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  • Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

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Reserve at Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

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Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek
Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.montecatinirestaurant.com/
  • Phone: (925) 943-6608
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs
    Dinner: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Fri-Sat
    Closed Mondays
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian, Contemporary European, Wine Bar
  • Executive Chef: Ermes Paulin
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: Pick up your prepared foods or we can deliver. (Associated costs, i.e. china, silverware rentals etc. are additional.)
  • Private Party Contact: Montecatini (925) 943-6608
  • Special Events & Promotions: Our dining room is available for meetings, private parties and special occasions. Please call us at 925-943-6608 to discuss.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Between Main and Locust
  • Parking: Street Parking
  • Parking Details: Complimentary validation for parking at the Lesher Center for the Performing Arts Parking Garage on Locust St. and Civic Drive.
A word from Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek
Montecatini's opening day was October 17, 1989, the day of the Loma Prieta earthquake in California. Since then, Montecatini Ristorante has become a place of true Italian dining experience in Walnut Creek, California. All our dishes are meticulously prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients.… Our pastas and entrees are served piping hot from our kitchen to your table.

Our chef-owner Ermes Paulin has been our executive chef since our restaurant's opening day 24 years ago. A true Italian chef, Ermes was born in Vicenza Italy, and was classically trained in Rome at one of the finest culinary academy hotel in the world at the age of 17. Ermes is the heart and soul of Montecatini. You can find him at the restaurant almost every day creating the most delicious and consistently amazing dishes for everyone!
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Diner Reviews
  • "I've been coming here since 1990, and it's still as good as ever. Great Italian just like you like with a great selaction of regular menu items with daily specials that just keep you coming back. My only complaint is the noise level when they are full. While I understand they are shooting for an authentic Italian feel to the place, they need to put in some acoustic tile. The new owners Chef Ermes Paulin, and his wife Teresa Cheung have added some great touches to the place, such as printing the specials and, of course, adding Open Table reservations. There is also now a happy hour! This is my favorite Italian place in the entire bay area, due to it's plain simplicity and great people."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "On our recent visit to the Montecatini restaurant, we felt like being on vacation in Tuscany. The owner, Teresa, came to sit with us after the excellent meal, the waiters were exceptionally polite and efficient, and even the chef, Ermes Paulin, came over to discuss his magic which was a real treat. The wine list is extensive, and the 2008 Borolo we shared was wonderful. We left happily and recommend Montecatini for all fans of good Italian cuisine."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Good quality Italian, with attentive and friendly staff."
    Dined on 7/9/2014
  • "I've been coming to Montecatini for years now , and I think it's the best italian restaurant around this area! The food is always wonderful and portions are large ! The pasta is always fresh and seafood is wonderful. I especially like the shrimp and tomatoe salad on a bed of butter lettuce. It's a meal in itself! It tends to get a little noisy on weekends but the food makes up for it! Highly recommend this place to all that like good italian food and service!"
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Great bread,we 4 all enjoyed our dinners,short wait as we were going to theater"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "The food was just ok. The minnestrone soup was incredible, but both mine and my boyfriend's pasta dishes were just ok. Not sure I would recommend this place."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "As always, the food was great. The wait staff is very attentive."
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "I was a little worried when I saw the outside of the restaurant because it isn't very pretty and it's a bit run down, but when you walk in, it's like a completely different place! So cute and nice ambience. I let them know it was by birthday and they put confetti on the table :) The wine was good, they had a good happy hour, and the dinner was delicious. I had the gnocchi with a type of vodka sauce with garlic and it just melted in my mouth. I would recommend this place!"
    Dined on 6/24/2014
  • "My husband first came here shortly after they opened in 1989. 25 years later we're still coming back. The delicious food and service never changes, which is a good thing. You don't see consistency, year after year at many establishments these days, which is what sets Montecatini apart from so many. Too bad about the noise level, but it is what it is! Looking forward to many more return visits."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Have been here several times and have never been unhappy. Food has been consistently good and staff is always friendly."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "We were there to celebrate my dad's birthday. We didn't tell the staff but the presents probably gave it away. When our dessert arrived my dads had a candle in it. A perfect small gesture that made all the difference. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was perfect. We will be there again."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "This restaurant is our go to place prior to attending the theater. Food is consistently good. They have a decent wine list and the service is always good. Noisy when busy but we come for the food and this place is usually always very busy."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Montecatini has a long history in Walnut Creek for a very good reason: the chef has remained at the restaurant and ensures that the food is fresh, beautifully prepared, and wonderfully tasty. This is the best of classic Italian dishes with a complementary, diverse wine list."
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "We were received with a very warm welcome smile from the lady who gladly got us a table eve when we arrived 30 min early... Food was amazing as service was outstanding... It's a very nice place definitely will go back to try different plates... They have a good variety if desserts, but need some improvement on that... I wish dessert was as good as our main meals:-) Parking can be a little challenging because of the location of the restaurant... Over all I give a 5 STARS...😉"
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "Go for the food. It's just like my Nonna makes. It's dark and noisy inside--but that was the vibe we were going for."
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "Great food and excellent service! The only negative would be a little dark and a little noisy other than that this is a great dinning experience! "
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "This is the second time we ate at Montecatini's, we enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Both times were a special occasion. Everyone had something different, except me, I had the brick chicken which is delicious. During the dinner someone from our table looked around and said" I like it here," I agree, I liked it there too!"
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "This restaurant came highly recommended by a friend. I was anticipating a nice dinner date with my wife and grown children, unfortunately it was so noisy we could not have a conversation. I think the wine was kicking in for most of the tables there. ( We don't drink) . A few tables had crying babies or unsupervised children watching videos on their iPhones. It was not a very pleasant experience for $175.00 The hostess and busboys were great. They always kept the bread basket and water and ice tea glasses full. The waiter took about twenty minutes to take our order and was very unapologetic. He did not make us feel welcome. The food was very good with decent portions. Unfortunately, we will seek other restaurants for our Italian cravings."
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "We enjoyed everything about Montecatini. I always think that when I see several "regular" customers, a place has to be good. We saw dates, families, younger and older patrons all enjoying excellent meals and service. Staff is very professional without being pretentious and the food was perfect!"
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "Try the egg washed squid steak... amazing. Title days the rest. "
    Dined on 5/2/2014
  • "Everything we ordered was excellent including escargot appetizer, Caesar salad, calamari steak & lasagna entrees, and tiramisu dessert. The food server was attentive and patient is answering our menu questions. It took quite awhile to be served because the restaurant was SO busy and presumably took that long for the chefs to prepare the dishes. The aspect that dropped the overall rating to 3 1/2 stars was the noise level. Having so many people in a not large room made it was difficult to hear and be heard. Some diners that were a part of a larger party (approximately 10 people) were really boisterously loud, resulting in a less enjoyable dining experience. We look forward to returning at a quieter time."
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "We have been going to Montecanti's for years for our anniversary - it has changed through the years as it has grown and owners have changed but we are yet to be disappointed, especially with the level of service. Great place"
    Dined on 4/25/2014
  • "I love Montecatini's - great food, great price, a Calamari steak to die for!!!!!! Keep it up."
    Dined on 4/20/2014
  • "Shrimp Salad Vinaigrette is truly one of most incredible dishes here. Perfect start to any pasta or veal dish."
    Dined on 4/19/2014
  • "Montecatini is our first pick when it comes to dining out on Italian food. The ambiance is dark and rather cozy, but the service and food make up for that. They were very accommodating when I ordered tortellini w/pesto, which was not on the menu. My husband had their artichoke chicken. The portions were generous and the wine list was extensive. We love Italian wines and ordered an excellent Chianti. We will certainly be coming back."
    Dined on 4/18/2014
  • "Waiter was slow and not attentive. Dinner was at 6:30 PM before the theater; we will not return as there are many restaurants in the area (downtown Walnut Creek)."
    Dined on 4/17/2014
  • "All four of us loved our dinners and would definitely return. Our only complaint was the noise level. The restaurant, when full, becomes so loud it is almost impossible to carry on a conversation around a table for 4. But the food is great and the prices are reasonable for the quality/quantity. We just wish they could do something about the noise level."
    Dined on 4/13/2014
  • "Went on a recent Saturday night to Montecatini because we were going to the Lesher and didn't want to park twice. We were regulars a long time ago but somehow it had dropped off our list. Well we will be back often! the food could not have been better and the service was fabulous. Our food came out piping hot on a timely basis and everyone enjoyed their meals. We had the seafood pasta, and sole special with lemon piccata sauce. Yum. Couldn't be more impressed and the price is right too for downtown Walnut Creek. Can't go wrong here."
    Dined on 4/12/2014
  • "Showed up for reservation and was told it would be 30 minutes- Hostess admitted to not using/knowing the app."
    Dined on 4/11/2014
  • "I have always enjoyed my visits to this spot. Definitely will be back again! "
    Dined on 4/10/2014
  • "Our favorite for Italian. Low key and can be on the loud side during peak hours, but happily so."
    Dined on 4/6/2014
  • "Dined here on a Saturday night and should have taken the feedback on the noise level more seriously. At a table for two and unable to converse across the table without raising our voices. Yes, it is really that loud! Actually intolerable, and takes away from the entire dining experience here. Unfortunate as the entries were very good and the food was served hot; immediately from stove to table. Bread served at room temperature, so warming wood improve it. Service was very good as well. However, will not return until they invest in some partitions, drop and insulate the ceiling or do whatever a good contractor would suggest."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Food was very good; we both had specials of the day and, while being fairly "traditional" in style, they were prepared very well. Menu was large and varied and looked interesting, as did the wine list. Service was friendly and prompt. The restaurant itself is pretty basic, with a bar on one side. Other reviewers have commented on the noise, and it is quite loud."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "We have been eating at Montecatini Restaurant practically since it opened in 1990. It features delicious, unpretentious Italian food. It's gnocchi is one of the best in the bay area comparable to Firenze By Night in the city. Fabulous Bolognese style lasagna and a brick pressed chicken that has no peer anywhere. Service is always friendly and helpful. I am always amazed at the wonderful food that comes out of the tiny kitchen."
    Dined on 3/23/2014
  • "I have been going to Montecatini's for years and the food is always consitantly good. Everything tastes and is homemade. Great spot before the theatre."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Nice portion size, My veal was a bit overcooked, sauce was tasty."
    Dined on 3/21/2014
  • "My husband, daughter and I love Montecatini because it is a neighborhood gem and the food is SO good. It is Noisy when full so don't bring anyone with hearing issues. We all had the Caesar salad. I ordered the scallops which I had once before and loved. They, again, were so tender and flavorful in an incredible sauce. My husband and daughter ordered the pasta with shrimp, scallops, etc. They loved their dish as well. We always have a fabulous dinner at Montecatini. Go!"
    Dined on 3/14/2014
  • "We always love going to Montacatini. Kip, the owner is warm and welcoming and our server, Juan, was very attentive. I had the Veal Marsala which was wonderful and my wife had the Scampi which was enough for two meals."
    Dined on 3/8/2014
  • "Came here on a friday evening for dinner with a friend. Pretty small and cozy atmosphere, was quite loud and was shouting most of the meal. Bread and water arrived quickly - we brought our own bottle of wine. $15 corkage fee is a little steep but not surprising. Ordered the pasta primavera w/ alfredo sauce, veal raviolis, and the tiramisu. All of the food was good, although I wouldn't call it memorable. Bread was served room temp. Brought us a 2nd basket of bread after we finished the first. Total cost after tax and tip was about $80. Will I go again? Probably not."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "The food and service were exemplary, but the noise level made conversation somewhat difficult - even at a table for two."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
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