Il Fornaio — Restaurant in San Jose

Hosted a birthday party for approximately 70 people. The only positive experience was the waitstaff, especially the bartender and porter. The food was not up to the reputation of the restaurant, and as an event planner who holds food service licenses, I question the temperature of the food served.

The catering manager I worked with originally was wonderful, but Ms. Mendoza, the new catering manager, and Sergio Lopez, the GM, were defensive and argumentative, something professionals in customer service industries should never be. When trying to discuss issues, they interrupted me multiple times, to the point where I had to ask them to let me finish. Needless to say, they failed to meet my customer service expectations.

Here is the list of concerns presented after my event:

*Numerous emails communicating expectations to catering manager, but expectations not met *Communicated via writing, so all expectations were documented *Venue's lack of continuity of communications internally affected service (change in staffing) *Had to repeat requests multiple times, and when attempting to confirm requests, would discover they were not implemented or were not documented in the contract *Requested food be available throughout the event - hot food not available until 3:00 *Hot in the room, to the point that guests complained - requested it be adjusted twice *No gift table set up *No cocktail table set up *No easel set up *No speakers for playlist *Bartender not clear on full bar, asked if serving only beer and wine, after a list of specific alcohol was submitted *Waitstaff was wonderful, especially the bartender and Mohamed, the porter *Food was subpar at best and did not rise to the reputation of the restaurant - tasted like frozen, precooked items you could purchase at Costco *Presentation of cold items was nice at set up, but was not serviced during event so table was messy *Cold items were out approximately two hours prior to event, without temperature control (ice) *Pizza station became messy and wasn't serviced during event *Cold food was warm, and cheese was sweating - code/health issue *Warm appetizers were cold *Pizza was very bland *Line at bar was too long, although I inquired about having two bartenders *Pie was not "delicate" as described, and worse, tasted like a cheap, frozen brand - crust was hard, served in an aluminum tin, and worst of all the guest of honor complained about the flavor *Requested Pie be served uncut - it was cut, and cold *No desserts were served, after lengthy discussions about them (a loss of approximately $1400 in sales to the venue) *Valet parking employees were wonderful *Trash cart at elevator exit to room - aesthetics were not good *Hallway to room was hot; the bathrooom temperature was sauna-like in nature

I requested a 20% refund based on these issues, but was only granted a 10% for "inconvenience".

I will not plan another event...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and rose, my partner and I made our way to Il Fornaio, where the promise of an Italian culinary adventure awaited us. Nestled in the heart of San Jose, this charming restaurant beckoned with its warm glow and inviting aromas, a perfect setting for our weekend escape.

Stepping inside, we were greeted by an ambiance that exuded Italian elegance. The rustic decor, adorned with wooden beams and soft lighting, enveloped us like a familiar embrace, whispering tales of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The gentle hum of laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a vibrant tapestry of joy and connection.

We began our evening with a shared appetizer of Bruschetta al Pomodoro, each bite a delightful burst of fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze atop perfectly toasted bread. It was a beautiful introduction to the meal, awakening our palates with its vibrant flavors.

For the main course, I chose the Osso Buco, a slow-braised veal shank that melted like butter with each forkful. It was served atop a bed of creamy risotto, the delicate saffron infusing warmth and richness into the dish. My partner opted for the Fettuccine Alfredo, a classic that was executed flawlessly. The silky pasta was enveloped in a luscious sauce, rich with butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano, embodying the comforting essence of Italian cuisine.

As we savored our meals, the attentive staff wove seamlessly through the dining room, their hospitality as warm as the Italian sun. They offered thoughtful wine pairings, and we chose a delightful Chianti that perfectly complemented our dishes, enhancing the flavors of each course.

To conclude our enchanting evening, we couldn’t resist the allure of dessert. The Tiramisu arrived—a decadent masterpiece that was both light and indulgent. Each spoonful was a heavenly blend of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, leaving us in a blissful state of satisfaction.

As we lingered over our dessert, the atmosphere felt alive—a celebration of love, laughter, and the simple joys of life. Il Fornaio offered us not just a meal, but a memorable experience, a moment frozen in time where culinary delights and romance intertwined.

In reflection, our visit to Il Fornaio was a delightful escape into the heart of Italy, where every dish told a story and every moment was cherished. We left with hearts full and spirits lifted, eagerly anticipating our next visit to this enchanting haven of...

First of all, it is very hard to get a five star out of me. Those are times where everything just works perfectly, and the food is spectacular. This year with everything that's been going on, my family members decided it would be best to give Mom a break this year. No long hours in the kitchen cooking day in and day out preparing our Thanksgiving dinner feast, as well as doing everything else in between. Her cooking is fantastic, and the menu for her Thanksgiving dinners is outstanding. Although Mom's dinner was missed so very much, the restaurant that she chose was very good. It was decided that we would have ourThanksgiving dinner at Il Fornaio's. It was perfect, there was hardly anybody there. The atmosphere was quiet and warm. I love the architecture of the building and the high ceilings of the restaurant. When it came to ordering, I was prepared to have the traditional turkey and gravy mashed potatoes and all, but when I looked at the menu, I saw the seafood linguine. I could not resist, I broke tradition and ordered the seafood linguine. My mind was on the linguine I forgot to take a picture of it. I do not have any regrets. It was so very good. Although a little spicy for my taste, I have become sensitive to spicy hot food, after the first initial bites settled in, I found it to be very good. I loved the rich sauce. The portion size was more than adequate. Price range was a little up there, not something I could do on a regular basis. The staff was very kind and friendly. Some were obviously new, but they were doing their best. I rarely give negative marks for the hospitality crew unless it's a matter of some blatent or incompetent interaction, where they should probably be working for a collections agency and not the customer relations or hospitality industry. It was a very pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing evening. Just a nice no stress evening for all, especially Mom. I will be returning to the restaurant at some point, and I would very much...