We had an amazing Valentine's Day dinner and would absolutely return. Even though it was packed for V-Day, everything ran smoothly and the experience felt special. Our waiter, Nemo, was wonderful very attentive and informative about the specials and the menu. The free bread and dipping oil is delicious. The wine was great, and next time we definitely want to come back to try a cocktail and explore more of the menu, especially the desserts. The complimentary biscotti at the end of the meal was such a thoughtful, perfect finishing touch. I kept thinking about the salmon dish I ordered the entire next day, it was delicious. It could have used a touch of salt and pepper, but I chose not to add any because I wanted to enjoy the dish exactly as it came out of the kitchen. The ambiance was lovely, romantic, and intimate a cute, small place with great energy, and we would love to return to enjoy the live music they have at time. Overall, beautiful service, a cozy atmosphere, and a memorable dinner. We'll definitely be back again. read more

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Enjoyed the meatball sandwich for lunch. Sausage sandwich was okay. Amazing service and a true gem that we're truly going to miss!

Food was great! Service was great! And the piano player was awesome! Honestly, this restaurant is nothing short of spectacular. I came here with my husband tonight for a post concert performance dinner hoping to see my middle school band teacher perform on the piano. But alas, he wasn't scheduled to play tonight. That said, since walking through the door, everyone on the staff was attentive from greeting to explaining dishes to refilling water. This is a well run restaurant. For tonight, I got their braised short rib while my husband got a porchetta and prosciutto dish. We ordered a spinach dumpling appetizer and then chocolate cake and tiramisu as dessert. Their braised short rib is one of the better ones in which I wished it wasn't a special and more on the main menu. Their short rib is fall apart tender and flavorful. Everything's pretty well seasoned. Only thing I would change is maybe a bit more seasoning for the mashed potatoes since that was a bit more bland. Not that it was bad. It was still pretty good. Their in house bread and oil/olive dip is a bit spicy but it's delicious. Like I'd go back for the bread alone! The dessert was also really good. Chocolate and hazelnut is my thing so I can't go wrong with their warm chocolate cake. My husband got the tiramisu in which while good, is a little heavy on the coffee side for my liking. There's a bit too much powder which occasionally gives a dry taste too. But the flavors and generally really well done. Now I need to come back to catch Bob Athayde in action on the piano. There's a different player tonight who was still really good. The piano is beautiful too. read more

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Our first visit to La Finestra! The service was fast and friendly. The food was immaculate -- fresh sole piccata, perfectly seasoned gnocchi, and a generous sauce to pasta ratio on the fettuccini alfredo. Lovely white tablecloth setting with live piano, a Moraga must try! read more

Food was well presented and very nicely prepared. Serving was generous and piping hot. The ambiance was nice with excellent piano music as a pleasant background. Varied entrees and all were delicious. read more

I came about a month ago. This place is very fancy so expect the food to be on the pricier side and smaller portions. Pretty authentic Italian food, I would strongly recommend ordering their pasta seafood dishes. I ordered some and they taste much better than ordering just fish/steak entrees which I found to be a little dry and under seasoned. The pasta dishes are just very well seasoned and fresh/homemade! The waiters are extremely accommodating and attentive. They're constantly checking up on us and always giving their recommendations. And the vibes inside are very nice because there was a person playing live piano and inviting customers to come up and sing some Christmas songs. read more

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When you hear Andrea Bocelli, you know the food finna be bussin' Came here a second time and it didn't disappoint. No Tony, but the service was excellent. I love lasagna. Still too dark to take decent photos, but whatever--I'm here to grub! read more

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Our first and last visit to La Finestra! The service was slow and nearly surly (we were four, with reservations, on time). The food was mediocre -- soul picatta, dry fish with mushy coating; mushroom gnocchi, no flavor except garlic; fetuccine alfredo, plenty of pasta, but almost no sauce. Not worth the prices! On the positive side, the restaurant is lovely, with white table cloths, and an entertaining pianist the night we were there. read more

Delicious! Fresh baked focaccia, heirloom tomato (grown down the street) and burrata salad, with syrupy aged balsamic, and the veal mushroom, to share. Piano on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. read more

We had a lovely evening at La Finestra in Moraga tonight for the first time after living the area for 10 years. Very relaxing and moderate ambience from tables with seniors, which were the majority tonight, and young couples with kids. All of them looked local repeaters and kickback. Live piano performance was humble and comforting. We enjoyed veal and lamb shank main plates following beets salad as appetizer with our own bottle of wine, paying reasonable corkage at $19. Portion of each main plate was generous and we truly enjoyed the marriage with our bottle of wine. I would say do not get fooled by pictures posted in Yelp, as most of them look a bit darker due to warm white LED bulbs from the ceiling and often not a picture-perfect or fancy plate serving to save the portion; each plate tased much better than it had looked and again generous portion. Seats were 80-90% full throughout the night with seemingly a relatively slow turnover rate, which we really appreciated; we never felt rushed and were able to enjoy dinner at our own pace. Service was just right, not too much or less than needed. To this end, the floor looked well managed and organized by a person with walking around to fill the glasses with water. Admittedly it's not a place of high-tech vibes with new renovations, like ones in the City, but surely a hidden gem in Lamorinda where you can enjoy heartwarming dinner/meals with a feeling of somehow time suddenly going by so gracefully and more slowly than other places. Great for family as well. Thank you for your running the restaurant for locals. Will visit again. read more

This place was such a pleasant surprise to find and dine at! It's in the middle of a grocery plaza / strip mall with a few other stores. We came for an early dinner and it was already filling up with other tables. They have a nice selection of Italian pastas and other dishes. We went with sharing two pastas that were both amazing! The place definitely feels like it's been around for a while but has that old school, fancy Italian restaurant charm. read more

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The service was amazing, as were the two appetizers we tried (arancini, polenta). Our main courses though left a lot to be desired. I was so looking forward to the risotto, but it was dry and with little flavor. It was like rice with some seafood tossed in. The wine sauce on the chicken had not been cooked down...the full alcohol wine flavor was overpowering and acidic. The eggplant was overcooked and mushy. I usually don't leave negative reviews, but I hope this place will bring back their higher standards! read more

This is it hidden Jewel in Moraga, California! I've been coming to this restaurant over 18 years originally in Lafayette, CA New location in Moraga is even more authentic Tony, who has been with the company for many years will give you the best Service and make you like family Owner/chef (Jeff) grew up in the industry is one of the best chef/owners of one best Italian restaurant in bay area Friday or Saturday nights they have piano playing read more

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This is becoming my go-to when in town. Went with family this time and was accommodated for a last minute reservation. Staff are mostly long tenured from the previous location and work as though they love their jobs. Service is excellent. Food is traditional Italian but not heavily sauced or with cheese. Fantastic meat and seafood options. Good salads and bread service is very good. I'll be back! read more

We like the Italian restaurant near the Moraga movie theater but we thought we'll give this a try. The seating was much more comfortable and spacious. The waiter was attentive and humorous (a great way to start). We started off with jumbo prawns and they were delicious, (couldn't help but dipped the bread in the sauce). For the main dishes, we had halibut special, veal and fettuccine alla puttanesca. Needless to say, we 'licked' our plates, no joke. Veal was tender; halibut was cooked to perfection; fettuccine was topped with diced salmon, calamari and prawns. They are not stingy on those! That's for sure . Of course there's always room for dessert even though our bellies were full. Affogato and chocolate cake completed our meal. The only thing that took us surprise was the 3.5% charge when paying with a credit card. Guess we missed the sign at the front podium. Other than that, it was a pleasant surprise to find another great Italian restaurant. read more

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I hate to leave a bad review for a restaurant that is typically excellent, but ...... We have been going to La Finestra for many years. First at their Lafayette location and several times after reopening in Moraga and it has always been five stars. We went to La Finestra on New Year's Eve and booked an early table to avoid the crowds. Our waiter even commented that we were smart to come early as it would be crazy busy later. I'm not one to typically complain and am very forgiving, but the meal was a fiasco. While I understand New Year's Eve is busy, one books a table at a fine restaurant on a special day expecting a fine meal. Our waiter was truly not in his element. We did not order wine, but the wine glasses were never picked up until much later in the meal at our request. The water glasses were never refilled except once upon request when already empty. The soup and salads arrived timely and the porcini mushroom soup was excellent as usual. The Caesar salad was also excellent. Then things really fell apart. It took an exceedingly long time for the food to be delivered. Having ordered early when the restaurant had not yet filled up, I worried that our food was left sitting and never picked up as must have been the case. When the lamb and Fettuccine alla Puttanesca finally arrived, our salad plates had not been picked up, our water glasses were empty and a knife for the lamb had not been delivered. The lamb was lukewarm and the puttanesca was just under lukewarm. The lamb was tasty nonetheless. My wife took one bite of the puttanesca and initially told the waiter it wasn't delivered hot. He asked if she wanted it heated and she said no, just bring me a box to take it home. When he arrived with the box, she decided that she just didn't want it and to take it away and take it off the bill. I took the box to take half the lamb home. We ordered dessert which was fine. When the check arrived, it had not been adjusted. I informed the waiter and he came back, having comped the dessert. I said, I'll just pay on the way out and he directed me to the owner who then took off the puttanesca, but uncomped the dessert. In reality, the entire meal should have been comped. The restaurant was sorely understaffed. Seems there was only one employee to check water glasses for the entire restaurant. Our waiter should have been able to handle his five tables efficiently. We will return, but not for a while. read more

Jeff the owner is amazing! All the food is so fresh and delicious. Price may seem high, but it is worth it. Plus the greatest waiter of all time Tony. I love each entree and the beet salad is the best I've had anywhere, especially because I am not a big fan of beets. Definitely recommend, I still go often even with it being a 45 minute drive. If in doubt try the La Finestra entree it is my go to. read more

Made reservations for Sunday Father's Day for four people. There was a piano player near the front of restaurant so we selected a table further back. We bought a bottle of wine with us there was a small corkage fee. We split a Caesar salad and I had the halibut special and my daughter had gnocchi and split the petrale sole with boy friend. The service was excellent. The food was flavorful and well seasoned. read more

Very comfy place, the live performance from the pianist was lively. We started with free bread with an olive oil dip. The bread was light and a good starter. We ordered the rigatoni di Parma for 24 dollars and Polenta alla Contadina for 13. The rigatoni was very rich and filling. I wasn't very hungry coming into this restaurant, so I was full about half a plate into the rigatoni. The polenta was alright. It's a good place in town, you can't go wrong! read more

La Finestra - Rigatoni di Parma - Italian Near Me - Moraga, California

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First, you are "welcomed" by a sign to notify you that there is a surcharge for paying by credit card. To avoid this charge, be sure to bring cash or a debit card. Food was standard fare and overpriced. Most importantly, and reason to dine elsewhere, is the abrupt and borderline rude staff. We have dined all over the world, and this place ranks among the worst. read more

Fantastic food, prompt service and lovely ambience! We visited on a weekday evening, hence not much crowd. We will try to visit during weekends to enjoy live music! read more

I have eaten at La Fenestra more than five times and will be going back again next month. I have always found the food and service to be of good quality, but one recent lunch meal was not up to their standards. All four of us felt the same after ordering sandwiches that were very difficult to eat and were not appetizing.. Willing to give La Fenestra another chance for dinner which have always been very good in the past. read more

I have been to La Finestra at least 3 times now and I look forward to many more visits. The food is good and IMHO reasonably priced, but what bumps my rating up to 5 stars is the ambiance. We have only gone on weekends because one of my favorite things about this place is the pianist playing in the background. What a treat! We always ask to sit near the piano and it has never interfered with our ability to converse. At night it is cheerfully lit inside and out, and the wait staff have always been friendly and attentive when we have been there. Someone described it as being In a strip mall but to me it's more like a Town and Country type of mall that invites strolling. I have enjoyed each of my meals (the last time for the first time I got a pasta dish and the serving was very generous). The first time we were there they introduced us to the delightful way Italians enjoy their biscotti, dipping it in a sweet desert wine, not coffee, and they are so good that way! We enjoyed this complimentary treat our 2nd visit as well and frankly, as silly as it may sound, it was one of the things I was most looking forward to on our last visit, a lovely way to end a good meal, only to find they no longer serve the small glass of desert wine. I do hope they bring this back, as it was such a special and memorable treat. read more

Service is impeccable, food is very good but watch out. 3.3% up charge if you pay with a credit card. Seems chinzy. I'll go to Amaroma next time. read more

Great service, friendly server, who remembered us from the pre-fire Lafayette venue. I'm wanted to try the new location, but Covid got in the way and Moraga's not as convenient to us as the Lafayette location was. Nice menu selection, reasonable prices, good food. We'll find an excuse to come back soon! read more

The food is okay but way overpriced. My husband got the sole (fish of the day) and I got the fettuccine alla puttanesca (seafood pasta). The fish of the day was $26 and it was okay, nothing special. The seafood pasta sauce was watered down and it tasted like store bought jar sauce. The fish, calamari and shrimp was good but not overly flavorful. The service was absolutely terrible. I'm not sure if our waiter (tony?) was the only waiter but he was too busy and he wasn't paying attention to our needs. I was very disappointed. read more

La Finestra - Sole- fish of the day - Italian Near Me - Moraga, California

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We went here for the first time this evening and we're not disappointed! This is the best Italian restaurant in the east bay in my opinion. I forgot my phone so I'm unable to post pictures but every meal our table ordered was fabulous. We started with the heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese..wow it was so good. The tomatoes came from the Moraga garden and were incredibly sweet. The meatballs were insanely good as well! Everything was spot on! Can't wait to go back! read more

This is my faborite Italian spot in the area. My favorite is the cappelini con il pollo. They have the best dipping sauce for bread. I dont know the name of the dip but every Italian restaurant(ones I've been to) has it, and I think this was the best. For desert, another fave is the Tiramisu. Big piece. I lost my photos, but it was good. Service is a hit or miss. The man was attentive. The lady is personable and hospitable but everytime we needed something we'd wait a while or have to call her from across the room. Romantic ambiance. I really like this restaurant. read more

The atmosphere was beautiful. The food scrumptious. We had the Halibut with orzo and veggies all done to perfection. The ambiance was nice but my only complaint was that in the back room the piped in music was a little too loud. That's my fault however, I didn't ask for the volumn to be lowered. My bad. Otherwise, La Finestra truly is a beautiful place to gather for a yummy Italian meal with homey, gracious service. read more

1 star for the great waiter. 0 stars for the disgusting, bland, tepid food. And what's with all the raisins? Stop it!

Favorite family owned Italian spot in the area. Their pastas and appetizers and wine are delicious. The father and son always greet you with a huge smile and are thankful that you support them. Sometimes the service is a bit slow but that is to be expected when a normally very slow Moraga spot gets very busy on holidays, peak weekend hours, etc.. It is a lovely little local spot in our Moraga shopping center, not a Michelin star place in downtown SF so yeah they aren't going to sweep you off your feet but they make great Italian food for the family, date night, or when you are craving one of those dishes. Will continue to support them and focus more on the highlights than the negatives and be realistic about our expectations because this little place is a gem and I don't think it deserves a 3 star rating - this is NOT a 3 star restaurant by any means. Thank you La Finestra, we will see you soon!!! read more

Chef Jeff, his family & staff are the best! Everything on the menu is incredible. I've never had anything less than incredible here. Great wine selection, piano music, friendly servers. This place is a MUST! read more

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We had such a lovely evening at La Finestra tonight. We took our two young boys and they loved their food from the kids' menu which thankfully offers real Italian food and not chicken fingers. The service was exceptional and that is hard to come by these days. And the music! Live piano music and various musicians including one who played trumpet and piano at the same time! Our son is a musician and he was in heaven and spent some time sitting up at the piano and chatting with the pianist, Bob. It was such a nice time that we thought as a family we would like to make it a weekend habit for us. read more

Recently moved to Moraga and I'm very glad to have found this place. The menu is expansive, food is terrific, and the staff make you feel like you're at home. Please ignore the few negative reviews. La Finestra is an excellent dining experience! read more

La Finestra - Salmone Scottato - Italian Near Me - Moraga, California

Classic American Italian, on the heavy & rich side. I had the Parma rigatoni. Our waiter was great. Nice venue for conversation, lovely light piano in the background. read more

Food and service is wonderful. Friendly neighborhood feeling. I really enjoy the piano player when he plays soft back round music. Some times it is so loud is is hard to carry on a conversation. read more

Pleasant atmosphere (love the pianist) and good food. Excellent service. Large portions. My wife and I split the beet salad. It arrived on two plates (no extra charge) and each one looked like a full salad. We each took home enough of our entrees for another meal. We've been enjoying La Finestra since it was in Lafayette. read more

Great classic Italian food. Had the petrale sole, a favorite fish when I lived in Humboldt county. Sauced well and the homemade foccacia was made for enjoying the dish. Great eggplant appetizer-similar to what we made in Tuscany in a cooking class. Great service by a team of wait staff. Will return, read more

This remarkable restaurant is the lone island of sophistication in the backwater of MORAGA. Beyond the cookie cutter chains, this is the only example of of finesse this little nondescript village can brag about. Swelling with potential, the town is mired in mismanagement and void of vision. Shame, really. La Finestra alone fills a void that desperately needs filling. read more

This place is on a downhill slide. Why wait 20 minutes for oven baked bread that has been turned to a cold, rock hard crouton? The staff is nice until they serve you awful food and you tell them the truth. The cooks, as there are no chefs, in the kitchen, stare you down and make it uncomfortable to speak up. The vibe here is not authentic. The food is over salted, over cooked and over sauced. Way over priced. Piano player off key to fit right in. No wonder it's in a shopping center. read more