Il Fornaio - Carmel

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1. c

   cshell

   Central Coast

   13 reviews

   4.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   Very nice restaurant. Some of the meals were very generous and others were not, seemed like a hit or miss with what you ordered. The hits were definitely the rosemary chicken and the homemade linguine with seafood. The miss was the spinach ravioli. Unlike most Italian restaurants where bread is a given, you order and pay for that here. Service was excellent and the interior was very nice.

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2. t

   thedream

   San Francisco

   60 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   60 reviews

   Dined on March 8, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   A very nice midweek lunch. Everything was just right.

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3. MB

   MBBaby

   San Francisco

   16 reviews

   2.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on March 6, 2023

   overall2food2service2ambience3

   Made the reservations a couple weeks in advance for 65th birthday, on a slow Sunday evening. The hostess was friendly and greeted us with “Happy Birthday” and said she’d saved her favorite table for us. The waiter never acknowledged the special occasion, was not particularly friendly or helpful or interested in what he was doing. He was fairly unintelligible, which had nothing to do with his English proficiency. Had to ask for water twice. Had to ask for bread which was delivered barely warm. Finally acknowledged the birthday when he delivered an un-requested dessert. The Branzinni was over cooked (crispy) and barely edible. The manager asked a couple of times how the meal was and we said fine—the last thing I wanted to do on my birthday was complain about the meal and the experience, it was bad enough already. I’ve eaten at this restaurant before and had an entirely different experience; it was probably an “off night” but a very disappointing one.

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4. j

   jboy

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on February 26, 2023

   overall3food4service3ambience5

   We visited Carmel, Calif and selected this restaurant for lunch. It seemed only one server was servicing tables (the restaurant was only ~1/4 full, and we needed to ask for the things that should have been standard in servicing a table; such as: Salt and pepper on the table (we needed to ask for it as we did for a straw for those drinking Ice Tea along with sweetener for the tea and for refills—no bread was put on the table until we asked for it). When the server took our orders, it took her quite a while to come back to our table to tell the person in our party that ordered an entree that was no longer available since they needed to close something different. We needed to express that we didn’t want the orders to come out randomly, that we wanted everything to come out at the same time and ensure everything was prepared together so we didn’t have food that was sitting in the kitchen while the last entree was being made. The quality of food was good, which impressed us all since none of us had been back to Il Fornaio since the onset of the pandemic since the quality of the food had taken a turn for the worse and prices had gone up for what you received. There definitely needs to be some improvement in service.

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5. C

   Chloe

   Dallas

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on February 23, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   We had a quiet, delightful dinner on a cold, blustery evening. The food was delicious.

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6. FT

   FoodTraveler

   Central Coast

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 22, 2023

   overall3food3service4ambience3

   As a local resident, I have dined here many times. It is hit or miss. My experience last night was a miss (with the very important exception of excellent wait staff). It was a cold night (in the 40’s) by Carmel standards. The restaurant was about 20% full, with all the tables in the bar empty. Despite this, the host would not let us sit there ( the warmest part of the restaurant ). He did not seem to care about our comfort, did not apologize, just seated us near the door, which brought in frigid air every time it was opened. We finally just kept our coats on. The food was ok, but not as good as it once was. I ordered the butternut squash ravioli with fried sage leaves and walnuts. The first time I ordered this, on a specials menu last fall, it was sublime, care had been taken with every detail. It was not as good the second time, and I won’t order it again after last night. The ravioli and sauce were okay, but there was very little sage, and the walnut pieces were raw. Except for the professional and friendly wait staff, the dining experience last night was disappointing. I’ll take my out of town visitors elsewhere next time.

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 20, 2023

   overall4food4service1ambience5

   In all fairness it was a busy Presidents Day weekend but the service was below Fornios standards. My entree was delivered incorrectly , salad was a no show and got a club soda instead of the Tonic water I asked got. My guest didn’t get her soup. Ordinarily I would understand because it was a busy Sunday night but every time I confronted the waiter he’d say oh sorry, do you still want the whatever he got wrong. What I wanted to hear was let me make it right.

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 19, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fantastic ambience, service and food!!! Always a favorite in Carmel by the Sea.

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Denver

   2 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 18, 2023

   overall3food4service2ambience4

   The food was good. The wait staff service was poor. The bus staff service was excellent.

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great table, wonderful food- lovely celebration

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Valentine’s dinner, amazing as always

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12. CW

    ChanessaW

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience5

    I don’t normally put negative reviews but I gotta say, it could’ve been a perfect dining experience if not for one thing, the door by the front desk (we were 2 tables away from) kept staying open 2 inches & because it’s inevitable to stay shut I kindly asked the hostess if she could keep an eye & try to keep it shut She was kinda rude so I then asked if we could just be moved, she spoke w the manager & said it wasn’t possible so for our entire dinner (3 apps/2 entrees/2desserts) I froze & was super uncomfortable. I got up to shut it 5 times my husband shut it twice & we finally asked for our dessert to go Super bummed that she was 3 steps away & couldn’t try & shut it…. I have to note she did close it once & or that we’d be moved. When you’re spending over $200 on a dining experience being uncomfortably cold is a huge disappointment. Thankful making reservations was extremely easy and we were completely satisfied with your service ♥️

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13. DF

    DinaF

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great dinner, room and ambiance! Will definitely come back!!

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14. S

    Sooz

    New York Area

    50 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Surprisingly good given that it was Friday of Pro Am weekend! We were seated on time, good table, and food better than average. Not a place we generally frequent in Carmel but I’m glad we gave it another shot, we will return.

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15. B

    Beeleaver

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Pasta is delicious. Decent wine and beer list. The service was really good with Kathy, our waitress, making sure we had everything we needed, including giving us bread for free when we complained that they now charge for it. “Salad Special” with roasted pears was meager at best. Prosciutto and burrata was outstanding!

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16. TO

    TomO

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Have our anniversary dinner there every year at the same table. Very enjoyable as usual.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food! Excellent service! Definitely recommend!

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18. JG

    JamesG

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at II Fornaio- Carmel! The menu was full of very tempting meals. We chose 2 different Pasta plates, and we both loved “his & my” dinner! We will definitely select their restaurant the next time we visit Carmel❣️

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19. BA

    BernardA

    Sacramento

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Never acknowledged our anniversary! Why did the reservation questionnaire ask: Special occasion? Service was cordial but rushed and matter of fact!

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20. NB

    NatalieB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service was outstanding and everything we ordered was absolutely fantastic!

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21. BW

    BillW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience5

    We’re local and have been enjoying your restaurant for many, many years. Until this experience we’ve not had a single complaint. Last night, not only did we complain, but the table adjacent to ours concurred. The sauce on our ravioli, the sauce on their lasagna, the sauce on their pizza, was terrible. I ate one ravioli and gave it back to the server. My husband’s pizza, Cristina, had absolutely no sauce on it at all- -just crust, much cheese and then topped off by greens. We asked to talk to the manager, and she was very prompt and commiserate with our situation, especially when we showed her what was, was not, on our pizza layers. She offered to refund the cost of our dinners, but the refund for the ravioli had already taken place, payment for the rest of our dinner had already taken place. No we don’t want our $ back. Fix your kitchen!

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22. WC

    WCJudyR

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Server was exceptional. We enjoyed our brunch. Eggs Benedict excellent. Gorgeous dining room. Very holiday festive and warm.

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23. B

    Bubb

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience1

    When we got there, there was a blackout. The manager told us that hey didn’t know when the power was going to come back and if it does, they were going to attend the people who were already seated. So we had to look for another place to eat in new year at about 7:45pm

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    NYE! Reception lady was welcoming and although very busy with everyone trying to get helped she was smiling and deliberately took care of everyone! Food was good! Waitress service = horrible! The asian woman assigned to us was blunt and rude. She discriminated us… never introduced herself or welcomed us, literally just gave us the menu & left. She didn’t know the menu well. I pointed out the wine and she still didn’t knew which one it was. NEVER asked if we needed anything else, if we were doing good, if we wanted another glass of wine, OR if we wanted dessert. I had to tell her we wanted dessert… The bill came faster than our dessert… What surprised me further was that she even had help! Busboy definitely knew what he needed to do and helped us so much! Plus there were couple additional people that were delivering food from the kitchen, but waitress still needed reminders to bring my glass of wine. Nevertheless, we went there for lunch couple days later with another guest. But this time an older white reception woman was there, desperately wanting us to leave. It was 1:40pm, no one waiting to be seated and only 4-5 tables seated. No hello or welcome, regardless I asked for table for 4, she tells us we had to wait, which we were fine, but she thought I wanted table four (and I’m thinking… How would I even know what table 4 is but okay...) I corrected her; right away she says we still have to wait 10-15 mins or more because there’s only one service person. We accepted; then was told to wait in the circle table at the cafe area and she’ll come get us (FYI,this is outside the dining area, which was cold) but she didn’t come back to get us so we left… I couldn’t understand why we couldn’t been seated while waiting for an available waiter. I felt discriminated and would NEVER go back to this place. My money can be spent elsewhere. After all it wasn’t like the food was overly outstanding compared to others in the area that I can bare the discrimination treatment!

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25. P

    Phly

    San Francisco

    31 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience2

    New years eve was rowdy and we were seated next to the bar. Should not sit a family of four next to the bar on new years eve. We were completely engulfed with people partying, bumping into us. We received delayed or distracted service as a result.

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26. MM

    MarcM

    Central Coast

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    New Year's Eve = stormy-rainy-windy outside. Inside = semi-party atmosphere. Really enjoyed ourselves. Jesus our waiter was outstanding.

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27. KL

    KevinL

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall2food1service5ambience5

    I grew up eating at Il Fornaio many times in Palo Alto and scheduled a reservation for the Carmel restaurant. We ordered two entrees, in hindsight the immediate red flag should have been when they brought out the food within 10 minutes of ordering. Both dishes were practically inedible. I ordered the lamb shank, and what they brought to the table was a piece of lamb over mashed potatoes that had been reheated and was definitely not freshly prepared. The meat almost had a crust on it on certain edges that shows up when you reheat meat that has been sitting out and isn’t freshly prepared. My girlfriend ordered the bolognese pasta, and her pasta was so overcooked it was mushy. It had been cooked in the pot for 30 minutes. To be fair in this review, the good side, was the waiter was great, he was just doing his job and was very professional, and the ambience of the restaurant/interior is nice for a romantic dinner. Also, the manager attempted to remedy the situation by comping the entrees we couldn’t eat. But the food they served us was terrible for Italian food, very apparent that they are plating the food in the morning and reheating (which the manager even confirmed to us). Not what I would expect from Il Fornaio, when weighed against my many fond memories going to other Il Fornaio locations since childhood. If you are coming back to Il Fornaio because of past experiences, choose somewhere else. Their food quality has gone downhill substantially.

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28. MB

    MonicaqB

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The atmosphere was cozy and warm. Our table was right next to the fireplace and a beautiful Christmas tree. Service was friendly, responsive yet unobtrusive. It was a delightful place to enjoy a holiday dinner.

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were celebrating our son’s birthday and our first date in California as a new family! The food was amazing, the service excellent, and the atmosphere was perfect!

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience2

    Carpaccio was very small and very sour with too much lemon. Pizza had hardly any ingredients on it. Ravioli was half cold. Never again!

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Friendly service that makes you feel welcome. Solid Italian cuisine - nothing to write home about but nicely consistent.

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32. BE

    BenjaminE

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Go to Spot when in Carmel. We had reservations and it was packed for a Tuesday! We were disappointed that despite having reserved a table we were seated right in front of the hostess stand, so we had folks standing all around our table. Not very intimate. We got over it thankfully due to an excellent server. Loved the authentic Italian food, with fresh made Pasta! The Full bar is always serving great drinks, and the overall atmosphere is welcoming and warm. Prices are not overly inflated for the area. Our family of 4 got out with $250.

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33. MA

    MedinaA

    Hawaii

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Horrible service and food! I gave this location another try today after being disappointed over a year ago, but it was worse. The waiters were overwhelmed and my salmon was frozen in the inside and burnt on the outside. I felt so bad for our waiter he was running the whole restaurant by himself. It was so hard to find him. I honestly believe the management at this location only has given up. Everything was just horrible and we still tipped well because we felt for the waiter.

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34. WW

    WonderWoman

    Sacramento

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience1

    Hostesses were overwhelmed. We were not say until 1 hour after our reservation. Another table waited 2 hours past their reservation time. This restaurant clearly is not properly budgeting time for tables and scheduling too close together. Server was rude and came up to the hostess demanding “I don’t want any more people seated in my section”. Salad came out wilted and looking a week old. Never again.

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35. SB

    SeaB

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    Our reservation was for 6:45. We were seated at 7:45, order taken at 8:15, served at 8:45. Had to search for a server to bring us our check at 10pm. The icing on the cake was the manager sitting down at the table across from us, asking a server for a glass of wine to sip while she folded napkins… all while we still didn’t have our food—an hour after we sat. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE.

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36. m

    msrr

    San Diego

    50 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall3food2service1ambience5

    We had a disappointing experience at Il Fornaio this time. It was Christmas Day but I don't think that should be an excuse. This restaurant has been in business for a long time and they should know what to expect during the holidays. We had a reservation but we had to wait over 35 minutes before we sat our table. It was just our party waiting, they were several parties who had reservations that had to wait a long time as well. The restaurant does not have an adequate waiting area so everyone was standing by the hostess station. The food was okay, some of the dishes were overcooked and our waiter looked like he was too busy and stressed. The few times he would come to check on us, he would turn around immediately leaving us in mid sentence if we requested something. I don't think will be going there again.

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37. C

    Cyan

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    We have dined at Il Fornaio, Carmel on Christmas Day for 25 years! Sadly, this year they were terribly understaffed and the service was very poor. We expect it to be busier than normal- but this year it was a disaster. Our reservation was @ 3:45 and we weren’t seated until 4:50. Tables sat empty, needing to be cleared & set for up to 50 minutes because there was not enough staff. We then didn’t have our server arrive to our table to take our order until 5:20. Our wine wasn’t poured until 5:40. We realize that staffing is a real problem at this time..however, the restaurant should not have accepted more reservations than they could serve - CRAZY.

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38. CB

    CBRaj

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Wonderful food beautifully presented

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39. J

    Jindo

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall2food1service2ambience3

    We came for Christmas dinner. Busy place. My pasta was too salty and all our foods were cold by the time they brought it to our table. I can tell they were sitting for a while. They apologized and said they were too busy Disappointed

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40. LP

    LorenP

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Everything was excellent. Considering it was Christmas and they were booked the staff was very welcoming. A few entitled cranky customers but the team did a marvelous job to accommodate them. We throughly enjoyed ourselves. 😉

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