Excellent food. My wife and I came across this place online we were looking for Italian food to take out. We ordered Alfredo with shrimp add on, Caesar salads and calamari. Food was ready within 15 minutes for pick up. The place was quiet and had a good atmosphere from what I saw. Definitely worth eating it was all delicious.
Terry Grasso
Have the Oso Bucco, the best I've had in years.
pankaj avhad
A Mixed Bag of Great Flavors and Disappointing Service
I recently visited Il Pavone, an Italian restaurant I had been looking forward to trying for a while. The overall experience left me with very mixed feelings—while the food and ambiance were delightful, the service was unfortunately disappointing.
Let’s start with the good. The ambiance at Il Pavone is charming. From the moment I walked in, I appreciated the tasteful decor, warm lighting, and relaxed atmosphere. It had that classic, cozy Italian restaurant feel that makes you want to settle in for a long, satisfying meal. To top it off, there was no wait time when I arrived, which was a pleasant surprise.
The food itself was fantastic. Every dish we tried was full of flavor and made with high-quality ingredients. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauces were well-balanced and authentic. I had no complaints about the taste or presentation. It was, in fact, one of the best Italian meals I’ve had in the city.
But here’s where things took a turn. Despite the restaurant being far from crowded, our server vanished after taking our initial order. We had planned to order more food, maybe a second round of appetizers or a dessert but the opportunity never came. After our dishes were served, no one came to check on us, refill water, or ask how things were. We sat waiting for quite some time, trying to flag someone down, but no one seemed to notice or care. Eventually, we gave up on ordering anything else and just left.
To make matters worse, the portion sizes were surprisingly small considering the steep prices. For a restaurant charging at this tier, I expected either more generous portions or a more upscale service experience, preferably both. Unfortunately, neither was delivered. Value for money felt way off the mark.
The most frustrating part was the server’s attitude. Not only was she inattentive, but when we did interact briefly, her tone came off as dismissive and even condescending. At one point, she tried to explain something to us about a dish in a way that sounded more like a lecture than helpful information and unfortunately, she didn’t even seem to know the correct details. It left us with a bitter taste after what could have been a lovely meal.
Final thoughts: Il Pavone has the potential to be a standout Italian spot thanks to its food and ambiance, but it falls short due to poor service and a lack of attentiveness that makes guests feel unwelcome. I sincerely hope they work on their service training and pricing structure because otherwise, they’re wasting a great kitchen.
Until then, I’m hesitant to return or recommend it. Good food alone isn’t enough when the overall experience doesn’t make you feel like a valued customer.
Praneet Raj
Il Pavone is a charming Italian spot in Walnut Creek with warm service and consistently delicious food. The pasta was fresh, the sauces were rich, and the seafood was cooked perfectly. The ambiance feels cozy and old-school in a good way, ideal for date night or a quiet dinner. The only downside—and the reason for deducting one star—is the noticeable old carpet smell that slightly detracted from the overall experience. A refresh of the interior would elevate the atmosphere to match the quality of the cuisine. Still, a great place for a satisfying Italian meal.
Brian Santilena
Their website said two Cesar salad sizes. When ordering they said no way… only one size, large. Okay… I’ll take the large. $14 bucks. Then the photo is what I get. I don’t know man…. Inflation I guess. 🤷🏻♂️
S. Yaza
I’d pass if you’re looking for a good Italian place.
James Allen
Great food and good service
Ashok Aletty
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurant and I have been to this place a few times now. I am vegetarian and this place has many options for starters and entrees. I love pesto dishes and I like my food very spicy. They can make the dishes the way you like it. It’s very tasty food. Friendly service.
It’s mostly crowded whenever I have been there for dinner (generally on a weekend). The clientele is mostly local and that’s adds to the charm of the place.
Dietary restrictions: Plenty of vegetarian options.
Parking: Lots of free parking available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cliff Smoot
A humble, no-BS Italian restaurant like you can find in most corners of the East Coast. The food is excellent, what a joy.
My favorite restaurant! The atmosphere is high class, the service is always impeccable, and the food is fresh and delicious!
Laura Boucher
The meatballs were so good! I really enjoyed the spaghetti carbonara. Everyone was happy with their meals and the service. We're looking forward to coming back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
Tim Rantala
Outstanding service and food. Traditional Italian food passed down from one generation to the next. Italian Pot Roast and Clam Fettuccine are incredible. Also a big fan of the Chicken Picatta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sunit Katkar
We are local and had been disappointed by Il Fornaio, Tomatina, Melo's, etc. We used to go to Mary's Pizza Shack in Napa after they closed in Walnut Creek. Il Pavone was a big pleasant surprise. The food is really good and I could taste the garlic in the sauce.👌🏻 The soup of the day lentil soup. It was delicately spiced by the celery. Overall a great experience. We are definitely going here and saving on a long trip to Napa.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli, Tiramisu
Peter Stitt
INCREDIBLE! Each time we eat here we are impressed! We can not wait to visit again! Thank you!!!
Very ordinary and extraordinarily expensive.
Excellent food. My wife and I came across this place online we were looking for Italian food to take out. We ordered Alfredo with shrimp add on, Caesar salads and calamari. Food was ready within 15 minutes for pick up. The place was quiet and had a good atmosphere from what I saw. Definitely worth eating it was all delicious.
Have the Oso Bucco, the best
I've had in years.
A Mixed Bag of Great Flavors and Disappointing Service
I recently visited Il Pavone, an Italian restaurant I had been looking forward to trying for a while. The overall experience left me with very mixed feelings—while the food and ambiance were delightful, the service was unfortunately disappointing.
Let’s start with the good.
The ambiance at Il Pavone is charming. From the moment I walked in, I appreciated the tasteful decor, warm lighting, and relaxed atmosphere. It had that classic, cozy Italian restaurant feel that makes you want to settle in for a long, satisfying meal. To top it off, there was no wait time when I arrived, which was a pleasant surprise.
The food itself was fantastic. Every dish we tried was full of flavor and made with high-quality ingredients. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauces were well-balanced and authentic. I had no complaints about the taste or presentation. It was, in fact, one of the best Italian meals I’ve had in the city.
But here’s where things took a turn.
Despite the restaurant being far from crowded, our server vanished after taking our initial order. We had planned to order more food, maybe a second round of appetizers or a dessert but the opportunity never came. After our dishes were served, no one came to check on us, refill water, or ask how things were. We sat waiting for quite some time, trying to flag someone down, but no one seemed to notice or care. Eventually, we gave up on ordering anything else and just left.
To make matters worse, the portion sizes were surprisingly small considering the steep prices. For a restaurant charging at this tier, I expected either more generous portions or a more upscale service experience, preferably both. Unfortunately, neither was delivered. Value for money felt way off the mark.
The most frustrating part was the server’s attitude. Not only was she inattentive, but when we did interact briefly, her tone came off as dismissive and even condescending. At one point, she tried to explain something to us about a dish in a way that sounded more like a lecture than helpful information and unfortunately, she didn’t even seem to know the correct details. It left us with a bitter taste after what could have been a lovely meal.
Final thoughts:
Il Pavone has the potential to be a standout Italian spot thanks to its food and ambiance, but it falls short due to poor service and a lack of attentiveness that makes guests feel unwelcome. I sincerely hope they work on their service training and pricing structure because otherwise, they’re wasting a great kitchen.
Until then, I’m hesitant to return or recommend it. Good food alone isn’t enough when the overall experience doesn’t make you feel like a valued customer.
Il Pavone is a charming Italian spot in Walnut Creek with warm service and consistently delicious food. The pasta was fresh, the sauces were rich, and the seafood was cooked perfectly. The ambiance feels cozy and old-school in a good way, ideal for date night or a quiet dinner. The only downside—and the reason for deducting one star—is the noticeable old carpet smell that slightly detracted from the overall experience. A refresh of the interior would elevate the atmosphere to match the quality of the cuisine. Still, a great place for a satisfying Italian meal.
Their website said two Cesar salad sizes. When ordering they said no way… only one size, large. Okay… I’ll take the large. $14 bucks. Then the photo is what I get.
I don’t know man…. Inflation I guess. 🤷🏻♂️
I’d pass if you’re looking for a good Italian place.
Great food and good service
This is one of my favorite Italian restaurant and I have been to this place a few times now. I am vegetarian and this place has many options for starters and entrees. I love pesto dishes and I like my food very spicy. They can make the dishes the way you like it. It’s very tasty food. Friendly service.
It’s mostly crowded whenever I have been there for dinner (generally on a weekend). The clientele is mostly local and that’s adds to the charm of the place.
Dietary restrictions: Plenty of vegetarian options.
Parking: Lots of free parking available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A humble, no-BS Italian restaurant like you can find in most corners of the East Coast. The food is excellent, what a joy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My favorite restaurant! The atmosphere is high class, the service is always impeccable, and the food is fresh and delicious!
The meatballs were so good! I really enjoyed the spaghetti carbonara. Everyone was happy with their meals and the service. We're looking forward to coming back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli
Outstanding service and food. Traditional Italian food passed down from one generation to the next. Italian Pot Roast and Clam Fettuccine are incredible. Also a big fan of the Chicken Picatta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are local and had been disappointed by Il Fornaio, Tomatina, Melo's, etc. We used to go to Mary's Pizza Shack in Napa after they closed in Walnut Creek. Il Pavone was a big pleasant surprise. The food is really good and I could taste the garlic in the sauce.👌🏻 The soup of the day lentil soup. It was delicately spiced by the celery. Overall a great experience. We are definitely going here and saving on a long trip to Napa.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli, Tiramisu
INCREDIBLE! Each time we eat here we are impressed! We can not wait to visit again! Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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