Pizzeria Vittoria — Restaurant in Los Gatos

Let’s face it: the Bay Area food scene sucks. Overpriced. Faux-creative ambience. And every time you find ‘that’ place, it either closes or starts serving you smaller portions while the bill gets bigger. Sigh.

Pizzeria Vittoria IS NOT that sort of place. This is a place out of time. And I mean that a compliment. Your drive from San Jose, or Campbell, or even Los Gatos, gets you to a nondescript portion of this portion of the Bay Area. You pass some stellar and not so stellar homes. You arrive at a turn in the road across from a roadside store that would not be out of place in the South (again, not a dig).

Whether you walk through the side gate or the front door, you instantly feel like you are in a place that cares about people, locals or not. The yard is, in particular, a great feature. Lots of spaces (and bocce ball courts), lots of tables, and options for shade or sun (depending on the weather). Heck, a guy with a parrot on his shoulder might even walk by you.

We went on Tuesday, which was the salad bar and pizza buffet night (with a band playing in the shed to boot!). The price? Don’t ask. It was a steal. Fresh offerings at the salad bar (who provides you marinated red bell peppers at a salad bar these days?!?!). Lots of pizza options for those both veggie and meat inclined. Tons of people, but no worries. Pizzas keep coming. Salad bar keeps getting refilled.

The staff? All smiles, even as they struggle to deal with the number of people and the somewhat haphazard ordering/serving set-up outside. The customers? A mix of locals, not-so-locals, and very-not-so-locals (the camera-ready German family were a hoot). The refreshments ranged from reasonably priced draft beers to wines by the glass (or the bottle) or self-serve water at the makeshift counter. You used paper plates and cups and some cheap metal cutlery and had to share some other items. But who cares? You are sitting in a place that is, again, out of time. There is also seating and various items (alcoholic, nonalcoholic, dessert, etc.) on sale indoors.

I can’t recommend this place enough given that I have had enough with a lot of Bay Area places. These owners took over a long-established place and made it the same . . . but better. And they and their staff treat their guests well. I want this place to flourish as a counterpoint to so much of what the Bay Area has become. But I also want it to be an ‘in the know’ place that those who love Santana Row avoid. I guess that is me saying that zen in the hills trumps Botox in the valley (even if this place would gladly serve a puffed-up [lips, ego, or otherwise] member of the Tesla crowd).

Either way, thank you. You do what you do well. And I am so happy I got to experience the joy that you bring to visitors and locals. I...

This place was fantastic. When i arrived - an employee was chasing after a young man that mistakenly grabbed only 2 drinks even though he purchased 3. (Very refreshing to see!)

The man at the register was considerate and patient with us since it was our first time there. He gave suggestions and was happy to accommodate for a gluten allergy.

The tables on the back patio were great for our large party. They have bocce ball and lovely string lights.

The food was fantastic. Everyone loved it.

Blaze, our server, was great at making sure we had everything. He continued to check on us and even asked if we wanted any photos.

Over all we were very pleased. Friendly, great food, fast service and plenty of lovely places to sit. We would...

This is in the same location in Redwood Estates as was Nonnos Pizza, but now it is more family friendly with not only bocce ball courts, but other free games like corn hole, giant Score Four, and games of throwing skill. I took my family there for my birthday and everyone from grandparents to grandkids had a great time. The food was delicious, and on Tuesdays, they have all you can eat pizza and salad bar. I heard they might have live music soon, too. Located a short way off Hwy 17, this would also be a great place to stop and get out of the...