Il Fornaio - Santa Clara

Review summary

1. T

   Thefoodlovr VIP

   San Francisco4 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   The staff needs better training for flow of service. We were rushed and did not get a chance to enjoy our meals. The food was average. The salads were drenched in dressing and poorly prepared. Our entrees were swimming in olive oil and the spinach was just a mess. We poured our wine the rest of the evening and ate with the same set of utensils from the first course . Portions have to be adequate and balanced for value. You don’t want to be another Olive Garden. Lots of potential but no leadership.
   

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2. S

   Sanjay VIP

   San Francisco9 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Nice experience overall. A bit of cold air every time the door to patio section was opened. Good was great but portions were small for the price
   

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3. N

   Nanette

   San Francisco2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Today was our second dining experience in Il Fornaio. Compared to the last one we had a month ago, this one was "meh." Our server was "not there," although he was polite. He even got one order wrong. Last month, however, I gave this restaurant an outstanding 5-star rating because our server, John Orrock, was exceptional! But it was his day off today, so we didn't get him, although we requested him.
   

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4. M

   Margaret VIP

   San Francisco2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   When we arrived, we had to wait a little while for the hostess to confirm a reservation and seat a customer. There should have been someone else to seat the customers, so the hostess could assist all of the customers that were waiting. Also, our lunch arrived prior to the beverages. It should have been the other way around, especially since the drink and food orders were taken at the same time.
   

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5. N

   Natalia VIP

   San Francisco13 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 18 March 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great venue for a business lunch! Excellent food, attentive service, and a pleasant ambiance. Highly recommended.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 17 March 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   Food and service was great! Found it a bit overpriced. It was loud with too many people but otherwise a great place for Italian food.
   

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7. D

   David VIP

   San Francisco5 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 15 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Service nit so good. Need to have management inspect what they expect. When food is great but service is underwhelming, it does not fare well for the overall experience of the restaurant.
   

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8. R

   Rosa

   San Francisco3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 7 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It was awesome. I’m not sure if I left my hat but the service was amazing.
   

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9. T

   Tanya

   San Francisco1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 7 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our server, John Orrock, was one of the best servers we’ve ever had!! The food was delicious and the hosts were very attentive and nice. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 6 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Food was exceptional. We tried three dishes, all vegetarian, and turned out to be different in flavors. Would highly recommended the Gnnochi mushroom truffle antipasto Service was quick. Ambience was nice but the setup of the place does invite a lot of chatter noise.
    

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