La Ginestra

 

2

37

Roop D.

Mill Valley, CA

I hate this place. I find the owners rude and indifferent and the food is just not very good and it is very, very expensive. This is supposed to be a family place, but I did not find it welcoming. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the food is not very good and is very, very expensive? It got one star from me as it should only be considered if you are absolutely desperate; that is to say, there should be a giant "break in case of emergency" little box with those little hammers here.

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4

30

Mary D.

Richmond, CA

For years I drove past this place and never noticed it, but the beau took me here for Valentine's Day dinner.  I ordered a fish special of the day that was absolutely yummy.  I don't remember what type of fish it was, but it was perfectly prepared with a macademia nut crust, and slathered in a pesto sauce.  Hmmm mmmm.  The cesar salad was nothing to write home about, but it was pleasant enough.  The service was attentive, but not fawning.  I'd definitely go back again if I had a hankering for some good Italian food.

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1

17

larry n.

Boulder Creek, CA

I am never eating in here again after I heard about what this family is doing to the Sweetwater. I ALWAYS hit Vasco instead - the owner there is a pleasant person and his bartender, Steve ? is just the coolest guy.

Thanks for taking Mill Valley into the bottom culturally...you'll NEVER get my money EVER AGAIN.

I am also telling EVERYONE I KNOW not to support this "owner" while they DESTROY the Sweetwater.

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31

109

Corey C.

San Francisco, CA

I LOVE this place!

My family has come here throughout our lives - this is what a family-run Italian restaurant feels like.  It's always busy, and the food isn't cheap but it's tasty!

My recommendation: get the Cesar salad and the house ravioli (spinach).  Amazing!

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0

39

Kara K.

San Francisco, CA

I Love this place! Their pizzas and raviolis are delicious; I would recommend the margarita pizza. The service is always really nice, if at times a little slow. Also, there is usally a bit of a wait around dinner time so either come early or be prepared to stand around outside.

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18

54

Julia L.

Oakland, CA

I LOVE La Ginestra. When I was a little girl and my family lived on Mt. Tam, we used to drive all the way down the mountain to pick up pizza from La Ginestra. I have these really vivid memories of driving back up with my dad, and the whole car smelling like pizza. And not just any pizza. The BEST pizza.

I also have these very vivid memories of standing outside the restaurant with my little brother, giggling at the fountain, which is a naked boy *peeing*. I mean, can you really expect two little kids not to giggle at that? He's peeeeeeeeeeing! Eeeeeewwwwhehehehehe!!!!

However, the acoustics make it hard for me to have a convo with my g'ma, so it loses one star.

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4

28

T L.

San Francisco, CA

Holy mother of House Special Raviolis....i love you, I love you, I love you.  I was brought here by a friend 8 or 9 years ago...and now everytime I cross the bridge heading for La G my heart races...Ive passed on the secret t my friends who have passed it to theirs...no denying the yum!

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1

3

Kevin R.

San Francisco, CA

Souless people can only create souless food.  If we can't go to the Sweetwater, there is no reason in hell to go to La Ginestra.  Karma's a bitch.

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29

261

Sophie D.

San Francisco, CA

The hostess is notorious for being a big bitch. Get over it. You only have to deal with her for a few seconds anyway, and since she is so notorious it's kind of a funny experience talking to her rather than one that ruins your evening.

The food is GREAT and they have some of the nicest, sweetest servers. The ravioli is scrumptious!

Yeah, it can get reaaaaalllly crowded but hey, it makes Mill Valley seem somewhat lively!

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2

18

David Z.

San Rafael, CA

Its a very comfy homey family run place that serves excellent italian food.  (i know that seems easy to do in a place like NoCal, where italian food is abundant, but alas, I find it crappy in most places.  Not here. The caesar salad is good, the pasta is fresh, and the portions are pretty big and filling.  Try the homemade ravioli - there are three or four big ones, smothered in red sauce and with melted cheese over the top. mmmm - they are damn good!  

Note: i have not experienced the rude hostess vibe that others speak of. Whatever- rude restaurant servers should not be tolerated - but then again, neither should rude guests be allowed in either.  c'mon people, be nice to each other. Life's too short to be mean.

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0

6

Timmy L.

San Francisco, CA

Boycott La Ginestra. They own the building that is home to the legendary Sweetwater. La Ginestra is evicting the Sweetwater to do "seismic repairs". They have tried to use this excuse a number of times in the past 10 years in an attempt to get the Sweetwater to pay a higher rent. It's worked every time but this time the Sweetwater can't pay any more.  

Additionally, their wine prices are absurd and food is so-so at best.

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12

45

Fernand P.

San Francisco, CA

This place has really tasty pizza! Get the Ravioli La Ginestra, it's on the specails menu. Sierra Nevada on tap, and ceaser is not bad. Real Cheesy, tomato, garlic place. A little chef Boy R D, but I really get in the mood for this place sometimes. The eggplant parm is really great. Not everything I have tried on the menu I love, but what I have mentioned is good.

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0

2

James R.

Mill Valley, CA

Fresh made authentic Italian. Some of the best tasting Italian in Marin County. Casual ambiance. Bar area. No outdoor seating. Family run. Closes for a month in the summer when the owners go back to Italy.

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4

54

Mei Ling M.

Mill Valley, CA

Previous reviewers are correct: La Ginestra seems to be proud of their rudeness but they seem to have earned the right. The place is always crowded and despite the fact that you can't get a side of pesto with your take out pizza (no matter how much you offer to pay), it's the best gourmet pizza take out in town. Ignore the mean old lady...

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30

145

k ..

Mill Valley, CA

Solid meal for the entire family.  Nothing exquisite in any way, but a good destination for a family to eat a proper family Italian meal.  For more refined food, go diagonally across the street to Vasco, and for a "see-and-be-seen" scene, go to Piazza d'Angelo, but for mama's food, La Ginestra is it.

But, was your mother's cooking that good?  Mine wasn't.

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Elite '08

29

158

christine e.

Sausalito, CA

Love the homemade raviolis and my boyfriend swears by the meatballs. The chicken parmigana was also excellent. It is a great place for family and friends, and when the dining room gets a bit crowded you can always eat in the bar. It is surprisingly good!

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0

16

fernando m.

San Francisco, CA

The food is OK, a little to noisy but decent ambiance too. The problem is the hostess, owner or whoever.....wow, only Hitler would do a better job.

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22

112

Nicki S.

San Francisco, CA

the BEST italian food i have ever had. make the trip to MV for homemade ravioli & thebest caeser salad i have ever had. It's even worth the $5 bridge toll!

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35

153

Sher J.

San Francisco, CA

Fucking rude hostess. I would never spend any money on a place that accepts rudeness as standard operating procedure.

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14

418

Nicole R.

CA

The hostess is notorious for being a bitch.

And she is. A total bitch.

But once you get past the hostess, you'll encounter some of the nicest waiters.

This place feels like an 'authentic' Italian place. I think it makes a good date spot but is also very kid-friendly as well.

The food is great, the service is nice (apart from the hostess) and the ambiance is pleasant and inviting (again, apart from the hostess).

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0

10

Randall F.

Mill Valley, CA

As a child growing up in Mill Valley, I had the task to walk downtown and bring back a pizza from here.   Little did I know (after many travels and living in both Los Angeles and in the Napa Valley for many years, that this pizza was a good as it gets.

The food is perfect.  The Caesar salad is better than Marin Joe's.  The house ravioli is breathtaking and if you are fortunate enough to try one of Maria's home made tiramisu you are blessed.  

Maria at the door and register does not appear to be outgoing and her personality can come off a gruff until you get to know her, but she is the queen bee and this is her hive.

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0

3

juls j.

CA

gregarious family atmosphere.
the food is consistently good (for 40 years now).
great bar to hang out for a glass of chianti.
but they got me at the pizza.

this is the probably the first restaurant I went to as a child - and the flavor of a la ginestra pizza is embodied in my dna forever.  when i spent two misguided years in chicago i was comparing every slice of pie i sampled to la ginestra ... in my opinion, nothing came close.

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0

19

Mike L.

San Rafael, CA

Best Italian food outside of the Boot. You just gotta start with a Sierra in the Sorrento Lounge. Once seated, you can't go wrong with the garlicky/Parmigiany Caesar or the crisp and non-greasy calamari. For entrees it's all about the Gnocchi al Pesto or the Ravioli Ginestra. If you still have room and are lucky, ask if they have the homemade Tiramisu.

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1

1

Gigirenee H.

Mill Valley, CA

I have been eating here for 20 years and it is my absolute favorite restaurant. The Aversa Family which owns La Ginestra are the most welcoming and kind  business owners I have come across in Marin.
Tino Makes the Special Ravioli fresh from scratch with love everyday!!!! They are delicious, but my favorite which I have every time (I steal bites from others of Tino's ravioli)..is the Veal Dore. Paper thin and tender with a tangy lemony sauce..Yummy!!! I love this place...and no one asked me to write this review!!
And by the way..I just read another review that said the "Hostess" is known for being a bitch and that she is..... Well, I can tell you that the "hostess" is always the Owner Maria or her Daughter Lucia...and neither of them are unkind, unpleasant or a "bitch" !!!! Maybe someone was rude to them and they were gracious enough to serve them anyway. These are the nicest people in the business!!!! They treat everyone like family...even if you are a "bitch" to them!!!
Gigirenee

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0

4

Luke S.

San Francisco, CA

the hostess is a b i t c h !!!!

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