5/5 STARS!! I had the sausage vodka pasta and would 100% recommend! I will definitely be coming back for the delicious food and desserts! Super friendly staff and great ambience!!! read more

Senza - Italian Near Me - Los Gatos, California

Traveling from France, I can say that it is one of the finest Italian gluten free restaurant I have ever tried. The recipes aren't the common Italian ones, so one would be in to try something new! With specials every day, one would not get bored. The service is great, the owner and her waiters are so efficient and so nice. I tried the Pasta a la Vodka and I highly recommend it. Merci beaucoup et à très vite ! read more

We opted to sit at the bar, where there are just two seats, so that we could easily share food, and also chat with the owner, Norma. She waa busy, serving the tables too, but still friendly and quick service. Wine was great, Albarino and Sauv Blanc, then Super Tuscan. Beet salad is huge, with a nice combo of burrito, beets, arugula, spiced pecans, and seasoned fruit. That was perfect eaten alongside the gluten free bread. It has wonderful texture for being gf, sponginezs, but also soft and easy to eat. Entrees were pork chop and halibut. Both delicious, but the caper sauce on the halibut was just so amazing. The portion of fish was generous and nicely cooked. Norma suggested the Cheesecake to share for dessert, and it was a great finish to the meal. There are quite a few options on the menu that I'd like to try soon. Some pasta and polenta Entrees, specifically, and the scallops which I think were a special. read more

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I'm honestly perplexed by the 4.3-star rating after eating here tonight. My only guess is that many of the positive reviews may be for the gluten-free bakery rather than the dinner experience. Unfortunately, our dinner was extremely disappointing, especially considering the prices. The gnocchi was tough and difficult to eat, the meat was also tough, and bruschetta with the combination of apples and eggplant simply did not work. My pasta was hard, watery, and lacked flavor. The wine pricing was also shocking around $30 for a glass from a bottle that retails for roughly the same amount. Overall, the food was bland, poorly executed, and far too expensive for the quality we received. We left feeling like the meal simply wasn't worth the money. I would not recommend dinner here, and unfortunately, we would not return. Save your palate and your wallet. Dinner here simply isn't worth it. read more

Polenteria rebranded. Everything is the same except for the owners. However, the food has taken a dive. The Cesar salad was just ok...not a fan of the big crouton which was hard to eat. The arancini and my polenta were both flavorless and overrun with red chillies. I don't see chillies as flavor and it should have come with a warning. I was not expecting my Italian food to be this spicy. Service was great but the food... read more

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Pros: our waitress was great. Personable, professional, kind. The main dishes were good. The mocktails were very good. Cons: the salad was wilted. Main dishes were tiny. Restaurant was about 80 degrees with no airflow. Desserts were TERRIBLE. The cannoli was a scoop of what tasted like unsweetened whip cream and the cannoli crackers were stale and tasted sour. The "cheesecake" was large but totally dry and tasteless. It was like they just took a chunk of ricotta and dyed it yellow. No lemon flavor, no sweetness at all. Took a few bites and couldn't continue. Don't even think I'll eat the rest, which is a shame for $16. I expected a lot more for the price and something I'd actually enjoy. Suggestion: Get yourself some air conditioning for your staff and employees and please please rethink your dessert recipes. These are an Insult to Italian desserts. Gluten free doesn't have to mean dry and bland, especially for something cheese based that has no direct gluten in it. Even the crust didn't taste like anything. Very disappointing and may not return. read more

My sister has gradually become more allergic (first it was more of a sensitivity) to gluten, so I wanted to take her to a gluten-free restaurant for her birthday. She has had too many incidents where she ate at a restaurant and they said a dish was gluten-free, and then later on she realized it was not. Senza is very unique in that every single item on the menu is gluten-free. My sister was so excited and she had a hard time deciding what to get. We tried the eggplant parmesan, which was excellent. My sister loved this dish! We also got the arrabiata burrata. I liked the fresh burrata and spicy tomato sauce. I could not tell that the fresh noodles were gluten-free. For dessert, we shared the beignets. The outside was nice and crispy and although it was a bit dense, I thought it was tasty and done well. I look forward to coming again with my sister so she can relax and fully enjoy her meal! read more

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Norma, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did to make Lisa and Carl's baby shower so incredibly special. The lunch was absolutely delicious, from the wonderful bruschetta to the mimosas, Prosecco and all of the beautiful food. Everything was just perfect! I especially appreciated the extra care you took to prepare gluten-free food for Lisa so that she could relax and enjoy her own celebration without having to worry about anything. But you went so far beyond preparing a wonderful meal. You made sure every single person was served and had everything they needed, you took pictures for us, and you even stepped in to cut and serve our beautiful baby shower cake. You seemed to notice everything that needed to be done and quietly took care of it, and that meant so much to me. The entire afternoon felt beautiful, relaxed and magical, and you were such an important part of making it that way. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity and all the extra love and care you put into our day. I truly appreciate everything you did for our family and will always remember how special you helped make this celebration. Marilyn read more

Beautiful little restaurant! I love when restaurants have charm and ambience and Senza have both. No need for fancy overdone anything when the food and service is beautiful. Really feels like you're eating an intimate meal in Italy. Thank you. We'll be back! read more

Senza - Italian Near Me - Los Gatos, California

this review is for the senza glutten free bakery open in the morning around 9am-2pm. the bakery isn't inside but on the side next to the restaurant! i recommend coming early bc they usually run out of most of their baked goods after 12?? i went visited one time after 12 and they ran out of their popular items we stopped by after yoga around 9:30am! i got some cookies and a banana bread!! personally i love that the pastries are healthy and still sweet!! i can taste the authentic flavor coming through! my notes: cookie - so soft and thick chewy !! i personally loveee the texture banana bread - the banana flavor is fresh !! not too sweet! not overpowering read more

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Nice small restaurant, went there on a Sunday evening so it wasn't too crowded. Let me start by saying Italian food and gluten-free don't normally go together, so pulling this off isn't an easy task. Highlights: Service - A-, attentive, water kept full, generous wine by the glass pour, but their wines are pricey Beet and Burrata Salad - A+, would go back just for this Beignets - A-, they would have gotten a solid A if they were just dusted with sugar instead of half buried with powdered sugar. Surprising chew to them and filling for gluten free Sauces and Jams - A - well done and not salty nor overly sweet So-So - Lowlights: Pasta - C+, not al-dente, I just don't know how this can be pulled off without the gluten. Consistency was akin to canned pasta. Meatballs - B - overly dense, these may have been overworked prior to cooking or overcooked Bruschetta - B- - bread is supposed to be toasted and should "hold" the contents, these were like the bread and butter. Affogato - B - Decent but not great, lots of coffee, little ice cream and it was served already poured, not at the table. The basics are all there for a great restaurant. Maybe if they had gluten options for those not on dietary restrictions, we would return. The South Bay Area needs more small Italian eateries competing like they do in San Francisco and New York. read more

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Everything was delicious, from the appetizers to dessert. Fresh ingredients, great service, and an amazing atmosphere. A must-visit if you're looking for exceptional gluten-free Italian food in Los Gatos. read more

Amazing food, outstanding service, and a beautiful atmosphere. It's incredible that everything is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free without sacrificing flavor. One of the best dining experiences in Los Gatos. Highly recommend! read more

What a gem of a place! This reminded me of the kind of high quality gluten free Italian food you can get in Manhattan but nowhere in the bay area... Until now! The pastas were amazing, and the eggplant parmesan was the best I think I've ever had. And don't get me started on the polenta, just wow! The place is small so make sure to make a reservation. Super cute inside too. Enjoy! read more

The gluten free food was amazing! It is nice to dine in a small establishment with personalized service!

We had a very nice dinner at Senza over the weekend, and the place is a very cute and cozy restaurant. As someone who is gluten-free, it is very nice to be able to look at the menu and see a bunch of options and not have to pick between only 2 options. The food was INCREDIBLE!! My favorite items there were the risotto balls and the beet salad, hands down. The complimentary bread that they gave was also amazing, and I could barely even tell it was gluten-free. I did take one star away because, although the owner very generously gave me a pastry to take home, which I was so excited about. But when I open the packet at home, I saw it was all moldy :( read more

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We had a delightful and nourishing lunch at Senza today. I had been there previously when it was The Polenteria and as a person with celiac disease, I was eager to return. Im so glad to find Italian food that is truly gluten-free and especially to be able to eat in a restaurant without fear of cross-contamination and Senza definitely delivers. Today, Norma greeted us at the door and was friendly and enthusiastic and very affable as we chatted with her during service. She let us know a little bit of history about the restaurant and the interesting journey she's had as a small business owner. On a side note, I appreciate being able to support someone in their vision, especially as it pertains to providing amazing food to a specific clientele. I was also pleasantly surprised as I had seen mentioned in other reviews about them no longer having a beer and wine license, but it has officially been reinstated and they are serving a delicious selection of wines and wine cocktails. I had a crisp and refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc with my meal. Everything was served super fresh and piping hot from the kitchen. We had the Arancini appetizer which had changed a little from the last time I was there. Instead of being served in a red sauce, it was in a warm buttery broth, but the balls themselves were very flavorful with a gooey cheesy center. We also had a beautiful beet salad with velvety Burrata cheese, walnuts, and Mandarin oranges. After that, and for my entrée, I had Nandos pasta, which was chicken breast sautéed in what I'm guessing was a bit of white wine and garlic, and served with a creamy spicy garlic sauce over spaghetti with a hint of prosciutto. It was delicious and comforting. My friend had the chicken Parmesan, I did not have a chance to try it, but it looked amazing. We also made a stop on our way out to buy a few of the delicious baked goods from their daily bakery. They had quite an assortment of breads, bagels, pastries, muffins, cakes, donuts, and even a croissant style pastry. I highly recommend going to Senza in Los Gatos, it will be 100% worth it to enjoy a delicious 100% gluten-free meal. The ambience is also very enjoyable. It is a smaller space but very cozy and accommodating. Thank you Norma, I'll be back soon! read more

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If I could give zero stars, I would!! The bakery is such an incredible disappointment. When this was OY! bakery, the baked goods were delicious. It is now quite literally disgusting and each item tastes worse than the last. I have given this Senza bakery at least five different chances, hoping that perhaps something will change and it unfortunately it gets worse each time. Each of the items (muffins, cakes, loaves) is completely tasteless, dry, and hard as a rock. I finally inquired about when the items were baked, and the man looked at me with a blank face and said... yesterday? Bakeries kind of need goods that are baked fresh daily??? Do not waste your money here. Such a shame because we really need a good GF bakery in town. read more

I've been here several times and it never disappoints! Now that Senza has been renamed and is under new management, the quality of service and food is still amazing. As a gluten free/celiac individual, this is easily my happy place. I am a huge fan of coming here for dinner, and today I came for brunch for the first time. Our service was incredible, there was a special birthday surprise, and I was pleased to hear they donate their leftover baked goods regularly. I am excited that they are open for brunch! Both brunch and dinner are a delight. This restaurant is top tier Italian food if you are GF or not. read more

3/5 Stars - Amazing Food, But We Need to Talk About That Liquor License Situation Let me start with the good news: the food at Senza Italian Kitchen is 'chef's kiss' fantastic. If this were solely a food review, we'd be looking at a solid 5 stars. The arancini? Absolute perfection. Smaller than your typical Italian grandmother would approve of, but packed with enough flavor to make said grandmother weep with joy. These little golden orbs of deliciousness were the star of the show. Mama's Meatballs were flavorful and clearly made with love, though Mama might have left them in the oven a bit too long - they were slightly overcooked and on the tough side. Still tasty, just required some jaw commitment. For mains, the Salsiccia E Funghi (polenta with house-made sausage and mushrooms) and the Arrabiata Burrata were both exceptional. The burrata cooling down that spicy arrabiata sauce? Magnifico! Now, about that awkward elephant in the room... Here's where things got weird. We booked through OpenTable, paid $30 per person to hold our reservation (totally reasonable for a Friday date night in Los Gatos), and showed up ready for a lovely evening with good food and wine. Plot twist: No liquor license. The maître d' launched into this rambling explanation about how they recently changed their name from Polenteria to Senza Italian Kitchen because apparently people thought they ONLY made polenta (I mean, fair concern). BUT - and this is the kicker - because of the name change, they lost their liquor license. He then casually offered that we didn't have to stay if that was a problem. Sir. It's Friday night in Los Gatos. We got the kids squared away at home. We've already paid $60 to be here. Where exactly are we supposed to go? Here's the real issue: At NO POINT during the OpenTable booking process, or on the Senza Italian Kitchen website, was there ANY mention of "Hey, by the way, we don't have a liquor license right now." That's the kind of information you lead with, not casually drop after people have committed time, money, and worked to have a kid-free evening. It felt like a bait and switch, and honestly, it's a trust thing. The food was incredible, but the lack of transparency leaves a bad taste (ironically, the only bad taste of the evening). We want to come back because that arancini is calling our names, but we're hesitant because if they couldn't be upfront about something this basic, what else aren't they telling us? Bottom line: Great food, but bring low expectations for transparency. The arancini alone might be worth it, but you've been warned. read more

I love this place. I had Senza catered for a family event. The food was delicious and the options were plentiful. Everything was made fresh, the service was easy and delightful. This is a small spot with a warm atmosphere, making it perfect for an intimate outing. read more

Food was great, it's so hard to find a restaurant that serves good gluten free food. Totally loved this place. Everything was amazing, service was wonderful and the atmosphere was nice. read more

Had an amazing meal here a week back and it was even better than last time! Great food, personal service and the best gf calamari and tiramisu!! read more

Gluten free dream come true. Best part, your gluten no problem friends will also enjoy the meal. Beautiful ambience. Cozy setting, elegantly decorated with the perfect background music. We ordered the bruschetta flight. Delicious although the traditional Roma is the best. The Beet Salad was a nice start before the main course. I ordered the chef special- spinach ravioli stuffed with butternut squash. It was a perfect balance of savory and sweet. The flourless chocolate cake with a coffee was a perfect way to end the night. read more

Stopped by for lunch after my workout class since I was looking to restock on bagels for the week. While the bakery is usually opened on the outside throughout the week, I guess on the weekends they open inside for brunch, so I sat down to enjoy a BLTA bagel sandwich today. These are my favorite gluten-free bagels to have in my pantry, and enjoy my weekly trips to pick them up, but especially enjoyed my sandwich today and definitely inspired me for my  own creations at home with these bagels. read more

I really like this place. So cozy and charming. And the owner is lovely! I'm not really a gluten free fan so can't comment on that but the dishes we tried were delicious. And a very nice little wine list. Difficult to find if you don't know where it is but worth the effort! read more

My friend used to love this spot when it was Polenteria, so she asked to celebrate her birthday dinner here. I called and made reservations several days in advance. Unfortunately, the evening didn't start well. When we arrived, there were two open tables for two. We asked for the more private one, but the host said it was reserved. About 20 minutes later, another couple came in and was seated there. They mentioned to me that they hadn't requested a specific table--so it was frustrating to see them placed at the spot we were denied. Next, our server brought drink menus, only to inform us that the restaurant doesn't yet have its liquor license and all beverages were zero-proof. This was surprising, since I mentioned during the reservation call that it was a birthday dinner. It would have been helpful to know in advance. As for the food, it was just okay. My friend said the menu looked nearly identical to Polenteria's but wasn't as good. I ordered the shrimp scampi special, and the shrimp was unfortunately overcooked. Overall, the atmosphere didn't feel very inviting or intimate, and the combination of the host's dismissiveness and the lack of alcohol options made the evening less enjoyable than we had hoped. read more

This place is a one of a kind! Outstanding food/service AND the entire restaurant is gluten free. Third time here and we are now regulars. I suggest making reservations since the restaurant is rather small. read more

We had a birthday celebration with 14 members of our family. The food was delicious and served beautifully. We were taken care of like honored guests and were given complimentary bread some desserts "on the house." The restaurant is cozy with candles on the table. read more

The food at Senza is amazing. Everything they make is delicious and definitely the best gluten free food I have tried. The seating area is very cozy and relaxing and staff are super friendly. They have a lot of different things on the menu for everyone. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Senza - Spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Los Gatos, California

We love this place! The service is so great, and it's honestly the best gluten free food in all of California, hands down! My wife and I drive an hour and a half to eat here and it's worth it ever time! read more

This is my favorite restaurant ever, and this incredible restaurant is totally celiac safe! The restaurant is also a beautiful space to eat in, cozy and wonderful. I feel so safe dining here, and I've never had an issue. My partner and I come to Senza at least every other week. We drive down from Stanford for the food because it is so worth it. We also come here to celebrate every special occasion in our lives: anniversaries, graduation etc. I always feel so good after dining here. Norma the owner is so wonderful, kind, and detail oriented. The gnocchi is one of the best dishes I've ever had in my life. Overall, the food is incredible and fresh. The flavors are so on point. We also love the Chicken Parmesan and the Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake. I've eaten all around Italy, and I can still say this place is amazing. The arancini are also so good!!! I left a similar review on FindmeGlutenFree so other members of the gluten free and celiac community can find this place. It's a hidden gem!! Oh the focaccia is so so so good. We buy a whole loaf to take home when we come dine in. It freezes and reheats really well. read more

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Super Yummy! Excellent food we greatly enjoyed included the arranici, meatballs, bruchetta, homemade pasta, mushroom polenta, and Italian beignets. Will definitely go back! read more

Love this place. Norma is amazing! Great food and good vibes. Check it out for sure. Also the bakery is lovely.

First off I been to Polenteria a few years ago... the place was actually good.. they had modern touches like pearls and foams on scallops and really tasty food. I came back with this rebrand and it was not it. The service was terrible... no liquor license? Food was terrible meat balls dry, arancini was flavorless except for the acidic sauce..... when I asked about why they didn't let people know there is no liquor license the host told me I could go elsewhere if that's what I was here for., I paid a fee to make a reservation which is not refundable but I should go elsewhere? What kind of service is this... read more

We were so happy when we realized that Senza was open . Changed hands and was closed for a month. We took our out of town guests and the food was fantastic. Mushroom soup to die for. I am a Veggie so Gnocchi was my choice. but the others were eating lamb chops and pork chops. I looked at their plates and they had eaten everything. From the beginning to the end we felt pampered. Simple restaurant with food that will surprise your palate. Five stars read more

Delicious gluten free selections as always. Yes, we were surprised at the no alcohol but this should just be temporary.