An Unforgettable Birthday Celebration in Downtown Livermore!…read more
We came to Locanda Wine Bar in downtown Livermore on a Friday evening to celebrate my wife's birthday with friends, and we had an absolute blast! The vibe here is lively, fun, and vibrant. Reservations are definitely highly recommended since it gets so popular. The entire staff is awesome, but a massive shout-out goes to our waitress, Ashley--she was fantastic and provided incredible service throughout the entire night!
We ordered a wide variety of dishes to share, and every single one was a hit:
* Fritto Marechiaro: A wonderful mix of fresh calamari, jumbo prawns, sliced zucchini, and artichoke hearts. Everything was fried to a light, crispy perfection and paired wonderfully with the signature Locanda Capri sauce.
* Pane e Olive: Crisp, fresh baguette from local Wingen Bakery served alongside Locanda's classic olive tapenade. Rich, savory, and the perfect starter bite.
* Fiori di Zucca: Delicate zucchini blossoms stuffed with creamy ricotta and mozzarella, served over a rich marinara sauce. These were absolutely delicious and melted in your mouth.
* Penne alla Vodka: Tender penne pasta tossed with smoked mozzarella, Parmesan, and cracked pepper in a rich, creamy vodka pink sauce. Yummy and comforting!
* Parmigiana di Melanzane: Mamma Carmela's famous eggplant parmigiana layered with melted mozzarella and tomato sauce. Hearty, warm, and bursting with authentic Italian flavor.
* Pollo Piccata: Tender organic chicken breast served in a bright, zesty lemon-butter sauce with Sicilian capers, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and rainbow baby carrots.
* Branzino Locanda: Fresh Mediterranean seabass filet lightly breaded with panko and topped with a bright lemon sauce, served with velvety mashed potatoes and rainbow baby carrots. Delicately crispy on the outside and wonderfully flaky inside.
* Polpette della Mamma: Homemade beef meatballs cooked to tender perfection, served in a rich marinara sauce with Parmesan cheese and crisp crostini for dipping. Warm, comforting, and packed with flavor.
* Beet Salad: A crisp, refreshing mix of wild baby arugula, mixed greens, sweet golden and red beets, tangy goat cheese crumbles, and juicy blood orange slices.
* Espresso Martini & Wine: The drinks were top-tier. The espresso martini was amazing, bold, and perfectly balanced. We also ordered a bottle of Collefasani Bacchanalia Falerno del Massico Bianco D.O.C., which was served perfectly chilled--crisp, refreshing, and not too sweet.
* Almond Cheesecake: For dessert, we treated ourselves to the almond cheesecake. It was rich, creamy, and served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream--the ideal sweet note to wrap up the night.
Overall, it was a fantastic evening filled with great energy, outstanding hospitality, and incredible food. I highly recommend Locanda Wine Bar for a celebration, a night out with friends, or a memorable family meal!