Dining experience here was more than delightful Both Aimee and Hope were extremely attentive at explaining the menu, Hope our main server made our cute 4 month anniversary more than delightful. The recommended appetizer contained refreshing Tomatoes on top of creamy mozzarella paired with a large helping of thick bread. We were able to split our two pastas of choice, The Pink Sauce and sausage Fusili pasta and Pork Lasagna were exceptional. I have yet to try anything better in Fresno's Italian cuisine. I would love to explore more of their dinner and lunch menu. We were sat near the patio dining, we shared the booth side which was rather comfortable, other areas of the restaurant appeared more photo worthy nonetheless the ambiance was nice and quiet Amazing food, paired with delightful staff makes a good restaurant. read more

See all

We celebrated Father's Day here and had a lovely dinner. We had reservations and were seated quickly with an attentive waitress. We got started off with the Arancini and Stracciatella. These are smaller portions so I'm glad we got two appetizers to split. We all thought the Radiatori sounded good so we got 5 plates of that. This is also a smaller dish but portioned perfectly so you're not overly stuffed. We ended the night with two butterscotch budinos which were just perfect. Overall a great meal and experience. read more

In my life, I practice: if I don't have anything nice to say, I Don't. But in this case, I feel that if I don't share our experience, it would be misleading to future guests attending the Willow Osteria. My partner and I were excited to see this Italian Resturant open in our area, and we were very pleased with our first few visits. Sadly, our pleasant dining experiences were short-lived. First, the food is mediocre at best and not comparable to other fine Italian restaurants we have enjoyed. We'd never order a steak there again. What kept us coming back were the servers. They are kind, efficient and create an upbeat vibe. Nikko, in particular, in our opinion, is by far one of the best Bartenders/Mixologist Fresno/Clovis has. He is definitely an asset to Willow Osterio. He not only creates crafty/delightful drinks, but he also cares and meets your expectations while you are there. He is very seasoned in wine pairing, and his crafty cocktails make up for the subpar dinners. He can also deliver a full restaurant's drink order while making you feel you are the only person at the bar/counter. At last, our choice not to return to Willow Osterio has nothing to do with the food or service, but simply because of the manager of the restaurant. I didn't care to catch his name while we were there, but he created such a negative, vile, arrogant atmosphere and did NOTHING to ensure guests were taken care of on Friday night, June 13th (other than taking notes, as if he were a student). The restaurant was also uncomfortably warm. I have no idea how the manager of Willow Osterio is in the Hospitality Industry. Must be "grandfathered" in. read more

She's cute! Honestly I enjoyed this place a lot more than annex. Came here for an anniversary dinner to try something new and I was impressed. The cocktails are exceptional. I would honestly just come back and sit at the bar for the cocktails. The gimlet was refreshing and the espresso martini was also a hit. For some reason I still felt a stiff and stale energy in the restaurant . It wasn't very flowy or vibey but this could be the standard for Italian restaurants. They have outdoor seating which I may choose to do next time I go. Each dish was delicious however the lasagna did taste alil bit more on the salty side but overall it was the best I've had. Service is top notch and our waitress was very attentive and patient. Check it out!:) read more

See all

The food was carefully crafted. I had the lasagna. It was delicious, even without the ricotta. The staff was very attentive, my waitress elevated to our needs. The restaurant has a weird layout, but the decor is so soothing and fresh. I like the fact you can see the whole kitchen in certain parts of the restaurant. read more

The latest addition to the Pardini family's restaurants in the area, Willow Osteria is a gorgeously decorated yet laid back-you-can-see-them-working-in-the-kitchen vibe. They also have an outside covered patio for seating. Service was professional and attentive. Sarah took great care of us. We went for lunch so I ordered lighter fare and tried the butter lettce, pear and gorgonzola salad with chicken added. Unfortunately, the chicken was rubbery and I didn't care for the dressing. However, Sarah graciously replaced my salad with the arugula salad, which had a lemony vinaigrette, pine nuts, shaved parmegiano, and avocado and was delicious. The manager also came over to make sure everything was good. My husband ordered a burger and fries of which I took several bites , and this also was delicious. The only other negative was that it was very cold inside the restaurant. So make sure you bring a sweater, or sit outside on the patio! read more

See all

I was excited to try this new restaurant. My friend and I came for lunch and seated on the patio. The staff was friendly. The place is nice and pretty decent size. I hade a delicious Espresso Martini and the burger. The burger was fresh and delicious. The truffle fries for an appetizer made it even better. I give this place 4 stars for cleanliness and great food. read more

Willow Osteria - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

Tried this place for a late lunch. Some things were good and some we'll skip in the future. We tried the meatball appetizer and a Caesar salad. They were fine but nothing special. Hard to justify the price. We tried two pasta dishes. They were good, but the portion sizes were pretty small. The chicken parm sandwich was good and the fries were excellent. We'll try it again for dinner to make a final conclusion to see if we'll add this place to our rotation. read more

See all

My experience at Willow Osteria was amazing! From booking the reservation, to friendly young ladies in the front, to a nice young man serving water and a wonderful server that knew what to recommend! Everything was delicious! My friend and I ate there to celebrate her 50th and the experience was wonderful! Got seated quickly and food was on point! To start we ordered the burrata and prosciutto with bread, which was incredible! My friend has the cavaletti pasta and I had chicken with mushrooms in a white sauce! The ambiance was classy but not too upscale! Just the perfect vibe! read more

Willow Osteria - Fresno State corn, bacon and pasta in a buttery sauce! So good! - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

After months of trying to snag a dinner resy at an appropriate time, i finally gave up and decided to just at least get a lunch resy. I honestly couldn't wait any longer, especially after all the good things I've heard about this restaurant. If you are also wanting to try and unable to get a good reservation, you'll find it easy to find a lunch one! As soon as you walk in, the air feels different. With stunning decor that's well curated from each tiny detail to the ones that matter the most. To me it gives upscale New York family dining. At the same time something about the bar area is giving speakeasy, perhaps it's the beautiful wood cabinets. All in all it is a beautiful location, you'll almost forget you're in the Central Valley. Now let's talk food. Simply amazing! I have no complaints and I highly recommend trying the chicken parm! I do not eat pork, however my friend did say that the Bruschetta platters were so authentic and highlight compared to the ones from her travels abroad. The lemon pasta is a good beginner pasta for those wanting to venture out to zesty favors. However for those with a more experienced palette you may find its not as lemony, regardless it is still rather delicious. The service is really what tied this all together. The staff is well put together, and on top of everything. Most importantly they are kind and genuinely seem happy to be there. I couldn't have asked for a better lunch, how lucky am i to have found an out of town experience so close to home. Now do yourself a favor and make the resy! read more

See all

Nico you changed my mind! I made a reservation for one and was told I could sit at the bar if a seat was available. Best decision ever!!! You get a full experience and the vibe is amazing! The sun was setting and the ambiance was smooth. They have a great selection of drinks and it's a full menu that you could order. I have the braised beef noodle and meatballs with a tiramisu for dessert this time! It hit the spot. I am happy with this experience compared to the last. read more

See all

I've been to Willow about three times now for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant offered bar area seating in the front, a main dining room and patio seating. It's super bright and open, which can be a problem if you're facing the sun during sunset as there are no window coverings or blinds to block direct sunlight coming in. The food is consistently amazing. My favorite is the osso bucco with polenta. It's a generous portion with perfectly tender pork and savory polenta. The meat was falling off the bone. Delicious! The chicken radiatori is another favorite. The cream sauce is savory and delicious without being overly heavy like Alfredo sauces. My favorite appetizer has to be the burrata with prosciutto and sweet peppers. It's served with grilled bread that is toasted with olive oil. The service is spotty. Hostesses are not very welcoming. The servers are generally pretty professional but after you receive your meal, it's very hard to get attention for anything you may need. You almost have to flag someone down to get the check. This has been the case in all of my visits. I do overall enjoy this spot and hopefully the customer service will improve to match the food. read more

See all

They are now serving lunch and it is great! My wife and I got the chicken Parmesan sandwich and truffle burger, cut them in half and shared them. Both were very, very good. The truffle burger was super rich so eating half of it was about all each of us could do, but the flavor of it was excellent. Our server, Taylor was super nice and attentive. Can't wait to go back and make it a regular weekend thing for us. read more

Willow Osteria - Chicken Parmesan sandwich with arugula salad - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

First visit and decided to dine in due to my sister visiting town. Make a rezi through yelp with ease and chose the dining bar table option. Upon arrival they sat me right away alone which was nice to not have to wait for the rest of my party. We ordered drinks right away. -Old fashioned - 10/10 -Limencello drop - 10/10 -Espresso martini - 7/10 a bit sweet -Pinot Noir - 6/10 ok Starters -Arancini 9/10 - crispy + tad spicy so good! -Arugula salad 8/10 - tad salty -Bread 9/10 Entrees Radiatori - 9/10 Rigatoni - 8.5/10 NY steak + potatoes - 8.5/10 Dessert Olive oil cake - 6/10 tres leches like Overall beautiful restaurant and great service. Great for a date night, girls dinner or small family gatherings. Plate servings are great for sharing and prices were $$$. read more

See all

Update: 2ND visit much better with the steaks. Hostess was friendly. Waitress was friendly read more

Finally made it back to Willow, and wow wow wow! My second visit absolutely blew me out of the water. This experience was even better than the first. Our server was excellent, and sitting in the main dining room was such a treat. I loved the open-kitchen vibe and watching the prosciutto being sliced, the bread grilled, and all the little details happening in real time. Those thoughtful touches truly make the dining experience feel special and elevated. The food was unreal. Every single bite was incredible! Honestly not one miss. The burrata and Prosciutto di Parma are a must. The sweet and spicy chicken was so stinking good and perfectly cooked, moist, and juicy. The truffle fries paired beautifully with it. I even ordered the butterscotch dessert to go and enjoyed every last bite. Noah and his staff are amazing, kind, accommodating, and genuinely welcoming. This is a restaurant I'll be coming back to again and again. Highly recommend, best Italian food I've had in a long time! read more

See all

Great food, great service, overall good atmosphere. Because the restaurant is so popular, nearly all tables were full, so service was understandably on the slower side. The servers were amazing though! Very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. However, our server was so busy hustling which made it challenging for them to check in - we would have ordered more drinks if someone were available! It could have been a short-staffed evening. All food was super tasty. No complaints beyond wishing the burrata appetizer came with more delicious bread! (Seriously, 2 slices is criminal, we want the carbs!) read more

See all

Wife and I came for lunch, this place is a somewhat the same but also different from Annex Kitchen. You can see a lot of the same DNA in the open kitchen and the wood fired grill, but the interior feels more spacious and airy. (Although I think that perhaps Annex might be slightly bigger, but the large windows and light makes this location "feel" larger than it is.) As someone who is a big fan of design, I liked the touches they had inside. From the light fixtures, to the subway tile adorning the wall of the kitchen, or the color choices, I was digging the look they put together. The service was very good, our waitress was friendly and attentive, manager (We assume he was the manager at least) came by near the end of our meal to make sure everything as good. The food itself was very good. My wife and I both got the lemon buccatini dish, which was the perfect choice for lunch. For comparison we have been to the Giada de Laurentiis restaurant in Vegas where they serve a variation of this dish and consider it one of their specialties. Well, its better here, hands down. (I only mention this to point out that you don't have to go to high dollar restaurants in other cities, we have better versions right here in Fresno.) The only negative really is that the hostesses don't give the most welcoming atmosphere when you walk in. The one that took us to our table warmed up a bit on the walk back to the table, but the one that stayed at the hostess station had a permanent look on her face like she was not at all happy to be there, or to be talking to us. read more

Willow Osteria - Lemon pasta - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

Celebrated my sister's birthday here at Willow Osteria. We had reservations at 6:45pm and I was seated immediately at a booth. Zero wait , it was great. We did start with some drinks and some appetizers to share. I got the lemoncello drop and it was delicious. Just the perfect amount of sweetness and alcohol ratio was not over the top. It was very pleasant to drink. I also got to try the espresso martini and definitely will get that in the future. For appetizers, we had the truffle fries and 10/10 I would order again. I appreciate a good skinny French fry! It was nicely seasoned and had a really good side dipping sauce. The burrata and prosciutto were beautiful, great for sharing. We had the fett'unta bread that was toasted and had a nice fluff in the middle. I got a bit of that bread, added the prosciutto, burrata, and a bit of the sweet pepper topping and it was a home run. Super good. Everyone ordered pasta all around. The squid ink linguine was my favorite. Noodles were al dente, it had a good sauce to it and a good portion of clams. The ravioli was a single pasta piece with an egg yolk in the middle and cheese. Good execution. I also got to try the rigatoni which was my second favorite, great flavor for that one. For the tagliolini and radiatori, though it was good but tastes like something I have had before. Service was okay, we wished our waitress checked on us a bit more. The gentle who was bussing table offered us more water. The restaurant is beautiful, you have a nice bar area once you enter the establishment. There is seating in the front, middle (mainly booths), and more towards the back near the kitchen. Multi-stall restrooms and it near and tidy. Staff checks to make sure there it's stocked and clean. Overall experience was good, wished the menu was more extensive. read more

See all

Came here for a date night and was not disappointed. We were able to sit at the bar and order dinner which was nice since they did not have any tables available. We ordered the meatballs, raviolo, and Parmesan fries with some dirty martinis. Everything was delicious and I will definitely be coming back!! read more

Willow Osteria - Meatballs, Parmesan fries, raviolo - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

Checked out Willow Osteria and had a really good experience overall. It's honestly nice to see a place like this opening in the area and bringing something a little different locally. I had the truffle burger and fries, and both were really good. The burger was flavorful and cooked well, and the fries were a great side. It was a little on the salty side, but nothing that took away from the meal. The atmosphere was great too, welcoming, and a good spot to sit down and enjoy lunch. Service was friendly and smooth throughout. I'd definitely come back and I'm glad to have a restaurant like this nearby. read more

Had a great "fake" anniversary date with my love. Long story short about the fake anni, we somehow along the line thought March 29th was the date, only to get evidence later that it was actually May (i guess because of the M??) Anyway, so now we celebrate both dates usually with a nice dinner. Having never tried Paradini's newest restraunt, seemed like a great time to make a reservation. We shared 2 apps, a salad, and a couple entrees (steak and lasgna). Everything was great and I left super stuffed. Highly recommended! read more

A beautiful new restaurant by the same owners of Annex and Annesso. My bestie and I went on a Monday night. Our waitress name was Maleah. She was really kind and very attentive to our needs. We had lots of questions about the menu items and she did a great job describing everything. She even gave us few suggestions on food so we went with it. We got pasta called bucatini and tonarelli. They were both white sauce pastas. One was with lemon and the other had a pepper flavor. Both were equally delicious and cooked perfectly. I just wish there was an option to add shrimp or chicken. It would have taken the pasta to the next level. We also both got drinks. I got a limoncello drop and the bestie had an old fashioned. Both drinks were presented beautifully. They were refreshing and kind of strong too. We only had 1 drink and were feeling good. Our appetizer was the arancini it was fried ball of goodness. It was filled with rice, cheeses and a red meat sauce. When cutting it open it had cheese oozing out. A great way to start the meal. It was filling too. We finished our meal off with an olive oil torta. I was a little skeptical about it but another waitress recommended it. The cake looked basic but packed a lot of flavor. It was very delicate and yummy. A perfect ending to an already amazing dinner. If you're looking for a great new pasta spot check them out you will not be disappointed. read more

See all

I love this place! We were there on a busy Friday evening and the service was excellent. We were seated right away, our drinks came quickly while we looked over the menu. One person had celiac and Willow Osteria has a separate gluten free and vegetarian menu! And not just a couple of items a FULL menu from Appetizers to desserts. We started with the burrata and prosciutto that came with bread that was chewy and crispy although it just came out of a butter swim. Amazing The TAGLIOLINI, Braised Beef Sugo was fantastic (and filling). Although we couldn't finish dinner we had a great dessert. You can't go wrong here. read more

Had such a lovely experience at Willow Osteria! The interior is beautifully decorated--warm, inviting, and full of charm. The vibe really sets the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. We started with a selection of antipasti, and they were absolutely amazing--fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The pastas were also very fresh and tasty, which we appreciated. While they didn't completely blow us away, they were still solid and satisfying dishes that complemented the overall experience well. Service was another highlight--nice, neat, and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely worth a visit! read more

See all

Brand new place in Clovis! I was skeptical going in and let me say I was wrong. It just looked like a chic place that wouldn't have good tasting food. We made reservations for New Year's Eve and were greeted nicely and sat down right away. Our server Jorge provided great service! The place definitely is chic, minimalist with beautiful accents. They serve your choice of mineral water or regular water upon being seated. It's pricey but you get good food for the price. read more

See all

3/20/26 Great reviews! Must try! Glad they are serving lunch! Arrived!! Really nice bar when you walk in with all the tables, chairs and booths past it in another room. . Definitely a classy restaurant! Calm and low key with music playing. Sat at the very nice bar. Greeted. Kind workers. Happy to give recommendations. Asked for an iced tea with Sweet & Lo. The bartender gave many recommendations!! Ended up ordering the Recommended Turkey & Soppressata sandwich with a side salad. Received tea first, with sweet and lo given! GREAT! Refreshing! Small wait and they were busy! Lunch brought shortly later from a kind waitress. Lunchtime!! It's definitely A LOT! 1/2 is plenty! Really DELICIOUS Turkey and Soppresata sandwich. Fresh & Flavorful!! Light. Salad is great too! Fresh & Tasty! Workers are Really Great during. They checked up on me. Once finished, happy to give me a to-go tea and container for leftovers! Another lunch for tomorrow! Paid for if and the worker was happy to give me a bag to-go too! Wished a good day leaving also!! GREAT service, GREAT lunch & GREAT experience!! Highly recommended! read more

See all

Truffle fries... a fave to start the evening with Arugula salad... very tasty... it is all arugula... so if you like arugula... you will enjoy Bread... I asked for it to be pre sliced... they may have changed the way they serve bread now... was much better Bucatini ... this was light and tasty Fusilli this was the fave pasta... sausage was New York strip excellent and easy to share with another person... Broccolini came with steak... tasty I enjoyed everything this evening... serve ice was nice... It got a little chilly on the patio... but then inside is pretty noisy. read more

I decided to try this out after church on Fathers Day assuming it would be too busy however the hostess Aubrey (I hope I remembered her name) was very welcoming and she walked me through the restaurant because it was my first time there , I chose to sit outside in the patio because it was a beautiful day outside. They brought me water right away and then my server came she was very friendly and had a great smile. I ordered the Pistachio Martini because I saw a picture of it on instagram ..it was delicious. I ordered a salad with chicken and a side of bread. Omg. The bread was awesome. But what I really appreciated was that the hostess came back to check on me! I truly think that customer service is a huge part of great food. Thank you. I will definitely be back! read more

Willow Osteria - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

The ambiance was chic. The servers were warm, attentive and welcoming. We ordered three appetizers: Arancini, truffle fries, and burrata and prosciutto. They were good. I especially liked the arancini. They added a little spiciness in it and it was tasty. For the main course, we only ordered a squid ink linguini. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. It was $32 but the portion was so small and the clams were fishy. I probably won't come back because of the the price though. read more

Willow Osteria - Truffle fries - Italian Near Me - Clovis, California

See all

recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at Willow Osteria, and I have to say it truly lived up to the experience. As someone who has spent time living in Italy and indulging in authentic cuisine, I can confidently say the flavors here come impressively close. Let's start with the ambience. The space feels incredibly warm and inviting, with a homey charm that instantly transported me back to a cozy restaurant in Florence. I visited in the evening, and the lighting was just gorgeous, soft, intimate, and perfectly setting the tone. What I loved most is how the restaurant is divided into different rooms, each with its own unique aesthetic, yet everything flows together seamlessly. It strikes that perfect balance between upscale and comfortable. Now, the highlight, the food!! We started with drinks, and I ordered the Limoncello Drop as a nod to my time in Italy (where I drank limoncello constantly). One sip and I was instantly taken back, it was that good. Honestly, I could've shed a tear. As for the food, I went all in and I regret absolutely nothing. We ordered the braised meatballs with fett'unta, New York steak with crispy potatoes, lemon pasta, and tagliolini with braised beef sugo. I also added chicken to one of the dishes, and they kindly accommodated the request with no hesitation. Every single bite was incredible. The kind of meal that lingers in your mind long after. It's safe to say I catch myself daydreaming about it regularly. The service was just as impressive. I had a reservation and was seated right away. The staff was attentive, and one of the servers even cracked a few jokes that made the whole experience feel relaxed and genuinely enjoyable. I wish I could remember his name because he truly elevated the night. All in all, Willow Osteria delivers on every level: ambience, food, and service. I will absolutely be back. read more

See all

We really enjoyed the meal we had at Willow. The food was excellent and the cocktails were on point. They have a Negroni menu which is pretty fun, and when we didn't like one drink they brought a 2nd and let us choose which of the two we liked more. Service was prompt and attentive. The restaurant wasn't as busy as we expected when we arrived (545pm) but things picked up by the time we left around 7. Their outdoor seating area has plenty of heaters but doesn't have the sort of enclosure other nearby restaurants had. We will be back a few times to get a more complete idea of the concept but our initial impressions is good and we enjoyed our meal thoroughly! read more

See all

We we happy to be able to try Willow Osteria this past weekend, and it absolutely lived up to the excitement. The space is gorgeous from the moment you walk in - dim, warm lighting in the bar and alcoves, beautiful tile work, rich wood accents, and a lively open kitchen in the main dining room. Service was very knowledgeable, especially impressive for such a new restaurant. Our server took time to educate us on the menu and help us pick what we'd enjoy most. We started with cocktails (the Limoncello Drop was excellent, my husband enjoyed his Willow Old Fashioned) and the Fett'Unta, which is basically grilled super soft, pillowy sourdough brushed with Enzo olive oil and flaky salt. It sounds so simple, but it was one of the best things we ate all night. The Caesar salad was also fresh and bright. For main dishes, the spice-rubbed half chicken was outstanding - tender, flavorful, a little spicy, perfectly cooked (comes with a side of your choosing). The Cotolette Alla Bolognese (crispy pork chop with fontina and prosciutto) was huge and delicious (served a la carte). The Bucatini al Limone was creamy, lemony, and cooked perfectly, though the pasta portion felt a little small for the price and considering it wasn't served with a protein. We shared the Butterscotch Budino for dessert, and it was amazing - creamy, rich, and topped with crunchy candied almonds and sweet cream. Overall, we had a great experience. The main dining room can get loud, and a couple portion sizes felt tight, but the food, cocktails, and service generally were excellent. Willow Osteria will definitely be a special-occasion spot for us, and we look forward to going back. read more

See all

I've been looking forward to this new restaurant opening for a long time. We are regulars at Annex Kitchen and Annesso. Our reservation was at 5 pm on a weekday and there was a long line waiting outside for the restaurant to open. Upon opening the doors, we were promptly seated. The decor is very beautiful and tasteful. We had asked for a booth which we got, however they seated us next to the patio doors and cold air would blast onto us every time the door opened and from a vent on the ceiling. The most frustrating part was that a couple young busboys kept frequently opening the doors every couple minutes to go outside just to chit chat with each other. We saw another party they tried to seat next to us and heard they also were not happy being by the patio doors. Pros: our server Gaoger was amazing and super attentive. She was very friendly, offered lots of suggestions and checked in on us often for refills and to see how we were doing. I ordered the Insalata Mista to start which was good sized and had a refreshing lemon vinaigrette. The squid ink linguine tasted wonderful, lots of seafood with good flavor and was slightly spicy. For dessert, we had the olive oil cake which was delicious and unique. I'd definitely come back for the amazing food and service but will just hope for a better table next time. read more

See all

Finally made it here to try. First let's please talk about the ambience and decor...5 star. Amazing. Setting the stage for redefining what we demand more of in Fresno! Food was comparable/equal to sister restaurant Annex kitchen. If homemade pasta is your thing you will not be disappointed. Cacio E Pepe is a comfort favorite of mine and it was perfectly prepared. Service was great. Never did we feel rushed or being pushed out, but they could pick it up just a tad to try and get tables turned over. Desserts here were fantastic which is a big win. Overall, great first experience. read more

See all

Willow Osteria feels like a little postcard from old-world Italy tucked right at Willow and Shepherd, catty-corner from Saizon and Ampersand. As the sister restaurant to The Annex Kitchen and Annesso, it fits into the family - but it has its own personality, its own rhythm, and a quieter charm that sets it apart. We started with the Fett'unta: thick, weighty pieces of bread soaked in extra-virgin olive oil and finished with sea salt. We were hoping it would arrive before the pasta, but it landed on the table at the same time. That turned out to be a gift. I ordered the Raviolo all'uovo, which is one oversized raviolo filled with smooth ricotta and a bright, silky egg yolk. The ricotta had this subtle sweetness that I could have eaten on its own by the spoonful. The brown butter around it felt heavy at first, but once paired with the bread, it transformed into a lighter, nutty sauce that made sense. I originally thought one raviolo wouldn't be enough, but between the richness and the bread, the portion was exactly right. My husband chose the Tagliolini, and the balance was spot on. I preferred his dish to my own, though both were excellent in their own way. We recognized our waiter from another restaurant we frequent. He has always stood out as the hardest-working person in any room, and Willow Osteria was no exception. His attention, timing, and genuine warmth were five-star. These two dishes made a strong first impression, and we're already planning to return to explore more of the menu. Although we did not have a reservation, we came at opening on a Tuesday night and were seated within 15 minutes. read more

See all

Second time's a charm at Willow Osteria! I'll start with the highs: service was quick and our waitress was really attentive. They seem to have plenty of support staff clearing plates throughout the meal, which I appreciated. The ambiance is nice too, but for some reason the larger dining area gave me Disneyland restaurant vibes lol I think it was the tables separated by a little cloth divider. Food-wise, special mentions go to the spicy spaghetti, raviolo, fett'unta, and the chocolate semifreddo. All yummy! Now the lows: on our first visit, we ordered the rigatoni and lasagna as our mains. They were fine at first, but halfway through my boyfriend spit up a good sized chunk of plastic from his rigatoni... lol definitely not what we expected from a Pardini spot. The manager was apologetic and comped the dish, which was nice (and standard), but still disappointing given how much we love their other restaurants. I'm assuming it was a one-off issue because Chef Pardini's quality is usually amazing! Overall, happy to see another upscale restaurant on this side of town! I appreciated the ambiance and look forward to dining here again. read more

See all

Went to willow osteria on their first weekend of lunch openings. The building is absolutely stunning. Inside and out. Gorgeous natural lighting from the beautiful windows. The staff was nothing short of amazing. Everyone was so very friendly and helpful. We didn't have a reservation and were seated right away in a booth on the bar side. We ordered the meatballs to start and I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and my husband ordered the chicken parm sandwich. The chicken was so juicy and the breading on it was so light. It was divine. The fries were also perfectly cooked. Crispy hot and full of flavor. I couldn't finish my meal and the fries stayed crispy though the whole rest of the day and our drive home to Hanford. The meatballs were melt in your mouth perfection. As always. We both wanted to try the butterscotch budino, but we were both stuffed. I cannot wait to come back! read more

See all

Willow Osteria has a sparsely modern look. We sat on the patio next to a lovely open area, landscaped with olive trees. There are other rooms, which we walked through, which seemed a bit loud. We ordered olives for a starter. It seemed appropriate. There were lots-only $7. My Osso Buco was good, but Buono Tavola in Paso Robles does it better. My daughter chose Sausage Rigatoni. It had a nice kick to it, but could be creamier. The dessert menu was lacking chocolate of any kind. What?? I do appreciate an upscale restaurant. I hope they tweak a few things and change their menu occasionally. It's worth a second visit. read more

See all

I may like this place better than the Annex. My wife and I love having date night at the Annex. It has a cool vibe and great food. Willow Osteria is very similar, but the location and ambiance are even better. The food and service were both stellar as well. We will absolutely be going back. The stracciatella appetizer alone is worth the trip. read more