Gourmet ItaliaFantasticThere is no one in this valley that can top this Italian food!!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecialAlthough hard to find, because of lack of signage, it was worth trying to locate it. The food was amazing! The service was very good. The only downside, is that it was VERY noisy. The tables are very close so conversation is difficult.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMy favorite!Had overnight visitors so had to pick one restaurant to show off what Temecula has to offer. It could have been a risk because one of them is Italian and very critical of most Italian restaurants. Gourmet Italia did not fail! Angelo took great care of us - the wine (Alex's own) was wonderful, the food was incredible and the service impeccable. We had the beet and watermelon salad - awesome! My friend's test for how good a restaurant is is the gnocci. He raved about it being light and the sauce was perfect. Filet with mushroom risotto was perfectly done and just delicious. Tiramisu - (the best they've ever eaten), canolli was obviously just filled because the shell was crisp and not soggy. This place is great6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and the service wasThe food and the service was terrific. It was very fine dining without being stuffy. Well Done! Will be returning for sure.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe've been to Gourmet ItaliaWe've been to Gourmet Italia several times and each time we wonder why we don't eat there more often. The specials are always amazing, or at least sound amazing, and the service is exceptional. We had dinner on Sunday night and even the cappuccino afterward was perfect.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGourmet Italia knows no equal...I had the osso bucco...again. My wife had her favorite, the Farfalle al Salmone, amazing as always! If it's on special, always go witht the beet and watermelon salad - awesomesauce! We love bringing friends to Gourmet Itallia for the first time. Last weekend, it was friends from Hollywood (I live in Temecula, and work in Hollywood). Alex was a gracious and charming host, taking time to help us select the perfect wines for the evening. My friends loved Alex and the restaurant, and can't wait to return! Visit Alex's other restaurant, Spuntino Pizzeria, for some of the best pizza in SoCal.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent foodWe visited Temecula and ate at Gourmet Italia on May 16th for my birthday. The food and service was excellent. They had a great wine list. I had the lobster ravioli and my boyfriend had the boar chops. These both we're great. The Caesar salad was good as well. We had a mousse dessert which was excellent. The lighting was a little too low because it is mostly lit by candlelight. We were seated by the restroom and could smell that a little as well.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyable Dining ExperienceMy husband was a little worried when I said, "located in a strip mall," but when he scouted it out and looked inside he said the interior was very nice. So...we will join with the others who said, "Don't let the location put you off." The food was quite good, my husband had the wild boar chop special, I had clams with white sauce, and my pasta was perfectly al dente. There is quite an extensive wine list. The wine recommended by the server, and offered to taste, was very good. It was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening, and though there was a large group seated in the back, it was not too noisy. Service was perfect and the host (owner?) was very gracious and friendly. If we return to Temecula, we would definitely eat here again.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAuthentically delicious!Went for Mother's Day/father's birthday and it was great! Food was the most authentically Italian I've had in a long time. Dad just starting listing ingredients he wanted and server said "no problem!" (she was great, by the way -- wish I could remember her name to give her proper praise -- petite, lots of eyeshadow and I think a nose ring?) and showed up with the dish he'd invented (which he loved)! Salads, entrees and desserts all fantastic -- we'll be back!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBEST LITTLE ITALIAN RESTAURANTI have been going to Gourmet Italia for many years and it NEVER lets you down, there is nothing not to like!!!!!!!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's DayWe went on Mothers Day for the first time and we were not disappointed. Everyone was very attentive to our needs. Food was delicious. It's a small place but great food and great customer service.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOur Favorite placeYou just can't beat Gourmet Italia for the ambience, wine, food and service. Alex (the owner) welcomes you and treats you like family. The live music on Fri-Sun is just right to compliment the entire experience. We love our favorite dishes but don't be afraid to try something exotic, like kangaroo, wild boar, osterage, swordfish... yum!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOur go-to spot in TemeculaHow many Mother's Days have we gone to Gourmet Italia? SOOO many! You just know you will get terrific food here. Highly recommend!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the best in TemeculaIncredibly place, the best restaurant in Temecula. Best service of any restaurant I have ever eaten at in my life.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat nightWe were celebrating our 32nd anniversary. The music was wonderful as well as the food. Service was terrific.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMItaly in my backyardLoved this place. Small, quaint, unique. Don't expect a shiny modern environment. This is authentic. Our waiter Angelo made us feel like we traveled to Sicily without being on a plane. His accent and Italian charm made the experience all the better. I had the lobster raviolis and they were very delicious. Celebrated my birthday with my husband and 3 grown kids. This is a perfect, cozy place for celebrations, romantic meals, and just going out and treating yourself. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food that is served. This is one of my favorite places in all of Temecula, if not California.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMBooked this table for 10 forBooked this table for 10 for a group vising Temecula for the first time. Although we initially had difficulty finding the restaurant (set back in a shopping center), it was well worth our trip. The waiter made our evening so enjoyable as he was so personable. The food was excellent and the dinner was truly a feast.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a reservation for 7:30.Had a reservation for 7:30. Waited 45 minutes for a table. Still, it was worth the wait. Food is fantastic and service was as well. Angelo, our waiter, seemed to be waiting on everyone and still made sure we felt like we were his priority. Music was a bit loud, but again, it was out done by the food and service. The Ossobuco was fantastic!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMIn a land of mediocre ItalianIn a land of mediocre Italian food this place has no competition. The majority of the food we've had here is very good. The waitress was attentive and friendly.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMJust a fantastic time. OurJust a fantastic time. Our waitress was superb. Get there early to enjoy a few private moments to soak in the atmosphere.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Italian food in the IEWhat a treat! Always great food at Alex's restaurant and, of course, Alex is always there to greet the customers old and new! Our server was very knowledgeable about wine, which was so helpful. We shared three courses, appetizer, salad and pasta. We started with the carpaccio which was superb, love the addition of crunchy celery bits. The caesar salad was wonderful as usual, love the fresh dressing and anchovies on the side for those who don't enjoy them. The main course was penne bolognese (the menu calls for fettucine, but you can always substitute or even invent something you want to eat--if they have it, you will get it!). There is always warm bread with house-made tapenade and butter, so yummy! Alex's tiramisu is unmatched!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGourmet Italia could not beGourmet Italia could not be more perfect in all respects! My dining experiences, all five of them, have been totally incredible. We have taken a number of the special people in our lives to dinner here and all are now repeat customers! Seriously, if I could, I would eat there every night!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFun place, very good foodThis was our first time at this restaurant. It was on a Friday night and it was packed! We had a reservation and was seated within 5 minutes of our reservation time. The atmosphere was lively to say the least. Not a place for a quiet dinner. BUT the owner is very engaging and fun. The food was very good and the service was very attentive even though the place was very busy. Definitely will be going back and taking friends with us.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMBetween the owner and ourBetween the owner and our waitress, we were treated like family and well-served. The antipasto tray was especially wonderful. Pastas yummy too.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBellisimaCan you say "bellisima?" Whether winding down after a day of wine tasting in Temecula, or looking for a cozy place to delight your sweetheart, Gourmet Italia has something to satisfy your every desire. From owner Alessandro's charming hospitality to every tasty morsel, you will not be disappointed.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in Class Italian FoodWe had an absolutely wonderful meal with wonderful service. The soup of the day (tomato) was thick, tasty and perfectly seasoned. The home made bread that accompanied the meal had a crunchy crust with a melt in your mouth soft bread. The first piece I had by itself was wonderful but the second piece dunked in the soup was a religious experience (lol). It was that good! The caprese salad was also first rate with tasty mozarella cheese, ripe tomatoes and the perfect amount of balsamic vinegar. Can't wait to go back soon for dinner.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat atmosphere, good food.First time here. Fits my definition for a "joint", which is a good thing. Great vibe, perfect noise level, nice layout. Not cookie cutter at all. Seating arrangements a bit unorganized--we had reservations but ending up sitting at the bar because it was open and we were hungry, and the seating process was not clear upon arrival. The gnocchi with pesto sauce was authentic, homemade and outstanding, everything else was good but not memorable, but we did not order any specials, so next time I will give them a try. I eat frequently in Providence and Hartford, so my standards for Italian food are pretty high, and for the West Coast, this was very good, but compared to the Northeast, not comparable.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMHidden Gem!Loved It!!!
Headed to Temecula area for the Wine Events..... Had a referral to Gourmet Italia from a friend..... Sat with our new favorite waiter, Angelo!! His wit, knowledge, and patience were an essential part of our experience:-) AND.....did I mention that the food was outstanding!! Gourmet Italia, is a small n intimate little gem.....Hidden away in a little Strip Center!! We really didn't expect the quality and excellence we experienced!! If you are ever in the area....It is a must....to dine here!!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Dining ExperienceWe had a work funtion and made a reservation for a table for nine. Angelo was amazing and the food devine. They had nearly run out of their in-house Specialty Caesar with fresh sliced anchovies, but our party ordered the last three. As the salads were passed around so all could taste, the team couldn't believe how great the appetizers and soup/salad had been. When the entrees came, all were still raving about their meal. Several of us ordered from the specials of the day and were not disappointed. The seafood in particular was incredible. When we had our meetings the following day, there was still discussion about the great food and service we recieved at Gourmet Italia. I would highly recommend them!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAn outstanding restaurantAn outstanding restaurant find in a Temecula strip mall! This is truly a Neighborhood Gem that serves authentic Italian cuisine. Excellent atmosphere that reminds me of my trips to Sicily! Our waiter Angelo with his accent, personality, and charm made this a wonderful dining experience. We will definetly be back!!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AM