Pizzaiolo — Restaurant in Oakland

The pizza here is wonderful, but EXTREMELY pricey. We came in about 3 weeks ago. Had a reservation, still had to wait 10 minutes for our table. My mother and father shared a pizza, and as soon as he took his first bite, my Dad asked my Mom if there were onions on the pizza, which she didn't think there was (NOTE: he does not like onions while my mom does). The menu did not list onions as a topping on the pizza that he ordered. Since the menu had not listed it and my Mom couldn't taste the onions he reluctantly continued to eat the pizza but the whole time was saying that "this tastes oniony to me..." At the end of our meal when the server asked how everything was (although I am not really sure why he did not come over shortly after we received our food to check that everything came out OK) my Dad asked if there had been onions on the pizza. The server said yes, about half the pizzas on the menu don't list onion as a topping but do have onions on the pizza. Excuse me? We couldn't understand why on earth you wouldn't list an ingredient that comes on the pizza on the menu. Especially when the menu specifies "No substitutions." That makes absolutely no sense. Then the server had the audacity to tell my father that HE "should have known to ask if there were other toppings that came on the pizza besides what was listed on the menu." WHAT??!! WHY ON EARTH WOULD HE THINK TO ASK THAT?! The menu is supposed to describe the food, period. If we're supposed to ask what comes on a pizza, then don't list any toppings for any of the pizzas. Listing some toppings and not listing others, once again, makes no sense. And if you, OUR SERVER WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING US WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE MENU/RESTAURANT, hear that we are ordering a pizza that doesn't have all toppings listed on the menu, maybe PROVIDE GOOD SERVICE and let us know then that onions are included as an additional topping. Then he told us, "well, now you know for next time." Hahahaha are you kidding - there's not going to be a next time! Then he said that they would gladly remake the pizza for us. No thanks, we don't want to be stuck here for another 20 minutes. Not sure why the server did not offer to get a manager... or why a manager hadn't come by our table at all to check and ensure we were enjoying our meal! I noticed a gentleman standing near the kitchen line and asked if he was a manager, and he said that he was. I explained the situation to him and his solution was to tell us the same thing the server had "they would gladly remake the pizza for us, and now we know to ask about onions on pizza the next time." We don't want another pizza. You should have comp'd the pizza or given us a coupon or gift card if you really wanted us to come back. Despite the (EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE) pizza being very good, we DEFINITELY WILL NOT COME BACK here due to the awful service and management policies. PS: LIST ALL THE TOPPINGS THAT COME ON A PIZZA ON THE MENU OR TRAIN YOUR TERRIBLE SERVERS TO INFORM DINERS ORDERING PIZZAS WITH ITEMS NOT LISTED WHAT OTHER ITEMS COME ON THE PIZZA. It's not the diners responsibility to know to ask about all the ingredients that come with a meal. That's honestly one of the most ridiculous things I...

I recently dined at this establishment that a friend raved about... While there were some notable issues, it was ultimately redeemed by the owner's personal touch, and the wonderful waiter's charm.

Firs, I must address the burnt pizza, which was quite disappointing. As someone with a background in the restaurant industry (owned and ran restaurants for 20+ years) I understand the importance of attention to detail, and burnt pizza is something I have rarely encountered. It left me wondering if there was some truth to my friends excuse that this is a preference style among Americans. However, my Italian companions, who hails from Genova, and the other from puglia, they also found it unusual. In any case, for a meal costing over $200, I expected a higher standard.

Another point I wanted to discuss was the antipasto, which deviated from traditional expectations. For example, the Tonnato dish featured a Kaki Farm egg but lacked the expected abundance of tonno. The focaccia also differed significantly from the familiar version. Nevertheless, when we had the opportunity to chat with the owner, Charlie, he explained his desire to put his own spin on these dishes and make them his signature creations. While I appreciate creativity, I do hope it remains rooted in the traditional palate to some extent.

What truly elevated the dining experience was Charlie himself. His warm and charming personality, along with his American approach to culinary innovation, added a unique dimension to the evening. His willingness to engage with us, explain his vision, and even sit down for a conversation was a gesture that made the overall experience quite enjoyable. Plus I can't say enough about our waiter...Latino with an American name, not sure what his mother was thinking.

In summary, my visit to this restaurant was a mix of highs and lows. The burnt pizza and unconventional antipasto were disappointments, particularly given the price point. However, the personal touch and creative aspirations of the owner, Charlie, made the evening memorable. It's a place where traditional expectations meet modern reinterpretations, and with a little refinement, it has the potential to offer a truly exceptional...

Like others I am also extremely confused why this restaurant has a high rating, I do not in all honesty think it deserves for several reasons, food taste and service alone. Once again, the average American audience that lack knowledge of authentic food and love for imitation When I crave Italian I avoid going to restaurants whose chefs and staff are not from Italy, because I am aware it is extremely difficult to get it right. Lucia's in Berkeley downtown does a better job.

I visited Sunday evening around 7 PM, hoping for an authentic Italian cuisine. We started by visiting the female host who showed up a cramped up table for two, we then requested she take us to a spacious table, as a preference. She threw her subtle grumpy attitude towards this and was annoyed on our request, wherein in practice she should not want to give such reactions and be happy that the guest came in. However, staff don't care because they just want to get paid their salary and go home, it's NOT their business so why care, let's be grumpy. Then after being seated, no one came to use for 15-20 minutes, leaving us completely ignored. I had to ask a guy walking around to serve me some water. Another horrible attitude for an above average priced restaurant. Upon asking the same guy to get my order, then came my server after 5 minutes. I asked her if there were any options on the menu with no meat Pizza and she plainly said "Whatever's on the menu." I do not think she wanted to work that day. I then told her that I do not understand the ingredients so would like her to help me point at some options, and again the non-gratuitous attitude followed. I ordered one of the Pizza and it came, to my mind, very distasteful. It was an Americanized version of imitative Italian Pizza and I was not interested in that. Sorry.

I am surprised that one of the co-owners is from Italy, she definitely has not paid attention to the operations, in my opinion. Sorry for...