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Alberto's Ristorante
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1219 Forest Ave Ste BPacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 373-3993
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Alberto's Ristorante
Review Highlights
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"The meatballs are pretty dang good too." In 4 reviews -
"Bold garlic flavored garlic bread." In 2 reviews -
"This is a great little mom & pop Italian restaurant." In 2 reviews
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23 reviews in English
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Review from Dawn P.
Monterey, CA
4/9/2012
What a great hidden gem! We checked this local Italian restaurant out after seeing Alberto on one of the local tv chanels...Alberto is a very friendly man with a very nice restaurant. This is some of the best Italian food on the Monterey Peninsula and the ambiance is initimate "just enough", with service that was wonderful as well. We split a cesar salad, had the veal marsala and the chicken fettucini alfredo and ended the meal with a piece of tiramasu - my husband thinks it was the best tiramasu he has ever had. All of the food was fresh, well presented and had wonderful flavors....we will be back and we will certainly recommend Alberto's to our guests that are looking for a "local" restaurant with great Italian food at very reasonable prices.....Thanks Alberto for a great evening - we WILL see you soon! John and Dawn at The Jabberwock Bed and Breakfast Inn.
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Review from Dani P.
Carmel, CA
5/3/2012
Tiny Italian Restaurant that should not be missed!!!
I grew up in an Italian household and though the menu items are more of your "Italian American" favorites, I thought this place had the best offerings for that style of cooking in the area. At 8pm, we were greeted by a waiter opening the door for us and directing us to a comfortable table. It was a late seating for the local demographic, and we were the only patrons. Not once did we feel rushed to leave so they could go home. From the great bread to the flavorful rigatoni with sausage to the excellent service, we had a wonderful experience.
Alberto's would fit perfectly as a corner restaurant in the neighborhood I grew up in. Yes, it's in a strip mall but we live in the suburbs, where else are they going to be? Don't let the location turn you off. -
Review from Jose d.
Mill Valley, CA
4/11/2012
Went here over another Italian place because of the reviews on Yelp... What the hell is wrong with you guys? Or are there no decent Italian places in the area?
Strike one: visibly dirty glass ware was pointed out to the waiter. He took the glasses away and wiped them. He didn't bring new clean ones. And the rest of the place looked dingy and not clean.
Strike two: food was mediocre at best. My chicken Alfredo was fine (but just fine) and my kids both had baked ziti that was ok. My wife's veal parmigiana was ok at first, but then had a funky taste for the second half. It tasted a little fishy (veal?). We'll update if there is more than the bad taste.
Strike three: the waiter made small talk with us and revealed himself to be a major racist. He speaks multiple languages, but doesn't seem to like any of the people from those countries...
With that, there have to be better Italian places in the area! A four and a half star average, really???? -
Review from Andrew E.
Monterey, CA
3/2/2012
Only been here once but it made a great impression. My girlfriend and I went here for Valentines day and are looking forward to going back. The ambiance was nice, and I love how small it is. The staff was very friendly and eager to please. The food was awesome and I like the fact that you can see into the kitchen. It feels very homey and comfortable. I had a calamari and seafood pasta dish that was delicious and the seafood was very fresh. Plus it's so close to my house I can walk! Try this place!
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Review from Patricia C.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/25/2012
The place was empty at 7 PM on a weekend. That can never be a good sign. This is a place with exactly a dozen customer tables-- small enough that it should not get too loud, even with a "crowd." The server was in a snit most of the time we were there, grumbling out loud to no one in particular. Not a pleasant experience. My Chicken Piccata was way too salty-- both the chicken and the accompanying al dente green beans. My companion had the Chicken Marsala, which came with no vegetable and was under-salted. The dinners came with a side of fettucine marinara with the pasta al dente. The chicken was perfectly cooked: tender and juicy while cooked through.
Soon after we were served, the chef/owner and server sat down at the table next to us to chat with each other. It seemed just a tad too unprofessional, but was handy when we needed attention. The background music was first a series of classic Italian "peasant" songs (e.g., 'O Sole Mio) followed by an Andrea Bocelli CD. This might have been fine if the restaurant had guests at all 12 tables, but only the Bocelli songs were appropriate with an empty house.
I'm quite sure that the chef could still whip up a tasty, traditional Italian dinner, but the meals we had were not well executed. Someone is not paying attention to details in the kitchen. Tonight, the menu did not include meatball dishes. The seafood was filet of sole. The veal dishes were what you'd expect: piccata, marsala, parmigiana. -
Review from Christine P.
Andover, KS
3/8/2012
I have eaten here about ten times and the food is always fantastic. The atmosphere is very nice and Alberto is fantastic!
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Review from Shiho F.
Carmel by the Sea, CA
7/22/2011
Alberto's balls are quite tasty... meatballs that is. I haven't heard too much about Alberto's but the two fine ladies who have recommended this dinner spot to me are very cultured women who have extraordinary palates (Vanessa & Beth) so I've been meaning to try this place forever.
Last night I was craving meat and since I was nearby I called them a couple minutes before 9pm and ordered a side of meatballs... really that is all I wanted.
Alberto's meatballs are near perfect as they are tender. You can tell they use quality meat and most importantly his marinara sauce puts the meatballs on a pedestal by bringing out all it's potential flavors. The meatball itself is well rounded (no pun intended) and has a nice balance. For a minute I thought it needed more salt but then after a couple more bites all the flavors came through... you can really taste the flavor of the meat in this mild meatball (not too herbaceous, too bready, seasoned nor fatty) and I almost taste the cheese (Romano perhaps... maybe Parm?) blended just right into the mixture so if he had added any more salt I wouldn't have tasted the hint of cheese. Low-sodium is great for the geriatric community (sorry PG but it's true) and the healthy minded.
My meatballs came with what seemed like 1/2 a small loaf of thinly sliced pane rustico or rustic bread which is unfortunate for me since I'm trying to go GF for health reasons (nasal congestion, bloating and itchy skin) but it was delicious and paired nicely with the meatballs in the sauce. I also made a tomato pilaf with the leftover tomato sauce last night.
This weeked is the MotoGP and if you want to stay away from the crazy tourist scene (think Cannery Row and Alvarado although I cannot figure out for the life of me why anyone would want to frequent that street to dine) I personal think Alberto's would be a great place to go for a quiet or romantic meal in a dimly lit restaurant tucked away on the top of Forest Hill. I cannot wait to go back and enjoy dinner there. -
Review from Victoria H.
Oakland, CA
2/4/2012
You bet. Perfect place for real - authentic - Italian food. Add to that the quaint little environment suited most ideally for quiet, intimate time with special friends and family. We had chicken canolloni & spaghetti with meatballs. Absolutely fabulous. Alberto was there and charmed us with stories of cooking for the stars before treating us to his special limoncello drink. Ask for it. Tu tu bene...bello!!!
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Review from Jr M.
Marina, CA
1/2/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Great Food, very authentic, great service, I will be back.
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Review from John D.
9/18/2010
This is a great little mom & pop Italian restaurant. Three of us stopped in here for dinner one evening and had a most enjoyable meal. The house chianti, by the glass, was a bit plain & weak, but drinkable - that is, I drank it!
My chicken picata was also just fine - 3 lumps of tender chicken served with fettuccine. The Caesar salad was cold - just out of the fridge - with a bit too much dressing, but tasty. The clams with linguine was also very good.
Ambiance - 5 STARS
Location - 4 STARS
Service - 4 STARS
Food - 4 STARS -
Review from Candice T.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 8/21/2010
As an update to my original review, I've added a dessert.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I give: The Lemon Sorbet
A very unique lemon sorbet with smooth buttery-hints... Prepared in a hollowed-out frozen lemon, and topped with the lemon top.
Also, I had linguini and meatballs which my boyfriend disliked but were very flavorful, and with the help of the server, piled high with Parmesan cheese.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/2/2010
*now* I remember this place! Good people, great service, fabulous ambiance and a lot of heart.
The… Read more »
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Review from Amy O.
11/8/2010
This is one of my family's favorite place. Alberto and his great staff truly make this restaurant a warm and welcoming family place.
The food is excellent...the bruscetta...mmm....the caprese salad, thanks, I'll have more. The meatballs are pretty dang good too.
Thanks for always a great personable experience!! -
Review from Eric G.
Berkeley, CA
8/28/2007
Best strip mall Italian I've ever tried.
Big on mood and cliches.
They play this CD named something like-
"K-TEL Records Greatest Italian Restaurant Songs"
You get Sinatra, That's Amore, Andrea Bocelli, and I'm sure eventually- "Theme from the Godfather".
I was expecting Chef Boyardee to come strolling out of the kitchen playing violin.
Food: More cliches. Spaghetti n Meatballs, Veal Piccata, Osso Buco, and a host of things in red sauce. The caprese had dried herbs on it and it overpowered the bland heirloom tomatoes.
Good bread. Bold garlic flavored garlic bread.
Dessert: If you've been paying attention you already know what dessert was. They did have one special dessert- The biggest damn rhum baba I've ever seen.
Wine:
Avoid wine by the glass. Mine tasted like raisins. The bottle was 3/4 empty and we were the first table seated that night. It must have sat uncovered all night long.
Decor: Fatigue green with swashy silver and gold panache. I think the word is whimsical. I use a different word.
Service: Salesmanship. Rehearsed and lacquered in unctuous charm. Guy uses the same jokes at every table. Ouch. After all of the talk he forgets stuff at two tables.
Profiteering: San Peligrino for 9 bucks a bottle. Glass of red was $7 and I saw the bottle for sale at a store for $9. Nice markup. Spaghetti n balls for $18.75
Tips
There's a laundromat next door in the strip mall. Plan ahead and do your laundry.
First and last visit I think. -
Review from Susan C.
Carmel, CA
7/9/2011
Love the cannelloni with it's unique different sauces. Most definitely my favorite on the menu
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Review from Raul N.
12/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was craving Italian food the other night and stopped into Joe Rombi's just after they opened, figuring we'd be able to snag a table for a quick meal before seeing a movie at Lighthouse Cinemas. Sadly, Joe Rombi's was booked with reservations, so my friend and I sought out Italian food elsewhere. Several of my friends like Alberto's but I've actually never been to this spot tucked away at the top of Forest, so I figured this was a sign I should check them out tonight. We headed up the hill and were seated promptly.
As soon as I walked in, I checked in on the Yelp app and noticed they have a complimentary bruschetta if you mention Yelp--score! After perusing the menu, I decided to order one of my favorite Italian dishes--sausages and peppers. The preparation at Alberto's includes sausages, bell peppers and mushrooms, with a side of pasta. My friend decided to order the boneless pork ribs marinara. The bruschetta arrived first. The bread was nicely toasted and not soggy, as is sometimes a risk with bruschetta. Today's preparation was with tomatoes and olives--I wasn't a fan of the olives (a personal bias--I loathe olives), but the tomatoes were nice and it was well seasoned with garlic.
After the tasty bruschetta, I was excited to check out our main courses. Sadly, these weren't so flavorful. My sausage and peppers was definitely missing some pep--it was missing the kick of spice I love about this dish. The sausage was a little gummy (odd) and didn't have much flavor--I think this was probably what killed the dish for me. The peppers were nice, though a little crunchy, and I loved the addition of mushrooms. I was a little perplexed by the "side of pasta"--it literally was served as a side dish on a separate plate. Weird. But the pasta tasted great--a little too al dente, but the sauce was nice and garlicy. I tasted a bite of the boneless ribs and they had a nice texture, but again, I wish there had been more of a kick in the sauce. We finished off our meal with an order of tiramisu. I was happy to see they don't skimp on the flavor in the desserts--there was rich espresso and chocolate flavors. The addition of sprinkles on top was odd, but festive.
Our service was great--very attentive and welcoming, not just from our server, but the chef too. Our water glasses were always filled and food both arrived and was cleared promptly. The atmosphere inside is very quaint, with an eclectic mix of art on the walls--and a mesmerizing projector of blue and green aimed at the ceiling.
We had the place mostly to ourselves during our meal--this is definitely one of those hidden, locals-only restaurants off the beaten path, I think. It may not be the best Italian food I've had in the Monterey Peninsula--I have to be honest and admit that title goes to Joe Rombi's--but Alberto's is certainly a good spot to consider for a simple, homey Italian meal. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu, and maybe next time specify that I want things spicy. -
Review from Theodore H.
Redwood City, CA
3/27/2010
My wife and I came in last night on the suggestion of a friend. We were greeted like family and the rest is history. At first we had a few trepidations because Alberto's is located in a little strip-mall near a laundromat. Don't let that fool you. What's the old cliche?, "don't judge a book by it's cover".
Inside is very quaint and the walls are painted by the owner/chef/artist Alberto himself. Sally and staff were attentive to every detail, and we were never in want/need of anything.
The "piece de resistance" is the FOOD. Mama Mia, now that's Italian. I was full, but just couldn't stop eating until the plate was wiped clean with the rustic bread.
WE WILL COME BACK, AGAIN AND AGAIN! -
Review from Jeremiah B.
Pacific Grove, CA
2/19/2010
Finally tried after years of driving by. Menu was typical, with some interesting specials for that night. Atmosphere was tight and kitsch. I had the meatball/rib spaghetti combo for $20. Marinara sauce was excellent. Meats were so-so. One of my yardsticks for Italian joints is good garlic bread and theirs lacked to my standards. Service was a little off since the Parmesan bowl missed my table after my entree arrived. Not really a place to relax and converse over a meal on a weekend night. Giving it 3 stars because 2.5 isn't an option, and I'm giving the benefit of a 1st time impression. Definitely a locals spot.
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Review from Nick C.
Monterey, CA
5/13/2007
My wife and I found this great Italian restaurant right close to home. Our first visit was not only wonderful but we also met Alberto himself who came out to talk to some old friends at the next table. We had a special appitizer, steamed Mussels which was just fixed perfectly. We each chose different dinners and sharred so we could enjoy the foods served. This is a great place in a small off Forrest shopping center. We will be back because the food was great, the wine was good and the prices, although higher than usual were worth it.
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Review from Nora S.
Bangor, ME
7/17/2008
I have probably eaten at Alberto's Ristorante at least 20 times over the last four years. My husband and I found it because we used to eat across the street at Vitos, but once we tried Albertos we never went back to Vitos. I have eaten in most popular Italian restaurants on the peninsula, Little Napoli, Fandango, Cantenetta Luca, Cibos, Vitos, Pasta Mia, Favaloros Big Night Bistro, but I am always disappointed because they just do not compare. Alberto is the only cook at this ressy, he makes everything personally and the quality never wavers. He always treats everyone like family. I have ordered off the menu several times, and am always impressed by the specials. The food literally melts in your mouth. I recommend the Prawns appetizer (you may have to ask if they have it) the argula or heirloom tomato salad, any veal dish, cannelloni tri colore (yum, bechamel sauce), the pork milanese special, the lamb special, the halibut special (i've had it both ways, very good) and really any of the dishes on the menu. The restaurant is small, but the ambiance is cozy and inviting. The walls are artistic and colorful (in a good way). As for the strip mall location, with rent being what it is on the Monterey Peninsula, its really not so bad. And like I said, once your inside its devine. I almost prefer its hidden status, this way Alberto does not have to cater to the lowest common demonator. Locals know what's good, and its Alberto's.
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Review from jihon k.
Seaside, CA
1/9/2010
Well...i found one place i can call home upon entering...in having travelled the world many times over i can assure you that this is the place where many of my friends in Paris/Cortona/Lyon would gather...we are not concerned about it being in a quiet location..we are concerned if the food is good, the owner loves his passion and service is there when needed. Darn good and Alberto..what a "love of life". Rigatoni along with the Caprese salad was a winner. Morgan Highland Chardonnay is top!! Some of the best places to eat by many of us in Italy and France are in locations where the mass could easily miss. I find it so limited to hear people talk about locations...travel people and try the best food and you will see where most are located.
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Review from Steve P.
Berkeley, CA
5/3/2010
Great food and great service! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and our server was attentive and friendly without being intrusive. The ambiance is relaxed and classy, although we were there early before the dinner crowd. I'm no expert on Italian food so I can't speak on the authenticity, but it was delicious so that certainly counts for something. The bruschetta was probably the best I've had. Check it out!
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Review from Kim B.
Los Altos, CA
10/9/2008
My husband and I have been here numerous times and LOVE it. Alberto is great, we have met him several times and when we go in now he treats like old friends. The food has been consistently good each time we have eaten there. Our favorite is the spaghetti and meatballs. Whenever we are in the area and can go to Alberto's we do!
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Review from judie m.
Pebble Beach, CA
12/1/2009
Long been my favorite restaurant in town. The service is excellent, the staff is friendly and Alberto himself is an great character with amazing stories to share. The chicken marsala is beyond excellent, and all their desserts are beyond yummy. I can't wait to go back.
