Prima Ristorante & Wine Merchants
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 935-7780
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Valet
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
81 reviews
Concord, CA
"My family eats out a lot and over the years we've had some incredible meals. Tonight we had our best meal ever. Period. Luna is a gem.…" read more »
47 Reviews for Prima Ristorante & Wine Merchants
This is hands down my favorite place to get a drink in WC. Why:
1. Anthony and Micheal, the bartenders/mixological PhDs/artists
2. The fabulous drinks! Try the Dolce Pepe. Everything is fresh and organic.
3. Great atmosphere, decor, vibe, people and even bathroom
4. Did I mention Antony.... YOU GET THE PICTURE
Came here to celebrate my graduation from law school and it didn't disappoint. We were able to get into the wine cellar room and had a fabulous meal. The service was fantastic - Antonio? - took good care of us. I highly recommend it for any special occassion.
I took my husband to Prima for Fathers Day dinner. We are new to the WC area via LA and SF and we are also big foodies so we heard Prima is one of the better restaurants in the area.
When we arrived, we were pleased by the decor and seating options to include indoor, bar, and al fresco/patio with around 3 or 4 rooms. The staff was also very friendly and helpful.
We opted for a bottle of wine instead of cocktails, but they do have a full bar. Their wine selections are amazing and our bottle of Zin was incredible.
Now for the not so good: The Food. It was not good at all. We didnt order 1 item that we would go back for. We shared 2 appetizers, both were flavorless and underseasoned. I cannot even remember what they were.
We shared a pasta: the gnocchi, which tasted sour and undercooked to me, so they exchanged it for a short rib ravioli which tasted exactly like chef boy ardee. Now...if we were in the city at some chic small plates restaurant and this dish was on the menu for 1/2 the price and titled chefboyardee ravioli or something like that...it might be a fun dish for nostalgia, but I dont think that was the intention here.
The next dish we had was a fish baked in a pot which was very rubbery and bland as well. I didnt enjoy the dish at all.
Our bill came to roughly $280 with tip, which to me was not worth it for the food alone, but the atmosphere, wine and service was good. I would only go back here for wine and cheese.
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I ambled in one weekend with my mother and my wife. I will likely not be going back here, despite all of the good things I've heard about this restaurant. (One of my colleagues, who knows the owner of the restaurant well, was in shock when I told him of my experience)
Let me explain:
We weren't looking to eat here at first, but the nice sunroom seating that I have so often walked past was particularly calling to me this quiet weekend afternoon. When looking for a place to stop to take a lunch break before continuing on our day's shopping, I purposely meandered my small party on over.
At the foyer, the hostess was nice and we were quickly seated. Upon entry, I noticed that there weren't many patrons on that particular day, at 1:30PM. In fact there looked to only be three other tables and one person at the bar. Explain to me, why it took so long for the waiter to acknowledge us, take our drink orders, take our food orders, bring out the food, and then bring out the dessert and check? It seemed as if he wanted nothing to do with us and walked past our table during several excrutiating points without even batting an eye to see my politely raised arm (refill, anyone?!). Then he'd be gone again for a few minutes at a time. I mean, we're all used to waiting for service at restaurants, but this was hands down one of the longest waits I've ever had to endure-all the more maddening because there was practically no one else there! At least it was quiet enough that I could catch up on the latest chat with my family while gazing out at the passerbys.
Due credit goes out to the unseen chefs who did prepare a delicious meal. Each of our plates came out fantastic, and I would highly recommend their risotto.
Blame goes to the poor wait staff and lackadaisical attitude. I'm sure he could tell that we were getting a little tired of the long waits, but yet he made no effort to ask us how things were going, or to check in on us. The room was arranged in a way where he would slip in quietly and speed right past our table to the patrons behind us, and then disappear.
And to close it off: our coffee and cappuccino's came out lukewarm, probably from sitting around and waiting for him to bring it out. Come on, give me a break... Nearly two hours start to finish.
Great service
Good food and wine
Expensive
Nice for a special occasion.
This restaurant is a favorite for my sister and her husband.So I have eaten her on more than just a few occasions.We ate here several weeks ago when I was visiting 925.
The food is good here and I especially enjoy the rack of lamb this time around.
I'm not a wine connoisseur by far but got a kick out of my first wine tasting at this restaurant on my last visit.It's an added service that they provide..it was an experience but I still don't get it!
My family love this place since they are wine connoisseur and they do have a great selections of wines here.
I'll just stick to the hard sauce!
Nice ambiance and comfortable atmosphere and the service has always been friendly and attentive.
It's difficult to say if this restaurant is worth their values..I guess you'll just have to judge for yourself.
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This place is just so darn good!
Everything on the menu is fabulous, and the service is outstanding.
Good wines too!
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one of the more competent, established and mature resturants in the flourishing wc dinning scene.
not as pricey as one is led to believe...
one bottle brought and one bottle bought...plus a few cocktails.
4 shared appetizers (the pizza was real good btw)...two rack of lambs plates...two oxtail raviolis..a gnocchi and a calamari pasta.
spent 300 bucks for three couples plus gratuity...
very good attentive servers.
shared lots of laffs all in a tastfully furnished dinning room.
Again, this comes down to value vs. quality. Prima has very good quality food, but they charge you for top end quality food and top end it is not. A little aside, when in my hometown of D.C. I frequent an Italian place called Galileo and drop around $200 on dinner for two and a bottle of wine. I walk away feeling happy and satisfied because Galileo is one of the best restaurants in the country. Prima is not. Yet you can easily spend upwards of two hundred bucks on dinner for two with a moderately priced bottle of wine here. Now if this was Stockton or Modesto than it might be worth it considering the long drive to any area that promotes fine dining, but from Walnut Creek you can easily go down to North Beach and find better italian food for a lot less, and without the upper end crustiness.
This place is GOOD. They charge you for it, too, but I've always felt it was worth it. The wine list is excellent.
Please don't go there in shorts and flip-flops. Please.
Superb, attentive service.
Delicious food.
Perfect ambience.
Knowledgable yet unpretentious sommelier.
Reasonable prices considering the caliber of the restaurant.
If there's a better place for a special occasion meal on the West Coast, I have yet to try it.
Tip: you can create your own tasting menu by ordering half portions of the appetizers and pasta dishes.
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I constantly rave about this place to San Franciscans and Peninsular types. Indeed good food exists beyond the mysterious gateway known as the Caldecott Tunnel. In the mythical land known "East Bay Suburbia" lies the city of Walnut Creek. Like any good American city, Walnut Creek has a Main Street. On this Main Street lies Prima.
Prima is primo. It's awesome, you'll have a memorable dining experience with awesome service and every dish masterful and fresh tasting.
Let's be honest with ourselves - the best Italian food is not in North Beach. Could this be it? It could be close.
The menu changes often, but 3 of the 4 times I've eaten here, I've always gravitated to the Tagliatelle in a classic Emilian Meat Sauce. Emilian refers to Emilia-Romagna, the region of Italy of which Bologna is the capital. I don't know why they didn't just say "Tagliatelle Bolognese" but regardless of what it's called, it's one of the best versions of dish. Ever.
The other time I had something different twas pork medallions braised with honey. One of the biggest problems cooking pork is that it can dry out if not done right - but I remember ever bite being juicy sweet.
The place is cozy but has a little bit of buzz which I tend to enjoy. The service has always been wonderfully attentive but not smothering. There are many rooms, each a bit different. I remember being fortunate enough to get a seat by the fire place on a rainy night. That was tight.
The wine list is impeccable...which makes sense given they are also in the wine merchant business. It's pretty cool to find that half bottle of Avignonesi, for that matter, a great selection of Italian half bottles and some tough to find selections. There's a full bar which may feature some musicians playing nearby on certain nights.
As others have said, it's on the pricey side, but it's very much worth it for one of the best Italian restaurants you'll try.
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Had the prie fixe menu twice, and both times were very good. The soup was a little salty, but the pasta was right on. Good texture, good flavor!
So for your italian craving fix, this palce hits the spot!
We ate here last Saturday night. I made reservations for six on OpenTAble and then needed to add one more couple the next day. They were very accommodating. We had a party of eight so they put us in the private wine tasting room. Through a series of last minute crazy events, everyone in our party was going to be late except the husband and I. They couldn't have been nicer. They served us drinks (Pelligrino for me and scotch for the husband) and left us alone.
Our friends trickled in one at a time for about half an hour. At some point we ordered some appetizers (warm olives that were a little more hot than warm and the salumeria sample plate that was yummy) and uncorked the bottle of wine one couple brought.
Once everyone arrived they still let us sit and gab rather than rush us to order. We finally ordered (ceasar salad and mushroom risotto with parmegiano reggiano--I know that spelling is off but for the life of me I can never remember how to spell it correctly--for me) People ordered a variety of things from the sea bass to the new york strip to risotto and everyone enjoyed their entrees.
Our service was impeccable. We never felt rushed even when we realized it was almost 11:30 pm and the restaurant was nearly empty. We all had coffee and a few ordered desserts which they liked. I was too stuffed from everything else.
The only reason I gave them 4 stars is that it was a little on the pricey side. Our bill totalled $720 for 8 people and we uncorked one bottle we brought plus ordered two more bottles from their menu (someone else ordered so I have no idea what the price was but the wine Neal Cabernet Sauvignon) was excellent. If it was on the experience alone, it would have been a five but that was due to our most excellent company :)
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My hubby and I loved this place.
Excellent food.
Wonderful waitstaff - I've never had such attentive service.
Wine pairings were spot-on.
Great ambiance
He had a steak dish, I had pasta. One complaint - portions were very small (hence 4 stars instead of 5) I realize now we should've ordered more appis and/or sides But we will know for next time.
This place is great for a special occasion - or if you're just in the mood for an opulent dining experience in Walnut Creek.
A nice spot in downtown Walnut Creek. Prima is located right on North Main, I'd imagine it's a nice spot to stop by after a day of shopping.
I had a pork filled ravioli dish in kind of a light cream sauce. I loved how it tasted; very balanced and delicate. The serving size was on the other hand was woefully inadequate. Even after gorging myself on the complimentary bread, I was still forced to scavenge bits from other peoples dishes.
I guess it comes down to expectations, I expect to have a large ravioli dish when I pay $23.00 for the entree. Service was good, ambiance was great. That doesn't for one moment excuse such a small serving of admittedly marvelous raviolis.
Prima also has a 4 course meal selected by the chef and wines paired to match each course. I highly recommend this pricier option if you want to try something special, each course was excellent and the selected pairings are magnificent.
I'm told Prima has a great wine list, I had an excellent Amarone here.
Validated valet parking is 7.00
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I'm picky and cheap. My wife and I dropped $200 for dinner and a very good bottle of wine and it was well worth it. The calamari was good, the risotto was very good and the steak was extraordinary. I normally only like filet, but the waiter convinced me to get the ny strip and it was tremendous.
Excellent service. Some may find it a little loud, but I enjoy a lively spot...If you want silence I'd suggest eating at home. Best wine selection I've seen in a long time. It maked other Italian places in the east bay taste like Olive Garden.
It might be wrong for this to be one of my favorite restaurants. Some would say I have I biased opinion. But, I won't let my friendship with the guys making my food, get in the way of my full appreciation of what they prepare. The food at Prima is AMAZING!! Everything is the freshest possible. Everything is the highest quality. The wine list is OUTRAGEOUS!! And the cocktails are some of the BEST in the Bay. The pizza from the wood burning oven is great. The housemade pastas are awesome. The meats are amazing! Hell, even the seafood is great! And it's got to be amazing for me to like it! I'm not a seafood guy. This place never disappoints. And the loud, live thursday and friday jazz, have now been replaced with a cool, hip little lounge area which provides a quieter more intimate evening. Highlights are the chef's tasting menu and the sommelier's wine pairing. Just sit back and enjoy......."Player".
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Probably the best dining destination in Walnut Creek but it'll cost you. Chef/Owner Peter Chastain works wonders with innovative dishes plus very fresh ingredients. A great time to "walk-in" is around Noon on Saturday. If he's in, Peter will whip-up incredible dishes from whatever fresh came into the kitchen. Some of these selections won't appear on the menu.
Many world class wines to choose from but inexpensive doesn't fit into the equation. Very pricey. A wine flight plus lunch will run you around $50. Dinner for two breaks $100 no problem.
Believe it or not, this can be a wonderful place to meet someone new. Thursday evening is better than you might imagine. Live music, 30-40 something professionals plus an intimate bar setting can add up to an enjoyable night. The music is too loud but a small price to pay.
It's all good but it's also costly. If it's a romantic evening, ask for a room in the cave.
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This place is so overrated!
I will never spend another cent at this place. I've dined at Prima many times, but this last time is really the last time, EVER. We had a party of 10 and were celebrating my husband's birthday. The entire time we were being eyed by Prima's vulture like staff so that we would hurry up and get done. They had apparently overbooked the room and had another party coming in. Um, hello! Was our $1200 + tab not enough to treat us with some respect? We were even asked to hurry up and finish our coffee and desert. The nerve!
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This used to be my favorite local restaurant, I'd always pick it for birthday's or special occasions but after eating there recently I've realized that there are plenty of other Italian places in the East Bay that are just as good for a lesser price.
The combinations of flavors at Prima are always great. The salads have terrific flavor but are slightly hard to eat because they are chopped so small.
I would have given it five stars had I not felt disappointed in my last visit. If you want a good place to eat and don't mind spending a little more than what it's worth give Prima a try.
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I took my girlfriend here last weekend on a whim after driving past it so often. Immediately after walking in, we were the only people even close to in their twenties so... it was no suprise that we would be splurging a bit =P
I had the chef's recommended set meal and it everything was great. The clams and mussels were slightly undercooked so i had a little stomach ache later but i can't say that it wasn't delicious =P
I would say - dont be afraid to try anything here. I doubt anything would taste bad! The flavor combinations really creates an oral orgasm and the wine recommendation was also appropriate.
The tiramisu was really really really good! I'm giving this place 4 stars for my stomach ache. I am suuure it was the shellfish - it wasn't too bad since i pretty much have an iron stomach but put a small dent in the evening.
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Again, thank you Yelp for another new favorite. This place went out of their way to make a birthday feel really special.
I decided to take my semi-bf to Prima, kinda last minute (because he's only a semi-bf), for his birthday. He loves wine and I love food so it was perfect for us. I was able to book the reservation earlier that Wednesday on OpenTable and noted it was a birthday and requested a window table.
We got there and the hostess says, "Happy Birthday," and showed us to our window table. Nice (made it seem like I had booked it long in advance).
We ordered a couple of drinks, the Persephone and a bubbly mix, not too sweet and easy to drink. Then someone brings us a little nibbler from the chef "for the birthday occasion". (I was starting to feel I did good for choosing this place.)
My date ordered the tasting menu (stuffed pepper, gnocchi with mushrooms, done-just-right venison) with the wine pairing. I ordered the clams and mussels appetizer (that had the best broth ever), a salad, and Osso Bucco with polenta.
His tasting menu included a chocolate carmel tart. I ordered a fig crepe that he would have preferred so we could trade. I mentioned this to our waitress and ta-da--the crepe comes out with a birthday candle on the plate. That was the topper to a great evening.
I hope someone takes me here for my birthday!
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I eat here all the time! Reliably great food. Every out-of-town guest I bring to this place seems to adore it. I give it four stars rather than five because the service is hit and miss. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Valentine's Day I have had mediocre service. On weekdays, I have had incredible service - incredible. I recommend their pork chops, anything lamb, and gnocchi.
Never before has there been a better religiously themed fish dish than the prosciutto wrapped monkfish at Prima. From the firm white flesh or Brother Fish to the taut pink prosciutto to the slightly chunky tomato broth covering the plate to the buttery white beans surrounding the high-holy creation, it chanted with deliciousness. By far, it was the best entree I've had in months. Add to that some exceptional service and live music and you've got my support. (By the way, it didn't hurt that someone else was picking up the check.)
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This restaurant is quite deceptive. From the outside, it looks like a quaint little Italian restaurant. When you walk inside, you realize that the place is HUGE and super swanky. I felt very underdressed, but the hostesses didn't mind at all. We arrived half an hour earlier than the reservation, but we were seated immediately (whereas at Va de Vi, you arrive on time and are seated a half hour later).
The bottle of wine I brought was an older vintage Burgundy, so the waitress offered to decant it. She was experienced and did the whole process correctly and in front of me (some restaurants will do it in the back to avoid getting yelled at for doing it wrong). The sommelier came over to recommend some dishes that would go well with it. Amazing! Usually, when the sommelier determines that you're not gonna purchase a $500 off-vintage first growth they ignore you the rest of the evening.
We started with a few glasses of Prosecco (a good producer too) and the soft shell crab. Nothing overdone. Certain wines are wasted without food and certain foods are wasted without wine. They serve both here.
I had the pork chop with cherry glaze and my date had the lobster ravioli. Both were magnificent with the wine. We didn't finish the bottle by the end, so I asked if they had any cheese courses available. We had the pecorino vecchio, which was well presented and delicious.
For dessert, we had the chocolate sformato with two glasses of late harvest grenache from France (sommelier's recommendation) which were also excellent.
The service was the best I've ever had at a restaurant. The combination of friendly, charming servers and a non-pushy, diner-oriented style is everything a guy like me looks for. I don't like to be just another line in the ledger.
They waived corkage and the bill came out to be $120 (plus tip) for all of the above mentioned.
The food was on par with anything you'll find at Chez Panisse (cafe), Fringale, or any other restaurant in this price range.
One of the best dining experiences I've had an in a class of its own in the East Bay.
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There was this one line in Frommer's Paris Travel guide that said, "...while in Paris have a gourmet meal at least once for dinner." I think they also meant to pull out the stops and throw caution (and wallet) to the wind. Because sometimes, not all the time, though, - we deserve a relaxing, romantic, and elegant experience to share with someone.
Prima is definitely the establishment for above said expenditure. My date (our date #3) lives in the area, but I insisted that I would find the place to meet. Of course, it goes without saying that I referenced Yelp. Prima came up with glowing reviews; prices are on the high side, but it appeared that everyone who reviewed enjoyed themselves. with their descriptions of the food and atmosphere.
I arrived early and sat at the table and perused the wine list while waiting for my date to arrive. Their wine list is PRIMA, I mean PRIMO! I looked down the hallway and saw their wine merchant store - made a mental note to visit that. Anyway, my date arrived which, by the way made me stop looking at the wine list because...okay, that's a different web site. So....
We ordered the assorted meats and shared a fantastic Arugula salad. It was a phenomenal mix of greens, avocado, anchove, and artichoke - simply brilliant with a hint of a delicious dressing. I hate overdressed salads.
The wine of the night was a fantastic Carneros Pinot that superbly augmented my perfectly cooked swordfish over lentils (albeit was fish). Date ordered Osso Bucco - that really made the red wine pop with flavor. Our fantastic server made the pairing recommendation; she really thought it out for us and I greatly appreciate that effort in a server.
And...to top the night off, a jazz band in the corner entertaining the entire mass within the restaurant. Doesn't get better.
Treat yourself to Prima, definitely worth it.
My wife and I had a dinner date here at Prima back in the Spring of 2004 when we had just started dating. I came out from the city with BART and we had a magical evening here at Prima. I think I was still trying to impress her a little too much and I ordered a bottle of Brunello. We drank this elixir of the gods and looked deep into each other's souls.
I've wanted to Yelp this place for a while now, but it felt contrived to do so after a 2 year separation from the experience. Yesterday, we went back to Prima and I can now Yelp wholeheartedly!
We actually wanted to hang out at a Pub so we aimed our car away from Vallejo towards the Stadium Pub in the Creek. Atmosphere, there most certainly was, seeing as Cal was playing Oregon and the place was packed. We managed to grab a couple of beers and wait patiently for a table, but none opened and, seeing as I was extremely hungry, we finally gave up and came here to Prima.
A whole different world, Prima is! Step through the door and leave behind the ruckus. This place here is quiet, contained, elegant, refined, and calm. I slurped up about 5 slices of bread in the first 2 minutes, so hungry was I. We ordered a bottle of Acqua Panna, my wife had a couple of cocktails, and I tried some funky Cucumber infused Gimlet that was certainly interesting and refreshing, if not necessarily efficient as far as giving me a buzz.
The food arrived some 20 minutes later: My wife and I decided to split the Pizzelle with Chanterelle Mushrooms and sweet onions and the Gnocchi al 'Arrabiata, a spicy red tomato sauce with a wonderful kick! The gnocchi, green as they were, were so tender and delicate. The pizza was also fabulous. Basically, the food was executed flawlessly, even if these weren't necessarily challenging dishes. We wrapped up our lunch with a couple of espressos and a tiramisu. 5 stars on the tiramisu. It was a sweet and fluffy cloud of creamy heaven.
The espresso? I don't want to dock 'em a star for espresso, seeing as everything else was absolutely fabulous. Ok, Prima... I know you have no excuse. One of our fabulous wedding presents was a beautiful Nespresso capsule machine by Nestle. Hey Prima, my espresso smokes your espresso! I'm just sayin'...
The service was impeccable, too. Joe, our waiter, was friendly and efficient. He served us with a smile and made us feel like royalty.
$78 or so, tax included... That's basically 40 bucks a person for lunch with one dish, half a dessert, and one cocktail. Yeah, kind of pricey, but if you feel like you need to treat yourself, you're well worth the investment!
Let's just say that I came in so late the kitchen was closed and they still threw together a salad and some potatoes for me. Love you guys!
Yummy salad and delicious drinks. Upscale atmosphere and plenty of flavor on the menu.
Date Rating: 9
Pick up Scale: 3
Strong Suggestions: Not a late night place so try something else if you're trying to eat late during the week.
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Had a great meal on Thursday night....the angolitti is da BOMB! And I never speak that way, so I'm just letting you know it was REALLY good! So light, perfect. The arugula salad perfect - capers, artichokes (not raw, not marinated), anchovies.....
In the past, I remember that service was a little snotty, but this last experience, was fantastic and our server was great! We'll be coming back sooner than the 2 years it took this time. BTW -gotta have their version of a Mojito. They use Proseco!
Prima, albeit pricey, is a place that I've always going out to with my best girl friend or my boy friend ~ and one can be assured a good meal each time. I've been to Prima a handful of times over the past couple of years and I've never been let down.
The restaurant is classy, so dressing up a bit is recommended. Dinner is really nice as candles are lit and the lighting dim. I've been there at lunch and dinner, on the weekends and weekdays, and with any popular place, it's best to go during the non-rush to lessen the loudness around you. Service is OK, rarely stellar, but that's not such a big deal with me; wait-staff is rarely overly friendly, which is a shame, but I don't remember anyone rude or terribly slow.
The food is awesome. I love the small to medium portions of meals. Everything tastes awesome to me, from salads to chicken to steaks and desserts. Again, I've never had a bad meal here!
I used to deliver flowers and on occasion, the wine for clients from Prima Vino next door. Once, the owner, who knew me, treated my best friend and I to an incredible dessert wine while he lunched there. That was pretty cool ^_^
Well I am a little bias. First: My 'Italian' husband is one of the cooks at this fabulous eatery. Second: I know what really good 'high end italian food' and 'simple counrty Italain' food is like...We travel there alot. So outside of 'Nonna's & Zia's' cucina back in Italia...this place is awsome! My husband has been a chef since 1996 and has worked at many locations all over the world. He's been working at PRIMA since 2002, he always boasts on the pantry and how they use the freshest of everything, from the local produce & dairy products to the meats and poultry from Neiman Ranch. The owner Peter Chastain travels to Italia annually in search of great culinary experinces, that he can bring back to PRIMA. PRIMA also imports fantastic items from Italy. DELIZIOSO! Don't even get me started on their fabulous "Enoteca", a wine lovers paradise! They also have a full bar with a newly furnished 'lounge area'. In the mist of all the clubs and bars for the 20sumthins', obnoxious/screaming kid friendly restaurants for the 30-40sumthins' and the stuffy restaurants for the 50-60sumthins'...PRIMA is just the right level of 'escape', upbeat and lively, but very romantic if you so please, if you are looking for a quiet dining experience, I suggest you stay home. The 'regulars' come here with the vigor of an 'Italian Dining' experience...Where over dinner, one talks at great length about the food & drink. The Meyer's Lemon Drop is Divine! I suggest you start with the warm olives and a glass of wine, you will find your way to a delicious meal, well worth every penny!
Cin-Cin!
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday this year, and I was a little bit wary since it seemed exremely fancy. Well, it was very nice but I wasn't intimidated. The food was absolutely amazing. My salad was very bland so I was worried. But once I got my meal (A spaghetti bolognese) I was thrilled. My boyfriend got a lamb gnocchi dish which was to die for and their Tiramisu melted in your mouth. Very pricey though.
fan-freakin-tastic.
bring your wallet, your best gold grill, and put on your whitest kicks, because this place is terrific.
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Went there for my wife and I's 20th anniversary and it was a meal to remember. Prima's is all the flavor and style of a upscale restaurant with out the stuffy.
The wait staff were courteous and efficient without being on top of you.
The food was amazing. Started with a pizzeta which had few ingredients on it but the flavor is something I'm still remembering. Amazing wine list (not too over powering. ask questions, the staff know their stuff) and cocktails from the bar were stellar.
So..maybe I came on an off night. My husband and I went for our anniversary and umm well apparently we should have just made the trip out to San Francisco. I was very disappointed. When we got there for our reservation they sat us in the front room where it was bright and loud and my chair was sticking out into a hallway. It looked like they overbooked and just had an extra table that they decided to place there. So of course I asked tobe moved. The table wasn't much better but at least it was in a dark room with lots of candles and a little more ambiance. (Don't get me wrong the restaurant is beautiful they just should have made the tables a little too far apart. My purse was touching another ladies from the table next to mine we were so close. Anyway, we ordered a bottle of cabernet and it was really good wine and wine service. Then we decided to order 3 courses. I had the grilled quail with frisee salad, then the spinach, peach, and goat cheese sald...both were amazing. But then the main course came and I had ordered salmon. I got a glass of the sauvignon blanc to go with it (it was really good too by the way) but when I got the fish and took a bite it was chewy and fishy (more fishy than it should have been) I couldn't bring myself to eat it. So not wanting to be a pest my husband ate a few bites of the salmon and then we shared his VERY overcooked pork with salsa verde. The salsa was good and the pork had good flavor but it was sooo well done and that was hard to do with a piece of meat that thick. Now I guess I know why it took so long to get to us. Anyway, I wrote a lot and was kind of harsh because I don't believe a meal that cost $200 should be this bad.
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If you are an oenophile, then this is the place for you! The food was tasty and the service was outstanding! And the wine list, OH...the wine list! They have thousands of bottles and the wine ordering experience was excellent. We told our server what kind of wine, flavor profile and price range we were looking at and he brought back three bottles from the cellar for us to choose from (bottles we did not see on their wine list). Not only was the wine superb and expertly matched with our meal, but we got $100 off the bottle because the price he gave us was not the accurate price they were charging for the wine in the restaurant. Go to this restaurant for an enjoyable splurge!
Addendum:
Went here for dinner last night. What a beautiful meal!! The service was just exemplary. One of the managers came by and recommended two of their signature cocktails - fabulous! All the antipasti was delicious (calamari stuffed with sausage, pizzetta with speck and gouda) and so was my main course (fazzoletti with hopper prawns). I'm so glad to have finally gone here for dinner, and am planning to come back with my girlfriends to further treat my palate. Mmmm....
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Had lunch with my aunt here, a very yummy Petrale sole sandwich w/artichokes and watercress. Then, we had dessert: me the pear tart and she three kinds of sorbet (raspberry, lemon, coconut). All very good. I also had a cappuccino and - coffee snob that I am - it was great (I drank it all before the tart arrived - darn!). Lovely atmosphere and staff. I'm hoping to go here for dinner and try the wine.
I admit I normally never hang out in this part of the East Bay, but I'd drive through the tunnel for another meal here. (And having me go to Walnut Creek for *anything* is saying a lot!)
Friendly atmosphere, great foods but most importantly great wine. I really like the option of small tastes of the extensive by the glass list. Our server was gracious, informative and even came outside when we left to say goodnight.