Gaetano's Restaurant

Gaetano's Restaurant Restaurant Review:

Situated in a large shopping center, Gaetano’s is a family-owned Italian restaurant that values its local clientele. Though the dining room is nondescript, the staff who populate it are amicable and accommodating. Vince Giuliano, the original owner’s son, runs the kitchen, having trained in Italy before bringing his skills back to his family’s restaurant. Arancini --- fried balls of risotto, peas, mushrooms and Parmesan with a creamy marinara sauce --- are crispy with an oozing center; a lighter dish by contrast is the sizzling scallops cooked in a lemon-butter sauce. There are a handful of pizzas, like the popular spicy Italian sausage and crimini mushroom pie with Gorgonzola and pine nuts, as well as a wide variety of pastas --- we like the tagliatelle with pulled short ribs, tangy with the flavor of the Chianti braising liquid. Veal Milanese is well-executed with a hearty yet delicate breadcrumb crust, and the osso buco is as tender as one would hope. Nutella bread pudding made with brioche is served warm, with melting homemade vanilla cream sauce. Wine and beer selections are limited to a handful of California producers.