Boccali's Pizza & Pasta — Restaurant in California

Coming here is always a pleasure, however on this day the only slightly downside was the service was less than stellar and barely adequate. It was right after they opened on a hot Saturday afternoon and it appears that they were not very well staffed. Well we didn't have to wait long to make an order, I had a soda that remained unrefilled for 20 minutes. Even after the staff told me they would be right back with a refill or a fresh glass, I still had to wait an extra 10 minutes and resorted to walking over to the water dispenser to get myself something to drink. Also their cups are very small and probably with ice don't even hold 12 oz of beverage. They should offer larger cups because the smaller cups require more constant refills which only increases the demand on the staff and leads to issues like this. It makes more sense to double the size of the glass and even if people don't finish you are increasing the ability of the staff to do more important things than retrieve refills.

As for the excessive delay, it may not be entirely their fault as they may have just not had enough people to cover the tables but still, it has always been a bit better than it was today.

The food however was excellent as is always. The pizza, the sandwiches, and the strawberry shortcake dessert is always a delight.

Afterwards, we went to the wine tasting area and had a flight. The details were a bit unclear. The documentation said that if you buy two bottles of wine, you get a free flight.

There were two of us and apparently a flight (which is normally one row of 5 or 6 vials of wine), considered a flight - singular. However at this time, because there was two of us they charged us for 2 flights. That distinction is extraordinarily unclear because we only had one flight rack And we were simply sharing.

It would appear, and this may be part of the miscommunication, that when you order a flight, and it's just one person, and if you buy two or more bottles of wine that flight of $20 is gratis. But if there's two of you then you have to pay $20 for what is considered a second flight.

It is unclear as to whether or not there was more wine added to the vials to make it the equivalent of two separate flights on one rack. If that is indeed the case, that needs to be clearly stated up front so as not to surprise people with an unexpected expense based on the description. That description is vague enough that it is open to interpretation and it should be reworded or more properly specified.

That being said the wine was absolutely fantastic as it always is, the green grassy area in the shade was wonderful there was a beautiful breeze and I believe the temperature was somewhere in the high '80s.

And in no way am I trying to denigrate the woman who manned the wine shack, she was wonderful friendly and helpful it's just the verbiage of what we read doesn't jive with what we were told and what we were charged. Not a huge deal, but should be more clearly communicated.

Overall a very good experience with some minor improvements needed in the service department. None of what I've mentioned that were meant as constructive criticism will keep me from returning. Always Good food, great wine, and a...

A hidden gem in the hills pf Ojai area, smack in the middle of pure nature, off a highway. We come here for the pumpkin season, and it's still a great hit with my kids. We snagged a corner table inside big enough for 5 adults and 2 kids. Space is tight around, but once the food arrives, you tune out everyone anyway cuz rhe food just sucks you in. Pizza is big enough to share, fresh crust, melted cheese with good pull, fresh sauce and toppings. Scampi shrimp pasta was serves in a semi shallow bowl, with a yummy sauce drip on the bottom of the bowl, so make sure you stir first. Shrimps were big size and done just right, not gooey, fresh snap, no smell, flavor seeped in, on a bed of fresh pasta, flavor all around, a staple dish. Pasta primavera with fresh veggies also a must try. Eggplant lasagna was good and gooey too, very hearty, flavor heaven. And for must haves: order the fresh tomato app with italian/vinagrette, it's a perfect definition of farm to table concept, the tomatoes transform you to lazy summer sunlight soaking your skin and drying clothes on the line kind of summer vibes, order this at once, we ordered 1 and fought over it so we ordered a 2nd one and did it over again. The fresh mozzarella and tomatoes app also a must try, same freshness with balsamic vinegrette to tickle your senses, yes! And never ever leave this place without the staple strawberry shortcake. A year round staple dessert, people come here for this. If i may say so, try to eat it while there, to enjoy the quality of fresh baked cake layer underneath, a good size glob of fresh whipped cream and not too sweet fresh strawberry syrup layer. It gets soggy if taken to go. Or enjoy it in the car, cuz you cant help it. Then afterward, roam the grounds for fresh picked pumpkins, a big area for pumpkin patch, this year they also had the touch on board a tractor type, a little maze for small kids is a hit, right next to a checkout stand with a plain register set up underneath a big tree, not sure what kind but its big and shady. Pumpkins were grouped kind of with some fall decor. We always went every halloween fall time. I will have to come through during winter holiday season so i can write about the decor and ambiance. Im sure my heavenly staple foods will be waiting for me, summer...

Anything but the pizza.

Anyone who's made a pizza knows not to overdo it with sauce unless requested or making Chicago style (upside down and usually involves thick sauce). It was heavy on sauce, not evenly proportioned with the cheese. There's a strange flavor profile embedded in the pizza, which lingers in an aftertaste, necessitating you wash it down immediately. I believe the spice might be marjoram or tarragon. I can be wrong about the specific spice (something in the mint family possibly), but it's not something you'd typically taste in pizza. Oregano, I would recognize, this was something else, could also be a combo of that and sprinkles of cumin seed. My wife couldn't get past half a slice. I had 4 slices because I was starving after a long drive, lol

The ravioli was good, and so was the shrimp cocktail.

However, I witnessed what many have noted in these reviews. One of the people running the place is not very nice and has a mean spirit. She was reprimanding a worker right in front of me. Everyone was smiling and happy but her. Bizarre because it wasn't even a big deal and could've been dealt with in private away from customers, especially on Valentines day.

I've seen the reviews and expect a sassy response. That's okay, it's all good!

I really liked the place, I liked the staff, they were very friendly and nice. I'm just not a fan...