Pasta was good, very well prepared and flavorful. Servers were attentive and friendly. Environment clean and quiet (the space is massive so the noise dissipates quite nicely). My only qualm, they charge for bread. I think it's an all time tacky move to charge for bread when the prices of your entrées are what they are. That said, be sure to stop in on Mondays, all day happy hour! read more

Il Fornaio - Monday's all day Happy Hour! As of 8.17.26 - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

The biggest issue with this restaurant was the slowness of the service. We had an anniversary reservation for 6 PM, and planned to catch a movie at 8:40 PM at a movie theater maybe 10 minutes away. Long story short - we were late to the movie. Our waiter left us sitting for very long periods of time between courses, and we actually had to flag down another server to get the check. For my part, I expected better than the food I received. My husband and I split the chopped Italian salad, which we both agreed was rather flavorless and definitely underdressed. I ended up pouring some of the oil and balsamic vinegar from the bread dipping plate into the salad, which made it a little better. I ordered the Tuesday Trio which was a sampling of three supposedly popular pasta dishes. The Tagliatelle with Ragu was OK but a little dry. The corkscrew pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto cream sauce was actually quite good, but my biggest disappointment was their rigatoni à la vodka, which is one of my favorite dishes. This restaurant's version was heavily flavored with smoky bacon, which, in my opinion really drowned out the lightness of a creamy vodka sauce. It was also pretty salty - I couldn't really eat it. However, my husband's Pollo de Toscana was delicious. Overall, I was unimpressed. I know there are better Italian places out there. Probably won't be back. read more

We are familiar with the Il Fornaio in Carmel, where the food and service have always been exceptional, so we were excited to discover there was also a location in Walnut Creek. We chose Il Fornaio Walnut Creek to celebrate both my birthday and my daughter's birthday. We were pleasantly surprised by the spacious, elegant dining room. When making our reservation, we noted that we were celebrating two birthdays. As a party of 10, including a 5-month-old baby and a 3-year-old toddler, we were seated at a large family-style table in a quieter area of the restaurant. It felt like we had our own private celebration space. The kitchen did not disappoint. We ordered two Tomahawk steaks, which were expertly prepared and carved tableside by the chef. Every dish we ordered was delicious, and the affogato was one of the best I have ever had. Unfortunately, our waiter fell short of the restaurant's otherwise high standards. Despite ordering appetizers, salads, and drinks, our water glasses remained empty for extended periods. My husband eventually had to speak with the manager because neither the waiter nor his assistant seemed attentive. Since the restaurant was not busy on a Monday evening, this was disappointing. The manager was excellent and quickly addressed our concerns. When she asked about the birthday celebration, I explained that both my daughter and I were celebrating, yet only one candle was provided despite our mentioning this during the reservation and to our waiter. The manager immediately apologized for the oversight. Another issue arose when we requested the dessert menu. Our grand baby was becoming restless as it approached bedtime, so we wanted to order quickly. However, our waiter repeatedly told us to wait until he had completely cleared the table before bringing the desert menu. It was an unnecessary delay. Obviously, we could have already been reading through the dessert menu while he was clearing the table. Our waiter did not know about time Management. To make matters worse, the complimentary birthday ice cream was served to the wrong person, even though the waiter had been told multiple times who the birthday celebrants were. We also requested an extra candle for my daughter's tiramisu, but that request was ignored. We shared one birthday candle. Despite the service issues, I still consider this restaurant a very good for dining experience because of its outstanding food, attentive manager, talented chefs, and warm atmosphere. We spent over $800 on dinner and typically leave a 25% tip for excellent service. However, due to the lack of attentiveness by the waiter and waiter assistant, we gave only a 20% tip. (Honestly, the chef and the manager deserved the tip More than the waiter himself.) Please don't give this waiter a large party because, the service has a negative impact and leaves a sour taste. I would give this restaurant a 5 star, it only fell short because of this waiter. Il Fornaio Walnut Creek offers food and ambiance that rival much more expensive restaurants. With more attentive service and better attention to detail, the overall experience would be truly exceptional. read more

Huge Italian American restaurant chain in downtown Walnut Creek. My girls and I celebrated a birthday here for lunch and definitely had a carb fest. Interior was spacious and classy. Food was pretty good but a bit commercial tasting. I did like my pappardelle that I customized by switching out the chicken for shrimp. The creamy sauce was tasty. The other dishes were ok, but nothing stood out. Also prices were $$$. Service had its ups and downs. Our server was friendly but slow to bring our entrees, forgot to refill waters a few times, and charged us for a dessert that she had told us was complimentary due to a birthday, which she had awkwardly fixed by giving us the extra charge back in cash, which also took a long while. I'd come back if I had to for an event but wouldn't go out of my way. read more

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I remembered Il Fornaio as a special place for family celebrations and work dinners when I lived in San Jose. Although it had been 20 years since my last visit to the Walnut Creek location, I expected a similarly enjoyable evening when we met friends there for dinner Saturday night. Unfortunately, the experience fell well short. Things started well. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and were seated immediately, even though our friends hadn't arrived. Our server seemed friendly and took our drink order. Once our friends joined us and received their drinks, however, the service began to feel rushed and dismissive. When we weren't ready to order, our server appeared annoyed. I ordered two appetizers and was about to add a third when she told me the two "should do." When the appetizers arrived about 20 minutes later, my wife asked for more bread. The response was, "The appetizers you ordered have bread. Why would you need more?" That was an unnecessary response to a simple request. When I tried to order the filet mignon, we were told they were out of all steaks--including the $120 tomahawk--because of large parties and banquets. Running out of every steak on a Saturday night was disappointing, and it would have helped to know that before we started choosing our meals. I ordered a calzone and the special spinach salad instead. To give credit where it's due, the salad was excellent and arrived before my entrée, as requested. The calzone, however, was dry. When I asked for marinara on the side, I was told the sauce was inside and that the chef would need to make a special preparation, which would take time. I said I would still like some. It arrived about 10 minutes later and helped, but overall, nobody at our table was particularly impressed with their entrées. Dessert continued in the same impersonal fashion. Menus were placed in front of us without an offer of coffee or after-dinner drinks. Our friends ordered the chocolate volcano cake, and my wife and I ordered sorbet to share, prompting a "Just one?" from our server. The desserts arrived about three minutes after we ordered--even the chocolate volcano cake. Given how rushed the service had already felt, that quick turnaround added to the impression that we were being hurried through the evening. There was also an issue with two unused $100 gift cards I presented toward the bill. We were initially told they didn't have their full value. Fortunately, I had the gift receipts, and our server worked with the manager to honor the full $200, which I appreciated. Our friends paid the remaining balance. The payment terminal already had a 20% tip selected, and the server asked whether our friend wanted to change it. He declined, and her expression struck us as displeased. Whatever her intention, it made an already disappointing evening end awkwardly. We left around 9:30 p.m. as the restaurant was visibly closing down. The bartender was the only person who wished us a good evening on our way out. I came in with fond memories and wanted to enjoy this dinner. Aside from the prompt seating, excellent spinach salad, and resolution of the gift card issue, there was little that lived up to those memories. We had a much better experience at Original Joe's at the other end of Broadway Plaza, despite it being considerably busier. We won't be returning to this Il Fornaio. read more

We were blown away by the Thanksgiving 2025 dinner at Il Fornaio in Sacramento. For my wife's birthday we decided to book dinner at the Walnut Creek location. Il Fornaio is a fixture in Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza, with some Yelp reviews dating back more than a decade! I'm pretty sure I ate here. before becoming a Yelper.... We had an excellent dinner so overall 4 stars. Our 5yo son ate a bit of everyone's dinner including dessert, which is always a good sign! We ordered: 1. Kid's Rigatoni and Cheese - cooked al dente and surprisingly mild and not too cheesy nor salty. 2. The seafood combo was my wife's favorite - salmon, scallops, prawns, white fish, and veggies. Low carb, healthy, and super delicious. 3. I ordered the airline chicken breast with root veggies. Surprisingly juicy and well-seasoned for white meat. I got their orange peppery sauce on the side since it packs a bit of heat. Not as good as brick chicken, but still solid dish. 4. We could not finish the dessert of two large bricks of spumoni gelato. I haven't has spumoni in aves, and I love the combo of dark cherry, pistachio, and chocolate. Normally it comes in a swirl but it. looks like Il Fornaio used a layer-by-layer approach. Definitely plan on coming back. Main reason I'm bot giving 5 stars is that our expectations were a bit too high after going to the Sacramento branch. Sacramento's Il Fornaio was bigger, brighter, and had even better quality food and attentive service. read more

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Il Fornaio; An Authentically Italian Experience On my first visit to Il Fornaio, I confirmed something I have always believed: when the cuisine is truly authentic, the real taste of Italy is immediately felt on the palate. However, a memorable dining experience is not built by the kitchen alone; it is also defined by its atmosphere, attention to detail, and above all, the human quality of its service. From the very beginning, Roberto, the restaurant's General Manager, welcomed us with warm and genuine hospitality that set the tone for the entire evening. From that moment on, every member of the team contributed to making the experience smooth, elegant, and memorable. Special recognition goes to Agustín, our server, whose service was impeccable; attentive, friendly, and always ready to guide us through the menu with knowledge and enthusiasm. The appetizers were simply outstanding: the classic Bruschetta, crispy Calamari Fritti, traditional Polpette, and a delicate Beef Carpaccio, all of which opened the palate with fresh and authentic flavors true to Italian tradition. Then came the stars of the evening: a spectacular Tomahawk Steak, perfectly prepared, accompanied by a delicious Penne al Vodka, a dish that balances richness and elegance in every bite. The experience was elevated further by a remarkable Italian wine, a Brunello di Montalcino, whose robust yet refined character created the perfect pairing with the meal. And as every great Italian meal deserves a memorable finale, the evening ended with a delicate Affogato, the perfect marriage of Italian espresso and creamy gelato. Enjoying this feast is, without a doubt, allowing the palate to travel directly to Italy... while having the privilege of experiencing it here in the United States. read more

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We had a beet arugula salad and a Rosè Pinot Noir, that was delicious. The staff was really kind, from the manager that gave us the greetings and farewell, also our server, which was so attentive and intuitive to let us talk and enjoy our time together. A beautiful place to have a great moment. read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

This review is based on a group luncheon I went to. We were given a reserved room. Our server was Diego, who was excellent, very attentive and bent over backwards to accommodate our many little requests. He came by often to fill our water glasses, clear dishes, and to ask if we needed anything else. I was very impressed by his service. I had the grilled mixed seafood which consisted of a piece of salmon, a piece of petrale sole, 4 shrimps and 4 scallops with carrots, broccolini and Yukon gold potatoes. They were nicely presented and were delicious! Many of the others in our party had the entrée salads or pasta. All looked very delicious and all said they enjoyed their meals. read more

Il Fornaio - Mixed seafood grill with salmon, petrale sole, 4 shrimps, 4 scallops, broccolini, carrots and potatoes. - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Went here to celebrate a friend's birthday and had a great time. We made a reservation and didn't have to wait for our table. We were promptly sat and our waters were filled quickly. The server was incredibly nice and answered all questions we had about drinks. Being as the dinner was pre planned, we already knew what we wanted. We opted to do the Sunday "Cena in Famiglia" dinner ($70 for two). It unfortunately wasn't my favorite from a flavor standpoint, but it's a great value deal. It comes with 6 items total. The fresh baked bread was delicious. I recommend adding the tomatoes and mixed olives for an extra $4. The Caesar salad was also delicious. I loved the large shaved pieces of Grana Padano but could do without the croutons. They felt very budget and like they didn't belong. I recommend requesting the dressing on the side because it was drenched more than I would have liked. Next on the list is a mushroom lasagna, but it was brought out on a larger share plate with the roasted chicken. The lasagna wasn't to my liking at all. It didn't have much dimension and was lacking in flavor depth. The chicken felt overcooked and the sauce was barely there, making me wish we also got that on the side. The roasted veggies were good... but nothing exceptionally spectacular. Lastly, the desserts. The family meal comes with a tiramisu and cannolis. The server was also nice enough to bring the birthday Sunday (which was my favorite out of the three but not part of the family meal). The tiramisu was just okay. I didn't find there to be the rich, creamy bite I usually experience with tiramisu from other kitchens. The cannolis got soggy fast and the candied orange overpowered the flavors. We also ordered one coffee and one cappuccino with dessert. My friend enjoyed her coffee... I wish Mr cappuccino was hotter. I think if you're looking for a quantity budget option, this may be for you. I prefer quality budget option and this did not strike me as that. I'm interested in coming back to try their happy hour menu but will skip on the meal deal. read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Came here for a work lunch and left pretty satisfied overall. They start you off with bread, and the penne alla vodka was genuinely tasty. The pasta and sauce were well done. My one gripe: the bacon in the dish was completely soft, no crispiness at all. A little texture there would've taken it from good to great. The tiramisu was a fine way to end the meal, nothing mind-blowing but solid. Service was attentive and the ambiance made for a comfortable, professional setting. Easy to have a conversation without feeling rushed or cramped. read more

Il Fornaio - Rigatoni alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

After hearing such great things about Il Fornaio, I finally got to try it! There are a ton of parking garages and lots nearby, so parking wasn't an issue on a Friday. There's also a lot of cool shopping nearby too. It smells so good inside too! I decided to go with the salmon and it was cooked perfectly and came with potatoes and spinach. It was a large portion of salmon, so it was pretty filling. The chicken looked amazing too, but I was very happy with my choice. :) Definitely going to come back and try more of the menu. read more

Il Fornaio - Salmon - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Stopped in for a quick solo meal. Decided on the lasagna and a glass of wine. I'd been here before several years back and the decor is still nice and polished as I'd remembered it. Service was so so. My server started off very nice and attentive..but then disappeared shortly after serving my wine and water. Tracked him down to order bread and my entree, then again to order another glass and find out what was taking so long for my entree (apparently the lasagna takes a bit longer). When my food arrived it was piping hot! Unfortunately it didnt taste like much. Definitely need some a but more tomato and/or spice..for me. Very bland dish. I ended up taking most of it home..and my hubby said the same. You couldn't even taste the mushrooms m, which i love. And I'd argue the noodles are NOT handmade. Wasn't the worst meal..but definitely not the best. IMO read more

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This restaurant has made a remarkable improvement ...and become my favorite spot when shopping in Walnut Creek. Today was Back to School shopping for DGD the younger, who is in total agreement...the Rigatoni Alla Vodka is heaven ...between the Bacon and the Grans Padano Cheese the flavor sings. Greeting and Service was perfection. We were seated in a quiet spot looking out on to their Patio...and had a wonderful time. I treasure my time with my teenaged granddaughters, this was memorable. read more

Il Fornaio - View of the Patio - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Met a friend here for lunch. The service was stellar; the host had already seated my friend & knew exactly where to direct me to. Water was brought over, drink orders taken. We snacked on an appetizer of the roasted cauliflower; a tad on the al dente side, yet still tasty. There was an order of a bowl of minestrone soup, the house salad & the grilled salmon. The grilled salmon came with sautéed spinach & little roasted Yukon potatoes - all was delicious. Too full for dessert. Overall it was pleasant, definitely come back & try them for dinner. Ambiance for lunch was casual, it could easily upscale for dinner or a private party. read more

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Big restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Service at this location tends to be better than the others. Full bar and good wine list. Some of my Il fornaio faves are: Calamari - crispy and classic Lasagna - always good Papradelle - classic with meat sauce Pesto - I ask for pasta instead of gnocchi! This is my fav - served with tomatoes and asparagus, it's perfection! read more

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Il Fornaio, while a chain, makes pretty good pasta. Place was nicely decorated for the holidays with lots of festive decor. We ordered the Rigatoni alla vodka without bacon, but was originally delivered with bacon. The waitstaff was very helpful and immediately took the dish back to be adjusted. The pasta was delicious, especially with the freshly grated parmesan and ground black pepper! read more

Il Fornaio - Rigatoni alla Vodka (no bacon) - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Surprisingly this place is rated only a 3 star but I think people need to give it another try. The service was really nice. Very friendly. The ambiance is also very nice with lots of seating for big or small parties. They have a wide variety of cocktails. The mule was exceptionally flavorful. Must order that! The food was very good! Enjoyed our dinner here. read more

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What a great place. My wife and I decided to stop by yesterday for a quick drink and were seated at the bar right away. I wish I remembered our bartender's name because she was fantastic. She made an excellent Campari Spritz and really made the whole experience feel welcoming and fun. We ended up ordering the Fra Diavola pizza and it was amazing. The crust had the perfect crisp and the toppings were flavorful and well balanced. Sanela, the manager on duty, also came by to check on us and she was incredibly warm and kind. You can really tell the team cares about hospitality. Big kudos to both the BOH and FOH teams. The restaurant was clean, the energy was great, and the ambiance made us want to stay longer. I really hope they recognize our bartender because she truly made our night special. read more

Il Fornaio - Campari Spritz - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

I had the worst seafood risotto in my life. The Calamari was not fresh in my Frito misto app My wife's Papardeli pasta with chicken and mushroom was pretty good, but the chicken was overpowered with rosemary read more

I'm really bummed to give this review, because the food wasn't bad. The service was horrible. It wasn't even a busy night and there was only 4 of us at the table. We ordered our food and drinks. When they dropped off our food I still did not get my drinks so I had to ask for my wine & some water. After asking our waitress for a second time for my wine she told us they ran out of the wine we ordered so we ordered something else. After 5 minutes, I had to ask another waiter if I could get my wine & water. He said he would ask my waitress. I finally got my wine when I was almost done with my lasagna. They took forever to give us our check, and when we got our receipts back, she messed up on our check and charged our credit card 100% tip. Which we had to call & get fixed the next day. I have been there before and never experienced anything like this, maybe it was just a bad day but a disappointing experience. I won't be back. read more

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Great service. Food was delicious. restaurant was very clean And classy. Get the TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE you won't regret it!

This is one of my families go to Italian restaurants. The inside of the restaurant is gorgeous and really makes you feel like you're in a true Italian spot. There is a variety of items on the menu, from salmon, pizza, chicken parmigiana, and pasta of course. Our waiter was very attentive and treated us very well. They have a great drink menu as well! read more

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The food was ok and they did come frequently to fill our water. Our server seemed to be curt as well. Some guest ate faster than others . Majority of us were still eating but the busser stacked the dish and utensils and appetizers plates in the middle of the table before taking it away. We would have to lean over to one side to accommodate them. A knife even fell In our drink. When the majority of the table finished we asked for take out boxes. As we were boxing up the food, the waitress threw the Oli and forks in the bread bowl that still had bread in it. The bread isn't free and we ordered it as an appetizer. She didn't even offer to replace it. We felt rushed so didn't even bother looking at the dessert menu. This is not the kind of service you would expect from a $$$ restaurant. read more

We had a wonderful dining experience! The carpaccio was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The pasta was perfectly cooked, with a rich, delicious sauce that tasted homemade. The service was attentive and welcoming. read more

It's cute! I'd heard of Il Fornaio from LA but only now trying the Walnut Creek location. My family made a reservation for my dad's birthday. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with an open kitchen and traditional Italian elements. It was surprisingly quiet for a weekday evening, with only a handful of tables occupied. Our server was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable. INSALATA (?): This was their frisée special with blueberry and pomegranate that I've completely forgotten the name of :') Deliciously sweet and fresh. Perfect amount of dressing. Great for sharing! ARANCINI CON CREMA DI PISTACCHIO: We loved these. Crispy outside, creamy and cheesy inside-- fire with the savory dipping sauce. I'm not one for pistachios, but the subtle nutty flavor was surprisingly nice. SALMONE ALLA GRIGIA: Great potatoes! ... With semi-chalky salmon? When the side is better than the entree ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not my favorite... Other than my salmon, everyone enjoyed their entrees! So mine may have been the outlier. And the prices are reasonable given the location and setting. I would recommend for special occasions, date nights, or anyone looking for a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. NOTE: They do have a cake cutting fee that's per person ($4?), so just a heads up if you bring in your own dessert. read more

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Service and seating options are good. Clean elegant restaurant great for a date. Food and dessert was delicious. Location is close to shopping and plenty of different parking options. read more

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Went for a lunch meet up with my cousin and good friend. I haven't been to this location, just the Burlingame location so I was interested to see how it compared since it's been a few years since I visited an Il Fornaio. This space is much larger and has a nice open air feel with high ceilings. It's located within the main Walnut Creek Shopping area so it's a pleasant feel. Our waitress, Cecilia was gracious, bubbly and friendly. We wanted time to look at the menu so we just ordered fried Calamari to start and iced waters. After a few minutes and of catching up with my friend, we ordered the following: Tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, Lasagna and Insalata Di Pere with a cup of Minestrone soup. A waiter asked if we wanted some bread so we said yes and he brought out a bottle of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar which he drizzled on a plate. He occasionally came to fill up our glasses. He seemed very serious... The pasta entrees came in generous portions and I had ordered extra sauce on mine. My Bolognese sauce had a hint of red wine so I was happy to enjoy it knowing it was probably prepared ahead of time with lots of simmering and reducing to create a concentrated flavor. It was so satisfying and delicious that I was craving it the next day and that evening but we were having something else for dinner. My measure of a good Italian restaurant is its Bolognese sauce. Yes, I'd be back next time I'm in the area!! My friend's Lasagna was so good, he ate the whole thing in one sitting!! My cousin couldn't finish her salad nor soup but seemed to enjoy it. We were full so my friend just got a Cappuccino for the ride home. As we left, I think it was a manager who said goodbye and thank you. If you're in the area, check it out! read more

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In person, 5/5, review is based on takeout order quality. You can tell they don't care as much unfortunately.

The food is delicious and relatively priced for being such a nice restaurant. The workers are very patient and understanding as well. I once stayed after they closed on my birthday and they still gave me the best service I could ask for. read more

Food was very good but unfortunately the service wasn't close to as good. Help was needed with the menu and me and my guests felt stupid for even asking. read more

We came back today just to try this old favorite of ours. But once again it was a huge disappointment. First off the seating hostess seemed to have an attitude and did not seem happy to be there. Our waiter, Alejandro (?) was extremely pushy and didn't even bring any water for my toddler. The food came at different times and did not taste flavorful ( although the presentation was great). The gnocchi tasted like I made it and the pizza was ok. I have so many memories here and want to love this place, but I think I'm done. read more

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My husband and I had lunch today at Il Fornaio. I made reservations as I know during the holiday season it gets a bit crazy. Our waitress took our order, a lemon drop for me, Caesar Salad, Minestrone Soup and our entrees were Tagliatelle Bolognese for my husband I had the Polpettine (beef meatballs). We were served warm French bread and along with olive oil and balsamic. My soup was piping hot and delicious and my husband's Caesar salad was quite large and enough for 2 people. Just the right amount of dressing and the shaved cheese and croutons were great. Our entrees came and my husband Tagliatelle was fabulous. My meatballs were cold, however our waitress sent them back and the meatballs came back hot. Our lunch finished with a gelato spumoni & coffee and it was the best spumoni ever! Coffee was fresh and piping hot. Another fabulous lunch at IL Fornaio. Great service and delicious food. read more

Il Fornaio - Tagliatelle Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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The service was really great, this was my first time sitting outside, and the area was super nice. They had plenty of shade and sun spots available, and our server was very conscientious about our gluten allergy. Everything still tastes phenomenal, I took my sister for her first time and she told me "it's been so long since I've had good pasta". (She's also gluten free). I took a look at their dessert menu and it's nice that they have a good amount of options that are gluten-free as well. Great food, great ambience and great service once again. read more

Il Fornaio - Fusilloni Rigatoni alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

We had a great experience! Our server, Cecilia, was so sweet, friendly, and helpful. She took great care of us and made our lunch even more enjoyable. Wonderful service--thank you, Cecilia! read more

This place was the shizzle 20 years ago but unfortunately has gone down hill. The Caesar salad is still good along with the bread but the other dishes I had were not good. Bolgenese and Vodka pasta meh. Probably won't go back. read more

The food was nice and hot. Got to try a sauce on the side and sprinkle the lemon. I got a happy birthday card from the waitress. And a great gelato too. And the ambiance is the best around. And nice tables. read more

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visiting friends in Walnut Creek, and I ordered the fish board. I honestly don't know how you can mess up shrimp, salmon, and white fish, but it all tasted like it had been reheated in the microwave. According to our guest and my husband, the best part of the meal was the bread. For me, the only positive was the busboy who kept our water glasses full. That's about it. Unfortunately, we will not be returning. It's really sad to see such a wonderful chain go so far downhill. read more

We arrived on time for a 5.00 pm reservation at Il Fornio on New Year's Eve and were promptly shown to our requested table--a quiet table adjacent to the fireplace and provided with menus that included the evening's specials (see attached photo). Our table was in an area that had ten other tables, only one of which was occupied--the remainder of the restaurant was also very quiet. After 15 minutes I returned to the hostess station to let them know we had been completely ignored since we were seated. Eventually our server (Jorge) came and took our drink order and subsequently our food order. My wife ordered the ribs and I ordered the lobster, both from the special's menu. I also ordered a cup of minestrone soup and asked Jorge for some bread to go with the soup (in the past, Il Fornio would have automatically provided bread), but it was noticeably absent from the menus. Jorge said he would get us a basket for the table (for which we received 5 slices of a baguette for $4). The soup was excellent, and while the ribs dish was good, the lobster dish was appalling (see photo). When Jorge returned to ask how we liked everything, I commented that I was still looking for the half a fresh maine lobster! Yes, the special's menu stated "...half a fresh maine lobster..." -- I've seen larger prawns! The lobster (what there was of it) was stringy and tasteless and while the shrimp were plentiful they were a pinkish grey in color--I didn't risk eating them. As we were going to a movie, we declined desert and coffee and requested our bill. It took some time to get the bill as Jorge had just taken a sizeable order from an adjacent table. However, Jorge saved the day by adjusting the bill to reflect my disappointment with the lobster dish. In case you are interested the movie was Song Sung Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson--they were amazing in a terrific movie. At least the year ended on a high note. read more

Il Fornaio - The Special's menu - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Food and service were excellent as usual. We will be back soon. My favorite is the Penne Ala Vodka and the Calamari.