Sfizio serves up incredible homemade pasta with a wonderfully straightforward menu. It has been popular since day one, and luckily, we live close by! The Wait and Drinks: We arrived around 6:30 PM on a Friday evening and joined the line. Even with 4 to 5 small groups ahead of us, the queue moved quickly thanks to the incredibly efficient staff working hard to get tables ready. To pass the time, we each ordered a low-alcohol cocktail while waiting: SFIZIO: Made with amaro, mazzura, and tonic lime. It was surprisingly flavorful! NEGRONI SBAGLIATO: A delicious blend of mazzura, vermouth, and prosecco. SONOMA ROSÉ: A refreshing mix of rosé aperitif, strawberry, soda, and mint. When we reached the front, we placed our order for appetizers and pastas right before being led to our table. The food arrived the fast. The Appetizers: GRILLED SUMMER SQUASH (cherry tomatoes, yogurt, za'atar oil) - The flavors were perfectly balanced. The herby notes combined with the sweet summer veggies made this very enjoyable. GRILLED SHRIMP + MELON (adobo, cucumber, mint) - A standout dish! I absolutely loved the adobo sauce with the shrimp, and the sweet, ripe melon paired beautifully with it. The Pastas: (Full disclosure: I forgot to take photos for pasta dishes because we dove right in, but they tasted amazing!) SPAGHETTI (tomato sauce, basil, grana, and meatballs) - This is a staple on their permanent menu for a reason. Always reliable, always good. TAGLIATELLE (morel mushrooms, fresh corn, crème fraîche) - Absolutely sublime. The seasonal ingredients really shined here. CASARECCE (basil-walnut pesto, green beans) - Divine. The pasta had a perfect, chewy texture, and the subtle pesto flavor wasn't overwhelming. Pro-Tips for Customers: Keep coming back: Their menu changes every 2 to 4 weeks, so there is always something new and seasonal to try alongside their staple dishes! Don't fear the queue: Don't let a line outside scare you off. Their ordering system and staff are so efficient that you'll be sitting down with hot food in no time. read more

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Sfizio is a very cute spot that is perfect for small groups of 4 or less. Much larger groups can be accommodated outside. Our pastas came out within minutes of ordering. The pasta was the perfect al dente and each dish we ordered was very well rounded in flavor. I especially loved my corn and scallion oil pasta. The service is very fast. They were quite attentive to ask whether my friend was ready for another refill on his beer. The staff was also attentive on clearing empty plates. However, once 2 of my friends were finished with their meal, they stopped paying attention to our table for water refills. It was very apparent they were focused on turning tables which is fair since there are only so few tables inside. During my visit, Sfizio did not give the sort of ambiance of being the place to have a thorough sit down dinner. It is definitely was the spot to eat dinner rather quickly to pop over to the next destination of our night. read more

Sfizio - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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It Was Great! I would go back again! I loved the cucumber dish and the service was Good read more

I loved everything about Sfizio! The food, the ambiance, the outdoor seating, the open kitchen, the staff and the concept! We arrived around 7:30pm on a Wednesday evening, waited in a short line (3-ish couples ahead of us) to order at the counter and we immediately got a table outside. Very chill corner with a parklet and sidewalk seating. We had the Focaccia, cucumber melon salad, Spaghetti with meatballs, Casarecce and the grilled peaches for desert. Pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauces were light and had amazing flavor profiles. We literally had no complaints and left very happy. Can't wait to go again! read more

Adorable little restaurant on a corner along College Ave in Rockridge, in walking distance from Rockridge Bart. All the pastas were amazing and tasted so fresh. The berry dessert at the end was also quite nice. It's pretty small and cramped, with not a lot of seating. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. The vibes are laid back, but also nice for a nice evening out. read more

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Had such a great meal at Sfizio! The ordering process is super easy--you order at the counter first and then get seated, which made everything feel really smooth and casual. I tried two pastas and both were amazing--perfectly cooked, super flavorful, and felt really high quality without being too heavy. Also got the artichoke and focaccia, and both were standouts. The artichoke was cooked really well and the focaccia was soft, fresh, and hard to stop eating. Overall, everything just hit. Great food, easy setup, and a spot I'd definitely come back to. read more

Such a cute little spot nestled in the Oakland neighborhood. Lovely outdoor seating and very family friendly. You order up at the register and then are seated by the host, who is also the bartender. We shared the roasted cauliflower, focaccia, and little gem salad. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs -- honestly can't go wrong. A classic comfort meal with very reasonable prices! read more

Sfizio - spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp tagliatelle - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place always has a line, and for a good reason! We had the tagliatelle shrimp pasta, pasta e fagioli and a side of meatball. Loved the pasta e fagioli! Such a different take from what I've had before. The scarlet red bean in it is a huge big bean from Rancho Gordo's and and I love big beans! It's my biggest weakness and it made the dish so perfect. You gotta try it before it rotates out. I want to come back already! read more

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3.5 stars Sfizio is a very cute spot with a genuinely wonderful team. Warm, attentive, and clearly proud of what they do. That hospitality goes a long way. The food was mixed. The grilled carrots were so soft they lost any real bite and leaned closer to boiled than charred. The focaccia was on the dry side, and the pastas were slightly overcooked. That said, the flavors across the board were lovely. Thoughtful, well-balanced, and clearly coming from a good place. With tighter execution, this could easily be a standout. As it stands, it is a pleasant experience driven by great people and promising flavors, even if the plates do not fully land yet. read more

Sfizio - Inside the restaurant - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

Good food. Done well. The spaghetti and clams was succulent. Great vibe Well run. Everyone was happy to do their job and proud of the place, you could tell. read more

Sfizio - Spaghetti with clams - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've had my eye on you, Sfizio. Ever since you were a Berkeley pop-up and your early days of a brick & mortar. And finally, I came with 2 friends. Which is the right amount of friends (maybe max 4), because you small, everyone else really enjoys you, so there's a line, and you only take limited rezzies for that 5pm seating. There is about 6 tables inside and maybe about 6 outside in the parklet. Not only is seating limited, but so is the menu. The deal: 3 pastas, 3 salads/veggie offerings, 2 desserts and foccacia. All are affordable - all are housemade - all are reasonable sizes (read no doggy bags, but filling). The menu changes, I believe seasonally? Could be monthly? I'm not sure. But whatever it is, the August vegetables were delicious. I love eggplant and that eggplant dish was delicious. My friend loved the summer squash, which was also really good, I just love eggplant more. Pastas are basic, but done with quality and fresh ingredients and cooked perfectly. The night we went, we tried all three: eggplant and ricotta, spaghetti (with the the add on of meatballs) and a corn one. All were delicious. Not overly seasoned, letting the ingredients shine. Best pasta I've ever had? No. But, still really, really good. A nice little wine list. If you are a person with decision fatigue, this is your joint, since decisions are at a minimum with such a limited menu from food to drinks. Overall, basic, but in the most delicious way. Not a long dinner, but filling and reasonably priced, and it's fun to be like: "We will order the entire menu, thank you." read more

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The vibes here are romantic, but also laid back because you order at the counter and then they bring it to your table. The food is very fresh and full of flavor. The bread was an absolute stand out, as was the cashier/bartender who made our experience great! read more

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Prefacing this review by saying, we did not have a bad meal. The meal was nice and enjoyable. We came here with friends who were raving about their homemade pasta. My boyfriend and I were the first of the group to arrive and we saw the line out the door (of a cold and windy Bay Area night) so we zipped up our jackets and prepared to stand in the cold for a while. Our friends came soon after and the convo helped pass the time of the 30ish min wait. I love a small menu- tells me the restaurant knows what they're good at and sticks to it. We started w olives and crackers, broccolini and the focaccia. Olives were... olives. I *LOVED* the broccolini- my fav bite of the night, but the group thought the chili crisp oil was excessive, so if you like spice/a bite, I think you'll enjoy (I did but again, I was the only one out of our group of 7). Focaccia was also good- second best bite of the night in my opinion. Then the pastas arrived. Four got spaghetti and meatballs, two got the mezzi rigatoni (with beans) and I got the spaghetti and clams. The guys all liked their meatballs- wished there were more. The mezzi rigatoni was a 50-50 split. My aunt is a spaghetti à la vongole connoisseur, so I've had my fair share. I thought this was decent/good. The clams were a bit fishy and though I could see the parsley, I didn't taste parsley/garlic/white wine. I couldn't really describe it and when my boyfriend tried it (without the clams) he said it tasted like the chicken top ramen... now I've never had that so take that comment however you wish (he didn't intend it to be a positive or negative comment- he was just trying to make a comparison for taste alone). Again, not a bad meal. AND it could've been the fact that we were a large group of 7 on a Saturday night but sitting outside (not in the section under the heaters but literally just outside on the sidewalk), the experience was average. None of this is to say it was a bad meal- it was a good/passable meal. NO COMPLAINTS. Maybe it was just the fact that our friends had *raved* about it and my boyfriend and I just came back from NY and we recently had fresh pasta in Little Italy, but I don't experience the "wow" our friends were talking it up to be. read more

Enjoyed a very lovely pasta dinner here with some East Bay friends. Per their website instructions we made a reservation request via text on Saturday morning for a small party on 5pm, and received a confirmation that afternoon. The weather was nice so we sat in their outdoor patio. The menu is very short and simple, 3 appetizers, 3 pastas, and 3 desserts to choose from, as well as a small selection of wine. Pasta selection itself is pretty basic -- we had the spaghetti (tomato, basil, grana) and tagliatelle (corn, scallion, tarragon, pecorino) but they both came out fresh and flavorful. Loved how the homemade pasta was cooked just right and how the sauce wasn't too heavy. We paired with a bottle of the Sangiovese. If you plan on just getting pasta on its own, just be mindful that you may find the portions to be on the smaller side! read more

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The food was so good! Staff were extremely friendly. Food came out pretty quickly. The restaurant is really cute. There's not a lot of seats inside but they have quite a few outside as well. The homemade rigatoni was incredible. read more

Sfizio - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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On a whim we walked in on a Friday night and were pleasantly surprised to see that there were still outdoor seatings left. As we waited to place our orders we saw mounds of meatballs scooped atop several plates of mouth watering spaghetti with marinara sauce. My husband made up his mind then settling on the said dish while I settled on the tagliatelle with corn and charred scallions. Friendly server took our orders and seated out in the covered outdoor parklet. We opted not to get any beverages, in our frugal attempts at offsetting the rising costs. With $16 per pasta dish, it was rare to revive a bill less than $40 nowadays. Though it was super tempting, with their tantalizing array of wine selections gathered at the cashier. After a short wait, another cheerful server bought out our pasta. The meatballs were juicy and flavorful, and spaghetti chewy. Equally my tagliatelle had a lovely smoky earthy flavor coming for my eh charred scallions, and this was well balanced by the sweet summer corn kernel. While the portion size was on the smaller size, I was comfortably satiated as I licked every dab of sauce on the plate. Such a fantastic little spot for freshly made pasta that rivals of Mama Oakland, in this fierce competitive fine dining milieu, and we look forward to returning for another memorable evening. read more

Sfizio - Spaghetti with meatballs (top) and tagliatelle with corn and charred scallions (bottom) - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

Small menu but top notch, everything was exceptional. Come early because place fills up fast!

I went to sfizio with my husband for our anniversary and it was amazing!! So small but cute. Service was also great. And food was chefs kiss!! The menu keeps changing from what I hear but we got the bucatini and the casarecce. Both were different and so good and fresh. The pasta was perfectly chewy, sauce was flavorful, and ingredients were fresh. They were sadly sold out of the focaccia but we will try that next time. I also got their non alcoholic cocktail which was so nice and refreshing. I liked it so much the server wrote down the recipe for me and even showed the bottles that were used to make it. The strawberry shortcake was also light and refreshing. Will definitely return soon! read more

What a sweet and efficient place. Pro tip you can text them to ask for a reservation at 5pm. I texted same day and they still had tables. They have a small space and have worked out how to make it work. I came here with my 10 year old. We had the Cresta do Gallo with cacio e Pepe and the tagliatelle with kale, ricotta and breadcrumbs. Both were delicious. However, if presented the same choice again I would probably just order the Cacio e Pepe cresta de gallo and a side or two. We did order the focaccia which was giant and amazing. And we made room for the saffron poached pear. The child has been begging to try poached pears and inhaled our dessert. I managed to get a bit before it disappeared. Would definitely order it again. It's a perfect fall/winter dessert. All the staff were friendly and helpful. read more

Sfizio - Menu - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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This was my second time here, and it was just as good--if not better--than the first! This time, I came with a larger group (five of us), and we were able to sit outside on the sidewalk, which was perfect. I ordered the basil walnut pesto fusilli pasta, which came with super fresh, perfectly crunchy snap peas--so good! My mom is gluten-free and got the pesto with their homemade gluten-free noodles. She loved it, and I really appreciated that they use separate pots to boil the gluten-free pasta--such a thoughtful touch for safety. We also shared the asparagus appetizer, the butter lettuce salad (which I wasn't expecting to love as much as I did--it was packed with flavor!), and the focaccia. The focaccia order comes with two big pieces, so it's great for sharing! read more

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nice atmosphere , good selection of food. Pastas and pizzas. Would highly recommend read more

Arrived just the first seating was about to turn so only a 15-minute wait in line. Enjoyed a limeade while people watching and observing the kitchen prepare food orders. The grilled eggplant & peppers was delish especially with the grilled housebaked foccacia to sop up the olive oil hummus dressing. of the eggplant. The corn, scallion, & tarragon tagliatelle was tasty but the spaghetti & meatballs were disappointing -- overcooked pasta and underseasoned meatballs (oh well). Service was attentive, but unobtrusive. I look forward to returning when the menu changes. read more

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Visited on a Wednesday around 7pm, waited for around 30 min for my other 4 friends to arrive. Sfizio only seats guest once all members have arrived. Restaurant was pretty busy the entire evening majority of seats and tables were taken but parties do turn quickly. Be prepared for a bit of a wait but you can grab a drink while tables clear up. Food: Kabocha Squash - fantastic, sweet creamy grilled squash topped with hazelnuts, salsa verde and a smear of creamy yogurt, great combo of textures and flavors, a favorite of the night Focaccia - light airy fluffy with crispy edges, this was great for soaking up all the sauces Local Squid - this was unexpected but good, small pieces of grilled squid served with a fennel slaw, some brothy beans and creamy garlic toum lots of textures and flavors, wish the squid piece were a bit larger and there was a little less broth but otherwise tasty Little Gem Salad - topped with roasted beets, in a light and punchy vinaigrette, pretty standard salad Spaghetti + Meatballs - spaghetti was on the softer saucier side which was great for me but i like softer pasta, meatballs were fantastic super flavorful with a delicious parm/cheesy note that complimented the marinara, would love to see a side of meatballs in sauce stand alone on the menu as an option Rigatoni - delicious, pasta was well cooked a touch al dente, romanesco added a slight saucy red pepper component and the cauliflower and seasoned breadcrumbs provided great additional textural contrast Gnocchi - good, pretty classic with the butternut squash, brown butter and sage, gnocchi was a on the dense side but pan fried crisp so texturally was a nice combination Tagliatelle - served with pieces of shrimp in a light saffron leek and tarragon sauce, noodles were tender, shrimp was well cooked, delicate flavors that worked well together Chocolate Budino - this was okay, dense chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream, segmented citrus and cocoa nibs, would probably skip this next time Service was fine, staff seems friendly, once we ordered at the register food came out super quick which was amazing. Water we had to ask for refills so not the most attentive. Overall really enjoyed dinner at Sfizio great casual Italian that's well executed. Wish they had a waitlist system of some sort instead of physically needing to stand in line to wait for tables but understand that they want to ensure guest present are seated when space is availible. Worth a visit, would recommend this more for a party of 2 since the space is pretty small. read more

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Came here on a whim Fire time here Street parking only Inside is very small only about 5 tables but there is an outdoor parklet Menu is limited and on the chalkboard No paper menus or QR code but that is ok It's the little things that make this restaurant quaint Customer service is very friendly We ordered to go and I had a glass of white wine while we waited for our food I ordered a salad and spaghetti with meatballs Salad was very good 10/10 Ingredients are very fresh Spaghetti was good Meatballs are huge and very tasty Bread is amazing Prices are reasonable Glad I stopped by this restaurant and tried it out read more

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This place is one of our favorites in the East Bay for a low key pasta night! They always have the spaghetti, which is incredible and only $10! And the other mains rotate throughout the year. Everything is made fresh and tastes incredible. The staff is always super friendly! You have to wait in line and order before you are seated, but you can have some drinks while you wait for a table. They also have outdoor seating so on a nice evening that's the place to be! read more

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Oh. My. God. The pasta is to die for. Warm bread made it even better. The wait staff was also super attentive and made for a great experience. Eating outside with candlelight and good wine sealed the deal. The menu changes periodically so check back, but I can't wait to come back. read more

Second time here, this time sans kids. The wait for an outdoor table was longer so we sat inside. They turned on the AC after a while so it wasn't too hot. Got the butter lettuce salad, grilled squid, fusilli pasta, tagliatelle pasta, strawberry shortcake, and panna cotta. Glass of Pilsner beer was $6 and a large glass. The salad was refreshing and a good portion. Squid was a little spicy but very fresh. Pastas were both good - I prefer the mushroom tagliatelle which was more savory. The panna cotta was not very sweet and done well with tayberries. Strawberry shortcake was warm from the grill and the strawberries were yummy. read more

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No reservations and no waitlist. Simply show up and wait in line. One of those great hole in the wall places that only sit about 10 small parties or less at a time. Not the most ideal place for large groups. The menu changes as everything is freshly made. You can't beat fresh ingredients! The chef/owner is walking around and conversing with patrons as well. Such an intimate experience while being in a buzzing environment! Everything was devoured! The dessert was okay. The biscuit wasn't as flaky as I prefer and it felt like ice cream could've added to the dish. Overall, I'd definitely come back for my pasta fix. Come early because the line can get lengthy. read more

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Small corner restaurant in Elmwood, Berkeley.. went in the evening, on a nice summery day and had a nice lively ambiance in the outdoor patio. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs at the counter. The meatballs are worth the extra seven dollars. They make it at the restaurant and they're really well sized. Spaghetti noodles were well cooked, al dente texture, with chunks of tomatoes. I appreciated the parmesan cheese grated on top of the noodles. I tried the mushroom rigatoni, and it was packed with flavor! Will definitely come back for the rotating menu. read more

More than a five star experience! The line was out the door by 5:30pm on a Friday evening. I patiently waited as I watched the first seating of tables be served their meals and drooled the entire time. Was the wait worth it? F yeah! This was one of the best dinners I've ever had. The menu is very small and every item is packed with flavor and loaded with handcrafted love. The fresh gluten free spaghetti is homemade and is unlike anything you've ever tasted before, so so so palatable. I ordered it plain with butter. I couldn't help but eat what I took home immediately upon walking in the door. The olives are Castelvetrano olives. They are marinated with fennel seeds have bursts of citrus that pop in your mouth. The house made focaccia is toasted and delightful. The Tagliatelle was insanely good, every freaking bite I was blown away by the flavor. The chanterelles have a deep white wine flavor. I couldn't believe how bright yet deeply rich the dish was. The grilled Treviso with anchovy vinaigrette was wowEeeeeeeee. Topped with plenty grana, it was fresh and savory. I saved some to take home, but ended up eating it as soon as I walked in the door. The staff works together to tend to guests, and I even saw cook staff serving plates when the wait staff were busy. Very small indoor dining space, so it's tight and cozy and may be a little loud from time to time. Outdoor seating is an option too. I'd wait overnight in line to dine here any day of the week. Highly recommended! read more

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Spaghetti and meatballs were worth the hype/reputation. The food we had was delicious and the service was nice and quick given it's a small menu so the food comes very fast once you're seated therefore the tables turn over pretty quickly. We came on a Saturday night at 6pm and waited about 30 minutes. Small tables inside and a few outdoor parklet seating available so cute enough for a date night but also family friendly. read more

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Solid food in a great location. Portions are good size - not too much or too little. I recommend eating outdoors on a warm day. read more

I genuinely cannot believe the tomato sauce spaghetti was only 10 dollars. It was the best pomodoro pasta I've ever had in my life. I also loved the strawberry shortcake read more

This was such an amazing experience! Great food and ambiance, and the service was outstanding. read more

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Service was good, food was okay, a little bland and under seasoned. The pacing of the meal was excellent, plenty of time was left to enjoy each course while not waiting too long in between. Good prices. read more

Sfizio - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

Well worth the wait! Very pleased by just how surprisingly flavorful and memorable the pasta was! We got the Spaghetti and the Cresta di Gallo pasta. Very good. Will be back again. Had Olives + crackers, Grilled Cauliflower & Focaccia as appetizers. Paired with the Prosecco. Great place for 2 :). read more

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Great vibe, excellent service, tasty pasta, good prices. I got the spaghetti and meatballs ($17), other pastas, salads, and sides looked great too. Roasted carrots looked especially appealing. Pretty amazed that you can get a sit down meal for less than $30 including tax and tip. Great spot for a casual dinner. Will return and looking forward to trying more items! read more

Sfizio - Spaghetti and meatballs ($17) - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

I came on a Wednesday night with a friend and had a great experience! Delicious food, friendly service, and a pleasant atmosphere! My friend and I shared the following: 1) Cacio e Pepe - flavorful 2) Tagliatelle with ricotta - great 3) Persimmon fattoush salad - delicious The set up is such that you order at the counter, then are seated and have the food brought to you, and then pay at your table before you go. I would have preferred a more traditional set up where you order at your table with your waiter. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the food came out quickly. The space was elegant and inviting - though a bit chillier inside than I would have liked. Overall, we had a lovely meal here and I'd love to return! read more

It's been over 4 years since I felt compelled to leave a two-star review, but today's experience at Sfizio left me with mixed feelings. As part of my food tour and recommendation, I walked into Sfizio with high hopes, only to be met with a complete lack of acknowledgment from the staff. No greetings, no smiles - just an indifferent atmosphere that set the tone for the entire visit. On a positive note, the homemade pasta was prepared well. Perfectly cooked and al dente, it showcased a level of craftsmanship that I appreciated. However, the sauce was a different story. Its saltiness and the taste of burnt basil destroyed the dish. The thick, creamy consistency reminded me more of a canned Chef Boyardee than a freshly made sauce. Sounds harsh, but it's true. The meatballs were a disappointment. Overly salty with an odd texture, it felt like biting into tofu with a burnt crust. The three meatballs provided were unevenly cooked - the outside overcooked and the inside too mushy. To address the issue, I gave them a call. While they answered promptly, the resolution was lackluster. A brief apology and a promise to inform the staff left me feeling unheard. As for the prospect of a return visit, it's not high on my list. The unpleasant staff was enough to not return. If Sfzio staff are reading this, I hope you all do better. Oddly enough, I'm still hoping this place improves as I'm a fan of their homemade pasta itself. And itself only. If you ask me if I would go back soon. The answer would be... Sfizi-NO. read more

Sfizio - Portion size is small - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

Every bite of every dish was perfection. Housemade pastas, excellent salad, gingerbreads cookies, small but tasty booze and food menu. Friendly service. The process of getting seated is worth it. read more