Il Fornaio - San Jose

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1. BC

   BobConsulter

   San Francisco

   44 reviews

   4.0

   44 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food5service4ambience5

   Our party of six was part of an opening surge, and our waiter was a bit slow to get us started. After that, everything moved smoothly. We enjoyed our cocktails, interesting takes on old favorites. My companion and I shared the branzino, and it was superb, and the sides were also excellent. Lots of fresh garlic and capers in the lemon sauce made this dish a winner. And for us, sharing this dish worked very well. The dining room is very graceful in a sort of old-fashioned way; that made it comfortable for us.
   

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2. C

   Carol

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall4food4service4ambience5

   The food was great, and the setting enjoyable. My family would have liked more choices of sauces on the different pastas.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall4food5service3ambience5

   Ambiance and food rocked! All servers had great attitudes, but many support staff jumped in to fill gaps that our willing but scattered and sometimes missing waiter left. Overall was a positive experience but you might want to pack your patience if you come at a peak hour. 
   

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4. A

   Alan

   San Francisco

   54 reviews

   2.0

   54 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall2food2service4ambience4

   Very disappointing. I have eaten at several ilFornaio restaurants and have really enjoyed the food. Not so much at their San Jose store. The carpaccio was very ordinary as was my rigatoni with vodka. Actually it was boring. Nobody in my party was excited about the food either. For $150.00 I expected more. Isabel, our server was excellent.
   

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5. SN

   StephanieN

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The host could be more welcoming. She barely said a word. The server Jeremy was the best!
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall4food3service5ambience4

   Tasty food but the breads are a bit tough to chew. But overall great dining experience
   

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7. CW

   ChrisW

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   One of our favorite spots. Classy but not ridiculously overpriced.
   

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8. PT

   PrestonT

   San Francisco

   10 reviews

   1.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall1food2service1ambience2

   Took 30 min for a waiter to come to our table. Never gave us table bread. Horrible service.
   

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9. l

   lofamily

   San Francisco

   28 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   28 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We appreciated the staff’s professionalism! The dining area is airy and the brightness is offset by lovely muted yellow and dark wood. All the food was nicely plated and yummy.
   

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10. FC

    FunCyn

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Our server was terrific. A very nice meal, we enjoyed ourselves
    

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11. L

    Lolo

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Perfect pre-theater dining. Even though they were deep fried, we all really liked the stuffed zucchini blossoms.
    

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12. m

    momo

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a wonderful culinary adventure. Ihab is the best and John is a great manager.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    The 75 dollar buffet was not worth it. Upon arrival at 2:45PM to the restaurant, we were informed that it was buffet style. We stayed, thinking that the food would be great. Unfortunately, the majority of options were breakfast options. There was no variety of food, other than undercooked scrambled eggs, dry macaroni, chewy sausage. The other food available was overcooked and/or unseasoned. Very disappointed. Overall, over priced low quality food.
    

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14. BG

    BenjaminG

    Toronto

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    The Mother's Day Brunch was very average food, typical of any other brunch menu. Many of the items were cold and the quality was average. If you are going to charge $75 per person for a special occasion brunch, it really should be something special. The food was quite average quality. At most what you'd get for a $20 meal. Not worth the price and nothing extra done to acknowledge Mother's Day. Service was average too.
    

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15. VB

    VickyB

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience3

    1) I didn’t know the restaurant was having a buffet on this date when I made reservations through open table. 2) We had to ask for a toddler booster 4 times. 3) Waiter forgot our waters. 4) pork loin was dry and some chicken Marsala pieces were over cooked. This Il Fornaio location is hit or miss with their food.
    

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16. WH

    WendiH

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience1

    We have been to IL Fornaio San Jose on many occasions. The food and service appear to be declining with every visit. The quality of food has gone way down, along with the value. This particular visit was extremely disappointing, to the point we probably will not be returning. We had planned on going for lunch on Mothers Day, and did not expect it to be an all day brunch. The meal was buffet style, so most of the food was dried out, and not fresh at all, either by taste and looks. Also, it was not very flavorful. Our server, who only brought us our drinks was not friendly at all, and she never came back to ask us if we wanted anything else, or if everything was okay. We even had to ask her for the check, once we found her. The music was terrible and loud. It certainly was not appropriate music for Mother’s Day. This was a very disappointing experience.
    

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience4

    Buffet Food was run of the mill, roast beef on the carving station was cold, there was little finesse to the settings. Desserts display did not look appetizing.
    

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18. t

    tofumonster

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I went to this exquisite place on Sunday with my family for Mother's Day and we had the buffet. I can safely recommend this place with confidence that it would not disappoint anyone. Even the regular menu (which was a special occasion for my mother) is superb on a regular day. The waiter was nice and provided an endless refill of mimosas which was a nice touch along with the pasta and creations laid about as well.
    

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19. J

    Jason

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, but the serving size of the Toscana was small. Great taste, though. I wish the waitress would have explained that there is more value in a bottle of wine rather than buying individual glasses. She was nice and she did a good job.
    

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20. PW

    PiaW

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Our dinner party hung out for a bit, over drinks, before placing our food order. Waiter was patient and attentive. Great food and great seating by an outside window.
    

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21. D

    Delish

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was fantastic-- Our server was absoulutely on top of everything-- We got in and out in time for the theater, but never felt rushjed or had to keep on top of the evening's schedule with the restaurant staff.
    

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22. K

    Konagal

    San Francisco

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was great-nice quiet area by the window. Soup and salad were very filling.
    

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23. A

    Alleykat

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a great time at iL Fornaio. We will definitely be back again. Our server was very attentive and friendly and very helpful in answering our questions. He brought us a nice warm basket of bread with olive oil and balsamic dressing that was very delicious. Our food come out perfectly hot and ready to be eaten. We enjoyed our dinner and the experience. Thank you for everything
    

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24. DC

    DandC

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    It took forever to get my cocktail!!! The waitress seemed to have forgotten about us. Our food arrived before I got my drink. This is just wrong. My favorite part was the dessert Tiramisu. It was yummy. We got a scoop of ice cream for my birthday. That was nice.
    

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25. RD

    RoxanneD

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    4 friends getting together before we go on a trip. I’ll Fornaio is always consistent with there dishes and portions. Very good service. We were surprised at how crowded it was for 5:30 on a Sunday, usually much less of a crowd thus the increase in the noise level. We will be back as it is consistent!
    

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26. SS

    SamSam

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Wanna feel fancy? this is your spot. Food is more average than the ambiance, expensive for what it is. Ambiance is great.
    

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27. S

    Shari

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Lovely meal, but I am such a good cook that we are spoiled. I'm sure it was fabulous for many, but I just do it better. Nice when away to have something come that close. Enjoy!
    

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    staff was very pleasant. Love the service and ambiance here!
    

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29. MG

    MarilynG

    Tahoe

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    I had the Penne with bolognese and my husband had the linguini and seafood. We both enjoyed our dinners. The minestrone which I started my meal with was outstanding and my husband had the caprese salad. He said his was good. Mid dinner our server changed and the new server brought dessert menus before we completed our dinner. Might have been a bit too soon. We did share a desert (a chocolate cake) and I would recommend this dessert. I had hoped for gnocchi's but they had taken them off the menu. Dang they made some pretty good gnocchis.
    

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30. TS

    TonyS

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    The food quality was good but a bit pricy. Elegant, quite ambience. A great place for a romantic get away or a nice dinner before watching concerts or events downtown.
    

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31. MK

    MaryK

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    the staff were all wonderful, cheerful and kind. We would eat there again every time we go to the opera.
    

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32. UG

    UlicesG

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    Our waitress seemed like she hated being there and making us feel like she was doing us a favor by doing her job.
    

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33. JS

    JohnS

    Palm Springs

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Very warm welcome, professional and friendly staff. Food was excellent, high quality and well presented. Nice relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Cocktails were yummy too. Highly recommend.
    

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34. KB

    KenB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff at IL Fornaio is always friendly and attentive. The food is always tasty and well presented.
    

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35. DP

    DonaldP

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    We enjoyed our Easter dinner here. The food was prepared well, the table server was excellent. Some concerns: as long-time patrons of this location we saw some differences that may well reflect the times we are in. We were received by a young woman at the front desk grossly inappropriately dressed. She took us to our reserved seats (in a nearly empty restaurant) which were the least desirable in the house, tossed our wine list to us, and then blew us off! We asked to be moved. Hair was unwashed, uncombed, and her demeanor less than professional. No one mentored her in this position. Prices have risen to what is now an unbearable level.
    

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36. JB

    JenniferB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The pasta is made fresh and was absolutely delicious
    

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37. d

    debgiants

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It had been many years since I have eaten here and I was very happy with the food and excellent service. I had the ravioli Lucana and asked if it could be made without the spiciness and without hesitation, they said yes. It was so delicious! Excellent flavor and nice portion. Waiter was very attentive and perfect service. Will definitely be back! Beautiful ambiance too.
    

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38. J

    John

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The ambiance was great and the food terrific. We particularly loved the bolonaise. The server Ivan was fabulous!!
    

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39. FP

    FrostyPops

    Sacramento

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience3

    Visiting San Jose for a night and wanted some Italian food for my wife and I. We ordered the beet salad, crispy Brussels sprouts, butternut squash ravioli, and mushroom chicken. The beet salad’s dressing wasn’t balanced. Too acidic, and the beets didn’t even out the flavor. Instead of a nice soft chèvre, they had feta, and then raw walnuts, not candied. The overs flavor was not good. Brussel sprouts were deep friend and full of oil. Then they put a sauce on top. These also were lackluster. The butternut squash actually had a good flavor, but garnished with raw walnuts and full leaves of sage. The chicken, mushrooms, mashed potatoes and asparagus had a good flavor, but the chicken seemed drowned in gravy. This was the best dish out of everything. For what it was, it was terribly overpriced. There is a lot of potential here. Think of Luciana’s in Santa Cruz. Take a page out of their book. You can do better. That is all!
    

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40. BR

    BigRed

    Palm Springs

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    I had a luxurious and decadent experience at this restaurant. Every course was delectable and thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend this spot.
    

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