Came here for a birthday celebration and was really looking forward to high-quality Italian food. Problems started right when we sat down, not enough place settings or cups, despite having a reservation for 7 people. We had to constantly ask for more glasses, plates & silverware. We ordered a variety of items, apps were great, but our mains were a different story. Food was just ok, not worth the $. We had two chicken parms, one was still raw and the cheese wasn't even melted on it, the other was extremely overdone & rubbery. We had to send both back (which we would rarely ever do), and we were given pasta's as a substitute. Items weren't taken off our bill, but was given a free dessert. Was overall very disappointed, especially since we called in advance to make sure the birthday would be as special as possible. Service was good, but we had to get up a few times from our table to get the attention of a waiter. We won't be returning anytime soon. read more

Decent Italian spot in San Carlos with a wide variety of appetizers / entrees and attentive service. Had the prosciutto with mozzarella which was delicious. Also the special Brussels sprouts were strong. Meatballs were huge but a bit dry. Calamari was great. Nice outdoor seating area with decent distance practices. Overall good meal. Thanks. read more

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This place was so good that after my first visit, I ended up coming back a second time just a few short days later, which is something I rarely do. With everything that I've tried so far on the menu, I haven't been able to find a single thing to complain about. This list includes the bruschetta, mushrooms and polenta, calamari, squid ink spaghetti, and tagliatelle. Fresh, authentic Italian food paired with great service - the combination makes for a great dinner experience, either with a group of colleagues or on a date night with your significant other. The ambience is warm and welcoming and they have a nice outdoor patio which is very pleasant to sit in during warmer weather. read more

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Delish! Nice service and atmosphere. We all enjoyed our Easter brunch very much. The skillet shrimp were special.

Late review - we visited during Valentine's Day and I had the shrimp and crab ravioli. The sauce was delicious but the insides of the ravioli were quite devoid of much seafood. There were maybe 2 discernable pieces of crab and some small pieces of shrimp. The calamari didn't look as crispy as in some of the pictures I saw and after tasting, it was quite spongy and chewy, not crunchy at all. The truffle aioli was decent. read more

Pranzi - Seafood ravioli - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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I recently went to Pranzi for dinner. I had gone there three years ago and remembering it was really good. So, on this very warm October day, we decided to have dinner at San Carlos. Laurel Street in San Carlos is what I call the restaurant row. You have everything type of food on this little Peninsula town. Pranzi sits mid block on Laurel Street. It has both inside and outside dining. It was a warm night with ambient temperature in the 80s, but we wanted to sit outside for the beautiful night ambiance. We were greeted by the hostess who gave us our drinks and side of focaccia bread. It was yummy with the balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil for dipping. For appetizer, we ordered the octopus. It was one of the best I had. For the entree, I ordered the Rib Eye Steak and my other half ordered the penne pasta with vodka sauce. The food was amazing and quite savory. We ended up sharing the dishes since we wanted to try each other's meal. The waitstaff were awesome! They came multiple times to refill my Diet Coke and red wine without asking. Overall, the experience was great! This is a good place to go if you want a romantic dinner and yet be casual if you don't' want to dress up. Besides, it's always warm in San Carlos. The only negative thing that I can recall was the chairs were dirty. Since they were outside chairs, I would think it was cleaned before they opened. However, I had to grab a wet napkin to clean the chair. Thank goodness I didn't have white pants. Still a good place to eat in San Carlos. read more

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My partner and I came here for the first time awhile back and Im SO glad we came back. The wait staff was extremely kind and attentive. I got the pennette vodka, which was very creamy and delicious. My partner got the lasagna, which had rich layers of sauce and cheese and meat. Couldn't have asked for a better date spot. Thank you Angie, Andres, and G! read more

Pranzi - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

We love a good homemade pasta at Italian places. Came here for husbands birthday and the food was good but not amazing. We reserved and got a spot indoors. Table bread Probably the worse bread I've had. No flavor, very thick crust cold and oily. The butter was okay. I had higher expectations. Black squid ink pasta Extremely light sauce and light flavors. I didn't mind it too much since I was on day 4 of wisdom teeth surgery (lol) and I was surprise by how soft the noodles were (aka surprised that I was able to get this dish). Bolognese My husband enjoyed his dish but he's had better bolognese at other places. Just a traditional meat sauce. A bit too salty for our liking. Atmosphere Probably one of the nicer interior for an Italian place in the peninsula. The bar, the artwork, the lighting and decor are all spot on. Maybe this is the reason why I expected more? But happy to review again once my wisdom teeth heals and we both order new things. Noise level wasn't crazy, menu is kid friendly (no high chairs). read more

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There are just soooo many good restaurants on the Peninsula. Searching for an Italian was not hard though. There are many but this place makes their pasta fresh! Found this last minute and making reservations was not hard. It was pretty packed, but tables are properly spaced out and there's a nice outdoor seating area with heat lamps. My party and I shared a Caesar salad, shrimp apps, and then we each had an entrée. I had the squid ink pasta which was delish. I was definitely eyeing my bff's salmon though. Talk about good portions! We brought our own wine and I believe corkage was $25. Our waitress was awesome, although I forgot her name. Only thing I'd say is parking can be hard to find. Allow yourself some time so you can park and walk over. read more

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PRANZI IS A MUST! A San Carlos favorite and a top contender for any Bay Area list. The food is spectacular but the vibes, the staff and the owners are like family. We feel so welcome every time we go, you can tell the genuinely care about their patrons and the food they give them. The food is soooo good, if your in San Carlos and looking for somewhere to go. Stop in here and find your new local date spot or night out restaurant! read more

We had their paella and it was DELICIOUS! Also got a salad and ate tons of their complimentary bread. This place rocks. Great service, too. read more

Pranzi - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Had to stand at the entrance for quite some time before the guy in the back looking at his phone noticed me, which kind of got me off on the wrong foot. The service in general was spotty. When I ordered the chicken salad, my server looked totally confused. I had to point it out to him on the menu. It took quite awhile to come out, and wouldn't you know I was in a hurry, but I liked it quite a bit once it arrived. INSALATA DI POLLO (I think it costs about $15, don't remember exactly) Organic Mixed Greens, Grill Chicken Breast, Bell Peppers , Potatoes, Spicy Mustard Dressing, Bread Crumbs- 4stars: The chicken was juicy, tender and flavorful with good char, a hard combination to strike. I particularly liked the crusty potatoes and the bread crumbs, which seemed like weird elements in a salad, but elevated it above the ordinary. The mustard dressing would have been better if they'd used a dijon style, because the taste was more appropos for a hotdog. The interior was attractive, but the seats along the wall were a little hard and uncomfortable. Food: 31/40 Service: 14/20 Atm/intangibles: 15/20 Value: 16/20 Overall: 75/100 read more

Pranzi - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

We had a birthday lunch here with a group of 10+ a while ago, so we got to order an array of dishes. Unfortunately, nothing was standout (though nothing was below average). The service was nice and attentive though and seems like a great place to bring a group or have a nice meal when you're in the area. The decor and plates were very nice. read more

A great spot! The ambience is beautiful and cozy, and the food is delicious too! The service was good too. read more

Pranzi - Spaghetti Bolognese and Fillet Mignon - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

My friend and I really enjoyed our recent dinner at Pranzi. We started with the fried calamari - it was AMAZING - my friend, who loves calamari, said it was the best she'd ever had! For our entrees, we ordered the cappellaci (superb!) and the risotto (also delicious, although not creamy). We ended our meal with Keoki coffee and Irish coffee - both very good. The service was very attentive and the atmosphere was really nice. The only suggestion we have is that the server should wait for the patrons to finish their appetizer prior to serving the main course. We wanted to sit and savor and finish our "to die for" fried calamari, but the main course was served before we were done. All in all, though, a wonderful dining experience! read more

Came for dinner here on a Saturday night. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. I liked the interior and the decor, however there isn't a ton of space and it can get quite loud. We ordered some drinks and the burrata bruschetta as appetizer. Took a bit to come out, but tasted great. Could have used a bit more seasoning but good appetizer. The bread they put on every table is more like a focaccia, good taste, would have been amazing though if they serve it warm. As entrees we had the shrimp and crab homemade ravioli and the osso bucco. Took a while for the food to arrive, but that is expected with the lamb shank. The pasta was amazing, really well made and the sauce complemented it nicely. The osso bucco was good, once again could have used a bit more seasoning to my liking. The saffron risotto was ok, but definite had better and creamier risotto before. As dessert we had the Rosina with chocolate. For me the best dish of the night. Very intense flavor and lots of shaved chocolate chips. Overall a very nice dinner and would definitely give this place another try. read more

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Love everything about it! Food, Service, Atmosphere. Been there multiple times and I live in another state!

This place was mouth watering good. First off this outdoor dinning patio area was just perfect for the warm weather we had this weekend. The wine list was def on my level with a few of my favorite wines from the beautiful Paso Robles my home town!!! I ordered the penne vodka and added chicken and it hit the spot. It's everything I wanted. The sauce was made to perfection. The sauce to pasta ratio was on point. I love that there were peas in the dish which you don't see often but it does elevate the flavors. I am excited I didn't finish my dish but now I have left overs for another day!!!! Service was amazing. Will def return. read more

Pranzi - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Great service, great chicken sandwich. I come here weekly to have it. Chicken avocado and bacon - perfect! I've had a number of dinner parties here too! Excellent service and excellent food. read more

Nothing but high praise for Pranzi in San Carlos. The service bar top was welcoming and attentive. The food (I had the mixed greens salad and bolognese paired with a glass of Barolo) was delicious. Their barrel aged Manhattan was the perfect aperitif to start the meal; at least for me it was. Lol. I love downtown San Carlos vibe and Pranzi is a definite compliment to the location. read more

Pranzi - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Yum! Such a fabulous place. We were looking for a dog friendly spot. You can sit outside and there's a heating lamp which is a plus! I ordered the linguine frutti di mare and it came with a good amount of seafood and the sauce was just right! It can do with a bit more salt or seasoning but I really enjoyed it. The linguine was cooked perfectly. They give you some foccacia bread to start with herb butter. The minestrone soup is also very good. We did the Yelp check in and got a tiramisu. You got to try this! It is delicious and soft. I loved it... Definitely decadent. I really enjoyed my experience here. read more

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the service was 100 percent perfect The food did not seem to italian. The new fussili pasta came with shisto peppers which did not flow through. eggplant or squash wouldve been a better match. The mac and cheese was fabulous actually the best menu! The osso bucco was nothing special, did seem a but oily. the side of seasonal vegetable! my goodness the carrots were so sweet and flavorful! the ambience is an A plus, very nice setting. clean restrooms! read more

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Highly recommended for romantic nights out or with family! My family eats at Pranzi about once a month. We've ordered and love all the dishes- pastas, oso buco, fish (sol), sandwiches. They also have a wonderful kids menu for those of us who need some romance but have rugrats tagging along. We love Iremsu who is almost always our waitress. She knows our typical orders by heart and makes sure things come speedy. She can also recommend exactly the right thing from the wine menu. read more

Ordered the portobello lettuce wrap with garlic fries. I think I should've ordered it with ciabatta bread. I thought it would be a wrap like most wraps I've had but it was just wrapped in paper so it was just holding lettuce. I was a bit disappointed. Calamari was good. Just like any calamari at most restaurants. Someone in my party ordered the pennette vodka. I tried some of it and was really tasty. Maybe it was just what I ordered. Service was good. Nice location with other restaurants nearby. read more

Pranzi - Brunch menu 5/1/22 - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Sedri and his crew...woo hoo! Thank you for the consitent excellence in EVERYTHING this place boasts. From service to food, to ambience, and supporting patrons, This review, this time around is collective of some other first timers brought to Pranzi. All have have vowed this to be the best restaurant they've ever been to, 100! Again, this is purely from others' experience here since I have already given mine on many occasions. Newbie Joshua Fashionisto and Foodie form Riverside claims this place to be now his favorite place for rib eye and added, "OMG I have to take my time eating this Rib Eye it's so good." Other newbie Niko the Jock from Irvine swears by the rib eye too and surrendered to the Mac and Cheese. And Rob from Vegas had already returned several times here and will be flying back. Viva Pranzi! read more

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Seafood linguine was delicious. Ali and others were welcoming and friendly; I definitely recommend!

Pranzi is a San Carlos gem! The interior and design is so welcoming and fresh. The food is to die for and packed full of flavor. The staff is incredible and so very sweet and the owner is so kind! You can tell this place has character and passion for their customers. I will definitely be back especially for the fried artichoke!! read more

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Great food and great service. Shout out to Ali. We liked their fresh pasta and sea food dishes.

Food was amazing, service was amazing, will definitely come back here! Shoutout to Ali for the amazing dinner read more

Pranzi - Italian Near Me - San Carlos, California

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Had high hopes for this heated patio Italian joint in San Carlos, but food here was a miss and service was slow - FREE BREAD (meh): nothing special here (was like a focaccia) and didn't enjoy the butter too much - BURRATA TOAST SPECIAL ($15, meh): toast it came on top off didn't taste like hearth baked or fresh levain? - SCAMPI ($30, yuck): these tasted like frozen langostines... had that weird mushy texture. Veggies were fine that came with it - VEAL ($27, meh): S.O. said veal was common. Penne tasted from a box - TIRAMISU ($8, meh): too sweet TLDR: prime patio but slightly slow service and mediocre at best food, we won't be back... read more

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We dined here for the first time on Mother's Day. The restaurant seems like it ie not geared towards Sunday Brunches. The menu was not anything special, the food was bland and nothing really stood out. The worst part of experience was waiting for our meal that was served 45 minutes later, 5 out of 6 people in our party got their food, which was the brunch entrees (egg scrambles and eggs benedict), and they were almost too cold, none was served hot. The 6th person in our party had to wait for their pasta entree for another 10 minutes. The wait, cold meal and lack of taste really took any joy for the two moms in our party. A meal that ruined a special day... Sorry was really hoping for something special and it didn't happen :-( read more

Very good food (all pasta dishes). Great atmosphere. Service was attentive but allows for a nice paced meal. Will absolutely return.

Great service descent food. Went for dinner on a Saturday night and had Arancini appetizer, Bietole salad, Lasagna and the Paella. The arancini balls were okay but nothing to rave about. Salad was pretty good. Lasagna was good and the Paella was just okay. The chicken in the paella was quite dry. All in all it was okay. read more

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Their apps are absolutely the best! Outside patio is so nice on hot summer nights, and they have heaters if it gets too chilly. Great wine selection and super friendly staff! read more

We had delicious seafood ravioli with a wonderful light tomato vodka sauce for lunch. It was a huge portion. The coffee was also excellent, nice and hot. If we had this place in Palo Alto, it would be packed. I don't know why there weren't that many people for lunch. The service was very wonderful. The people are Kind and friendly. We will definitely be back for dinner. read more

Great Italian restaurant for families with animals. It's a dog friendly restaurant. Food caters to young ones too. Drinks are great too for adults. Wish they had the prime rib but the rib eye will do. It was a bit under cook but it's ok. read more

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Very good food with an authentic taste. we spent time in Tuscany and most of their food was a close rendition of what we had in Italy. from the bread, a Tuscan style with no salt but tasty, the handmade pappardelle with a variety of wild mushroom, to a good selection of wine bottles reasonably priced. service was attentive and friendly and they accommodated small changes we requested. We are visiting from the east coast, wish we had this restaurant closer to DC. read more

I've been busy celebrating my 50th birthday for a couple of weeks, and dinner here was a definite highlight! The service was spot-on and the meal was epic, including: house antipasto platter, insalata di pere, spaghetti alla bolognese, and a birthday dessert sampler. All the dishes were amazing, but my friends couldn't stop raving about--and eating--the "pillowy" porcini gnocchi (with sage and brown butter sauce) and the osso bucco with saffron risotto. We were just a party of three, so we were beyond full at the end. Washed it all down with a bottle of 2015 Napa Silver Oak [shoutout to Heather!]. I'll definitely be back, and I highly recommend you pay a visit. Cheers! read more

Three of us came for late lunch on Sunday (about 2:30pm) and were offered options to sit inside or on the patio. We sat outside under the shade with an overhead heater, very comfortable spot. All staff members wore masks and very pleasant. All food came out at the just right pace. My Bolognese was tasty and Tiramisu was filling and delicious. We ended up staying there for almost 2.5 hours because it was so cozy! The parking was close by and easy. Very welcoming atmosphere. The bathroom was very clean. There were so many items I'd like try. Will definitely come back! read more

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Absolutely superb! After failing at the first attempt of making it to this establishment, we made extra efforts to try them out today. We were not disappointed. The wait staff was completely friendly. They never failed to check on you, made sure you had what you need and the food would be brought out with perfect timing. They offer both outdoor and indoor dining. Outdoor heaters. The tables are nicely set apart. Noise level is minimum. Restaurant decor is beautiful. There's a theme of wood and bark throughout the place - including their restroom. Which were very clean btw. You're also provided a bag for your mask so you don't end up laying it on the table or chairs (A+). The bread is also served in a bag on a plate, which is warm and soft. The food was very good. We had the brussel sprouts with bacon to start! DELICIOUS! We ordered the chicken Parmesan which was made perfectly. The sauce was nice and light. It wasn't over powering or tangy. We also ordered the chicken sandwich and greens. The chicken was not dry at all. It was well cooked and the sauce used was amazing. We topped this off with an affogato to go. Not one thing I would change or can say badly about this place! Their food and service is simply exceptional. I'd recommend for any occasion, and for those with kids! read more

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