Donato EnotecaA great experience yet againThis is the third time my husband and I have been to Donato Enoteca and we plan on going back. The food is consistently excellent, the service is wonderful and the prices are reasonable. The gnocchi was delicious and the best part is that it comes in a yummy little baked cheese bowl. The wild mushroom pasta was chock full of mushrooms and was also delicious. The wait staff was attentive ( but not overly) and was very knowledgable about the menu and wine pairings.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA great dining experience!We had a wonderful meal and conversation with our neighbors and great friends! I appreciated very much that the music or other noise level was quiet enough that we could talk without having to yell at each other to be heard. Would definitely go there again!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best on the PeninsulaDonato's is the best restaurant, day in and day out, on the Peninsula. Service both by waiters and wine steward are superior. The owner, Donato, is a fine host walking the floor occasionally but 99% of the time at the end of the service area carefully observing food plates before entering dining room. My choice for 3 stars .6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMA Neighborhood Gem in Redwood CityDonato Enoteca was a lovely place to dine. It was a warm night and so my frined and I dined outdoors. From our first contact with our waitress we felt at home and asked a myriad of questions about the wine list since we were unfamiliar with Italian Wines. She cheerfully responded to all the questions and made suggestions upon request. I enjoyed the spicy sausage pizza while my friend loved the house made small ravioli "del plin" which was excellent. They surprised us with a complimentary dessert with a candle since it was my friend's birthday. The warmth of the evening was matched with the excellent service and excellent food. I will return.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice casual dining place,Very nice casual dining place, good menu selections, good wait staff, good food and not too expensive.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMSurprisingly goodOnly because it was a backup choice for the evening and hadn't received recommendations from friends were my expectations not high, but the food and service were surprisingly good. We'll be back!6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMNew to Redwood CityThis restaurant was recommended by a friend. Even though it can serve a lot of people, it has an intimate feel. I had the prix-fixe. The pappardelle was hand made and delicious. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgable: not only about the menu, but also interesting places for a visitor to go. I would definitely recommend it.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMDecor was nice but food was averageDecor was nice, great for romantic, family and big groups. Paid parking was just a block away, great location. The food was okay only, very light.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWe'll be backWe always love the food at Donatos and every time we say we should come more often. Their Prosciutto appetizer is so yummy, as is the pasta. And it's pretty easy to come with the kids as the environment is fairly relaxed. Their outdoor seating is nice for lunch or a warm evening.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe BestBest restaurant on Peninsula. Owner and management excellent hosts.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways gives me pleasure.
DonnatoAlways gives me pleasure.
Donnato is always in attendance and oversees EVERTHING!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMEveryone loved their food.Everyone loved their food. We were there for a birthday. Our party included 2 toddlers. They have a good child menu. Our grandchildren had pizza and pasta with butter. The bruschetta with cingale was excellent, as the entrees. My daughter and I tried the fish dished dishes and each one was delicious!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLunch with co-workersThe food was visually as well as superb! Great service which was efficient, friendly and attentive. Would definitely go back!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMItalian food at its bestThe variety of choices on the menu made it difficult to choose. Everything we did choose was outstanding. The bread was warm and aromatic when it was brought to the table and the dipping sauce was unique and delicious. Each of us chose a different salad and each one was wonderful. The buckwheat pasta with wild mushrooms was so tender it melted in our mouths. Two of us in the party had grown up eating the finest Italian food at home and all of us have traveled extensively in Italy. Donato's compares favorably with anything we've had in the past. We will definitely return often.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMNot for pasta eatersIf you are looking for an Itailian restaurant with lots of pasta choices, this is not your place. However, the food was awesome, just not typical. Outdoor seating excellent. Close to the train station, so easy to get to and from if you are traveling from a different area.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMSomething for everyoneKid friendly pizza in the front room.
Quiet, romantic fine dining in the back.
A bar in between yo keep them apart.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely outdoor dinnerWe took a friend from out of state, with no doubt she would love the food. It was a lovely warm evening, and we had a relaxed, delicious dinner outside. It exceeded our already high expectations. The beet pasta was fantastic! No matter when we've been, Donato's has had exceptional food and service.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGood location and wait staff.Good location and wait staff. Pleasant patio for outdoor dining. Food is good but not outstanding.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMSat at the bar and watchedSat at the bar and watched the food come out of the kitchen. Good to see such care in preparation and presentation. We were served by at least four different people including the manager, well done! We'll come back for sure.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding!!!! We had a negativeOutstanding!!!! We had a negative experience on our last visit but this time,we had an excellent waiter (I wish I could remember his name), who made all the difference.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWaiter changed twiceWe all (4) thought our various lunch antipasti and salads were creative and tasty but thought the entrees were just OK. The first waiter took our drink order and never fulfilled it. The second waiter provided menus and did not come back. The third waiter was asked to leave a spicy compote off a plate but insisted, twice, that it be included on a side dish. It was served properly. It turned out that the reason for three waiters was that the 3rd one had showed up late.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative,innovative cuisine,Creative,innovative cuisine, not your stereotypical Italian-American fare. One of my favorite restaurants.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMBy far the best value forBy far the best value for a high-end meal on the peninsula4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAMAZING tasting menu.As always, an amazing visit. Do NOT order a la carte, but show up hungry and get the "small" tasting menu (don't worry, you will leave stuffed!). Make sure to arrive well before 9pm as that is the cutoff time for tasting menus. Ask the chef to surprise you and you will be in for an epic multicourse extravaganza that includes wildly off-menu items. Place never gets old. 34/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chef was out of town butThe chef was out of town but the food was still spectacular, pork belly risotto was perfectly done. One of us had the Branzino
done on the fire, this is European cuisine at it's best. Healthy fresh and tasty with a flare.
The only slight request, change the dessert selections from time to time, what they do is good, but it's always the same, Tiramisu
and molten chocolate cake, we'd love to see some more lemon dishes or innovations. We feel lucky to have this restaurant in our home town, unfornately it is unique.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best in Redwood CityFood here is excellent with good variety of authentic cuisine. The restaurant has several different seating areas, including outdoors in good weather, so one can almost choose their ambience. Service was friendly, attentive, and helpful. Will be back!4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMVery authentic italian food.Very authentic italian food. You could tell the menu was very well thought out and the menu of the day was superb. Recommend this place highly if you want to impress someone with italian fare3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMA great location to meet and shareDonato Enoteca is understated and you naturally settle in to a delightful dining experience. Regular dishes like gnocchi and the beet ravioli are prepared and presented in unique and appealing ways. The pace of service was never rushed, but casually attentive. We met family over the holiday and spent three hours sharing wine with our meal. The desserts follow in step with unique and eye-catching presentation. The last bite is as good as the first and you will want to enter Donato Enoteca in your contacts list for the next time you need a reliable destination to focus on other things.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWatch out for the built-inWatch out for the built-in gratuity. It wasn't mentioned when called to confirm reservation, nor when the bill was brought.
Food was wonderful, bring your own Chardonnay if that's what you drink. Their white wine choices not so special. Red wine choices were fine.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI'm going back again sinceI'm going back again since its in my neighborhood and my first experience was so nice. Want to try another dish. Had the buckwheat pasta. The bread was warm and delish. Loved the friendly staff.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMYumSomething for everyone: kid friendly in the front room, more elegant in the back room and a bar in between.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining!Excellent food with attentive service for a business dinner. Enjoyed the patio setting, although noticed several business groups inside. Rare to find grilled squid (appetizer, with white beans). The beet salad was excellent, a very generous portion. My colleague enjoyed the pork tenderloin, not leaving a morsel on her plate.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood favoriteOne of our favorite 'posh' neighborhood restaurants... Excellent food, great service, comfortable ambiance. When the restaurant is busy the noise level tends to be too high to carry on a conversation (especially as the tables are very close together) - but you just have to know when to go there to avoid the crowds :-). We will definitely be back again... and again... and again...3/2/2013 12:00:00 AMShort Ribs RuleThis restaurant has delicious food , service and bar. It can be fun and energetic or quietly romantic depending on when you go.1/30/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent lunch, somewhatExcellent lunch, somewhat slow service. Food was great, so was definitely worth the wait. Will be back.1/21/2013 12:00:00 AMMade a last minute reservationMade a last minute reservation and glad we did. Nice salads and entrees. Pizza was a little under baked making the crust soft. Nice all Italian wine list. Nice grappa selection and desserts were very nice. Service was good and attentive. We will return.12/22/2012 12:00:00 AMThree hours in gourmand heavenI was visiting the Bay area this past weekend and had dinner at Donato's with friends. We chose the Chef Tasting Menu, which is chef's choice (a surprise in every course). Even though they were incredibly busy, Donato agreed to create something. We started with a salad of cabbage and Wagyu beef, followed by Salmon cured in lemon, then Tagliatelle with beef cheeks, then Risotto Nero with Calamari, then Branzino on leeks and caramelized Brussels sprouts, and ended with a trio of desserts: Chocolate lava cake, Tiramisu with shortbread cookie, and Chestnut Genoise with chestnut frosting. A delicious and sumptuous meal. Service was superb! Two bottles of very nice Mount Etna rosso made the trials of the day go away and the evening perfect.12/15/2012 12:00:00 AMGreat, classy neighborhoodGreat, classy neighborhood restaurant with tasty food. Excellent wine list with choices you would be hard to pressed to find elsewhere. Great service. We enjoyed the somewhat quieter atmosphere - was nice to be able to have a conversation while eating dinner. Will definitely be back.12/12/2012 12:00:00 AMThe best spinach salad I everThe best spinach salad I ever had. All the pastas are fresh. We had the agnolotti with meat ragu and the ravioli with butternut squash - both were excellent.11/28/2012 12:00:00 AM