It's been a minute since we visited our neighborhood Italian favorite, La Toscana. It was a busy Thursday night, but luckily we made a reservation. Highly recommend a reservation. Juan S. was our server for the night. Very knowable about the menu and the dishes. We started with a classic Caesar salad that we shared. It was plenty enough for us. I ordered the Petrale Sole special and my husband had the Pollo Pomodoro with vodka tomato sauce. Both were excellent choices. The fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, as were the mixed veggies. My husband loved the pasta as well. For 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 1 Caesar salad, 1 bruschetta and a cannoli for later, our bill was $152, before tip. Well worth it. read more

La Toscana - Cannolis - Italian Near Me - San Rafael, California

First I'd like to start off by saying, we made dinner reservations an hour and a half in advance for 8 pm on a Friday night and showed up to the restaurant at our reservation time, where we were forced to wait an extra 15 min because our table still wasn't ready-- which we would normally understand and be fine with, but we witnessed a walk-in customer come in and get seated before us. After we were finally seated and put in our order for drinks, appetizers and main dishes, we waited quite a long time to get our food served. Quality-- not sure if we ordered the wrong things or went in on an off night, but for some reason everything we ordered was underwhelming and lackluster, from the: -drinks (cucumber mojito and strawberry balsamic mocktails) -bruschetta was average -meatballs were sort of flavorless -spinach ravioli with pesto was bland -parpadelle was also bland and portion was oddly small Overall, the food and service was unsatisfactory for the price we paid for the bill. We were excited to come here to celebrate our anniversary and left the restaurant feeling super unfulfilled with our meals. Safe to say we won't be coming back to this establishment, nor will we be suggesting this restaurant to friends and family. read more

I thought everything here was fresh. It is a packed place. People came early. It feels like a nice and cozy family restaurant that is also elegant too. They have some TVs and other things to keep the environment casual yet elevated. We got the bread to start and this was so delicious! We then had the heirloom tomatoes with burrata and this was fresh! We loved the fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I got the chicken marsala and the chicken was juicy. The mushrooms were well cooked and the sauce was well seasoned! I thought the veggies needed a bit more flavor. The potatoes had an interesting seasoning that kind of reminded me of Chinese 5 spice. Very interesting! Overall we enjoyed our experience here. read more

La Toscana - Heirloom tomato and burrata - Italian Near Me - San Rafael, California

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I attended a private party. We experienced excellent and unobtrusive service. The risotto with the sole was delicious. I will go back.

La Toscana has been a family staple of mine growing up and after traveling around all of Italy I will still have to say that have my favorite pasta (Fettuccine with vodka sauce and grilled chicken). The fettuccine is homemade and as thin as paper almost... it's so amazing and always cooked right. Though not on the menu I suggest ordering and fun fact you can split it with someone which I love to do because it is a bit heavy with the sauce especially if you get some appetizers. Another favorite is ordering their steaks. Though they change they are always so juicy and I love getting my sides as polenta if they have it or potatoes and their vegetables. The veggies are also always cooked to perfection with the right amount of salt and delicious olive oil that tastes like my Nonna's. Service is always great and ambiance gives Italian but not outdated it's nice :) read more

La Toscana - Steak and veggies - Italian Near Me - San Rafael, California

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We arrived on a Thursday at 5 PM. It looked more like a saloon than a restaurant. The lasagna was wattery without flavor, the bread was dried out, a veal marsala was not a filet but pieces in a mushroom stew, the pasta as a side was dry with only a small amount of sauce. The service was erratic. Our party of 4 left thinking that if you want a better Italian meal, go some place else. Good points were the salad and my gin martini, read more

I've not been here in so many years and was looking forward to coming back. This place is as crowded and full as I recall- definitely a locals favorite. I had a glass of Proseco that I enjoyed. The complimentary bread & butter is quite good. I was disappointed in the risotto- instead of being rich & creamy it was dry without a lot of flavor. I love cannoli so had to order- they were ok but not fantastic. It definitely was a busy night- but several times the servers forgot things. All the staff are friendly though. Maybe I caught this restaurant on an off night? read more

La Toscana - Cannoli - Italian Near Me - San Rafael, California

I think this place gets better every time I visit. The arancini were the best I've eaten. The pasta and the eggplant were superb. Excellent service. It's not a quick dinner but it's worth the experience. read more

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Tasty Italian food, fantastic service, and an extensive menu. The servings were very generous and it felt like a good neighborhood restaurant to bring your family and friends to. Nothing fancy, but reasonably priced for what you get. I appreciated their selection of beers and wine. read more

I've had dinner here several times. Always irritating, food is lacking, people don't seem to GAF. I've learned my lesson.

It was our first time there and we experience a magical evening! I had the petrale with risotto and it was absolutely scrumptious! My partner had the orecchiette with Italian sausage, he adored it as well. The Fritto Mixto was also delicious. And it was my birthday and the wait staff sang 'Happy Birthday' to me and gave me a chocolate ice cream with a candle for me to blow and make a wish. It truly was a night of great food on my birthday. read more

To be completely honest, we came here because I am disgustingly obsessed with smores and I found out this restaurant serves a smores brownie sundae. Let me just say that it was probably the worst thing I have ever ordered... However, my boyfriend and I found ourselves enjoying most everything else about this place that we would entertain the idea of coming back down for a meal here with family. We came on a busy Friday night with no reservations around 8 pm. Parking was easy, but I figure if you're coming around a busier rush hour, one might have to resort to street parking. We waited around 20-30 minutes for a table last minute and killed the time listening to their great playlist. We finally got seated in what I think is the back dining room in the corner where we could people watch. For a Friday night, the crowd was perfect. While there were some drunken ladies across from us, most everyone looked like they were having a nice relaxing evening and even chatted with us. The one thing we noticed after getting our orders in was that the service was pretty bad. We again understood that this was a Friday night, but just wanted to note for others in case they're going here blindly the way we did. At one point, both my boyfriend and I had both ordered a drink on top of our waters but we had both finished our waters. After trying to wave down our waiter and a different one unsuccessfully, my boyfriend made his move to go get one of the bottles from their station so we wouldn't be dehydrated. Foodwise, food was great in flavor. The beef carpaccio was excellent. We ordered the pappardelle and the veal scaloppine for our entrees. They did seem to have a food quality issue that night. We first noticed it when the table next to us had gotten their pastas and the lady immediately noted that her pasta was cold as if sitting on the pass for a while. When she finally was able to flag down our waiter to discuss the food quality, he sent it back and brought it back to the kitchen. I guess the chefs tried nuking it in the microwave and she hated it even more that she ended up ordering another dish to compensate for the terrible pasta she had started with. When it came to our food, we had the same sort of issue. While my veal came out piping hot, the sides it came with were chilly. My boyfriend was appalled that his pasta felt just the slightest bit like it was lukewarm. Overall, I think it's in a great little area nestled alongside the freeway in San Rafael. I want to hope that the bad service and food quality issues were just a result of a slammed evening with understaffing. Would really love to return if this was the case. But please, whatever you do, AVOID THAT SMORES BROWNIE. read more

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Nice meal with friends, great ambience, pleasant service. What I remember most is that the setting is both soothing and uplifting and it had a nice neighborhood feel. read more

La Toscana absolutely delivers great service and great food! I started with the bruschetta, which was perfectly toasted and bursting with fresh tomato and basil--simple, classic, and done exactly right. Then came the pappardelle al cinghale--wow. Rich, savory wild boar ragu clinging to wide ribbons of house-made pasta. It was indulgent in the best way. I paired it with a cold beer, which balanced everything out beautifully. The food was so good, I ended up over-indulging... and decided the only reasonable thing to do was walk the 2 miles back to my hotel just to process it all. No regrets--every part of the evening felt like the right decision. Can't wait to come back. read more

Food is fantastic huge improvement from several years ago. Service is friendly, welcoming and great service. Nice Ambiance. read more

We continue to patronize La Toscana whenever we are back in the Bay Area. It is simply and "old school", 1950s style Italian restaurant. The food is great, portions generous, service excellent and the prices are reasonable for the area. Crowded parking lot, so if you are going at prime times, be prepared to park "around" the restaurant on a side street. Bar seating is OK, but not as nice as the main eating area. read more

Extensive menu choices. I chose the wild boar--the Pappardelle al cinghale with porcini mushrooms and pecorino Romano. The boar was shredded--great texture. I had the 2021 Sangiovese Scarpetta Frico. My companion got the Orecchiette with Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, pecorino romano, and cream. She chose the 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Nozzole. I recommend you get a reservation, as it was busy on the Sunday eve we went. Our server was very attentive. I am grateful she offered to have the chef re-make my pasta dish as it was too salty for me. The ambiance is lovely. There's a fireplace and large pictures of Italian on all the walls. read more

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A solid local place for drinks or dinner when you don't want to cook at home. Ample bar seating and separate dining room. Easy parking in lot next to restaurant and also the street. Wheelchair accessible with space easily made at any table in the dining room. Checked in on time, shown to our table promptly with friendly and attentive wait staff from greeting to check please. Menu - antipasti, pastas of many sizes and shapes, also secondi with chicken parm, lasagne among them. This time my mother in law enjoyed the risotto (I found it to be flavorful but a tad salty for me, personal preference). Casio de Pepe was comforting and paired with the bright and fresh arugula salad was just enough along with a generously poured Jordan Chardonnay (a treat!) to whet my appetite. Tried the arancini and the table agreed they were too large to be crispy enough but otherwise tasty. My mother in laws Chianti was a solid choice and well priced as well. I didn't try the Italian kale soup but saw it going to another table and I wished I'd ordered it, would be perfect with a salad if you want something light but satisfying. Next time I might return to the papardelle with the wild boar sauce and the Caesar salad which I've enjoyed - but portions are overall generous (the chicken parm and the cacio de Pepe could be split by two for a hearty meal) so arrive hungry or be prepared to box leftovers. read more

Always great dishes, service. Samuel was a very efficient and helpful waiter. Anytime there is a venue across the freeway at Civic Center, this is a must convenient location. read more

Customer service was horrendous. After I got my salad I had to keep asking for my dinner to be ordered, Splenda for my drink twice and I had to get my own to-go boxes to avoid waiting another 30 minutes just for that too. I was going to order a tiramisu but I didn't want to wait for that too. The food was great but the service one of the worst I've experienced in a while in such an expensive restaurant. read more

We came here for a birthday, left filled and happy! This place has been here a long time, and since my last visit - many years admittedly - they have done some interior design changes--very nice ambiance. Upon arrival, we were given the option to be seated at a freestanding table in the middle of one dining room, 'next door' to the bar. This location was perfect for the sports fans among us, as it provided a clear view of the TVs. The service was quick and efficient, with specialty drinks being brought just as we were ready to order the food. We ordered the Calamari fritti, wedge salad and polenta cakes for appetizers, and Carbonara (fettuccine, pancetta, onions, egg, cream, Parmigiano cheese), Chicken Parmigiana (breaded organic chicken breast, tomato, mozzarella cheese), Paccheri (pasta with calabrian chilies, and a tomato cream, vodka sauce), and a spaghetti and meatball and "chix fries" for the young ones. The food arrived with appetizers first, as expected, which went well with the French bread also provided early in the meal. The other plates arrived later and together. The food was nice and hot. All the food was delicious, and the only hiccup was the Paccheri - delicious sauce, but the calabrian chilies were too hot (spicy) and overpowered the dish. All the adults tried the dish, and no one could tolerate the heat. It was put aside, and a second carbonara was ordered, but without the pancetta. The server had noticed the uneaten paccheri and inquired and did not charge for that dish. Good customer care. All the other food was without issue and quite tasty. The polenta cakes were very good as well, crispy on the outside and tasty with the included sauce. And, we HAD to try the dessert menu after! The birthday person chose a s'more brownie sundae, and we also tried the limoncello tiramisu and a creme brulee. The tiramisu was amazing. Not only have I never encountered such a dessert before, but it was unlike any other tiramisu for texture or taste. It melted in your mouth, no chewing required. And the flavors . . . if you like lemon OR blueberry - it came with a generous amount of blueberry sauce - this will send you over the edge. In fact, if I go come back here, it will ONLY be for this dessert! (I hope it stays on the menu . . . ) Overall, a great evening meal. And thanks to our server Gustavo P, for managing this great time! read more

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Food, service outstanding. Noisy on the bar side with multiple TVs. Minestrone was delicious, shrimp Loie salad was huge. Good portions, friendly staff! read more

First visit to La Toscano and we already wish they were closer to home. The food was absolutely amazing--chicken Marsala, orecchiette, spinach & ricotta ravioli, and risotto--every dish was flavorful and beautifully prepared. We visited on a busy Friday night and were lucky to get a table, which says a lot about how popular this place is. The only downside was the noise level; it was very loud and made conversation a bit challenging. That said, the food alone makes La Toscano well worth the visit, and we'd happily return. read more

Wife and I were searching for Italian, specifically Gnocchi- and La Toscana was it. We had our lap dog and it was warmer for Bay Area - and they have a great covered outdoor dining room. All the food was very good, the Bruchetta, crème brûlée, margarita, calamari, gnocchi and sauces - nothing disappointed. read more

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Excellent food, service and ambience. Still searching for a gin elderberry gimlet elsewhere. No luck! read more

Wow wrote a review about this place about a year ago and they removed it. Food was ok, bartender service sucked on Xmas eve and made me feel unwelcomed. Other workers was sweet snd great. My qualm was with the server / bartender where I sat at. read more

It's a very popular place, and can get quite noisy, the food is good but it can also be hit n miss. And of course the service, although good , sometimes quite slow. Popular with locals and people that love to drink. read more

I drive by this restaurant often, you can see it on 101 and I'm glad I've finally tried it. Let's start off with the bread. Wow. They make their bread fresh; I believe it's sourdough. It comes with whipped butter and it's something you cannot stop eating. I ordered the bolognase pasta, which tasted rich and hearty, just the way it should be. I was also surprised by how fresh it tasted - you can taste the beef and all the mix of vegetables it was stewed in. I will definitely order this again. Also got the steak, which was just decent but that's my bad for getting a steak at an Italian restaurant. It was small in size to begin with and was too chewy. The restaurant is decorated nicely like you're in Italy, full of artistic wall paper. This will be a nice spot for a romantic dinner. Service was fast. read more

A reliable place for a business lunch or pre show dinner. Lively bar, friendly service. Salads, daily soup and an array of standard pasta dishes and secondi. read more

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Ordered the Prawns Toscana... $27... to go and received exactly 4 prawns. Really???? Not going back read more

La Toscana - Seriously?!?!?! 4 prawns for $27?!?!? Nope. Rip off. Not going back - Italian Near Me - San Rafael, California

Very solid! Family run Italian restaurant. Their risotto is always spot on. Friendly service and delicious Caesar salad! Would recommend. read more

We were visiting Marin County this weekend and someone highly recommended this family owned restaurant. We're so happy we tried it! The service was wonderful, the food was outstanding and the ambience was great! We ordered and shared the Chicken Marsala and Butter Prawns and loved it and loved the veggies that came with each of our entrees. The sourdough bread was delicious too! read more

After close to 20 years of driving by La Toscana, we decided it was time to give it a try. Their menu hits most of the recipes one would expect. We both settled on Caesar salads and Chicken Parmigiana, with a serving of Cacio e Pepe to share. Everything we had was good - not exceptional, but good. I would have liked a bit more brightness to the Caesar dressing - it seemed a bit too "mayonnaise-like" to me. Our service was good, and the bartender who served us prior to seating was knowledgeable and friendly. Las Toscana is Terra Linda's go-to Italian comfort food spot. read more

Took my gf here to celebrate our 8th anniversary together. We've dined here a few times and we always enjoyed the food here. Again the food was excellent. Unfortunately the service was underwhelming. Our server basically disappeared after he brought us our dishes. We waited 15 min. after we were done before he checked on us, but we watched him check on the tables on either side of us a number of times. I wondered if it was because we don't drink and the tables next to us did and he didn't want to put in the effort for a smaller tip. We would have liked to see the dessert menu but he never offered or asked. He just brought us the check and disappeared, again. We ended up just talking the check up front and paying it. I STILL left a 17-18% gratuity. I don't know why since he really didn't deserve it. 3 stars for the food. Would have been 4 if the service as better than the bare minimum. read more

I always get the Alfredo pasta I definitely recommend! Truthfully haven't tried most of the menu but I'm excited to when I come back.

Very good food and atmosphere. Serving sizes are very generous. The only odd thing is truly a small one-- the water glasses are tiny and were not refilled in a timely fashion. Simple remedy--larger glasses or leave a bottle of water on the table. Oh, or servers could check on diners more frequently. In any case, you won't go home hungry. The restaurant is very large with several more formal dining areas and a more casual bar area with high tops. read more

The ambience is decently nice and the bread was warm. That's where the positives ended for us. The arancini and heirloom tomatoes were fine but nothing to write home about and then when we got our pasta dishes, we were sorely disappointed. They were both so flavorless we had to ask for salt and pepper like we were at a diner. The salt and pepper helped slightly but the pasta was still clearly just store bought and something I could have made at home with Trader Joe's ingredients for far less than the $200 bill we got. We won't come back. read more

Well established Italian eatery with great food and fine wines. Old school vibe with excellent service!

Our server, Sergio was great! Everything from appetizers to dessert was presented in a timely manner. He was polite and efficient. The food was delicious and fresh. I will definitely eat there again and bring family and friends. read more

We were looking for a place to eat that was open in the afternoon. Lots of places close between lunch and dinner and I found La Toscana. Luckily, it was also less than five minutes from my mother's house. We were looking for a place to wind down, after the Christmas festivities. I was happy that they were indeed opened on the 26th. We had the frito misto, short rib, fish of the day, which happened to be the petrale sole, and the cannolis and tiramisu for desert. The frito misto was very good, needed a little bit more artichokes, since they were just slivers. The short rib was very tender and had a good flavor. The petrale sole was also very good, atop some rissotto. The arugula on top was negligible. It seemed unnecessary, and a vegetable could've been better. The tiramisu, however, was the star of the show. It was really the best I've ever had and I've even taken the time to make one myself, which turned out very good as well, but this one had a lot of marscarpone cheese filling and it was divine. They were out of the lemon blueberry one, so we couldn't try that. The cannolis were mini sized, but perfect to share. The only flaw, I thought, was our wait person. He was an older gentleman who was slower and completely forgot the Cesar salad I ordered. I was excited to try it, too, but unfortunately he forgot about it. When he eventually remembered, he asked if we still wanted it and since we were full, I said no. The portions, as other reviewers have mentioned, were surprisingly generous. We share all our meals, so that was a good thing. The bus boy, Cornelio, to be fair, was wonderful! We slipped him a $20 because he was very kind and attentive to my 78 year old mother. He was then even more doting on her. I just loved it!! We were very pleased and will surely be back. Hopefully next time, I get to try the Caesar salad. read more

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