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- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11:30 am - 3 pm
Tue-Wed, Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Thu 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
241 reviews for Cafe Firenze
Review Highlights
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"You have to try the butternut squash ravioli." In 32 reviews -
"I am a Top Chef JUNKIE: TRUE." In 65 reviews -
"It was fantastic as always (since Fabio returned." In 98 reviews
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241 reviews in English
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Review from melissa r.
Thousand Oaks, CA
4/2/2012
Probably my favorite restaurant in Ventura County. Delicious food without the eye-popping prices of other hot spots.
The first time I went, we shared three dishes -- the poached pear salad, braised lamb shank, and butternut squash ravioli. Everything was great, but the ravioli was out of the this world. Wonderful breads, too.
The second time I went was on my wedding night. Yes, it's that good! We enjoyed the following dishes: the ahi tuna carpaccio with rock shrimp and asparagus and the poached pear salad as a first course. We shared the lobster ravioli among three of us for a second course. For our main course, we had the salmon salad, butternut squash ravioli, and pasta with duck sausage. For dessert, we tried the limoncello cheesecake, the flourless chocolate cake, and the vanilla gelato. We finished off the night with a cappucino and tea service. We also enjoyed the following cocktails: lychee, pear, and traditional mojitos, and the strawberry balsamic martini - yum! Absolutely everything was amazing, and I would recommend this restaurant to everyone.
And the service is wonderful -- very friendly staff, educated about the menu, and able to joke a bit with the guests without spending too much time at the table.
5 stars, without reservations! -
Review from John S.
Santa Barbara, CA
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
As far as top culinary restaurants Cafe Firenze is in the top echelon when it comes food that has a contemporary chef's touch. We visited during restaurant week and ordered the $30 promotional 3 course meal. It includes an appetizer, main course and dessert. They also serve breads with a tomato and olive tepenade.
I ordered the carpaccio and it is OK. The proscuitto lacks flavor and too thin of a filet with wild greens, pine nuts and olive oil over burdening the proscuitto. Our friend had a vegetable tar tar which seems more tasty than the carpaccio.
For my main course, I ordered the pork chop. It is possibly the best pork chop I've had. Braised then oven baked, the flavors are delicious and the comes through the heart of the meat. Floral herbs, marinated, and tender. It is complimented with well flavored vegetables and a delicious mashed style potatoes which are creamy and flavourful. I think I tasted hints of a rich cream and nutmeg.
The dessert is the best cheese cake ever, it has a rich buttery crust, lightly drizzled with lemoncello liquor, 3 raspberries and a raspberry puree painted on the dish.
My friends had sole which is also very delicious as well as the hand made pasta ravioli which also received high praise.
The atmosphere is that of an Italian cellar with a dim, low lit cavernous feel. For a higher quality restaurant it delivers in service, flavors and selection which makes it is a gem in the Conejo Valley. There may be a few weak selections but overall however it is worth the time try everything. I would recommend Cafe Firenze to anyone looking for a contemporary chef's touch on classical ingredients.
I'm a fan and it's almost as good as it gets. I'd give it a 4.5. -
Review from Veronica R.
Oxnard, CA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cafe Firenze is my go-to place when I want to splurge on a budget. Seriously, it's high-quality dining @ affordable prices!
First off, a DISCLAIMER: I am, admittedly, a Top Chef fan, and especially have a soft spot for Fabio. I mean, he's easy to warm up to, right around the corner (more like a 40-minute drive, but who's counting?) and he's hilarious! And boy, does he know how to cook! BUT, I like to try out one restaurant and just let it be. I'm not that vested in anyone place enough to return if the food alone does not speak for itself. With that said, some highlights:
*Butternut squash ravioli - really does stand up to all the hype. I am always struck w/ inner turmoil on whether to order this or venture on to a new plate. After all, if this is good, other stuff must be good too, right? BUT, alas, I keep coming back to this, and thankful every time I do. Just as good as I remember it! Butter, brown sugar, and butternut squash sweetness covered in ravioli pasta perfection. I daydream about this dish. It's THAT good.
*Kobe Beef, Pork Chop, and lamb - all consist of perfectly cooked cuts of meat. Juicy, easy to cut/de-bone/chew/enjoy in general. I've enjoyed them all.
*Other items worth trying:
-Beef Carpacchio
-lobster bisque
-Filet mignon tartare: mouthwatering! (It may just be my love for
raw meats, but eh...)
-Gnocchi: really are like little pieces of heaven, lol
-Strawberry Balsamic Martini - I don't drink, but I will order this
when I come. Just a TAD too sweet for my taste, but the
strawberry taste more than makes up for this.
-The Chimp: my sister likes sweets and coffee and she seems
to like this one.
-Braised Short Rib Ravioli: good, but they have better things on
the menu, if you're trying out for the first time.
As far as desserts, I've tried the panna cotta & cannoli. Both are good, but desserts are not their forte. The place serves up main entrees that can hold their own.
They play live music once in a while, though I don't know the exact dates or times for this. Nice, clean-cut, and attractive staff, of whom a portion of them speak in an accent. Hey! Doesn't hurt, right? Think of it as an added incentive to go try this place out! -
Review from BnT B.
Chatsworth, CA
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food is good. Service is slow plus they took away my plate and I wasn't finished eating...
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Review from A. C.
Moorpark, CA
5/5/2012
I signed up for Yelp just so I could rate and review this restaurant. This being my third visit should tell you how wonderful the two previous visits were. The service is impeccable from the moment you enter until you leave. Everyone knows their job and performs to the highest standards. Food is Delicious. Drinks are exciting, different, and an added delight. It is surprising how large the restaurant is and there is a huge patio. Next time I want to splurge on a night out, this is where I will be.
Thank you Cafe Firenze for a great evening. -
Review from T S.
Santa Clarita, CA
Updated - 4/22/2012
Back last night to introduce two friends to Cafe Firenze. I forgot how wonderful the Martinis are! Waiter Ross suggested I try something other than my usual Martini (the amazing Basil Lemon Drop) for
BALSAMIC MARTINI,Muddled Strawberries and Fresh Limes, Vanilla Flavored Rum with a Touch of Balsamic Vinaigrette & I will order it again...beautiful drink. We all enjoyed our fresh pasta, but the reason for my update is because we just received a call from Cafe Firenze asking about our experience! Now that is customer service.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/13/2012
INSALATA DI BURRATA & TORTELLACCI DI ZUCCA - BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI, wine and friends. I'm glad I… Read more »
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Review from Kimberly C.
Santa Clarita, CA
5/5/2012
Such an amazing restaurant with amazing food and wonderful food.
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Review from Edward W.
Updated - 3/4/2012
I hope it's not the trend, but Cafe Firenze is now a mixed bag of pleasures and disappointments.
First the pleasures, Firenze still serves up some terrific, tasty Italian dishes in a comfortable atmosphere. The entrees are the superstars, and the butternut squash ravioli, the lobster ravioli, the short rib ravioli and the bolognese are memorable. Veal Milanese is a large portion of lightly breaded veal that delights in flavor and in its delicate breading. The greens that crown the plate make this a sensory delight for both the taste buds and the eyes.
The pancetta grilled jumbo shrimps are HUGE and wonderful, albeit expensive at $17.
Salads are slightly less impressive, with the Caesar salad good but not great, and the pear salad lacking in half of its description - pears...
The calamari and zucchini is still forgettable save the great marinara dipping sauce. Pizza is tasty and typical of upscale California eateries.
Desserts: bypass the tiramisu for the flourless chocolate cake or the limoncello cheesecake, both at the top of their class. Coffees and espresso are very good, as you would expect at an Italian trattoria.
Now for the disappointments. Twenty minutes for drinks to arrive. Forty minutes for an appy pizza to arrive. Similar extended waits for salads, more drinks, and entrees to arrive. Except for the veal, all of the entrees came out only warm, indicative of sitting under the heat lights for a while. The kitchen and the bar were so off, in fact, that our server comp'ed four desserts for us. Little consolation when you're spending $100 per person, and it gives one time for pause when considering Firenze for our next night out.
C'mon, Fabio. You can be one of the best. Give some attention to the details here at Cafe Firenze. We want our love affair with your food and Firenza to continue! Grazie.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/1/2011
We have visited Cafe Firenza numerous times over the past few years. We have seen the ups, the… Read more »
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Review from Sher N.
Seattle, WA
4/29/2012
Went there for the first time on a busy Sat night, ~9pm sans reservation. I admit I was a little biased, fully prepared to DISLIKE this place when I found out it was a former Top Chef restaurant - I basically don't trust the other Yelp reviewers who gave positive reviews as fans vs. regular diners. However, I must say, this place surprised me.
Hostess seated us without any issues although we had no reservations. +1
Food was good, a bit salty though for my taste. Appetizers: 1) Ordered calamari and 2) mussels and clams. Calamari was light and crispy, fairly standard. Mussels and clams were a tad salty in the broth, but otherwise nice and balanced.
Drink: Asked the waiter which of the drinks was on the less-sweet side, and had the Tranquility Martini at his recommendation. Delicious - not too sweet but still flavorful.
Entrees: Short ribs w/polenta and mushrooms and the sausage risotto. Both dishes were beautifully prepared and prepared perfectly. Food - 3/5
Service: +6/5. Truly top-notch, this place seems to be managed extremely well - noticeably very good service. Servers was well-versed in the menu, the drinks, was able to speak to any item questioned. Came to check on us frequently but not intrusive. When he was leaving for the night, he introduced us to our new server, but stuck around for a few minutes to make sure we were taken care of. New server was equally attentive. One thing I noticed was that after we had paid the check and were having our coffee, she was still attentive to our needs.
Would definitely go back. -
Review from Tina B.
2/19/2012 3 photos
High expectations for a Top Chef restaurant. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. This may be because Fabio wasn't the one to prepare our meals, he was filming a segment on site. (You may be on camera!) I would have liked the hands of Fabio to prepare my meals! Oh well...
I do have to say that it's a very nice restaurant with affordable prices, making it a fancy dining experience without the steep bill. Think Olive Garden, but better! Sorry Fabio, hope you're not offended.
Complimentary Bread-would have liked this served warm. The marinara like sauce with capers was so light and tasty, I could eat that as salad dressing.
Poached Pear Salad (Sans the Blue Cheese)-Simple and refreshing with pears soaked to perfection.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Fabio's Grandma's Vegetable Minestrone (Sans Parmesan Cheese)-Sorry grandma, but I can make soup as good as this. I guess that's the homemade touch, if you're missing grandma's soup, this will do.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My friends who tried the Lobster Bisque, the Lobster Ravioli, the Mac & Cheese, and Calamari were disappointed as well. They did enjoy the calamari though. Their dishes weren't warm enough either. What's with that?
Waitress wasn't very attentive or friendly, hope she was just having an off day...
For my friend's birthday, they did give a cute complimentary dessert, some sort of baked pudding.
http://www.yelp.com/bi... -
Review from Re P.
Moorpark, CA
1/29/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Need a place to go for a romantic dinner or when family comes to town and you want to ensure nice dining experience? Cafe Firenze is the place to go. It's a classy, yet hip environment, with live entertainment on the weekends.
I have never been disappointed by the food. The Tortellacci de Zucco is a favorite of mine. All my girlfriends who frequent Cafe Firenze can't seem to bring themselves to deviate from ordering this! Really, it's like having dessert for dinner. Delicious.
This is my favorite local restaurant to frequent. I'm so happy it's in my neighborhood. -
Review from Arthur D.
Simi Valley, CA
1/29/2012
One of my all time favorite restaurants hands down! Appetizers - best calamari, very light and the squid had no toughness as is often the cas in other places. Roasted veggies another good starter. Salmon was spectacular - melted in my mouth and the underlying bulgar and spinach was fantastic. On a previous visit, the gnocchi was really memorable. Have also had the best minestrone ever at Cafe Firenze, and I've had a few.
For desert, the chocolate gelato was really nice, accompanied by better then average coffee. Irish coffee nicely served in a snifter!
Have also attended a soup cooking class with Fabio - and some amazing soups including gazpacho, a chilled apple-fennel soup, heirloom tomato, and as amazing lobster bisque that was cooked and blended with the whole lobster, she'll and all (the strained through fine mesh) - great favors!
Will be back for sure! -
Review from Lana C.
Oxnard, CA
3/20/2012
Finally, after years of driving past Cafe Firenze, I finally had the opportunity to dine there. Overall, I really, really liked it. The bread was good, a nice, soft, warm foccacia. The bread was served with some sort of spaghetti sauce, which was served very cold, and was messy.
I split an appetizer with my friend. The pancetta wrapped shrimp, over polenta/gorgonzola and spinach. Fantastico! Bravo Fabio! Easily one of the most delicious dishes I have ever had, and will want to eat each time I visit in the future.
My entree was a hand rolled pasta, with carmelized fennel duck sausage. Bravo Bravo Fabio! Another meal I intend to repeat.
We shared a dessert, Limoncello Ricotta cheesecake. Oh for Yumm!
My wine was a Pinot Grigio, the one that wasn't Santa Margherita, and it was delicious.
I am looking forward to returning very soon! -
Review from Mo K.
Los Angeles, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
We tried this place for the first time and it was a wonderful experience. Even though it's a little far for us, but the service, the wine and the food was so amazing, we will return to try other menu items. If you are not in the neighborhood and want good Italian food, it's absolutely worth the trip. If you are in the neighborhood, you are very lucky!!!!
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Review from Whitney L.
Simi Valley, CA
4/30/2012
I've done the Chef's Table twice now. First, on a girl's night out and second with my husband as a "date night". Both times we've added the martini pairing. So it's a bit pricey but i think you are paying for the experience. The first time, we had an executive chef bring each course out to us and explain what it consisted of. Last night (with my husband) I felt they could've done a better job. Sometimes there was a chunk of time in between the martini's arriving and the food and the food was delivered by either our server or someone else. When it was brought by someone other then our server, there was no explanation of what the course was. We had to ask our server a couple of times what it was. Other then that, the food was great both times! It's a bit of a surprise which I think forces you to try things that you wouldn't normally. For example, last night we had veal and ravioli stuffed with cauliflower and pine nuts. Definitely not something I would order straight off the menu but was extremely surprised at the taste.
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Review from Filisha K.
Chatsworth, CA
2/7/2012
LOVE LOVE LOVE CAFE FIRENZE!
It's great to have a nice restaurant nearby with affordable but high quality delicious food. I've been here for birthdays with friends and dinner with my family and it's perfect for both settings. The service is incredibly friendly and we've never had a hard time getting a table.
If you're going to eat only one thing here, let it be the BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI. It is divine! Other favorites include the chicken marsala, both of the gnocchi dishes and buratta salad. -
Review from Hector A.
Santa Barbara, CA
4/8/2012
Excellent Italian dishes!
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Review from Lisa K.
Camarillo, CA
5/7/2012
Great food and service, relaxed atmosphere, beautiful surroundings... we'd come back again.
To be fair, Firenze has become our go-to special occasion place. We always come for birthdays or anniversaries because we always have a great experience so I may be biased by my prior experiences. As far as this visit went:
The service: We arrived 20 minutes early for our reservation but were still seated right away on the patio, which was beautiful. Antonio was really friendly and charming and did a great job explaining the specials and making sure we had everything we needed. The bus boys were expedient with refilling our water and taking our empty plates. I even saw them setting up a huge umbrella for a table behind us and angling it so the woman wouldn't get any sun, at her request. Personally, I think that if you don't want the sun you shouldn't sit on the patio but it was nice that they humored her. Also, a few minutes after I got my second martini, a bug flew into it (one of the hazards of sitting outside), and they replaced my martini right away.
Normally, my husband gets the ribeye and I get the New York Strip but this time we both decided to try something new. For an appetizer, we got the pancetta wrapped jumbo shrimp. The shrimp really were huge and meaty and the pancetta was nice and crispy. Even though we aren't typically pancetta lovers, we both really enjoyed the parmesan polenta and the garlic spinach underneath. My husband had the gnocchi rustica, which was excellent. The gnocchi was light and fluffy and the sauce was delectable. I had the braised short rib, but I substituted the gorgonzola pumpkin mashed potatoes for the parmesan polenta that normally comes with it. I just can't come to Firenze without getting those potatoes. The braised short rib was perfectly seasoned and nice and tender, and the sauce was delicious and well balanced. The potatoes, as always were amazing. For dessert, the hubby had the panna cotta and I had the flourless chocolate cake, both of which were scrumptious. For drinks, we had the key lime martini, the melodrama martini and the house cab. The key lime martini was a bit too creamy and heavy for our tastes but the melodrama martini was divine. The house cab was also very good. -
Review from Andrew M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
FABIOOOOO.
Ahem. I watched a little too much Top Chef.
Pesto gnocci.
Duck confit ravioli.
GET THEM. I can die with no regrets.
Atmosphere is dark, moody, and very appropriate for bringing a date. And the prices are affordable! Win-win.
Only con? ITS SO FAR. WHY MUST U BE SO FAR FROM ME. T_T -
Review from Brett H.
Moorpark, CA
3/24/2012
A very well appointed spot with terrific service, a diverse eclectic menu that maintains its Mediterranean roots and a wonderful ambiance. The steaks are high quality and the seafood is fresh and outstanding. The pricing is very reasonable especially taking the high food quality, creativeness and exacting standards into account.
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Review from Peter A.
Agoura Hills, CA
3/21/2012
I have been here twice and both times it was exceptional. I was surprised that a place in a little strip mall in the seeming area of nowhere would be so impecably good. If i had the money, this place would definitley be the place I go every weekend. A little on the pricy side but well worth it. I suggest you go at least once to try it out. Get a martini with your meal. you won't regret it. :-)
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Review from Ryan G.
Santa Monica, CA
9/23/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Walked in on a packed Wednesday night around 8pm without a reservation. When we told the hostess we had just walked out of a local restaurant and it was our anniversary, she smiled and walked us back to a booth in the dining room.
We were immediately greeted with fresh baked bread and the most amazing olive tapenade. Our waiter promptly came to our table to introduce himself and take our drink order. He engaged us in discussion about several wines, and brought usa few tastes before we decided on a bottle.
My wife and I ordered the appetizer special: Fried Squash Blossoms. The blossoms were filled with a light riccota and goat cheese filling, dipped in amazingly airey batter and flash fried to perfection. The blossoms were then topped with a fresh chunky tomato sauce and finished with shaved parm and olive oil. Delicious...
For our entrees, I recommended the Osso Bucco to my wife (this is my go to at Firenze), and I ordered the Rack of Lamb with Pistachio Pork Belly Cassoulet.
The Osso Bucco is a three shank portion served over pancetta risotto and finished with gremolata. The shanks are braised in chianti, and the meat is fall off the bone, melt in your mouth tender. Such an amazing execution of Osso Bucco.
I ordered my lamb medium rare, and it came out grilled perfectly. The portion consisted of two double cut and one single cut chops. Beuatiful presentaion over a rich, nutty pistachio and pork belly cassoulet, with succulent braised baby carrots, and finished with olive oil.
This meal screamed that the fall season had arrived. It was fantastic as always (since Fabio returned).
Salute! -
Review from Joy V.
Oxnard, CA
2/22/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
i made reservations through open table. got there and was seated quickly. everyone is really nice and the atmosphere is romantic. i ordered the butternut squash ravioli like all the hype beasts said to do and i wasn't that impressed. don't get me wrong. it was yummy, but it just tasted like pumpkin pie filling in ravioli. sorry!
the staff was very attentive and our glasses were never empty. our waiter was very nice. extra star for Vincenzo for having a gorgeous italian accent!!
we went to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and they brought us a mini bread pudding cake with a candle. cute little thing.
all in all:
-butternut squash ravioli
-italian sausage risotto
-two coffees
-creme brulee
came out to about $60. not too shabby. i was actually expecting to pay more. next time we go, i'll order something different. like a fillet mignon or something snazzy like that. =) -
Review from Lon L.
Bakersfield, CA
Updated - 4/21/2012
Returned to Cafe Firenze' on 4/14. I have raved about this place to a "Foodie" freind of mine. He decided to call my bluff. Again went with the Chef's table. 5 courses of Heaven!!! Chef John could take bologna and spam and make it a spiritual experience. At one point I think I encountered the perfect wine and food pairing. While enjoying an 07 Heitz Cellars Zine. One of our courses was rabbit ragu gnocchi. OMG!!! My friend and I looked at each other at the same time...All he could say is oh my f..in god!! All in all our meal at Cafe Firenze was perfect. As for our sever we had last time Lindze. She must be good..This time she was managing the place!!! Where ever you are in Southern California.......Worth the drive..One last thing. CALL AHEAD FOR RESERVATIONS!!! Your gonna need them. I think the secret of how good this place is out!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/21/2012
This is my first yelp review. The recent experiece we had at this resaurant is so wonderful. It has… Read more »
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Review from Brandt L.
Houston, TX
9/25/2011
I've been here three times now. Once before Fabio was on Top Chef and twice after. The first two times, the meal was decidedly unimpressive. It was a cut above an ordinary suburban Italian joint, but the food wasn't truly memorable.
I was in the area again last week and decided to give Cafe Firenze another try. Before I did, I went on yelp to get some pointers on ordering -- at least for the entree.
I started, as I think I had before, with the prosciutto and melon. It was well executed and solidly good. On the recommendation of several other reviewers, I ordered the butternut squash ravioli for my entree. It was amazing! I highly recommend it. In fact, I'll go out of my way to return to Cafe Firenze to order it again.
They were also offering a $10 wine tasting when I was there. It was five 1oz pours. The wines were decent, and the pours got bigger as we chatted up our waiter. It's certainly something to try if they're offering it when you're there. -
Review from Jessica P.
Northridge, CA
9/8/2011
Moorpark?!?!? Yes. Moorpark. Don't think about it, just drive there. It is well worth the journey. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is extraordinary. We ordered the following and it was all amazing:
-Strawberrry balsamic martini
-Prusciutto wrapped giant shrimp on parmesan polenta
-Mussels and clams (my husband asked if he could hold the bowl up to his mouth to drink the remaining broth)
-Butternut squash ravioli
-Pork chop and gnocci
-Short ribs on polenta
-Pannacotta
-Flourless chocolate cake
The one small negative is that our service was quite slow. We were on the packed patio on an otherwise slow night. I think there was only one server out there and he was slammed. Not his fault, but the restaurant should have managed that better. We waited 20 minutes for our drinks (not kidding) and had to ask the bus boy about them. Then at one point we hadn't seen our waiter for so long, I had to get up to find him to ask him a question about the menu.
Even with the service issues, I still give this place 5 stars. -
Review from Rolland P.
Thousand Oaks, CA
12/17/2011
I am admittedly a regular at this restaurant. I am very picky when it comes to Italian food and detest most Italian restaurants in the area. Not this one! This restaurant shot to popularity based on the name of Fabio Viviani of Top Chef fame, but it remains popular because of the great food and wonderful staff.
One of the first people to greet you when you come in will usually be co-owner and master mixologist Jacopo. He is both competent and charismatic and makes every guest feel incredibly welcome.
The wine list is wonderful. They have a fabulous selection of great Italian reds (my favorite). The list is also expansive enough that there is something for every budget as well as some nice selections of wine by the glass.
I think I have tried every item on the menu. Recently, my favorites have been the risottos - there is almost always one on the specials menu. The Lobster Bisque is always good and the Braised Short Rib ravioli is a one of my favorite items on the regular menu along with the Gnocchi.
My favorite dish I've ever had here was the Duck Confit ravioli which was on the special menu.
I've recommended this restaurant to many, many people and all have thanked me for the recommendation. -
Review from Anita W.
I came here for one reason: Fabio. As a Top Chef fan and lover of handsome chefs who speak broken English in an adorable Italian accent (specific much?) I was way jazzed to be going here. It also happened to be my boyfriend and mine's 4 year anniversary but let's be honest here - the star of the night was going to be Fabio...and hopefully the food.
We made a reservation and found the restaurant in a very open plaza - plenty of parking - in really the farthest place from anywhere possible. Seriously - SO. FAR. Moor. Park. Why??
We came in and were asked if we wanted to sit at the chef's counter. My boyfriend was confused - "No. I don't want to sit at the counter. Table puh-lease." Because we're classy like that. Yeah. And then the hostess proceeded to place us at a table while pointing out and defining what the counter really is. Oops. So if you want to sit at the counter and have the chef prepare foods for you directly and watch all the action - go to the chef's counter.
We were seated. The waiters are also literally shipped from Italy. Unless they instruct all their staff to pretend to be fresh off the boat from Italy...nevertheless I enjoyed my very Italian, semi-English speaking waiter.
Service was great & fast. Water and drinks were monitored closely. Bread wasn't super fresh in my opinion but the tomato-ey spread accompanying it was drinkable. Boyfriend ordered the Braised Short Rib Ravioli and I went lighter with the Salmon and Farro Salad. Obviously the Ravioli was going to win this one out. Anything with pasta + short rib +cream sauce + fat = yes yes yes. The ravioli were so yummy - wonderful, fresh pasta filled with perfect tender meat in a super creamy sauce. The salmon dish though was quite enchanting for me. Salmon was perfectly cooked - nice crust on the outside but tender and just cooked on the inside. I loved the farro with little diced up zucchini mixed with spinach. There was also a side dish of rock shrimp and tomatoes in some sort of sauce which was a bit odd to me and didn't quite fit but overall a solid dish.
The only cons: Lighting is DIM. I kept trying to squint and see what exactly was in the tomato spread but it was so dark. I kind of enjoy seeing my food. Good thing it was all so darn tasty I didn't mind eating in the dark. And...FABIO WAS NOT THERE! I swear I looked like a crazy person craning my neck here and there, peering into the kitchen, twisting my head around to find him....alas, I realized the other executive chef John was there. I guess that's fine and dandy - just means I have to return again to try something else off the giant menu (must try their pizza) and to try to stalk Fabio out once again. -
Review from Jacq L.
6/8/2011
I came here with some friends for the wine tasting. It was $10 for 5 tastings. I heard that the amount depends on which winery/vendor is pouring. The wine was super tasty. Soo good that Jon S bought a bottle. I was very tempted, but i figured I might be able to mooch of his. haha.
We got the tasting at our table while we ate dinner. I'm not so sure this was the best idea as all the different wines did not always go well with my meal, so I would recommend doing one before the other.
I ordered the pesto gnocchi. I've never had homemade gnocchi so I was super impressed by how light and fluffy they were. The pesto was delicious. Very rich and creamy.
The friends that I went with had gone earlier and tried a bunch of the other dishes and they all LOVED them. I'm sure I will be back to taste more options and maybe bring the fiance along. -
Review from Dennis S.
8/8/2011
This is where we go for a special dinner close to home. The atmosphere is trendy and fun. The service is always excellent and the food is superb. I do not have many Yelp 5 stars but for my taste they deserve.
One of the really fun things to do is get seated at the counter next to the kitchen. It gives you an up front view of how hard the crew works to get your meal prepared properly.
I have had several things on the menu over the years and I have never been disappointed. Your server will always be helful in making a tough decision.
Have fun!! -
Review from Heather T.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friends and I had a fabulous time at Cafe Firenze on a Friday night! Who needs to sit in traffic to go to some clubby/fancy restaurant in Hollywood when there is Cafe Firenze right in Ventura County?
The last time I was there, I had the butternut squash ravioli and I had it again. It's REALLY good! I had a bite of my friend's spaghetti and meatballs (the meatballs were SO tender!). But the star of the night was the pork chops and gnocchi in truffle sauce. I wish I had ordered that because I was eyeing my friend's dish enviously after she gave me a bite of the pork chop! It was incredibly well seasoned and tender, and the gnocchi MELTED in my mouth. Definitely the best pork chop I've ever tasted in my life.
Now I have to make another trip back to SoCal so I can order the pork chops!
Oh and Fabio was working in the kitchen. It was exciting to think we were tasting food he was possibly working on.
They also have a 5-course Chef's choice dinner. It's $50 and I think that seems really reasonable considering you're getting 5 courses.
Can't wait to go back! I'm sad that it's so far away from me.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2011
The day I went to Cafe Firenze with my friend for dinner, Fabio was there schmoozing with the… Read more »
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Review from Emily J.
San Diego, CA
9/2/2011
You cannot come here and not try the Strawberry and Balsamic Martini. It is basically the most amazing creation ever and a definite must if you eat here.
Food is also absolutely delicious.
Our table had the following and everything was made to perfection :
- The Calamari
- Carpaccio di Manza
- Caprese di Burrata
- Oysters Rockefeller: Special of the night
- 2 orders of the Braised short Rib Ravioli ** Amazingly delicious
- The Braised Short Rib entree
- Baked pasta special of the night, with prosciutto, veggies, and gorgonzola
Decor is rustic Italian with amazing floors :] Atmosphere is fun. Service was great!
Nothing to complain about other than I live in San Diego and wish Cafe Firenze was closer because now I want a Strawberry and Balsamic Martini :] -
Review from Starr P.
San Diego, CA
8/4/2011
My friend and I are huge Top Chef fans, so we decided a long drive up to Moorpark would be worth it (we're from San Diego). The long drive through LA traffic was well worth it!
The ambiance of Cafe Firenze is great. It's a mix of classy, old world Italian with a dash of modern and trendy. It's great for both an intimate dinner and a bite with a group of friends. Service was excellent. Our server was very chatty and charming and definitely knew what he was talking about when we asked for clarification on some of the menu items. He even told us a brief story about the origin of some sort of cheese that went on the braised short rib ravioli we ordered (which tasted AMAZING, by the way).
We ordered the quail polenta which was absolutely scrumptious. It was my first of both quail AND polenta, and I have to say I was impressed by the dish. I don't like quail because it just seems so tiny to me with barely any meat on the bones, but coupled with the creamy polenta, it goes perfectly. I also ordered the Penne Amatriciana, which is penne pasta with pork belly. It was pretty good, although the pork belly taste was pretty subtle.
For dessert, we ordered the flourless chocolate cake and it was perfect. The portion was perfect for sharing and wasn't too sweet. Just the right palate cleanser. I also ordered a cappuccino with my dessert and my server (who was also a self-proclaimed badass bartender, apparently) made me the best cappuccino I've ever had, with just the right amount of foam and even topped it off with a cute little heart made out of cocoa powder.
For those who are wondering if Fabio makes any appearances at the restaurant, I can tell you that he does, and that television certainly does not do him justice.
One of my absolute favorite restaurants! -
Review from Myra G.
El Cajon, CA
4/25/2011
We recently attended Fabio's 5 sauces class and it was AMAZING!!! Fabio is every bit as personable and charming as he seems on TV and the class was great. Fabio was more entertaining and funnier than most stand up comics!
We thoroughly enjoyed the class. Although it was called the 5 sauces class, Fabio taught us at least 7 sauces and provided lots of tips and tricks.
During the class we were served:
1) bread with pesto
2) an amazing gnocchi with bolognese
3) unbelievably perfectly cooked chicken breast with marsala
The service was great and the food was perfect. My husband enjoyed the bolognese so much that we ordered another plate after the class. The restaurant is beautiful and comfortable.
Overall, I highly recommend checking out one of Fabio's classes-- for $70/couple you get entertainment, education, food... and a bunch of recipes to take home. -
Review from Jamie V.
5/8/2011 5 photos
The Bloody Mary and Champagne buzz is fading fast as I sit down to write this Yelp review. If I'm being honest, I took it easy on the booze today for Mother's Day Brunch at Cafe Firenze. Probably because you only get one complimentary glass of Champagne!
This was our first time dinning here. We are big fans of Top Chef, and Fabio was always the coolest guy on the show. Unfortunately, Fabio was not in this morning so we never got a chance to see him. Merda! Volevo vedere Fabio oggi!
On to the food....
There was a nice selection of salads to choose from:
*Caprese salad of tomatoes, basil, and buffalo mozzarella.
*Caesar salad
*Mixed greens with candied walnuts and blue cheese with a nice vinaigrette.
*Burglar salad
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They had various cheeses and fresh fruit which was sliced thin and perfectly ripe.
Cold seafood:
Chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
Smoked salmon.
Hot entrees:
Italian sausage, roast potatoes, bacon
French toast
Chicken Marsala
Fusilli pasta with a arrabiata sauce. Not spicy.
Made to order omelettes
They had a risotto and carving station.
Roast pork belly. Porky goodness.
Ham
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Beef short ribs. Excellent with the risotto. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
And lots and lots of desserts.
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The service was very good. Plates were cleared and drinks refilled frequently. It's a very nice restaurant which we would return to some day.
A few things which made me only go four and not five stars:
*At $40.00 bucks per person, let me drink up on the bubbly stuff. The Champagne should flow like water on this fine Mother's Day.
*When I made the reservation, I was told the brunch was $35.00, and it turned out to be $40.00. I'm not cheap so no big deal.
*The 20% gratuity that was added to the check was not advertised nor mentioned when making reservation, nor was it on website. Turned out to be a little over nine dollars more than I would usually tipped, so again no big deal. I could see how this could bum out the frugal. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I'll end this review on a positive note. The kids and I had a great time at Cafe Firenze celebrating Mother's Day with the Queen of Reseda. Maybe next time we will see you Fabio.
Chow. -
Review from Suzie G.
Moorpark, CA
3/13/2012
Fabulous food and service. The best thing that's happened to Moorpark!
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Review from Brooke W.
Aliso Viejo, CA
5/2/2011
My fiancé surprised me with a trip from Orange County to Fabio's restaurant. We love watching Top Chef, so I was so excited.
What's great about Cafe Firenze is their Chef's Table menu option. It is a 5 course meal where the chef creates a unique menu for your table. It allowed us to try a variety of dishes. We had such high expectations we were wondering if the meal would deliver.
IT DID! We absolutely LOVED every bite of our meal. It was such a fun dining experience, especially since Fabio was in the kitchen that night and served a few of our courses. I'm not someone who gets star struck, but it was pretty amazing to have Fabio cooking and serving a unique meal just for our table. And most importantly the food exceeded our expectations. I consider myself a foodie and it was one of the best meals I have ever had. -
Review from Michelle O.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2011
Nightclub review only:
Let's say this place has potential. Came here on opening night, very pretty inside, plently of parking!
They have a bar right when you walk in and one outside in the back, and the dance floor to your right. They also have a photo booth, kind of fun, expensive, $5! But a good friend of a friend paid. :)
Though there were not many people, only two bartenders at the main bar, slow, but the guy bartender did take orders in the order people came in, I didn't want to yell so I showed him what I wanted on my phone, perfect! Can't get that wrong. Super nice guy, heard he was Italian, a mixologists. But slow, it took me about 20+ minutes to get a drink. And dang, the drinks are pretty pricey, the place is nice so I can't complain too much. The prices were about the same or if not more than what I would pay in LA. $13 for my black label on the rocks. It cost $25 for two patron silver shots.
They had a DJ outside, but it was told to stop because they received a noise complaint, which I get because it is next to a neighborhood, which you would htink they would have thought of, the music isn't too bad either.
They had a very pretty fire place outside, blue flames and crystals, warning it's hot! Don't stand too close.
The crowd, ehh, but again it had just opened, so come out on Saturday nights.
Overall, if this place picks up I might return. -
Review from Cheryl R.
Simi Valley, CA
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
First, I LOVE when I can make an online reservation through OpenTable and Cafe Firenze had availability on the night we wanted to go. We had purchased a gift certificate from http://Restaurant.com so that was an extra bonus as well.
We went on a Wednesday, which apparently is the night they have wine tasting from 6 -9pm, as well as live music. Our table was near the bar, which I do feel made it a bit louder than had we been sat outside or in the other section of the restaurant., but it ended up being more of an energetic vibe versus just loud annoying people. The live music was a nice touch and wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation. The ambiance of the restaurant is very warm and feels like you are at someone's home (they even have decorative pillows on the booths).
Our server was Damiano and he was an absolute delight!! He was so passionate and animated in the way he described the food, it made you want to try everything on the menu. My husband had the Trofie con Anatra e Finocchio (pasta with duck sausage). I had a bite and it was full of flavor and was very fresh!! I ordered the special which was a Chicken Rollatini with a tarragon sauce. The chicken seemed to have been over baked, as it was rather dry. Along with that, there wasn't much sauce to help moisten the chicken, so I wouldn't give the dish a thumb's up. While I haven't had rollatini in the past, my assumption would be that the parmesan crust shouldn't require a knife to cut through it and the chicken should have some moisture to it as well.
Because of the chicken dish, I am giving Cafe Firenze only three stars. Had the meal been based on just my husband's entree, it would have been four.
I will definitely plan on eating here again, as the menu had lots of interesting pasta choices and meat dishes. They also have a lengthy wine list for those that love wine. -
Review from Mary Ann H.
Moorpark, CA
12/14/2011
Very Disappointed!!! Our server Ross said he was told by the manager/owner, after we had eaten and he brought us the bill, that he couldn't honor the Star Card because it was a "misprint" in the Ventura County Star Newspaper & brochure that came with the card. We had shown the waiter the Star Card before we ordered and he had accepted the card at that point. They offered to compensate with dessert but we were full & would have preferred the 20% discount off of our bill with the Star Card. We also had a long wait for the food to be served. This was our first time there & we don't plan on going back again.
