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La Piazza
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for La Piazza
Review Highlights
"...owner, very consistent and the best Petrale Sole ever."
(in 4 reviews)
"My favorite dish is the pesto risotto with chicken and..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...wonderful Orinda Theater across the street (another gem to..."
(in 9 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda K.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
YUM! I wanted to try everything on the menu and had the hardest time picking one thing. We came here for a birthday dinner and only had 5 people so we couldn't make a reservation but we didn't have to wait too long. My parents and I split the carpaccio which was different than what I'm used to with the red onion in it but I liked it a lot. I ordered the Gnocchi Louisiana which was gnocchi and andouille sausage in a spicy creole sauce. It was amazing! I tried my dad's fettuccine pesto dish and it was great as well. The waitress was incredibly friendly and the whole experience was a pleasure. I will be back to try more things on the menu!
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Review from diana l.
Emeryville, CA
12/5/2011
TRIAL AND ERROR
FIRST IMPRESSION:
Appealing-Looks like an intimate casual upscale-ish neighborhood restaurant with decent ambiance, bar and a nice range of fresh offerings. Pretty busy but not too noisy. Started off with a wonderful Marinated Calamari and white bean salad and fine bread. ..(so my EXPECTATION was a 4 star)
REALITY BITES
1
Immediately noticed when seated we were freezing. On a cold day half the tables face the onslaught of wind from the front door- think....very busy restaurant with door swinging opened every 5 to 10 minutes....BRRRRRRRR....(suggestion to owner: get a screen or drape to block wind for a better customer experience)
2
We ordered Spinach Lasagna, a Meat Lasagna and a Angel hair pasta with tomato sauce. The pasta dish was okay enough- nothing memorable which is fine for this plain dish.... HOWEVER the Lasagnas were extremely rich-drowning in cheese and way too salty. The Spinach version had some sort of EXTREMELY creamy sauce which was not listed in the menu description...unpleasantly surprised- I wouldn't have ordered it. (2 star)
3
The food gets dished out at a good pace but overall service is very spotty. Though quite accommodating they're painfully under-staffed which makes for a not relaxing time- staff is stressed and stretched, can't get their attention (2 star for service, 4 stars for being professional and nice)
OBJECTIVE REALITY:
Good for those that like heavy italian style food...or go for the salads. Decent ambiance if you stay out of the draft or go on a warm day...and don't mind the spotty service. For a standard spot it meets the needs of the community...but not mine. -
Review from Peter M.
Emeryville, CA
1/5/2012
Honest food at honest prices, with friendly service. I really enjoy the Chicken Marsala, and every time I get it, it is as good as the last time. I really like the fact that the food is simple and there is no pretense about what they're offering. You want Spaghetti Bolognese they that's what you'll get: pasta with a great tomato meat sauce, which is how it should be. It' nice to find a place where every time you go you see the same staff, the same people in the kitchen and the owner: Charles.
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Review from Adriana V.
Berkeley, CA
4/14/2011
Drop whatever you're doing and go have some gnocchi here. It is hands-down, the most perfect gnocchi I've had on this side of the Atlantic. I ordered it with the mushroom cream sauce (that wasn't listed as the gnocchi sauce, but they substituted with no problem.)
The texture was light, yet toothy. The sauce held to it perfectly. -
Review from Leonie S.
Oakland, CA
8/9/2010
Dinner and a movie? Try La Piazza before you head across the street to the Orinda Theater... you won't be disappointed. I always receive a warm welcome as soon as I enter La Piazza and I feel right at home. I recommend the following:
Cesar Salad: nothing is worse than an over dressed Caesar salad. Luckily the Cesar at La Piazza is fresh and light with the perfect balance between citrus and the spice of the fresh ground pepper. Perfection!
Linguine a la Vongole: fresh pasta and delicious clams married with a light sauce. The good news: you don't feel like a brick has landed in your stomach after your finished with your entree.
Petrale Sole: So good, you think your old Italian Grandmother made it for you. Ahhh-mazing!
.... wash it down with a reasonably priced glass of Chianti - and it's a near perfect evening.
See you at La Piazza! Ciao! -
Review from Lindsey M.
Chico, CA
11/30/2010
The atmosphere is perfect for a date...unless you want your waitress to treat you poorly.
My boyfriend and I stopped here one night when we were staying with friends in Orinda. Our waitress was pretty rude when we tried to joke with her - apparently she wasn't into laughing. After that incident, she never checked on us until the bill came at the end of the meal.
Oh the meal...that was delicious. We ordered a pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes but it didn't have a chance to cool before it came to our table. Needless to say, it was too hot to eat and the cheese slid off because it didn't set before they sliced it.
I don't think I'll go back to this place, but then again there aren't too many places to eat in Orinda. -
Review from Charlie P.
Richmond, CA
8/29/2010
I went here for dinner with my wife and grandmother last week and I will never go back. Not because it was horrible, but because it simply wasn't good.
Right off the bat I had to grab olive oil and balsamic from another table for our bread because the service sucked.
The caprese salad was seriously lacking: It needed more basil (not tiny little shreds, I want whole leaves) and fresher mozzarella.
My wife's pizza was overloaded with cheese which made it soggy and way to rich. This place is known for good pizza too which threw me off.
My pasta (the special) had zero flavor because it had zero fresh ingredients. Tomato sauce tasted like it was from a can and I can't recall any herbal flavor whatsoever.
My grandmother's pork chops were okay...I guess.
I heard there's another Italian restaurant nearby which is better. Try that and let me know if it's good. -
Review from steve d.
Orinda, CA
5/31/2010
Pretty good. Excellent service. Not much to not like here. The menu looked good, my food was really good, not the best Carbonara i have had but its up there. Plus my my mom really like her meal, the Sol special.
I asked the waiter about the wines and she brought out 2 glasses and let me have some free samples just so i could choose a glass of wine i liked.
The prices were good too. I like this place and would go back. i feel if i try more things it could warrant a 5 star if the other meals hold up. Its nice to finally find some decent pasta at a decent price in Orinda. Every other restaurant in Orinda is a ripoff and taste like crap. -
Review from Katy A.
Moraga, CA
9/28/2011
La Piazza is our go-to restaurant for a Friday or Saturday night casual dinner out. The owner is super welcoming and always remembers us when we come in. The wait staff has been there forever and all have the same great attitude as the owner. The salads, pastas and pizzas are all terrific. We have literally ordered the pollo y tequila pizza every time we've been there for the last ten years.
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Review from Tam F.
Updated - 11/20/2008 1 Check-in Here
After a speaking engagement my daughter had a St. Mary's this evening, the professor (who happens to be one of my best friends), daughter and I had a pre-birthday dinner here. This was the first time I have been here in 2008 and it was just as good as I remember. Fresh flavors and beautiful presentation. Daughter opted for the seafood cioppino special and "the professor" and I both had the calzone which was marvelous. Service was attentive and this is easily one of better Italian places on this side of the tunnel.
They brought daughter a dessert with a candle for her birthday at the end. Sadly, it was Tiramisu and the daughter thought our waitress must have been trying to get her "drunk" for her 12th birthday. We told her it was the thought that counts and opted to go ice cream down the street instead...(see next review).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/14/2007
I find it really hard to believe there is only 1 review for the fantastic restaurant and that was… Read more »
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Review from Linda M.
2/2/2009
On the basis of food alone...I'd say 3.5, but the server was super accommodating to all of our extended family's various demands to split things, have dressing on the side and generally do things a little "off menu."
I had a cup of the broccoli cream soup. Nice, and not real heavy/creamy. Split the pesto risotto with chicken and asparagus with hubby as well as a Caesar salad, plus I had a piece of my son's pizza margarita. Risotto was quite good with tender meat and perfectly al dente veggies. Pizza was average. I recommend the pasta over the pizza. The salads and entrees aren't really enough to split unless you have a particularly small appetite or are going to supplement with some other options.
First course salads were in the $7.50 range. Dinner entrees more like $12-15, ranging all the way up to $20 for the lamb and sea bass specials. They are open for dinner on Mondays and were busy.
Very little signage on this place. It's next to the sushi restaurant and across from Orinda Theater. Street parking was very limited but we used the Orinda Theater garage...which doesn't charge after their cashier goes home around 7:00 (or 8?) on a Monday night.
As Tam said, walkable to "other" dessert options....or in other words, my family can't pass up an ice cream shop.Listed in: Kid Friendly Eats: East Bay
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Review from Maggie P.
4/24/2010
I feel like I frequently give five stars but I hope that doesn't dilute this review.
La Piazza has always been impressive to me. I used to get it delivered to the house when my parents went out for dinner. Veal piccata to die for and the beef carpaccio is the best you'll find since Alexander's closed back in the day. The service is always friendly and accommodating and the only drawback is that they are usually swamped during dinner hours, meaning you'll have to wait for a table. Despite that, I don't downgrade places for being busy.
My brother always gets the rigatoni and although I tell my mom hers is the best I've ever eaten, La Piazza takes the cake. Tomatoey, creamy, meaty, awesome.
The perfect place to come before or after a movie across the street. -
Review from Terre C.
Orinda, CA
3/25/2011
We really like this place. It is not a fancy place with a great chef, it's a really consistent pasta and pizza place with a decent wine list. Great place before or after a movie at the Orinda Theatre. An earlier revieweer put it well: it's very consistent.
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Review from Herb S.
Lafayette, CA
6/9/2011
Do It !!! This quaint Italian restaurant is wonderful. (I shouldn't be writing this, I don't want to contribute to longer waits..{:{D) Great food, great service and worth going out of your way for. Sit at the counter & watch them make the pasta and pizzas (brick oven).
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Review from Ali L.
Lafayette, CA
11/13/2006
Where did this place come from?? I grew up in the "LaMOrinda" yay-rea, and I guess I'm just not up to date with all the new stuff around the Orinda theatre. We went here the other night to meet some friends for dinner - their recommendation. The restaurant is a little cozy (a.k.a. small) and parking was a bit of a bi0tch, but otherwise, the eats were delish!
Here's the rundown...
-Service = 10
Attentive, friendly, sense of humor (BIG plus!)
-Food = 10
She recommended the ham and pea linguine in a cream sauce. I asked for noodles el dente - and got just that! yUm!
-Ambiance = 8
A little too cozy for my clausterphobic taste
...almost forgot...
-Price = $10-$20 entrees
-Setting = good for a casual date
Only regret = didn't leave enough room for desert :( -
Review from Jennifer M.
San Mateo, CA
12/28/2010
I will start with the positive, since with work, I'm fairly certain they can improve - this place does have heart. The bread is fabulous and my sparkling water (Sole brand) was really nice.
Now...sigh...I cannot hold back. Our food was horrible. My husband and I were on a rare date (two small kids and no time...) and I was looking forward to dinner and a movie (The movie theater across the street is great). I came to yelp and with such great reviews and the location, we picked La Piazza. Since it was just the two of us, we sat at the counter so we could watch the chefs do their thing. I think that was the first mistake. Watching the cook pull out one canned ingredient after another, dousing sauces with cream that constantly sat on a counter and adding Real Lemon (the store bought lemon flavoring in a bottle) instead of fresh lemon juice kind of ruined my appetite. My husband and I LOVE Linguine al Vongole and order it any time it's on a menu, so when I saw theirs, I jumped on it. REAL Linguine al Vongole does not have cream...and had it said on their menu that they put cream in it, I would have modified my order or ordered something else.
I watched the cook butcher the sauce. It was really sad. I kept telling myself that it wasn't mine, but when I saw the canned clams go in, I knew I was doomed. My husband ordered the Rigatoni and it tasted like Chef Boyardee - but saltier. The pasta was precooked, refrigerated and warmed in hot water so really over cooked. My linguine sauce tasted like a lemon cream sauce with soggy, over saturated clams. NOT Linguine al Vongole by any means. I couldn't taste any garlic, parsley or white wine that normally makes up the sauce. Anyway, bad, all around. I wish I had it in me to return dishes, but I'm still working on that.
So, with a REALLY disappointing meal, I thought I would drown the bad taste in my mouth with a cappuccino that looked really appetizing. It tasted like old, burnt coffee in milk. Terrible.
I will mention tho that when our waitress brought our check, I told her (more as a suggestion than a complaint - I know, wimpy...) that my sauce was overwhelmingly lemony and she apologized and asked if I would like to change it with something else. Nice, but since clearly we were done with our meal, it seemed a bit silly to me that she would ask that.
Anyway, I will NEVER go back there, sadly, and wish I knew what I missed since so many reviews seem so positive. They seriously need a visit from Gordon Ramsey. -
Review from Mo P.
New Hope, PA
1/14/2008
If you're interested in a dinner and a movie this is your spot. Buy some tickets next door at the movie theater with screens the size of home televisions and have a pizza across the street.
The pasta with seafood was a hit. The duck pizza could be skipped. The mushroom and sausage pizza was good and the Margherita was decent.
The service is friendly and I'd go back if I were watching a movie across the street otherwise I'd go to other upscale pizza joints like Pizza Antica or Pizzaiolo. -
Review from David C.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2010
We ate here because they donated %25 of food AND alcohol sales to the fight against aids during Dining Out For Life.
It was my first time at this restaurant and it is my new favorite Italian in the east bay. They start you off with a bread basket that had a great sourdough and another slightly cheesy, delicious bread.
The waitor was very helpful and it was no problem to substitute chicken for prosciutto in my carbonara, even though there were no chicken posta dishes on the menu. The service was quick and I had many water refills even though the restaurant was full.
When our food came out it was great. My bowl of pasta was a large portion! My vegetarian girlfriend ordered Tri-fungi and substituted in gnocchi. Her gnocchi was soft and tasty. The mushroom sauce was super mushroomy "in a good way" according to her. I am not a mushroom fan but I still enjoyed it.
Desert. The best part!
The chocolate gnache was amazing! A cup with three balls of chocolate and one of cream was easily rich enough for the two of us. If you like chocolate, this is a must have.
In general all of the food tasted fresh and was perfectly prepared. I will return. -
Review from Lisa R.
Updated - 11/28/2010
I love love the food, especially the prosciutto pear pizza, and the staff is very friendly, but why 4 instead of 5 stars?.... The soda is way overpriced at $3 a piece (you can buy a 12 pack for that price!)...and there are no refills on the soda because they give you a small glass soda that they pour out of....wear do you even buy soda like that?! Plus the restaurant only takes reservations if you are a party of 6 or more, which is great if your coming with a lot of people, but annoying if you are just 2 or 4 people.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/12/2010
I got the proscuitto, pear, and gargonzola pizza...delicious! My friends both got a different type… Read more »
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Review from Shadi R.
El Sobrante, CA
12/7/2008
3 1/2 stars
Dont come here on a saturday night between 5pm-7pm
Since it's such a small place (at most 15 tables) it gets packed quick and during those times the wait is crazy. Tonight my party of 3 waited 40 minutes to get a table.
Another thing is, if you do come in during these times make sure you find the person writing the names down, because they are not at the front and if they dont see you, you don't get your name down. They are a little disorganized when it comes to these things and seating people so be ready for that to.
Now once you actually get a seat it's all good from there. Food is good and service is solid. pricey but good. -
Review from TIM M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
7/17/2009
what a nice find. My wife and I found this place when we were in Orinda. Its directly across from the theater and we thought it would be crowded and a tough place to grab a bite.
We were wrong. Sure they were busy, but the restaurant hummed like a well oiled machine. From the super friendly and knowledgeable wait staff, to the industrious chefs whipping up pizza's, they had it going on. Busy, but well equipped.
The appetizers were delicious. We had the prawns wrapped in panchetta and was served with a spicy arribiatta. Yummy. The caprese salad made for a good split.
We had the margarhita pizza and the fennel sausage.portabella mushroom pizza. A good choice and it paired well with the San Simeon pinot that was recommended by our server.(good wine knowledge! :-)
We occasionally frequent an upscale pizza place in Lafayette: good pizza but pretentious. This place however is much more genuine and
Just as Quality oriented. The pizza here has a fairly soft but if you like it thin and crispy, you can get that too.
As we wrapped up dinner with a generouse slice of tiramasu, our server asked if we enjoyed ourselves and my wife summed it up, "oh, we'll be back.' -
Review from Constance C.
East Bay, CA
9/28/2010
I LOVE THE SALADS HERE! I pretty much come here just for them. I love the caprese salad as well as the caesar salad. They also have another salad with walnuts in them that I'm totally blanking out on since my sister usually gets it. But it is yums! I don't love their pizza but that might just be because I'm not really a pizza kind of person. I do think their pastas are pretty decent though. I just love their salads so much I cannot stop thinking about them! NOMS!
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Review from JJ L.
Danville, CA
Updated - 2/3/2011
went there again and the pasta was A++++ HUGE bowl and really really good! One thing...the glasses of wine seem smaller than usual, could be the shape of the glass??
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2008
The service is good. I am sorry though the food has never been that good. We go here in a pinch if… Read more »
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Review from Ron J.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/4/2009
La Piazza is so much more than just a convenient restaurant to squeeze in a meal before you see a movie across the street. I have been to La Piazza a handful of times over the years. I am always so impressed by the friendly, accommodating service, and the wonderful food in a casual-chic dining atmosphere.
Everyone has their specific ideas as to what Italian food should taste like- and I am no different... but the reason I enjoy La Piazza so much is because the food is fresh (and fresh pasta is to die for!) - the presentation is really nice- and the food is light enough that you don't feel uncomfortably bloated after your meal. I have never had a poor experience at La Piazza- and I expect to return for many years to come!
*My menu favorites include: meat lasagne, linguini alla vongole (clams), and the petrale sole is just amazing! -
Review from Toni M.
12/2/2009
Alan and I met Tam for dinner here tonight. She had been here before w/ friends and it was convenient for all of us. We walked in shortly after 6:00 and were seat at a table in front of the door. It was a chilly night and we were blasted by a cold draft whenever people entered or left the restaurant. And that's not counting the heedless dolts who left the door propped open when they did either. Cold weather areas customarily have double airlock doors to prevent this, but it's not standard here in California. So we were fairly uncomfortable during the first part of the meal. When the restaurant started to clear a bit Alan asked the owner if we could be moved to a table farther back and on the side and we were moved. It made an enormous difference.
Bread and butter were delivered promptly and olive oil and balsamic vinegar were delivered when requested. I ordered a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel. Alan and Tam had hot water w/ lemon. Alan and I split a misto salad and it was delivered split, in bowls rather than plates, baby greens dressed w/ a delicious lemon herb vinaigrette. I ordered the Linguini Tutto Mare from the specials menu, a mixture of plump, tasty mussels, large shrimp and calamari over linguini w/ coarsely chopped tomatoes and a white wine sauce. Alan ordered the Penne Tre-Funghi, w/ porcini, portobello and shiitaki mushrooms in a darkly flavorful sauce. Tam ordered the Risotto al Pesto, which included diced grilled chicken breast and asparagus. We agreed Alan's dish was the favorite, w/ mine a close second and Tam's third. There was no indication on the menu what was in the sauce on the penne, but it was delicious. Service was attentive and accommodating. We will definitely return.Listed in: Eating All Around the World
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Review from Karen M.
Oakland, CA
12/3/2010
I have been coming here for years and have never had a bad meal or poor service. I can only say that about one other restaurant (the lamentably departed Soizic in Oakland). I am picky which you can see from my other reviews, so this restaurant earns its high praise.
All the food is great. I will make a special note, though, for the petrale sole, and the pizzas from the wood-buring oven. Consider ordering the pasta aglio e olio (with broccoli), which is no longer on the menu but they will still make for you.
Reasonably-priced wine selection, amazing tiramisu.
Servers Rachel, Shelly and Annamaria have been here for years and are the best. Most other employees have long tenures as well. Go and enjoy! -
Review from Robert M.
Orinda, CA
11/15/2010
Great atmosphere, caring owner, very consistent and the best Petrale Sole ever.
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Review from Bob L.
Moraga, CA
6/9/2010
Great food, great service, and friendly atmosphere! Been going here for over 10 years and NEVER had a bad meal! Their lasagna is superb, pizzas are brick oven good and their servers smile and are friendly.
If you get the chance, sit at the counter and watch the food being prepared! They do it as an art form!
Enjoy, and say "hi" to Charles. -
Review from Nikki B.
Moraga, CA
1/26/2009
This is a great option for dinner in Orinda. My husband and I have always been pleased with the food and service. The portions are generous and flavorful. My favorite dish is the pesto risotto with chicken and asparagus. We have had very good soup there, too. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the seating. It is very tight seating inside and there is really no place to wait inside without feeling like you are on display to all the diners.
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Review from Tamara S.
Orinda, CA
4/12/2010
La Piazza is hands down the best restaurant in Orinda, and one of the best in the Lamorinda area. Although I do tend to stick to the same thing since I am in love with the rigatoni with sausago and chili flakes, the entire menu is great. I have always had the pesto risotto numerous times and the meat lasagna is amazing as well. The caesar is delicious, with a light dressing instead of creamy! They are always busy, especially around 7 so try to beat the rush! The waitstaff are always socialable and extremely nice, quick service and always great quality food. The owner is always around and is also very friendly, especially to his regulars! I much prefer their pastas over pizza, and their seafood is great (try the Rigatoni and add shrimp!). No full bar, just beer and wine! It is our go-to restaurant. Delicious Italian!
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Review from Trudy M.
Orinda, CA
1/16/2011
We go to La Piazza almost every Sunday evening. Here's what works:
The food is very good, and the consistency of cooking is steady, week after week. The atmosphere is excellent with an open chest high wood oven to see and feel; so pleasant on cold winter evenings. The pizzas and Calzones are cooked in this open oven.
The pizzas are individually sized and really interesting with avocado and cilantro, chicken, red peppers etc. The pasta is cooked perfectly, neither underdone nor overdone.
The wine list is adequate. The service is friendly and attentive and there are always a lot of customers, creating a warm buzz. The bar is often filled with customers, so singles and larger parties both come here.
Here is what doesn't work: there is no chef. The menu is the same week after week after week; even the specials are not really special. I haven't needed to see a menu in years as it never changes. The menu was been set up at its origin and there is no change. Of course that is both good and bad. Good because you can count on getting today what you liked 6 years ago; bad because it all gets a bit boring.
At the beginning the only vegetable they ever served was broccoli. They then added snow peas. That's it. But the good news is that what they do, they do well. The appetizers are really good, their soups are really good, their salads are excellent and their entrees are excellent. So what they lose in lack of creativity they make up in consistently good food. It may be a formula but it is a good formula.
Each time we try a different restaurant, we come running back. Better a solid B than a lousy C. -
Review from Martha E.
Orinda, CA
9/18/2009
We like this local place. I just wish they used fresh basil in the caprese and pasta I ordered (it was dried on every occasion I went there!!!). My pasta also used canned not fresh tomatoes in the summer. Just not as outstanding as the big crowd would lead you to believe. Nice atmosphere,
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Review from Lisa R.
Orinda, CA
3/2/2009
This is the best restaurant in Orinda. I go to La Piazza's all the time and every meal has been really good. The food is fresh and the service is great. The portions are just right. It is small place, so be prepared to wait for seating especially on Friday and Saturday nights...but it's worth the wait.
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Review from Stephen G.
Oakland, CA
12/29/2008
Ate at La Piazza a couple of years ago and had a good meal. We were similarly pleased when we ate there again tonight. It's a good neighborhood place. Nothing really fancy, but our party of four thoroughly enjoyed our chicken marsala, calamari steak dish and a couple of pastas, as well as assorted appetizers and salads. The service is certainly efficient and friendly enough, though missing a couple of small touches here and there, such as our waitress neglecting to mention the specials to us or the host greeting us in a somewhat perfunctory but otherwise fine way when we first entered. But this is a place we'd probably go back to if in the area and certainly if seeing a film right across the street at the movie theater.
By the way, the restaurant was just about full when we walked in at 6:30 p.m. on a Monday, and had thinned out considerably by the time we left. -
Review from B M.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2009
I like this cozy restaurant in the midst of Orinda's business district. The serving staff is always helpful and courteous. The food is tasty and well prepared. I enjoy pizza and have always liked their duck sausage pizza. They have counter service as well as table service. The neighborhood's support of this restaurant is a testimonial to its quality and consistency.
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Review from Bob W.
Orinda, CA
1/21/2010
It's nice to have a restaurant of this caliber in our small town. Great menu, great service, nice atmosphere.
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Review from Michelle N.
Walnut Creek, CA
2/12/2011
Just wonderful! The Rigatoni Piemontes is my all time favorite. The capriccio is delicious too! The service is always great, and really friendly. Good wine selection. I also really enjoy the house salad. This is always a friendly and delicious place to go with friends...big and small groups!
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Review from Ian M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
10/4/2009
La Piazza has always been a friend, reliable, and convenient restaurant.
Although it has been open for many years and gone through many changes in staffing, the food has remained remarkably consistent and the servers are friendly and efficient. The owner, Charles, is frequently in the restaurant ensuring his staff is delivering the best service.
Also, during the summer, the Caprese salad is remarkably simple, but delicious. As someone has said previously, they are always will to accomodate customer's requests. I like more spicey food and like more protien in my pasta then generally offerred. I can always order the Aribiatta with lots of chicken and extra heat. For those of you that are not big eaters, ask for a "to go" box and put half your pasta in the box at the beginning of your meal. It is delicious the next day. For a lighter dinner, we will enjoy a salad at the bar and split a pizza for an entree.
Again, if you are looking for a fine Italian restaurant, this isn't going to meet your needs. But for a simple, fresh, quick meal - this is the place. -
Review from cliff l.
Concord, CA
10/26/2010
i've been there a few times. this time, i opted to keep it simple. i ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. ok, let me just say it; i'm chinese, and i make a better meatball. the meatballs were tiny (about the size of a huge grape), overcooked and overworked (making it tough)..thank goodness they only gave me three!
will i go back? of course. i just wont order the meatballs, or just bring my own :)
my wife's pasta dish was very good. a tad on the salty side, but very well done.
i have yet to try the pizza. -
Review from David A.
Richmond, CA
6/29/2008
My wife and I stumbled upon this gem after taking in a movie at the wonderful Orinda Theater across the street (another gem to visit!). The decor was relaxed and slightly upscale. We really enjoyed the ability to be able to actually TALK to each other because the restaurant was wise enough to put in some sound damping drapery in the ceiling (a nice visual effect as well!). We sat in a table near the warm pizza oven and kept warm while we looked over the menu. The bread was fresh sour dough, large and thick cut. The menu had some wonderful choices and it was difficult to choose. When I visit a new place for me I almost always get angel hair with meat sauce. Sort of a benchmark before I order fancier fare. This was one of the BEST, most interesting sauces, that I've had lately. (I really like Stellines in San Francisco, on Gough). Great medium chunky texture, tasty bits of meat. Again, one of the best I've tasted. My wife's penne in spicy vodka sauce was "extraordinary" in her words. Another nice touch: the pasta are served in high-edged BOWLS. This keeps the dish very hot for almost the entire meal. While we didn't try their signature pizzas, you can bet we'll be going back again to do that!
