Long story short, this is place is a gem and if you're in the Rancho area I'd be willing to say…read morethis is the best if not one of the best local Italian restaurants. My wife and I went for valentines dinner here, and we were both blown away with every dish both in taste and preparation, one of the few places I would say serves almost too much food. The complimentary bread was light and fluffy and was more than just some lame bread. Our apps were the bruschetta and the fried ravioli. The bruschetta comes out on fresh toasted bread, just enough to give it a crunch but still with a soft center- the tomatoes tasted fresh and there is also some toasted cheese on the bottom and some garlic on top, definitely sets the bar for a good bruschetta. The fried ravioli were huge and completely filled with cheese, the fry was perfectly crispy and every bite was better than the last- the highlight though might have been the marinara it came with, which honestly might have been one of the best marinaras I've had at a restaurant, just super, super flavorful. Apps definitely get a 5/5 For our entrees I got the chicken parm and she got the spaghetti. I've said before in my reviews that I'm a bit of a protein snob and I love my extra protein, but without even asking the protein on each dish was more than enough, and the dishes themselves were enormous. My chicken was juicy, crispy, and super well seasoned. Her spaghetti has so much sausage in it, and it was so good- even the noodles themselves had a handmade bite to them. Just a fantastic 5/5 experience for both dishes. My only warning is to be careful of the orange drizzle, it's very spicy! Our service was both fun and polite, I unfortunately did not remember our servers name but he made it fun and helped answer all of our questions. If you are looking for Italian in this area please give this restaurant your business, everything about it is perfect.

Came here for a special occasion and made a reservation for dinner. Definitely out of the way and…read morein a pretty random spot, a true hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but we were seated immediately and the inside was much more charming than the outside. Very family-owned vibes while still feeling nice and welcoming. Service was great throughout the meal, and our waiter gave us some really good recommendations and information about the menu. They also corked our wine and kept it on ice, which was a nice touch. To start, we ordered the fried stuffed ravioli and bruschetta. We were also given complimentary fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic, which was a great addition. The fried ravioli was very good, kind of like a fancier mozzarella stick, and the marinara it came with was flavorful and balanced. The bruschetta was perfect: crusty bread topped with sweet, fresh tomatoes. So simple but so good. For mains, we ordered the carbonara and the wild mushroom ravioli. The mushroom ravioli was excellent, meaty and earthy in an addicting truffle cream sauce where the truffle flavor really shines through. The carbonara came out extremely hot, so it was initially hard to fully taste the flavors, but once it cooled a bit it was delicious. Maybe it could've used a touch more salt, but still very good overall. The pancetta was nice too, maybe just a little crispier and more rendered would've taken it even further, but it still brought that fatty, salty flavor I love. For dessert, we ordered the tiramisu along with the chocolate and caramel cannolis. The cannolis were good, not anything especially memorable, but still a nice treat. The tiramisu completely stole the show. It was made fresh, which I was initially unsure about since tiramisu usually sits for a while, but the texture was amazing because the ladyfingers still had a slight crispness to them. We took the rest home, and after firming up overnight it was somehow even better the next day. Honestly the best tiramisu I've ever had. Great food, great service, and I'll definitely be back, even though I'm usually not even a huge Italian food fan.

Came for my son's birthday and our server was amazing! I wish I remembered her name but she was…read morejust great. We sat outside because we had my mini dachshund with us and she even wrote her name on her water! The food was great too.

I don't normally write reviews because I always hate how I end up coming off haha but lately it has…read morebeen hard to find a restaurant that truly satisfies my desire for high quality customer service and culinary excellence. But every time I visit Paesanos I get both of those things. On my most recent visit to the restaurant, I had the pleasure of being served by Clemens. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and helped me find the perfect meal(Fettucine Arrositi) to fit my current dietary restrictions. He also helped my grandma find something on the menu that wouldn't be too carb heavy since she is diabetic. He was pleasant all around, he was patient with my grandma all night and made me feel like he truly valued our time and didn't rush us. He is everything you want in a server-kind,direct,knowledgeable, and dependable. I would come back any time just to get customer service like that. Now on to the food, I had the Fettucine Arrositi which I believe is their signature dish. I have had it before but this time it was especially delicious. The sauce has a flavor like no other pasta I've ever had it's rich but not too rich creamy but not too creamy and the thing that sets it apart from other creamy pastas is the subtle Cajun flavor. It tastes a bit like old bay and Tabasco to me with some other amazing things in it I'm sure but it was delicious 9/10 My grandma likes to order a lot of things for the table because she never got to have that so she ordered a bunch of things for herself to try and for me to finish. We had the meatballs and they were fantastic but she felt they were too big haha 9/10. Then we had the calamari which was my favorite of the appetizers we ordered. I'm hoping next time to try the polenta fries. Then for her main course my grandma had the wedge salad which she loved but she did mention she wished it had lots more bacon and I can't blame because I too always want more bacon on things. All in all it was a great experience and I will be back very soon.

Adamo's is a great authentic Italian spot. I've gone many times over the years. In the last year or…read moreso, I feel like the service has been a little more hit or miss, but I think they have gotten back to solid ground lately. The food however is always spot on. Everything I have had has always been delicious - the stuffed pepper appetizers are especially good! They maintain such a cozy, authentic atmosphere inside, and I absolutely love dining in here. The topic of Italian food in Sacramento seems to be hotly debated, but I think Adamo's is consistently one of the best options. I will certainly continue to come back and stuff my face

We came here a few times pre-pandemic and I didn't remember being wowed, so I wanted to give them…read moreanother chance. Unfortunately, we concluded that the food is fine but there are better places in Sacramento for pasta. The bolognese was fine, but needed more salt and umami - maybe some freshly grated parmigiano reggiano would have done the trick. My partner liked the Alfredo - he said it was not too thick / creamy. Both used the same type of pasta and while I appreciated that it was handmade, it was missing the classic al dente bite I like in great pasta. We also had the Caesar salad - I loved the toppings but the dressing was a total miss for me. It was way too thick and tasted like mayo mixed with a little garlic.

pazza notte my beloved…read more one of my sisters favorite restaurants in sac, which makes it unbelievable that i have not written a review. i freaking love pazza notte!!! last week, we came here twice to celebrate my mom's birthday, and then my sisters. we just knew we wouldnt regret it. their salt and vinegar fries are my favorite app probably ever, and i can never be upset with calamari in front of me. the waiter on the night of my sister's birthday was so so kind and made the night that more special for her. the food is good, the inside and outside seating fit plenty and look so cute!!! huge pazza notte fans over here, and we will be forever. love yall so much #saltnvinnyforthewinny

Took my friend here for his birthday and had a really great time overall. We started with martinis,…read moreI got the Sicilian and he got the Thinker, and both were fantastic. The extra they pour into the shaker on the side essentially makes it 2.5 drinks, which is a very generous touch. The calamari was a great choice to share: a big serving and delicious. For dinner we went with the tagliata di manzo and the east side pizza. The steak was tender and flavorful, but the real standout was the salad that came alongside it, genuinely one of the best bites of the night and something I'll 100% be coming back for. The pizza was decent but not something I'd order again. Our waiter was attentive and did a great job spacing out our courses, which was especially appreciated since the patio table is on the smaller side. The patio itself has a lot of charm, though the flies were relentless and made it hard to enjoy the outdoor setting, next time I'd opt to sit inside. Overall a solid spot with some real standout moments. The martinis and that tagliata salad alone are worth a return visit.

La Porta Came here…read moreon a Saturday for a friend's birthday with a large group of 17, and we didn't have reservations--so we knew it might be a bit of a challenge. At the time, they had one cook and a manager who was also acting as the bartender and server for the whole floor. You could tell he was a little nervous at first with such a big party, but honestly, he handled it really well. He was friendly, energetic, and super transparent about what they were out of since everything is made fresh. He also did a great job explaining the dishes and cocktails, which we appreciated. Our group was pretty easygoing, and overall the experience felt fun and relaxed. The food came out looking (and tasting) amazing across the board. I ordered the gluten-free hot honey pizza, and it was a standout--perfect crust, nice balance of sweet and heat, and loaded with cheese, pepperoni, and sausage. Definitely a win. One of my friends also ordered gluten-free and tried the pesto chicken pizza. Unfortunately, that one missed the mark--the chicken was overcooked, the pesto flavor was off, and the pizza itself was a bit bland. However, when she mentioned it, the server immediately made it right by remaking her pizza and not charging for it, which we really appreciated. The space itself has a great vibe--cute aesthetics and it sounds like they host events during the week like DJs and art nights, which is a fun touch. Parking can be a little tricky since it's on a busy intersection, but manageable. Overall, a really solid experience, especially considering our group size and no reservation. I'd definitely come back and would love to see gluten-free pasta options added in the future!

This food was so good! Rigatoni 10/10, Lasagna 11/10 it's a…read moremust try, I would say it's the best I have ever had. I've eaten a lot of lasagna in my lifetime, the bolognese sauce in this is bomb. I would give the pizza a 7/10, I'm a very picky eater. I would definitely suggest people in the area try this place for yourself. Their Instagram page is lacking food content and I let our waitress know on ways to fix it. When we arrived at 7pm on a Wednesday we were concerned because it was semi-empty. So we thought "oh gosh the food isn't going to be good"! But it was amazing- this restaurant has so much potential to be sold out 7 nights a week!

If you're heading to Piatti with a group, skip the individual entrees and go full family style…read more It's the definitive way to experience the menu. We had a reservation and waited a few minutes longer than expected, a small grievance quickly forgotten once they sat us near the kitchen with a sightline to the live music, which was actually good. Meatballs, lemon pizza, and caesar salad to start. The caesar has been better elsewhere, but the other two were excellent. The wood fired pork chop, saffron spaghetti, and radiatore that followed were all really good. We finished with the strawberry bread pudding and aperitifs, staying much longer than we needed to. The room feels like a place people return to, filled with neighborhood regulars, which is always a good sign. But the real story is Claudia, our server. Everything arrived exactly when it should, every question was answered before we finished asking it, and nobody at the table wanted for anything all night. That kind of service is rare and she made the whole evening feel effortless. If you go, hope you get her.

So good I didn't get any pictures!! I'm an in-home caregiver and was given a gift card for Piatti…read morefor Christmas! Hubs and I made an early dinner reservation and enjoyed every minute! From the moment we walked through the door (which was held open by one of the staff who was arriving for her shift) we were treated with kindness and appreciation! Anthony was our server and he was exceptional! Just the right amount of checking in during our meal and the timing of everything was perfect! We started with cocktails - the Paper Plane for me and the old-fashioned for hubs. Both were delish. We had the meatballs and bread with dip to start! The sauce on the meatballs was deliciously tangy! Next up we split a Caesar Salad. If you like anchovies you are in luck! We asked for them, thinking maybe there would be one, but there were 5 big pieces on each plate - too much for us, but nice to know they don't skimp! I really appreciated that they allowed me to try a couple of wines before I decided which one would be my choice! My original choice would not have been as good as the one I landed on. I got the gnocchi and hubs got the New York steak. His was cooked perfectly and mine was delicious. I brought half of mine home and he brought 1/3 of his steak. Had to save room for dessert! The brown butter pear bread pudding for dessert was the perfect end! We look forward to a return trip!

We went to Sampino's Kitchen at Joe Marty's on a Friday around 6 pm and were able to get in right…read moreaway, which already felt like a win. This place just has such a strong Sacramento feel. It's that mix of a lively sports bar with really good Italian food, all inside a historic space filled with sports memorabilia. Walking in feels like stepping back in time with all the vintage photos everywhere. Knowing Joe Marty, a former professional baseball player, originally opened his bar here back in 1938 and seeing how they've renovated it without losing that character makes it feel like a really special piece of the city. One of my favorite moments was when my husband ordered a Manhattan and the bartender came over and poured it tableside. It turned into this whole little production and the table next to us immediately ordered one too, which was kind of fun to watch. The food held up just as well. My teen had the spaghetti with marinara and meatballs on the side and finished the entire plate, which says everything. I told our waiter Sean to surprise me and he brought out the lobster ravioli and I was not mad about that at all. It was so good. My husband ordered the carbonara with shrimp and that was also a hit. The bread came out warm and fresh, but just a heads up the dipping sauce was pretty spicy. Our palates was definitely feeling it, so we ended up switching to balsamic and olive oil instead. Even the restrooms had things to look at, including old Land Park newspapers, which just adds to how much character this place has. Helpful tip: If you're not sure what to order, let your server guide you. Ours nailed it. I had actually been here years ago before the renovations, so coming back and seeing it now was really special. It still has that history, just updated in the best way.

Second time going to Sampino's Kitchen at Joe Marty's. We went for a birthday and Mother's Day…read moredinner. The food was good and everyone enjoyed their meals, however we discovered we were overcharged because an entrée was added to our bill that we did not order. Unfortunately, I've tried contacting the restaurant multiple times to resolve the issue, but no one answers the phone and the voicemail box is full. I live out of town, so going back in person is not an option. Hoping management sees this and reaches out to make it right. UPDATE: The manager reached out and resolved the issue regarding the overcharge. I really appreciate them taking the time to follow up and make things right. Thank you for the great customer service and attention to the matter. We enjoyed the food and look forward to visiting again in the future.

Went with large group and we shared everything. Every dish was great. Service was warm, genuine and…read morewelcoming. The atmosphere was relaxing. Returned shortly thereafter to buy gift certificates for neighbors who have done huge favors for me. Great date night destination.

Came in for the first time with friends who are regulars. Came in on a Saturday for 5:30…read morereservations. This restaurant is kinda small but we had reservations so we got a table right away. Our server was very attentive and even gave us a few tastes of the beers on tap so we could decided. There were specials so we ordered the Mary special bacon wrapped chicken with a white wine sauce served over mashed potatoes. It was delicious!! Also ordered a special beet salad with arugula, feta cheese almonds figs and a blueberry dressing - FABULOUS!! Also tried a bit of our friends red cabbage and spatzel - both were good. Also tried a couple of the Czech dark beers. They were great! Definitely want to come back and try more of the food items!! Parking can sometimes be an issue but today we were able to get a street spot just a few spaces from the front.

Came here for our 15 year anniversary :)…read more Customer service: Felt welcomed, seated quickly ( we did have a res ). Intimate but spacious, everyone greeted us politely. Waiter Sara (I think that was where name) she was very nice and felt no rush from her at all. Very attentive as well. Will def come back because of the nice service. Food: It was soo good. Not atonement but did have likable options. I had the ravioli of the day ( mine was stuffed with crab and shrimp with a white sauce 10/10 recommend. My husband got the 12 layer ravioli which was also very good 10/10. For appetizers we got the bread basket $5, beef tips $24, and fried calamari $18 all of it was good. Def worth a try prices are not bad and portions were perfect leaving us full but able to finish :) For us we will be coming back.

We enjoyed the cozy, friendly staff and attentive service. Reservations are recommended but we were…read morepassing by and were able to get a table. There are so many delicious menu items I'd like to come here again and again. We shared a delicious appetizer and then indulged in our favorite Italian main dishes. The "Jeanne" martini was scrumptious. The wines were spot on. This evening it was a toss up between going to Grange or here, totally different experiences with equally delicious food; parking was easier here. The acoustics are a little loud, mostly because people' are enjoying themselves and chatting it up.

We celebrated Mother's Day here recently and had a great experience. Parking is easy enough. There…read moreis a parking garage right next to the restaurant and they validate. The hostesses, our server, and everyone there was great and friendly. They were very attentive and there was not a long wait for anything. I love that they are kids friendly and there are lots of options on the menu. They make everything from scratch so you can taste the quality in the food. The restaurant is beautiful with higher ceilings and an open kitchen. There is some noise so you can talk and not worry about disturbing others. Definitely a good spot to try Calamari - 5/5, one of the best calamari we've had! It had a nice light batter and the calamari was sooo tender. That was the best part. I don't like chewy calamri Linguine mare chiaro - 5/5. So good! Has a good creamy tomato flavor, tons of yummy seafood, and the fresh thin pasta had a good chew to it. The seafood was cooked perfectly. It also has the slightly kick/spice to it. Just FYI. It's very mild and my husband said he couldn't tell. Lasagna - 5/5, also very good. It's a big portion. The layers of lasagna were tender and easy to eat with a fork. I really enjoyed the flavors in the lasagna Kids pizza - 5/5, good traditional thin crust pizza and you can tell it was cooked in the brick oven Kids pasta (tube pasta with bolognese) - 5/5, good traditional flavors, my kids loved it and almost ate it all Vulcano dessert - 4/5, good tender molten lava type cake, the sea salt caramel ice cream that came with it is good on its own, but I would have preferred regular vanilla ice cream to balance out the richness of the cake

ITS MY BIRTHDAY! We chose this place because we hadn't been here in a long time. Food - we ordered…read morethe special of the night - sea bass, which was fantastic! Also, the Mare, which was good, and the rigatoni with vodka sauce which was slightly dry. We ordered drinks - a vodka with olives on the rocks (olives were forgotten. Oops!) A dirty martini, up and a Manhattan tha included a Maraschino cherry....excuse me? We were charged an extra fee for "on the rocks" - yikes lol That was a first, but I guess wherever you can get it? Never again for us though, because wtf. Ambience was amazing. Service was ok. Not sure we'll be back - things have changed here and I'm not sure for the best. For $300+ for three people, I'm thinking Waterboy or Ella...