Il Fornaio

02/15/09

Not worth the wait, especially for any sort of special occasion.

by Hatemembershipsites at Citysearch

We had reservations for Valentine's day, we unfortunately arrived 15 minutes late due to unexpected construction on I-5 (3 lnes were shut down near downtown exits). When we arrived, I spoke with the receptionist who was aware of the difficulty that customers were having. We ended up waiting another 30 minutes before being seated at what would have to be the wost table in the restaurant. A 24" round table for 2 in front of the kitchen entry.

We were forced to abandon our wine glasses to make room for dinner, and the bread and water glasses were subsequently abandoned on the ledge above our heads.

Since we were seated next to the kitchen door, wait staff continuously bumped into us with the dessert cart as well as themselves when navigating the narrow passage way.

We booked reservations via Open Table wesite and received a "No Show" status from them so we were not able to provide feedback to Open table.

The food itself was good but confusing, I ordered the Cannelonni Al Forno, which was drowning in Bechemel sauce. Each bite was confusing, was I in an Italian or french restaurant? The one positive aspect was our waiter who was very professional and was aware of the spacial challenges we were experiencing.

• Pros: Wait staff professional
• Cons: Atmosphere, Host staff

12/22/08

Feel real bad for this resturant

by richard98101 at Citysearch

Great location and nice ambience. Four of us ate there before the movie and all four of us were very displeased. The bread was great but for a $100.00 food bill and no wine then left with only bread to say anything good about is not right and I feel bad saying anything bad about this resturant. The whole resturant was practically empty and yet they seated us right next to the little waiter station where I learned about the two waiters private lives............I mean private. Yak, yak, yak.....Nope, I do not like this place. My wife and I ordered rice dishes and both looked the same but with different prices....

Oh well such is life.......................

• Pros: Nice looking place
• Cons: Nothing to like

12/13/08

always a delight

by pjracz at Citysearch

I love this place, I have been there several times before a show and was never disappointed. The staff was always attentive the manager comes by the table to ask how is everything and if there is anything we need ect. They have a fab happy hour the appetizers are great and complementory. I love the decor (we always sit upstairs). My BF who loves wine was always impressed. Good homeade bread and breadsticks. The pizza is out of this world, the crust itself makes me crazy for more. The dessert cart makes me drool, love the tiramisu and this bread pudding I had. Can't wait till the next show so I can go there.

• Pros: everything

09/10/08

Romantic, interesting decor, convenient, good food

by eskercurve at Citysearch

After a last minute change to see a friend with the wife and myself, the friend recommended that we go here for dinner. I agreed and was hoping this place was better than Palomino. The parking is convenient, right beneath the Pacific Place mall. The restaurant is not hard to find either, and there is interesting decor to boot. So, I had high hopes for this restaurant, which was played out partially. I ordered the barrel noodles with vodka sauce and perhaps this is my personal taste talking, but I could have made the mixture of vodka to cheese sauce a little more rich in both to really bring out the flavor of the cheese. The bacon added a nice touch, and perhaps I should have been lead to a different dish because usually adding bacon as a garnish to a dish means that the cook doesn't know how to make the main dish vibrant enough and so has to add a powerful ingredient. My wife had the fettucini with red meat sauce and in her words "I could cook better".

However, this place does have AMAZING desserts. I had the fruit gelato with creme sauce and the chef really should open his own line of desserts, it was a never ending tale of creme, fruit, gelato, and soft crispiness of the cookie served with it. My wife's tiramisu was exquisite, if not authentic. Very nice!

In all, this is a good place to meet with workmates, partners, or a date because the mood suits both, and is not risky with bold dishes. If you're looking for a new experience in Italian cooking, look elsewhere. You won't be taken away by it (unless you have dessert), but you also won't be disappointed.

• Pros: Ambiance, convenience, service
• Cons: quality for price

07/07/08

Gnocci Heaven

by Mehri at Citysearch

I am shocked by all the negative reviews. I love this place. I am addicted to the four cheese gnocchi. I cannot get enough!! And the affogato is enough to do you in after dinner. The service has never been bad for me. The prices might be on the high side, not unlike alot of other restaurants in the downtown area. But then I think about the gnocchi and find myself there once again.