Il Fornaio
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
9 Reviews for Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio (Burlingame) was one of my reliable dining destinations when we were living in the Bay Area, certainly my de facto choice when Italian came to mind. I think it's a good (albeit rare) example of a chain restaurant that can succeed on the quality of its food. (Olive Garden, don't even bother.)
So I went to this Roseville location with high expectations...and was sadly underwhelmed. I've been there twice, and have sampled a number of entrees among the people I was with. There is nothing blatantly, inherently "bad" or "wrong" with the food, but there just seems to be a lack of sensitivity to quality, on the part of the chefs.
I'll be back, because it's "good enough", and sometimes you just want something a bit more upscale and interesting than Buca across the street. Piatti is often compared to Il Fornaio, so I may give that a try next.
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Il Fornaio tops my list for Italian eats in South Placer (family or private owned Italian places are a rarity here). Chefs seem to change hands often which will affect some of the specials whereas the Italian standards are always delightful and traditional. The tiramisu was to die for.
However, there is a little know fact on how you can eat at Il Fornaio for FREE once a month. They have a passport program that highlights the various regions of Italy that changes each month. Usually there is a chef that has some sort of kinship to this area and he derives a special menu tailored to the produce, styles and flavors of the region and then all the Il Fornaio's will run that Passport menu for a month.
As each new menu debuts on the first Tuesday of every month, they will have a tasting menu of wines and foods for people to come in and try. You are sat with a big group and get to try four to six of the dishes in smaller portions. Definitely filling and ideal for adventurous foodies.
Call ahead and ask to be be part of the Passport tasting group and you are in! I think they even throw in a free gift, last time I got a hand painted ceramic spoon holder and before that was some hand soaps.
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Overall:Il Fornaio is a good chain Italian restaurant. I have been searching for some good gnocchi and I they met my expectations. Although its not as good as some of the gnocchi I have had in SF, I was very happy with it. It was a prefect serving and came with a nice marinara sauce. My server was super friendly and the atmosphere is pretty. And This restaurant is really big!! It surprised me!
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The food here is average. Nothing to get excited about. Because it's in the Galleria you get a lot of children in the restaurant and it can get disruptive at times. Other Il Fornaio restaurants I've been to have a more upscale atmosphere which is nice for business lunches. There is no bakery at this one which is kind of disappointing.
Il Fornaio is a fantastic place to go if you want AUTHENTIC Italian cuisine, do not come here if you are looking for Spaghetti with meatballs or Fettucine Alfredo (though they can accomodate you).
For pasta, try the Linguine Mare Chiaro or the Cappelacci di Zucca (butternut squash ravioli). For a meat dish... the Tagliata (Beef Tenderloin with Balsamic Reduction) or the Petto di Pollo (spicy chicken).
Great food, great service, decent prices
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Something happened to the seafood pasta (Linguine Mare Chiaro) here. What was once a delicious fresh "dive into the sea" is now a canned tomato shadow of its former self. What happened?
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Ew! An Italian family restaurant with absolutely no charm, bland food, and inflated prices.
I ordered chicken, which was overcooked and dry. Even steak was cooked at the wrong temperature and the cut was inferior to other comparable restaurants.
I really do not understand why people continue to flock to this chain for special occasions. I could think of a million different ways to spend $60 on a meal.
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I am surprised that Il Fornaio got two lousy reviews. I have always thought that the atmosphere is beautiful, the service is good, and the food yummy. I especially love the pumpkin ravioli.
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I'd have to agree with Melanie and Trust Me K., this is one of the best Italian chains around.
Of course the secret is their wonderful bread, dipped in the olive oil & vinegar mixture...mmmmmmmmmmm
Then again, I can't afford the prices at Il Fornaio, so I tend to be more likely to dine at Buca (across the street).
Warning: the Roseville "Il Fornaio" is VERY NOISY. The sound reverberates thru the cavernous dining room.
For a more intimate dining experience, I recommend the downtown Sacramento location (less noisy).
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