Went here after my niece's graduation on a Sunday afternoon. It was a first time for all of us. A great restaurant that serves authentic Italian cuisine. Outside the restaurant there were few musicians playing soft music with a mix of blues. Later on, we were taking pictures outside with family and friends, and the patrons and the musicians told us to be quiet since there were patrons that were trying to listen. We immediately went inside and the hostess and waitress brought us upstairs to sit on a huge table and a lot of chairs. Very private and we can have the place all to ourselves. The waitress, and the hostess (bartender/ waitress) were very courteous, patient all throughout the experience. The food was just right and delicious. For appetizers, 2 orders of italian thinly sliced cold cuts with pickled cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers and garlic lightly drenched with vinegar and olive oil, The bread were sliced and a dipping with mustard and olive oil. This appetizer came from Tuscany where the chef is from. All of the food were cooked perfectly and it was balanced in taste and not too overwhelming. I had the Taglioni de Pescatora - Linguini pasta with lightly spiced tomato sauce with red snapper. The fish was perfectly cooked, and it was delicious. The portions were just right and it was filling after we finished it. Drinks were good. One had the mimosa,guava, guava and mango juice, iced tea, red wine and water. We ordered a variety of dishes like gnocchi with chianti meat sauce, linguine with lightly spicy tomato sauce and red snapper, bruschetta with filet mignon and some salad, panini with turkey and some vegetables, and risotto and others I can't remember. The food was great! fresh with high quality ingredients. Though the pizza is almost like a flatbread with toppings on top that were fresh and of high quality. Then one of my cousin called the night before, if they would accept us bringing a cake for dessert. They said,"yes" and they accomodated us on our request. We all had a great experience and all of the staff were pleasant and courteous. read more

I don't know what all the bad reviews are about because this place is awesome! I was just there with a group of my friends for birthday and the service and food we got was amazing! Starting with the place, so cute! Very cozy and romantic. We went as a group of 8 and we decides to do a family style dinner. The chef personally came out and asked us what we like to eat, we went for a seafood based dinner. he went back to the kitchen and sent out 6 courses of AMAZING food! Will definitely be returning. Please don't listen to the bad reviews and go try this place for yourself and you be the judge. read more

I thought I had already written a review for this place but I can't find it so... I guess I'm crazy. We had our wedding rehearsal dinner here. My m-i-l planned it, so I can't say too much except that I had a lovely evening and the food was good. I have eaten here for dinner several times and i like it a great deal. Its about on par with Asena (also in Alameda) but I prefer the food here. We usually get the prix fixe dinner to share and its a perfect amount of food. Things I love here: the wine list, the bread and dipping sauce, the beet salad (Roman coins -- so good if you like beets), the roasted chicken and the desserts. So good! read more

We went here at Lunch to celebrate my Friends Birthday last month. The Ambiance is Italy and the restaurant people are friendly and attentive. Food is good the beef is tender the sauce is very tasty. The sweets are good and the coffee is perfect. It took some time for us to find the parking and they have parking at the back. read more

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Good authentic tuscan food, everything that we have eaten there has been really solid. The caselleta (sp) is great and really large. All of the portions are very generous, great for sharing. The best thing about his place is the wine list and Sommelier. They have some incredible Italian wines and they know everything about every wine that they serve. If you tell them a wine that you like (we told them a couple of California Zins that we drink) they will match an Italian wine to your liking, GUARENTEED! Really nice for special occasions. read more

Good service, but the food it just too salty. I went with a party of 10, and 5 of us didn't finish our meals because of the salt content. Pork sausage... too salty. Salmon filet... too salty. Even the bread, which was delicious-- teetered on the edge of too salty. Dessert was excellent though, however double espresso shot was more like 1/2th of one. All in all, there were just these minor things that were off, killing what would have otherwise been a great lunch. read more

I really like this Italian restaurant, it was very elegant and had a classy vibe to it. I came here right when lunch began, but we really wanted to try their breakfast since it was highly recommended. The owner (I think) was super sweet and allowed us to order the French Toast even though it was no longer breakfast. I was so happy I got to try it because it was VERY GOOD. Usually, I order french toast at restaurants and it tastes all the same. This did not, it was tasty and I literally finished it within 15 minutes. The order came with a side of scrambled eggs and ONLY cost us $6.95, what a steal of a deal! I could not believe it! McDonalds frozen breakfast cost more. Our waiter was very kind and accommodating and the young man who served us was also super sweet and friendly. We need more of these restaurants that actually know how to take care of their customers. This is definitely going to be my weekend hotspot from now on. I forgot to take a picture of my meal, but I will be sure to add it next time. read more

We ordered the Alameda Meals on Wheels Restaurant Week Special: perfectly cooked filet mignon, lots of beautifully roasted vegetables and potatoes, a huge arugula, beet and pistachio salad, focaccia and tiramisu. The steak was so big, I could make steak sandwiches with the focaccia for lunch the next day. Delicious! Thank you C'era Una Volta for a great meal and for supporting our homebound neighbors! You guys are the best! read more

Our favorite Italian restaurant in Alameda. They have a wonderful wine list and are very knowledgeable with their pairings. We've never had a bad meal here! The ambience is so adorable and their wait staff is always super friendly. Don't miss out on eating here! read more

Food was pretty good, although the bread was crusty and dry--how can an Italian restaurant not get their bread right? Waitstaff was overwhelmed on a hot night so our waiter brought me the wrong entree, and then the bill was miscalculated for that as well as for beverages we didn't order. Cute atmosphere but they need to get their operations in order for it to be worth the price. read more

I love Cheryl and Rudy - great people... About half an hour before the doors were to open for Todd Blair's fundraiser at Rhythmix, the caterers who had committed to donating food were nowhere to be found, and I called C'era in a panic to see what they could whip up for 100 people in 30 minutes. Cheryl said she would come over with something! They brought bowls and bowls of beautiful pasta and rice salad and saved the day. YAY! Dinner is always fantastic, I had a pork loin which was out of this world. I also really like the brunch here - the crepes were fantastic, as were the egg dishes. read more

Tucked away in an alley off Park St and behind Tomatina's, it's a little hard to find. But once inside, you are greeted by a friendly and attentive staff. We had a party of six and were quickly seated in a comfortable dining room which had the lights dimmed as the sun setted outside. My wife had the rib eye steak which was cooked okay but lacked proper seasoning or flavor. I ordered the "special" lobster-filled ravioli and it too lacked taste. There were maybe 6 or 7 thin raviolis with just a sliver of lobster meat which was hardly noticeable and the cream sauce overpowered it although it too was quite bland. So we were disappointed with this evening's meal but the company of friends in a relaxed atmosphere kind of made up for it. The friendly staff did keep our glasses refilled with water! Maybe we just ordered the wrong dishes. read more

Nestled in a quiet tree lined alley, the setting just adds to the absolutely wonderful ambiance of this delightful place. The interior decor, murals, lighting are inviting, warm, vibrant and colorful. Lovely paintings adorn the walls and even their pewter eating utensils with the curly design are comfortable and fantastic. On sundays, the live music just adds to the charm of the place. The food is exquisite and the service is excellent. The manager called back promptly when we called to inquire about the live music. She was friendly and very informative. It is a bit pricey, but well worth it. We have been back three times and will continue going back. This is Alameda's finest. read more

First time here was for their weekend breakfast and my family and I were really impressed with the service and excellent food. I had the lemon ricotta pancakes and a side of potatoes and they were equally delicious. They had a live musician playing nice low key music. I Hope that this place gets busier! We are looking forward to Coming back just for dessert because the options look so good! It's a shame that the other Italian restaurant around the corner isn't as good or authentic but they seem To get more traffic. read more

We had a private party for 16 people at this lovely gem of a restaurant just off Park Street. Cheryl, one of the owners, helped plan the menu and attended to the details. Our party was set up on the balcony overlooking the restaurant. The food (green salad, entrees of risotto and lasagne and a smooth and creamy panna cotta for dessert) was delicious. The service was impeccable. The staff were very attentive, professional and friendly. We had a leisurely party, did not feel rushed, enjoyed the food and service and the entire time at C'era Una Volta. If you are looking for venue for a private party or simply want to enjoy a good food in Alameda, head to C'era Una Volta! read more

Best to order the cold antipasto here as this is not cooked. If you do order something cooked, make sure one of the owners is in the kitchen. Here are some observations from recent visits: - the large order of pasta is really an appetizer - pork loin came out like dry cardboard (even after we were warned that it's normally cooked with a pink center) - eggs at brunch tend to be quite fatty - cold antipasto misto is excellent It's pot luck as to whether your food will be served hot. read more

This place is hit and miss but over all it is a good place to go if you want a more upscale non-franchise place to go to. I like the oil and mustard, so I am not sure why people think that is a bad thing. If you want oil and vinegar, I guess the olive garden is what you are looking for. The hits: I order the steak fiorentina - which is a meal for 2. It comes with salad, pasta, and a cowboy steak with potatoes and grilled vegetables. The steak is very large and we always have to bring home the left overs. I have ordered other items from the menu, the pasta always seem to be done right. The wines are pretty good. The deserts are ok ( I always get the Gelato). The miss' As others have stated - the service is not always perfect (I don't remember having bad service). They don't hover - but you may have to wave someone down. They don't always have everything on the menu, but I prefer that; at least they run out of things. read more

I come here every year for my birthday dinner. It's a nice & quaint Italian restaurant with a family feel. When you eat here it seems like the waitstaff really wants to take care of you and give you an authentic experience. We're big fans of Italian food and this has quickly become our go to spot for a nice Italian dinner where you don't have to spent an arm and a leg for a small fancy portion. I love the chicken parm, the homemade pastas, the gnocchi... You really can't go wrong. read more

Good food ~ baaaadddd service. Took a client there for Holiday Lunch...in a nutshell ~ waited 1-1/2 hours for our entree's, had the waitress snap at us because SHE got it wrong...they compensated by reducing our bill, but it was an embarassing 2-1/2 hour lunch. I'm glad our client likes us!!! read more

Okay, my partner used to play piano here, so I have a soft spot for the place, but Rudy and Cheryl and the staff are so nice and the food is exceptional, so I have to give them 5 stars. And the presentation is lovely! My partner's grandparents were from Italy, so he really cares about Italian food and so do I (as a foodie). We love the beet salad (Roman coins), Caprese and green salads. Paola says the gnocchi melt in your mouth, like grandpa Silvino used to make (he had it with pesto). The salmon and mushroom pasta are my favorites. They have beautiful desserts that are imported from Italia, but I rarely have room for them (except for that great holiday party that Paola's office held there--yumm!) I still want to try the brunch... read more

Best restaurant in Alameda, hands down. We had the filet mignon and gnocchi. Absolutely incredible food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Can't wait to come back! read more

The have a great TAKE OUT menu!!! A 3 course dinner for 2 $35! 2 pizzas for $25! We have enjoyed both options! Check it out and support your community!!! read more

I do have to say that this was a quite little place where I was able to relax outside in the padio area. I was a little worried with the parking right behind my back with no barrier. The waiter was very kind and prompt with his service. I was recomended the crab ravioli and cream sauce. Although I felt that the plate did not have enough on it, I really enjoyed the dish. The pasta that made the ravioli was cooked to an aldente and it was perfect. I do however feel that if the squash was cut a little bigger it would have been easier to eat. All together I was impressed with my food and left satisfied! I will come back for a second try. read more

I don't even think this restaurant is worthy of a "star" Sat down at 8:15pm about 8:30 pm we asked the waiter for some water. waiter hesitated on bringing water till about 8:50pm took our order and about 9:15 no bread no salad no dishes with food no nothing. Horrible customer service. I would never step a foot in this restaurant. read more

Yes, yes, yes!!!! Best Tiramisu I've ever had and we are connoisseurs!! We took our son to dinner here and were very impressed. The restaurant looks like a throwback to an Italian village. It's located off the street which gives it a nice quaint feeling. The wine list is superb and they have a sommelier, which is always a treat. It was a Friday evening around six, we didn't have a reservation, but they were extremely friendly and accommodated our party of three in less than ten minutes. There was a nice band playing soft pleasant music. They also played HBDAY when the Creme brûlée came out for our son, nice touch! Annnnddd the birthday dessert was on the house, that's classy! You can hear the hostess and cooks in the back speaking Italian, which is a great sign! My husband and me shared a Caesar salad and whole roasted Branzino with roasted vegetables. We also had a delicious bottle of wine, but I don't remember the name...YUMMY!!! Our son had chicken alfredo(not on the memo), which was also very good. The fool was so clean and simple yet superb! I can't wait to go back here. My husband says it's his new favorite Italian spot. read more

Yikes, the experience here was like a scene of out of the Twilight Zone. Me: What's your soup of the day? Waiter: Cream of Mushroom, it's very good. Me: I'll try it, thank you. My dining companion orders and receives his salad. After about 7-10 minutes later waiter arrives with my soup. Waiter: Here's your Cream of Broccoli Soup Me: Broccoli? You said Cream of Mushroom Waiter: Uh, sorry...still want it? Waiter: Would you like more bread? (4 slices come per basket) Me: Yes, please. Waiter: First basket free, after that $1.00 per two additional slices. Wtf?! Following our entrees (which were tasty however the risotto consistency was more like a rice pilaf rather than a creamy risotto. Not sure if its a regional thing), our waiter arrives to offer dessert. Waiter: Would you like dessert? We have a couple really good ones leftover from last Easter Sunday. Me: CHECK PLEASE!!! read more

The interior of this restaurant was beautiful and expansive, with nice decorations and friendly staff. The wine was amazing, my mother loved it, and the food was good. The hazelnut gelato was great (again, according to my mother). Bon appetito! read more

I definitely won't be coming back here EVER. I read some negative reviews, but really wanted to like this place, so we decided to give it a try anyway. We came on a day when the restaurant wasn't crowded, but the service was still so slow that I was convinced they had forgotten us. It took ages just to get water and place an order. When the food FINALLY came, it was tiny, flavorless, and really ho-hum.... yet somehow we ended up spending $60 on two glasses of wine, a minuscule and bland beet salad, and some goat cheese fondue thing that only came with 5 tiny crackers. We asked for more bread to go with it, but by the time it finally came we were just ready to just get out of there. We ended up going somewhere else to get some actual food, and definitely will not be back. read more

Needless to say, when I went here for Brunch on Sunday, I was profoundly hungover. Who'd have thought one little sip of smuggled Czech absinthe would make me so groggy. M. and I spent the previous night passed out on a blow up matress at Lo's, and as we were on her turf in the middle of nowhere (Alameda), she decided we'd be going to C'era Una Volta for brunch. We were seated immediately and liked the space. Right away, our hot hipster server came over and took our drink orders. 1 Belini. 1 Sav. Blanc. 1 Bloddy Mary (the kind with fake vodka. gross) I watched them make that Belini across the restaurant. It took 10 minutes and it was delivered with my slowly warming wine. The Bloody Mary, however, was running late. Really, really late. We sat there, afraid of rudely sipping our drinks until the goddamn BM arrived, but then hipster showed up to take our food orders. The food arrived in 12 seconds. I had the provolone and proscuitto omlette, which was perfectly lovely. I was a quarter through it when the Bloody Mary finally arrived. Which is when the jokes began. "Um, hi. C'era Una Volta? Yeah, I'm going to be there in about an hour. And will want a Bloody Mary. So you know, you can get started on that now." It's also at this point that a dude up on the balcony with a ukulele and kazoo starting playing old timey songs that all sounded the same. He could sing the NIN classic, "Closer" and it would sound just like "Swany River." Highlights: The bread basket, which included an awesome pastry and the check, which again, took forever, but came with chocolate covered espresso beans. And as we were leaving, a saxaphone player showed up and significantly improved the live music situation. He wore his sunglasses inside, so you know he's a serious jazz musician. In conclusion, call in advance to have them make your drinks because ordering them upon arrival really confuses everyone. And just eat the free stuff (bread/check candy) because that's the best thing going on. PS. The ladies room was out of order, so I had to use the men's. That was no problem as it was perfectly acceptable, but I'm freakishly tall and I had to duck, which made me feel even more like a freak. But I'll feel that way no matter how you cut it... read more

The last time I went here was disappointing compared to my previous experience here. The service is really slow and seem to be fake smiling a lot. What might be plus for some people is that they seem to select their waitresses from the out-of-work runway model pool - they all seem very tall and skinny, and man there's nothing like super skinny people to kick up an appetite. In general, this is a cute and relaxing spot for a gourmet brunch. The normally huge breakfast crowds at other Alameda spots have either yet to discover this place (it is hidden), or are looking for a more classic bacon-laden experience. While the location may not be optimal for attracting customers, the room is pretty and the tucked-away location makes it feel like a clubby little secret, albeit slightly faux-Italiano. I have yet to try C'era Una Volta for dinner, but given the quality of the food at brunch and lunch, I imagine dinner would also be pretty good. However, dinner spots are not what I need - I want good brunch options and this place comes through on this end. The regular menu has a number of great brunch choices, and the special brunch menu has many more good options, but it isn't clear if you can order them separately or if you have to order the whole brunch fixed price meal (too much food for one normal person). Do yourself a favor and order the pastry plate - the croissants are incredible, and good croissants are a true rarity these days. If they don't make these, I would love to know what bakery makes them. Dangerously buttery. The black truffle omelet, and the penne with mushrooms are both delicious. Perhaps my favorite touch was the hot flat bread that is served with a dish of warm oil with a delicious pool of creamy Dijon mustard in the center - simple and surprisingly tasty. The staff seemed a bit inexperienced and oddly stiff, and we were greeted with a pretentious "buon giorno" from a clearly not Italian waitress - apart from this and the slightly slow kitchen the experience at C'era Una Volta is pleasant. read more

WOW, I am really surprised to see the negative reviews for this place. I have been here for dinner, lunch and breakfast. Every time I came I was looking for a treat and C'era Una Volta delivered. On Valentines Day my guy and I came to hear Tera Linda, who had a single I heard on KALX. She was fun, and the food was great. Lobster ravioli and some other things. A few months later I wanted to have really good Italian food at lunch and this place stood out as one dependable option. We came, and feasted and enjoyed the beauty of the patio. I wish I could remember what we had. It was just all really, really good. Like, way better than what I could make at home, and I'm a damned good cook. Most recently we came the day after returning from a trip to Maui. We were bummed to be home, hungry for breakfast and the line at Cafe Jolie was too long. I remembered seeing something about breakfast on the C'era Una Volta lunch menu, so we tried it out. HOLY SHIT. It was the best. It was just really, really good. I ordered the croque madame and it was just so delectable to the last drop. The free bread was divine, the coffee was strong, everything was just so elegant and fine. I couldn't recommend this restaurant more highly. It looks like some other people have had some freakishly bad experiences. I don't know what to say about that. I have been here three separate times, and it's hands down my favorite place to eat in Alameda. PS they have traditional Italian deserts! read more

Adding onto my previous review. The food and service here is top notch! Diana was our server and was on it: polite, attentive, with awesome recommendations, and efficient service. Ask for her when you come! Fabulous food. Awesome service. Kenneth was my server and provided excellent service along with the entire staff. The mushroom ravioli is to die for. read more

hungry when I arrived and hungry when I left. The food was good but I had to order a pizza when i got home..... :(

Lovely decor with paintings and marble throughout to feel elegant. Then there's the amazing food! We had the spinach salad and eggplant Parmesan- fabulously baked to perfection - an arrange of fresh vegetables - broccoli rabe, whole baby carrots, tiny peppers, green beans! The chef is an artist! Warm red onions made a unique spinach salad with walnuts and carrots. We were on our way to the movies to we didn't have time for dessert - they served us chocolate coffee beans with the check. We will be back - made reservations for Flamenco Night 3/26 and they have an evening special for $55 for Tuesday night's - THAT is our next tasting at this lovely local gem. read more

I recently dined at C'era Una Volta for Sunday brunch. I didn't get a good enough feel for the restaurant because the tables were set up in the hot parking lot. There weren't nearly enough umbrellas to protect every table. I watched the butter melt as I sipped my Bellini. I liked my fancy frittata. It came with a side salad. read more

i would come here with a deal only. the food was ok. it wasn't the best but not the worst food. the decor could have been better; perhaps it just wasn't my style. we had great service. loved the the prosecco with various juice combinations. we had an excellent server. he gave great recommendations and was really attentive. we had brunch for 2 for $25.50 and some paninis. the description of the paninis on the menu were just that but for some reason i thought it would have more stuff and not be so plain. let's just say chicken and mushroom was just that...chicken and mushroom, no extra fixings...sigh. it just seemed over priced Italian. read more

I've waited a bit to post this review. Went there for mothers day brunch with the family and the whole experience was a train wreck. The food and service across the board were far below what it once was. My GF is a vegan and I called ahead to make that point known and go somewhere else if it was an issue. I was told it was not and that the chef would have something specific for her, which did not happen. When questioned about it the server went in a long dissertation about how she doesn't like serving vegans because they are hard to please. This was not just a comment but MINUTES of comments making people uncomfortable to the point where I had to cut her off. The food on the plates was sparce which I can accept if its good but unfortunately it wasn't. Mediocre at best...very disappointing. read more

Best dining experience I've had in a long time! Their Gnocchi dish was incredible and their dessert was just as delicious. Great hidden gem in alameda!! read more

Old-school Alameda people seem to love this place. We hated it. Ridiculous pricing for sub-par and in some cases near inedible food. It's been suggested that I give it another chance but my experience was so bad across the board that I'd sooner throw money down a manhole than suffer this place again. The steak came out like a boiled disaster and tasted about the same (for the couple of bites I got down). The pasta was forgettable and didn't cross the "better than Trader Joe's" threshold. We barely touched our food, declined a 'to go' box, and nobody cared to ask why. Mysteriously, people we know who seem to enjoy some really decent places also like this place. Whatever - they can have it. There's a much better Italian option in town and several in Berkeley and Oakland that are great and even cheaper. read more

The first time we ate here, probably a year ago, they bait and switched us on the wine. We ordered an expensive bottle and they brought out a different year. When we brought that to their attention, the waiter said it was the same wine. It wasn't. They still charged us the expensive bottle price. When I googled the wines and the years they had served us a poor wine at a exceptional wine price. I hate being cheated. We (my husband) decided to give the place another go last night. Snooty, poor service, bad food and overpriced. My spinach salad was swimming in a sea of oil on a cup of outrageously over-vinegared onions. The meat sauce was chalky. How do you ruin a simple meat sauce? Use watery tomato sauce and add talcum. Two words, Cera Una Volta, NEVER AGAIN! read more