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  • Benissimo Ristorante and Bar

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Reserve at Benissimo Ristorante and Bar

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Benissimo Ristorante and Bar
Benissimo Ristorante and Bar

Benissimo Ristorante and Bar Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.benissimos.com
  • Phone: (415) 927-2316
  • Hours of Operation:

    Dinner: Monday - Sunday 4pm to 10pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Tony
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: For take-out, parties, and catering, please call (415)927-2316.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Corte Madera Avenue
  • Parking: Street Parking
A word from Benissimo Ristorante and Bar
Benissimo Ristorante and Bar was established in 1987 and is located in beautiful downtown Corte Madera. Our regular customers love the new remodeled dining room and full bar area. They also enjoy the new menu which offers the best quality and fairest price. You will also find our happy hour, early… special, and daily specials in our menu choices.
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PACIFIC SUN : December 1995
(WORD OF MOUTH - One of the most pleasurable surprises of the year was my discovery of Benissimo Ristorante at 18 Tamalpais Drive in Corte Madera,.......one visit will make you realize that this is the best Italian restaurant in Marin, and one of the best in Bay Area.)
Charles Martell-Mill Valley

Marin Scope: (A charming, reliable neighborhood Italian trattoria)Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "This Italian bistro is exactly the place you remember when thinking of your most romantic dinner. White table cloths everywhere, cocktails overflowing, and pasta that hits the spot. We had the pasta carbonara, mussels, pork chop, and bruschetta. Everything was amazing especially the tender yet crusted pork and the fresh creamy carbonara. Definitely will return!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "The restaurant has some charm and a fairly nice menu. The risotto I had was nice but not spectacular. The Eggplant Parmesan was quite average. The sauce tasted like jar sauce. The servers were very nice and the bar was fairly full and energetic."
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "The owners are always there to great their guests and the new hostess makes you feel Welcome as well. The menu has something for everyone and it's all good! We always enjoy ourselves whether by ourselves or with friends or family."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "Delicious! Food is always perfect and healthy. They make you feel like its a special night every time."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "This is the place for one of my favorite hamburgers. This time though it was a little dry. Next time will be better I know!"
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "We had such a nice dinner at Benissimo the other night. The host was wonderfully accommodating, the wait staff friendly and polite. Our party had items from all over the menu and not a complaint was heard. I had the early bird special which. at first glance, looked like too much food but was just right. The Caesar salad was crisp and dressed sparingly, as I like it, the short ribs were tender and flavorful and the homemade ravioli a treat. We really need to go back more often..."
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "We went here based on positive reviews. We were very disappointed. While the menu is varied, many of the items are fried and my wife, who is allergic to gluten, had problems finding any dish other than one chicken dish that didn't incorporate flour in some fashion. My entree of petrale sole was swimming in sauce to the point where I thought the fish was still under water. And why a supposedly good restaurant serves as its vegetable three thick pieces of yellow zucchini remains a mystery to me. My wife's chicken dish had a decent taste but, again, it was swimming in sauce. She had asked for the sauce on the side, and was told it couldn't be done; but there was no reason this request couldn't have been granted."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "This is a great neighborhood restaurant. I didn't even know there was a downtown Corte Madera, but it's worth the short drive from the more familiar shopping areas on either side of the freeway. The early bird specials are a great deal, and run until 7 p.m. The waiter we've had on both of our two visits was very sweet, helpful and efficient. Can't wait to go back."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Benissimo recently. I read other positive OpenTable reviews so I was expecting good food, but still was not sure what to expect. But all of our dishes were very flavorful, hearty and generously portioned. Service was very attentive. The mocha mud pie was amazing! I'm not an ice cream person but I'd go back just for that. Will definitely return."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "The calamari steak is so tender and flavorful, we ordered it even though we had it the previous visit, so good, the Pasta with Mussels was well balanced and the shellfish was not overcooked as most restaurants do, Espresso and Cannoli to end. All perfect. I want to try the other menu items am already thinking about the Calamari steak for the next visit. Bring a number of friends and try everything would be my recommendation!"
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "We have been coming here for a few years now and the food is always good and the service friendly. The restaurant is usually very busy, so reservations are essential. Many of the patrons are locals and regulars, so there is quite a "familiar" vibe to the restaurant. I had the chicken marsala ($20) and my husband had the mahi mahi special ($24) and they were both very good. We topped it off with their signature lemon sorbet and chocolate and pistachio gelato. There is usually live music, which can be a little intrusive, but it adds to the ambience and the musicians are locals."
    Dined on 6/12/2014
  • "We were wonderfully surprised by how great the food was prepared. Prawn Pear Salad was fabulous as was the Chicken Marsala"
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "We came to celebrate birthday looking for a place that is festive, but not "foofy" (check). The bread and garlic-infused olive oil were the first indication of this great experience. However, the Cesar salad was not a "real" Cesar, in my wife's opinion as the anchovies were laid on top instead of being incorporated into the dressing. We are lamb lovers and ordered a rack of lamb, which was very good and served with lovely risotto. However, the calamari steak was a really spectacular surprise. I've never tasted calamari so tender and flavorful. The zucchini accompaniment also exceeded expectations of a usual soggy variety. instead, it was nicely grilled and fresh tasting. The vine was reasonably good and reasonably priced by comparison. "
    Dined on 5/25/2014
  • "Service was great - waiter offered to let us enjoy our cocktails before ordering! The place is small, and it filled up, but we were never rushed. The food is very good, the ambiance is nice, and it's close enough to the malls for shopping & dining outings."
    Dined on 5/24/2014
  • "The food was excellent. The service of the staff was very accomodatingb and friendly. This is a great place to take the family, a date, or just have a drink at the the bar."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "We had a lovely dinner and will definitely be back. Salads were delicious and the pasta and salmon superb. Thank you!"
    Dined on 5/7/2014
  • "We liked the ambiance and feeling from the staff, who are genuinely friendly. Benissimo has the feel of a family restaurant with good food. The wine list is limited, but ok, and very reasonably priced. It would be nice to see more restaurants with reasonably priced wine lists like theirs. We were rushed a little at first by our waiter-he was seeking dinner orders before drink orders, but were able to slow him down."
    Dined on 5/4/2014
  • "Ended up waiting at least 25 minutes for our reservation. Nice menu but could add more fish entries and perhaps some dishes that distinguish it from other Italian places. Food was good but not so creative. "
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "Tables are packed too close together - very congested when they are busy.. I recommend getting a booth for a little space to enjoy your meal."
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "We have been dining at Benissimo for years. My daughters celebrated every birthday growing up. It had been awhile since my husband and I visited but we were pleasantly surprised that nothing had changed. We still love the restaurant!!"
    Dined on 4/25/2014
  • "Benissimo is consistently good. Can't beat the early bird special that includes four courses at $20.95. Family owned and a gem in the neighborhood. It's a definite draw."
    Dined on 4/7/2014
  • "We have driven by here thousands of time, but had never tried the restaurant until it appeared on our Open Table available restaurants in Marin this weekend. The place was packed and we were greeted by the owner at the door. Our waiter was very nice (he was from NE Italy). The salads were excellent and my farfalle with scampi was very tasty, as were the other pasta dished our group ordered. Will definitely be going back again."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Had a wonderful experience. Such as friendly intimate restaurant with great decor and ambiance."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Good food but portions seem to have been reduced. Very slow service."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "We love the consistency of food, service, and atmosphere at this neighborhood gem, and are especially happy to have a late evening alternative to Chinese or take-out. I almost always opt for the salmon and am never disappointed. My husband loves the pizza, calamari, ciopino, and many of the meat dishes. The service is efficient but not intrusive and the bread is amazing."
    Dined on 3/27/2014
  • "They had a lovely vocalist the evening we went. TV's were on at either end--hopefully a function of March Madness and not on a nightly basis."
    Dined on 3/27/2014
  • "Love, love, love this place and I rarely think to go there. Had an awesome dinner there on Tuesday night. Absolutely delicious food, great service and the Mario, the owner is on top of EVERYTHING. Nice to see a family run business doing so such a great job making people happy! Cudos to them! Highly recommend this place and virtually anything on the menu!"
    Dined on 3/25/2014
  • "Imagine an Italian restaurant owned and staffed by Italians. The paparadelle is fresh the combinations are inventive. The waiters speak Italian. I love this place! But don't tell anyone cause it's hard enough to get a reservation already."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Friendly service, good waiters, great Italian food, nice atmosphere. Has live music (not loud) on some nights. We were leaving around 9 pm on Sat. night when the guitar player was arriving...sorry we missed him."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "A great menu perfectly prepared. Good portions. Attentive service. Tables close together, but well worth the snugness for the food. Pricing reasonable. They even have an early dinner menu at $20.95 for appetizer, pasta, entree, and desert."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "We have eaten here several times and it is always great....Waiters are great -- understand what you want, i.e, not in a hurry or a quiet table. I enjoyed a delicious salmon dinner there last week."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "This is a very unassuming but excellent restaurant. We went there for my wife's birthday and they took great care of us. Food was excellent and service was great. Definitely a place to add to our list of favorites."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "I've been going to this incredible restaurant for 16 yrs., and throughout these years it has gone through a couple remodels; every remodel has been better than the last! I love their bar, and they make the best Cosmos. I have never been disappointed in their food, always consistent."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "The food and service were amazing as usual. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting or just passing thru corte madera."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Excellent food. Waiter came in late, unfortunately. However, he was excellent as the night wore on. However, the cappuccino was lukewarm and the dessert was only okay. We however enjoyed the restaurant!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "my wife and I went to Benissimo's for valentines day dinner. We were seated promptly and the wait staff started out very well. we ordered off the special menu which was great. but then course after course came, and in the end we rushed through dinner in 70 minutes. This was not quite the experience we were hoping for , for our first time at this restaurant. The food was very good, but they mixed up our orders - and in the end my wife never got the entre she had ordered. a mixed experience, and we will have to think twice before we go back."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Completely packed and they were 200% prepared. Food was excellent, cooked to perfection. Menu was perfect with enough choices. Service was delightful, respectful, attentive and did not rush you. NO skimpy drinks. Had a great dinner!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "A friend of mine brought me here a couple of years ago. I remembered this place because of the food and friendly service. The live band (1 person) just ads to thr ambience of the whole dining package. Albeit, the noise level from other diners and the bar area was a little loud. But, the service,food snd great company cancels any negative out. I and or we will be back. A hidden treasure in Marin County. Thanks for a wonderful dining experience, again."
    Dined on 2/13/2014
  • "Our reserved booth was waiting for us. Attentive server Travis described the daily specials after checking for bar requests. Bread and garlickey dipping oil arrived promptly. The wild salmon with picatta sauce is my personal favorite and is always exceptional... as it was tonight again. The potato and veggie sides are to die for! My friend ordered the Kobe burger, which was large and done to perfection. A mound of potato wedges made a satisfying meal. An after-dinner drink capped a wonderfully delicious dining experience. We'll be back again and again!"
    Dined on 2/2/2014
  • "We dined at Bennissimo for the first time this past Saturday. As 20+ year Marin residents, we thought we had found all the great Italian restaurants. We very pleased to find a hidden gem in Bennissimo which has delicious food, excellent service and a wonderful ambiance. Although we liked the restaurant very much and will go back, we found it got rather loud at about 6:30 p.m. when a large party was seated near us. In the future, we plan to be seated no later than 5:00 pm."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
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  • Italian
  • Neighborhood Gem
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