Galletto Ristorante — Restaurant in Modesto

Grapefruit Spritz 10.00 High Noon Grapefruit Vodka, grapefruit bitters, La Marca Prosecco The Kahlo Paloma 10.00 Frida Kahlo blanco tequila, fresh lime, fresh grapefruit, club soda Paper Plane 12.00 Bulleit bourbon, Aperol, Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro, fresh lemon Stray Bulleit 12.00 Bulleit bourbon, Campari, pineapple juice, passion fruit puree, honey, Angostura bitters Cable Car 10.00 Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Cointreau, house made sweet & sour Sangria 7.00 Gallo Family wine, E&J Brandy, seasonal fruit Bridegroom 10.00 Tanqueray Gin, Giffard Creme de Violette, simple syrup, fresh lemon A Better Manhattan 12.00 Redemption Rye, Carpano Antica vermouth, dash of walnut bitters Hawaiian Mule 10.00 New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka, fresh lime, pineapple juice Q Ginger Beer Coconut Mojito 10.00 Rumhaven coconut rum, fresh mint, fresh lime, simple syrup, club soda Perfect G&T 11.00 Hendricks Gin, Q tonic, juniper berries, fresh grapefruit, rosemary Spicy Mango Passion 11.00 New Amsterdam Mango Vodka, passion fruit puree, fresh lemon, simple syrup, dash cayenne pepper, topped with Wycliff MOCKTAILS Italian Soda 4.00 Monin flavored syrups, Q club soda, splash half & half Virgin Mule 4.00 Passion fruit puree, fresh lime, Q ginger beer Elderflower Spritz 4.00 Monin elderflower syrup, fresh lemon, club soda WINES BY THE GLASS CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING Nv Wycliff, Brut, California 6.00 Nn, Jcb No. 21, Brut, Burgundy, France 13.00 Nv Lamarca, Prosecco, Italy 8.00 Nv Mia Dolcea, Moscato D'asti, Italy 9.00 WHITE WINE 2017 Fleur De Mer, Rose, Cotes De Provence, France 10.00 2016 William Hill, Chardonnay, Central Coast 8.00 2016 Duckhorn, Chardonnay, Napa Valley 15.00 2016 J Vineyards, Chardonnay, Russian River 16.00 2017 Whitehaven, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, N.Z. 11.00 Nv Gallo, White Zinfandel, California 6.00 2017 Morgan, Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands 9.00 2015 Tolosa, Unoaked Chardonnay, Central Coast 9.00 2016 Talbott, Chardonnay, Kali Hart, Monterey 11.00 2016 William Hill, Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast 9.00 2016 Maso Canali, Pinot Grigio, Italy 9.00 RED WINE 2015 Paraduxx, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 16.00 2015 Louis Martini, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 9.00 2016 William Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast 8.00 2016 Talbott, Pinot Noir, Kali Hart, Monterey 14.00 2015 Frei Brothers, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 9.00 2014 Brancaia, Tre, Tuscany, Italy 9.00 Nv Gallo Family, Hearty Burgundy, California 5.00 2015 Ghost Pines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa / Sonoma 13.00 2015 Mount Veeder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 16.00 Nv Band Blend, Track 10 Sonoma County 13.00 2016 J Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Monterey, Sonoma, Santa Barbara County 12.00 2016 Decoy By Duckhorn, Merlot, Sonoma County 10.00 2015 French Bar, Petite Syrah,...

I have always been a staunch defender of Galletto, even after recently hearing from various family members and friends that it had gone downhill. Unfortunately, my husband's and my Valentine's Day booking finally proved me wrong.

My first frustrations with our evening were minor: a mix-up with our bottle of wine and early clean-up of the dining hall. We were seated for the second dinner service on the outdoor patio with several other couples, but we were all almost immediately swarmed with waitstaff striking the area. Tables were not only being stripped of their linens by the time our soup course arrived, but were being rolled off the patio by the arrival of my husband's prime rib. We both pushed on, trying to ignore the noise, and waited for the bottle of wine we ordered along with our main course to arrive -- an exciting 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon-Petit Verdot blend from one of my favorite Tuscan wineries. It did, quite promptly, but with one glaring mistake: it was the significantly worse-rated and cheaper 2011 vintage.

My biggest complaint, however, is that my recent disability due to gastrointestinal cancer surgery was not accommodated (even after communicating with the restaurant days ahead of time and having immediate conversation about it with our genuinely lovely waiter) and was used to make me, frankly, feel like a second-rate customer.

We were given assurances that a particular dish would be suitable for me, however, when it arrived it was clear that I wouldn't be able to eat the pasta's sauce as promised. After our waiter tried his best to fix the problem, the manager came over. He neither seemed to understand the issue nor care about it, and just brushed us off by offering to box up a replacement main course.

I know that Valentine's Day is incredibly busy, and that it's not always possible to make accommodations for every customer. But we weren't asking for anything to be altered, only to be reassured that I'd be able to eat the dish. The kitchen seemingly just lied about it.

I feel that this could've been handled much better. It made us both embarrassed and we felt put on the spot, especially as by this point there were hardly any tables left on the patio. This was my husband's and my first married Valentine's Day, and my first dinner out after a life-changing surgery. It wasn't at all what we were hoping for from our evening, and it left me feeling terrible.

On top of that, it was pretty galling to have to pay $300+ for two soups and a mediocre prime rib in the restaurant before having to eat the rest of our dinner on the couch at home.

Oh, and, did I forget to mention the cheesecake slices we paid for were sent boxed up with moldy raspberries?

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If we want a fancy date night - we go to Gallettos. Reservations are preferred - you can make reservations online easy!

Both the indoor & outdoor seating are equally awesome so you won't be disappointed wherever you are seated. Fun Fact: This place used to be an old bank - they have a safe that they used to use as a coat closet near the front. So cool! They also have a Bocce Ball court in the back - super fun to end the night.

The last 3 times we've been here, we just happen to get the same waitress. What are the chances? On our receipt, her name is Dulce & she is great! When making reservations - if you specify a birthday, you will get a customized menu that says "Happy Birthday" on it when arriving. I always think this is a nice touch. I am guessing they do this for other special occasions as well. We've been here for birthdays as well as when we were celebrating getting our marriage license prior to getting married & all time, they offered complimentary champagne to help celebrating :)

They bring two types of bread to your table as well as olive oil & balsamic vinegar that go so well together.

Although their vegetarian options are almost non-existent - they are willing to work with you if you want something specific & also change things on the menu. For my drink on this visit, I opted for the Hugo. It was sweet & refreshing. Definitely hit the spot!

For foods - I ordered the Gnocchetti al Tartufo (it is an appetizer but I had it for my entree). So yums! Next time I will order two (don't judge).

My husband ordered the Pappardelle Bolognese. When he had it last (Nov 2024) - it was good because they changed the recipe because they received feedback - so it was a good change. But now it went back to how it originally was - spicy & too much garlic. My husband was disappointed, he hopes it was just a one off.

We ended the night with some Affogato (perfect ending) - our waitress also brought out some gelato with a edible "Happy Birthday" chocolate & a candle lit for my husband's birthday.

Overall, one of the nicer restaurants in Modesto & we will definitely be back to celebrate another birthday or...