Il Fornaio - Palo Alto, Palo Alto

DO NOT EAT AT IL FORNAIO! Once a reliable restauarant (chain) with decent food and service, Il Fornaio is now a place to AVOID. Recently, I was forced to dine there because my group already had reservations. I was skeptical because of previously mediocre meals there, but I thought I'd be open minded. Unfortunately, things have not improved and the entrees were a disaster; the pasta was undercooked and the veal was inedible (and returned to the kitchen). In fact, the salad that replaced the returned entree was of lower quality than a boxed one you'd find at Safeway! We constantly had to ask for more bread -- when the waiter would show up -- and the manager was aloof and arrogant. The only plus side is that the desserts are still very good. However, this alone would never encourage me to go back and patronize this lousy restaurant. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere!

Il Fornaio is a great breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Their omelettes are awesome! They also serves a nice basket of different types of breads: don't eat it all before your meal arrives. Our waiter was super nice without overwhelming. And the bathroom is clean:)

Great place to end a great date at the movies...

This place is too expensive for the quality of food. Aldo's in San Jose blows this place away. The food is so bland that I had to keep adding salt. It was like an epoisode out of the Sopranos...when locals realize Aritie's quality of food in his restaurant is bad. I would never come back here again.

As a diner at many of the Zagat rated restaurants around the Bay Area/SFO, I was happily surprised to rediscover the amazing quality of this well-known gem. The appetizers and main course items were very very good, and served true to Southern Italian style. What is pretty apparent is that the fish, meat and pasta items are fresh to the day- which I think really speaks to the quality of the establishment. Not to mention, they serve a mean cappuccino. The service by far outweighs any other establishment of a similar price range ($$), with at least 10 servers and 5 bus staff noted on the floor for about 100 dinner guests. Quality and friendliness of the serving staff was also superb- making for a very pleasant dining experience. This is a place not to be missed in the Peninsula.

Power breakfast time. Just be careful what you say during meetings, because lots of other power people eat here in the mornings too. The coffee is awesome, and I go for the french toast whenever I'm in a carb mood. (When I'm not in a carb mood, the omelets are delish!)

Il Fornaio is as perfect as any restaurant I've ever been to. The food is excellent and always expertly prepared and presented - the monthly regional menus are innovative and delicious (try the price fixe tasting menu), and the regular menu is equally wonderful. The wine list is good and the bar turns out wonderful cocktails. Service is top-notch - friendly but professional, and always on top of things (dishes are never served out of order, plates are cleared before the next course is brought out, etc.). The fresh-baked breads are excellent and if you have room for dessert those are quite good as well.