Cafe Riace

Miserable disappointing experience. We were excited to introduce our husbands to this restaurant. We were unimpressed with our server from the start. Server #4. Our food took ages. The server never checked in with us until the food was about to come out and he stopped by to say it was coming. The table of 6 next to us waited longer than we did and when we left they were still waiting. The food was average except the $21 pollo dish which had absolutely no flavor. I told the server the dish was bland, he offered to remove it from the bill. We finished our wine and waited a very long time for the server to take our bill. When we had made several attempts to capture his attention (while he waited on two other tables) I decided to talk with the manager. I approached the hostess and very kindly asked for a manager for the reason I am about to explain: she resisted so I told her (VERY kindly and almost apologetically) that I just wanted to pay the bill, we had been waiting a long time and the server hadn't removed the unsatisfactory dish. Another server came up and asked me what was going on. I started to tell him that we just wanted to pay our bill and the chicken dish was bland. He was so rude, grabbed the bill and dismissed me. He shared it with our waiter and he and the hostess looked at our table and laughed about it. When the hostess returned with the bill, I asked if the manager was available, and she snidely said that he was the manager and the meal had been removed. We offered the explanation because decent restaurants typically want to know why you don't eat your meal NOT to have the $20 removed from our $200 bill. Pros: Romantic, Parking Cons: Horrid Service, Pretentious Staff more

Our excitement over this cute outdoor patio restaurant was short lived. The server was bored, the food took forever and the dishes were mediocre if not tasteless. After waiting ages to pay the bill, the final insult, I approached the hostess and asked for a manager. She snapped rudely, he came up and responded even more inappropriately. Sadly, we will never return. Pros: unique, fun outdoor patio, convenient parking Cons: rude staff, overpriced food more

The outdoor seating is adorable. It's a great spot for a dinner date. Food is excellent but a tiny bit pricey. Had a wonderful linguinie dish with seafood. Will defintiely go back and take my parents when they are in town... more

The seating is al fresco, so go when the weather is nice. Has a great ambiance with the water fountain and walls of vines+ivy. Great place for dinner or a 2-hour lunch in the sun. Plan to spend a few relaxing hours here. The food is wonderful. The flavor is refined and at the same time homecooked. Riace offers many dishes for vegetarians. I recommend ordering off the specials. I have a many favorites. Parpadelle Porcini and Osso buco. And my absolute favorite: homemade gelato. Do not worry that I have not told you what zabaoine is. Just order it and do not plan on sharing it with your date, spouse, other people. FYI. Quantities are huge. Not little kid(s) friendly. Extensive wine list. Great place for a date. Bring a jacket on colder nights. Bring sunglasses at lunch. not a good place if you are in a rush. Pros: homemade gelato, long list of pastas, good food Cons: not enough zabaione more

Yesterday my husband and I had decided to go to Caffe Riace for dinner and we were very disappointed with the food. We had ordered a baby organic spinch salad to share and my husband ordered Chef Special Seafood Linguini and I had ordered Chef Special "Local Wild Salmon" with side pasta. The salad was soaky and the presentation was bad, but worst -the main dishes were very disappointed. The seafood linguini- seafood was mushy and linguini was overcooked. The " Fresh Wild Salmon" was overcooked, dry and tastless....no sign of freshness out of Halfmoon Bay as claimed in the menu. The total dinner cost us over $60, but we think we would have a better dining experience if we go to Burger King instead. Pros: Outdoor Seating, Good parking Cons: Bad Cooking/Taste, Expensive, poor food presentatio more

Better than any other local Italian restaurant I've found. The food is always outstanding--perfectly prepared pastas, gelato that brings back memories of Italy, and exceptional main courses. The waiters--often the owner's sons--are knowledgeable about their extensive wine list; overall the service is expert. Crowded on weekend nights and rainy evenings as covered seating is limited. The menu isn't extensive, but everything is delicious and prepared with exceptional care. Moderaly high prices. Pros: Service, Wines, Food Cons: Few Indoor Seats more

If you like gelato that is like the true thing, this is the place to eat. The service is great, the food wonderful and the fountain something everyone should see. Their wine list is large. It is only outside seating. Overall, one of the better places Ive found in the Bay Area. Pros: Ambiance, service more