I've passed by this place for years and saw the sandwich boards, given it's name I thought it was a coffee/pastry shop. Went in there for dinner a couple of years ago and it's now our favorite dinner spot. The service is top notch, the patio is beautiful and Jesus, the chef, really knows his stuff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eddy Wang
We passed through this restaurant a few times, and always were attracted by its outdoor setting. We finally had a chance to go there for lunch today, and it was really a pleasantly surprise that the genuine Italian dishes were so delicious, and the price was very reasonable. The restaurant has many beautiful paintings and the settings were clean and comfortable. The outdoor area has many beautiful sculptures, make me feel like dining in Europe. The waitress was friendly and polite. We will dine there more often. I would highly recommend this restaurant to you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
christopher
Excellent, authentic, plentiful Italian dishes. Beautiful courtyard setting. Friendly and timely service.
laura
This restaurant transports you to Italy with its fountain and statues. The food and service were absolutely fantastic and the ambience was just incredible. Everyone must go here!!
Stephen
Superb Sicilian restaurant in quiet section of California Avenue culinary district. Antipasto platter, And entrees were among the best dishes outside of Sicily. Dishes executed to perfection and served to order and hot. Wine list very impressive and representative of the main wine regions of Italy. Friendly, attentive service in beautiful outdoor environment. Among the very best Italian restaurants in the mid-peninsula area.
Elan
As always, had a great time at cafe Riace! Orange fennel salad, lasagne, halibut special and tiramisu were all fabulous. Service was spot on. We went in remembrance of a deceased friend who loved eating there. It was so easy to picture us all there years ago.
Aileen
Had a fabulous time-sat outside to the sound of the fountain-delicious wine-wonderful food. Ceppo Riace just amazing! The cannelloni just yum. Salads great! Tiramisu very tasty. Thanks Cafe Riace!
Donna
Unfortunately our experience was not what we had hoped for. First off the wait at the table before our order was taken was too long. The menu was small and the choices limited. The two main dishes we ordered tasted good but not outstanding. But what really broke the spell for us were two things: 1)to see a rat close to our feet almost at the end of our dinner that scared us and the diners at the next table. 2) that towards the end of our dinner the waiter brought us another bottle of sparkling water without asking us if we wanted one and opened it before approaching our table and started pouring it, when I said I didn't want it he merely put it on the table and left, but then when the check came we were being charged for it!! So unprofessional! We felt cheated.
Chris
The food is very good. We had the halibut special and the chicken Marsala - both delicious! All staff are very efficient & friendly. Our server (Nicholas) is just amazing! :-)
Danny
The only good thing I can say is that aesthetically it looks good Service was pretty much nonexistent for us. I had a dinner reservation for 5:45 pm. Got there on time and got seated fairly quickly. It didn't seem that busy as there were only 2-3 tables seated outside. It was 6:15 when we decided to leave. All we were ever served with was water. No one came and got our order. No bread for our table. Just one glass of water for those 30 minutes. I think the deciding factor that made us leave was seeing the next table next to us, got seated, got bread, got their water, got their orders taken, AND got their appetizers all while coming in after us. So I went up to the guy who seated us to ask him if we can have some bread for the table and also that we're ready to order, which I shouldn't have to do that as a customer but at that point I'm just wondering if they forgot about us or were purposely ignoring us. Then the waiter goes and asks me "did you get a server?" Like ???? I don't know man, you should know this, you're the one who seated us. Overall really disappointed with this restaurant and how they service people with dinner reservations. 30 minutes with only getting served one glass of water is pretty ridiculous, in my opinion, especially if you made a reservation. We ended up going to Italico 5 minutes down the road and got seated, got our wine, our appetizers, and our dinner within about 30 minutes
Cafe Riace is a hidden gem in Palo Alto. The outdoor patio is delightful with the fountain and statues. The food is delicious and the service attentive. We’ve gone there for decades and enjoy it every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Radhika
The gluten free pasta was excellent and there were many choices for vegetarians who are also gluten-free. Ambiance was excellent with the fountain making the air very cool and with their nice umbrella canopies, even on a sunny warm day.
Ellyn
We haven't been there for a while and are very glad we went back. Would recommend for both small and large groups (we had seven). A bit expensive but no more so that all restaurants currently. Everyone liked the food and environment.
Sarah Maria
The restaurant wasn't very busy and we could see our server actively ignore us. He was nice when interacting with us though. My main issue is that they use WAY too much basil in their dishes; I first ordered lasagna, which was oily and lacked cheese. I then ordered the bolognese, which was riddled with basil strips therefore ruining whatever flavor it had. My boyfriend, however, thoroughly enjoyed his meal! He ordered some seafood pasta, I can't remember which one though.
lewis
This restaurant turned out to be an unexpected delight. The outside dining area is as lovely as anything we've experienced anywhere in the US or overseas. The service was exceptional, and the private dining rooms are impressive. They offer a nice menu with a good range of regular items and specials. I was impressed enough to send information to friends who frequently arrange for group dinners in the Palo Alto area. This is truly a hidden gem that will be a must-choose anytime we are in the Palo Alto area. Thank you for a delightful evening.
I've passed by this place for years and saw the sandwich boards, given it's name I thought it was a coffee/pastry shop. Went in there for dinner a couple of years ago and it's now our favorite dinner spot. The service is top notch, the patio is beautiful and Jesus, the chef, really knows his stuff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We passed through this restaurant a few times, and always were attracted by its outdoor setting. We finally had a chance to go there for lunch today, and it was really a pleasantly surprise that the genuine Italian dishes were so delicious, and the price was very reasonable. The restaurant has many beautiful paintings and the settings were clean and comfortable. The outdoor area has many beautiful sculptures, make me feel like dining in Europe. The waitress was friendly and polite. We will dine there more often. I would highly recommend this restaurant to you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent, authentic, plentiful Italian dishes. Beautiful courtyard setting. Friendly and timely service.
This restaurant transports you to Italy with its fountain and statues. The food and service were absolutely fantastic and the ambience was just incredible. Everyone must go here!!
Superb Sicilian restaurant in quiet section of California Avenue culinary district. Antipasto platter, And entrees were among the best dishes outside of Sicily. Dishes executed to perfection and served to order and hot. Wine list very impressive and representative of the main wine regions of Italy. Friendly, attentive service in beautiful outdoor environment. Among the very best Italian restaurants in the mid-peninsula area.
As always, had a great time at cafe Riace! Orange fennel salad, lasagne, halibut special and tiramisu were all fabulous. Service was spot on. We went in remembrance of a deceased friend who loved eating there. It was so easy to picture us all there years ago.
Had a fabulous time-sat outside to the sound of the fountain-delicious wine-wonderful food. Ceppo Riace just amazing! The cannelloni just yum. Salads great! Tiramisu very tasty. Thanks Cafe Riace!
Unfortunately our experience was not what we had hoped for. First off the wait at the table before our order was taken was too long. The menu was small and the choices limited. The two main dishes we ordered tasted good but not outstanding. But what really broke the spell for us were two things: 1)to see a rat close to our feet almost at the end of our dinner that scared us and the diners at the next table. 2) that towards the end of our dinner the waiter brought us another bottle of sparkling water without asking us if we wanted one and opened it before approaching our table and started pouring it, when I said I didn't want it he merely put it on the table and left, but then when the check came we were being charged for it!! So unprofessional! We felt cheated.
The food is very good. We had the halibut special and the chicken Marsala - both delicious! All staff are very efficient & friendly. Our server (Nicholas) is just amazing! :-)
The only good thing I can say is that aesthetically it looks good Service was pretty much nonexistent for us. I had a dinner reservation for 5:45 pm. Got there on time and got seated fairly quickly. It didn't seem that busy as there were only 2-3 tables seated outside. It was 6:15 when we decided to leave. All we were ever served with was water. No one came and got our order. No bread for our table. Just one glass of water for those 30 minutes. I think the deciding factor that made us leave was seeing the next table next to us, got seated, got bread, got their water, got their orders taken, AND got their appetizers all while coming in after us. So I went up to the guy who seated us to ask him if we can have some bread for the table and also that we're ready to order, which I shouldn't have to do that as a customer but at that point I'm just wondering if they forgot about us or were purposely ignoring us. Then the waiter goes and asks me "did you get a server?" Like ???? I don't know man, you should know this, you're the one who seated us. Overall really disappointed with this restaurant and how they service people with dinner reservations. 30 minutes with only getting served one glass of water is pretty ridiculous, in my opinion, especially if you made a reservation. We ended up going to Italico 5 minutes down the road and got seated, got our wine, our appetizers, and our dinner within about 30 minutes
Restaurantji Recommends
Cafe Riace is a hidden gem in Palo Alto. The outdoor patio is delightful with the fountain and statues. The food is delicious and the service attentive. We’ve gone there for decades and enjoy it every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The gluten free pasta was excellent and there were many choices for vegetarians who are also gluten-free. Ambiance was excellent with the fountain making the air very cool and with their nice umbrella canopies, even on a sunny warm day.
We haven't been there for a while and are very glad we went back. Would recommend for both small and large groups (we had seven). A bit expensive but no more so that all restaurants currently. Everyone liked the food and environment.
The restaurant wasn't very busy and we could see our server actively ignore us. He was nice when interacting with us though. My main issue is that they use WAY too much basil in their dishes; I first ordered lasagna, which was oily and lacked cheese. I then ordered the bolognese, which was riddled with basil strips therefore ruining whatever flavor it had. My boyfriend, however, thoroughly enjoyed his meal! He ordered some seafood pasta, I can't remember which one though.
This restaurant turned out to be an unexpected delight. The outside dining area is as lovely as anything we've experienced anywhere in the US or overseas. The service was exceptional, and the private dining rooms are impressive. They offer a nice menu with a good range of regular items and specials. I was impressed enough to send information to friends who frequently arrange for group dinners in the Palo Alto area. This is truly a hidden gem that will be a must-choose anytime we are in the Palo Alto area. Thank you for a delightful evening.
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