CetrellaAlways an all-around outstandingAlways an all-around outstanding dining experience! Exciting new diversification of menu!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome dining experienceWe recently went for my wife's 40th birthday party on a Tuesday. The restaurant was empty when we went, but a few more folks trickled in after a while. The place is huge with vaulted ceilings, and a contemporary feel that still preserves the charm of a small town that is Half Moon Bay. It is located on the Main Street, but away from the hustle bustle of the busier part of the town. It was really nice and quiet at the restaurant. The food was awesome. I ordered the Salmon, my son ordered the Rissoto, and my wife had a custom dish prepared with Kous Kous + Vegetables. Her dish was not on the menu, but the chef obliged to cook it for her. The desserts, wine, and appetizers were all very good. Awesome service. Improve lighting..6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMCetrella: The Best in Half Moon BayIf you're looking for amazing food which is creatively designed and perfectly executed, Cetrella is your spot. The prices are absolurtly reasonable. We have been to a number of Half Moon Bay's more popular and bragged about restaurants and none compare to the caliber of Cetrella. The owner is quite the character, the host staff is world class and the servers are as knowledgable as they are accommodating. When you eat anywhere else in Half Moon Bay, the end of every dinner will end with, "it was good, but Cetrella is better on every level."5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMTime to rediscover CetrellaWhen Cetrella opened, it was Half Moon Bay's first truly upscale restaurant, created in a renovated produce warehouse at the south end of town. The restaurant flourished for years, then competition encroached and then the recession hit, and traffic to the restaurant suffered. The food, however, has not. Get yourself to HMB and go to Cetrella. We started with FannyBay oysters, very fresh and tasting of the sea. Another appetizer was wood-oven roasted octopus. Delicious, smoky and sweet. My entree of fresh pea ravioli in a light Parmesan broth was delectable. The customer traffic isn't what it once was, but the kitchen hasn't suffered. I've gone several times in the last year, and the food has been consistently good.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFive Star in every wayBeautiful environment, fabulous food, reasonable prices, quiet and offering an exceptional ambiance.
We highly recommend Cetrella and take our friends when they are visiting Half Moon Bay, especially for brunch.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMmom's day at cetrellaI took my Gma for a pre fixe brunch here. the food was delicious! Everything from the salad dressing to the side vegetables to the dessert was excellent. The staff were attentive, efficient, took great care of us, and accomodated our dietary requests.
Lovely space, nice service, great food! Perfect for a special occasion.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday Dinner for my wife.The food was delicious and beautifly prepared and presented. The service was very comfortable . The evening was on the cool side so the fireplace in the middle of the main dining room added the Just Right amount of warmth and ambience. As we were having our triple chocolate desert the manager sent over two glasses of a desert wine on the house. It added that perfect touch to a memorable evening.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service is excellent.The service is excellent. The ownder and servers are always gracious and helpful. The food is delicious and cooked to perfection (do specify any requests, as they do want everything to be perfect to taste). The menu is limited, but the choices are varied enough for everyone to find something perfect. Prices are high, but they too are varied to help match to budgets. A great start to a perfect day in Half Moon Bay and the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe celebrated a birthday -We celebrated a birthday - dinner and service were wonderful and it was fun to end the evening in the bar listening to jazz - perfect!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful duning experience.Wonderful duning experience. Will definitely go back!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food in a sleekWonderful food in a sleek contemporary setting, but watching arguments amongst the cooks in the demonstration kitchen and waiting 20 minutes to get the attention of staff in order to get our check shows that this place needs to work on the service end of things.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMLove. We go to Cetrella whenLove. We go to Cetrella when we want to treat ourselves well. I always ask, "what's the best thing tonight?" and get that and I have never been disappointed.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMthe service and ambiance isthe service and ambiance is great and friendly.
Good suggestion of wine.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMA warm, lovely restaurant!We love this place and make a point of going there whenever we are in the area. The focaccia which seemed more like a flat bread was so amazing we got a second order. One of my dining partners had the fritto misto and loved it. I had the beet salad in place of an entree and thought the flavors all worked well together. It had both golden and red beets. The soup, fish and beef were well worth having. Everyone at the table loved the food. We were so full, we had to skip dessert. On a cool night it is fun to sit in from of their large gas fireplaces. In the future, I'd love to have room for a cheese plate. Their cheeses sounded heavenly.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGREAT FOOD- GREAT SERVICEYou are greeted warmly at the reception desk- that is how the whole experience will be. The cheese plate is absolutely wonderful- great choices complemented with great 'sides'. We had the scallops and risotto- the scallops were done to perfection, and the risotto was wonderful as well. The Manager came by to check on things- a nice touch. You will not be disappointed at Cetrella.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother wonderful night atAnother wonderful night at Cetrella. M'Hamed was a great host, as always. Very romantic birthday dinner for my girlfriend and I as we sat at a wonderful private table near the fire. The food was outstanding (she had the lamb, I had the pork chop) and we enjoyed it with a fantastic bottle of wine chosen for us by M'Hamed. We love this place and everyone who work there, so we'll keep returning for more.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe reserved through open tableWe reserved through open table for our 10th anniversary dinner at Cetrella. I requested a table near the fireplace. We were seated in a wonderful table right in front of the fireplace. The food was outstanding and the service was prompt and attentive. We will definitely return again.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMVery pleasant surprise!I like that we were placed in a private room for my group of ten people. It was a surprised and we all felt special because it was never mentioned that we will be in a private special room. The servers were wonderful and catered to what we want. It was an experienced for us all to remember our Mother's Day celebration. Such a wonderful moment with my family in a wonderful place and wonderful staff.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThoroughly enjoyed this restaurant.Thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. Elegant ambiance, good food. I would go back and return.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful Restaurant!!We enjoyed every minute of our evening. The food was delicious, service excellent, and lovely ambiance. There was a soft piano playing in the bar and easily heard in the dining room but never too loud. We will definitely return.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AM