Spataro

We have been to Spataro's four times. Each time we have had dinner there, it was truly a wonderful experience. We have enjoyed the changing menu, as the menu has items that are seasonal, and it doesn't remain static. The last time we had dinner, there, service was very good, and our server was delightful as she bantered back and forth with us. We would go back more frequently, but there are other good restaurants that we also want to try. more

I had been to Spataro for lunch and enjoyed the food. My husband made reservations at 7pm Saturday for my birthday. When we arrived, the hostess asked the couple ahead of us (who had arrived seconds earlier) if they had reservations. They replied no, and the hostess proceeded to sit them at a beautiful booth with a good view of the kitchen and the other diners. We had reservations, but were seated at a table along the walkway to the bathroom and kitchen, with the air conditioner and speaker (playing music too loudly) right above our heads. So much for reservations. more

We went to Spataro on a Tuesday night before Music Circus. I made a reservation for 6pm (show starts at 8pm), as I usually do when we dine before a show. We show up a few minutes late (because of horrible gridlock on 16th) to find chaos at the Valet station. There was nowhere to pull in, nowhere to park, we couldn't stay in the car and wait (and miss our res) and we couldn't leave the car double-parked. All-in-all, they were very unhelpful (after all, what is the point of valet parking?!?), and so my husband parked the car himself. Pros: Romaine Salad, Beef Carpaccio, Tiramisu Cons: SERVICE, friendliness, ambiance more

From the food to the sparse decor to our personality-deprived waiter (Chris) I would say the place was just a bore. Service-wise I found us waiting awhile to order but at least we were kept hydrated with regular water fillups throughout the night. The wine selection was pretty good (and I did like my 2 glasses of Italian reds, the best being the Super Tuscan) while the beer selection was shameful. The bread was a fair effort. The Pizza Margherita appetizer was easily the culinary highlight of the evening. The soup (minestrone or something close) also wasn't bad. Of everyone at my table, the only main course I really liked was the Canneloni (crepes stuffed with chicken, chard, & fontina). The salmon was passable but the vegetables that came with it were done wrong. The linguine with clams was a subpar attempt at this dish. My lasagne with fresh pasta made in house (listed at the top of the menu so I figured it was a point of pride) was barely much better than a $3 frozen lasagne. Pros: pizza appetizer, soup, & Cannelloni pasta Cons: every other main course, dessert, atmosphere more

I went for happy hour. The food and happy hour prices were great, but the place has a bit too much attitude for me. Pros: Food, happy hour prices. Cons: Too much attitude. more

Wow--I cannot say enough about this restaurant that continually exceeds our expectations. From the excellent food, to the swanky ambience, to the incredible service, each component of the dining experience has been perfected. The chef so has his pulse on traditional, AUTHENTIC Italian cuisine--no other in Sacramento even hopes to come close. The experience is so out of Sacramento's league! Pros: Seasonally fresh ingredients, incredible menu execution, meticulous waitstaff Cons: can't think of any more

I have been here 3 times now, all three times the food service from the kitchen has been painfully slow. On our last visit we went early 5p.m. and the food coming out was slow and for the most part cool, not one item was hot. We ordered the mozarella baked in sauce, DON""T what a disipontment. The Cioppino was crabless even though it is the first ingrediant listed on the menu, very poor over all. The only postive was the server herself, not enought to get me to visit again. When does SAC get a restaurant that really delivers? Pros: friendly service Cons: food not good, food cool to the touc more

I've been there twice - once with reservations and once without and both times it was amazing service and food. I've tried the pizza bianca and the chicken panini and both were fabulous. the wait staff gives just the right amount of attention. Pros: food, service Cons: parking more