I came in with my hubs and MIL for my birthday. It's a pretty restaurant but I do have a few gripes. The good: I enjoyed the duck dish and my MIL enjoyed her branzino. Hubs also liked the appetizers. The brussels and the meatballs were standouts. The restaurant is very pretty. The drinks were very good! The Light the Beam tasted like a Warhead, definitely on the sour side. The bad: My hubs said that the pork chops he had were the driest he had ever had in his life. The seating it very strange - The booth style seats were placed so low, that the table came up to my neck, pretty much. I'm 5'4, which is pretty average height for a woman. Hubs is 6 foot and the tables was weirdly high even for him, but not as bad as it was for me. For the price, I am not sure it was worth it. I'd come back if someone else wanted to go though. read more

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I visited the willow with friends, we went in for lunch we absolutely loved the fig bruschetta and the misticanza greens salad for our shared appetizer. The steak sandwich & gnocchi was the best part of our main dishes. The drink menu was unapproachable but I tried the Hugo spritz that the server recommended. It wasn't on the menu however it was delightful. My new favorite go to spritz. Service was excellent but they can use a better drink menu options. Great wine selection. read more

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I attended a bridesmaids dinner in Willow's private room, separated from the main dining area by a curtain. It was very spacious and like the rest of the restaurant, had great aesthetic. Unfortunately, the service and food were subpar and make me believe that Willow is a gorgeous restaurant, but not necessarily one for delicious food. It was impossible to get timely service as we were in the private room and it took forever just for 5 pasta dishes to come out. The focaccia was thick and gummy and served with a small bowl of balsamic (no oil for some reason), meatballs were dry and dense, and rigatoni was bland, watery, and not al dente. However- the cocktails made the experience bearable...the raspberry lemon drops were quite good. Considering the meal averaged $100+ per seat, I would have expected higher food quality and timely service. read more

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We celebrated our anniversary at Willow and it was a special time for sure. We arrived and entered through the hotel lobby and checked in for our reservation. We were seated quickly and offered Prosecco. It was very good and a great way to kick off our dinner. The restaurant is decorated like a lounge and very chic. We ordered the beet salad which was so light and fresh, our entrees, and wine. The service was very quick and the staff were educated in pairing wine with the food and very nice about everything! We felt very welcomed and celebrated on our special day. read more

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This is a great spot to catch brunch. The ambiance is perfect for a date night or any special occasion. I'd love to come back and try more of the menu. I'd recommend the pancakes if you're coming in for brunch. read more

Willow - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

Mother's day brunch. Food was okay. Overpriced but that's mother's day everywhere. Issue we had was the menu said service charge was included. We got the bill and it was in addition to the price per person. We asked the server and she said service charge was extra. The menu should have said it was an additional charge. Included means it is included in the price. read more

Food 7.5/10. I had the Campanelle and it tasted very fresh but for the price, it was not worth it. Prince Edward Island mussels 7/10. It was nothing to be excited about. Drink 7.5/10. I had the royal alcazar. It did not have hints of blueberry. Overall, tried it but forgot about it. Staff and ambiance was nice but did not stand out. read more

Willow - Mussels and campanelle - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Food is always amazing and service is 10/10. I enjoy the ricotta pancake for breakfast and whatever specials they have for dinner. The color scheme inside is beautiful- I love the mauve. read more

Great date night spot with beautiful vibes! My boyfriend and I came here for a date night and from start to finish it was such a pleasant experience. The customer service was great and while it wasn't too packed (we came a bit later) the staff still made us feel welcome and taken care of. The interior is gorgeous, I especially loved the purple tones, though we did wish the lighting was a bit dimmer to set more of a romantic vibe. Still, it felt modern and inviting, perfect for a night out. I ordered the salmon and it was cooked perfectly. Very flavorful without being too sweet or too bland. My boyfriend had the pasta with shrimp, and while it wasn't his favorite, I personally loved it and thought it was delicious. My drink was also great, wish I could remember the name because I'd definitely order it again! Overall would give this place 5 stars and would love to try other items! Overall, I'd totally come back and explore more of the menu. Not sure my boyfriend would rush to, but I was a fan. Would you like a more cheeky or minimalist version too? read more

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Had dinner reservations on Valentine's Day for a party of 4 at 7:30pm. My party and I arrived at 7:15pm. The individual who checked us in was very kind and informed us that they were running "a few minutes behind" and if we would like, we could get a complimentary drink at the bar. As we waited, we headed to the bar and the bartender was confused when we said they had informed us drinks were "complimentary". Fast forward, we were seated at 8:20pm (almost an hour after our reservations). I understand being behind a few minutes on Valentine's Day BUT almost an HOUR?! Geez. Where do I begin with the food.. We ordered the rigatoni and it was undercooked. When we informed our waitress, we let them know that we would just prefer it to go considering it was a four course meal and we were already waiting for our next meal -- surf and turf. Surf and turf was cooked WRONG. They didn't bother asking us who got what when they dropped the plates off at the table. My partner got my order (well done) and I got his (medium rare). His order (medium rare) came out blue rare. At that point, we were so hungry and frustrated, we just dealt with it. Our waitress was really friendly and nice.. but horrible service. We waited almost 20 minutes for silverware and by the time we received it, our food was cold. They packed our "to go" order of the pastas which was the rib eye rigatoni and when we got home to unbox it, we received a completely DIFFERENT order; a different pasta with NO sauce what so ever (**picture included). Overall, for the price of this place ($175/person) and the food + service we received, it was most certainly NOT WORTH IT!! Super disappointed after reading the current reviews. They shouldn't over book if they're going to seat people almost an hour after their reservations. Got there at 7:15pm and left the restaurant at 11:30pm. Over 4 hours later.... NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!! read more

Willow - What we ordered - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This is a beautiful restaurant in downtown Sacramento not too far from old Sacramento off ofJ/4th streets . Friendly staff service was good. Food was good. I ordered salmon Benedict and my husband got the Willow order for brunch eggs bacon sourdough toast. Their homemade biscuit was not very good and the jam was more like syrup, but other than that, it was absolutely delicious! I got a cappuccino, which was excellent and ordered a side Caesar salad that had actual anchovies in it that were mild, and it was absolutely delicious. I recommend going there for brunch. We need to check out dinner sometime. they have valet service, which is very convenient and they will validate that for you so it's worth it basically free parking just a tip. read more

Amazing service, gorgeous interior, and yummy food! I didn't order any cocktails, but heard from others in my group that they were fantastic. The pasta was good, it definitely tasted very fresh and flavorful. The ceasar salad was also great, very crispy and lots of flavor. The focaccia didn't blow me away as I expected it too. More bready than the general oily focaccia I've had previously, but still good. Great for scooping up extra pasta sauce. read more

Willow - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Went for Happy Hour. Menu is limited but there are decent options. Had the spicy capellini and it was very good. I'd have liked a bit of parmigiana on top, but the flavors were amazing and it had a kick but not too spicy to enjoy. The tequila cocktail was also very good and refreshing. Will definitely come back during regular hours read more

Willow - Spicy Capellini - delicious - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

Came here for a family birthday dinner after hearing so much about it. Valet parking was a breeze and the ambience is beautiful. Tyler was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and gave excellent recommendations. The panzanella salad we ordered on his recommendation was delicious, and we all loved our entrees (paccheri pasta, bucatini carbonara, and a very unique and fresh take on eggplant parmesan). Excellent customer service, attentive but not overbearing. I'll be back! read more

Willow delivers a true low-key upscale dining experience. The ambience is refined but welcoming, making it a great spot for date nights or a relaxed elevated evening out. We started at the bar with John, who was fantastic. His drinks were excellent, he was very attentive, knowledgeable, and engaging. He helped set the tone for a great night. At our table, we were pleasantly surprised to be served by Jordan, who we recognized from a place we used to frequent. His service was phenomenal -- attentive without hovering, perfectly paced, and very knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings. Honestly some of the best service we've received in Sacramento. The only experience that compares for us is The Kitchen, which speaks volumes. We began with the pork belly sliders and seared scallops, both superb. For our mains, we had the Paccheri shrimp pasta, which was balanced and flavorful, and the Wagyu prepared medium, which was tender, rich, and high quality. Jordan's recommended bottle of wine complemented everything perfectly. The team at Willow is clearly doing great things for Sacramento's food culture. We'll definitely be back. read more

Willow burger was really good. Service was fast and restaurant was very nice. Clean, comfortable and overall great ambiance. read more

Willow - Willow burger - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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The meatballs and chicken breast were amazing, I would definitely order those 2 items again. The service was attentive and friendly. This is definitely a place for special occasions, I went here for Christmas dinner and it is a business casual vibe. I would come back here again. read more

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I made a reservation for my best friend's birthday dinner because she wanted Italian food and I've been wanting to try this restaurant. Upon walking in, we were immediately welcomed by the soft lighting and simple, yet elegant decor. Our waitress was very kind and she gave us great recommendations for appetizers, food, and drinks! The meatballs were tender and very flavorful. The Paccheri dish was served with a delicious tomato based sauce and prawns. The Bucatini Carbonara dish was creamy, and the pancetta was cooked perfectly. The Campanelle dish was served with a pesto sauce, and topped with ricotta and pine nuts. All three pasta dishes were well prepared and had lots of flavor, so it was hard to pick a favorite. I definitely recommend this place for a nice intimate dinner, or a special birthday dinner. read more

Willow - Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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I have been here twice. The inside is so cute and the service was great. I loved the drinks both times! Signature cocktails are my favorite. read more

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What an absolutely lovely establishment! I was staying a few blocks away and looking for a place to have a nice dinner by myself and decided on Willow. It's located in the Kimpton and I kind of wish I had stayed there instead of the crappy hotel I was in LOL. I sat up at the bar and chatted with my bar neighbor and the great bartender. I liked that the menu was small so it wasn't super overwhelming - but it was STILL hard to choose what to get! With the bartender's help, I decided on the Paccheri for the duck and it was absolutely delicious! The portion size was perfect for me with allowing me to save room for dessert (something I typically do not do!). As I'm not a huge dessert person to begin with, I let the bartender choose for me and went with the Affogato which was especially yummy to my savory over sweet palate! Great option for a delightful meal in the downtown/Golden 1 Center area! read more

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We were excited to have Xmas dinner here. We flew back from the east coast and had reservations for a month with our son. We were early for our 5pm reservation and were among the first to dine. Our server was lovely and quickly took our order, delivered drinks and took our order. Meatballs and bruschetta were our two appetizer choices. Here's where things went wrong- despite our server checking in and going back to the back, our order never arrived. An hour after we ate our appetizers ( and they were settling and we were filling up) she told us they had just started our order and apologized profusely. We decided to go ahead and pass on dinner as we had plans. They did comp the apps, and we tipped our server for trying, but we left without what should've been a highlight dinner for our family. We also had the $15 valet bill, and the 5 dollar tip, so in reality we paid for our apps with tips. Maybe some other time! read more

This place was recommended by one of my friends so we tried it out. I didn't even know it was located here. It's a year old so no wonder. They have valet parking for 10 bucks but we parked in the DOCO garage next door. They don't validate for this garage so we went to Macys and bought something and got validation there. The place looks nice and is connected to the hotel here. That is where the restrooms are located. It looks nice inside. We had reservations and were seated right away. The place was pretty empty yet they sat a party right next to us. No reason I guess but it would of been nice to have them further away since the place was empty. Sorry in my first post I said the waitress and I was mistaken. It was the water girl / bus girl that smelled of weed.. Not a good thing. I hate that smell and I would of not expected that in a restaurant of this style to let that go. I asked our server if they had a cognac or Scotch menu but they didn't and she asked what I was looking for. I asked for my usual Remy Martin but she came back to the table and said they only had Hennessey which I don't like. She recommended an Armagnac which I got and it was pretty good. She said it was 18 but I thought that was what it cost. I saw on the later on the dessert menu that it was Laubade 18 years old and it was 23 bucks. I'm glad it wasn't 100 bucks. We told her that this was our first time and she made some suggestions. I got the Branzino which she suggested. It was ok, at least it wasn't over cooked but not much flavor. I know they have sides but it would of been nice to have something with the fish. I was still hungry. My wife got the short rib ravioli and it was good but 3 pieces not filling either. I really hate going home hungry when you spend this much money. We started with the focaccia which was good. Nothing stood out on the dessert menu so we skipped it even though we were still hungry. I probably will not come back again. I was surprised that my friend loved the place. He also got the raviolis. Oh well. read more

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This place is connected to a hotel, The Exchange. I live in Sacramento, and I did not know this place existed. We looked this place up and it was opened for a year. The staff was nice. We started with the focaccia bread. It was recommended by our server. It sounded yummy to us. The bread was ok. It was good, but it didn't stand out. I've had better. I ordered the short rib raviolis. The dish came with three raviolis. They were pretty big. They were bigger than the usual size of a ravioli. To me, it was like a dumpling. It was stuffed with short rib. The raviolis/dumplings were ok. I thought the dish would come with at least five or six raviolis. Three was not enough to get me full. I needed like one more to fill me. I was still hungry but did not want to fill up on focaccia bread or order anything else. The price was $36 for my pasta. That is pricey for three raviolis. My experience here wasn't great. I would probably not come again. I dined in better places and food was absolutely much better. read more

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We came for the regular menu, but didn't realize that there was a plated dinner for New Year's Eve which was a pretty steep price per person. We ended up staying and had a great 7 course meal! My favorite was the olive oil cake (which isn't pictured sorry!) They had a DJ, served dinner with a nice note for the holiday, and provided a nice intimate dinner experience! I would go back for another holiday dinner or nice date night. Just make sure you are aware of the nights that it is a set menu. read more

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We went on a Friday morning and it was very quiet inside, no wait and quick to be seated. Friendly server who was attentive. We got the ricotta pancake and omelette and they were both very tasty. I think it was perfectly sweet even without the syrup. I would be curious to try other dishes besides what they have on their breakfast menu. The only thing was that the booth did have some crumbs left from a previous guest. read more

Willow - Ricotta pancake and omelette. - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

Went to Willow for dinner. This place is connected to a hotel called The Exchange. There's valet parking available for guests dining at Willow or staying at the hotel for $10.00. If you pay by card on your phone for the valet there's a processing fee which is annoying, but it's nice you can request your car from your phone. Willow is cute inside. We ordered the focaccia bread. Honestly it wasn't that great and very oily. I can't remember what my friend ordered, but I ordered the Miss Willow drink and the Campanelle pasta. Drink was cute and tasted okay. Pasta was okay...not the best but the not the worst. Both my friend and I agreed the portion sizes were too small for the price and quality of the food. We asked for a dessert menu but they didn't have one but were able to list us the desserts. Nothing sounded good so we skipped on that. Also the service was superrrrr slow! I don't think I'd return as the food doesn't stand out, service is slow, and it's overpriced. read more

Willow - Miss Willow - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

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The first thing you notice when you walk in, is the beauty and elegance of the interior. Classic style mixed with modern touches. Top notch service, our waitress gave attentive service, she was pleasent,Informative, and helpful. The food was fantastic, everyone at the table were very pleased with their meal. The decadent dessert was perfection. read more

Our bartender turned our night into an epic adventure, crafting customized drinks while we eagerly waited for our table. My friend wasn't a fan of his drink and he got, a hassle-free remake --now that's superb service. Our massive group snagged the private room in the back, and the food was so good and didn't break our bank! The duck pasta was bomb, the seasonal short ribs were melt-in-your-mouth savory, and the NY steak was yummy! This is my cute girls night out go to! read more

Willow - Duck pasta! - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

It has good food and ambiance, we enjoyed everything here, we lived inn the hotel here and had breakfast at Willow, which didn't disappoint at all. Very quiet and peaceful breakfast read more

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My wife decided to take my sister and me out for a birthday dinner (my sister's). As we both like Italian food, my wife selected this venue. Our server was quite bubbly. Very attentive and perky, she got along well with the two ladies of the group (me, being a sullen man with a lot on my mind, was in my own head). However, she seemed nice. It did take awhile for a full meal, though. While we were talking a lot and enjoying each other's company, we were though for seemingly two hours....and we don't talk that much. For appetizers, food, and a birthday scoop of sorbet, well.....it seemed that there were some delays between courses. It is what it is, but plan to spend a good amount of time there. The meatball appetizer was pretty impressive. They were extremely juicy and fresh, and coupled with the mozzarella balls to add texture, it was quite good. The foccacia was an Italian taste with a cornbread texture....different, but delicious. My main course was carbonara, in which it was suggested I add chicken. I wish I hadn't....the chicken took away from the carbonara, but live and learn. Still good. My wife's steak was cooked perfectly, and the asparagus had the right amount of bite. Kind of weird to serve a steak without a starch, but overall, a tasty meal. Whether the steak was worth $60+ is something else entirely, but my wife didn't mind taking us out and thought it was a good deal, so there you go. Overall, it is a nice place to go for a fun occasion. read more

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I visited this restaurant while in Sacramento on a work trip. The staff (including my waiter, Joseph) were super friendly and the service was fast. I went late on a weeknight (around 9PM) and there weren't many guests, which was nice because I don't enjoy eating at overcrowded restaurants. (If you don't want to eat when it's crowded, I'd suggest going late during a weeknight like I did.) I ordered the Campanelle pasta, a "Princess Peach" non-alcoholic cocktail, and a scoop of blood orange gelato. I believe the blood orange gelato may be a seasonal item. All three were delicious, but my favorite item was definitely the cocktail. I really appreciate that Willow had non-alcoholic cocktail items on the menu. I'm not a big fan of alcohol, so I'm used to having my options at restaurants just be sodas and waters. But there's a decent selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from at Willow, and they all looked really appetizing based on the menu. Overall, I had a really good experience and I'll likely be coming back on my next work trip to Sacramento! read more

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So beautiful! Ryan was our server and gave us a great experience. I was so caught up, I didn't even take pics of the inside.. but I will be back! ;) The food is pricey-ish, however the quality makes it understandable. My 2 friends and I had a mimosa, Ryan was able to make me a lavender flavored, and they had cranberry and apple. The restaurant is inside a hotel, but it feels completely separate. Except if you need to use the restroom, you have to go through the lobby and walk down stairs.. but the bathroom is so pretty. It's worth it! Overall, 9/10! read more

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Great service and very knowledgeable bartender Nick hooked me up, I had a couple items off the food menu and several drinks. The Negroni was on point and the corn ribs were great. Happy hour pricing on a list of cocktails and food for the win! The atmosphere was nice although the music was a bit loud to carry on bar conversation. read more

Willow - Sorry I ate the other corn ribs (actually shared them with a federal Judge and his wife) before I took the picture oops. - Italian Near Me - Sacramento, California

*Visited in early winter 2024* Tasty and atmospheric but runs expensive for the portions. There were some true standouts! The Willow Bruschetta (5/5) is delicious. Soft, housemade sourdough with creamy goat cheese and figs--very decadent. The Paccherri (4/5) had a great texture, but the ragu was not meaty enough given the advertising for braised duck; I didn't really get much beyond the ~essence~ of the meat. I probably wouldn't do the Polenta or the mocktails again. Menu is creative and intentional, so would definitely give it a try at least once, but may not be a staple. read more

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Another disappointing visit. I wanted to come and try the happy hour and then work my way into the dinner menu. We started at the bar (very nice bartender) he was attentive and gave great suggestions. Finally, we move over to the dining area and our waiter, who we thought was the busser paid no attention to us. Mind you, we're the only ones in the dining room at this time. He's cleaning a table next to us then comes and pours our water , doesn't introduce himself or say anything! After a few times of him passing us I ask if he is our waiter which he confirms he is. Finally he brings us 2 menus to share between 4 people and one menu was for lunch that he tossed at my friend. We finally decided to just walk out. Note, Happy hour is only at the bar. read more

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I at least stop by for a drink when I'm in Sacramento. I stay at the adjoining hotel whenever I'm there so it's very convenient. The happy hour specials are very reasonable and the selected wines are really good. I've had cocktails here too and the bartenders are always great. The service is always very good as well. They have a nice and friendly staff that is engaging but won't chat with you all night. So whether you're there with people and talk to them or just want to grab a drink on your own while working it's a perfect spot. It's cute inside, too. But not stuffy which I appreciate! read more

the space is beautiful and the staff is pleasant, but the food was a bit underwhelming considering the price. the brunch dishes lacked flavor and everything felt slightly overpriced for what it was. it's a nice atmosphere for a casual drink, but the culinary experience didn't quite live up to the expectations read more

Service was unacceptable. Reservation for 5 at noon on Sat. No tables available so accepted a table in the back room. Waited 20 mins for help, went looking for someone, had to engage manager at hotel. He went to speak to server. Waited an additional 10 mins and no one came by. We got up walked by server and manager and received no acknowledgement as we walked out the door. Dodged a bullet on that one. read more

Willow had been on my must-visit list for a while, and I'm glad I finally made it! The decor and ambiance were even more stunning in person--photos truly don't capture its full charm. Our server, Ryan, was fantastic, and the food was absolutely worth every penny. Whether you're a Sacramento local or just passing through the City of Trees, Willow is a must-visit spot! read more

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Ambiance was nice. My medium rare steak was not good smothered in sauce, it was dry. However, our server was great! Our cocktail was on point. read more