A great spot to meet up on the peninsula. The restaurant is gorgeous, particularly the newly renovated bar and the outdoor seating area. It's usually very lively, but the space is intimate and quiet enough (volume-wise) to enjoy a really special meal. The new menu is divided into sections: "From the Garden," "From the Sea," and "From the Butcher" -- with small plates, pastas, large plates, and pizzas available in each category. Makes it especially fun to order as a group, so you can sample a bunch of different items on the menu. (Also: I'm a vegetarian, and having a full third of the menu accessible is awesome and not super common.) Service is superb; the staff is kind, attentive, and very knowledgable. You can usually spot Donato himself in, or near, the kitchen when he's not personally greeting the tables. Great people, and great food! read more

Haven't been in years and changed a bit: pasta is still good but menu structure is different and service was sub par. Food: 4 Service: 2 Atmosphere: 3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: maybe Highlights: - Pasta with sausage, brown butter, and pancetta: standout of the night. 4.5 stars - Oxtail agnolotti pasta: nice broth with a mellow flavor and lots of little pockets of pasta. 4 stars - Appetizer portions of all pastas so you can try a few - Wines: all outstanding and not ones you'd find anywhere. Good amount by the glass or different sizes of carafe portion. - Menu: organized by vegetables, seafood, and meat which was different Midlights: - Tiramisu: proportions marscapone to ladyfingers was off with mostly all marscapone in a jar: 3 stars - Fish: just ok, not too tender and bland flavors. 3 stars Lowlights: - No bread offered or cheese for pasta--was for other tables - Service: mia after order was taken, glasses of wine were empty and got our entrees, staff seemed confused when our entrees were coming and having an internal conversation in front of us of what to do. Not the quality of service I'd expect from an upscale Italian restaurant. read more

This one hurts to write because Donato Enoteca used to be one of my favorite Italian restaurants on the Peninsula. I'd happily drive over just for the Bigoli e Coda. Unfortunately, this visit felt like a restaurant that's lost some of its spark. Happy hour was actually a pleasant surprise. The prices are excellent and make it easy to sample a variety of dishes. The Polpette and prosciutto with melon were enjoyable, but the croquettes were forgettable. The mussels and shrimp didn't taste particularly fresh, which was disappointing. The chicken had an unusual texture--somewhere between a chicken nugget and a crab cake. It just wasn't for me, The biggest letdown was the Bigoli e Coda. The pasta still had its signature chewy texture, but the sauce felt oily instead of rich, the braised oxtail lacked the deep, slow-cooked flavor I remembered, and the entire dish desperately needed seasoning. It used to be one of those dishes I'd recommend without hesitation. Not anymore. The seafood entrée was probably the strongest dish of the night, but even there it fell short. The fish was properly cooked, yet the skin lacked the crisp, golden finish that makes a skin-on fillet so satisfying. It was another dish that felt underseasoned and never quite came to life. That was really the theme of the evening: almost everything felt underseasoned. Nothing was inedible--it just lacked the vibrant flavors and careful execution that made Donato stand out years ago. I'm hoping this was simply an off night because Donato has earned a lot of goodwill over the years. But when a longtime favorite no longer tastes like the restaurant you remember, it's hard not to leave a little disappointed. read more

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I've always lived in Redwood City but I haven't tried all the restaurants in/around the downtown area yet. I decided to try Donato because I saw that they had Happy Hour from 4-6:30pm. The cocktails were superb; they had the right amount of alcohol without tasting bitter. I didn't think I would like the Penicillin drink because the liquor was whiskey, but it tasted perfect and fruity, and so did the spritz. I also enjoyed a light lager. We ordered two of the mini burgers from the happy hour menu; the meat wasn't as moist as I'd like it to be, but the mustard really tied it together. I have to say the fries were absolutely delicious, the potato flavor wasn't overly greasy or salty like most placed make their french fries. Service was paced well, we didn't feel rushed and were able to relax. I will definitely be returning for happy hour!! read more

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Honestly a horrible experience. We got there at 6:50 PM for a 7 PM reservation and there was already a line. We found out people with 6:30 reservations hadn't even checked in yet. When we finally got to the host around 7:10 we asked them to text us when the table was ready so we didn't have to crowd the front. Instead at 7:40 PM I got an email saying my reservation was cancelled. We ran back to the front and they said it was a mistake and they cancelled the wrong person with my name. We finally got seated but the service was just as messy. Our server Kenya was friendly but it took 20 minutes just to order food. The whole dinner took 3 hours, we didn't leave until 10 PM. We got the $97 4 course meal and it was a let down. The Antipasti Crostone di uovo e tartufo had a rich truffle taste but was not warm at all. The Primi was the Tortino di pasta ai Carciofi e pecorino. It tasted good but again, was cold. The Secondi Controfiletto ai porri e patate croccanti was probably the best choice and had a nice crispy potato, but it wasn't warm either. Finally for Dolce we had the Bacio di Dama. We waited 20 minutes just for dessert. Since it's a set menu you would think the cookies would be fresh since they have to crank them out, but it was a hard solid piece of cookie. The chocolate ganache wasn't good either. They clearly overbooked the restaurant and couldn't handle it. What a terrible way to spend Valentines. I won't be returning given the price point. read more

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Great service, walked in on a Friday without a reservation during dinner time and the hostess was able to seat us quickly. Our waiter did a good job walking us through the menu and giving suggestions. The pizza was solid, would order again. The wine selection was large, a bit pricey if you are not a wine expert. read more

Donato Enoteca - Tagliolini Al Ragu - Italian Near Me - Redwood City, California

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Honestly, this review is frustrating to write because Donato Enoteca is such a beautiful space. The restaurant itself is huge with multiple dining pockets, gorgeous wine displays, and a really upscale atmosphere that makes you expect an amazing meal. The best thing we had all night was the mussels appetizer. The red sauce was genuinely phenomenal and the toasted bread with it was perfect. That dish alone gave me high hopes. Unfortunately, almost everything after that missed the mark. The branzino was deconstructed tableside, which was a nice touch, but the fish itself was thin, underwhelming, and still had bones throughout it. Then when we asked for more of the bread from the mussel dish, we got this giant puffed pita-style bread instead, which totally confused us. The salad barely resembled a salad. There were maybe a handful of arugula leaves with scattered toppings, and it just didn't feel balanced or thought out. Then dessert came out cold, stale, and to make matters worse, there was literally a bug in the sauce. The wine was good and the service team itself was friendly, but the meal felt like one strange disappointment after another. Maybe this place shines more with traditional Italian dishes, but based on this experience I don't think I'd come back. read more

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After learning of our disappointing experience on Valentine's Day, Donato (the restaurant owner) reached out to personally apologize and invite us back to give them a second chance. I'm very glad we took him up on the offer! The food was incredible. Our waitress, Kenya, was very knowledgable about the menu and made great recommendations. Our favorites of the evening included the beef carpaccio appetizer, casonsei pasta, grilled sea bass fillet, and roasted pork chop. We also enjoyed the seasonal Easter cake for dessert. The flavors were spectacular and we'd definitely return for some of these dishes alone! The entire staff was very attentive and showed exemplary service across the board. We noticed many regular customers greeted by name which led us to believe it is a very welcoming, warm establishment where you are treated as more than just a reservation. They truly care for the people they serve. The whole team went above and beyond to host us for the night and we were very impressed with the level of care they showed. The kind gesture does not go unnoticed and we will certainly return for another visit. read more

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Recently went to Donato, I have to say the Happy Hour Menu is a BIG hit. We ordered: Fig and Prosciutto skewers: both ingredient balance each other, the fig makes the prosciutto tastes even better. Gambero All'Aglio: shrimp soaked up all the yummy oil emulsion which gives the prawn a tangy paprika taste. Polpetta: meatball is ideally formed bite size, it's coated with cheese and tomato sauce, which is heaven in my mouth. Crochette Di Patate: the crispy croquettes is super cute with the presentation, taste is great too. My least favorite happy hour item is the Bocconcini di merluzzo: cod fritters: a bit greasy and taste is not as amazing as other dishes. For entree We had: Vegetarian dumplings: very soft in texture, taste great. They are willed with potato and cheese. Pan Pizza: this is not what we normally think pizza is, a bit messy to eat. The pizza is crispy on the bottom, prosciutto gives the saltiness to the taste. Agnolotti is our favorite entree: it's filled with sausage. It's soaked in the oil but won't make you feel unpleasant at all. It looks very simple, but taste is very great. Highly recommend. read more

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Came in for an early dinner at around 5pm for 2 people on a Friday night, and stayed for almost 2 hours. Restaurant was near empty when we came in but filled up after 5:30. We had a blast! Service was wonderful, we had plenty of check-ins throughout the meal. We had apps, 2 entrees, and dessert. Each course is well-paced and goes by fast with some wine and good company. Our server was kind enough to request our pasta already split into separate plates, which we appreciated. Everything was super delicious and it's hard to pick just a standout, but if I had to pick one it would be the slow braised beef cheek. Every bite melts in your mouth, and the flavors are amazing. We also wanted to try the prix fixe, but unfortunately we were too early before it was early (server recommended to come around 5:30 for the prix fixe). We'll definitely be back to try this! read more

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I love the place so much and now the new menu has been incredible! The staff and service is amazing. Great cocktails and wines! Great ambiance and great vibes! Always looking forward to be back! read more

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The food was so delicious. We started off w/ the charcuterie board. Great & fresh tasting sausages. All made in house. The pita bread was baked to perfection as well. Fresh & homemade. For my entree, I got the pork chop delight. So tender, & juicy w/ seasonal veg. Lastly the vanilla bean Panna Cotta was such a great ending to the meal. So light & refreshing. Service was just as good. He was very kind, and helpful. Ambiance was nice w/ a lot of seating. Nice Italian vibe. read more

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Food was delicious, we had kind of frito mixto, lamb meat ball, grilled octopus (excellent) , oxtail stuffed ñoqui with spinach and white sauce, ricotta canelones ,sparkling wine ,tonic water, delicious lemoncelo , a new version of ice cream tiramisu and espresso , no disappointment at all (sorry no food picture I was distracted) we arrived around 4 pm and was a happy hour (4pm to 6:30pm) and dinner start at 5pm. The hosstes, so nice , she offered to have a table in the bar and then at 5pm moving us to the dining area, and we accepted. the service in the bar with Ventura was so good and pleasant , if you are looking for a place with a nice personality and a good bartender this is your place, for that reason we didn't go to the dinning area at 5pm, we stay in the bar for dinner . At that time ventura got help and Eugenia takes over our table, also another very good service and actitud, she was very nice and attentive. They deserve 10, please take care them and don't let them go, is no easy to find that kind the person working in hospitality. The place look really nice and super clean. I like the style and decor also the bar have some TVs and patio. definitely I will return to enjoy more of the delicious dishes and the excellent service. thank you very much Ventura and Eugenia for tonight you guys gave us a beautiful night and experience , oh... I must've to mention another sweet lady , sorry I don't remember her name but she is Italian and also speaks spanish, very nice and sweet thank you again to all of you. See you soon read more

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3% surcharge. They are planning on expanding hours to include lunch. Happy hour is daily 4-6:30. The menu changes often. Happy hour: A lot of items arrived lukewarm when they should be hot: 4.7/5: Burgherino. It's a mini burger (Ozempic sized) with fries. Great flavor. The fries were lukewarm. Ask for some kind of sauce to go with the fries. 4.7: Polpette di Agnello lamb sausage. Great flavor, but it was lukewarm. 4.4: Alici Fritte: golden fried anchovies. Good, but arrived cold/lukewarm. 3.5: Baccala e Biete: salted cod puree on toasted bread. Flavor is subtle but good. 3.5: The Agnolotti di raschera is OK ($6). 2.5: Verdure Fritte: Vegetable tempura. The batter is too heavy / doughy. 2.5: Tonno al rafano: Seared ahi tuna with horseradish sauce. It is not seared; it is well done all the way through. 2.8: Zucchini in Saor: Zucchini in vinegar on bread. From the main menu: 5.0: The Fazzoletti prawn Pasta is perfection. Extra prawn flavor from sauteeing in the shells. It comes with al dente sheets of pasta. I got the small sizde ($18), but you want the large size to get another prawn ($25). 4.8: Get the Bomba bread ($5), and order a dish with a lot of sauce. 4.7: L'uovo Morbido. organic soft poached egg, pecorino cheese foam, black summer truffle. Must order bomba or focaccia with it. 4.5: Focaccia. Order it to mop up sauce. You get 4 toasted focaccia pieces. 4.4: pizza in padellino con spada affumicato: pan cooked pizza, smoked swordfish, eggplant cream, confit cherry tomatoes. It's very similar to focaccia with toppings. 4.0: colore Crocante. multi-color salad with crispy pork belly. Good, but not enough critical mass of pork belly to make it great. 3.0: Branzino. The fish itself has no flavor, and is overwhelmed by lemon juice. It's like it was dunked in a tank of lemon juice. 3.0: Tiramisu nuovo: coffee gelato on top of amaretti cookie crumbs, with a mascarpone topping. It doesn't work. The amaretti crumbs are hard as a rock and get stuck in your teeth. The coffee gelato and mascarpone topping is OK. For drinks: Get here before 6:30 so that you can order the $10 wines by the glass from the happy hour menu: 4.7: Happy hour red wine: Monfort Lagrein Trentino Doc 2020. oak-aged in French barique. From the Alps. 4.7: Happy hour white wine: Anthium Lazio 2024 Casale del Giglio. 2024. Bellone grape. 4.4: Limoncello spritz 2.5: Girasole mocktail: Heavy on the passionfruit, and Way too tart/pungent. read more

We have been coming to Donato for many years, almost since it first opened. The food has always been excellent, and the restaurant was great for both small and larger dinner groups. The outdoor area they built after covid was a very good addition, too. Tonight was our first visit after the recent remodel and menu change, and it did not disappoint. First off, the refreshed restaurant looks great! The new bar is spectacular and I can easily see my wife and I hanging out there for a happy hour bite. The new menu is an excellent update, with both a broader set of items to order and also options for small bite portions. We ordered small dishes of the zucchina, the ravioletti, the taglioini, and the burrata/prosciutto pizza in padellino, plus the olive oil and lemon cake for dessert. We already have a list of different small plates to try when we return...soon! Great food and the usual excellent and warm service. Donato himself was hanging around as always, checking on the operations. Our favorite local Italian restaurant is even better now - give it a try! read more

Amazing everything!! Food, service, atmosphere... all to perfection. Love this place. read more

Donato Enoteca - Raviolo with truffle. - Italian Near Me - Redwood City, California

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Why the 5 star because of the food! It's elegantly plated, a mouthful of flavor, innovative, and satifiying, especially for the Bay Area with dishes you can't get anywhere (unless you go to Venice, Italy)! Listen, I have been dining and Yelping for a long time now and let's face it, what ultimately makes restaurants is, the food! OF COURSE the renovation is wonderful here too and well done! I went to the re-GRAND opeing of Donato's and had 5 dishes: ALICI FRITTE, POLPO E PANTESCA, BACCALA MANTECATO, CARNE SALADA and LA NOSTRA BRUSCHETTA with 3 desserts: ZUPPETTA DI FRAGOLE, TORTA AL LIMONE E OLI, and TIRAMISU NUOVO. So yes, I did not try all the dishes but a good mix. My friend who came with me is very open minded and adventurous when it comes to food. We ordered the only dish that I thought, "well, should we get this too?", which was the Bruschetta, The "LA NOSTRA BRUSCHETTA ". It was so fresh and juicy, I was so glad we had ordered this too. I loved the Baccala, it was so smooth, delicate and yummy; I could have had another plate. For the desserts, again the uniqueness came through with the ZUPPETTA DI FRAGOLE. The peas! Yes, they made it so aesthetically appealing and the sugar crunch on the peaches was so divine. Sorry, I don't like to write long long reviews but I JUST have to add our drinks .... The signature drink for the night, was the L'TALIANO. It was surprisingly, savory. It complimented the food, super balanced and all in a martini glass :) We also had a classic martini and a bottle of Bellone white wine - outstanding! My compliments to the staff and bar but especially to the talented Chef Marco! Go enjoy, manga bene at this culinary gem of food from Venice! read more

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We love having a local Italian establishment like Donato's to go to for happy hour, appetizers, dinners and celebrations. They revamped their menu starting August 2025 and it's small plates like tapas. We were curious to go back to try it. The new chef is from Poesia in San Francisco. While the move to modern, small-portion Italian food is an interesting concept, it feels like a bit of a risk outside of a major city like SF. I personally love Italian comfort food and when I want dinner I want a dinner portion and not a bunch of tapas to fill my belly. Here is some feedback on our recent experience with the new menu: Colore Croccante salad: The "pork belly" listed on the menu was actually guanciale (pork cheek), served as small fried chips. The texture and flavor were not what we were expecting, as we were anticipating the meatier, richer profile of pork belly. The Jimmy Nardello Peppers were unfortunately overcooked and too soft. The natural sweetness and delicate flavor of these peppers are best when they are cooked lightly. Polpo e Pantesca: they did a great job cooking the octopus. They used a lot of capers and olives which were very salty. Maybe they need to rinse a bit of the salt out because they are a great ingredient, but shouldn't be so salty that you don't enjoy eating them. Branzino in Padella: This was the only dish that felt like it could be a shared main course. The fish was slightly overcooked. A good chef should take care never to overcook seafood. There was way too much lemon sauce and it really didn't need oregano as it overpowers the freshness of a fish like a Branzino. Again lots of salty capers. Fresh fish needs very little seasoning. I remember when they served that fish with artichokes and it was incredible. One of the reasons this restaurant has been around so long is because Donato is there in the kitchen a lot. A chef/owner has to be there to oversee things. The new chef is going to have to watch over the dishes and make sure they are done right. A soft launch for the new menu might have been helpful, as we've heard from other customers that they're also finding the new menu to be inconsistent and still in flux. Keep Italian food classic and simple - give it your creativity too, but the core of the best Italian food is the classics. Wishing them much continued success and hope they find their way with the menu so we can go back and enjoy it. read more

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We had a really memorable experience here. The restaurant had to cancel our Valentine's reservation due to tech related issues, but they went above and beyond to make it right by inviting us back and hosting us for dinner. That level of care meant a lot and really showed how much they value their guests. The meal itself was fantastic. We had the pork pasta, octopus, and branzino, and everything was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. For dessert we shared the molten chocolate cake and the lemon cake, which were both excellent and the perfect way to end the night. Beyond the food, the service was outstanding--attentive, warm, and genuinely thoughtful throughout the entire evening. We left really impressed by the hospitality and the effort they put into making sure we still had a special experience. Truly appreciated the care they showed. read more

Drove all the way from South bay to try Donato Enoteca for the First time -came in for birthday dinner -lovely set up and friendly staff Came in for an early dinner at around 6pm for 3 people on a Monday night Service was wonderful, they checked-in throughout the evening/ meal. We had Drinks ,apps, three entrees, and dessert. while our apps ,salad ,Pizza tasted amazing Pasta was little undercooked and low on salt Wish they add a bit more options for vegetarians that need well cooked pasta with some vegetables in it read more

After 16 years of dining at Donato Enoteca it has been my go-to restaurant for Italian Dining in Redwood City. I have celebrated birthdays, special occasions and countless dinners here with family & friends, and it truly feels like a second home. There is a wonderful new Chef Marco Bertoldo, from Veneto Italy who officially took over the kitchen in August 2025 following a major renovation of the restaurant. Marco's culinary background is impressive with Michelin Starred Background in Italy. The new menu offers new culinary choices while honoring classic Italian flavors - fresh ingredients with a beautiful presentation. Add great wine, excellent service & a culinary experience every time offering new Venetian-style cicchetti (tapas). Bravo Donato & the Fabulous Team together making the experience there truly memorable. read more

I had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely amazing, with every dish full of flavor and clearly made with care. You can really tell that quality ingredients and attention to detail matter here. Everything came out fresh and well-prepared, and it exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was just as impressive. The space felt welcoming, comfortable, and perfect for relaxing and enjoying a good meal. Whether you're going out with friends, family, or even for a date night it's a great environment to spend time in. What truly made the experience stand out, though, was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly, attentive, and professional. They checked in at the right times, made sure we had everything we needed, and made us feel genuinely valued as guests. Service like that makes a big difference and really elevates the whole dining experience. Overall, I highly recommend this place. Between the amazing food, the great atmosphere, and the outstanding service, Definitely we will be coming back again Janning Zeledon read more

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With Wonderfully attentive and knowledgable staff, a comfortable atmosphere, and stellar food this is an excellent place for date nights and bites with family and colleagues. Highly recommend sampling the selection of home made salami and the Gloria cocktail. Will be back soon! -William Saddler read more

Food: 10/10 Drinks: 10/10 Vibes: 10/10 Service: 20/10 Had a great experience here, and the service was amazing as well. They really care about their customers. Definitely coming back! read more

Such horrible service, took 25 mins to take our order. Then of the 6 of us - the one pizza order was delivered 15 mins after everyone had their food. So we all waited for the final dish then our food was cold and ugh! And they weren't busy! Lots of help standing around! Strange menu too! No chicken, odd items! Never again! read more

We love Donato! They have a new bar area which is very nice and great to hang out at, and still have a great vibe and food for the main dining area(s)! They have a new (to us) menu, which has some fantastic items on it, and is organized in a fun way -- broken down by stages of the meal (appetizers, mains, pizza) and also by vegetarian vs. fish vs. meat. A very clear way to navigate a full menu! We started with a bunch of appetizers-- some that I thought were fantastic were the cured meats (e.g., prosciutto) board, the baccala (salted cod on a very neat squid ink polenta cake), the zucca e spinachino, and the bruschetta. My favorite was probably the baccala, though they were all great! For main course, we had a variety of things-- each one was wonderful! These included the ravioli, the ravioletti, and the tagliolini ragu (a classic). And then, of course, their pizzas are amazing-- we tried the margherita (a standard test for us on pizzas and it was perfect) and the very delicious calabrese. And as much as the food was awesome, we also were very impressed with the service! They were always attentive, but never intrusive, and kept the water (and wine) glasses filled and were great at moving things in and out through the several courses of the meal. Highly recommended for any special occasion, or just to go watch a game at the bar-- you can't go wrong! read more

What a charming atmosphere in this renovated heart of Redwood City establishment. Nice inviting bar area...love the friendly and attentive service, warm and inviting. The design is so nice-love the little plates at each seat. Happy Hour is lively and fun. We enjoyed dinner-great menu which entices you to choose amongst the innovative plates to either share or not. I loved the grilled octopus as a starter and then enjoyed my veal Milanese ! Lots of good wine choices and beverages to choose from. We will be back! read more

The buratta was amazing but unfortunately everything was downhill from there. I did not enjoy the fish *at all* - I found it lacking in flavor. Pasta dishes were okay. Artichoke appetizer was so-so. Hostess was unsmiling, but server was friendly. Overall, wouldn't recommend. read more

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We came here twice, the first was for Valentine where the menu was a pre-fix course. We like the experience so we came again to try out different dishes. It's still very good! So this place will be on our "regular" list for dinner. Staff and waiters are well trained. They were courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive. The restaurant itself is huge! A few rooms were sectioned off so you can book a function and not disturbing, or be disturbed by other guests. Since the second time around we went with friends and families, we were able to order so many different dishes. We were happy with everything. Great place for date or family outing! read more

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Great experience at Donato . I enjoyed every single thing I ordered. The food is always great. They have a new menu that I love. Pastas are delicious, the steak is so good !!! The bread is amazing! Everyone here is so nice and friendly. Our server Christian has a great knowledge about wine . The place is beautiful and nice . Can't wait to go back and try it new stuff. read more

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Wow! The first time I've been here since they remodeled. It's beautiful and modern, but with a comfortable vibe. We had the delicate squash salad, the mussels with sausage, and the homemade agnolotti. He makes his own n'duja sausage and ricotta which are fantastic! Service was top notch! read more

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Donato! Cosa è successo? I was so disappointed this last time. As always the place is fun and the service is fine but the food just wasn't up to my standards. Six of us ordered a variety of dishes and they lacked any wow factor. The oxtail Bigoli were on the bland side. The pasta, as always, was very good but the sauce tasted like pot roast. Two in the party ordered the same ravioli dish, I can't understand why it was sprinkled with raw white onion, and it was sweet... Might try it again read more

I came into Donato Enoteca on a Friday night with my girlfriend. We were quickly seated and told about all the specials they had going on. Our server, Krinjal was very kind and informative. We really enjoyed the special ribeye and the risotto. The pasta with roasted duck was equally as tasty. We even had the pleasure of meeting the owner. Overall, a lovely place to enjoy a warm atmosphere with hospitality and amazing food. I highly recommend. read more

We visited Donato just for dessert, remembering their amazing Cioccolato Fondente e Nocciole (chocolate lava cake with vanilla gelato). Unfortunately, they no longer serve it except for special events. We tried other desserts instead, but none matched the quality we expected. The "tiramisu" was overly sweet, liquidy, and nothing like a real tiramisu--no coffee flavor or ladyfingers, just unmelted sugar at the bottom. The coffee-infused dessert (I don't recall the full name) didn't taste like coffee at all and came in such a tiny portion that it was barely shareable, and the chocolate mousse, while okay for dark chocolate lovers, lacked presentation. After sharing our feedback, the server removed two jasmine teas from our bill, which wasn't the issue--we were happy to pay. The disappointing part was the lack of clear descriptions or photos for the new desserts and how the feedback was handled. I hope management takes this as constructive feedback to improve, as Donato used to be one of our favorites. read more

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Have come to Donato for years now. However this was the first visit after the new renovations and menu overhaul. It's never easy for any institutions to reinvent themselves, but Donato decided to redo everything after a decade plus. Still one of my favorite places in the bay area for its great food and better people. read more

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This place is a gem. It has a small menu, but all the dishes are well crafted and delicious. The service was excellent, and the prices are reasonable. Clearly the only restaurant anyone will find anywhere that serves pizzoccheri or casonsei, which were both excellent. The beet antipasti was great, as were the salads and pizza. A small but outstanding specialty cocktail menu as well. Can't wait to return here. Loved it!! Thank you read more

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A staple of Redwood City has reopened with a new bar and complete refresh from new furniture to new menus. The prices are actually less which is unheard of in Silicon Valley. Donato has created a more friendly approach to dining. The food remains excellent and the true Italian food experience brings the vibes for this fantastic restaurant. read more

Donato Enoteca - Horseshoe shaped new bar - Italian Near Me - Redwood City, California

I have to admit to having pretty low expectations of this place... seemed like maybe another factory restaurant in downtown Redwood City. Wow was I surprised. Starting with the server, who is knowledgeable and had great recommendations. He suggested the calamari, and we expected something out of the fryer, but it turned out to be a delicious grilled calamari with long beans and salad. Really nice and unexpected. Also, had the branzino which was delicious and the green salsa was amazing. On top of some kind of polenta cake which went perfectly. The folks I came with, had a kind of short rib pasta, which they said was incredible, as well as a Gorgonzola pizza. Raves all around. Great spot with a cool vibe right in downtown and really delivered on food and experience experience. read more

Donato Enoteca - Branzino alla Griglia e Porri - Italian Near Me - Redwood City, California

Donato Enoteca has always been a neighborhood gem, but after their recent renovation and menu refresh, it feels like a whole new level of dining excellence. The space looks absolutely beautiful--warm, modern, and welcoming, with thoughtful details that make it perfect for everything from date night to a celebratory dinner. We had the loveliest meal here: started with the mussels, which were perfectly tender and full of flavor, then moved on to the ravioli amatriciana--comforting, rich, and exactly the kind of pasta that makes you want to savor every bite. We finished the night with the authentic cannelloni, and it was the perfect finale--delicate, flavorful, and clearly made with care. What makes Donato Enoteca so special, though, is the staff. Everyone we interacted with was warm, attentive, and genuinely seemed happy to share their love of the food and the space. You don't just feel like a customer--you feel like a guest. It's rare to find a restaurant that nails both incredible food and a welcoming atmosphere, but Donato Enoteca has done just that (and then some). Highly recommend checking out the new look and the evolved menu--you'll fall in love all over again! read more

Donato has been on my radar for a while but because there are so many Italian options in the Bay Area, I hadn't gotten around to trying it. My friend suggested it as she had been here many times and really liked it. I loved the menu as it has a lot of interesting dishes. The restaurant is spacious with 2 sections that can be booked for private group dining along with outdoor dining. There is also a bar/counter space. My friend suggested either the bigoli or tonnarelli and being in a seafood mood, I picked the tonnarelli. She got the bigoli so I got to try both in the end. We both ordered a glass of Prosecco and tbh, I wish they had a better Prosecco on the menu as the only one by the glass on the menu was meh. Both dishes were quite good. The pastas perfectly al dente. The calamari in the tonnarelli was tender and the bottarga added a bit of umami and salinity. The braised oxtail for the bigoli was meat and flavorful but not overly fatty. Service was friendly, but the one ding against this place, and hence 4 and not 5 stars was how long dessert took. We ordered dessert and it took 25 minutes to come out. The staff's reasoning is that it's a warm dessert so needed to be heated. (No, it was not something like molten chocolate cake that needed to be made fresh - just a cake that needed to be reheated.) I understand that some dishes need to be heated but 25 minutes for dessert is excessive. Next time I'm there, I'll know to skip dessert. read more

Donato Enoteca - Tonnarelli al Nero di Seppia - Italian Near Me - Redwood City, California

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