Milano Restaurant Oakland, Oakland

Milano's food value has really went down I used to go thier at least once a month and go for my Birthday , my daughters and my Moms Birthday now we have to find somewhere else to go to celebrate. My sister took me there for my Birthday last year and I have not been back since the food was awful :(

Milano used to be very good. These days, after changes to the menu, it is horrible. The food tends to be dry and tasteless. We actually asked if the lasagna was frozen. It tasted worse than anything that you could get from a freezer. It is really a shame. I really like the space and feel of the place, its just that the food has deteriorated greatly. The first time that the food was bad we thought that it was just an off night. The second time when 4 out of 4 people didn't like the food we decided that there was no reason to go back. Its a shame. We had gone there since the first week that they opened and always took people out to dinner there.

We have been to Tuscany and this restaurant several times over the years. This time our party included my wife and my 17-year-old grandson. The lasagna, which I have enjoyed there many times, was inedible. It was barely warm. The cheese cover was thick and unmelted. The meat, if that's what it was, was gray, dry, and totally flavorless, with no hints of spices. I could not find the usual layers of pasta. I had a few bites and left the rest on the plate. My grandson left his dish virtually untouched. Oh yes, the waiter was surly. Eat here at your own risk.

The manager was very helpful as well as his staff. We were pleasantly seated and the food arrived with no difficulty. The menu is splendid and while waiting for your main course, there is a delicious array of appitizers to choose from. I'm having another Sacred Heart Grammar School of Oakland (32 years!) reunion there in November! -Charles

Food was good, a bit heavy for my tastes, but very good. However, my experience was ruined by the arrogance of our waiter. He appeared at all the wrong times, (Just as I arrived and was trying to greet my friends, then as I stood up to use the restroom, etc.)When he approached he barged in to the conversation, he did not ever wait for acknowledgement, as if the specials of the evening were of utmost urgency to us. After he rushed our orders he never made eye contact, and avoided it when we wanted to order more drinks, until time for the bill. I left with a poor taste for the place, feeling that I had to tip someone for poor service and a power struggle.

I live in the hood and have walked by Milano many times. Finally decided to try it on a weeknight with a friend before a movie. While the service was good, the food was poor to average Italian food. Only reasonable item was a bottle of Cabernet from their fair wine list. The calamari appetizer was nothing like Italian breaded fried calamari I've ever had. For almost $9, we got what looked like frozen deep fried calamari rings. None of the teltale tentacles like would be served if they were fresh. The batter was a solid mass around each ring, and the calamari tough. A spicy red cream aioli not unlike Burger King's spicy mayo dipping sause for onion rings came with the rubber o-rings. I expect real Italian calamari to be hot, with a delicate crumbly breading. The main course of a specialty ravioli was passable, but for the $14+ price (that's $2.33 per ravioli), it was nothing amazing. Again, the staff were friendly, but the atmosphere was dull and the droll neon decor was only missing a Nagle print. I miss Salerno's in Berkeley, where piping hot crusty Italian bread was ushered to your table, along with traditional hearty and delicious Italian fare.

Looking for a great Oakland restaurant? Milano is your best bet. Amazing dishes, great service, friendly staff, and reasonable pricing. And close to Grand Lake theatre too!