Il Fornaio Restaurant Review

520 Cowper St. (University Ave.) Send to Phone

650-853-3888 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu

Price

$$$$$

For upscale Italian cuisine and weekend brunch in downtown Palo Alto.

Cuisine

Open

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

Kid-friendly
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Outdoor dining
Open late
Parking lot
Casual

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Il Fornaio once monopolized the restaurant scene in Palo Alto, being among the first San Francisco operations to open branches on the Peninsula. It's busy most of the time, and the din can be exasperating. Il Fornaio makes excellent crusty breads, hearty mushroom polenta, competent grilled dishes and delicious pastas. Two standouts are the rotisserie rabbit with polenta and the lobster-filled ravioli in a cream sauce topped with shrimp. The regional Italian dinners are also good. The wine list complements the food well, especially by region. Other locations.

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