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    Original Joe's

    3.9 (749 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Original Joe's Takeout or Delivery

    Original Joe's Photos

    ORIGINAL JOE'S ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Original Joe's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Spaghetti and meatball
    Athena C.

    We are so excited about Original Joe's. It is a beautiful Italian restaurant and the decor and service are outstanding. We had a nice booth and the food flowed in beautifully. The restaurant was very busy and we enjoyed the vibe despite some wait. The portion was huge and a satisfying family style. We got the steak, spaghetti with meatball and fried calamari and they were delicious. This is definitely one of the top Italian restaurants in Walnut Creek I will keep coming back to.

    Judy H.

    *** Stay Original *** Beautiful spacious dining room, nice patio, and accommodating bar with striking black and white framed photos and papered walls. The staff was very attentive our water glasses never hit empty, and the bread basket was quickly replenished. We weren't herded through our meal like cattle at a rodeo instead we got to relax enjoy our salads without the server hovering over us. Everything hit the table piping hot we were able to eat simultaneously no one left awkwardly staring at their empty plates wondering if they were forgotten about. I ordered the Italian chopped salad , just okay. Loved the lamb chops and truffle fries I ate so much bread I barely touched my meal, but everything was definitely good!!!

    Menu
    Allison F.

    Original Joe's is relatively new to the Walnut Creek area but not a new restaurant. I've always wanted to go to the SF location but when the Walnut Creek location opened up I preferred this area due to it being closer to me. I made a reservation for 4 for dinner and the earliest I could get was 8pm. They have a strict policy that your whole party must be there in order to seat you, which I think is fair I ordered the crab cake ($26), which is one singular crab cake. It was very delicious with a creamy sauce but no where near worth the price. I also ordered the prime rib dip and truffle fries ($30$). The bread was soggy by the time it made its way to my table, I assume it sat for awhile before it was delivered to me. The food tasted pretty good but again, just not worth the price. The wait staff was friendly and got our orders correct. They were attentive to anything we needed. All in all, it's a good meal but I just don't think it's worth the hype or price. I'd rather go somewhere else.

    Menu
    Hillary H.

    This place was suggested by a local and I was so happy I tried it out! I discovered they had a few locations and Walnut Creek was one of their newest locations. They have valet and you can also find street parking. The ambiance is just stunning!! They don't miss a single detail and it's very old-school meets new Italian inside. The bar is just gorgeous, as well as the rest of the restaurant. Bathrooms were immaculate. I got there a little bit ahead of the rush, around 4 PM on a Tuesday, and was able to snag a seat at the bar. All of the bartenders were phenomenal. I had them create a drink for me when I told them I prefer vodka and they created me a wonderful craft cocktail. I was torn on what to order for dinner, as there were so many options! I opted for the scallops and they were phenomenal. From start to finish, the experience was amazing! I even chatted with a few friendly locals at the bar and had a great time. I can't wait to go back and try more amazing food!

    Chicken Marsala
    Carlton C.

    My experience at the restaurants owned by this group have always been pleasant and positive. That is why it pained me to have a very mediocre experience at Original Joe's in Walnut Creek. The decor, design and ambiance are great! Consistent with their other establishments, it's simply a restaurant where someone wants to be. The menu is fairly similar to their other establishments so I had a good idea of what to order and what to expect. We ordered chicken marsala with a side of fries, chicken parmesan with a side of ravioli, and two martinis each. As it turned out the person sitting next to us also ordered the chicken marsala and I was excited for mine when I saw the size of hers. Our food took a while to come out and when it did I noticed the waiter attempted to give it to a nearby table. They explained it wasn't their order and he took the food away. Ten to fifteen minutes later the same plates were brought out and thr waiter looked around confused then hurriedly out the food in front of us and scurried away without saying a word. The chicken parmesan looked great but unfortunately the chicken marsala was a fraction of the size as the person sitting next to me had considerable fewer mushrooms. I could not help but to compare and be disappointed in mine. Dinner progressed and our eating eventually slowed down. On two occasions bus boys attempted to clear our plates, which still had food on them. The second time the guy pointed very close to the chicken parmesan, nearly touching it, and asked if we were still eating. The hosts and server did a great job. The chicken masala experience was disappointing. The bus boy experience was annoying and unpleasant. I would go back though because my experiences at their other restaurants are generally great and I hope my tepid experience at the Walnut Creek location was a one off.

    New York steak
    Susana L.

    We needed a reservation for sure it was so packed . Got seated right away and our waiter Carlitos made it a great first experience. Calamari was great and not rubbery . Zucchini fries are definitely a must try . The steaks were cooked perfectly , wished they were a little thicker but they were really good. The chicken Alfredo fell a little short , it was more on the bland side . The spicy rigatoni was devoured . And the butter cake was one of my favorites . Everyone at the table got the piña colada slushie (can't remember the name ) it was really good. Definitely worth a try if you can get in. Everyone's nice and checking in with the table , not just our waiter. Just to be warned it is a little pricy but still at least a try once type of spot. Will be back for another special occasion

    Zucchini Fries with house-made basil aioli. So good!
    Suzy R H.

    Love visiting California in the summer. Spent a week with my niece and her family, she was kind enough to introduce me to this place for a late lunch early dinner. Arrived after a brief workout with a guest pass at Lifetime Fitness, whew we deserved a good meal. Promptly greeted at the door, party of two about a 10 minute wait for a Saturday around 2:00 PM. Seated at a two-top booth near the cooking/retrieval station. Love to watch the many Chefs in action. This place is amazing, our waitperson was also prompt, had to start with a (slightly) Dirty Vodka Martini, delicious. Also placed an order for Joe's meatballs and Zucchini Fries! Wow both out of this world. The Zucchini fries who perfectly breaded and crisped. We shared the Italian Chopped Salad, plenty of food for both of us. It is family style for sharing, loved all the options. Next time I will come for dinner, The 8oz Filet or the Famous Hamburger Sandwich?? Hard to choose and all looks so good. This is a must try, I was not at all disappointed with our choices in food and drink.

    Bread basket
    Jamee S.

    Beautiful upscale restaurant. I've been wanting to try this place because a friend of mine posted a picture of their zucchini fries! I had to have it!! I finally made it in for lunch with girlfriends. Service was great! Our server was attentive and courteous. We ordered cocktails and the zucchini fries first. They came out timely. While we devoured those delicious zucchini fries, we ordered a few more things for the table: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Italian Chopped Salad Pomodoro with Gluten-free pasta Everything was absolutely delicious! I definitely want to come back and try more dishes and dessert!

    Old fashioned
    David A.

    Enjoyed a belated bday dinner at Original Joes last night. We were seated quickly for our reservation and taken to our booth. The server was exceptional and gave us a rundown of the restaurants history. We started with the zucchini fries which were delish and lighter than I expected. My wife went with the crab sandwich (delish) and fries while I chose the sole (pretty good) with mashed potatoes (exceptional). We called off the night with a slice of the lemon meringue pie which came with a sparkler to celebrate the occasion. The lemon was a nice balance of sour and sweet and the crust which complimented it nicely. Special thanks to the staff who were all incredibly friendly and welcoming!

    Spaghetti: Spaghetti in meat sauce, parmesan, fresh parsley
    Marc D.

    Good food and friendly service, but a room loud enough to make me give up on conversation. Glad I went, in no rush to go back. This space used to be Stanford's, a quaint restaurant and bar where a lot of locals met up, so I came in curious. The greeting was warm and professional from the start. The chicken Marsala was good, and the mushrooms piled on top were the best thing on the table. The spaghetti was tasty. The salmon came out pretty good. No complaints on the mashed potatoes. The salad ran pricey for what showed up, a simple plate of greens with carrot ribbons and a few cucumber slices. On drinks, the Manhattan was awesome, on par with Walnut Creek prices, and the wine was good but also on par. Service was the soft spot. Our server was professional and attentive up front, but the table went quiet after the first order and drinks. Nobody came back for a second round, and by then I was ready for the check. The noise is the real story. We sat in a small two-person booth by the kitchen, fun for watching the cooks and servers move, loud enough to kill any conversation. Sit farther from the kitchen or grab an outdoor table if you want to hear your group. At 5 the place was calm. By the time we left, almost full. Book a reservation or risk a wait up to two hours on a busy day. Parking works out fine. You get three free hours at the Macy's garage, plus closer lots and disabled spots nearby. Full bar, bar seating, and plenty of indoor and outdoor tables. Worth a visit if you book ahead and pick a quieter seat. Not my first call when a friend asks where to eat tonight.

    Calamari steak, Chicken marsala, Ravioli
    Mika M.

    I walked in on a whim not expecting this restaurant to be so upscale, with the servers perfectly on the ball. We were served immediately and were constantly tended to, although it was a 100% full restaurant. I ordered the calamari steak and it had a creamy but not overly rich butter sauce. I'm already waiting until the next time I'm in the Walnut Creek area. I liked that the ambiance was on the fancier end, but had a good mix of casual vibes! The -1 star was attributed to my side (just regular fries) not arriving until we were ready to pay and leave- and still had to wait even after done paying- but it wasn't a problem for me since I was full from the decent portions and not in a rush.

    Salmon and cheese ravioli
    Kim T.

    Very iconic steak restaurant with a beautiful interior and mostly booths. We love a booth! Went there with my family for my granddaughter's 21st birthday dinner and it was just the thing. We had all of her favorites. Please see all the photos. Everything was delicious. Steak was done well. The only thing I didn't really care for was that the clam chowder was a little thin, but a lot of people like that I guess! I love mine thicker with less potatoes, but I ate it. Everything was yummy. It's a little high priced, but I think it was worth it. All the staff were kind and recognized you and came by the table quite often. It was a wonderful birthday dinner. We will be back!

    Beautiful fireplace room, would be nice area for private party.  My picture is not doing the fireplace justice.
    Sharine d.

    This was a 3.5 for me.... I think if we had been seated anywhere else, we would have had a much better experience. My party of two was placed in a room with a large party approx. 15+ people. This was a huge miss for a pleasant meal. Additionally, we were placed directly in front of a bar area. Between the bartenders aggressively cleaning up and what appeared to be a consultant or vender standing over the table, it was just gruelingly unpleasant. This is where we were placed after waiting around 40 minutes for our reservation time. This location is a beautiful masterpiece. They have put more money in the ambiance of the restaurant. There is a waterfall feature area, nicely decorated bar subspaces, stunning fireplace room features , etc. Service took a bit arriving, between juggling other tables. This was just continuation from the bad placement from the hostess. At the end of the day, our waiter was a solid professional (just swamped). He asked all the right questions and the service was not bad, just a few misses. Future comments: It would have been nice to receive share plates, as we shared a salad. It also would have been nice, if the crumbs had been cleaned off the table between courses. Food was good. The bread basket was nice, with an assortment of room temperature offerings. I'd have preferred warm bread, but the butter was soft and easy to spread. At the table was a seafood pasta dish, which my partner commented was delicious. I had the eggplant parmesan and it was good. This is a pretty restaurant, that I'll have to try in the summer... hopefully at a time not so busy. The placement in front of the back bar, while serving a large party there was a huge miss. If we wanted the noisy bar ambiance, we would have sat in the front bar without the 40 minute wait for our reservation slot.

    Fried shrimp, ravioli, & pesto fusilli....YUMMY! Coconut margarita & mai tai.....10/10!!!

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    Page 1 of 19

    Ask the Community - Original Joe's

    What time does the lunch menu end?

    It's an all day menu only

    How are the acoustics? Difficult to hear?

    HORRIBLE. The music is too loud and the other diners are screaming at each other to be heard. I've now dined twice outside and twice inside and it's deafening.

    Are walk ins available on weekdays?

    Yes! But there may be a good wait. The bar is always open for walk ins.

    Are well behaved dogs allowed? Is there an area for them?

    Haven't seen one

    How far in advance can a reservation be made?

    2 weeks

    Does original Joe offer high chair for toddlers?

    What I'm told they do 60% reservations online or calling in, The other 40% are walk ins you might have to wait 30-40 minutes which was the case for me however totally worth it.

    Open Table shows no reservations available for lunch on any date in December. Do they take reservations for lunch? It's hard to believe that every day in December would be full.

    You may walk in and sit at bar if no table is available although usually there are some waiting time to sit at table.

    Do they offer take-out orders?

    Only two locations offer this https://www.originaljoes.com… 

    Do we need reservations for the bar?

    No reservation needed if you sit at the bar.

    Is there a Happy Hour? There is nothing on their website. If so, what are the hours?

    They do not currently have a Happy Hour.

    Is it reservations only?

    They allow walk-ins, but when we were there at 5PM on a Sunday, wait time was 2 1/2 hours! And I saw on the reviews people waited up to 4 hours. Bar is open seating, but that was packed too, so I highly recommend making a reservation.

    What is the corkage fee?

    Corkage is $25 for 750ml, $50 for a magnum.

    Any update on reopening date? Still 9/1/25?

    Unsure but they have been keeping their website updated: https://www.originaljoes.com/walnut-creek

    Do you have gluten free options? Is there a kids menu?

    Yes to gluten free, no to a kids menu

    Are kids allowed?

    Yes they are, but they're better left at home with a babysitter.

    Can we walk in right now?

    Yes. However, wait is 3 hours. If you can keep it to 2 persons and will take the counter, it can be less. Go put your name in and shop at Broadway Plaza or have a drink… 

    What are the dinner hours?

    It's on the website

    Where's the phone number for the restaurant? I want to make a reservation over the phone, not online, and unable to locate the number. Can you please share?

    Phone number is online. However they do not take reservations over the phone, it is strictly through open table

    I want to call to make reservation, but cannot find the phone number? Also when I go to online to make reservations it defaults to Westlake location.

    Check their website again! It's there :)

    Is it open now?

    Yes, it is open as of August 14th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

    View All 22 Questions

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    Great experience decorating at this venue space. The staff was professional, cordial, and easy to…read morework with throughout the entire process. My team and I had the pleasure of creating a beautiful custom backdrop for our client's special celebration, and the venue provided a wonderful setting to bring the design to life. To see more of our work and this event, visit www.fourfortyfourevents.com. -- Four Forty Four Events

    What a vibe!! Staff are so friendly and even though we were seated late (had a reservation too),…read morethey remained attentive and kept us updated all throughout. Our waiter, Zachary, was amazing and always looked to keep our spirits up with jokes or recommendations, etc. Since we were also celebrating a birthday, they offered complimentary chocolates & a framed picture that they took for us -- great keepsake! The food itself tasted amazing, seafood was fresh. Also loved the sauce with the crab cakes -- no notes there. My only suggestion would be for the restaurant to look more into presentation of the food. Since we were only a party of 2, we just didn't need a full size of the seafood tower or poke. The way they came out just made the dish look a little lacking, like too much ice and not enough food; I think a smaller plate/bowl can easily do the trick. As for the ribeyes, they were cooked to perfection. I love a good medium rare steak! Again, my only note is with presentation- both steaks that we got just came out looking very brown. The steak was brown, then we added caramelized onions & mushrooms which only added more brown to the plate. There were a few pea sprouts (?) that added some green but I think literally anything else to the plate would help elevate it so much more and bring more color to the plate when eating.

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    The food and drinks are excellent. I would say mostly the service is very good. It is very loud…read moremost of the time but the food keeps us happily distracted. :)

    I've heard so many great things about Limon so it was about time I tried it out! We went to the…read moreWalnut Creek location and it was poppin on a Sunday! Luckily though, we didn't have an issue making a same day reservation. Once we were sat, it did take a bit for our server to get to us, but Wilfredo did great balancing how busy it was. So, we didn't really have an issue with it. He is so great we loved our interactions with him! For food, we ordered the Ceviche Limon, which had a combination of bright and citrusy (a lil spicy) sauce with fresh raw red snapper, squid, and shrimp with fried, crispy calamari tentacles. The combination of textures and flavors was delicious. We did opt in for the taro chips, which was the perfect vessel for the ceviche. We also ordered the Piqueo sampler, which had their chicharron de pollo, beef empanadas, platano frito, and yuca fries. Everything was delicious, though I was not super wowed by the empanadas and the yuca fries were a bit stale. The star of the show was the Fiesta de Carnes, which was their all meat platter with ribeye steak, grilled chicken, and pork belly with roasted potatoes chimichurri and aji amarillo. Ribeye was cooked perfectly, and the grilled chicken was quite literally the juiciest chicken I've had in a while. However, the pork belly was not crisp enough for both me and the amount of fat that the pork belly had. Had it been crispier this dish would have been 10/10. The aji amarillo was so good, not as spicy as other versions I've had before. I think it is worth the $2 they charge for extra. It was simplistic in decor but still fitting for the Peruvian cuisine the place executes well. Will be coming back to try pollo a la brasa or the arroz con mariscos.

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    Ambiance, Food and Service Five Stars…read more Favorites: Blackened Salmon, Ribeye and Scallops & Risotto

    Lafayette is such a gem of a place. While in the area, we stopped at this local spot on a beautiful…read more(and hot) day. We opted to not sit outside, rather inside right by the exterior seating to still get the vibes but also some AC. I love places like Lafayette where all the businesses support each other and help each other grow. Their brews on tap are mostly all local, and we grabbed some Pilsners sourced from Lafayette's new brewery, Western Flyer. So fresh and crisp. Can't wait to also check that spot out. Food-wise, we came in mid-afternoon and grabbed a Kale Pancetta salad (they pre-split the salad for us on two plates which was so nice), and for the mains, we both grabbed the Tuna Melt with fries. The salad was delicious. I'm def a tuna melt girly, and I loved the addition of the ciabatta (?) as the bread option, so fresh as well. This tuna melt comes with grapes fyi, and a few other elements mixed in. I absolutely loved it, just sharing though as I know how some tuna stans like their tuna :) This spot is clean, spacious, and perfectly situated in walking distance downtown. Would love to come back for brunch with a group of friends, or even again during the upcoming Lafayette Art & Wine Fest. Food is good, service is quick and friendly, and vibes are right. Metered parking located across the street.

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    BH Wood-Fired Grill

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    First time back since the remodel and have to say I was impressed!…read more Definitely missed their pretty outdoor patio which is currently not available but the interior has a beautiful new look and was perfect for lunch. They have also revamped the menu and though some old favorites are missing - we enjoyed what we tried - namely the grilled artichokes which are a slightly different recipe to what was previously on their menu but absolutely delicious with that same wood-fired taste and accompanied by two dipping sauces that was fantastic. Also had the artichoke dip which was also really good with lots of chunks of artichoke! The only thing that was unnecessary was the sour cream - unless the intent was to mix into the dip and salsa which did not really go - the dip itself was fine and stood out on its own. Service was okay; they appeared short staffed as we had a significant wait to get the check, but food and atmosphere were great!

    Ambiance is beautiful... think hunting lounge. Warm, inviting, soft green and wood decor…read more.. whoever designed did an amazing job. 5 star Service is also very attentive without being intrusive. The staff work well together to make a very enjoyable experience. Food ummmm... not as good as previous years. Not bad, just very limited. There are 3 or 4xs of drinks over the food menu. While nothing was bad, it definitely wasn't exciting. Artichoke & spinach dip was very good, but served with chips, sour cream & salsa....was just very odd. Corn croquettes were also tasty, 5 little balls with a plate full of roasted chillies... again...a bit odd. Burger.. something different next time. Salad... this was the prettiest item ordered. All in all... they need to work on the menu. Dinner was highly disappointing on the food front. It looks like would be a wonderful place to come for drinks.

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    BH Wood-Fired Grill
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    Prime Steakhouse & Martini Garden

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    3.8
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    If you are a HOPR fan but not a fan of waiting long enough to grow a beard, Prime Steakhouse…read moredeserves a visit. I intentionally came here before reading the Yelp reviews because sometimes I wonder if some reviewers accidentally walked into a different restaurant. After eating here and then reading the reviews... I am even more convinced. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. Glass ceilings, dark moody walls, great lighting, and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you should have dressed just a little nicer. Perfect for a date night, birthday, or pretending you are celebrating something important. We ordered five prime ribs because call me old fashioned, but if a restaurant literally puts Prime Rib in its name, I am going to trust that they know what they are doing. The prime rib absolutely delivered. Tender, juicy, perfectly cooked, and exactly what I wanted. The salads and sides were fresh and simple, which is honestly how great food should be. Somewhere along the way people decided food only deserves five stars if it is deep fried, covered in truffle oil, stacked three feet high, and served on a shovel. Give me quality ingredients cooked well any day. We were celebrating a birthday, so naturally dessert was required in the interest of science. The bread pudding was ridiculously good. The chocolate mousse cake was rich enough and a tad sweet for me, but I have a weak Asian palate when it come to sugar so that's just me. The service was just as impressive. Friendly, attentive, and somehow always there exactly when we needed something without hovering over the table like concerned parents. Bottom line. If you want an excellent prime rib without playing the HOPR reservation lottery, this place is absolutely worth your time. We will definitely be back.

    I think this spot has all the makings and potential to be something really special, but…read moreunfortunately a recent outing with friends for "Girl Dinner" was just lackluster. To be fair, this trip was set for martinis, salad, and fries (so can't comment on the meat/sides) of the steakhouse. I would like to come back to have a full meal on a special date night to get all the feels. Our group ordered martinis and those were well-received. I ordered a dill pickle martini which came with two small pickle spears..I've never heard of a pickle martini, so naturally I had to try it. The service was quick and the ambiance outside was nice. The indoor restaurant-side looked elegant and was filling up when we arrived. Recommend coming earlier than later, I think the martini garden is currently first come, first served basis. The Caesar was solid, bread was yummy, but the French fries unfortunately were a miss. They were overly thick and hard pieces of potato, not what we had imagined and ultimately were sent back. They were taken off the bill, but hope the constructive feedback was received. Other than that dish, like mentioned, lotsa potential for this trending spot in downtown Walnut Creek. Would love to try the Vesper, Original Martini, or an Espresso Martini on next visit.

    Photos
    Lounge area
    Lounge area
    Prime Steakhouse & Martini Garden
    Back lounge area

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    Back lounge area
    Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar

    Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Classic, small-plate (tapas) style and has been in the same, beautiful location for over 20+ years!…read more Enjoyed the empanadas... It's over a 100 degrees and this blueberry house-infused vodka cocktail, was the perfect refreshing elixir! Cheers!

    Va de Vi had been on my "Want to Try" list for years. My only regret now is how long it took to get…read morehere now that I know what I was missing! Our group of 3 sat outside in their lovely side alleyway and feasted on 6 delicious shared small plates plus their scrumptious dessert sampler. This was plenty of food for all of us, although I might have been able to force down one more small plate since everything was so delectable. We ordered: -- Cacio e pepe biscuit -- Esquites (Mexican street corn) -- Empanadas -- Tacos al pastor -- Ceviche tostadas -- Alaskan black cod The black cod dish was seriously incredible and a standout amid the other wonderful dishes. The waiter mentioned it had been on their menu for 22 years and that people traveled there to try it. I can believe it! Speaking of service, it was exceptional. Along with our friendly main waiter, there were other staff refilling water glasses and changing table settings quickly as needed. We waited on nothing but also never felt interrupted. Since Va da Vi IS a wine bar, I should mention that wine was also wonderful. I tried their Pinot Noir flight and enjoyed all 3 of the 3 oz samplings, especially the 2023 Status Quo and the 2023 "Klee" by Roots Wine Co. Is it pricey? Well, a little, but not for the quality. I've eaten at places just as expensive and left far less satisfied. I can see the bill adding up quickly for a group who wants a huge meal, but if you're into just sipping and nibbling on amazing food and wine, come!

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    Flights!
    Flights!
    Scallops
    Scallops
    Crisp and refreshing 13$

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    Crisp and refreshing 13$

    Original Joe's - italian - Updated July 2026

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