We were seated for lunch (had a reservation) in the bar area where the bartender is also the server for all of the tables. Not her fault, but the service suffered because of that. The food coming out of the kitchen was very sporadic. People like to eat at the same time or close to the same time. I sent my Chicken Picatta back as the chicken was overcooked and extremely dry. The replacement had a better cook on the chicken, but the dish was drowning in butter, so it was not edible. It was also oddly bland. The server gave me a complimentary dessert. It was a lemon tart that had texture and far too long refrigerated taste.
DACM
I noticed the new brightness and remodeled main dining room since last visit. It was fresh and welcoming. We tried the Harken Chardonnay and will have it again. The chicken Parmesan and pasta was impressive and tasty. There was enough to bring home for another meal or two! Staff were very welcoming and attentive throughout. Glad we came!
RRMZ
Our normal “go to” spot turned into a nightmare dining experience. Once seated we waited 15 minutes before anyone came over to us, ordered drinks and bread, the bread never showed up. I ordered chicken parm with vegetables, the chicken was ok but the vegetables were mushed up in a red sauce which was not edible. I asked for bread three times but it never showed up. They never asked us if we wanted more wine or dessert and we wanted both. The bill came and they charged us for the bread; I guess I will not be going back any time soon.
KarinC
What a wonderful resturant. Live near-by and have never been there?! Enjoyed a very delicious and celebratory lunch with friends. A real Christmas feeling there. From the specialty drinks to the delicious cuisine/dishes and desserts, it was perfectly wonderful! Plan to go again soon. And thank to George (our courteous, attentive, but never rushy, knowledgeable server) for a very relaxing and enjoyable experience!
RichD
Sat next to the kitchen, lots of traffic. Dinner was great, great service. Desert was kind of disappointing as the portions were very small and kind of like a vending machine version of cheesecake/pie. I didn't realize the restaurant closes so early or I would have booked an earlier time.
One of our local favs. Our group had swordfish, clams, chicken saltimbocca, carbonara and l had the chicken Dijon dill with linguine. Everyone raved about their meals. Service was great til the last 20 mins or so when our waiter disappeared helping people in a back room. Not a huge deal but I eventually had to go directly to the cashier so we could pay and leave. It's a very consistent place with top notch Italian food.
Gsanj
Having to pay for bread now is ridiculous. Service was slow even though it wasn't that busy and server was not attentive. Food was good but not as great as it has been in the past. Overall, we were disappointed considering we've been going there for over 20 years.
Had dinner at Primavera Restaurant last night. Great place with a cozy feel, perfect for dinner dates or family. Lots of parking since it's in a big strip mall. Service was top-notch, really friendly and quick. Food was awesome. The clam soup was super tasty. The Chicken Alfredo with sausage was creamy and yummy. The Carbonara had a great flavor, pasta cooked just right. Overall, a fantastic spot in San Ramon. Great for a nice meal out. Will go back soon!
Pastalover
We returned to Primavera after a three month absence. The main dining room is still bustling and noisy, but we were seated in the quieter, neighboring room. The menu looked largely the same. There were some small changes to the wine list, and the restaurant now charges for bread. But the pear and strawberry salad is still excellent, and our entrees (chicken pesto gorgonzola and chicken saltimbocca) tasted just as we remembered them. The chocolate lava cake made for a perfect topper to the meal.
RosinaL
We have not been to Primavera in a while. It started out with our party of 5 being seated at a very small extremely noisy table by the kitchen walkway. The service was slow, clearly the waitress had more tables than she could serve. The food was over cooked and lacking in flavor, everything was very bland. The chicken picatta was plain broiled chicken on plain noodles that were mushy. I would not serve that to someone in my home I don't expect to have it served in a restaurant where I am paying for a nice meal. We ordered dessert that took forever to arrive and the chocolate lava cake was hard as a rock, I'm thinking they forgot to cook it. It will be a very long time before we go there again when there are so many better options.
Primavera is consistently excellent. Food, service and warmth. George, luckily always my server, is welcoming, professional and has a great personality. Each time is a wonderful experience.
Panda
Dinner on a busy Saturday night. Main dining room was too loud, outside too cold. Seated in back room, which was fine. Host was very gracious, but service was a bit disorganized; I think they were dealing with a large party that night. Nothing wrong with the food, but nothing to make me want to come back.
lisaw
Gorgonzola pasta with sun-dried tomatoes was great but server was distracted so we had to ask for several things more than once. Sound level was high even though restaurant was not full which made it hard to carry on a conversation.
Trish
The food was excellent and everyone who served us was very warm and engaging. The noise level was pretty high, but improved considerably after one table left. They were having fun and laughing so I don't want to complain too much - just an observation.
cmd53
A reliable neighborhood gem and always a good place to go for a cocktail or hefty portion of pasta. Some other favorites are the chicken saltimbocca and any of the salmon dishes - good risotto too. You won't leave hungry for sure!
We were seated for lunch (had a reservation) in the bar area where the bartender is also the server for all of the tables. Not her fault, but the service suffered because of that. The food coming out of the kitchen was very sporadic. People like to eat at the same time or close to the same time. I sent my Chicken Picatta back as the chicken was overcooked and extremely dry. The replacement had a better cook on the chicken, but the dish was drowning in butter, so it was not edible. It was also oddly bland. The server gave me a complimentary dessert. It was a lemon tart that had texture and far too long refrigerated taste.
I noticed the new brightness and remodeled main dining room since last visit. It was fresh and welcoming. We tried the Harken Chardonnay and will have it again. The chicken Parmesan and pasta was impressive and tasty. There was enough to bring home for another meal or two! Staff were very welcoming and attentive throughout. Glad we came!
Our normal “go to” spot turned into a nightmare dining experience. Once seated we waited 15 minutes before anyone came over to us, ordered drinks and bread, the bread never showed up. I ordered chicken parm with vegetables, the chicken was ok but the vegetables were mushed up in a red sauce which was not edible. I asked for bread three times but it never showed up. They never asked us if we wanted more wine or dessert and we wanted both. The bill came and they charged us for the bread; I guess I will not be going back any time soon.
What a wonderful resturant. Live near-by and have never been there?! Enjoyed a very delicious and celebratory lunch with friends. A real Christmas feeling there. From the specialty drinks to the delicious cuisine/dishes and desserts, it was perfectly wonderful! Plan to go again soon. And thank to George (our courteous, attentive, but never rushy, knowledgeable server) for a very relaxing and enjoyable experience!
Sat next to the kitchen, lots of traffic. Dinner was great, great service. Desert was kind of disappointing as the portions were very small and kind of like a vending machine version of cheesecake/pie. I didn't realize the restaurant closes so early or I would have booked an earlier time.
One of our local favs. Our group had swordfish, clams, chicken saltimbocca, carbonara and l had the chicken Dijon dill with linguine. Everyone raved about their meals. Service was great til the last 20 mins or so when our waiter disappeared helping people in a back room. Not a huge deal but I eventually had to go directly to the cashier so we could pay and leave. It's a very consistent place with top notch Italian food.
Having to pay for bread now is ridiculous. Service was slow even though it wasn't that busy and server was not attentive. Food was good but not as great as it has been in the past. Overall, we were disappointed considering we've been going there for over 20 years.
Had dinner at Primavera Restaurant last night. Great place with a cozy feel, perfect for dinner dates or family. Lots of parking since it's in a big strip mall. Service was top-notch, really friendly and quick. Food was awesome. The clam soup was super tasty. The Chicken Alfredo with sausage was creamy and yummy. The Carbonara had a great flavor, pasta cooked just right. Overall, a fantastic spot in San Ramon. Great for a nice meal out. Will go back soon!
We returned to Primavera after a three month absence. The main dining room is still bustling and noisy, but we were seated in the quieter, neighboring room. The menu looked largely the same. There were some small changes to the wine list, and the restaurant now charges for bread. But the pear and strawberry salad is still excellent, and our entrees (chicken pesto gorgonzola and chicken saltimbocca) tasted just as we remembered them. The chocolate lava cake made for a perfect topper to the meal.
We have not been to Primavera in a while. It started out with our party of 5 being seated at a very small extremely noisy table by the kitchen walkway. The service was slow, clearly the waitress had more tables than she could serve. The food was over cooked and lacking in flavor, everything was very bland. The chicken picatta was plain broiled chicken on plain noodles that were mushy. I would not serve that to someone in my home I don't expect to have it served in a restaurant where I am paying for a nice meal. We ordered dessert that took forever to arrive and the chocolate lava cake was hard as a rock, I'm thinking they forgot to cook it. It will be a very long time before we go there again when there are so many better options.
Restaurantji Recommends
Primavera is consistently excellent. Food, service and warmth. George, luckily always my server, is welcoming, professional and has a great personality. Each time is a wonderful experience.
Dinner on a busy Saturday night. Main dining room was too loud, outside too cold. Seated in back room, which was fine. Host was very gracious, but service was a bit disorganized; I think they were dealing with a large party that night. Nothing wrong with the food, but nothing to make me want to come back.
Gorgonzola pasta with sun-dried tomatoes was great but server was distracted so we had to ask for several things more than once. Sound level was high even though restaurant was not full which made it hard to carry on a conversation.
The food was excellent and everyone who served us was very warm and engaging. The noise level was pretty high, but improved considerably after one table left. They were having fun and laughing so I don't want to complain too much - just an observation.
A reliable neighborhood gem and always a good place to go for a cocktail or hefty portion of pasta. Some other favorites are the chicken saltimbocca and any of the salmon dishes - good risotto too. You won't leave hungry for sure!