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Ferraro's Italian Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for Ferraro's Italian Restaurant
Review Highlights
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Raymond M.
Los Angeles, CA
If I were to rate Ferraro's strictly on food, I probably would have given it about 3 to 3.5 stars, simply because it was good Italian food but I have experienced better (I prefer Dominick's in Oxnard). The reason I've upped the rating to 4 stars is because of all of the menu options!
Typically, a little hole in the wall Italian restaurant doesn't give you many options when choosing your meal. However, I was overwhelmed at all the options available on their menu! As you can see from some of the pictures posted for Ferraro's, their menu covers everything from salads to pizzas to pastas and all kinds of specials. We ordered a simple pepperoni pizza and it came to the table PIPING hot!! I took one bite and had to wait a few minutes before I took the next one. The pizza was good (a little too much sauce for my liking), but still good nonetheless. I also ordered a cup of split pea & ham soup in addition to A SIDE ORDER of fettuccini alfredo! That's right...a SIDE ORDER! Since I had pizza and soup already, I knew I wouldn't be able to finish a whole pasta plate, but I was very impressed that the staple pasta dishes such as spaghetti and fettuccini were available as a side order for only $5.95. I thought I was going to receive a small little bowl of pasta, but I was shocked to receive quite a hefty plate of pasta. The flavor was ok (again, a little too much sauce for my liking), but I still ate it ALL.
BTW...Garlic Bread is AMAZZZZZING and I would go back just for that.
FYI...they have a "no one is seated until your whole party is here" policy which can be good or bad. My dad was running late from work in Ojai and we probably would have been waiting for a good 45 minutes, but the hostess was kind and gracious enough to sit us early. We did our best to not hold up the line and even ordered for my dad so that he could eat as soon as he got in. Great customer service. -
Review from Sandy S.
Modesto, CA
Like the quaint atmosphere cozy and warm. I noticed a few reviews on the Pizza weren't so good but we had a thin crust pepperoni and sausage and we loved it.
Didn't care for our server not very friendly until it was near the time to get the check.
Wouldn't mind going again if the server was better. -
Review from Dan M.
Los Gatos, CA
Disappointing....
After reading the Yelp reviews and upon entering Ferraro's I was so hopeful that this was the red-sauce Italian-American nirvana I like to have every so often, however, I found mediocre food and not so low prices.
This place is like the ultimate throwback Italian joint complete with hanging plastic grapes and lattice work, lots of people waiting and lots of seemingly happy customers.
I had chicken breast parmigiana and my date had lasagna with italian sausage. Comes with soup or salad (chosen) and garlic bread none of which was noteworthy in any respect. With her having 2 glasses of white zinfandel and he having one glass of chianti, the check was $54.00.
Perhaps it is a good sit down pizza place, but certainly not pasta heaven. -
Review from Stephenie S.
Frisco, TX
My favorite Italian food by far. Usually a wait, but free wine while you wait and you always see the owner and family in the restaurant. A nice hole in the wall that is always amazing!
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Review from Kyle G.
Ventura, CA
excellent italian food. the ravioli is delicious
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Review from Jim L.
Orange County, CA
Great place for a good Italian meal. Family owned. Good quality entrees. Small but good wine selection. Doesn't have the feel of a mass produced chain or an overly trendy place. Very much recommend!
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Review from Melissa R.
Oxnard, CA
Absolutely delicious, food was great, restaurant is a little small but food was worth the tight squeeze. Soup was delicious, salad was okay, the Italian dressing could have had a little more taste to it. I had the spaghetti with sausage, the sauce was delicious. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food, I will definitely be back
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Review from Greg K.
Ventura, CA
It had been several years since my last visit to Ferraro's but a recent dinner experience reminded me of what I've been missing.
On approach, you can smell the garlic in the air from a block away and it draws you in like a homing pigeon coming to roost.
This is a family owned restaurant with all the earmarkings. Red and white checkered tableclothes, plastic grapevines and flower arrangements, and wine themed wallpaper dating back to the early 70's abound. Decorating aside, let's talk food!
All things Italian are on the extensive menu. Your really can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes and for a casual dinner the pizzas and garlic bread are to die for. The wine list is compact but complete and very moderately priced. The only shortcoming might be the pedestrian style salads which could have come from Smart & Final which is right down the street.
Out the door for two salads, two entrees, bottle of chianti and g-bread to-go less than $70. -
Review from Jamie M.
Ventura, CA
Baked rigoletti and broccoli - OK there I'm done!
Well maybe not entirely done but that dish was A-mazing. It came as a recommendation from my friend after our first visit, and I have to say what a perfect recommendation it was. My first visit, I sadly cannot even recall what I ate, but I can state that it was totally customized to what I wanted down the the type of noodle, given choices of course.
The parking as others have mentioned can be a bit frustrating since its adjacent to the buildings front entrance, and there is little to none in the front along curbside.
With the dim lighting there is a very comforting home-like atmosphere, even more so with the close seating (if you like ample space when dining I wouldn't recommend this place, its almost family style.) The complementary wine while you wait is always a two thumbs up in my book! Cheers! -
Review from Tony B.
Huntington Beach, CA
This is New Jersey style immigrant Italian. If you're looking for "authentic" Italian, go to Capricio downtown. If you like immigrant Italian, you've come to the right place! The food is simple and good, reasonably priced. The salads and pizzas are great. If you're from joyzee you'll feel right at home.
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Review from Darth B.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Huge menu! Been eating here since I was in the womb.
Kids eat free. If you have to wait for a table, they give you a free glass of Chianti (I think they still do that). They get extra points for not remodeling the place into some over-priced trendy hot spot.
Food is delicious. Lasagna is magnifico! -
Review from Vanessa D.
Ventura, CA
Came to this place w high expectations, walked in and saw all the awards on the wall so we were very excited to try it for ourselves.
As we were waiting to be seated we received complimentary red and white wine.
When we got seated we liked the cozy romantic atmosphere. Menu is small And limited selection of food. Basic spaghetti , lasagna and Alfredo nothing that stood out. We ordered house salads and pepperoni and beef pizza. Salads were small no flavor on the Italian dressing.
Pizza was Horrible!!! No flavor and a bit burnt. Will never go back :( -
Review from Janelle S.
Ventura, CA
I could be wrong, but I think this is what happens when we "Americanize" Italian food. I have been here three times, Ive tasted 6 different dishes, I cannot say that any of the dishes had individuality, everything tastes the SAME. If you order something with red sauce/marinara, or white sauce/alfredo. Mono flavor. BORING!!! Reminds me of taco bell, you can order 4 different items, and they all kinda taste the same.
SORRY! But I'll be going to Capriccio on Main St. or Palazzio's in Santa Barbara if I am craving real Italian. -
Review from Amber L.
Ventura, CA
Ferraro's has been my favorite restaurant as long as I can remember. There is just something about the service, the ambiance, and the marinara sauce that makes me feel like I'm home.
I've never had a bad meal from Ferraro's. I'm now a vegetarian, but over the years I've had a variety of courses and these are my favorites: rigoletti and broccoli, lasagna, chicken francese, and of course their classic spaghetti.
The garlic bread, soups, and salads are also fantastic. Best bleu cheese dressing I've ever had.
The only downside is that it's a small place and can get very crowded. Go early or order takeout. -
Review from Jarrod M.
Thousand Oaks, CA
While I will concede this little place has nothing on traditional, authentic Italian food, it is pretty good. Parking is a little awkward, as they share a lot with about a dozen other businesses, so get a spot on the curb in front if you can. Very small and hole-in-the-wall-like, the ambiance in here is Spaghetti Co. meets Sizzler. Dimly lit inside, when the front door opens, light floods in and kind of ruins whatever atmosphere is there. That being said, I don't go out to eat for the way a place looks (who is with me?) The food is plentiful and quite tasty. Salads are crisp and fresh and their Italian dressing is among the best. Of course, let's not forget the garlic bread- it's tremendous.
Although they do not carry the largest drink selection, I noticed on their menu last time I was there that under the 'Beer' section, the following was offered: "Domestic:...[immediately followed by]- MicroBrew/Import: Bud, Miller, Peroni, etc..." This prompted me to ask our server what microbrews were available. To this our server scratched her head and told us that in 28 years, she never new they offered a microbrew. She then proceeded to ask me to describe what a microbrew is. I gladly obliged, but was a little confused at why something would be on the menu that isn't offered. C'est la vie...
I am happy to report that they are more than happy to accommodate any changes you want to make to any item on the menu. I ordered the Chicken Francais, which normally includes lightly battered chicken. I asked if I could get it without batter, to which our server happily agreed. She then asked if I wanted capers, essentially making my dish chicken picatta, which is not included on the menu. While a little salty, it was very good.
Despite little hiccups here and there, this is a great little out-of-the-way Americanized Italian spot. Prices are fair, food is good and I will be back.Listed in: Best ethinic food- Ventura…
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Review from Rachel D.
Ventura, CA
Great food and great atmosphere. Best Italian in Ventura!
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Review from Tami W.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Good old fashioned Italian family restaurant. Dont let the exterior scare you away. Just follow your nose to the wonderful aroma of garlic. A bit of a wait, but offset with a complimentary glass of wine. Better yet, order a reasonably priced bottle of wine during the wait, have a glass and save the rest for dinner. Kids under 6 receive a free pasta dinner. All kids need to ask for the" hippo" at the end of the meal. Food is really good, italian tomatoes used for the sauce, to die for meatballs and the infamous garlic bread and blue cheese dressing don't disappoint.
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Review from Erica G.
Oxnard, CA
I'm in a food coma right now - baked rigoletti and broccoli FTW!!!
My only complaint was that the garlic bread was hard as a rock and my Italian dressing was a bit watered down. My husband was happy as a clam - he didn't care. I am pretty sure I caught him licking the bowl when his salad was finished.
The stars were aligned tonight - our wait was only five minutes, we got a booth, no one stepped on my feet while walking to our table and we got to park the Mustang in the first spot facing the driveway in the back!
It was meant to be.Listed in: My Neighborhood, The Places I Go Out, Top Restaurants
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Review from George M.
Los Angeles, CA
They don't server red sauce here, they have gravy. Great food, great scene, remind me of when I was kid. Doesn't get any better.
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Review from Ashleigh G.
Los Angeles, CA
If you are from Ventura and have never eaten here, EAT HERE!
If you are not from Ventura and are in the area, EAT HERE!
If you are from Ventura and have eaten here, EAT HERE . . . AGAIN!
If you are not from Ventura and are not in the area, get in the area and EAT HERE!
Ferraro's is a gem of place, tucked inconspicuosly along Ventura's Main St. Surely, it's one of those restuarants only a true local would know about. I'm clearly a TRUE local by way of Oxnard since I've been enjoying the wonderful tastes of Ferraro's since I was little - lol. Growing up, my brother, sister and I would get beyond excited whenever my Dad pulled out the round, tin containers with white paper lids, indicative of Ferraro's scrumbdillyumptious cuisine, to reveal one of our tried and true favorites . . . rigatoni al forno (with cheese).
Quite possibly the yummiest rigatoni that has ever passed my lips, I have never tired of its exquisite yumminess, and don't ever plan on it. I'm also head over heels for Ferraro's garlic bread, which literally melts in your mouth and comes out piping hot and perfect. Crunchy on the outside, soft and garlic-buttery on the inside, my tastebuds just can't get enough. My Dad's tastebuds can't either, so whenever we're together, we enjoy two baskets of the good stuff. Shhhh, don't tell mom! The Sammy salad for a $5.95 bargain of a price is delicious too. It comes with pepporoni, salami, provolone cheese, olives, carrots, tomatoes and either Italian or blue cheese dressing. If I order the Sammy salad as my main course, I don't feel remotely bad about consuming my own buttery loaf of Ferraro's signature garlic bread.
You'll love the small town feel with Ferraro's quaint little set-up and friendly service. My Dad is on a first name basis with the owners and still gets big-headed knowing his trophies from basketball and baseball from his work teams are still on display for all to see. Ferraro's welcomes the residents of Ventura County with open arms and keeps them coming back for more of there fabulous Italian yumminess.
So, Ferraro's rigatoni with cheese . . . TO DIE FOR!
Lasagna . . . TO DIE FOR!
Pizza . . . TO DIE FOR!
Sandwiches . . . TO DIE FOR!
Spaghetti and meatballs . . . TO DIE FOR!
Salads . . . TO LIVE FOR! ahahaha
Garlic Bread . . . TO DIE FOR, GET REINCARNATED and DIE FOR AGAIN
When your tummy does the happy dance and you sing the happy tune, just remember who sang you the glorifying praises of Ferraros!
That's amore! -
Review from Steve E.
Elk Grove, CA
I guess the underlying theme of this review is disappointment. I really had high expectations for Ferraro's Italian Restaurant because of the rave reviews here on Yelp, and because some of my favorite Italian-style meals have been served in small, dark, cozy restaurants that looked a lot like Ferraro's. Unfortunately, that similarity ends with the red and white checkered tablecloths.
The best news is that our server was friendly, attentive and knew her job well. Also, I have no quarrel with the Ferraro's prices, which I would consider reasonable if the food was worthy. From there on, however, things go downhill.
The minestrone soup contained at least one slice of every vegetable known to man, but it was still bland, lacking the zest of real Italian minestrone. The garlic bread tasted alright, but wasn't properly toasted, so it lacked that nice crunch on the top.
My main course was half and half (half spaghetti/half ravioli) and that's where I encountered my biggest disappointment of all: Ferraro's meat sauce. Now, meat sauce judgments tend to be highly subjective, so I want to be very clear about the flavor. It was sweet. I suspect this is probably a regional thing, so if you like your meat sauce sweet, Ferraro's will please you. If you like it tangy, you'll be very disappointed, as I was.
Properly cooked pasta can also be subjective, but when ravioli is overcooked to the point where it's actually hard, subjectivity goes out the window. Good pasta is not supposed to be tough. Then there was the over-abundance of melted cheese over the entire dish. When the server took our order, she asked if we wanted our pasta topped with cheese. I assumed she was talking about the traditional grated parmesan, and said yes. What I got was an eighth-inch layer of flavorless white cheese that was melted to the point of crustiness. Not good eats on pasta!
The final straw was a group of five inconsiderate, loud-mouthed bimbos screeching away at the top of their lungs in the corner booth. Not the management's fault, you say? Wrong. These gals were making so much racket nearly everyone on our side of the restaurant was glaring at them. When it gets that bad, management steps in or loses a lot of customers. Even if the food had been terrific, I'd be hesitant to return because Ferraro's clearly doesn't give a flying fig about the comfort of their customers. Based on our entire dining experience, I think my two-star rating is actually a little generous. -
Review from Rhett S.
5 stars for the memories and the cheese (and I'm lactose intolerant).
I've been coming to this place before I could talk (so like 18, j/k or am I?). Ferraro's is a landmark in the ventura community and is packed every night w/ family diners. It's the type of place where you will undoubtedly run into a friend or two or three. The atmosphere is dark, dimly light, and surrounded with grape leaves over a lattice thing.
Ferraro's will always be the best pizza to me because of their sauce and cheese. The cheese is very stringy and just goes and goes. The sauce tastes like an Italian mother makes it fresh everyday (whom I'd like to hug if ever the chance). The must orders are the lemon chicken, pizza of course, lots and lots of garlic bread, and salad w/ the blue cheese.
I haven't been for a while but I will be back next time I'm home.
Just remember to ask for the hippo with the bill (it's filled with candy =). And yes, I'm probably oldest person who will refuse to leave until the hippo is bestowed upon me. -
Review from Jen S.
Los Angeles, CA
My 5 stars are all about the pizza. They make it the way I like it with lots of hot gooey cheese that pulls and strings all over the place when you try to take a slice. The capicola ham is great.
And how sweet is a place that will serve you free wine if there's a wait.
One funny word of caution - the mounted pizza trays have no weight to them, so think balance when you take your slices off the pan or your whole tray may end up airborne, like mine. Woops. -
Review from Jules S.
Ventura, CA
If you want comfortable, slightly mediocre, but warm, homey consistent food, it's either Ferraro's or Capriccio. Ferraro's is the other one.
I think people go here for the tradition, because the food is nothing to write home about (except for the garlic bread! OMG, delicious). For some reason, I just smile when I'm here, though. It's that kind of place. -
Review from Corey M.
Ventura, CA
Wad had high hopes for this place once we walked through the door. The atmosphere was very small, old and dark - perfect for a little Italian restaurant.
Our first disappointment came with the garlic bread which seemed to be nothing more than a Subway Sandwich roll with burnt edges and some garlic slapped on it.
The salads were nothing special but the homemade dressing made up for it.
I ordered the spaghetti with Italian sausage which was very good but could have used a little more spice.
My girlfriend had the fettuccine alfredo and ended up taking most of it home as she wished she ordered the eggplant parmigiana instead. The alfredo was bland with very little taste at all.
However, there was no wait and our service and food was good and brought quickly to our table.
Look forward to trying something new there in the future. -
Review from MARK B.
Went for lunch and the food was below average.
Good salad and bread.
Great blue cheese dressing,
Veal Parmesan lacked flavor and the sauce was runny.
Don't know why it's so popular. -
Review from Brian F.
Ventura, CA
Members of our family have regarded Ferraros as a favorite for 30+ years! Pizza is ALWAYS a good, cheesy choice. Try their salads with blue cheese AND their in-house Italian dressing together. Use the yummy garlic bread to soak up the salad dressing. Sam's Special fried mostaciolli is a family favorite, as is chicken francais, lasagna, and scallone (any style)! Try eggs and capacolla sandwich for lunch! Ferraros is noisy, unpretentious, and sometimes crowded, but its family owned feel leaves you feeling comfortable every time.
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Review from Abby L.
Oxnard, CA
I must say i had high expectations after reading everyones reviews on here which were mostly all 5 stars..
i started off with a salad with blue cheese (home made blue cheese dressing) which i loved. the blue cheese dressing did not taste over-powering, unlike most blue cheese salads i have had.
i had pepperoni pizza which i did not like much. the cheese was good. my problem with it is that the cheese was thicker then the extremely thin crust! i also had the pasta with alfredo sauce which was not very good either. the pasta tasted very bland and oily.
i noticed as soon as it opened up 4 different groups of people were already there. Seems like a popular place. the service was okay too the waiter was very nice but took kind of long. i really liked the atomspher of the place and the decor it was lovely and intimate.
there are better resturants out there. -
Review from Bruce W.
Camarillo, CA
Our favorite place in Ventura for over 35 years. Pasta al forno and pizza are fabulous and enough for 2 meals. Salad and garlic bread always good.
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Review from Clarissa H.
Oxnard, CA
I don't see how anyone can even fathom disliking this place, at all. Or even trying to say it's "nothing special".
Let me telll you.... Mary ( I believe is the owner's name ) God bless her soul runs this restaurant fabulously... This has to be Ventura's little Italian gem.. I've been to other places, nothing compares to their blue cheese on their salad. It's not too mayonnaise-y, it's not overbearingly salty, and you get the most rich, plump chunks of blue cheese, please tell me I'm not the only one who orders it on the side to soak my garlic bread in?
Yes the pizza is salty, but damn I love the way the cheese falls off the pizza the way it should! On the weekends, expect it to get crowded, it's busy! Good for them! It's small and quaint, but those are the things I really appreciate about FAMILY OWNED restaurants. It's been around since before I was born, kept their decorations the same, kept their food almost the same. I will say the fettucine alfredo is a little bland, but you will NEVER go wrong with their blue cheese dinner salad and cheese pizza.
P.S. What happened to the cool wooden bowls they had? Last time I went there I got some clear plastic crap. -
Review from Dennis C.
Ventura, CA
There's good reason why the line is out the door at Ferraro's by 6:30 many evenings and has been for the 20+ years we've been going there. The food is mostly home-style pasta dishes with heavy red marinara that may be too sweet for Martha Stewart; not high "Italian Cuisine" but its great and there's plenty of it. White sauces are good too, as are the seafood specials.
The pizza is thick and heavy, and some of the best in the area; with no resemblance to chain pizza. Two pieces are a meal for most. Ask for the pizza to be baked "well done" to brown the thick layer of mozzarella. Service is usually good. Between 6 and 8PM expect to wait...but you'll get a glass of jug wine so who cares? -
Review from Annie Y.
Oxnard, CA
I happen to LOVE this place. I always get the "sam's special" and the hubby get's the clams & Linguini...Great prices, great food and even better service. As long as i'm living in Ventura county this is my go-to italian food place!
Ps... i agree that the bleu chz dressing is so yummy too! -
Review from Christine J.
Tulsa, OK
This is where you want to take a date if you're in or around Ventura county. It's barely noticable on Main st. I dig the small family atmosphere and the romantic setting. You don't really feel like there are a lot of people there. The staff is always polite and efficient. It was full but wait was 2 minutes...I was amazed at how staff swooped old dishes, cleaned, and set our table.
I got the spaghetti with meatballs...huge. I end up licking my fingers because the garlic bread is so good, I try not to fill up on it. At the end try the Spumoni and you'll fall in love with this place.Listed in: Good for Groups
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Review from greg f.
Camarillo, CA
Ferraro's in Ventura, Ottavio's in Camarillo, and Dominick's in Oxnard are all excellent but Ferraro's is my personal favorite. The pizza is the best west of NY. The salmon is tremendous!
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Review from Kristyn M.
Ventura, CA
LOVE!!! The best pizza in Ventura. We usually go during the week since they get sooo busy on the weekends.
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Review from Patrick R.
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
I've been coming to Ferraro's since I was a kid, and it's nice to see that the place hasn't changed at all. Service is always top-notch, and you can count on getting something good from the kitchen. Prices are very reasonable for a place with this kind of quality. I'd recommend it to anybody looking for Italian in Ventura.
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Review from Matte B.
Ventura, CA
This is what simple traditional Italian should taste like. Ferraro's has the ability to feature top notch Italian dishes without the pretentious atmosphere associated with too many Italian restaurants. I think the fried rigolette with broccoli and a side of the tomato sauce is about as good a dish as I've ever had.
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Review from Alyssa K.
Camarillo, CA
one of my favorite restaurants, if not my number one fave :) i love ferraro's. my parents are regulars. get the italian fried rigaletti! cheesy and garlicy = amazing. their antipasto is also really good, their blue cheese dressing is sooo good. my boyfriend and i get the antipasto and split the rigaletti- and we always, always have leftovers! their garlic bread is also super yummy.
it's small. believe it or not, it used to be even smaller! they made it bigger after a fire. it's still small, and some of the tables are really close together. there will probably be a little bit of a wait, because they don't take reservations. but while you're waiting they give you a glass of wine for free! just go ask at the bar and they will give you a glass. or actually a plastic cup, but whatever.
i'd recommend splitting the rigaletti. and try dipping the rigaletti into the blue cheese, it's amazing ;) -
Review from maggie d.
Ventura, CA
...is it just me, or does everything here taste the freaking same?!
oh, but yeah, yeah, it's a Ventura standard, etc. etc.
friendly waitstaff, tasty boxed wine. -
Review from Cara S.
San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA
Well this is not a place to go if you are on a diet..... love the Sam Salad with Home made Blue Cheese dressing. Also the cheese ravioli. with marinara and baked cheese on top is a true yummy in my tummy entree. I have been going here for 20 years and the staff is still nice the food is still excellent and my children love it also.
