hospitality. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a five-star dining experience in the heart of Silicon Valley for lunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Johanne
Lunch at Cetrella is true delight. The food is great and the ambience perfect. It is a favorite of mine and my friends.
Theatergoer
The mushroom risotto was spectacular! We also enjoyed the branzino quite a bit. I tried the Cetrella cocktail and was very pleased. The service was friendly and timely.
Kay
Cetrella is a great restaurant. The food is great and the ambience perfect for a pleasant evening. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
Michelle
This evening, we dined with friends at Cetrella for the first time. It is a beautiful dining room, well-located near public parking. Our friends got street parking right outside the front door! There were not many other people in the dining room, which had a bit of a dampening impact on the ambiance, but this was not a reflection of the food. We started with cocktails, which are a set price of $18 each. Between us, we ate crab cakes, beet salad, lamb meatballs and frito misto for starters, with filet mignon, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, and lamb shank as mains. The lamb, in particular, was highly praised by my husband. We rounded off with panna cotta and chocolate cake. It was a very tasty meal. Serving sizes are pretty good. The servers were friendly and helpful.
Yirui Arlene Zhang
We went for dinner During a workday night and there were only a few people and very quiet. For starters, we had garlic prawns and roasted octopus. The octopus is very good and flavorful, despite small portion. The prawns are fine but I don't really taste much garlic flavor, rather tomato sauce like base flavor. For man entrees, we tried lamb shank and branzino. Lamb was cooked well and easy to get off the bone. Fish was also cooked fresh. Both flavors were okay, not stunning but was something one can expect from similar restaurants. Overall a bit pricy but ingredients were pretty good.
We have been dining at Cetrella for years, both at the First Street location and now at the State Street location. Every single time we've had a terrific experience!
Rob Seide
Excellent service in a modern, but stark, environment. Lamb meatballs were a good starter, especially when you get the warm bread to sop up.the thick sauce. Crabcakes were small and unremarkable and, for someone who used to live in Baltimore, they tasted nothing like Maryland crab cakes! The mushroom risotto and half chicken were both stars, and the potatoes braves had a spicy kick. The white cake was tasteless and disappointing but the chocolate tart was a great end to a very pleasant dinner.
Debbie
5 stars all around. For some reason Cetrella doesn't bump up in our list of places to go for dinner and it is a bad call on our part. The food was excellent, the staff were busy yet attentive and friendly and the drink were on par with our favorite boozy bars. The noise level was just right - there was a buzz but we could also hear each other speak. You may think this is basic Italian but they add a special touch. The asparagus soup had roasted onions and a pomegranate glaze that made it amazing. I had the beef short ribs and it was melt in your mouth yummy. My daughter ordered pesto with lamb tagliatelle (I think that was the pasta) and she loved it. Husband had steak and was very pleased. We also ordered an Italian chocolate cake - it was dry to us but I think that is the style of cake to be honest. The blood orange sorbet that was served with it was again AMAZING. Go people, go.
Jon
Food was exceptionally good. We were a party of four. Each of us had a different dish and each of us thought their dish warranted an enthusiastic rave.
Daniel
Nice restaurant, food was great, food service (timeliness) was good, but not the best table-side (waiter service). I could best describe it as uninterested and distracted. Maybe an off night, not sure. The owner (as maitre d for the night), however, was very friendly and helpful.
I have always wanted to try Cetrella but never got the chance as my kids love the State Street Diner that is next door which trumps going to this spot. So when I had the chance, I ended up going to this for a dinner party I hosted for 7 guests and me. Everyone had a blast. Food: We had 7 or 8 starters that we shared. I highly recommend getting a bunch of starters and sharing them. The beat salad and the crab cakes were the highlights. Service: We had exquisite service and the staff was very courteous. I am sorry that there are no pictures, but I will be going here again. Ash
Nice experience at Cetrella last night. The owner was present and gracious and our server Timothy was pleasant, professional and took good care of us. Small but decent list of wine by the glass. Timing of our salads and entrees perfect for a relaxing evening, only slightly disappointed that my paella dish did not have the crispy rice bottom to it. We arrived early but the place filled up, not too loud and easy to carry on conversation. We will return.
Worst food ever I had. Tasteless not recommended. 👎🏻
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is hands down the best restaurant in Los Altos! The food is incredible, the music makes me feel like I’m in Europe and the staff is so wonderful! We try to make it here weekly because we love it so much. And it’s so clean!!! Immaculate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Forest Mushroom Risotto, New Zealand Ōra King Salmon Tuscan Kale Salad, Pan Seared Bronzino, Glazed Short Rib, Braised New Zealand Atkins Ranch Lamb Shank, Spanish Paella, Branzino, Lamb Meatballs, Grilled Filet Mignon, Pot Roast
Cetrella is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Los Altos for upscale dining, special occasions, or a romantic night out. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and elegant, the perfect blend of modern California charm and classic sophistication.
The food was phenomenal. We ordered the seasonal fish crudo to start, which was perfectly tender and flavorful, followed by the fava bean hummus, corn soup, Mezze Rigatoni, and forest mushroom risotto, all cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The seasonal ingredients and attention to detail in every dish truly set this place apart. Amol the chef even came out and greeted us.
Service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and made excellent wine and drink pairing suggestions from their impressive cocktail list. All made with fresh ingredients.
Whether you’re looking for a top-rated restaurant in Los Altos or planning a private event, Cetrella delivers exceptional quality and hospitality. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a five-star dining experience in the heart of Silicon Valley for lunch or dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lunch at Cetrella is true delight. The food is great and the ambience perfect. It is a favorite of mine and my friends.
The mushroom risotto was spectacular! We also enjoyed the branzino quite a bit. I tried the Cetrella cocktail and was very pleased. The service was friendly and timely.
Cetrella is a great restaurant. The food is great and the ambience perfect for a pleasant evening. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.
This evening, we dined with friends at Cetrella for the first time. It is a beautiful dining room, well-located near public parking. Our friends got street parking right outside the front door! There were not many other people in the dining room, which had a bit of a dampening impact on the ambiance, but this was not a reflection of the food. We started with cocktails, which are a set price of $18 each. Between us, we ate crab cakes, beet salad, lamb meatballs and frito misto for starters, with filet mignon, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, and lamb shank as mains. The lamb, in particular, was highly praised by my husband. We rounded off with panna cotta and chocolate cake. It was a very tasty meal. Serving sizes are pretty good. The servers were friendly and helpful.
We went for dinner During a workday night and there were only a few people and very quiet. For starters, we had garlic prawns and roasted octopus. The octopus is very good and flavorful, despite small portion. The prawns are fine but I don't really taste much garlic flavor, rather tomato sauce like base flavor. For man entrees, we tried lamb shank and branzino. Lamb was cooked well and easy to get off the bone. Fish was also cooked fresh. Both flavors were okay, not stunning but was something one can expect from similar restaurants. Overall a bit pricy but ingredients were pretty good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
We have been dining at Cetrella for years, both at the First Street location and now at the State Street location. Every single time we've had a terrific experience!
Excellent service in a modern, but stark, environment. Lamb meatballs were a good starter, especially when you get the warm bread to sop up.the thick sauce. Crabcakes were small and unremarkable and, for someone who used to live in Baltimore, they tasted nothing like Maryland crab cakes!
The mushroom risotto and half chicken were both stars, and the potatoes braves had a spicy kick. The white cake was tasteless and disappointing but the chocolate tart was a great end to a very pleasant dinner.
5 stars all around. For some reason Cetrella doesn't bump up in our list of places to go for dinner and it is a bad call on our part. The food was excellent, the staff were busy yet attentive and friendly and the drink were on par with our favorite boozy bars. The noise level was just right - there was a buzz but we could also hear each other speak. You may think this is basic Italian but they add a special touch. The asparagus soup had roasted onions and a pomegranate glaze that made it amazing. I had the beef short ribs and it was melt in your mouth yummy. My daughter ordered pesto with lamb tagliatelle (I think that was the pasta) and she loved it. Husband had steak and was very pleased. We also ordered an Italian chocolate cake - it was dry to us but I think that is the style of cake to be honest. The blood orange sorbet that was served with it was again AMAZING. Go people, go.
Food was exceptionally good. We were a party of four. Each of us had a different dish and each of us thought their dish warranted an enthusiastic rave.
Nice restaurant, food was great, food service (timeliness) was good, but not the best table-side (waiter service). I could best describe it as uninterested and distracted. Maybe an off night, not sure. The owner (as maitre d for the night), however, was very friendly and helpful.
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