My last review was 14 years ago! These past years have been consistent, excellent, comforting, and we love Cirino's! I'm still addicted to the calamari! I have ventured into delicious pasta dishes, grilled artichokes, clam chowder, and salads. Service is always superb, efficient, and friendly. 14 years ago I gave them 4 stars. They have definitely earned that 5th star! Thanks for all the fantastic meals! read more

The Grass Valley Courtyard recommended this place for dinner and it was delicious! I had the beef lasagna, my sister ordered the special Pasta Primavera and BIL ordered the Chicken Parm. We all agreed at how delicious our dinner was. I recommend this place! Thank you to GV Courtyard hotel for the great recommendation! read more

Cirino's At Main Street - The beef lasagna...did NOT disappoint! I'd kiss the chef for this! - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

What a great place for a very nice meal in the heart of Grass Valley. Friends took us here and we were very impressed. The restaurant has a well established old world flavor to it. A bit kitschy in the decor but pleasant, spacious and very nice. The service was extraordinarily friendly, attentive and helpful. We felt like family were waiting on us. As we got menus right away there's a good variety of choices. Since the essence of the restaurant is Maltese I was particularly intrigued as I know nothing of that cuisine. We started with a cup of the soup of the day, a Tuscan bean soup, that was delightful. It was full of beans and fresh vegetables in a hearty soup base. Although a few choices in the salads and sandwiches sounded appealing I instead chose the Lamb Maltese pasta. On a bed of farfalle (bowtie) pasta it comes with lamb pieces and a slightly spicy red sauce. All very delicious and I found it to be a very tasty dish. The only downside was the lamb chunks were not the usual, long and oddly sized, plus very chewy. Overall it didn't really diminish the dish. While we all were quite content and full our server brought out an incredible array of amazing looking desserts that would wow anyone. Unfortunately there just wasn't an appetite left for it. However, I will remember that for next time. I will definitely go back to try other things. This is a wonderful place for a pleasant meal. read more

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We went to Cirino's at Main Street in Grass Valley during Cornish Christmas, and the restaurant was extremely busy. The wait was very long, but that was expected given the event and the crowds downtown. We started with the lobster dip and calamari. The lobster dip was hot, creamy, and actually tasted like lobster, not just cheese but the calamari was the star of the show it was lightly breaded, tender, and not greasy highly recommend the calamari. For mains, the lobster and bay shrimp fettuccine alfredo was rich and the sauce was delicious, although there wasn't much lobster just shrimp and the pasta slightly undercooked. Two guests ordered the balsamic chicken risotto, and while both tasted good, they came out noticeably different in texture and presentation, which stood out when ordered at the same table but regardless both tasted amazing. We also had the sausage Toscano with farfalle, and the stuffed pasta shells which was light with sauce and comforting. Service was clearly under pressure but remained polite and professional. Portions are generous and pricing matches the quality. Overall, Cirino's delivers solid, traditional Italian comfort food. The main drawback that night was the long wait and some inconsistency. read more

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Not a fan of their rib eye. Ordered medium rare but it was tough and chewy like some other cut of beef with no marbling or flavor. They offered to exchange it and ended up comping me that meal which was appreciated. read more

We had a 5 pm reservation as we were going to the Center for the Arts thats nearby. We were greeted and seated right away. Service was professional and friendly. Our server recognized we were not having a leisure meal and service was very timely. We had Chicken Parmesan Chicken and Salmon. The Chicken Parmesan was thin and a bit dry, yet, tasty. The vegetables were a bit soggy, but, OK. The Salmon was excellent with very tasty pasta. The check was handled professionally. read more

Such great food, friendly service, generous portions, fresh ingredients and cozy, homey atmosphere. The wine menu is ample and meals are delivered quickly - almost like they knew we were coming! I forgot my cell phone in the booth and the Wait Staff had set it aside on the divider wall for me when I returned 5 minutes later. The eggplant must have been soaked and brined because it actually had flavor and nice texture. So thankful for a welcoming warm meal in town on a cold day. Thank you, Cirino's. read more

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This restaurant is a Grass Valley gem! It's so cute inside and service is great! I got the Bloody Mary this time and it was delicious! They sell their mix there so you can make their great Bloody Mary's at home. We started with the olives, polenta, focaccia and grilled artichoke- all delicious. We shared a salmon risotto that was sinfully good-creamy cheesy-everything a risotto should be. They have a great menu with a lot of variety and their sauces are some of the best I've ever had. Love this restaurant! read more

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Service was great! We sat at a table pretty quickly (4 of us) which was nice since it was opening night of Cornish Christmas and everywhere was super packed. We ordered the calamari which was probably some of the best we've ever had. All 4 of us LOVED IT! We had minestrone which wasn't bad, and the pork entree. I dont remember what it was called but it was damn good. Our server was amazing and I wish I remembered her name! She was so sweet, super friendly and did a great job overall. We will definitely be back when we are in town again! read more

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Had a cozy lunch with a friend at Cirino's today. We ate in the bar in a booth, which was a little uncomfortable--this old girl could've used a cushion or two--but also private and roomy for two. We started with a signature Bloody Mary--available for purchase by the bottle--which was tasty and generously garnished, served with a beer shot back (or is that a beer back shot?); my friend went bold with a spicy Mary and dark beer while I played it straight. I had the pork sandwich which was moist and enjoyable, although the coleslaw was flavorless. My friend had stuffed polenta which she said was very good. Our server was friendly and attentive without being pushy. It's also a good pick for small town atmosphere if you're passing through. read more

Cirino's At Main Street - Juniper Brined Pork Rostini Sandwich - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

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Holy amazing meal!! It was a cold and rainy Sunday and we had such a fantastic meal here that I am craving their food right now!! We had chowder, eggplant Parmesan, a sandwich and of course the awesome Bloody Mary. Omg. Delicious food, outstanding service and that Bloody Mary is just unmatched!! Do not hesitate. Eat here. I will be back as soon as I can! read more

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This place used to be great. Went there Sunday and ordered the lasagna, it had such a funny taste... kinda metallic like. Sent back . Got the risotto and it was a little under cooked. Yeah don't think I'll be back. Grass valley has very slim options for dining out. read more

Definitely love Cirino's Restaurant! True rating is 4.5! Great Italian restaurant nestled in a mall strip. As soon as you walked in the door, you were transported to a cozy ristirabte in Italy! The staff were welcoming and the decor made you feel like you were in an Italian bistro. They have two dining rooms, but they fill up fast! You can tell that the restaurant is so good that local neighbors dine there as well as a slew of tourist/visitors. The owners came out and checked on guests...each table. You even had an opportunity to KISS THE COOK! DEFINITELY will return! The seafood fettuccini was exquisite! Filled with shrimp and a lot of lobster pieces. The Alfredo had a twist of garlic and a light lemon taste. The steak was medium rare with a good flavor. Lightly salted and definitely a wood grill flavor. The grilled polenta was different and yummy! Light crispy crust with a breadish consistency. Creamy butter taste. The decadent chocolate cake was heavenly! Rich, moist and a sweet deep chocolate taste. The vanilla bean ice cream made it extra special. Tiramisu was yummy, but it was probably the least favourite dish. The cream tasted a lot like just vanilla which overpowered the coffee in the tiramisu. The amaretto sour was a bit watered down. Not very amerettoish or sourish. The only reason why it did not get 5 stars was due to the tiramisu and amaretto sour. read more

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I lived here in Grass Valley 4+ years ago. I came back for a visit with family and brought my Mom here for the famous Bloody Mary's. Staff was welcoming, fun and friendly. Bar is beautiful and everything is well maintained. Wish we had a Cirino's in TN! read more

Cirino's At Main Street - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

Love the atmosphere! Ask for Rene for your server. Great mashed potatoes. Marinara sauce was sweet to me, and needed to have more savory ingredients instead. Mahalo. Maria R. read more

Visited Dec. 18th..see receipt. Always a great experience in this long running restaurant in downtown Grass Valley! After getting into Grass Valley today I really wanted some soup. I know that Cirinos has the best clam chowder! Full of clams and potatoes with just the right consistency - yum! My friend had the spicy corn and sausage soup and it was tasty as well. They have a full bar and tvs to watch sports in the bar section. If i was hungrier i would have got the mushroom risotto (my fav here). It's great to always see Jerry Cirino and his son hands on and proud of the QUALITY coming out - and always friendly! You might pay a buck or two more but Quality of ingredients is important to me! Don't forget to get their famous bloody mary mix for the holidays! Thank you Julie for great service as well! Cozy and casual during the day! read more

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We visit GV for a matinee comedy show and stopped in for lunch - this little cafe was bustling but quick friendly and amazing food!! Everything on the menu looked great but I got the French onion soup and salad - had a pice of pizza and it was great!! Highly recommended if you are in GV read more

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Food, service, location! Friendly service, amazing pesto sandwich, really good pasta dish! Waitress was sweet. Busy holiday got great service with no reservations! read more

Cirino's At Main Street - Pesto chicken sandwich - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

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This was a special dish made by chef Ryan. This was the most delicious, simple, steamed salmon and vegetables with the most incredible flavorful broth. I'm eating a lot more simple these days and they are able film most request! It's just like eating at home, but there's really nice people!! read more

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We've been dining at Cirinos since 2008. The servers and staff have always been nice and very competent, that's been the main draw when I think about it. And the ambience is pleasant enough. We took Cirinos out of rotation awhile ago for lunches because frankly their sandwiches weren't too interesting and the sides especially are limited compared to other restaurants in town. Especially at the price point. Their dinner entrees are okay. Also, we learned this year that their owner was cited more than once in two years for making their famous Bloody Mary in a unpermitted facility, their home. I'm all for home based businesses but they should follow the law. The owner said in the Union he had to do what he did to support his employees during COVID, lots of other businesses were breaking the law back then so it's ok. I wasn't in his shoes back then but the logic is flawed in my opinion. We can use that as an excuse for a lot of inappropriate activity. Bottomline: We have bought a lot of that stuff over the years, used it and gave it away. I'm sure it was safe but it you never know and it makes us wonder how selective they are on following ordinances in other aspects of their restaurant. We won't be back to Cirinos anytime soon, prices are so high with all restaurants downtown we don't go out as often so we need to choose which businesses we support. read more

Very friendly folks in the bar area! Had the eggplant Parmesan. It was one of the best I've ever had!

I came here with a co-worker for lunch one day and then came here 3 more times in 3 weeks! Everything was a hit! Everything! We always walked in and were greeted and seated right away. I had the lasagna which was great and the salmon another night. 10/10!! The shrimp Louie was the only dish I would give a 9/10 on. The portions were not too much which I prefer. Check their hours because we tried to go on a day they were closed read more

My wife and I come here a few times every year. We like visiting grass Valley and Nevada City. We have always come here for dinner. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be back again. I order the Chicken Parmesan. The chicken was so rubbery, and the sauce, what the hell was that. It wasn't marina. Never seen that so dark and flavorless. It also wasn't served with spaghetti. What kind of Italian restaurant doesn't have this. My choices were mashed potatoes or polenta. I ordered the potatoes, which was the only thing that was good. Very disappointed. My wife ordered the angel hair pompadour which was really good. The Caesar Salad was good, minus the lemon Caesar dressing which I didn't like. Where was the classic dressing. Must not be Italian cook's working there. I am sure I will a different restaurant the next time I'm in town. read more

The ambiance is amazing. Service was ok. Food though??? Delicious!! Couldn't recommend it enough and will definitely drive a 1hr to go back again read more

Cirino's At Main Street - Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

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Cirino's never fails. The restaurant side is great for date nights and the bar side is great for meeting up with friends. Service is always prompt and food is always delicious. My only complaint would be parking but that's downtown for you. read more

My wife and I had lunch today and, as usual, the food was great and the service provided by Hilary was perfect. I like to give their Bloody Mary mix as gifts. Kudos. read more

At our recent annual girls trip to Grass Valley's Cornish Christmas we enjoyed some dinner at Cirino's. Recommend reservations if you have 2 or more people, the bar seating is limited and usually full as I've noticed the last couple of trips up to GV. Early or late evening is not as busy. The waitress was very nice & we enjoyed the great booths which were semi-private. It's pretty loud but you don't really notice because everyone is in a good mood at Christmas time. On previous visits it's usually our go-to place for dinner or before/after drinks. read more

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Wow what a place. So welcoming when you arrive and neat ambiance. Bar side and eatery side. Staff was attentive, and wonderful. Group of 6, we got artichokes (where okay) calamari was the hit! Tritip, NY steak sando, lasagna and fettuccini w shrimp. We all left full and satisfied. And be sure to read all the way through about Kissing the Cooks. Love this! read more

Cirino's At Main Street - NY Cirino's Steak Sandwich À La Gorgonzola - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

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We did not have a reservation but arrived for first come, first served seating on Valentine's Day at 4:30. We still waited at least 40 minutes before being seated in a cozy booth in the bar. Our waitress was exceptional as was the food. Literally everything we had was fabulous and several of the items were recommended by our waitress. The owner came by to say hello and be sure we were enjoying ourselves. Food, service and ambiance all made it a very special dinner for our mom's 81st birthday! read more

Good value, nice interior ambiance [Grass Valley CA] I stopped at Cirino's to get something to eat before heading home. The place is a sit-down restaurant and it was between lunch and dinner around 3:30p so I figured the place wouldn't be busy. Ambiance inside the dining area reminded me of the beautiful painted mall sky ceiling at the Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas including hanging lights. Table for 1, please, as the hostess immediately led me to a table. A server came to take my order shortly. I ordered a bowl of their Famous New England Clam Chowder Soup. It was just soup so it was served right away along with crackers and complimentary bread w/ butter. I took a few spoonfuls but I couldn't finish. Unfortunately, the soup, as good as it looked was a bit too salty for my taste. My server was kind enough to just charge me for a cup instead of a bowl. For now service and ambiance stays at 3.5-stars. I think it was the owner himself, Jerry Cirino, who came out and greeted the customers and made sure everything was alright. For this I'd love to come back and try other specialty entrees from their menu. The restaurant is located across the Holbrooke Hotel on Main Street. Review #3194 read more

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Fantastic meal! We were visiting Grass Valley and my teens were done with post holiday shopping. The menu and warmth of the decor was the lure inside. We had Fettuccine Alfredo, a burger and the Mediterranean salad with grilled prawns. Also, the special calamari and clam chowder to share. The chowder was the best, with large chunks of potato and clams with a smooth and creamy soup. Hard to find a chowder like this. Their calamari was sliced and breaded With two dipping sauces. It was different than we're used to, but tender and delicious. My kids inhaled it! Each entree was also nicely done, the Alfredo creamy without being chunky, and you could smell the grill marks on the burger, cooked perfectly. The Mediterranean plate was amazing - with beautiful grilled vegetables and artichokes and 6 grilled prawns on the side. So good! Out waitress was very helpful and good humored, making the entire experience one that make us eager to return. read more

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I like the historic old west atmosphere in this bar/restaurant. It is in a small location but does offer outdoor seating which is perfect on a sunny autumn day. The menu offers a lot of different options such as salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. I ordered the spinach salad which included generous chunks of blue cheese and candied walnuts. It was good but pricy, 21.00 with no protein such as grilled chicken included. I was visiting Grass Valley with my parents when I dined at Cirino's. They ordered tomato soup, flat bread pizza, and a sandwich. I tried some of the flatbread pizza. It was just ok. The sandwich was accompanied by a cup of pasta salad and looked like a hearty meal. Service was average. In my opinion, Cirino's is good, but not great. Next time, I am in the area, I would try something different read more

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The pork sandwich was delicious, service was great, and it was a cool vibe inside. I would definitely come back and get the pork sandwich again but also I would love to try other menu items as well. I highly recommend trying a sandwich here if you are here for lunch. read more

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The food was amazing and the staff was very nice. Definitely recommend and will come back. read more

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Excellent food, excellent drinks, excellent service, excellent ambiance! If I could give Cirinos more stars I would. I have been going there for over 20 years. During the past 20 years, I moved out of state for a few years and had their Bloody Mary mix shipped to me because it is the absolute best! read more

Cirino's At Main Street - A Bloody Mary made with Cirinos Bloody Mary mix in my backyard in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. - Italian Near Me - Grass Valley, California

Cirinos has been our go to restaurant for special occasions and treating guests for years. Last night, Saturday night, with a seating before 6, which is usually a good time to get a restaurants best food, we had both a visitor to town and it was my daughter's 10th birthday, so we chose Cirinos. Very disappointingly, we had astonishingly bad food for the first time ever. The spinach dip and pita, always a favorite, had different pita - before, it was amazing - not sure what magic they worked with it - but last night it was bland ordinary pita. The dip was still good though :). My daughter has been looking forward to the kids Mac and cheese - we'd had it many times before and it was wonderful. Last night? It was awful and inedible. Gluey, tasteless, bland, oily, no cheese apparent at all. My daughter couldn't eat it, I could hardly swallow the one bite I had. We told the waitress, who took it away, but didn't apologize our explain, though said we could order something else. I got the pork rostini, usually stellar. Last night? Edible. Nothing on the plate was nearly as good as it had been (reliably) in the past. Veggies were bland and greasy, polenta lacked flavor and crispness, plum sauce bland, pork bland and barely warm when it came to the table (we were there before 6, it was not crowded). Our visitor from the east coast, to whom we had raved about Cirinos, said her risotto was ok, nothing great. My Bloody Mary was the usual yum :). Then, we got to dessert. Because it was her special birthday dinner and the much anticipated mac and cheese was so disappointing, I told my daughter she could just have dessert. But the tray held nothing appealing to a child. Usually there is a chocolate layer cake that is wonderful. Not last night. There was chocolate pudding, but it had rum in it. None of the options were straightforward - maybe appealing to adults, but nothing really for younger diners. By then, my daughter was very hungry, VERY disappointed, and struggling to build back tears. I was, and still am, baffled by a complete failure by a stand out restaurant for years. Are they cutting corners to keep the same prices amid rising costs? New chefs? I don't know, but unfortunately, we are unlikely to go back again . read more

We have always had great food and the best Bloody Mary's!! Very Friendly and professional staff.

Best pasta, bar, Bloody Marys ever; service is great and a beautifully decorated in Italian motif. A local favorite. I've been a patron since the 1980s. Specials vary, all is done so well! Pride in their work. Love this place. read more

Wow- what a disappointment!. Small portions on the Appetito and nothing special. I thought it was supposed to be one of Grass Valley's best. I would skip it. I can buy sausage from Trader Joe's with day old sauce. read more

I can't really comment on the food as we didn't make it that far. We were put on a waitlist- like 5 minutes, bo problem! Well after we were seated in a tight corner with the blazing sun on us, we waited half an hour and didn't even get water, let alone a waiter. Then we watched a couple get seated across from us and in less than a minute had a waiter bring them water. Another couple of minutes and the couple had their order taken while we still waited to be helped! My friend when to speak to someone and then an annoyed looking waitress came over but we'd had enough and left. They hardly seemed to care that we left. read more