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Name: Ottavio
Address: 1606 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596
Telephone: (925) 930-8008
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.98

Ottavio

1606 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596

(925) 930-8008
Store is closed

Ottavio Menu

Dinner Menu

Ruchetta con Pera Piave, Noci con Salsina di Aceto Balsamico

Lattughina Novella con Barbabietole e Ravanelli

Sardine alla Griglia con Pinoli

Calamaretti e Piovra alla Griglia con Ruchetta e Finocchio

Burrata con Prosciutto Casereccio

Antipasto Delle Tre Venezie

Carpaccio di Pescespada e Salsetta ai Capperi

Carpaccio di Manzo Tartufato

Gnocchi di Ricotta con Sugo di Anatra Affumicata

Tagliatelle con Fava e Carciofi

Pappardelle con Sugo di Cinghiale

Bigoli al Sughetto di Crostacei e Molluschi

Risotto con Piovra e Gamberoni

Risotto con Speck, Asparagi e Gorgonzola Dolce

Costoletta di Maiale affumicata casereccia con Asiago e Mostarda di Albicocche

Pollo Arrosto con Insalata di Melanzane e Finocchio arrostito con Cannellini

Cernia con Carciofi, Cannellini e Olive Taggiasche

Lombata di Vitello con Crema di Basilico e Grana Padano

Ruchetta con Pera Piave, Noci con Salsina di Aceto Balsamico

Lattughina Novella con Barbabietole e Ravanelli

Sardine alla Griglia con Pinoli

Calamaretti e Piovra alla Griglia con Ruchetta e Finocchio

Burrata con Prosciutto Casereccio

Antipasto Delle Tre Venezie

Carpaccio di Pescespada e Salsetta ai Capperi

Carpaccio di Manzo Tartufato

Gnocchi di Ricotta con Sugo di Anatra Affumicata

Tagliatelle con Fava e Carciofi

Pappardelle con Sugo di Cinghiale

Bigoli al Sughetto di Crostacei e Molluschi

Risotto con Piovra e Gamberoni

Risotto con Speck, Asparagi e Gorgonzola Dolce

Costoletta di Maiale affumicata casereccia con Asiago e Mostarda di Albicocche

Pollo Arrosto con Insalata di Melanzane e Finocchio arrostito con Cannellini

Cernia con Carciofi, Cannellini e Olive Taggiasche

Lombata di Vitello con Crema di Basilico e Grana Padano

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ottavio

Dinner Menu

Ruchetta con Pera Piave, Noci con Salsina di Aceto Balsamico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lattughina Novella con Barbabietole e Ravanelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sardine alla Griglia con Pinoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamaretti e Piovra alla Griglia con Ruchetta e Finocchio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burrata con Prosciutto Casereccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Delle Tre Venezie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Pescespada e Salsetta ai Capperi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Manzo Tartufato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi di Ricotta con Sugo di Anatra Affumicata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tagliatelle con Fava e Carciofi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle con Sugo di Cinghiale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bigoli al Sughetto di Crostacei e Molluschi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto con Piovra e Gamberoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto con Speck, Asparagi e Gorgonzola Dolce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costoletta di Maiale affumicata casereccia con Asiago e Mostarda di Albicocche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Arrosto con Insalata di Melanzane e Finocchio arrostito con Cannellini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cernia con Carciofi, Cannellini e Olive Taggiasche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lombata di Vitello con Crema di Basilico e Grana Padano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ruchetta con Pera Piave, Noci con Salsina di Aceto Balsamico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lattughina Novella con Barbabietole e Ravanelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sardine alla Griglia con Pinoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamaretti e Piovra alla Griglia con Ruchetta e Finocchio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burrata con Prosciutto Casereccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Delle Tre Venezie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Pescespada e Salsetta ai Capperi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Manzo Tartufato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi di Ricotta con Sugo di Anatra Affumicata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tagliatelle con Fava e Carciofi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pappardelle con Sugo di Cinghiale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bigoli al Sughetto di Crostacei e Molluschi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto con Piovra e Gamberoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto con Speck, Asparagi e Gorgonzola Dolce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costoletta di Maiale affumicata casereccia con Asiago e Mostarda di Albicocche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Arrosto con Insalata di Melanzane e Finocchio arrostito con Cannellini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cernia con Carciofi, Cannellini e Olive Taggiasche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lombata di Vitello con Crema di Basilico e Grana Padano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Walnut Creek for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 2819 Ygnacio Valley Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Walnut Creek for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 2819 Ygnacio Valley Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Arash H.

Very small restaurant, so it gets a bit crowded, so if you like more private setting this is not a place for you unless you request one of the two tables by the window. They have great service and very attentive. food is good. we had the beef Beef Carpaccio & the Ruchetta con Pera Piave both of which were great. Then we had their special Veal Filet which was great and the Veal T-Bone which in my opinion was burned, dry and chewy! In my previous visits I have had their Duck, Sardines and Octopus salad all of which have been good. so over all I will go back but will not order the T-bone :)
(4)
Jason M.

Went again with my wife for our anniversary and it was just as good as we remembered it. The chef/owner is so personable and greeted us and asked us several times about our experience. Great food, fantastic service with personal attention from the chef and overall, good value despite $30 entree prices. Just a better experience than some of the other higher-end restaurants in Walnut Creek.
(5)
Claudine V.

I have only been here once for a Vendor Christmas Lunch and I don't think I will ever come back. The food is not all that great. I have had better Italian food in LA and the SERVICE is so freakin' SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW... and I mean SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWW... There were 14 of us that went for lunch and mind you WE WERE THE ONLY CUSTOMERS in the entire restaurant. All of our main entrees' were 45 minutes late. The vendor who took us was very embarassed and kept apologizing for taking us there (even though it was not her fault) I'd rather go to BUCCA di BEPPO than this place. Bucca isn't even that great, but atleast the service is PRONTO!!
(1)
Morton N.

Today was the second time my wife and I ate here. The first time was uneventful and uninspiring, but not bad. Tonight was a last minute reservation for 5. The person seating us was rude. The wait staff was slow, and inattentive to our needs. We sat around for long periods without anyone acknowledging our table. Of the five entrees, only my papardelle with wild boar was pleasing. The others were mediocre and forgettable at best. This was the first time in years that I was so annoyed with the service and quality of the food that I didn't leave a tip of 20%. Unless you're desperate for a meal in Walnut Creek, I suggest that you go to the countless other choices to eat.
(2)
Wendy H.

We had dinner at this restaurant on Christmas Eve. The decor is very romantic and cozy. The service excellent. Our waiter was very attentive and made excellent suggestions for our family. Our table had the grilled sardine salad, the endive salad, and the beet salad. All were excellent although my father raved about the sardine salad. For our entrees we had the Ahi, the octopus risotto. The Ahi was perfectly seared with a delicious sauce. The Risotto was also great although they said it was spicy and I personally could have used more kick but it was still delicious. We finished out meal with ricotta cheese cake and a flour less chocolate cake. Both were excellent. They had many cocktail specials which we enjoyed with homemade lemon drop mixer. Very yummy. The wine list is also pure Italian so we had the waiter choose the wine and it was enjoyed by all. I am a local and had not been to this restaurant. I will definitely be back and will bring family and friends!!!
(4)
Rachel H.

We gave this place a try for dinner last Friday - what a not-so-hidden treasure we had been neglecting to try! Our meals were terrific - I had a kid goat rigatoni and hubby had the boar meat tagliateli (sp). He started with the mixed greens salad and I had the heirloom tomato salad - we agreed that they were both very good, but mine was better. The burrata with the tomatoes was heavenly! We shared the beef carpaccio and it was like butter. For dessert, the ricotta cheesecake and some espresso. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. I really liked the intimate atmosphere. Also, I like that the chef/owner came out and introduced himself and checked on our meals. This might need to be our new favorite, regular spot.
(4)
Kevin T.

For those who still haven't taken advantage of Walnut Creek's first annual Restaurant Week...WTF is wrong with you!?! Last night's stop during my week-long food crawl of "Tha Creek" was at this intimate Italian bistro. After my eyes accustomed to the dimly lit interior I stared around in confusion at the seemingly deserted restaurant. Taking a quick glance towards my watch, I verified that the place was indeed open and as if staged, three individuals walked out from inside the kitchen simultaneously. As if to make up for our tardy welcome to Ottavio, my dining companion and I were showered with attention the entire night. Although simple, the lemon, orange, and strawberry infused water was almost as popular as the wine at dinner and doubled as a sort of aperitif in between courses. While there were several standouts that night, ie the truffle carpaccio and pear salad, by far the standout of the night was the Ricotta Gnocchi. Che belleza! I could use adjectives like pillowy, velvety, and ethereal but they still wouldn't do justice to the actual dish. Flavor definitely has to be there, but sometimes you stumble across an aspect of a dish that just blows you away. The gnocchi's texture did just that for me. This may be the meal that got me excited to move to "Tha Creek" and I'm definitely with Nique F. when I say that Ottavio has quickly jumped to the top of favorite dinner spots.
(4)
Glen G.

Well I have Nique to blame for coming here. She convinced us to stop by here after raving about the "rustic charm" and gushed about the focaccia which was cooked with duck fat at the YEE event down the street at Cypress. Unfortunately said bread is only available on Fri/Sat. Overlooking the menu we mentioned the calamari looked like a good choice to start out with and then bam, chef Valentino crept up to our table and says heyyy I heard you you mention the calamari and let me tell you it's fresh! He disappeared in a poof of smoke and went back to the kitchen and whipped that up while we decided on our mains. Great choice. For the entree, had the Kobe beef with peperonata and artichokes on a bed of greens. The Kobe was tender, rare and the whole dish was just plain cooked with love and care. I like this place. It's a welcoming, friendly, and warm environment with a great menu. Definitely will be back to get me some gnochhi.
(4)
J R.

My husband loves to find new places to eat. And I love to join him! After much searching and Yelping he picked Ottavio. Viewing the menu I could understand why. Ottavio list a menu that is not ordinary, average or standard. So we set out on a Saturday evening with hopes high for some culinary fun. Sadly it did not happen. The food was not flavorful and when matched with the bill it was really disappointing. Ottavio has a lovely atmosphere and good service though. So if you are feeling adventurous and think Wild Boar or Rigatoni with Pork Cheek would really hit the spot tonight and appreciate a more subtle seasoning on your meal you may like Ottavio.
(2)
amy m.

We celebrated my mother's 75(ish) birthday here before heading out to watch The Chorus Line at D. Lesher Theatre. This is a wonderful place to dine with a small group of friends and family. It's not a large noisy place where you have to practically yell to hear each other. It just felt nice, warm and cozy in that restaurant... Dark woods, amber lighting etc... Service is excellent here... Attentive staff who kept our water glasses full, they allowed us to have a leisurely meal without feeling rushed... in fact we ate, talked and laughed for almost 2 hrs! LOL.. Oh and the Chef came by to ask how we enjoyed the meal. For a party of 8, we started with 2 orders of: Antipasto Delle Tre Venezie which was a selection of imported and house cured meats and cheese from the Tre Venezie Regions $16... OMG the meats and cheese here were wonderful! The prosciutto practically melts in your mouth!! I can't recall exactly what types of soft/hard cheeses came with the plate but I would have been happy just eating this, with a glass of red wine and their super soft and crusty bread... I'm salivating just thinking about it! Next up for me: Petto d'anatra con Sugo Al Melograno Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Pomegranate Sauce $24.. I love duck when I can get it, and this was cooked perfectly with crispy skin, tender meat and a sweet/sour type sauce that was served over some greens. (spinach?) Cocktail: Valentino: A blood orange and peach type martini which was fabulous! $10 Can't wait to visit again, I've got risotta on my radar....
(4)
Rachael Z.

It was really and odd experience. I think they might be going out of business or something. The service was... really odd... I am not sure if we were supposed to refill our own glasses, or remind them when we were done with salads and ready for the next course. It seemed like a nicer place, but service was non existent, and we were the only table seated the whole time we were there. The food looked amazing on the menu but was really (strangely... how do you screw up gnocchi with pancetta?) flat when we got it. Too many great choice in Walnut Creek to go back, and from the empty tables around us I would say others have already made this detemrination
(2)
Dea M.

Stumbled upon Ottavio for the first time while walking by. Never heard of it. Was able to get in without a reservation so that was a plus. Owner Chef and Wife are charming. Food was delicious. Had the smoked pork chop and gnocchi which were prepared perfectly. Would have given 5 stars if the service was better. They need to keep an eye on the help if they are to thrive. Will definitely give it another try. Side note; have passed on the Walnut Creek scene for awhile due to Police conducting random pull overs. Hard to have a glass or two of wine and relax so to speak.
(4)
Karen Z.

Another FAB meal. How much gnocchi do I have to eat before I can kiss chef Valentino on both cheeks for making my tummy so happy?
(5)
Ellen J.

So glad I waited a couple of days before I wrote this review because it made a difference between three and four stars! I am not a big eater, so after appetizers, I am never quite ready to go all in on my entree. My eyes are way bigger than my stomach! On a cold, windy and rainy night, Ottavio was just what the doctor ordered. Warm, intimate surroundings with an open kitchen where the divine smells wafted by and tempted our palates. As we waited to be seated, we watched the owner/chef Valentino doing his magic in the kitchen. We all ordered cocktails. Hubby and my friend had one of the two signature named drinks - Valentino - vodka, peach, blood orange with orange twist. I had the other - Ottavio - vodka, blackberry, blueberry, limonata with lime twist. They were both delicious and ample pours. Appetizers were melt in your mouth delicious. We had the Selection of imported and house cured meats and cheese from the Tre Venezie Regions which was heaped with the best prosciutto I've ever had, and we also ordered the Beef Carpaccio which came sprinkled with a different twist - fresh artichokes. My friend, a beef carpaccio connoisseur was bowled over by the flavor. It was with my entree that I started to poop out. I must have really overdid it with the appetizers and left no room for my entree, the Bigoli with braised Veal in Sangiovese braising sauce. It had a lovely fragrant smell, but when I tasted it, I just didn't get the dish at all, and the veal was a little dry. But then again, you could have put Mario Battali's most famous dish in front of me and I would have complained about it. When the stomach is full, it's best to put the fork down! The upshot is that I took it back to our hotel and had it COLD for lunch the next day, and OMG, it was bursting with flavor! I was overjoyed because I really wanted to LOVE this place and that one bite on a full stomach put a damper on it. The homemade Bigoli (a pasta shaped like spaghetti but thicker) was tinged with just the right about of veal sauce. Two days later and I am still thinking about it . . . My friend had never had lamb before so she went all out on the Grilled Lamb Sirloin with artichokes, Chantrelle and San Remo Olives -- she devoured everything on her plate. My hubby had the Risotto with butternut squash and gorgonzola, which he thought was a home run! As we were just getting ready to leave, we were greeted at our table by Valentino who was genuinely interested in hearing about how we enjoyed our meal. It was a wonderful evening that warmed our bellies and our hearts at the same time!
(4)
Lisa S.

My husband and I tried Ottavio in March for our 35 anniversary. On a Monday, it's hard to find a place that isn't steak, bbq or your average Italian, open. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality dining experience we had.. Our waiter was attentive and friendly without being stuffy like a few other Walnut Creek restaurants. We started with the octopus and calamari salad. We had never had octopus before. WOW, it was delicious. The calamari was tender and fresh. We both chose the veal steak because of the special wine we brought. Unbelievably, juicy, tender and delicious. The veggies and potatoes on the side were very good too. We will definitely be back and so happy to have found REAL Italian in the heart of Walnut Creek. We are by no means wealthy but will pay the reasonable prices instead of going to San Francisco, where we are both from.
(5)
Jennifer J S.

So overrated! A disappointment! First, you wait and wait and wait. Finally water comes....but no waiter....then you have to ask for a drink and some bread...again and again.....then you get only 3 tiny pieces of bread with green goo. Then you ask what the green goo is, and the staff does not even know! You ask again, and finally someone says its argula!?!?! or italian parsley????! YUCKY! Whatever happened to pesto???? Overpriced! Overcooked food! Over-salted food! Food so salty and salty sauces so abundant it makes your heart race and your stomach gurgle. Poor, inattentive slow service! Poorly dressed and unexperienced wait staff. No clue how to attend or listen to customers requests. Poor dark and dreary decor/atmosphere! Small setting with tables close together. Food served cold/lukewarm at best! No plating, no garnish; dreadful appearance of food-no thought on presentation. A Valentine's Day evening disaster! Too much chaos leading to prepared food in advance, thus leading to poor service, poor food quality and an extraordinary bill ~ which is a sin for any customer to have to pay for re-heated food. The end result...non-romantic and a stomach ache from dry, over cooked, over salted, over sauced food with staff who do not care whatsoever. **Update** up all night with stomach issues; next morning, threw up....which has never happened to me.....it is obvious that the food here was old, prepared or left out, and/or loaded with preservatives or additives to cause such a reaction...I guess a form of food poisoning. Do not go here on at busy times, packed or Holiday times, price fixed/menu fixed settings....You do not want to feel this ill within hours, and the next day..... :-(
(1)
Al F.

Disappointing. Recommended sardine appetizer overdone and lamb entree tough and overdone. They remade after my wife ate her gnocchi, which was tasty, and it was still tough. We waited for the make good and no offer to take care of the second glass of wine due to the wait. Sorry I will not be back again.
(2)
JoAnn L.

Four of us had a great time at Ottavio's last night. We were brought tasting glasses of two wines that we were deciding between - a nice touch.The bread was warm and fresh and combined with the green dipping sauce was an excellent start to the meal. We enjoyed our entrees. I had the duck breast over polenta. If I order it again, I will ask for the sweet cherry sauce on the side as it overwhelmed the other components of the dish. The polenta which should have been a counterpoint was hidden. My husband enjoyed the risotto but wished there was a higher fish to rice ratio, Our friends had the baramundi which he raved about and the seafood stew which she enjoyed as well. After reading the reviews, I was watching for service issues but found none. The service was attentive without being cloying. The timing was excellent as well. We were not hurried along but lingered at our table after eating. My only disappointment was that the very dry cappuchino that I ordered was more like a latte so I sent it back. Not only was it promptly removed from the check, the hostess came over and apologized. An altogether lovely evening.
(4)
Debora L.

Non-conventional Italian food, more reminiscent of new American food in my opinion rather than classic, pasta-laden Italian. Friendly intimate service, slightly more mature clientele, and willing to accommodate my vegetarian palate. (I got a tomato based vegetable primavera pasta, which is not on the menu, improvised by the chef: huge thank you!) Dad and husband enjoyed the duck breast; modest sampling but excellent flavor. Mom ended up with half a chicken, which was a huge portion. Sister enjoyed the ahi tuna, which was a substitution as they had run out of swordfish for the evening. Italian red wines to share, ample fruit tinted water, soft gluten-y bread with pesto. Would come back. Perfect choice for a dinner with my parents although I probably wouldn't go there on a date (not for another ten years I think).
(4)
Erin B.

I'm Sicilian and dine all over CA. This is the best Italian place I've been to, besides my grandparents kitchen.
(5)
Amanda S.

The company reserved the place for a lunch celebration. The place is small and intimate, and the food was amazing, specially the swordfish. It just melted in my mouth.
(5)
Adam s.

this restaurant has it all going on 1) an owner- chef that has a passion for excellent Tuscany cuisine 2) intimate romantic setting that lends itself for a night out with a significant here or a business lunch 3) hip environment 4) trendy music 5) unique cuisine that you w int see elsewhere, hence the high ratings from diners on this thread For starters; They serve with the bread a Salsa Verde made with parsley, egg, anchovy My wife had a Seafood stew that was so fresh it felt like they sea was in the kitchen I had the Gnocchi and duck sugo ( a kind of ragu sauce) Michael Franti music Octopus and calamari salad has a dressing that's light, exotic and elegant Sunflowers bouquet in each table - Tuscany romance This place is a must in Walnut Creek
(5)
T H.

There is simply no better Italian restaurant in the entire Bay Area than Ottavio's. Valentino is a true authentic amazing Italian chef. My family has been eating here for many years and the quality of the food continues to impress and delight.
(5)
Matt B.

Went here for a dinner for two. The service, food, wine and chef were fantastic. I would highly recommend this to any meat lovers out there. Prices are great for the portion size you get.
(5)
Vivian L.

A great place for date night in Walnut Creek. The owner waited on us since we had early reservations and were the first ones there. He was attentive and made sure to talk us through items on the menu. We started off with the charcuterie plate with house smoked meats which was fabulous. The grilled octopus and calamari salad was also delicious, octopus was perfectly cooked and the fennel added great texture. We had the roasted rabbit with fava beans and olives. Flavor-wise it was great, but the rabbit had way too many tiny bones to watch out for, and the olives had pits which detracted from the rest of the dish. It wasn't the easiest to eat, rather more of a choking hazard. The best part of dinner was dessert. The zabaglione was perfect, and we will definitely go back for more.
(4)
Mike H.

One of my favorite spots in WC. We usually bring our own wine though. Everything is superb.
(5)
Rex E.

Food and service was excellent. A bit noisy is my only complaint. Duck dishes the best.
(5)
gene h.

Had dinner on Tuesday with friends. From the time we were greeted by Chef Valentino until we indulged in the decadent dessert, it was a fabulous dining experience. The endive and arugula salads were amazing, as were the dinner entrees of New York Steak, pork chop and porterhouse steak! Best dining experience we've had in months!
(5)
Lolailo Y.

The night started with some promise: very attentive waiter, and many good items on the menu that made the decisions difficult. The bread with herbed dipping sauce was delicious. We got the antipasto platter, generous and with good variety of home cured meats (the duck stole the show). I had the sardine special, which was a bit disappointing: I'm not used to well-done sardines. They were verging on dry, if that's even possible with a blue fish. My husband ordered the duck, and his complaint was that with duck one of the best things is the crispy skin. Unfortunately the skin was smothered in a fig sauce, so it was crispy no more. The service, which started great, deteriorated as dinner progressed. For example, we never got new silverware with our entrees, and it took a while for our finished plates to be taken away. The bill took a while to arrive. The place was packed, and our waiter had a table of 8, which of course trumped our little table of 2. It would be interesting to see if service is any better on a quieter night. The wine list is very limited, and I wish the waiter would have been better trained on it. The way he described the wines was terse and did not provide useful information conducive to good decision making. There was a group of four gentlemen having dinner near us. They finished their meal, ordered drinks in lieu of dessert and paid up. They were having an enjoyable conversation when the hostess asked them, very politely, to move to the bar. I know the business of America is business, but I can't help but think this was unnecessary. The men did not sit at the bar: they left, and who knows if they might return. Surprisingly, their emptied table was not immediately cleaned up in order to seat the next round of customers. From our limited exposure to Ottavio, it looks like they have some issues with their protein. I still would like to check out their messy lasagna and the papardelle, so we shall return sometime in the spring
(3)
Irina A.

It was a last minute dinner reservation. 5:15 for v-day. We don't even celebrate it, but good hair and babysitting can not go to waste! The ambiance is great -- sheer curtains, candles, roses, deep colors ... The food -- bland, no imagination or flavor. Service -- took about an hour in between courses. There were 4, so we had to go up to the register and ask for the rest of the meal to be hurried along . It's funny since on their menu they are asking the guests to be done in 2 hours, which is rude in itself. The server was extremely unattentive -- no water refills at all. Anyway, sad story.
(2)
Foodaholic G.

Intimate little restaurant serving quality Italian food. They have fresh juices in their fruit sodas and and cocktails. Seafood in the seafood stew perfectly cooked. Pasta was good as well. Each dish had unique flavors unlike what I expected but at the same time, very tasty. The dipping sauce (salsa verde?) used a lot of fresh herbs but maybe a little too fresh - it was quite bitter. Serving size is fairly large.
(4)
J C.

Awful. Poor service, food very mediocre and overpriced. Awful performance all around especially by hostess, who stomped around angry all night. Never seen a place that takes customer for granted more. Literal disaster. Bush league restaurant. Waste of $$$$$$ and time. Awful. I being clear? Look at my other reviews. I'm forgiving. But NEVER for this place. Will not give them a dime more. Wouldn't eat there free. I'm forgiving but this was a low, low, low performance. We finished dinner, still had a round of drinks on the table and we were asked to hurry up and leave because they wanted our table?!?
(1)
Erik F.

Wonderful menu. Warm hospitality by owner Valentino. Delicious food. Make sure to try the Sabayon Mascarpone for dessert.
(5)
Liz O.

I love this place and it makes me sad to see it so empty a lot of the time. The food is delicious, but the service needs a bit of work. On our last visit- Pros- -Sardine appetizer was tasty and well prepared Pappardelle with wild boar was outstanding -Ricotta gnocchi was the best gnocchi I've ever had and it was smothered with an amazing duck sugo -friendly owner who stopped by our table to check on things Cons -some of the octopus in the octopus and calamari salad was to charred to enjoy -service was a little slow considering it was a quiet night for them- finished plates left for too long between courses, long wait to drop off check and return for payment. I would recommend Ottavio, as the food is delicious and authentic. I think the service would get better if the restaurant was busier and there was more of a buzz and flow.
(4)
Alittle G.

We recently went here with a group of 6. The food was exquisite. It was executed with a level of dedication, love and attention that was akin to Chez Panisse in the good old days. We had the grilled octopus/ calamari salad, duck breast over polenta, and beef carpaccio with super aromatic white truffles to start, then the gnocchi (perfect light as air pillows - like savory marshmallows), some off the menu hand rolled pasta made special for the kids, spicy risotto with seafood, and the grilled veal. Every dish was perfect. The portions were generous, so I am glad we did our meal family style where we split and had a little taste of everything. The service was wonderful. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy. The prices were comparable to other restaurants in the area, and the quality of the food is amazing. Highly recommended.
(4)
Hasti F.

The quality of food and the food itself is really bad. Very expensive too. prima restsurant by far is the best italian restaurant in WC.
(2)
Jay R.

I live in San Leandro and was up in Sacramento on business, driving home I decided to stop in good old Walnut Creek for dinner. I had a strong desire for duck and found this spot on yelp. Wow, was it a great choice - perfectly cooked and presented duck breast. Service was friendly. Only down side is no real bar seating, and while I hate sitting at a table alone, I really could not have dined at the bar give how high it is (and I'm 5'9") - my plate would have been almost at eye level.
(5)
Celeste N.

Came here on Tuesday for Walnut Creek's Restaurant week. I came with my boyfriend, friend and her boyfriend. Man was it awesome! We elected to do the prix fix menu and got the venison prosciutto... so good! It had a slightly different taste than regular prosciutto but tasted fresh and lean! I chose the risotto with speck and asparagus as my main entree. Risotto was creamy and tender while the speck was crispy and asparagus cooked perfectly. The real winner I thought however was the messy lasagna with truffle veal sugo. OMG the veal sugo with truffle oil was amazing!!! we finished the meal with the burrata cheesecake, while that was good i'm not sure i would've known it had buratta in it unless i read it. The head chef was our server which was a nice twist! He was passionate about the menu and seemed to be the only one serving the tables. Will definitely be back again!
(5)
John M.

This is an example of Yelp steering me right, it was my brother's birthday and he asked me for a suggestion of a place to go. Ottavio had been on my list to try for what seems like forever, finally I got to go and it was fantastic, I had a veal t-bone with assorted vegetables and some sort of herb cheese spread on top, it was cooked a bit more than I like but it didn't make much difference it was still moist and delicious. It cost 33$ it doesn't seem like people mention price enough but it was totally worth it, my father had the filet and he said it was the best steak he ever had, my brother had the boar pasta and it was very good, like a beef bourguignon in terms of cooking method. I also shared a chocolate tortino which was the best I've ever had and cost 10 dollars. Overall it was one of the best meals I've ever had. The chef who was also our waiter brought us bread and dip which was very good. He also gave us cured meats and chicken liver on the house, I didn't really like the chicken liver but that's just taste, the other cured meats were very good boar and duck. I can't recommend this place enough, I will probably go for my birthday and maybe try to get another meal in there when I get a chance.
(5)
Jason T.

Wake up Walnut Creek!!! it was a joke that this place was near empty...This restaurant is very solid...The food is very yummy...The service is good...but could be a little better. Presets could be done better...like plates before the appetizer arrives. But the food backs it up...I ate better here than meals I've had in Italy. Stop going to Cheesecake Factory...and go here!
(4)
Julia G.

This is a gem!! I had two of the daily specials, and the sardines were magnificent. Better than any I've had in Venice. Crispy on the outside, bit tender on the inside...on a bed of marinated red onions. Magnifique! I had a small issue with my wine, and without a backward glance it was replaced. Excellent service...wonderful food, lovely ambience. Highly recommend.
(4)
Jess L.

My boyfriend and I have gone here twice now. Both times we have walked away in awe! This is a family-owned restaurant. My boyfriend was talking about the Wild Boar Pappardelle literally for months after we went the first time. The food, staff & service go above and beyond-more than any other place I've been to in Walnut Creek. Extremely friendly staff that truly care about their customers. The staff stayed open when they were about to close, and the food was absolutely amazing. I had the Carpaccio of House Smoked Swordfish with a Caper Dresing and my boyfriend had his Pappardelle w/ Wild Board Sugo (after all, he had been craving it for quite a while). Everything was impeccable-fresh, beautifully presented and so, so good. If you haven't been here you need to go! Not a restaurant you want to miss! Great for 'foodies'!
(5)
Mark N.

While walking in for our dinner reservation it is clear ottavio is better suited for a quiet date dinner rather than a dinner out with a group. The dinner space is very quiet, shuffled away in the back from the action along the street. Perhaps a little too cold for my taste. The menu was very concise leading up to a long decision for apps and dinner because nothing really seemed to stand out for our liking. While I appreciate a more contemporary take on Italian food, it would have been nice to see some of the classic dishes thrown in there with some sort of twist. We started with the cured meat and cheese plate which was very nice. Additionally the bread was very good too. My entree was the duck with polenta. The duck was great. Cooked and seasoned very well. The polenta though was extremely runny and lacked any punch of flavor. Definitely could have used some cheese and salt. The other entree, gnocchi with duck had individual components that, by themselves were nice, just not so much on the same plate. Potato gnocchi with duck then a cream sauce seemed heavy on top of heavy on top of heavy. The scallops were, in a word, disappointing. No sear and a funky texture I'm still trying to figure out. The menu was very meat centric. I suppose I was hoping for some fresh, home made pastas, sauces and meats. Rather than scallops, duck, veal and chicken. I won't say anything was necessarily bad rather nothing peaked my taste buds enough to spend that much coin on a ho hum meal in a less than inspiring ambiance.
(3)
Michael P.

We had rabbit, speck risotto and an endive salad. The food was very good, the portions were substantial and the staff was pleasant. We would visit more often if it weren't for the $20 corkage fee...
(5)
Aubrey A.

Oh my god! Closest to Italy you can get here in the States! The food is amazing. The service is amazing. Oh my god!!!! I would give it way more stars than 5!!!!!
(5)
Mariam F.

So cute and quaint! They have veggie options which is great. The location is kind of random. It seems like it's an abandoned area but it could be the fact it was a weekend? I would definitely reccommend eating here!
(4)
Chris M.

Allow me to explain what Ottavio is and what it is not. If you are looking for a family restaurant that provides bread, soup or salad with you meals, go somewhere else. This is not the place for you. Ottavio is a fine gourmet dining experience emphasizing more care in cuisine rather than atmosphere. the setting is intimate free of lavish frills and dÃ©cor. From a consumer's perspective it really is just a notch above being a hole in the wall with an old school ambience. As I took my wife out for Mother's Day, I wanted to take her some place very unique and special. I knew this place would be expensive, but hey, this is one of those rare times I'm willing to splurge. We walk and well dressed woman with a British accent asks if she can help us. I told her we had reservations and she set us at the table near the front entrance. My wife overhears a conversation behind me and mentions that the owner/chef is present. I glance over my shoulder to see a tall, handsome gray-haired man wearing a White Chef's shirt. It is Valentino Luchin, the owner, chef and operator of the restaurant. He is a bit reserved, but humble in his demeanor. He takes our order and makes a suggestion. We asked what soups they had only for him to reply, "No soup." What? No soup? I guess we will have to start off with the Endive salad which I liked. My wife didn't care for its sour taste. As for our entrees, my wife chose the Seafood Pasta and I ordered the Balsamic reduction roasted Duck with figs, sprouts on a bed of polenta. These dinners were awesome. I loved them. My wife never had duck before and was impressed with the tenderness and flavor of the meat. I savored every bite as if I was enjoying small portion of chocolate that you want to stretch out the experience. It was also fun for my wife to try something she never had. Wine by the glass is $12 a pop. We had two glass each which was $48. If you have dinner and plan to drink I suggest you order the bottle. Everything and anything in Ottavio is a la carte. Never expect to have any extras that you would expect in most other restaurants. This is a cafÃ© frequented by those who can afford to eat here regularly without the expectation of getting any complimentary items. Dessert was the Ricotta Cheesecake which was pretty good. I would recommend Ottavio to wealthy people who can appreciate the Fine Northern Italian culinary arts and mastery. This is the type of dining experience I will have maybe once a year.
(4)
Tom C.

Consistently good food, good service. Nice ambiance. Plus/minus on the value.
(4)
Mari W.

The food was great. Minus one star for the limited menu. The burrata was fresh and melted in our mouths. For my main course I had the butternut squash risotto which was the best meal ordered by our group.
(4)
Tony S.

Ottavio is amazing. The chef is a northern Italian and his food is authentic. While I do see that some people were not happy with the service, it doesn't matter drastically when it comes down to you eating a good meal.
(5)
Beth C.

Ate here for the first time and it was a great experience. The chef came over and gave recommendations. I got the ricotta gnocchi with roasted duck and it was the best gnocchi I've ever had! Great service as well!
(5)
Daniel I.

We were looking for a reasonably priced restaurant with good food. I found it here on yelp and the reviews looked good overall. We went on the Friday night after Thanksgiving. It was empty when we got there and only a few other small parties came in as we ate. The hostess was always around, the waiters were attentive and very helpful. We had salad which was fresh and delicious. Then a wild boar, venison, and prosciutto appetizer. It was out of this world. The meats were tasty and perfectly prepared. The cheese went very well with them and the little dipping sauces were wonderful. Then the main dishes. We had the ricotta gnocchi with smoked duck sugo. The gnocchi was very light, but extremely flavorful. The duck was succulent and delicious. We also had the Veal special which was fantastic. I usually hate cooked spinach, but it was wonderful and the Brussels Sprouts were great too. The veal was tender and perfectly cooked. I ended up taking some of the veal home and a day later it was even tastier. Fot dessert we had the flourless chocolate cake and the pannacotta. Both were fantastic. All in all this was a lovely experience and a great meal. The price was well worth it for the entire meal. We will definitely go back and we will certainly recommend it to others. This is a definite favorite.
(5)
S e.

The food was good. The ambience was nice. The service was mediocre. The prices were way too steep for the quality of food.
(2)
Andy R.

Great food , atmosphere and staff are magnificent. Would recommend to anyone looking for a date night. Ciao!!
(5)
Frankie G.

The restaurant has a great menu but falls short in flavor. Nice people great cocktails short but solid wine list. The antipasto and salad were on point but the entrÃ©es needed more depth of flavor.
(3)
Hugh M.

This is a nice restaurant for fine dining. This was my first time here. I was impressed with the food, the service and the whole dining experience. As stated in other reviews - everything is ala carte. It is not cheap but I felt it was well worth the price.
(4)
Rong S.

Another great meal at Ottavio! Came over last night and shared the following dishes: arugula salad, burrata cheese with figs, seafood risotto and the rabbit from the special menu. Everything is delicious and fresh. Waiter also picked great wine to match with the dishes!
(5)
Isabell H.

One of the best restaurants in the area! Was positively surprised by the quality of food and wine. The starters were all great, especially the calamari and octopus. Also the main dishes were very delicious. Will definitely come here again.
(5)
Sasha W.

Previously 2 stars... Now 1 since this is the lowest I can go. Also... Yelp pulled my previous review and I'm not letting them do that. Bottom line: over rated, inexperienced service, and no knowledge of wine. Water was provided with melted ice, pork chop was served with the texture of leather, wine offerings lacked any knowledge of wine pairing, and worst of all... the restaurant seemed dirty.
(1)
Robert Y.

Romantic atmosphere interior with a good selection and tasy menu. The chef himself came out ask if we had any questions. I believe the menu is seasonal Appetizers Grilled Octopus and Monterey Calamari with Arugula and Fennel $15 Whole pieces of octopus and calamari with a salad and beans. Feeds about three people. 3.5/5 Bread with a basil looking healthy dip Fresh bread with what we thought was basil but really isnt as it tasted super healthy like grass and herbs. Interesting combo but after a couple pieces I didnt want to eat it anymore. 3/5 house cured meats and cheese from the Tre Venezie Regions $18 3 kinds of meat (duck, prosciutto, and ham?) very flavorful and recommended if you like meat. 4/5 Ricotta Gnocchi with Smoked Duck sugo dumpling like pasta with shredded duck. Flavorful and the dumplings might have had cheese in it also. 4/5 Pappardelle with Wild Boar sugo the noodles were of the flat longer variety and the boar was also very flavorful. 4/5 Risotto with Octopus and fresh English Peas very flavorful but after eating the octopus appetizer it felt kinda redundant eating this again. 4/5 Overall a very nice Italian restaurant in a dim lighting setting. I would recommend this place to others looking for a nice romantic evening. The bathroom was also very nice. Service was on par with occasional water refill service.
(4)
Jerine L.

New Year's Eve Prie Fixe menu. The food was terrible. Appetizer: Venetian Ceviche - fish pieces were sliced too big. It looked gross Primi Platti - Smoked Sturgeon - The noodles smelled and tasted fishy. The sauce was too much and overpowered the fish Main Course: Veal Fillet - The veal tasted like it was boiled in a bag and the spinach and veggies that came with it were extremely salty. Prawns - Smothered with tomato sauce which drowned the 2 pieces of prawns. 2 pieces of prawns for a main dish is pathetic. Some appetizers have 6 pcs of prawns. Dessert - Bread Pudding - tasted like it had a lot of dates and smelled like fruit cake Apple tart - was a cake with apple slices in it. It was extremely overpriced at $90 a plate for seriously terrible food. No privacy at all, only row of tables were all right next to each other, it reminded me of those TV commercials where people do the 5 min date and then switch to the next person after the time is up.
(1)
Ray T.

Another trip to Ottavio and another great meal. The cold smoked swordfish is still a family favorite. The food here is second to none in the Creek. We haven't been disappointed once in the 2 dozen+ times there. Valentino does a wonderful job in the kitchen and our service was excellent. A 6;30 dinner and the place wasn't full and never waited for anything and didn't feel rushed. I go to various restaurants and get disappointed about half the time, but Ottavio has always been fabulous.
(5)
Steve B.

Went here with some friends, this was their favorite restaurant in Walnut Creek. Service was good. Food was really good. 3 of 4 of the folks there got horrible food poisoning after, everyone but me. My wife is fairly confident it was the Nora virus, based on symptoms. I didn't have the custard desert, so that was clearly the cause. Prior to the food poisoning, I would have given it 4 stars, but I can not recommend a place that we know was the cause of this, as it is indicative of poor hygene/quality control in the staff.
(1)
Ruby L.

We had dinner on a Friday evening, surprisingly the business was slow. At peak time, I believed the restaurant was about 80% or less full. The size of the restaurant was considered small which felt cozy with smaller group. We had a larger party, even though we sat comfortably at our table but I would prefer choosing a larger size restaurant so we would not feel claustrophobic. Overall, the food quality was well prepared. I ordered duck breast; it was not pink colored meaning the meat was about 95% cooked. However, the meat tasted seasoned and the sauce kept the duck meat flavorful. Most of the restaurant did not prepare duck breast well done to ensure the meat maintained juicy and not coarse and chewy. So this restaurant did a decent job and my friends all felt their food was good. Unfortunately, all of us (a party of eight) felt the restaurant services fell short; rather than being served, we as the customer had to assist the waiters for the services; i.e. handed over our empty plates, waiter rushed collecting our dishes and asked who would need boxes even some were still eating, either nowhere to be found or interrupted by sticking their hands in front of the guests without notifying and requested water for our glasses, etc.
(3)
Emily J.

A week later and I still have only fond memories of our pre-theater dinner here. We had a 6 pm reservation but were running a bit behind. I called and the man who answered was gracious and told us not to rush. I believe this was the same man who took care of us for most of our meal. After being seated, I mentioned that we were seeing a show at the Lesher and he said, "no problem. We will be sure to expedite your orders." We ended up with plenty of time to get to the theater. (Only about a block away.) We started with drinks and I opted for a Bombay Saphire Martini which was prepared perfectly. My dining companions specialty cocktails were also very good. We split the beet salad (ample portion and delicious) and I ordered the octopus and prawn risotto for my entree. The dish was so good with a nice hint of spiciness and lots of tender octopus bits and topped with a bunch of whole prawns. We wrapped things up with the goat cheese panacotta w/ balsamic sauce and blackberries. Yum. Service was fantastic from start to finish and the chef came to our table to check-in with us about our meal. Our total bill with three cocktails, a salad, three entrees, and a dessert was just under $120. Quite reasonable for such a great meal in a lovely restaurant. Ottavio has been added to my list of favorite WC restaurants!
(5)
Katrina B.

This is a nice and quaint restaurant with an Italian menu. The menu is a little pricey but never the less a nice dinning experience. I took my husband here for our 16th anniversary. He likes lamb, so their menu sparked my interest. I wanted to take him somewhere that we had not been that was local with a type of food I hoped he would enjoy. We were not disappointed. The waiter and the chef where very attentive and the food was excellent. I had the duck with the plum sauce and my husband had a lamb chop/steak, He said it was wonderful. Its been two weeks or more since we've been and he's still talking about it. We saw several plates come out of the kitchen and they all looked delicious and very well plated. We will be returning !
(4)
Julie T.

I tried this place out all because of Walnut Creek Restaurant Week. It was okay. The beef carpaccio had amazing flavors (which I'd definitely get again), but my main fish dish and dessert were forgettable. I'd definitely want to try the main menu next time since I saw my neighbors with beautiful seafood dishes. Their pinot noir was good as well. The waiter recommended one that was sweet and floral which I liked. The ambiance was nice - cute with large windows which made it feel bigger than it really was.
(3)
Julia K.

I have dined here twice and find Ottavio offers the best authentic Italian fare in Walnut Creek. The burrata with radicchio was amazing, but I suggest the grilled calamari, arugula & cannelloni bean salad for the true degustatore! The chef does an amazing job with grilled Mediterranean style sardines as well. The pappardelle with wild boar ragu was well executed. The egg pasta was perfectly al dente and the tender succulent meat melted in the mouth. (I also recommend the seafood risotto) the ricotta cheesecake and an espresso was a great finish. Having dined at some of the best Italian restaurants in NYC, DC, and Roma, I have high expectations and this place doesn't disappoint.
(5)
Allie H.

I had a really great meal here - I ordered the Gnocchi. It was delicious. I've tried almost all of the Italian restaurants in Walnut Creek and this was the best meal I've had out of any of them. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Michael S.

I just dropped $135 in here and am now serving, with hesitation, to my dog the pork chop we did not eat. This place wants to be all high-end but is severely lacking, not so much for service but for food. They forget they are in the Bay Area and that consumers know what's good. I came here with my wife on a Friday after Valentine's because we both had to work on Romance Day. I tried to get reservations at good places in SF but all booked. My first hesitation should have been getting a seat here in prime time. Service a bit late to reach us, about 10 minutes after we sat. We had seating choices kind of but took a table not too far from front door. The highlight was over early, my baby lettuce salad. Wife got the anti paste plate. The plate offered a nice selection of cheese and meats, from boar to duck and venison. It also had some sort of nice purple sauce on it...which we would see again. The meal jumped the rails in the main course. My wife had an abortion of a pork chop. That was crude, abomination. The chop had cheese and that same purple sauce on it from the anti paste. Who puts cheese and sauce on a good cut of meat? And it wasn't seared. Plus, they stuck it on some sort of Britsh yorkshire pudding...We've watched enough Top Chef and Chopped to know that this would never fly. It was just gross. I had a seafood pasta. They didn't clean the calamari. The vein remained. So it was like biting into a piece of nail or gristle. And way too much sauce for the amount of pasta. I'm pissed. This place wants to act all high-end and charge San Francisco prices for a meal that is mediocre at best. Stick to Top 100 restaurants. It's a nice environment but ultimately the food determines the experience.
(2)
Steve K.

On a recent visit to Ottavio, we discovered that the servers are still fairly friendly, fairly attentive, and mostly knowledgeable about the menu. Chef Valentino was in the kitchen as usual... The portions are still large, but unfortunately the food was not as good as on our previous visits, and most dishes looked like they were tossed onto the plate with no real presentation or flair. Everyone in our group thought their meal was just okay, but not great like it used to be here. My own dish of Bigoli with braised pork cheeks was bland, the pork tasted like it was from a can (I sure hope it wasn't), and the pasta did not seem fresh. Tired and uninspired in both appearance and taste... Overall, it's a lot to pay for food that, sadly, has become mediocre. We miss the old Ottavio!
(3)
Charly K.

Dissapointed is how I would summarize my experience. Went there for Valentine's day and the food was OK but clearly overpriced given the quality. Some of the dishes my wife chose were quite good but the 4 courses were not worth $88 / person (wine excluded). I wanted to like this place but I unfortunately did not.
(3)
D. B.

Took my dad here for a Saturday night pre-show dinner at the DLRCA. Gnocchi with duck sugo was excellent alongside a delicious glass of red the waiter suggested. It was a true Italian meal in the sense that the waitstaff left you alone to enjoy conversation and meal. By the same token, i would have liked a more frequent refill on my water and not to have to hunt our waiter down for the check. Lovely, down to earth staff, very respectful. We were in at 6 pm and the noise level got to "energetic" pretty swiftly. MUCH better option than other nearby Italian restaurants.
(4)
Lindsay C.

The owner chef is so sweet! We love this restaurant, and stopped in for some desert. Business was so slow that they decided to close early (super sad panda face.) However the chef knew that we had come by just for some of the best zabaglione ever, so he have us one for free on the house. Please come eat here, the good is phenomenal and worth every cent. Plus I want it to stay open for a long time so I can eat more gnocchi! Nom nom nom. Love you Ottavio, see you soon!
(5)
Steven C.

An amazing experience... We drove by twice as this place is pretty small. Began the night with the octopus and calamari appetizer. The dish was excellent with abundant amounts of perfectly cooked cephalopod. Followed up with the spicy bigoli pasta. Truly an amazing dish with a great balance of heat and texture from the pasta. I ordered a class of Cab and our server chose to give me a taste first. Great idea as I didn't really like it and he suggested an alternative that paired better with my dish. He was extremely well versed on the menu and provided some good insights. The arugula pesto was great but ask for the asiago variety. A great meal and evening.
(5)
michael f.

Wow, how disappointing. It had been a year since my last visit. My two bosses were in town and we discussing a possible promotion so I wanted a nice dinner in a more quite venue. Remembering my first visit to Ottavio, I thought it would be just right. Well, the quiet part worked. After walking past Prima which was packed with diners, I was a little surprised to find only two other tables filled at Ottavio when I arrived. It was 6:30 on a weeknight, so the crowd was not going to build much later in the evening. The meal was not horrible but was far from expectations. To begin with, I ordered the beet salad. I got endive with gorganzola. When I pointed the error out to the waiter, his response was, "I heard you say gorganzola salad." In other words it was my fault. My boss quickly said, "Oh no, he clearly said beet salad" which I had. When it was replaced I wished I had kept the endive. There were about 6 tiny slivers of beets mixed in with a plate of greens. Certainly not anything special and not measuring up to other beet salads which I have had recently. My pork chop was so dry I could not eat more than half of it. Normally I would have sent it back but by then we were deep into conversation and I did not was to interrupt the flow of the conversation. The others had chicken dishes and seemed satisfied. My experience was not good and that is what I must base my revised rating on. There are too many dependable options in Walnut Creek to take another chance here. They have lost me.
(2)
Diane J.

Fabulous food, fabulous chef! Can't wait to go back. Sublime food and gracious, attentive service. Best Italian dining experience I've had since leaving Europe. Felt very much at home and very well taken care of. Will be returning SOON!
(4)
VeryBerry F.

Wish I could rank it lower and should have gone somewhere else for our 5 year anniversary dinner. Service - lousy. Period. (buser took bread away when we asked where our entrees were, no one asked if we wanted another glass or wine nor were we given the opportunity to ask since no one checked on us between receiving entrees or our check), over 1 hour and 15 min to receive entrees AFTER salad. Food - eh. Bread did not taste homemade (bland and too soft), salads were very basic though the heirloom tomatoes were fresh/flavorful (they should have toasted the walnuts on the arugula salad), boar pasta portion was 1/2 of the other pasta dishes we saw served at other tables - total of 3 strands of pappardelle, duck special was rare and barely seared though asked for well done and GUARANTEED by waiter that it would be cooked (pregnancy does not allow raw or rare meats) - husband had to eat it. The greens with the duck were also too bitter to eat - love bitter greens but this was ridiculous. Dessert? No clue - wasn't offered to see a menu or if we were interested. Ambiance - loud, they crowded in too many tables and you can hear your neighbors but not your companion. Also lousy wifi inside to check-in on any social media channels. Hoped for more based on the reviews below - no chef table walk-by, were treated as though unimportant through we ordered multiple dishes...guess we didn't fit the 50+ Walnut Creek demographic. Truly disappointing and will recommend friends/family not to visit.
(1)
Carole B.

Good menu, great starters, intimate setting, attentive service. Definitely will go back. My husband and I took my parents there for dinner. He ordered the pork chop for his entre and the rest of us ordered the Ahi Tuna. The pork chop was disappointing, as was my Ahi. The Ahi had been cooked all the way through instead of being served seared and rare in the center. We each ordered a cocktail and the alcoholic content was more generous than we would have preferred. It was a one drink per person evening, sans wine. The Chef came over and talked with us and the waiter could not have have been more accommodating. It iwas really nice to experience a restaurant such as this in Walnut Creek.
(4)
Alexis M.

Ottavio was much smaller than I was expecting but it was nicely decorated and comfortable. We came with 2 other couples and were promptly seated. Our waiter was just so-so. I should have gotten his name, but didn't...youngish guy. Anyway, the food was good BUT there is definitely cross contamination when it comes to nuts. I ordered a salad that normally has walnuts but told the waiter that I am deathly allergic to nuts and are they sure they could do it without the nuts. He said they are very strict about using different tools to ensure no cross contamination when it comes to allergies. So, my salad came and within 4 bites I could tell something wasn't right. It was a very mild cross contamination because the swelling only occurred in my mouth and didn't make it into my throat, but my checks and gum completely swelled up (the beginning stages of anaphalxic shock). I knew it was mild enough that benadryl would help it, so we asked if they had any in an emergency kit...they did not. So my husband had to leave the restaurant and run to Target to get me Benadryl. While he was gone, they served our food!! So I asked them to please return mine and his until he got back. The chef did come out to apologize for the "inconvenience"...yes the inconvenience of possibly killing me but they didn't even comp the salad!!! The main meal was delicious and my friends enjoyed their food, but between the lack luster waiter, and the way the nut issue was handled, I most likely would not return... 3 stars because if you don't have an allergy, you would probably like it.
(3)
Marie M.

Shocked, stunned, delighted by the quality of this unique restaurant. Go soon. I've eaten all around the world and had lots of Italian food--this ranks up there with the best of them. Each dish is unique, the flavors synthesized and nothing coated in sauce. The pork, the sardines, the figs, the burratta were fresh and tasty and dare I say, delicate. This is not a place to go for shallow happy hour food--it is a place for a true gourmet dining experience and conversation. I'm confused as to why such a treasure is in Walnut Creek, as the chef could make a killing in a more sophisticated neighborhood. But if you live there, go while you can to eat at this absolute treasure of a restaurant.
(5)
Jackie D.

It's been awhile since I've written a review - but had to write one for our experience at Ottavio in Walnut Creek! I had been planning a relaxing and fun birthday for my husband and instead of my usual go to "fancy steakhouse' idea - I was on the search for someplace low-key, not in SF, and had good food. I stumbled across Ottavio on OpenTable and after reading the menu - I thought perfect. I made my reservations on OpenTable, noting it was my husband's birthday (thinking nobody would read my special requests). We arrived to Ottavio and was immediately seated. It's a small place - but was lively and had a great open kitchen as we passed by to our seats. We were welcomed with birthday greetings for hubs and 2 glasses of champagne! We went over the menu - while being served water. I immediately chose the gnocchi in smoked duck sugo (meat sauce) and hubby chose a pasta dish with red peppers and peas. For our appetizer - we decided to go Anthony Bourdain and order the Antipasto, which was house cured meats, cheeses and some meat spreads. Needless to say - it was amazing! Our meals arrived just minutes after and after a sprinkle of cheese - we devoured it. I loved my gnocchi and shared it with hubs, whose dish was light and delish! We skipped dessert - considering we had a bundt cake at home. I definitely recommend Ottavio :)
(4)
Bob L.

Quaint restaurant with good food, a friendly staff and reasonably priced. A go back again place for certain. No complaints at all.
(4)
Vicky T.

Came her for a second time on Saturday. Took my friends out to celebrate their engagement. Made reservations for 5 people and we were seated immediately when we got there. Huge plus... I don't like it when you have to wait even if you have reservations. =) Ordered: -Scallop Appetizer (it was a special). Scallops were tender and seared perfectly, it had a a really nice spicy sauce on top, served with a potato tart. This dish was perfection. I wanted to order ten more plates of this. - Arugula salad. Came with peaches, shaved cheese, walnuts. - pasta dish (papadelle?) with kid goat and artichokes: I ate the entire dish... it was so good. Pasta was so tender... - bigoli with venetian crustacean and mollusk seafood sauce. The shrimp that came with it was the size of a baby lobster! It was huge. The BF liked it. - Grilled beef tenderloin - it was so tender and it melted in my mouth. - lamb - I had a bite of my friend's plate. It was really good.. not gamey tasting at all. - risotto. Didn't get to taste this one... but my friend enjoyed it. The guys enjoyed their wine and beer. The ladies enjoyed the pomogranite and blood orange-peach bellinis. Dessert: Goat milk pannecota with balsalmic vinegar drizzled on top and served with fresh berries. - The guys really liked the dessert. Service was very attentive. Waters always filled, plates promptly cleared. This will be my usual place for Italian now. =) I'm really happy I found this place. Thanks Joel for the great service. And thanks to the chef for the yummy food.
(5)
Alex D.

Third and last time there . No costumer service. Two plates out of four where returned to the kitchen , one was replaced second was forgotten :) had to talk to the "manager" in order to get last one out of my bill
(1)
Michael F.

it's is with a heavy hart I post this. it seems Valentino is gone. The food is now expensive and just ho-humm. We loved going in on a Monday night and few others were there. The food Amazing and Valentino would come out and talk about how he made it. now ( last twice - we were there ) Valentino was not there, so the run down. Endive salad with Gorgonzola - very nice fresh - nice dressing but a tad much of it. Burrata cheese with Housemade Prosciutto - nice but no longer had the subtle touch it had last time. The lamb with raspberry - lamb a little over cook and the raspberry was overwhelming. Don't mind paying $ for a good meal, but I really don't like paying $$ for a ho humm. Sad I really loved this place but it was Valentino who made the food so special.
(2)
Eric D.

Simply incredible. Located in downtown walnut creek, I took my boy there for his birthday dinner. We sat on a side table next to a window that was open to the view of downtown WC. We were greeted by our nice server and then eventually by the incredible owner. He was not only sweet but also so charming. He shared stories of his time in Italy, his claim to fame, and the how his restaurant came to be. He even brought complimentary wine and showed us the back of the restaurant to prove how fresh his ingredients are. The food was amazing. We had gnocchi that melted in your mouth, a ribeye and duck that I haven't stopped dreaming about. Stop by. You won't regret it.
(5)
nate p.

With three small kids, we rarely get out on a date night: Ottavio is always on our short list. Three reasons to eat here: the service, the food and a creative menu. The Service: I don't usually start with service, (unless it's bad) because you're here to eat. But, the attitude of the staff reflects the management. -Who do they hire? -Do they take their jobs seriously? -Do they have a service mentality? A+ across the board. The first time we ate here we had our one-year-old son. It was past bedtime, he was fussy, and the place was packed. The ambiance is mellow and romantic, to which a fussy kid is kryptonite. Never phased the staff. They sat us quickly, the waitress was patient and helpful, the bus boy brought us 5 new forks (each time with a smile and a laugh), and the hostess played with our son for a few minutes, at the table, so we could both eat. Their attitudes influenced the other diners too, such that the fussy baby mellowed out and became part of the vibe. Hiring manager - Home run The Food: we've now eaten here three times. My wife & her girlfriends come often. We like the food. It's fresh, it's tasty and it's not too heavy. The chef doesn't murder you with sauces and creams and cheeses. You taste the food and the fresh ingredients and feel good about what you're eating. The menu: it's a treat. They've always got new dishes to try, so you can't fall into a rut. And, the stuff is interesting. You definitely feel like the chef is engaged - he's not mailing it in.
(5)
Nikki P.

It is amazing how little and special the place is. Foods were fine, not remember so much. We enjoyed the ambience, small & crowded for weekend. Appetizers were great, although we thought the grill octopus was another salad since there were mostly green and a couple pieces of octopus. However, they cooked it very well, soft & tasty. Duck breast entree' was taste, pork chop was sweet spicy taste which I didnt have more than a bite since I guess it wasnt my taste. I left and remembered of the dessert and wine were favorite of the meal. Recommendation: Must. Make. Reservation.
(4)
Tabraz R.

Superb. Warm, welcoming atmosphere, friendly, attentive staff. Our meal was delicious, and our evening was perfect. Thank you to everyone at Ottavio for a wonderful evening!
(5)
Kari C.

Really surprised to find such a cute spot in the Creek. We went here to celebrate New Year's Eve Eve. That's right, the day before New Year's Eve. :) The holidays were so busy, we didn't have a chance to make reservations until the week before, and everywhere was booked. This place was wide open, though. This place is upscale, but not stuffy. You don't have to dress up. Portion sizes of main dishes are large. We ordered a salad/appetizer + main dish per person and had some leftovers. Do NOT order one thing from each menu section...that is way too much food! The grilled octopus & calamari with fennel and arugula ($15) was awesome. I've never had octopus so tender before. It was lightly smoky and delicious. The calamari was also very tender. Went well with the crisp fennel and peppery arugula. The salad ($10) was okay, but not quite balanced. This one had a huge mound of arugula, small rectangles of aged piave cheese, pears, and balsamic dressing. The cheese was really hard, the pears underripe, and way too much arugula. Sounded better on the menu. My main was the Pappardelle with Wild Boar Sugo ($23), which is a deal considering the amount of food. The boar was tender. The spice blend they used was nice...not the standard. I think there was some sage in this one. However, it was a bit under salted. They might have done this on purpose, expecting the patron to ask for more grated (grana padano) cheese. This is a salty hard cheese, similar to parmigiano-reggiano. DH got a special braised rabbit with artichokes and olives over polenta ($24). This one was way over salted. Sometimes that happens when you cook with olives. The dish was still good, though. The rabbit was literally melting off the bones tender. The flavor combo was so hearty and amazing. Seriously delicious eats. They gave us like half a rabbit...so much food to take home. Since we were celebrating, we splurged and got dessert. It was tremendously better than expected. Our dessert was like a chocolate lava cake, made with good chocolate, not too sweet and covered with a cream and caramel sauce. Check out the photo...it was a great way to end the meal. Overall, we were pleased with our meal here. It wasn't terribly expensive either, with one glass of wine & a dessert. They would have gotten 5 stars if every dish was salted properly. We would be happy to return for some good Italian food.
(4)
Carmela A.

Duck with polenta and figs was divine! The duck breast was extremely tender and full of flavor. The Mission figs were a nice touch and added sweetness that complemented the duck meat well. We also ordered the cheese and dried meats plate for starters. They had venison prosciutto which was interesting as it was my first taste of venison ever! Not bad at all! The chef/owner is very friendly and personable. He came a few times to our table to make sure we are having a great experience. The place is also very small and intimate--yet elegant!
(5)
Ken S.

This place gets better each time we visit. Last night we had the grilled octopus and calamari arugula salad, caparpaccio of smoked swordfish and sturgeon. Both were excellent! The grilled octopus had a wonderful smoky flavor and dressed just right. The smoked fish had totally different textures, one firm and a bit salty, the other creamy smooth. Mains were barramundi (sp?) fish and boar with pappardelle. Again, both were excellent! Service was attentive and Valentino came by to make sure all was going well. The food at Ottavio is unique and very good. BTW, there is no full bar anymore, just beer and wine.
(5)
Ewa P.

What a disappointing meal. And we really wanted to love it. The food was delicious, but the details are found in the service, the attention paid to the customer, and for my mother's birthday dinner this fell flat. Was it horrific service? No, but with only two waiters for the whole restaurant we were twiddling our thumbs a bit. We had a reservation for 3 for 8 PM on Saturday, had to wait 30 minutes and ended up getting a table right next to the door and general food run area. Hardly celebratory when I had noted on Open Table that it was for my moms birthday. Nothing was mentioned or acknowledged about her birthday and when it came time for dessert they were just sold out of the dessert wine. Just a little cherry on that non-existent birthday cake. While my mom was content with the experience, I had been here for New Year's and had an incredible culinary experience. I so badly wanted to treat my mom to the Ottavio experience I had before, but alas not this time. Nonetheless, the food is exquisite, well portioned, and the prices are divine for the heavenly food. The ricotta gnocchi with duck sugo are absolutely luscious. The octopus is well seasoned and expertly cooked. I'll definitely come back during the week to experience a less busy dinner service.
(3)
Christine F.

I'm going out on a limb to say this might be my favorite Italian Restaurant in Walnut Creek/Contra Costa. Upscale Italian in a warm environment. Attentive staff and creative menu. The chef came out about three times to greet guests. I had an amazing wild boar pasta dish. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Maggie Y.

Absolutely incredible!!!! Had champagne with Campari to start (try it it's really tasty) then the smoked meat and cheese plate as an appetizer...boar, prosciutto, and lamb and some amazing Gorgonzola and other cheeses and a spicy fig jam.... We had the gnocchi and the roasted duck with a balsamic reduction. Oh my gosh it was fabulous. The wine I had was delicious too but I can't remember the name of it! I can't believe it took me so long to go here. You're missing out. Everyone should have a meal here. The ambiance is awesome and, well, everything was fantastic. You should come here, seriously.
(5)
Aaron W.

Had a company dinner with 15 of us and across the board we all thought it was a special meal. The highlight was the Octopus with Calamari and the Duck Breast. We basically had the entire menu and everyone thought it was great. The Chef and owner came and asked if we wanted appetizers and just brought them to us. His dad's name is Ottavio and he is a superior chef. I rarely give 5 star reviews, but Ottavio earned such high regards.
(5)
O.s. M.

A disappointment. No soda. The water is infused with citrus (WHY can't I just get regular water?). 2 person staff working 6 tables = slowww service. Staff doesn't smile. 2 vegetatian options? The menu is LOADED with pork options. No music. No warmth. Sure there were a few exceptions... The bread served was definetly fresh. The Italian sodas were lovely. The desert was fingerlicking deliciousness. But, given the cons... It just doesn't leave a memorable experience.
(2)
Alison P.

Delicious food served in a cozy atmosphere. The unique menu and extensive wine selection was a refreshing change from Walnut Creek's ordinary Italian fare.
(5)
Helen S.

The heavy, dark curtains at the entrance seemed to promise a rich and exciting evening. Having made a reservation, my family was promptly seated in the back at a half-bench half-chair hybrid table. The candle placed there was glowing proudly against the dark backdrop of the restaurant. Not really a child-friendly place, but there were several groups of boisterous adults. The main menu is a single page and seasonal specials are supplemented on a separate page. Even with the English translations subtitling the Italian menu items, interpreting the menu required some Google research. We chose our dishes, then settled back with a glass of rich red wine and complimentary bread and pesto. These two started off the meal on a high note. The wine - a Pinot Noir/Nero - was silky smooth and delicious even after slipping down my throat! Our waiter for the evening was SO kind and attentive, answering all our requests with a smile. Chef Valentino himself came out periodically to chat with the diners. However, the same cannot be said for all of the staff; one waiter refilled only half our table's water cups. No, his pitcher was not empty but my cup certainly was. ): Now, the actual food: - Pasticcio di Vitello Tartufato / Messy Lasagna - The decided favorite of our choices. The ragout contains all the richness of veal without feeling too gamey. It's a bit runny, which makes the dish look like a gravy-covered bump, but my brother was scooping up every last drop at the end. - Pollo Arrosto alla Birra / Roasted Chicken- Just eh. The chicken looks majestically crispy on the plate, but I found the meat to be a little dry and lacking in flavor. Either under-seasoned or just not seasoned to my taste. The rest of this dish is a bed of giant beans. - Brodetto di Pesce misto alla Veneziana / Seafood Stew - It's like a tide pool at low tide: lots and lots of seafood stuffed into a shallow dish. I didn't particularly enjoy the seafood bits but the soup itself is creamy and full-bodied. PERFECT with the bread. - Risotto con Piovra e Calamari / Spicy Risotto with Octopus and Calamari - I've said it before, I love risottos. Maybe over the years my standards have been raised too high though since this one was average in terms of texture and flavor. I didn't feel much heat. And yes, those are full baby octopuses in your dish. Before tackling dessert, I stopped by the restroom. It's tucked in the back corner, full of storage shelves and the home of the cash register. This area feels a little like being in a European cottage, and interestingly it was more homey back here than in the dining area. Dessert: - Chocolate Torte - My brother said this was his favorite chocolate cake of all time. Potentially an exaggeration, but it's definitely good. A balanced sweetness, moist, and topped with sweet strawberries. - Buffalo Ricotta Cheesecake - Having never tasted buffalo milk, I didn't know how this would go. It turned out to be one of the lightest cheesecakes I've ever had. Different, but in a good way! My expectations were high, but I came out with mixed feelings about Ottavio (especially considering the $$). I probably won't be coming back soon unless it's for some wine and dessert.
(3)
Marivic D.

Went for a 4 course Valentine's Day dinner, $88 without drinks or gratuity. I may want to come back on a regular night for different entrees, because I didn't get to try the duck fig polenta since they had a fixed menu. Got a bottle of wine for the table. Forgot to give us bread, but we didn't mind b/c it was a big meal. Since it was Valentine's Day, couldn't bring our own/no corkage, but usually you can. Got the carpaccio and seared tuna. Tuna was fresh, and came with sour dressing and arugula. Carpaccio had this yummy topping on it that made it extra good. Antipasti we got grilled octopus and calamari risotto and ricotta gnocchi with wild boar. Not a fan of boar so I can't judge, but the risotto wasn't anything special. It actually just tasted like rice in watered down marinara sauce. Main dishes we chose we the lamb and the beef filet on their fixed menu. Lamb was dry, but still tender. My boyfriend liked it, I didn't. The beef filet was overcooked, closer to well done than medium well, therefore pretty dry. Very surprised and disappointed by this. Lastly for dessert, the chocolate tart and cheesecake. Cheesecake was flakey inside which was interesting, but it was good. The chocolate tart was thick and rich, served with raspberries and a sauce similar to melted vanilla bean ice cream - my favorite of the two. Expected better, especially for courses 2 and 3. But hard to judge because it was a fixed menu.
(3)
Mike I.

Great little place. Owner is very welcoming and is a talented chef. Four of us for dinner on a Wednesday night and the place was nearly empty. Surprising to me given the ambiance, quality of food and reasonable prices. My wife and I are from NY and were visiting friends in WC. This is one of their favorite places and I can see why. Might be the best kept secret in town. Highly recommended.
(4)
Alejandra R.

My favorite gem in Walnut Creek! The owner and chef not only cooks finger-licking good food, he also takes the time walk around and ask you how your night is going. The waiters are also very welcoming, they have more of a European mentality. They are attentive, but give you your privacy and space. I try something new every time I go and I haven't been disappointed yet. You have to have their dessert, any of them, but my favorite is the custard YUMMMM! I recommend the window seats, it gives you the feel of a European bistro.
(5)
She H.

Ate here with my daughter. Small, quaint and comfy. We felt at home. The food was delish!
(4)
Natasha M.

This place is incredible.. by far one of the best restaurants in walnut creek. The menu didn't sound that appealing to me but every plate we ordered was delicious! Great date spot
(5)
Sylvia L.

Took a friend here yesterday for dinner and it far exceeded my expectations. I've been craving Tuscan Italian food ever since I went to Italy last year. This tastes exactly like some of the best food I've had in Italy. Ottavio is not the fancy food that is pitifully small and with a dab of creme fraiche on the side. This is a hearty, delicious meal with fresh ingredients. I ordered the pasta with wild boar. My friend ordered the seafood stew. Both were great. We also got a bottle of wine following the recommendations of the chef and staff (I remember it was the DOCG wine on the menu) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend and I polished off a bottle between the two of us. I live in San Francisco, but definitely want to bring my husband out here. We have been working through the list of Michelin starred restaurants in SF, and I actually prefer this restaurant to the much-acclaimed SPQR in the city. Also: price I think is really reasonable. My pasta was $20 and my friend's seafood stew was $24.
(5)
Candice H.

Amazing meal & dining experience! Every item we ordered was delicious. The chef/owner genuinely cares to make sure we enjoyed our dinner. I would highly recommend trying this darling & special spot
(5)
MacKenzie G.

Wine Selection and taste 3 Stars Food 4 stars Attitude from the staff 2 Stars This was my first visit to this restaurant. Personally, I enjoyed the messy lasagna and the pear arugula salad. The bread was moist, but plain. The salsa, olive oil mixture was bland. It needed salt or an acid base. Chef Valentino was wonderful! I was impressed by his willingness to meet his guests and make menu suggestions. However, he was also very rude to me. As a customer, that is beyond disrespectful! I have food allergies and a very sensitive stomach. I was afraid to try a salad on the menu for fear I would become sick. I politely asked him if he could make a Caesar salad for me. Immediately I was told No. I tried to laugh it off. He suggested I try the pear arugula salad. He said women like it. Normally pears make me sick so I was hesitant. The salad was actually very good!! Luckily, the pears did not make me sick. The entree portion was difficult as well. Having been a vegetarian for 7 years, and an animal rights activist for many more, I had a hard time selecting a menu option. I do not like eggplant so that wasn't an option. Basically, I settled for the messy lasagna with veal. Because of my dietary restrictions, I have been forced to integrate meat into my diet. I have a hard time wanting to eat veal because of how the animal is treated. The dish was surprisingly tasty, once I put out of my mind what I was eating. I asked Chef Valentino for balsamic vinegar, and he told me I should try the food before he bring me any. He was really snippy with me. I like balsamic vinegar on my bread and pasta. Sue me. With more attitude, it was brought out. I felt like I was being watched to see how I would use it. I dipped every bite into it. My date was mildly embarrassing. He ordered a dish based upon Chef's suggestion, and he didn't like it. The beef was tough and covered in fat. Chef wasn't happy. I tried to keep my head down as we left. I was mortified, thinking the Chef was going to yell at me for being a selective eater. We found this place on yelp. We went here on a whim. I don't think I am welcomed back, and after the attitude from the head waitress or hostess, and the chef, I have no desire to eat here again.
(3)
Patty W.

We debated going into the city to celebrate our anniversary, but our anniversary was a weeknight... and we both needed to work the next day. Instead, we chose to go to Ottavio -- a cute restaurant in Walnut Creek. I'd discovered this with coworkers a few weeks back, and immediately thought of it as a good date place to go with my husband. We shared two appetizers, carpaccio and octopus/calamari salad. Both were nothing short of AMAZING! The carpaccio was lightly flavored with white truffle and topped with arugula. The octopus and calamari were both perfectly grilled. There were enough pieces of both octopus and calamari (both bodies and tentacles) on there for two people to each have a satisfying portion. They were served on a bed of greens, shaved fennel and some perfectly prepared beans (my husband commented that the beans were so tender that they were almost like potato in texture). For mains, we both had duck. I had the duck breast over polenta and my husband had the smoked duck over gnocchi. Both were amazing, though I think I'd choose the duck breast again (the gnocchi and smoked duck were so rich that I think I couldn't eat an entire serving on my own). Limoncello, a gift from the owner, capped off our evening. We shall be back, and we're glad to have a quiet and intimate restaurant in our own hood.
(5)
Patrick T.

Grabbed dinner after a function at Neiman Marcus. As usual, the food, service, ambiance, was flat out fantastic. Ordered the 'Beef Filet' and it was the best filet dish I have had in a long time. While they didn't ask me how I like my filet cooked and usually like my red meat more towards the 'blue' side, the filet was a perfect pink medium rare. Not even mad. My company had the gnocchi with speck very fresh, rich, and delicious. To reiterate on my previous review, this is one of the best Italian restraints in the bay area hands down.
(5)
Lisa A.

My husband and I ate here last night (Friday night) for my birthday. we had come to celebrate an anniversary several years ago, had an amazing meal then had been wanting to come back. I had been concerned that, when the economy tanked, that they may not be able to pull through. So glad to see they are here and clearly thriving! Had an incredible first course of potato bread and a parsley caper pesto (all the tables were provided that). We also ordered house made prosciutto and burrata cheese that was exquisite. I had ricotta gnocchi with smoked duck sugo and my husband had an amazing steak with a blue cheese sauce and a plate full of incredible and perfectly cooked veg and potatoes to go with it. Top notch. Great casual yet elegant atmosphere, friendly and attentive service. You won't regret it!
(5)
vicky f.

Delicious and unusual Venetian menu with items not found everywhere (rabbit, wild boar). Generous portions easily can be split, fine fresh ingredients, reasonable prices, reasonable wine list. It's a small place with open kitchen and intimate ambiance. I've been here twice, and loved it each time (gnocchi with smoked duck sugo-sigh-just wonderful...)
(5)
Howard H.

Valentino the cook was nice enough to message me and tell me not to come back. That is a given!
(1)
Ali S.

Great local gem , very friendly staff and great food !!! Every dish was yummy !!!! The desserts are a must!!!
(5)
Mike S.

small place, but not crammed. The setup is nice, and staff is really friendly. The food was ok, and I LOVED the fact that they don't have sodas. Wine list is ok, and Duck is really really really good. They also serve fresh bread and butter
(4)
Sophia L.

Our first visit here. We learned of this restaurant because of the Walnut Creek Restaurant week. Our appetizers were good and service was attentive. Our main course though was off the mark; My halibut didn't have enough seasonings and the spicy risotto has such a strong kick to it. Dessert was the blueberry cheesecake which was excellent. We would like to return to give it a try again because we had a good time and hope another main course would turn out better.
(3)
Jo B.

My wife made a telephone reservation for two couples at 7:00 pm on 3/31, asking for a quiet table. When we arrived there was no recognition of our request and we were seated in a corner table at the back of the restaurant. Soon after arrival a group of 12-14 people, primarily men, filled the banquettes lining the wall and normal conversation became impossible. This condition remained for the duration of our meal. The wait staff were not very professional, reaching across the table to serve and collect items and leaving us to pour our own wine. We were told upon leaving that the owners were not available and would not be until the following week which may have had something to do with the service. The food was excellent but if one has to shout at the person sitting across the table in order to be heard the experience leaves much to be desired. We will not return.
(1)
Jeff M.

Ottavio is excellent. Great food from Northern Italian region I think. Owner/ chef is very friendly and interacts with diners. A reliable standout when going out with friends. Always tasty specials give you a reason to come back.
(5)
Emma H.

I would NEVER come back here. For $26, the Duck Breast with Black Mission Figs and Balsamic reduction over Polenta wasn't spectacular. It was good-- well cooked and all, but it wasn't flavorful. The wait for the food was a good 25 minutes as well. Very disappointed.
(3)
J S.

We've been to Ottavio half a dozen times in the past couple years, and we've thoroughly enjoyed every meal. We were reflecting on our experience this time and realized that it's one of the only dining establishments in the area that we keep returning to. Why? For sure it's a unique, low key, romantic, creative, homestyle gem with excellent food, service, and drinks. But it also simply stands out because it's an escape from the bland, noisy, pretentious, and pretty boring thrown together dining experiences and foods found throughout most of Walnut Creek. At Ottavio, you'll find deliciously authentic flavors expertly blended into something you'd expect to find deep in the hill country of Italy. You'll find service that's right there for you when you need it. And you'll find a passionate proprietor-chef ready to talk you through his specials, his ingredients, his wine list, and his passions. Each visit to Ottavio with friends, family, or just the two of us for a romantic night out has been thoroughly delightful and satisfying. We'll be back again and again.
(5)
Michele S.

This was a complete and wonderful surprise for the senses. Originally from San Francisco, I was beyond happy that my husband found this place for our V-Day Dinner. The food was amazing...the portions were perfect and paced just right between courses that you have time to enjoy your meal. The minuet we walked in, it was like walking into something special in North Beach...then after having a great chat with the owners Michele (one 'L') ;-D and super chef Valentino, found out that they had a place in North Beach a few years ago! The food as an amazing integrity to its Italian heritage which Chef Valentino is not willing to compromise, which gives the place and food a major stand out from what you would normally expect in downtown WC. I started with the Prosciutto d' Oca con Crema di Castagne Tartufata followed by the Gnocchi di Ricotta con Speck di Cinghiale e Funghi Porcini, and for my main course...the Capesante con Ricci di mare e Carciofi which was to DIE FOR! Finally, the Tortino di Cioccolato...which for Chocoholics like mois is a MUST...I'm talking 'plate licking' chocolate extravaganza! Overall the dining experience was super FAB and for my ladies...Valerie, you are going to have SF flashbacks...not to mention its in your neck of the woods, Adriana you have got to go! Now Josette, Kelley gurls we are GOING! Overall the evening was a continuous of delight for the senses. Thank you standing out from the mundane & keeping the integrity of the decor, the ambiance, the food (I'm coming back for the Octopus!) AND that amazing Limoncello! That capped a wonderful evening for me & Jim and we look forward to our next culinary adventure! Loved it and highly recommend it!
(5)
Sidney S.

I like comparing color to music: only seven notes and yet innumerable melodies have been composed with those seven notes. ... How many tones or shades does each color have? An infinite number, just as always endless are the hues and nuances composing a work of art." -- Ottavio Missoni Sidney Does East Bay Italian Part II The famous designer Ottavio, who created the iconic Missoni print, would probably have had his head exploded seeing the interior of Ottavio. All dark woods and purple-black colors, this is a robust & hearty appearance look for a restaurant to match its hearty & robust food. But like the food, it works. Ottavio Osteria was opened May 2010 by Valentino Luchin who was formerly the executive chef at Rose Pistola in San Francisco. Only opened for dinner, Ottavio serves authentic straight ahead Italian dishes made by the man himself with meticulous care. I was here with a potential business partner and we enjoyed the burrata, Pappardelle con sugo di Cinghiale - Pappardelle with Wild Boar sugo and Bigoli al Sughetto di Crostacei e Molluschi -Bigoli Pasta with Spicy Venetian Crustacean and Mollusk Seafood Sauce. The pastas were flavorful and rustic and perfect complements to the cool winter night. I paired these dishes with a 2006 Ridge Grenache - Syrah and it was comfort food as it needs to be every night. The burrata was a nice citusy - acidic start with Heirloom Tomato Caprese and Burrata Cheese. They do not have soup and dessert was just okay. We ordered the chocolate dessert but should have gone panne cota or zabione per other reviews. An intimate place that would be good on a date unfortunately my dinner here was a boring work related visit :( Recommended in the East Bay!
(4)
Brian B.

My fav small italian spot always good
(5)
Ashley F.

Went here for the first time a few weeks ago for my birthday. The food was delicious, service was great and atmosphere was perfect. I will definitely come back.
(5)
Sandy C.

Great Gnocchi and goat cheese cheesecake!! Sorry you can't come with my date!! Haha otherwise it would be a five for you too!!
(5)
Sonny G.

Ottavio.... wow... it's like finding Italy in the US. Valentino is the owner and chef. Every dish we had reminded me of taking in every bit of Italy. Everything was prepared, smoked or created in house including the lemoncello. Highly recommended... I'll come back for sure. Valentino is every bit the greatest host.
(5)
Miss P.

The restaurant is beautiful and a nice (small) size. But I wasn't super impressed with the entrees, and even though I informed the waiter that I was DEATHLY ALLERGIC to walnuts, he brought a bread basket with walnut bread. We then ordered dessert (bread pudding) and it was DELICIOUS!!....until I found a bit of walnut in the bread pudding and had to spit it out & use my allergy medication. For this, the chef/owner came out to apologize personally and comp'ed our dessert. The food was unremarkable, and I wouldn't return again for dinner. The bread pudding was absolutely delicious, and if they could just understand nut allergies a little better, I might have gone back for that!
(2)
Angela R.

Every now and again we are fortunate enough to find the perfect little restaurant, and last night I was just so lucky. I thought I had been to all the restaurants in Walnut Creek, but this little gem escaped me...perhaps because it is tucked next to the Stadium Pub with an unassuming sign. I only noticed it because I happened to glance to my left and saw a couple dining at a table. I peeked at the menu and decided it looked worthy. The restaurant was sparsely staffed, but not to worry because they ABSOLUTELY delivered on service. The head chef was there and stopped by our table to chat. He overheard me tell our server I am a vegetarian, so he asked if he could make me a dish. The menu is perfect for the meat lovers. There is everything from duck to wild boar to hangar steak. They have speck--sort of a house made prosciutto...of which my dining partner is a huge fan. When the meal was delivered--I was not to be let down!! I had the most delicate butternut squash gnocchi my mouth has ever had the pleasure of tasting. I could eat this dish every day for 100 years. It was divine. My dining partner had steak and he was blown away. It was tender and perfectly cooked and complemented by sauce and sautÃ©ed vegetables. I don't know how I missed this place. It is hands down the absolute best Italian restaurant I have been to on the west coast. Being an Italian American, I am quite picky about Italian good and am rarely if ever impressed by any Italian restaurants. Ottavio's delivers a perfectly crafted meal surrounded by ambience and quiet but present servers. This restaurant should have a line down the street to get in. It's that good.
(5)
Gina A.

Blink and you will miss it and you will definitely be missing out on this Italian gem. We were warmly greeted by staff as we entered this quaint establishment. The wine list was small, but still offered a good selection. We had a wonderful red from Italy. Since it was our first time, we tried several items on the menu. We both had an appetizer, shared a pasta, and had two different entrees. I started with the burratta, fig, and speck plate-very reminiscent of Northern Italy. Then we had the wild boar ragu- better than SF. Then we had the duck and rabbit. My favorite dish was the rabbit- it was a cacciatore style dish and the meat fell right off the bone. Since we we too full for dessert, we had a shot of limoncello. They make it in-house and believe it or not, it was better than the limoncello from Sorrento! The service was impeccable and the chef even came around to the tables. We will definitely be back and bring friends.
(5)
Natalie S.

This unassuming, unpretentious Italian restaurant wins on so many levels. It's small, intimate, but still somewhat casual. The service was impeccable, often intertwined with the owner visiting our table and offering suggestions, the food was on-point, and the ambiance was fun. Get the meat/cheese platter and don't skip the duck. Hope that the owner brings your table homemade lemoncello. I must be honest, I was surprised to find a place that reminds me so much of home out here on the West Coast. It's worth the drive from Oakland/ Berkeley!
(5)
Rachael B.

oh em gee. went here as a study break right before we took the dreaded multistate legal ethics exam as a reward for all our hardwork. really cute little restaurant, very evocative of venice. first off, the pesto that they serve with the fresh bread while you are waiting is out of this world. just as good as genoa, italy, the pesto capital of the world :) they also have an extensive selection of my favorite apperetif, the bellini. the traditional peach was the best, but i did not get the chance to taste them all! fiance started with the wild boar proscuitto, fresh burrata, and roasted figs. SO GOOD. i had the roasted beets, arugula, and pears (i think?) salad which had a delicious vinagrette. then he went for one of the pastas with mushrooms and veggies and i had the duck sugo gnocchi. little pillows of ricotta-y potato-y goodness. my heavens. THEN. i had a really hard time selecting dessert, but ended up not being able to turn down the goat's milk panna cotta with fresh berries. i can die happy now, that was seriously one of the top 10 best things i have ever eaten. our service was great, very relaxed, felt no pressure, no rush, even though the restaurant was hoppin'. the chef himself made visits around to some of the tables to check in and see how everything was. it was a nice gesture that i appreciated. it was great to talk to him a bit and tell him how much we were enjoying the meal. if we are ever venturing this far for a meal again, we'll definitely come back.
(5)
Greg A.

I have eaten here a few times and always the food is great. I bring people here from out of town and they have always loved it. If you are looking for spaghetti or ravioli or lasagna then you might want to go some where else. Most items are duck, pork or wild boar. The atmosphere is some times packed and sometimes we are the only people in the restaurant. Also some times the service is a little slow. But this is the only Italian place in Walnut Creek that I eat at.
(4)
Dre H.

I can't begin to explain how good the food is here! The initial service was slow but they were very busy even for a Friday night. I'm glad we waited. The beef carpaccio was delicious!! We had the gnocchi w/duck, wild boar prosciutto, filet mignon, zambaogne, ricotta cheesecake--all AMAZING! A hidden treasure in WC!
(5)
Soul B.

Great resturant. We were there for drinks and appatizers, Love the atmosphere and the food is great!
(5)
Elly G.

This is a unique type of an Italian restaurant. The menu is quite interesting and you don't see the usual dishes that you find in other Italian restaurants. The chef is impressively creative. We ordered the cured wild boar and the swordfish appetizers. My friend had the rabbit and it was good. The lamb was just average. We had the tiramisu dessert and that was a disappointment. They also have a good list of wine and the service was excellent. We'll still come back and try the other dishes.
(4)
Sergio G.

I am Italian 100%, I love to cook and Ottavio became my #1 Italian place in the Bay Area. Try the home made pasta, any kind, any sauce!
(5)
Damon Z.

For a smooth guy like me, who seeks good date spots to take my dozens of significant others, Ottavio was perfect! The chocolate walls, sconce lighting, aromas from the kitchen, and a bottle of prosecco, set the mood for romance.....and an appetite! Warm bread, with a zesty arugula pesto is brought to your table while you ponder the menu. Fascinated by the wild boar, speck, pork cheeks, and other interesting cuts of meat on the menu, we elected to start with an old familiar standard.....prosciutto with fresh figs, soft white cheese, and balsamic vinegar. The sweetness of the figs were the perfect balance for the prosciutto, and the prosecco, which we had purchased a bottle of, was a great palate cleanser before going for the entree course. We ordered three dishes: pappardelle with smoked duck sugo, bigoli pasta with spicy venetian crustacean and mollusk seafood sauce, and pappardelle with wild boar sugo and porcini. The smoked duck and boar were rich and savory, and the pasta soaked up all of their good flavors. Some grated cheese over the top gave it some added pungency, and made the dishes perfect. The bigoli pasta was teeming with shellfish, and octopus. Each fork full, from start to finish, was accompanied by a portion of an animal from the sea. A spicy, tomoato-based sauce gave the dish a bit of extra pizazz. Between the bread and pesto, prosciutto, and main entree dishes, we were just too stuffed for dessert. However, if I return, and am disciplined enough to save room for dessert, then I'm getting the panna cotta. I saw it being carried past me, do a neighboring table, and the couple at that table almost had a third person join them for dessert! The chef's wife, works as a hostess there, but she went beyond her hosting duties, and took our food and beverage orders, while our intended server was busy with another table, and took care of us in a few other ways throughout the evening. The chef came over, later in the evening, and talked to us about our meals, explaining to us the regions where some of the specific dishes originated. I'll admit that the average person may perceive the wait for the entree to be a bit long. However, everything is fresh, and made from scratch, so the wait is well worth it. Also, this gave us a window of opportunity to enjoy a starter course. Save room for dessert, that's the one thing I sorely missed out on that night!!!
(5)
Adrian R.

This place was nice and cozy. Great romantic environment. We visited on Friday evening without a reservation. I would suggest a reservation when attending. Even without we had our table ready in 10 min. The food was on the special menu. Great flavor and interesting pairings. The in house made prosciutto was amazing. Something new and with great taste is well appreciated. As far as I'm concerned ill skip the supper fancy high end restaurants and make this more of a regular thing. Keep up the good work chef!
(5)
SC M.

2.5! ...Appetizers were amazing, we had brilliant charcuterie, the beef carpaccio and the beet salad...but everything from there went downhill - fairly slowly. It took another 30-45 minutes for our dinner to arrive, by which time we were all done, and had been for quite awhile. The main dishes were just OK - the goat sogu was the best of the three, the porkchop/beef were both dry, the sauce kind of overbearing. The dessert and check both took an additional, lengthy amount of time. Okay food, but nothing I need to experience again.
(2)
m t.

Whew! What an awful experience. So, I went there with an older friend to celebrate. The place is small and very dark, so she wanted to keep to the front because it had more light. Boy, was that a mistake! We got a waitress who was all about style but who could not stammer out the words "spumante".....oh boy, it went down hill after that. The Highlights: well, sad to say, there weren't any. The Lowlights: Let's see, the waitress that we had at first claimed that she didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for spumante at the beginning of our time there. But they had only ONE spumante on their menu, as it turns out. Then, when I pointed that out to her, she abruptly turned and disappeared, never asking about what we wanted for dinner, what appetizers might be good, nothing. She just disappeared, like we came from Mars, as opposed to human customers, who are there, paying exorbitant prices for great food AND a great experience. When I asked for another waiter/waitress, we got a waiter who appeared to be better, but when my companion asked for butter, she had to ask TWICE to get butter (she did not care for the pesto that was served with the bread). I had the Wild Boar and my friend had pork shelves. My Wild Boar was truly awful. It was so salty it was not edible. I told them to take it back. Her food was also not edible, and she ate a few bites and stopped. I then looked the chef directly in the eye and said to him that this was an unpleasant experience and the food was awful. He DID NOTHING in response. 15 minutes later the manager, I think his wife came by to say she understood that the meal was unsatisfactory. I explained to her that my Wild Boar was atrociously salty making it impossible to eat, and my companion, a lady of some 80 years plus was more forgiving. But here's the point about her food: she didn't eat any more than a few bites and didn't ask for any kind of doggie bag. She was just being nice (think of her age). The truth is she hated her food as much as I did. The "manager" offered to comp me my food, but did nothing else! She did not comp my friend's meal, nor did she comp us for the one appetizer we had, nor anything else. In my view, the manager couldn't have possibly been more disingenuous in her responses or her approach. When she talked to us, she did not smile, she did not seem the least bit concerned about our experience, and she did not seem to care that we had just had an awful time at their restaurant. I was forced to pay over $46 for one glass of spumante, one appetizer, and my friend's meal (remember, this was a meal she didn't eat). That's a lot of money for what was atrocious service and an atrocious meal. I stand by this review as 100% accurate. If you want this kind of service for what is terrible food, go for it. But if you have even the slightest experience like what we had, remember, you have been warned, and I was absolutely honest in every word in this review! And here's the bottom line: we went there, my friend (she at 80 plus) and I (hoping to show her a good time for something she had done for me as a friend), to celebrate. We went there to have a great (at least good) meal, to spend some money and have a good time. We didn't get that. In fact, we got atrocious service, terrible food and a horrendous experience. I just hate that on Yelp there are pumpers who just lie about restaurants to build their reputations, don't you???
(1)
William M.

Service was slow and food was mediocre. Won't be back.
(1)
jenna m.

Food is simple, but delicious, and very authentic. I can not wait to go back!
(5)
Goldilocks J.

I am in love with a couple of the appetizers here! I went for dinner with a girlfriend early in the month and we had the Kobe Beef Carpaccio and Burrata starters, which were heaven. The Carpaccio was silky meat and it came with mini diced pieces of fresh artichokes for texture and a drizzle of white truffle oil. The Burrata was deliciously fresh and cream, and came with some of the best prosciutto I've ever had (no stringy bits at all!) and it was dressed with sweet figs and a sweet balsamic reduction. Both of these starters were so well balanced for sweet and savory and texture. I was dreaming about them for a few weeks, so I dragged my husband back for dinner last night, just so I could have these 2 starters. On the first visit with my GF, we shared the Tagliatelle Porcini pasta, which I thought was good, but a little lacking in flavor. It came with speck, which is a thick Italian prosciutto, which was too chewy for my taste. There was a special that night of a Veal T-bone, which was the other dish we got, and the stand out of the two entrees. It was a huge, thick T-bone and very flavorful. For dinner with my hubby we got the Ricotta Gnocchi and the Pappardelle with wild boar sugo. The gnocchi was wonderfully light and fluffy and came with a duck sugo, the pappardelle was cooked perfectly al dente and the meat sauce was very tasty. Overall I think this is my new favorite Italian place. I also appreciated that the chef asked us how our meal was and I thought service was attentive. I have yet to have dessert here because they just have a few things to select from and nothing really appeals.
(4)
Linda M.

Simply the BEST restaurant in walnut creek! The chef/owner continues to create amazing and delectable menu options, so hard to choose from because there are so many unique and wonderful options! His wife (the hostess) treats you as if you are a guest in her home. My husband and I eat out often and Ottavio ranks number one in the contra costa area. We have eaten here around 5-6 times and will continue to tell our friends about this great place.
(5)
Gary M.

Why is it that a few days after returning from Umbria, our Italian holiday already seemed like a distant memory? Much to our relief, we could still hold on to a bit of it by visiting Ottavio in Walnut Creek. Very authentic. Good atmosphere. Great food. What more do you want in a local Italian restaurant? 'Nuff said.
(4)
Maranda S.

Ottavio's is a terrific place to visit for special occasions, or even just to spice up a week day. Can be a bit pricey, but the food, wine, chef and his wife the hostess always make it an enjoyable experience. Gave only 4 stars, as there are very few vegetarian options on the menu.
(4)
Carmen W.

Actually a 3.5...food was awesome! However our server Joel was awful. He rarely stopped by and we could never get his attention. Timing was bad on most everything but again the food was great! I recommend the smoked duck gnocci!!
(3)
Blond E.

This is a first class restaurant. First, and most importantly, the food was delicious. Everything from the bread to the salad to the lamb was delicious. At our table we had (1) the prosciutto and cheese platter (2) the calamari (3) the mixed green salad (4) the seared ahi tuna (5) the lamb and (6) the roast chicken. Everything was cooked perfectly and also very flavorful (I feel like food is often under-seasoned in many health conscious organic focused Northern California restaurants). Second, the service was great. Our waiter noticed a little bit of the skewer was left in the grilled calamari and he comped the dish without us even saying anything about it. He was very attentive and friendly. I really appreciate it when servers come back to check on you often and I feel like a lot of servers don't bother being nice anymore since they expect they will get their 15% no matter what. Our server definitely earned every penny of his tip! Third, there was no wait and we were seated immediately. What more do you want in downtown Walnut Creek? The only drawbacks are (1) a somewhat sparse decor and (2) it needs a more extensive wine list. There were only a few to choose from. They were good, but I would have preferred more options. All in all, definitely worth a try.
(5)
Gumba C.

First time at Ottavio. I had the duck breast special with Balsamic sauce. Tasty but used too much balsamic. Will go back and try again.
(4)
S. D.

Just decided to stop by the other night and was sooooo glad we did. The food is absolutely amazing and it's very refreshing to go to a restaurant where you can see the food being made and talk with the chef. We ordered the gnocchi and the risotto and were not disappointed (especially with the gnocchi!) The risotto was perfectly cooked with fresh peas, and the speck added a nice smoky element that made it a well balanced dish. As with practically everything on the menu, the gnocchi was prepared fresh and by hand. I've never had a more pillowy and fabulous pasta! The sauce was so creamy and delicious that it was hard to believe that there was not an ounce of cream in it. We were told that cream or butter are rarely used in their dishes - they simply try to use the freshest of ingredients to bring out the flavors. We weren't going to go for dessert, but after hearing Chef Valentino talk about his menu and approach to the dessert items -we couldn't pass up the panna cotta. It was out of this world! I love the way that they bring their own creativity to traditional dishes in a way that really works. But best of all is that everything is priced reasonably so that we can come more often than just the occasional celebration. Chef Valentino mentioned that the menu changes often to give diners new dishes to try. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Chris S.

Very, very good. Much better than your average 4 rated Italian restaurant. You taste Italy, like you were there. And the chef takes the the time to say hello.
(5)
Lisa C.

Went to Ottavio for the first time last night for my birthday with my hubby and my parents. Hopes of a great dining experience were high due to only hearing positives reviews of this new dining destination in Walnut Creek. When we arrived, we were greeted right away by who I believe is the owner's wife and seated at a nice table. The place is long and narrow but has a very warm vibe and a sense of family is present. I believe this restaurant is experiencing "growing pains" and a "lack of organization and process". First we were greeted by a waiter who explained the specials and no later than 5 minutes later, a waitress came up and it was deja vu - we heard the specials again. A bit changed but yet the same specials. We took our time to order but about 35 to 40 minutes later we received the bread and parsley dipping sauce. I have to say they were both delicious, just WAY overdue. Back to the growing pains of service consistency. Once our orders were placed, it took a while for our first course to arrive. It came a bit broken up in service delivery time. A bit awkward. Once all situated, the first course was quite tasty. I had the house made burrata with prosciutto and reduced balsamic vinegar - quite tasty. Hubby had Grilled Monterrey Calamari with arugula and cannellini beans - he liked it. My parents each had a salad - Baby lettuce with red onions and radish and Arugula, golden beets, aged montasio cheese, walnuts, pears and balsamic dressing. The arugula salad was delicious. After the first course is where things went south. Our main dishes arrived and were LUKE warm. I had the hanger steak special and it was warm, not hot. Yikes!!! My hubby had the Grilled beef tenderloin and again luke warm. Yikes!!! My parents were the same but ate and did not want to return for heating. Wine note: the waitress seemed to struggle with opening the wine and dripped quite a bit while pouring. That was the last she did the pouring it seemed. Kept waiting for her to refill and it was an eternity, so I took the "sommelier" duties into my own hands. However, we did return for heating which they did with a smile. The disappointing result was barely warmed food that was just about the same as we returned it. My appetite kinda went away. The food was tasty but after being "cooked" twice the appeal went away. The chef did stop by the table to apologize and offer free desserts. We had a birthday cake waiting at home, so we politely declined. Overall - I believe Ottavio can be a success with time, process and organization. Will check back in six months to see how they have grown!!!
(2)
A F.

Fabulous food....top notch and innovative. The best meal we've had in WC since moving here earlier in the year. Reminds me of the small intimate trattoria's you see in NYC. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Denise G.

I brought a party of friends here, and watched my friend's eyes roll back in their heads with happiness at each bite. The food is fantastic here; the flavors are full, fresh, and delicious. I had the kid goat sugo, it was soooo good, but I got to try everyone else's things, and so were they! The wild boar sugo was Amazing, as was the house-cured wild boar prosciutto appetizer. My husband's seafood pasta was delicious and beautiful, with lots of perfectly cooked seafood. We were all full, but ordered one dessert (the zabaglioni with mascarpone cheese) because we couldn't resist - it was amazing! And the prices are very very reasonable, not to say cheeap for the quality! The server was very friendly and helpful, just overworked when the dinner rush got underway. I can't wait to go back and try some more of this fantastic food!
(5)
Laura W.

I must say, I am very picky about Italian food - you will NOT see me ordering Fettucine Alfredo (fyi it's not italian). Having lived there for a year, and subsequently returning 3 times since, I have been spoiled with good food, and quality of the food always shone. There are a few places in the Bay Area that meet my high standards, and I have now added Ottavio to that list. The place has perfect dim lighting, and small so it's intimate for having a good conversation with friends, or a date night. We started off with the fresh cheese, figs, and prosciutto appetizer, and the flavors went very well together. The bread with pesto (I believe arugula) that came to the table was also fresh and tasty. The pappardelle cinghale (wild boar) sugo was AMAZING. The sauce was just enough to flavor the pasta, and the perfect meat to pasta ratio. The hostess was so kind and helpful with the menu, and I was so exited to find out that 1) the chef was from Italy and 2) the chef was her husband.! It was so cute and endearing really that they are running this restaurant together. And as an added bonus, he came to greet our table speaking to me in Italian (I told his wife that I spoke it). But he visited every table, asking how the food was and greeting all the guests. He was really personable and sincere. So, if you are enthusiastic about Italian food, you definitely have to go to Ottavio. I highly doubt you will be disappointed with the food, or the service. I will definitely be going back to try the dessert!
(5)
Ken Y.

Delicious, fine Italian food, and very good service, classy atmosphere. The ham with fresh cheese starter was a special that was unique and very tasty. The wine list had unusually good selections. Chef Valentino happily whipped up an excellent pasta for my friend who had a hankering for "pasta with red sauce". My goat sugo was excellent. Overall a very good value - other fancy places would charge 25% more.
(5)
Mike D.

This is my favorite restaurant east of the tunnel. Intimate setting, great service, and above all... excellent Italian food. The owner/chef has checked in with us personally at some point during the meal almost every time we've eaten here, just to make sure everything is to our liking. That kind of personal touch isn't easy to find anymore, and it's part of what makes this place so special!
(5)
Aaron D.

I don't understand the trend of negative reviews for this restaurant. We have been here twice now and loved it both times. Pasta is fresh and service is great. I highly recommend the gnocchi with duck sugo. Our last visit was on a Saturday night and the place was packed. Yet, the food came out in a timely manner and the waiter didn't miss a beat. Hands down the best Italian food we have found in Walnut Creek and we have tried lost of places. We enjoyed it much more than Prima.
(5)
Danny C.

Salad great, bread great, pesto dipping sauce great! Duck gnocci AWESOME and much larger portion than I expected! I went in there very hungry after working out, and I had plenty of food. .. maybe too much. Friendly service. Chef came to our table to check in on us a couple times because my wife had requested a minor adjustment to her sauce (add cream). I could only suggest that wait staff be more attentive. We asked for more bread with dinner, and never saw the bread basket again. No complaints otherwise and I will definitely return.
(5)
David G.

THE RUDEST, LEAST PROFESSIONAL, ARROGANT front of house manager I have ever encountered! I wish there was a negative star rating. I would like to be able to review the food, however, we never got in. I made a reservation for the Saturday after Valentines since I was going to be out of town on the 14th. I made the reservation 10 days in advance. We arrived and were told there was no reservation in our name. The front of house manager had the attitude that I had made a mistake and just wanted us to leave. After 10 minutes of trying to tell her that the restaurant had screwed it up, she finally announced accusingly that there was a reservation for the Saturday before that "was a no show" - shame on us for not showing up on a night we never made a reservation for. She then proclaimed that someone other than her had taken the reservation - like "hey - don't blame me - some else screwed this up" When I said if they had called to confirm the reservation the week before this would have been avoided - she just flatly stated "we don't do that". She actually wanted to know "who we talked to on the phone" - REALLY? I asked rhetorically "Why would I make a reservation and then show up a week later?" She actually answered "I don't know". Anyway, we waited another 20 minutes as she "tried to she what she could" - we offered to sit at the bar since we didn't think we were going to get in anywhere else - NOPE! She never apologized, never acknowledged that they had made a mistake - ingnored us - never offered us a drink (not comp - just a darn drink while we waited). I finally said, hey do you just want us to leave and she said "well if that's what you're going to do...." OK - so we walked down the street to Prima and explained that these fools had screwed up our reservation and could they perhaps seat us at the bar - THEY WERE JAMMED!! The Maitr d' said that she would get us something as soon as she seated her 7:30's. In 10 minutes, we had a table and everyone was spectacular, the waiter, the wait table, the wine manager, everyone - and the food was great and after spending $250 gleefully, the Maire d' wouldn't take the $20 I offeered for being so gracious. She actually said "No sir, it was my pleaseure to help you." Aaaaah - so that's what service feels like!!!
(1)
Chris R.

We have been here many times and have always enjoyed it. We are picky too! The Chef is incredible and very friendly. One of our favorite places in Walnut Creek!
(5)
J.A. K.

This awkward dining room is not much changed from the former Le Bistro. Seats in the back are more pleasant than in the front. The SF Chronicle review of Nov 2010 mirrored our experience exactly. Excellent arugula-beet salad and arugula/white bean/grilled octopus salad. Nice fruit-flavored water and EVOO-based bread spreads. Bread is soft, served warm, housemade but not especially remarkable. Veal chop, filet, and halibut were good quality (although people who rave about the first obviously have never had really great veal - this is nowhere near as good as Prospect/SF), but veggies on all three were oversalted and so watery, the sauces tasted of nothing else. Goat's milk panna cotta vastly inferior to Bottega/Napa's version - overly sweet to compensate for the drizzle of balsamic, all of which overwhelmed any goat's milk flavor. Coffee is weak, cappuccino too milky. Extremely expensive considering the consistent minor flaws. Probably one of the better restaurants in downtown Walnut Creek (an area of numerous restaurants of average quality), but a big step below Artisan/Lafayette or Riva Cucina/Berkeley which are the same price range.
(3)
Ms K.

Disappointing! I can't believe that some people actually thought the food here was good. Let me start with our waiter. After we were seated for 15 minutes, we had to flag our waiter down (yes, this is possible even for a tiny restaurant) to take order since we were hungry. Granted, we were a large party of 12 and had one person + baby still to join us. He should've asked us if we wanted to proceed with ordering when most of us were staring off with a glazed look. When he came, maybe one of us had a change of heart on a dish. He abruptly left while muttering none of you are ready to order. Ok, moving on to the food. Appetizer: Calamari & Octopus salad - no more calamari (@7pm) & too much dressing. Arugula, Golden Beets Aged montasio cheese salad - also with heavy dressing. Beef carpaccio - only dish that was good Main course: Beef Tenderloin - drenched with porcini & gorgonzola sauce which completely ruined the beautiful steak and made it too salty. Bigoli Pasta with Venetian Crustacean - seafood completely overcooked & chewy, also extremely salty (couldn't even finish it even though the portion was small). Roast chicken - where's the fennel? Duck - Mediocre, had better duck elsewhere. Pork chop - Was this meant for the holidays? Overall: Bad service from the waiter who did a walk-by of how's everything going once and didn't seem too interested in our response to stop completely. Salty, overcooked food that was spoiled by over-drenched with dressing and/or sauce. This one star is for the ONLY shining light of this overrated restaurant, Luca. He was extremely friendly & efficient with filling our cups with our water (thanks to the salty food) and answering our questions (thanks to our waiter who was MIA, but he had bad attitude anyways).
(1)
Wendy K.

Service was wonderful. We were greeted and served partially by whom appeared to be the head chef and/or owner. He was quite passionate about the food. We thought most of the food was wonderful. The ricotta gnochi were little pillows of heaven. I enjoyed the wild boar parpadelle which definitely was satisfying as a complete entree - not just a pasta dish. Pannacota and zabayon for desert. The only miss over the entire meal was the zabayon, which was cloyingly sweet. However, the waiter didn't charge us for it so there's really no need to criticize for that.
(4)
Elizabeth H.

I came with two friends who know and cook Italian food from this region. We had 3 appetizers and 3 entrees. We all enjoyed beet and radish salad as well as the sturgeon with caper dressing. The octopus and calamari was not so popular. I personally found the bread tasted like Wonder Bread. The entrees were very generous but disappointing. The gnocchi had way too much sauce. The risotto with speak, radicchio and gorzonzola was salty but the best of the three. The risotto with octopus and prawns was not to our liking. Service was excellent, and the cosmo while very generous was not very good. We had been looking forward to trying this restaurant because of the rave reviews but none of us would probably return.
(3)
Stacy F.

I am lucky enough to have traveled to Italy, and I find this food comparable to the real thing. Very tasty combinations, great staff. The owner is so sweet, he took us for a tour of the back kitchen. I will absolutly return to this restaurant.
(4)
Sebastian F.

Good Food. Good Service. Corkage fee is $20 though.
(4)
Jennifer J.

We had a wonderful dinner. Everything was wonderful but the stand outs were the calamari appetizer and the spicy risotto. The staff was wonderful, very attentive. If you want a special meal go here.
(5)
Dusty S.

This restaurant has been around for about a year in dub-C. It's a small intimate place with excellent Italian food. Everything we had was tasty. Although the appetizers are a little light on variety. They have a phenomenal wine and port selection. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.
(4)
Emily R.

We had our wedding reception at Ottavio and it was a huge success. The owner and his wife were a delight to work with and the staff pulled off the dinner without a hitch. The food was FANTASTIC! Our guests were raving about the meal. (Wild Boar pasta, swordfish carpaccio, omg!) We can't wait to return to celebrate our first anniversary!
(5)
Rob V.

Service started anoyingly slow. Discovered the chef and owner waits tables on Monday and there was a large party in the back so he wasn't getting much help from the other waiter. Service picked up and Valentino was quite the gracious host. He gave me a glass of wine, he said was on him, and it was outstanding. The waiter ended up charging me for it but by the time we got the check, I didn't care. The food is outstanding. The heirloom tomato salad had incredible cheese and the pappardelle with wild boar was out of sight and was more than enough to share. I had a great veal dish and my date had the duck. I will definately get the duck next trip. Since it was my date's birthday, Valentino treated her to a nice desert with a candle. All in with, cocktails and 4 glasses of wine, was not a shocking tab. We'll be back.
(4)
David C.

Again, another fantastic dinner from Val and staff! Had a fantastic birthday dinner and they accommodated my 4 year old daughter (unexpected, babysitter fell through) as well! Just cannot say enough great things about this treasure of WC...the make Il Fornaio look as Italian as the Olive Garden! Seriously, the food here is AMAZING! Started w/ the beef carpaccio w/ artichokes, and finished w/ a bit of truffle oil...My favorite! Main course, steak medium rare over delicious spinach...PERFECT! The ONLY downside, if there is one, is to make reservations early...Ottavio is a small and romantic hideaway that is worth the wait and always packed (and for good reason), just make a reservation to make things more smooth. Overall, you will not be disappointed! Just wonderful!
(5)
The hungry traveler S.

This is a very good place to take a date. Its was a very intimate dinning experience, quiet, dark, cozy, and the food was very, very, delicious! I ordered the smoked pork chop with fresh asiago, and with spicy apricot mostarda, with a piece of melted cheese on top. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! And my date, which is my gf, she had the smoked duck. One other good thing is that we got to meet the cook, he would come out to see if we needed anything, and made sure we ate everything. He also served us a few refills on our drinks too. I am A FAN OF THIS PLACE. GO HERE! Its not everyday that you get to meet the cook of the restaurant. Especially if you want to impress a chick and score cookie points!
(4)
Marla F.

Will never return to Ottavio Restaurant. From the minute we entered the restaurant we could sense the chaos in the service and kitchen staff. The owners seemed overwhelmed and distracted. After a few minutes we were greeted and when we stated that we had a reservation, the owner walked away without comment leaving us and the hostess (who showed up later) wondering what next. The two bright events of the evening were that our wine was opened right away and the Cannellini Salad was good. The green "stuff" for dipping bread was bland and bitter--too much bitter parsley and not enough olive oil or garlic. I ordered the Gamberoni entree for $30 (not cheap) and it was bland and overcooked. My companion ordered the Veal Steak and it was tasteless as well. The service was very poor. The waiter did not have any training in fine dining service. He seemed inexprerienced and inconsistent.
(1)
Tom B.

The food and service were very good. Brought 13 and 15 year olds with us. We all liked the food but it is more expensive but still a good value.
(4)
Raquel C.

I took my mother here for her birthday dinner based on reviews of restaurants in her area that we've never been to. Overall, it was a lovely evening, but it didn't really warrant a 4-5 star rating. Let's explore why, shall we? *Ambiance and attentiveness: Ottavio is warmly lit, comfortable and small. I like that some of the tables wrap around the back of the kitchen for a more intimate setting. Aesthetically, It isn't anything extraordinary or unique, but its as nice as one would expect for a Downtown Walnut Creek restaurant with a 3 dollar-sign price point. Our coats were taken immediately and we were quickly brought water with menus. We took our time before looking over the appetizers, and our waiter politely stopped by to check our readiness. He was attentive throughout the meal a well, but initially brought us the wrong food. He walked up with dishes and pronounced, "the lamb" (which my mother ordered) and then put in front of me a heaping bowl of pasta with prawns. Uhhh? I reminded him I ordered the rabbit, and he confusedly looked at the dishes then rushed off. Just like that! A few minutes went by....a few more minutes went by....then he came to the couple at the table next to us and brought them some more wine and engaged in conversation and made them laugh...and in no way acknowledged us or the fact that we'd just been made to believe our food was ready (and actually forgotten) 30 minutes after ordering. Our waiter then left back for the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back to the next table again... with their meals. Notably, not the food he had mistakenly brought to us, but again there was no acknowledgment of us two though we were staring up at him with a questioning "did something happen to our order?" He left, and a few minutes later came back to explain he'd simply brought plates to the wrong table and our meals would be out shortly. 5 minutes later (after 15 minutes of anticipated waiting all together) we got our food. *Food: The good stuff. The stuff you really care about. My mother and I started with the prosciutto and truffle cheese that was a special. It was VERY good, and paired excellently with their warm, soft, bread and incredible olive paste! We also split an arugula/golden beet salad. It was pretty good. The walnuts and montasio cheese added a nice touch, but it came with simple balsamic vinegar dressing- usually my favorite, but somehow lent little flavor to this dish and made it a bit uninspiring. For our mains, my mother got the grilled lamb with eggplant. It was cooked to medium rare perfection and so juicy. The eggplant was also cooked the way I dream I could cook eggplant- pungent in flavor, tender, without being dry or spongy. But the dish wasn't ascetically anything to gaze upon. In fact, when it came out, my mom and I initially agreed it looked like someone regurgitated their lamb on her plate. However, in the end tt was a great choice on our waiters suggestion. Our waiter also suggested a special of the evening, which I ordered- rabbit in polenta with chilies. The rabbit was so tender! Just perfect, really. And that I like polenta and chillies meant I liked my dish overall. BUT... it was lacking in something. It wasn't seasoned with much of anything, and besides the flavor of catching a one of the few chillies in a bite, there wasn't much "mmMMm" to it. I asked for pepper in hopes of spicing it up a bit. To my surprise, the waiter brought over pepper in a table shaker. A table shaker? Really, a TABLE SHAKER?! This place can't afford fresh ground pepper? I was disappointed in that, I don't know why it irked me so much. But yes, a great deal of why this place gets 3 in stead of 4 stars will be because of that table shaker. The portion sizes are PLENTIFUL here, and we couldn't even finish our appetizers or our mains even taking a leisurely 3 hours to dine. We didn't ask for dessert, on account of being full, but our waiter was very sweet to bring us some panacotta with a candle anyway as I had made a remark earlier about it being my mom's birthday :) Neither of us have actually ever had it, and it was HEAVENLY! We agreed to just have a few bites to be kind (as we were so stuffed) and ended up eating most of it anyway it was so good. Mmmm! Ottavio is a good Italian place. I expected a little bit more flavor wise for the cost. But overall, a pleasant dining experience with some solid dishes.
(3)
Nirav B.

The place was a lot busier on our second visit and that may explain why the food was not of quite the same caliber as during our first visit. The shrimp octopus risotto did not have the same kick. The duck sugo did not have the same flavor bang that the wild boar did from the first visit. We had the same server and both he and the chef were just as nice as on our first visit.
(4)
Regie S.

The pesto was truly special. Wine not so much. We were treated very well and the entrees were far better than average Italian fare.
(4)
Sean M.

I give it a five because the services was outstanding and the food was a four and half. We went to the restaurant on a Monday late and still got great service and food. It was recommended by a friend who manages Bacco in SF and we had never eaten here before. Our experience couldn't've been better. My boss wanted a caprese salad and they accommodated the request (they even sold it to him as no problem). Great selling and service. We got the salad the antipasto to start. All very good. The loose ricotto was little difficult to eat (need spoons with the plate). Boar procusitto was great. Speck was good. Had the Veal tbone, tenderloin, and pork cheek pasta. All was very excellent. Only issue was with the dessert. Good but very downplayed on the menu. Overall, doesnt get better then this experience. It is definitely open.,
(5)
Katie S.

The food was great, nothing was less than expected. Meats, pasta, veggies were all cooked to perfection and the flavors were fantastic. The wait staff was nice, had good timing, and knew the menu. The space is small, inviting, and would be a good date spot or for a few friends. Go here. Be nice to the chef who's up front, have some wine.
(4)
Ken R.

Very good italian food. I had a wonderful pasta with wild boar. The service needed a lot to be desired.
(3)
Jen L.

Excellent food, excellent service!! The calamari appetizer is to die for. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. We had the rabbit special and it was delicious, well made, given a dish like this is hard to come by anywhere. The pasta with venetian crustaceans was great as well, the home made pasta was delicious. The Zabionni dessert was super tasty. Great atmosphere. We appreciated that the owner was the chef, so there isn't that chain restaurant feel or taste. We would highly recommend this restaurant. It was our first time coming here and we will be back!
(5)
Virginia l.

The food was pretty good. Nothing extraordinary, we got the sea bass and the seafood pasta (I think?). However, the chef and the service was amazing! Definitely will come again and hopefully try something I like better/
(4)
Steve G.

Great food! Awesome chef and Jerome Pevine as your waiter! Really I am picky, this is really outstanding food!
(4)
Marnie C.

Excellent Yelp reviews brought me to this delightful restaurant for my husband's bday. Our family left a day of swimming and fun in the sun for a unique and casual meal. Chef Valentino answered the phone to take our reservation and his charm was displayed through his passion for fresh and unique ingredients. As he says, "I am wild! You won't find any Caesar salad or pasta with chicken on my menu.". The salad combinations of argula, pear and walnut were amazing! Our kids cleaned their plates filled with risotto with chick peas and speck, hangar steak, duck breast with pomegrante and fig. Even the pickiest eater was pleased with a delightful pappadelle with fresh tomato sauce and cheese. Don't miss the sparkling peach and sparkling strawberry juices. We will be back!
(5)
Mike H.

Nice Place! The staff and chef are very polite and pleasant. We tried the rabbit special and the duck plate as entrees. Had the lentil soup and the anti-pasta plate as appetizers. The rabbit was well prepared and well parred with the sauce. The duck was very tasty as well but the portion was a bit on the small side. The soup was just OK but the cured meats anti-pasta plate is awesome. I could sit there and eat that as the main course. The bread pudding for desert was really good too. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Andy R.

Best in Walnut Creek hands down and a contender for best in the east bay. There are plenty of other place's around but your wasting your time going there. The place is perfect to take a date. The service is always great. The food is top notch. Sometimes parking can be a drag, but it is manageable.
(5)
Gene R.

Prima's was booked and it was my wife's birthday so we thought we would give this new place a try. We went with the prefix multicourse dinner and we were shocked not only by the excellent quality but also by the quantity. OMG these were not small plates. Our waiter worked at the French Bistro that used to occupy this space and despite only being in the Restaurant once many, many months ago he remembered us. This guy is in the right career! The Chef / Owner came out to check on us, which is always nice. We will be back! Another fine addition to the downtown scene. If you like excellent Italian food and you love Prima's, give this one a try. I dont' consider them competitors - each has a different decor, different approach and you should enjoy both. Considering the portions and the variety the prifix was a real value.
(4)
Maureen L.

I have been to Ottavio three times and really appreciate the very authentic Italian experience I always have. Feels like I'm back in Italy. Food is delicious. Fit for Foodies for sure! Fresh, complex dishes from appetizer to dessert. The waiters have all been excellent. There are always specials along with an extensive menu. Not your average Italian......a cut above.
(5)
Maggie F.

After living in Walnut Creek for a year and always hoping to go to Ottavio, I finally went last night and was unfortunately disappointed. The service was excellent; however, the food as a whole was a let down. While the appetizers, bread and pesto spread were very tasty, my entree (the scallop special) was extremely overcooked to the point of being hard and rubbery. I had to send it back and instead got the grouper, which was much better but slightly overcooked. The grouper was also supposed to have artichokes served with it, which it did not. One of the main reasons I ordered the dish (as a substitute for the scallops) was because I love artichokes:( My boyfriend ordered the gnocchi, which was extremely rich and creamy--it seemed more like a winter than summer dish. Also, it was supposed to be served with duck, but we were wondering if it was pork instead. Considering that we spent over $100 on dinner, it was definitely not worth the money and we won't go back.
(3)
Garry D.

First time At Ottavio but will not be last.,Small cozy restaurant with great food and great service. I even found a parking place right across the street.
(5)
Elliott D.

It was Saturday afternoon, and most of our favorite restaurants, could not handle a reservation for the six of us that evening. We decided to take a shot on a new restaurant called Ottavio. I can't tell you how much I enjoy going into a new restaurant, with low expectations, only to find a restaurant that is a flat out home run. All six of us tasted each others appetizers,entrees and desserts, and without exception, they were fabulous. The owners and the wait staff could not have been more charming and helpful, which only added to the incredible food. We eat out often, and this Italian restaurant will compare with the best in the Bay Area, and in most cases will have more reasonable prices. Run to this place!!! Elliott
(5)
amy c.

We just got back from celebrating V-Day here tonight. It was our second time here and we were impressed once again by the food and service. In some ways, the appetizers here are better than the entrees, which is fine by me. That is not to say that the entrees aren't great; the appetizers are just superb. My FAVORITE appetizer here is the burrata. The first time we had this it came with prosciutto, figs and balsamic vinegar. Eyes rolling back into skull good. Tonight they served the burrata with fresh tomatoes. Again, to die for. I also LOVE their grilled octopus with tomatoes and fennel. The octopus is grilled perfectly. Super tender and charred in some parts, but not like charred black, more charred perfect if you know what I mean. I am a fennel freak but my husband not so much. Even he had to agree their fennel is delicious! The last time I had rabbit two ways and it was cooked perfectly. Today I had pheasant with trumpet mushrooms and polenta drizzled with truffle sauce. Yum! My husband had the lamb sirloin and loved every bite. We were both not even hungry when we got to the restaurant but still managed to eat everything because the food was so good. Dessert came and I had the panna cotta with blackberries and hubby had a chocolate dessert with raspberry sauce. Both were excellent but by that time my stomach hurt because I ate so much so couldn't really eat the desserts. Thankfully hubby had room so nothing went to waste. Service was also impeccable. Everyone is friendly and attentive. The waiter, Nick I think it's his name, also is helpful with the menu. We really had a great time and were super happy that we picked Ottavio for Valentine's Day!!
(5)
Alison W.

Very intimate little spot, I would highly recommend a reservation. The place is spendy, but the food was really good. The staff was really friendly and attentive.
(4)
Kai N.

It felt like Italy. The chef came to the table and shared some delectable Venician treats to the table. It was fantastic. Truly a nice place to wind down with a nice glass of wine for a special treat!
(4)
Jason M.

My wife and I ate here last night and the food was AMAZING. She had the wild boar and I had the veal T-bone. The veal was one of the best pieces of meat I have ever had. The restaurant was small, cute and charming. Highly recommended. Our total bill came to $100 with two apps, two entrees and two glasses of wine, and it was worth twice that much. I would suggest making a reservation.
(5)
Steve W.

We just got back from a week in Italy and we love food. Our meal last night at Ottavio was better than any of the restaurants we went to in 8 days in Italy, and there isn't an Italian restaurant in SF that is even in the same league (even white linen places that are 3 times the cost). Every dish was goose-bumps good. Mixing very familiar foods with completely new tastes. Definitely Northern Italian--no spaghetti or meatballs. The wild boar proscuitto (better than any proscuitto I've ever eaten--not even a hint of game) and the swordfish (melts in your mouth) were incredible--you smile as you eat it. Every meat was perfect, and the variety of food on each plate was wonderful--everything fused together so perfectly. I wanted to order everything on the menu. Be sure to get reservations. BTW--they treated our kids wonderfully.
(5)
Benson T.

Went to Ottavios for my second time last night, this time with another couple (first was just my wife and myself). Obviously, with my 5 star rating, it was a positive experience. As others have said, Valentino (the chef/owner) helps make the experience even better by discussing the food/preparation and even, on my first visit, bringing by a taste of an appetizer when I was being indecisive. They do not make a big deal of the fact that he hand makes a LOT of the food. How often does one get house made prosciutto, for example? You do at Ottavios. The moustardo? Hand made. Panne Cotta? Hand made. And so forth. If it can be made in-house, they do it. That's rare and it's appreciated, especially when it's all uniformly excellent. Another thing they don't mention is the size of the portions. They're very generous. So much so that my wife and I are going to go the single entree/single appetizer route in the future so there's room for dessert. The bigoli with seafood looked, and tasted, like it was straight from Venice. Beautiful presentation and delicious. I gave the chicken brined in Morelli Rossa a try (because I figured it would pair well with the Morelli Mossa I was drinking and it was the best chicken I've had for a very long time. Moist and tender, with a deep caramelized skin and perfectly chosen accompanying vegetables. My wife's duck sauce pasta was equally excellent but calling it a sauce (or sugo) is a bit misleading - there seemed to be a duck's worth of meat there. That's not a complaint - it was great. If you refer to sloppy joes as having a meat sauce then you'll know what they mean when they say duck sauce. It will be hard to resist ordering the antipasti in the future. The thin slices of both house-made and imported prosciutto paired beautifully with the cheese and moustardo. We only had room for a single dessert and it was the Panne Cotta. Silky and smooth, it was drizzled with a balsamic reduction and garnished with blackberries. My gosh it was good. Having Italian food this good and this close is one of the reasons it's so hard to contemplate ever leaving the Bay Area. Why fly to Italy when you can just mosey down Main Street!
(5)
Marc M.

Great once again. Just sayin'
(5)
Melissa L.

Very cute ambiance, even for Sunday lunch. Lavendar bellini? Count me in! Salad was superb (arugula/beet salad), bread & arugula pesto was delish. Unfortunately, my main meal wasn't tasty at all - papardelle w/ fava beans & artichokes. I would have had to have been very hungry to eat that dish. Great service, though, would definitely try again.
(3)
Linda W.

After reading a review I went there with 3 friends to celebrate a birthday. The food was absolutely incredible. Definitely different than many Italian restaurants.....the owner is from the Veneto region. WE all had pastas that were delicious. Brought our own wines and the corkage was reasonable. I am definitely going back with my husband.
(4)
Joan K.

Best Italian Food I've ever had outside of Italy. The ambiance was fabulous, the servers attentive & the chef a genius!! Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Danielle G.

Last night my boyfriend and I tried Ottavio for my birthday dinner. I LOVE Italian food and we wanted to go somewhere in Walnut Creek for a change. We decided on this place because of the awesome yelp reviews, which are definitely deserved, and the fact that the chef/owner is actually from Italy. The restaurant is cute and comfortable and the staff is very nice and helpful with the menu. They serve you 3 types of homemade bread and pesto with olive oil. Very delicious and a nice change from the standard balsamic. We started off with the 3 types of Prosciutto appetizer that also comes with 2 types of cheeses. AMAZING. The cheeses were so flavorful and very different but complemented the prosciutto's perfectly. We both had a glass of the Primitivo red wine and it was so delicious. Very smooth, easy to drink and paired well with all the food we ordered. For our entrees, I ordered the special, spinach gnocci with boar meat. I've never had boar meat so I was a little wary, but it's very tender and was paired nicely with the sauce. My only complaint is that a flavor in the sauce got a little too repetitive for me and I got that feeling of being a little tired of eating it. Not sure what it was, could have been that its a new meat for my palate in general. My boyfriend ordered the kid goat sugo pasta, also a first for this type of meat. It was also delicious and our meals actually complemented each other well, we mixed and matched our meats for a few bites. For desert we shared the Pannacotta with fresh berries. It was fantastic, tart at first and then sweet. Very light and very refreshing, perfect ending to a delicious and filling meal. The desert was on the house because it was my birthday, a very nice and appreciated gesture. I would definitely recommend trying Ottavio and I am planning to return and try other dishes.
(4)
Bryan M.

I had been to Ottavio a few months ago and enjoyed the food, so earlier this week when we were looking for a place to celebrate my friends wedding I recommended it. After we arrived the server dropped off the menus and told us the specials and then we didn't see him for 15 minutes. I finally grabbed him and ordered a bottle of wine and then we waited another 10 minutes before the wine shows up (keep in mind they have a very limited wine list so it's not like they have to go down in the cellar to find it). At this point we order our salads and entree's and then wait another 25 minutes for the salads to arrive. At this point I ask the server if we should just leave and go elsewhere because the service is soooo bad here. He said they were a little slow because "everyone arrived at the same time tonight". I asked him when does that not happen in Walnut Creek. He was the only sever and I counted nine tables he was handling. We had the same wait for our entree's. And the same wait for dessert. I'll have to say my rabbit was very good and I tasted my friends pork chop and it was very good as well. The ladies got the tagliatelle and it was unremarkable. The grilled octopus was also very good for a starter as was the ceviche. The five of us arrived at 6:30 and didn't leave until 9:30, but not because we were being leisurely - that's just how long it took. The ridiculously slow service coupled with a limited wine menu and the worst corkage fee policy in Walnut Creek make it hard to overcome some really good dishes. One person in our party complained to the chef/owner about the service and his basic response was "he was working really hard". Unfortunately his hard work didn't translate into an enjoyable experience for us. It was memorable though.
(1)
Kathy H.

Let me say first, my husband loves atmosphere. Ottavio is small, warm and inviting. As you enter the door, you're greeted visually by the open area where the owner and chef, Valentino is cooking. We arrived with no reservations after 7 pm. We had called ahead and knew there was no tables available till 8:30 p.m., but came anyway.We had been wanting to check this restaurant out. Michelle greeted us and offered to seat us at the bar. We were delighted. We love watching the chef and usually you meet someone interesting. The restaurant was packed, which I gather isn't unusual for a Sat. night. We were perfectly happy with two seats at the bar. My husband watches his salt intake so that can offer challenges when eating out. We understand, especially when the chef has created dishes with seasonings which "make" the dish, it's going against their grain when you start making requests. The chef was very accommodating. Plus, we love polenta and it was on the menu with several dishes. To our delight, the server and the chef were willing to make the adjustments. Again, I can only imagine what some servers are thinking when we begin ordering. "High maintenance....." Not here and it was so worth the extra requests. I had lamb sirloin and my husband had a pork chop. Both were sitting atop polenta, which was creamy and delicious. The lamb and pork chop were tender and seasoned to perfection. Plus, my lamb had this scrumptious truffle tapenade on top. Ooooh, I want to return and have the same thing. When you sit at the bar, your food is always served piping hot. That's another reason to enjoy bar seating. One thing that drives me crazy is going to a nice restaurant, paying top dollar for food and having it served lukewarm. NOT HERE. On another note, the owner, when he had a free moment, would walk through the restaurant, checking in and chatting with the guests. That's a nice touch, especially if you're frequent visitors to the restaurant. Who doesn't enjoy being singled out and noticed by the owner. All in all, our first experience at Ottavio was superb and we did meet a nice couple at the bar. My only recommendation to the owner would be to invest in some nice bar seats that are taller, otherwise perfecto. We'll definitely be returning and bringing friends, too.
(5)
Laurel E.

I would give it five stars but I think they are still working out the kinks on service. It took us about 20 minutes to get a waiter over to our table, and even then it took another 10 minutes or so to actually get our drinks. I had the Estense...which was reminiscent of a 'Spritz' I had in Venice and Cinque Terra, really good. But the food was incredible and the chef is amazing! My husband had the chicken which was absolutely fantastic...juicy and flavorful. I had the arugula gnocchi with veal...unique! The wild boar prosciutto with figs and a wonderful cheese was delicious also. All in all a very fun night and I was impressed by this fun new little restaurant!
(4)
S Y.

Food is consistently good. Really enjoy the sea food pasta and risotto.
(4)
Abraham F.

Service was superb although it lacked in many other areas for me. Food was mediocre at best, the Ricotta Gnocchi with Smoked Duck sugo was good but many pieces of bone were still in there and way too much salt for all of the dishes. We also got the rabbit which was a very small portion and very overpriced as well. Wouldn't come back here
(3)
Jodi N.

Finally, a REAL Italian restaurant in Walnut Creek! For that matter, the east bay. I love Italian food and not the spaghetti, chicken parm and pizza stuff you'll find at other so called "Italian" restaurants. Ottavio is the real deal. Fresh homemade ingredients which aren't processed and smothered in garlic and cheese. Walnut Creek is primarily a bar scene. People go where the fancy, sleek bars are or they go to the chains, Cheesecake, Calif Pizza Kitchen, Il Fornaio, etc. I've personally never gone to a restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek because of the food. My friend and I walked into Ottavio kind of on a whim. A friend suggested I give this new Italian place a try. " it's an authentic Italian trattoria with a small menu that will change often. The cuisine is mostly inspired by his native Venice area" was it's description. Sounded good to me :-) and we were close by. I suggested we give it a try. The staff was very friendly and took great care of us. We didn't think they had a full bar at first because it looked rather sparse but they were able to make some outstanding drinks. The bread was quickly delivered to the table with a pesto and bean spread. The bread and dip were yummy, not the usual Acme french bread with olive oil and balsamic. Per our waiters recommendations, we ordered the Prosciutto, Burratina and Peperonata which was Prosciutto with baby burrata cheese and roasted peppers. We then shared the Tagliatelle with Pork Cheek Sauce (don't put any parmigiano cheese before tasting) and Grilled Lamb Sirloin and Caponata. Everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. The owner, Valentino told us that he cures his own prosciutto (house cured wild boar), bakes the bread, makes most of the pastas (waiting on machine to do the others). I think he should advertise this because where else can you get this? Ottavio should not be missed if you want a great Italian meal. I hope to go as often as I can.
(5)
vicki v.

I am not a yelper at all, but Ottavio deserves to be patronized. We walked by it a few weeks ago with 3-year old in tow, and decided it would be a great date night place. We had the antipasti platter, with 4 delicious in-house made prosciuttos and a yummy fig mustard. Carpaccio was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The lamb sirloin had eggplant underneath, a hint of meyer lemon. My husband had the tagliatele with wild boar. All the desserts looked great, we had the budino. Would have tried the zabaliogne, but wished there was biscotti to go with. Very friendly waiter from the south of Italy. We will definitely go there again.
(5)
gertrude o.

Have dined here a couple of times and have left quite pleased. Setting was cozy and quiet enough for conversation. Menu was varied, with a good range of price options. Love seeing several game selections. Wine list reasonably priced with good selections. Service was attentive, knowledgeable and not annoying. Food was delicious and proportions sized well. The dessert (goat milk panna cotta) was the weak part of dinner. Okay, not great. Overall, a very pleasant experience and we will definitely return again.
(4)
Veronica T.

Ottavio was a wonderful experience. We loved every single dish we tried. The salads were exquisite, my favorite the arugula/white bean/grilled octopus salad. The veal chop to die for. Most importantly it is fun to have the interaction with Valentino, the chef and the customers as he creates his master pieces right in front of their eyes. The staff was friendly and knew what they were talking about. We will come back for sure!
(5)
Traci M.

My husband and I were so excited to try this place. It had been "on our list" of places to try for a long time. Sadly, the entire experience was a complete disappointment, even though we wanted to like this place so much. The service was very poorly executed, as we never truly knew who our server was, and this was evident in the lack of communication amongst themselves. My husband ordered the arugula salad to start, followed by the filet for his main course. I ordered the beef carpaccio appetizer and the filet, as well, for my main course...along with a bottle of wine for the table. The service was incomprehensibly poor. Neither of our appetizers ever arrived and this went completely unnoticed until they brought our bill. After uncorking our bottle of wine, nobody ever came by throughout the entire dinner to refill our glasses. The bread and pesto that came initially was pretty good, although the I thought the pesto would have been much better with some garlic and parmesan in it. Despite the appetizer and salad never showing up, we were quite eager for our filet mignon dishes to arrive. Upon first cut into the meat, mine was very grisely. I was hoping it was just the first piece, but unfortunately it was a very tough piece of meat all the way through, difficult to cut and equally difficult to chew. My husband's was the same. It was nicely prepared with sufficient "pink" in the middle and a nice porcini & gorgonzola sauce over a bed of spinach. However, even the best preparation can't disguise poor quality meat. To top it off, the wine honestly tasted worse than Two Buck Chuck. All the wines on the menu were Italian, and we didn't recognize any of them. We were feeling hopeful and adventurous, but, it, too, was a let down. We honestly wanted to find something good about this restaurant, but unfortunately it failed us on every dimension and left our wallet considerably lighter. I'd like to think that we'd come back again to give the place another shot, but there are too many other restaurants in Walnut Creek that I'd rather give a try.
(1)
David H.

My husband and I had dinner here to celebrate a special birthday. We were here with four friends. We all loved our meals. I won't go through each dish we had but between six of us we had four different salads, five different entrees and three different desserts, all were great. Especially the asparagus and speck risotto and the wild boar sugo. The owner and his wife could not have been nicer. And our waiter (who started only two weeks ago) topped off the Italian evening - great accent and great personality. We all agreed we would be back.
(5)
renee m.

Had another terrific time at Ottavio's - food, service and atmosphere are just all incredible. We celebrated our son's birthday here, eating at an early hour on Friday (5pm), Things started to really fill up by 5:30 so I would recommend reservations. We all had very tasty salads followed by two steak dishes, a pasta with artichoke hearts, baked chicken and swordfish, all were a hit. We then tried a few of the desserts and they were amazing! Wine selection is also very good. What makes everything extra special is the owners, who always make time to say 'hello' and the amazing wait staff, we have had the same Waiter a few times and he is the best, he is very knowledgeable and seems to always know when we need attention and when we are just enjoying our food and don't need anything. We really love this place.
(5)
Terie F.

Food was overpriced for the quality.
(2)
kim b.

FABULOUS! We went last night to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary and wanted to try something new. WOW we were extremely pleased with each and every flavor we encountered. We triend the tomato, bean and red onion salad and the beet salad. Next we had the pork chop and the parpadelle with wild boar and topped it off with the cheese cake and pannacota- seriously it was just amazing. The pork chop was served with an eggplant dish that we have never tasted before and I was wishing I had a plate of that by itself it was so good. Valentino the chef/owner was on top of it the entire time and made sure we got exactly what we wanted and more. Can't wait to go back. We have been to many great Italian restaurants and this one really stood out with some really unique and yummy flavors.
(5)
Nina R.

Finally I found a restaurant in Walnut Creek that I love. Went here with my girlfriends last night and had a great time. Nice decor and very cozy feel. We all got cocktails and they were huge and delicious. Our server was attentive and so cute and friendly and the chef came out and said hi during our meal. The food was delicious, high quality, and fresh. LOVED the calamari appetizer and my pasta with wild boar and mushrooms. YUMM. I will definitely go back. It was a Monday night but we were the only ones there except for one group. I hope this place catches on as it is GREAT!
(4)
Justin C.

This is really 2.5 stars. I was very surprised after the 4.5 star reviews though, and we were quite disappointed. The interior design is cold with poor lighting. The menu, which sounded great, was lacking salt. The calamari was quite good, but the octopus was rubbery. The pastas had great ingredients but were lacking flavor. On the upside, the service was great, as was the bread pudding. I hope these guys get it together because it's nice to have an alternative to Prima down the street.
(2)
Vikki P.

We had a lovely evening dining at Ottavios. The staff, most especially Chef Valentino, was very helpful in our selections off the menu. We did not know what speck tastes like and he brought over a piece to taste. We shared the antipasto Delle Tre Venezie to start followed by my choice of Pasta with Spicy Venetian Crustacean and Mollusk Seafood Sauce, which was outstanding; the sauce was slightly spicy and very complex . My date ordered the Risotto with Speck, Asparagus and Gorgonzola Dolce which he loved. We didn't have room but both ordered a dessert. The Chocolate Torte was the better of the two. The whole evening was perfect and we look forward to returning and trying more of the wonderful choices.
(4)
J E.

Took my girlfriend here for her birthday, she really liked it. Not incredible ambiance, but the open kitchen is very nice and makes the cozy restaurant smell amazing. Small italian wine list features some top picks. Very healthy pours. We started with the beef carpaccio and a beet salad, both excellent. She had the rissotto and I had the wild boar special. Both were very good, not necessarily amazing, but still very delicious. Overall, we enjoyed our night would definitely come back!
(4)
Russ Y.

My wife and I had dinner at Ottavio last week and absolutely loved it. We consider ourselves to be foodies, and since moving from San Francisco to Walnut Creek seven years ago, we have had a very difficult time finding any restaurants with food anywhere close to the top spots in SF or Oakland/Berkeley. Before last week, the only restaurant East of the Caldecott that we would recommend for the food was Chevalier in Lafayette. We now enthusiastically add Ottavio to that list. The food is northern Italian, which means lighter sauces, fresh ingredients, more inventive combinations. The menu was very diverse, and included some of our favorite seafood dishes including grilled octopus and squid salad, and large whole prawns (including the heads - my favorite). The night we were there they also had a house made cheese paired with house made prosciutto drizzled with aged balsamic. Every dish was outstanding. The restaurant is not large, but is tastefully decorated. The owner and chef Valentino was working in the open kitchen (I suspect he does that most if not all nights) and his wife Michelle runs the front of the house. It was even his birthday that night. They both stopped by at differing times to chat, which made the experience all the more personal - added a neighborhood vibe, which we love and have missed since leaving SF and our local haunt there, Nob Hill Cafe. The wine list is not large either, but well thought out and very reasonably priced with most in the $35-$40 range (my wife used to sell wine for a distributor, so this is an area we know something about.) We tried a number of wines, as we like to pair different wines with different dishes. We liked some better than others, but all were solid and well suited for the cuisine. Normally I would not comment on another review, but I feel compelled to jump in here because I thought one in particular was so wrong in so many ways. To the gentlemen who felt slighted by the corkage fees, a few thoughts. First, it is certainly fine to bring a bottle of wine to a restaurant. But if you do, the proper etiquette is to purchase a bottle from the restaurant (or at least some glasses, if two bottles would be too much). Restaurants count on the income and margins from alcohol to do well and keep food prices reasonable. A standard corkage fee is $15-$20. If a restaurant is charging a higher fee for the second bottle, it's because of the above (which is in fact more forgiving than restricting second bottles completely, which was your well-considered suggestion). Second, I actually think the restaurant did well by asking you if you were OK with the corkage fee. That should have been enough to prompt you to ask for specifics, given your apparent sensitivity to the topic. I personally think it would have been crass if they had told you the specific $ amounts in front of your party, so am glad to hear they did not (although I doubt you would recognize crass even if it - to use your words - kicked you in the balls). Finally, a 2.5-3.0X markup on wine is pretty standard, especially for value wines. So it's nice that you did some homework, but you didn't finish it. Anyway, I want to end on a positive note, so I'll do so by saying to everyone else out there in Yelp land, definitely make a reservation at Ottavio. Great food, great atmosphere, reasonably priced wine list, wonderful owners. What more could you want.
(5)
C G.

Took my daughter & nephew (for their birthdays) and mom on a Sunday evening based on reviews that I read on Yelp. What a gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere was nice (not too noisy) and the food was excellent. The antipasto plate with cured meats and cheeses was delicious. The Filet with porcini mushrooms and gorgonzola and mashed potatoes was cooked to perfection with mouth watering flavors. The seafood pasta and the Kid Goat sugo pasta were also delicious. Service (with Joel) was friendly and the Chef/ Owner and wife came to our table to say hello and ask how the food was. I'd like to see a more expanded wine list with some more local wines. Will definitely return soon to try some of the other menu items!! :)
(5)
One Smart Cookie K.

We went to Ottavio last night after reading some good reviews. We were skeptical because we have been all over Italy and we know that in Walnut Creek the best Italian Restaurants are not really very good. I have to admit that we were surprised by what we experienced. I was by far the best Italian restaurant that we have ever experienced in the bay area. The food was outstanding and the service was outstanding also. I don't like to give 5 stars to any restaurant unless the are heads above all others. Ottavio is by far the best Italian restaurant in the area, nothing compares with it. Were tried them all. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Suzanne M.

I love going to locally owned businesses. Let's support downtown Walnut Creek. This is a great restaurant and the entire staff and owner seem to take great pride in the food and service. I agree the menu is a little outlandish and would like to see a few more dishes that aren't quite as elaborate. Also, we went on our anniversary and felt that when they heard this, they could have done something a little special, given they are a fairly new restaurant wanting to appeal to locals. Hopefully, they will read this review and implement birthday/anniversary specials. Excellent restaurant.
(5)
Local R.

New Italian restaurant on the site of the former Le Bistro. New owner has the right ideas. We discovered that they had opened earlier the same week and decided to give it a try. Thoughtful and reasonably priced wine list, almost all pasta made on site, friendly staff, and we met chef Valentino (originally from Provincia di Padova in Italy). Emphasis is on pasta, although the lamb, polenta, and risotto all sounded interesting to me as well. Try the goat milk panna cotta - it is not to be missed. Some opening week kinks were evident, but nothing that can't be worked out. We'll be back.
(4)
Pat B.

This place is great the food is 5 stars!! The service on the other hand is a little slow..other than that its really good food:))
(4)
Kiani P.

Have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Lovely food, provided in portions that makes alot of sense. "Valentino", my favorite cocktail!! This is an authentic Italian restaurant owned/managed by Chef Valentino and his wife, the hostess. The quality of the ingredients ~ always fresh, and the preparation of the meal is always top notch, food is brought to the table on time without ever feeling rushed. The ambiance is classy but not pretentious... not too loud. It is relatively small so I would make a reservation. Yet another hidden gem. :)
(5)
Nique F.

Still my favorite dinner spot in the Creek, no contest. Ottavio has this refreshing authenticity about it - from the simple, classy decor to the hearty portions and personable staff (including chef/owner Valentino, always in the kitchen). Unlike so many "hot spots" in Walnut Creek, Ottavio doesn't need to market itself as anything other than what it is: damn good Italian food with soul (see previous review for all the juicy details.) This is a dinner you wanna skip lunch for...it deserves all the stomach space you have!
(5)
Michelle C.

Unfortunately I did not have the best dining experience at this restaurant. I had high hopes given that it was a newer italian restaurant with an unique menu. First of all, the service was great, super personable and attentive, however, besides the bread, the food itself was not up to par. I had the swordfish tartar which was chewy and very salty and then I had one of their specialties with duck and the flavors just did not work well together. This is not an inexpensive restaurant so it was disappointing on two levels - financially and gastronomically. Given that there are lots of positive reviews on Yelp maybe my experience was limited to the two items I ordered.
(3)
Sheila J.

I so wanted this restaurant to be good. I was disappointed. The problem was they try too hard to be different. I am pregnant so I was looking forward to some pasta. Maybe some ravioli or manicotti. Traditional Italian. This was not it. They had nothing traditional. They had lasagne with venison and truffles, risotto with speck (fat), rabbit, gnocchi with duck. So I ended up with the lasagne. It was ok. The truffles were a little overpowering with my sensitive smell but I managed to choke down 2/3rds of it. If I wasn't pregnant I would have probably liked it. My husband had fillet with porcini sauce which he said was good but was raw in the middle. So he didn't eat it all. For dessert we tried the cheesecake and it was the worst cheesecake I have ever had. It had zero flavor. It tasted like straight ricotta cheese. I like both sweet and tart cheesecake and this just tasted like mush. I have tried hundreds of cheesecakes and this was by far the worst ever. The best part if the meal was the appetizer salad which had peaches and a balsamic dressing. I would make sure you check out the menu before you go to see if you like the unusual combinations. If so it may be for you. The chef was nice and checked on us and the ambiance and staff were good though. The prices were good for the quality and uniqueness of the food as well. If you like unusual food pairing you should give it a try just don't order the cheesecake.
(3)
N. W.

Two years ago we had dinner here based on reviews and it was so mediocre that I forgot it immediately.... unfortunately , we ended up making a last minute New Year's Eve reservation there. When we arrived, we remembered the place so I'm writing a review so that I remember not to come back. It was a special NYE fixed menu. The portions were good but the food was just ok. We didn't love anything and I felt like they used pricey ingredients just to justify the price tag but that weren't incorporated very well. The service wasn't great either. We were one of the first reservations and I felt rushed at the beginning and then when the place filled, I felt abandoned. I think they only had one server for the whole place. Besides the one server, they had a helper, a hostess and a busser for about 20 tables for a special 4 course menu. What a disappointment.
(2)
Jessica J.

Went to Ottavio last night for my dad's birthday after finding it in Diablo magazine. We were beyond impressed with both the service and food (especially the food!) We started with a beef carpaccio which was really tasty. It came topped with shaved artichoke and truffle oil (decadence...). We also shared a plate of the grilled calamari, which was the favorite of all. Definitely try this if you visit. We also had a couple of salads - the tomato, white bean, and red onion salad and an arugula salad with candied walnuts and peaches. Would recommend both. For our main courses, I got the spicy seafood risotto. It wasn't spicy, but delicious nonetheless. It had a tomato base and had four huge, perfectly cooked shrimp on top. My mom is gluten-free and the restaurant did a great job of accommodating her (they even had a gluten free pasta at hand!). She had a special - the duck breast with fig sauce. The chef changed the accompaniment bc the original had gluten, so not sure how much this dish changed as a result. It was really good - but not the favorite. My dad had the veal t-bone. It was tender and delicious! He ate the whole 16oz's with no sweat :) We all really enjoyed the restaurant and staff (the chef even came by to check on our meals). We'll be back soon to try some of the other delicious looking items on the menu.
(5)
igs t.

Very simply put - this place is a waste of money. Service was at best mediocre, waiter had not checked on us once after we order the food. It took over 1 hour and 15 minutes to get our order. My wife order a duck dish and specifically asked for the duck breast to be well done. The dish came in medium rare (understandably that is how duck should be prepared). Waiter didn't ask if we would like a dessert after the meal. Not a place I would recommend to friends and family.
(1)
Ryan G.

Cute and charming, fairly romantic, and the food is absolutely spectacular!! The place is kinda small, but really opens up in the back. The waiter allowed us to seat ourselves and we chose a nice table with a candle and a newly cut sunflower on the table which i thought was unique but cool. The service: friendly but relaxed, meaning that they let you take your time without making u feel rushed. However, it did take them awhile to bring out water and the bill, but not that big of a deal to me... As for the food....TO DIE FOR!! I had the parpadelle with the wild boar. The noodles were extremely fresh, the mushrooms were awesome, the wild boar was a little salty for my taste but nonetheless the tenderness and flavor was awesome!! TOTALLY HAVE TO TRY!! This place is a little pricey, good for a romantic date ;)
(5)
Chas D.

We just came back from a trip to Italy to discover this authentic Venetian restaurant; Would have saved a lot on airfare if we visited it 6 months ago. We are talkin' octopus salads, wild boar pasta, and panna cotta just like the Grand Canal. Virtually all the dishes cannot be found anywhere else in town. Great Service. Pricier than your standard Italian restaurant but definitely worth it.
(5)
Rachael L.

Best food I have ever had to date! The gnocchi and duck was absolutely wonderful. The service and the atmosphere was perfect. Of course it's a bit pricey but I thought it was worth every penny.
(5)
Sue J.

We had eaten here once before and thought the food and the service were outstanding. This time it was a huge disappointment. We were seated in the back (sat night) and it was so loud it really ruined our experience. When we tried to make a suggestion to the hostess(manager? Owner?) that they make some kind of improvement to absorb the noise, she said "people complain it's too quiet during the week" she missed the point completely. My duck was good but not great, and not very hot. My friend had the messy lasagna which was not very messy. In fact it was dry. When our waiter approached our table I thought he was the bus boy...not very polished. Nothing like the Italian waiter we had the first time. When my friend was paying the bill and was asked how everything was, he told them. Not only did the owner not apologize he didn't respond at all ! Sad, because, as I said, the first time we went everything was top notch!
(2)
Chris M.

First off, let me say that I love the food at Ottavio. I think that Valentino is an amazing chef and the service is excellent. We frequently visited here (5 times in the past 3 months). I tell all of our friends about it and bring them along with us to give them a real treat. This is truly a gem within Walnut Creek, as you usually can never find this type of quality outside of San Francisco. And I love the rabbit!!! But with the good comes the bad. Over our visits here we usually bring our own wine. (If you are going to enjoy wine then why not bring something that you know is good and that you will enjoy) I have no issue with the corkage fee. Usually it is fair; If I bring the wine then I should have to pay them to open it. But tonight they demonstrated nothing but greed! We were a group of 5 tonight. Us and 3 of our very good friends; one of which we had previously brought here with us. (Her and her husband both loved this place.) Back when we started coming here the corkage fee for a bottle was $13. Not a fortune, but very fair. As time progressed the fee was raised to $16 per bottle. Ok, so that is a bit more but I'm still OK with it. But tonight was unreasonable. We brought 2 bottles for the 5 of us. The waiter asked us "are you OK with the corkage fee?" and I said yes. But not once did he tell us that there policy had changed. They charged us $16 for the first bottle and then $26 for the second bottle. Not once did the waiter tell us of the price change. When he brought us the bill and I asked about it, he stated that they changed the fee about a month ago because people were bringing in 10 bottles and "getting loud." So I can understand raising the fee based upon how many people you have; perhaps limiting the number of bottles to 1 per couple, etc..... but when I saw that they charged me an additional $10 for the second bottle when I had 5 people at the table, well.... they basically ruined a wonderful meal and evening for a lousy $10. I had no issue spending $32 for the 2 bottles that I brought. But having to pay $42 for the two bottles simply pisses me off. I guess they felt they were not making enough money on their own wine. (I say sarcastically) We checked their wine prices before we arrived. A bottle they have listed on their menu was priced at $36, and we were able to find it at the store for a mere $13. I guess a $26 markup simply wasn't enough. Perhaps if they didn't hammer their customers so hard for the wine they might actually sell more. Needless to say, we will not be returning anytime soon. (which really disappoints me as I love the food and the people) But when you kick me in the balls, I'm a bit hesitant about coming back for more!
(1)
Marco M.

Outstanding Italian Cuisine!!! The pasta dishes are very very good along with their house cured meats. The desserts are top notch. Their Zabaione is the best I've ever had and their Burrata cheesecake is not to be looked over; very very good. Service was very good and the ambiance is very nice; I almost forgot I was in Walnut Creek. This is definitely a Walnut Creek gem.
(5)
Carla R.

Absolutely the BEST Italian dinner outside Italy! Start with the Burrata with Wild Boar Prosciutto, the Risotto with Wild Boar Speck and Asparagus was also fantastic. All the house-made gnocchi dishes were stellar, as was the Pasta with Spicy Venetian Crustacean/Mollusk Seafood Sugo! Service, by Joel, was fabulous. The place is small, and seems to be an unknown treasure! We will go back.
(5)
Anna R.

Total disappointment! The dark brown walls, tables and chairs suppose to be romantic? it is quite depressing. It doesn't look inviting at all, i wanted to run away ( why, oh why, i stayed?). Food has no flavor, anyone making pasta at home will have better result then these guys. Spread truffle oil over thinly sliced beef, wow, i can never achieve this at home. Seriously , when i come to restaurant that charges this much i expect chef using many complicated cooking methods, that will produce stunning presentation and flavor out of this world. I experienced none of these.Never coming back. The service was nice.
(2)
Michele R.

Was in the East Bay area on a visit from So Cal/Ventura County and meeting friends in Walnut Creek. What an adorable place! Even after mastering the challenge of parking in WC we were early for our reservation and the chef/owner Valentino and staff greeted us warmly. Knew my name (Open Table plus!) and started us with real Italian processco. Big awakening after viewing the menu: This is not your average Italian restaurant...this is Northern Italy; cured meats, wild boar, duck. AMAZING! Started with the antipasto; a selection of cured meats and pates which were wonderful. My dinner partners had beef carpaccio and risotto with speck all were divine. I had a great arugala salad since the antipasto was so satisfying I needed light faire for an entree. Great wine but we brought our own. Definitely would like to come back next trip...I don't get many opportunities for amazing cured meats in my hood. And I totally get why Italians and the likes of Anthony Bourdains sing their praises. The restaurant was full on a Thursday nite which is always good to see! Found Ottavio on Yelp and read all the reviews and made reservations via Yelp and it's alliance with Open Table.
(5)
Amanda T.

Can be a little salty but overall yummy! :)
(4)
Dianne M.

Great food, lovely restaurant, friendly staff. Valentino, the chef prepares all the food from the open-style kitchen. We started with the smoked swordfish dish, the house made burrata with prosciutto and reduced balsamic vinegar and the grilled Monterey calamari and octopus. Each was delicious-the calamari/octopus was prepared perfectly. For main courses we had the Kobe flat iron steak, veal special, and the pork chop. Amazing flavors! Highly recommended.
(5)
Andrew H.

My wife and I tried Ottavio for the first time on Valentines Day, which is a good day to show off what your restaurant is capable of, and ate the prix fixe meal they served. The meal consisted of 5 courses (appetizer, salad, pasta, main and desert) and was priced decently for the amount of food and reputation of the restaurant at $75 a person. The size of the restaurant is small, and the lighting is dark and moody, which goes over well on Valentines Day. Most if not all the tables were taken and we were seated almost immediately for our reservations, although we showed up 10 or so minutes early. Our waiter was poorly dressed and needed some trimming of his facial hair, which was distracting throughout the meal and he came by to check on us or prep us for the next course. He seemed to be the only waiter without a clean and tidy look with a well put together outfit. His service was very good though and he took care of the table well. The first course I ate was the grilled octopus and fennel salad, with blood oranges. The octopus weren't very flavorful and were a little over grilled. The fennel was tasty as were the blood oranges. My wife had the kobe beef carpaccio, with mushroom and bazil pesto, which didn't get any reaction from her in either a positive or negative way. Next came the salad, which was a golden beet and blood orange salad, which played off the blood orange supply they must have gotten in for valentines. I think two courses with blood oranges was too much for me. The beets were alright, although I don't like beets, and this dish didn't win me over as a beet lover. For the pasta my wife and I had the Agnolotti with braised beef and wild Mushrooms sauce, which had a brown butter sauce. First of it needed a little salt and pepper (which had to be asked for and wasn't offered with any dish). Second off the agnolotti, which are large ravioli, were stuffed with beef and what I figured was pachetta, but actually was like bitting into a ravioli stuffed with grissel and had a horrible texture as you went from the soft pasta to a rubbery and hard piece of grissel. It totally ruined the dish as each bite was filled with these bits. When the main courses came, both my wife and I were a little over the experience and so were the patrons at the next table to aired their grievances on the back of their bill and listed off all the missteps the restaurant took. My wife had the Beef filet with Pioppini Mushrooms and I had the Lamb Sirloin with Pomegranate sauce, which both were the same dry, over-grilled meat over soggy snap peas and covered with sauces that meant to hide the tasteless and over cooked pieces of meat. Neither of us wanted to eat anymore, and we both sent the remainders of our meal back to the kitchen. Finally was desert, which we both had the Chocolate sformatino, which was a chocolate ganache covered in white sauce with a red rasberry X across the top. Which looked more like the flag of England or a bloody slash through white, than anything romantic. The desert itself was nothing great and topped off a less than stellar meal. I don't recommend this restaurant, and won't be returning. I'm glad to see other people enjoyed it, but wonder if they fell into the charm of a downtown Walnut Creek upscale eatery, or it they truely enjoyed the food. I didn't.
(2)
Leslie N.

We went to Ottavio last night - party of 4 + baby (who ate a nectarine out of a mesh bag feeder and gave that fruit 3 stars, with points off for tartness). The restaurant was somewhat quiet for a Sunday, and after the other party left we had the place to ourselves. The interior is an understated, dark and modern space with an open kitchen. We scored a back booth; hurrah. I like booths, especially with a baby who may or may not choose to sit in her booster chair for the duration of a 4-course meal (in this case: may not). What we ordered: Charcuterie plate Grilled squid/octopus Veal T-bone (2 of us) Smoked duck sugo Wild boar sugo Goat milk panna cotta Sorbets - orange & sage, strawberry & lime We started with both the prosciutto/coppa plate as well as the grilled octopus/calamari appetizer, and both offerings were top notch. The squid and octopus were perfectly grilled and not at all rubbery, and the quality of the product (Monterey squid) was unmistakable. The cannelini beans were a nice squishy and creamy note, and the arugula provided that nice peppery accent. The charcuterie plate includes a very spicy and delicious fig relish. Mmm. The veal T-Bone, while enormously guilt-inducing (particularly given that I had a human baby with me), was so delicious that I was able to forgive myself, just a little bit, and I ate the entire thing. This was perfectly grilled, mild, and dressed with a black truffled vinaigrette that didn't really come through as truffle. I could smell the truffle, slightly, but taste it I could not. I forgive them, though, because meat that good really shines on its own and shouldn't be overshadowed by truffle. The veal came with potatoes and wilted greens/tomatoes underneath, and if I'm going to nitpick, they were a wee bit oily. Flavorful, yes; but I think the oil from the vinaigrette on the steak + the lovely veal juices + whatever oil they were cooked in just overdid it. The sugos (with homemade pappardelle) were to die for. "Sugo" is essentially what the Sicilians (read: Tony Soprano, the Housewives of New Jersey) refer to as "gravy." My people, being from the North of Italy and therefore dangerously close to being Swiss, have excellent beef (Piemonte beef: amazing), but as far as we know (we being me and my dad, who was with me, and who ran our restaurant so I assume he knows such things), the North doesn't make a habit of slow-cooked meat gravy, and that is a serious crime. Get with the program, Northern Italy. In Ottavio's case, "sugo" refers to a meat slow-cooked for a long-ass time and tossed with tomato sauce, and people, the flavor that was realized from these was not to be missed. The duck sugo had cream in it and was by far the richer of the two; it was slightly smoked, very flavorful and very, very rich. The wild boar sugo was deliciously boar-y, and any porcini that was theoretically in there was more of an undertone to that once angry forest pig. I quite liked the idea of a pig and his dinner in one meal, and I'd order that if I returned. The duck one, while delicious, was a bit too rich for me, but that's personal preference. After so much food, we decided that dessert was of course a must (I have to here thank the offspring, for having obediently snoozed off in Grandma's lap and allowing another course). The sorbets are new and they're still experimenting with them. The flavors were great; the consistency of the orange sage was a bit more like shaved ice than sorbet, but it was so light and refreshing that we forgave them. The strawberry lime tasted like the first virgin daquiri I ever had when I was 9, sitting at a bar with my Grandfather in Hawaii after a horrific flight/doctor appt/vomiting younger sibling that sent him fleeing for the nearest watering hole and, as my Grandmother was tied up with said vomiting child, he took me with him. Ah, memories. Anyway, the sorbets were great, but absolutely nothing held a candle to the goat milk panna cotta, which was by far the best panna cotta I have ever had and, it must be said, the most breast-like dessert I have ever seen. Normally I don't compare my food to body parts. I can look at a banana and a cucumber without a passing thought. But when that mound of panna cotta arrived, with a raspberry planted square in the center, and then jiggled breastily as the plate was moved across the table, there was simply no ignoring the fact that I had as boob-like a dessert as anyone had ever seen. Even my Mom agreed, and she is generally above such juvenile mentions. So I apologize to anyone who finds this puerile and irrelevant (both probably true), but there is just something (in)appropriately hilarious about being a nursing mother and being presented with a dessert that looked and moved like a boob. That being said, it was spectacular and not at all goat-y. The consistency was perfect; the flavor was mild and sweet and just to die for. 10 stars for the panna cotta! All in all, a great meal.
(4)
Sheila F.

My husband and I stopped in on a slow Monday night - how lucky could we be? The appetizers were delicious (beef carpaccio with an artichoke paste, and a wonderful antipasto) but the main course- the veal chop- was amazing. It melted in my mouth like butter. I had been a little wary of the rabbit, and when Valentino, the chef, heard that- he made sure to give us a wonderful big taste on the house (I'll be back to try it- yum!). We got an inexpensive bottle of Valpolicella that was spectacular with the meal, and the dessert -- bread pudding- was deadly. The waiter was attentive, everything was perfect. I can't believe I've waited almost a year to try this place!!!! We've been going back to Ottavio's in the time since I've written my original review- a month ago, Valentino was absent, but we went again last night with the entire family and he's still gone- and it's become noticeable. The prosciutto appetizer was lame, the lamb was overdone- so sad :(
(2)
Hoang T.

4.5/5 Came here on Vday 2011 with my baby on a limb. For all you fellas...I made reservation the very last 10 minutes....literally... it was 5pm and I called to see if they had any availability and they said YES at 5:15 and lucky I was around the corner and boom I am in. Very nice and homey feel, the waiters were very attentive and sincere. Before I begin, I want yall to know that I rate service on one major criteria. How many times I need to ask for things i.e. fork, water, water and water. At Ottavio I did not not NEED TO ASK because they have a dude in the cut that only fills water. I think he post in the back starring at our glasses of water. Appetizer: Carpaccio di Manzo Tartufato Solid. the BEEF carpaccio was drizzled with White Truffle Vinaigrette and fresh Artichokes and topped with some Italian cheese = magnificent Dinner: Bigoli with braised Pork Cheeks sugo Pasta and pork. The pasta was hand made in the am, very similar to Osteria Mama in LA, but a larger/fatter pasta...delicious :), still smiling as I am writing this review. The pork was like braised or something because it was soft as feathers. The pork was cooked to perfection, moist and a great balance of flavors btw the sauce and the pork flavor. ONLY knock on this dish was the fact that it was not steaming hot.... read below. My beautiful lady got the dish of the night. Moretti la Rossa Brined and Roasted Chicken, red Lentils, Fennel and Eggplant - The BEST chicken I have ever had in my life. 1st it was steaming hot...maybe that is why my dish was not as hot, they were waiting to serve this dish. I took one bite and It was HEAVEN. The flavors..OMG...OMG. Have you ever had chicken breast with FLAVOR....serious.. the flavors was throughout the breast and moist. NOTHING dry!!! The chicken had a nice sweet taste around the skin and full of Moretti la Rossa Brined flavor (dont know that that means) but really please try it, you will NOT be disappointed. Must try.. I hope you give it try. This is THE best Italian restaurant in the east bay. Hand down. so the reason why i gave it a 4.5/5 is due to the fact my dish was not served HOT as the chicken..or maybe because the chicken was so good I forgot what I ordered.
(4)
Judy N.

We came here last Saturday for dinner. Thankfully we actually made reservations for once because they were turning everyone away who did not have one. The restaurant is a bit small, or rather, "intimate" with about 8 tables, and the place was full to the brim. We were greeted by the hostess who kind of looked at us like something the cat dragged in (it was raining hard, we forgot our umbrellas and had to walk 2-3 blocks from the parking lot), but was polite nevertheless. The service here is impeccable. A separate waiter to make sure our water glass was never more than half-empty; he must've refilled our water at least 4 times during the meal. And our server was outstanding. We had the octopus salad first. It was kind of bleh. Octopus in general doesn't have much flavor but what I like about it is the rubbery texture. Unfortunately for me, the octopus here was tender. I'm sure this is how high scale octopus should be prepared and was impressed at just how tender it was (who knew octopus could be that way?), but it's not the kind of octy that I favor. It was grilled, even charred. My boyfriend did not enjoy it very much because he had a few pieces that were way charred to the point of being carcinogenic. I thought the dish was ok. The octopus was actually the weakest point of it; the veggies it came with I found delicious though the bf said it was too drenched in vinegrette, which is actually how I like it. I ordered the rabbit which as a special and he ordered the bigoli with seafood. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. The rabbit was extremely tender. I heard another customer rave about it. As a culinary dish, it probably would've gotten some Top Chef honors, but as for my own preference, it was a bit tame. The flavors, though delicious, tasted like something we could've made at home with a crockpot. I was a little disappointed but only because of personal preference and in no way should that reflect the merit of the dish itself. I much preferred the bigoli that the bf had. The flavors were bolder and more in line with my tastes. You could taste the hint of seafood in every bite. I would probably order this if we went back. For desert, we had the pannacotta and zabione. The pannacotta is like a gelatinous custard of goat cheese. It was good, but the accompanying black berries were somewhat bitter. The zabione though, a soft custard served in a glass, was to die for. Not too sweet, not too rich, just perfect. My boyfriend, who usually likes really sweet and rich desserts, loved it as well. Overall, it was an enjoyable dinner. I would suggest skipping the octopus salad, but other than that, I don't think you can really go wrong with anything on the menu (as least judging from all the compliments we heard from the other patrons). Kudos to Ottavio not just for the delicious food (minus the octy) but for impeccable service that runs like clockwork.
(4)
Donnie Mac M.

Went here tonight for our first time. The people who own it are very nice and accommodating. We were 15 minutes late for our reservation, and we called ahead to let them know, and they were very gracious about holding our table. We had three appetizers: burrata, figs and prosciutto, cannelloni beans and tomatoes, and the octopus salad. All of them were pretty good, but I would say the squid/octopus was the best--tasty pieces of slightly charred squid. They bake their own bread, too, which was excellent for dipping into the sauce from the salad, plus this delicious arugula/anchovy sauce they serve with the bread. Entrees were also good. Wife had the tagliatelle with speck and tomatoes, which she enjoyed. I had the beef tenderloin with mushrooms and Gorgonzola. The meat was served a little more done than the medium rare I requested, but it was still very tasty. We had the pannacotta for dessert, which was delicious witha perfect texture, and it wasn't too sweet. All in all, a great choice. Not out off the charts special, but still a solid neighborhood restaurant run by people who really care. We would go back.
(4)
Kelly R.

This cozy 15 table spot is a hidden gem! Our group shared 4 delicious entrees-butternup squash risotto (they serve it al-dente which isn't my cup of tea...but it was yummy), Pappardelle with wild boar (yummy and not gamey), Spicy Octopus and Prawn Risotto (so yummy and just the right amount of spice) and the night special-veal chop wiht asiago cheese and spinach (salty, creamy and meaty all in one-perfect!) The bread pudding and zabaione were a great way to end the night. Servcie was great and it was night to speak to the owner! We'll definily be back!
(4)
Tom L.

Nice find in WCR in what used to be a french restaurant. Love the canelli bean salad- that's a must have! Our waiter was amazing and both our dishes were simple good comfort food. Pasta was creamy without being over sauced. Desserts were rich and flavorful.
(3)
Lisa G.

There's something very appealing about walking into a restaurant and sitting right by the Chef. The hubby and I came in along with two other foodie friends a couple weeks ago. So glad we did. First - Chef will gladly give you something to eat when you sit right next to the pass - (which he did, when he accidentally made an Octopus Salad by mistake!) And it was fabulous. The Calamari was also terrific - had this smoky olive oil that was very nice. The antipasto delle tre venezie was a perfect combination of cream cheese and the swordfish carpaccio with caponato was delicate and delightful. Looks like the former Rose Pistola chef has found a new home in WC. I'll be back.
(5)
Ali R.

I spent a total of $50 for a chicken entree dinner, a salad, and a desert, with a non alcoholic beverage and I'm here to tell you it was ABSOLUTELY worth it! Truly delicious dishes! The chicken entree was the best chicken I've EVER had, and I'm 43 years old!
(5)
Johnny L.

Went with my lovely wife (hi honey!!) for our wedding anniversary last Friday. Arrived around 7 with a rezzie, got a seat near the window quick like. We had a couple of drinks, the calamari appetizer, the arugula salad, the beef tenderloin w/bleu cheese peppercorn sauce and the kid goat pasta with crimini. The food was very good, flavored perfectly and very fresh. The calamari was quick-fried and and was left with a little char while still remaining tender. My pasta was very tasty - I never had goat before - it has the consistency of stew meat but better tasting. The tenderloin was also very tasty, though, my wife didn't let me have too much. Being that we were celebrating, we were in no hurry to chomp down and boogie. We left at 10:15 after experiencing a very nice meal in very nice surroundings. I left off a star because the service was a little slow. Though the place did get crowded, it shouldn't take as long as it did for our appetizers to come, nor, our entrees. They did comp us a free dessert (a very good pana cota) and some Lemoncello's (eeek@Lemoncello's) for our anniversary. The waiter was nice, the hostess was a pip and the chef, not only cooks well, but, came out and said hello to everyone eating - nice touch. Then we went home and had the real dessert. Ya feel me?
(4)
Paul M.

Great food here! Nice personal touch with the chef coming by our table to check how everything was. Makes you feel that they really care about their customers. Good variety of different Italian style dishes for everyone. My wife had the seafood pasta and I had the gnocchi with duck sugo. Excellent! My only complaint was that the service was a little slow at times but it was a busy Friday night. In all it didn't bother us that much since we really liked the place.
(5)
joe m.

So disappointing. Read the reviews here and got excited to go. Alas.... Pretentious, no flavor, expensive... Duck was gamey and overcooked, the risotto with speck and peas was flavorless. Oh well another 85 dollars down the drain....
(2)
Spencer N.

I'm going to put it right out there and say it. 9 times out of 10 i am opposed to go for Italian food. Every restaurant seems to have the same tasting sauce covering one type of pasta, and then some sort of pasta stuffed, covered or smothered in cheese. The difference with Ottavio's is that they serve up amazing Tuscan style cuisine. Having recently opened, there still isn't a sign on the building, but its right between The Stadium Pub and O-Ic-Bowl. The staff is very welcoming and almost seem excited to share the experience with you. The bread is home made, and the parsley, almost pesto looking dip is...I ate it with a fork. Im a classy boy, i know. The menu isn't large, but its overwhelming with all of it's choices. We started with the swordfish and ahi carpaccio, and the grilled octopus salad. My family each ordered pasta, and I got the roasted chicken on a bed of roasted fennel, eggplant and white beans(to die for). The pastas were all SO different. No obnoxious red sauce here. The wild boar and kid goat sugos were light and flavorful, while the seafood pasta was done with a sauce of chunky tomatoes and a ton of red chili, piled to the brim with all sorts of seafood. Nothing tasted the same, and each pasta (only pappardelle and bigoli here) complimented the sauces perfectly. To top it off was having the chef come and talking with us, as he over heard my parents talking about their recent trip to Italy. Ottavio is by far the best Italian food you will find in the East Bay. It might be new, but they have their restaurant running smoothly, and food is done perfectly, and authentically. A welcomed addition to The 'Creek.
(5)
Martin C.

Just a general comment. I've eaten here a couple of times since it opened and it's excellent. Far superior to Le Bistro -- the French restaurant that it replaced. Don't remember now what I ate then, but it was very good as was the service. Going back there soon and will write a complete review later. Update 11/20: Went back to Ottavio last night and my rating is unchanged. My server Joel remembered me from my prior visits and is an excellent waiter -- knows when to wait to request an order and when to pick up plates w/o intruding. He also makes a very generously sized and dry martini. This time I had the beef carppacio w/truffle viniagrette & fresh artichokes, grilled calamari/arugula salad and house made bigoli (think spaghetti) w/ a large portion of braised veal in a sangiovese wine sauce.. I had the martini w/the beef & calamari and had a glass of Valpolicella classico -- a full bodied red -- with the veal. The beef was superthin w/fresh barely cooked artichoke pieces sprinkled w/the truffle sauce on top which had the taste and texture of fine cheese. The grilled calamari pieces had a nice char on them but were not overcooked that went well w/the bitter arugula and tart dressing. The bigoli had texture of whole wheat and the sangiovese sauce was very hearty, but veal was a bit tough -- too lean and not enough fat -- but it was still a nice dish. Was thinking about ordering the entree special -- rabbit, but I was full after the veal and pasta. It was an excellent meal for a rainy night that hit the spot.
(4)
Jan G.

Dined here when on the Mainland a couple months ago. Service was outstanding; Food delectable; Atmosphere - candlelight - perfect. The only reason you didn't get 5 stars is no music. Loved to have heard some Italian opera or just classical while dining.
(4)
Klinsi H.

The smoked duck sugo!
(5)
Elizabeth M.

We have gone twice now to Ottavio, and both times were wonderful. The first time we went was during their soft opening, and we were impressed by the wonderful menu. We came back a few weeks later, and I was so pleased to see a rabbit dish on the menu, and I ordered it. I almost didn't order the rabbit, because it was served with polenta, and I'm not a fan of the stuff. I decided to try it anyway, and I was not disappointed!! The rabbit was tender and flavorful. I even managed to eat most of the polenta, that was very creamy, and was a good companion for the rabbit. We enjoyed ourselves and we will be back !!! It is so nice to have a REAL italian restaurant in Walnut Creek. Glad Le Bistro closed (worst French Bistro EVER) to make way for this wonderful new gem of a restaurant.
(5)
Vish G.

Good Food. Amazing Wine Excellent service and personal attention The chef owns the place and he makes sure all his customers are happy with what he makes. He comes from a region near Venice so his curlinary skills represent that very strongly. I must say, I will return to this place again.
(4)
F F.

We started with the grilled octopus dish. It had a nice contrast of heartiness from the octopus and the lightness of the vinaigrette on the arugula and fennel salad. My girlfriend had the bigoli with seafood, which was rich and had a generous portion of mussels. I had the very tasty roasted chicken dish. It was also a hearty dish, and had great flavor. Our friend had the duck breast on the special menu, which was accompanied by polenta and figs. I assume he really enjoyed it because he was finished with his dish when I was halfway done with mine. The service was very good as well.
(4)
Ruth D.

We actually walked out before ordering, so cannot comment on the food. We were looking for a nice dinner and a chance to have conversation with a special visitor (party of 4). After being seated, we realized the place was SOOOO noisy that we would struggle to even be able to talk. We could hear conversations from tables away. Tables are very close together, and the noise is not muted by any architectural features. Knowing that it would be an expensive dinner, we opted to leave rather than basically just eat and hurry to get out. The waiter didn't show up for some time anyway, and during that time we decided that we didn't need the aggrevation. If you go, keep that in mind. I don't think "romantic" involves having your neighbor overhear anything you say.
(1)
Lauren C.

This place was AMAZEBALLS. So good. The staff was friendly and attentive, but not too clingy. The food was fantastic, and it was my mother's birthday, and in lieu of desert, we had a round of limoncello's, which they comped for us. Would have been a 5 star, but they don't carry a Pinot Grigio. I could care less, but it's my mom's favorite, and it was her birthday. Gotta make the moms happy. Overall, terrific, I'll be back......in the good way, not the creepy Ah-nold way.
(4)
Ricky G.

We love this place for the entire dining experience in itself. My family and I came late on Saturday evening with no reservations. Although we had to wait a few minutes, they were so very considerate and thankful for our patience. The people here were so very very nice to my family (2 little girls) and made us feel so much at home...from the hostess, waiters, and even the chef/owner. The ambience and dÃ©cor are very cozy and comfortable. The wine our waiter selected for us was amazing, as well as the food from appetizers, main course, and desert! The menu is very diverse. The food piping hot/fresh from the kitchen. This is definitely now on our "favorite" list for authentic/fresh Italian food. Amazing service and a personal touch from the staff that really make you feel sincerely welcomed. The way we were treated really made our evening...I couldn't help but tip heavy! :-) We'll be back soon.
(5)
Toni C.

Intimate little restaurant with an open kitchen that greets you as you walk in. I was drawn to try this place because so many people mentioned how authentic it was. Since I've never been to Italy, I can't attest to the authenticity. However, I can say, that these are not your average suburban Italian dishes. We started with the arugala salad and grilled calamari. While the salad was good, it was nothing spectacular. The calamari, on the other hand, was outstanding. My husband had the wood fired chicken and I had the mollusk pasta. Both were very good, and the fresh, handmade pasta was a standout. For dessert we had the goat cheese panacotta. Once again, we were impressed. Overall, a nice alternative to all the trendy eateries in the surrounding area.
(4)
Melissa B.

My hubby and I were so sad when the French place before Ottavio closed. We decided to meet some friends for dinner at Ottavio and were really happy with our entire experience. I ordered the fillet which was melt in your mouth yummy. My friend ordered a pasta dish that she loved and the guys got the pork chop and both ate theirs before we could even ask to try it. Yummy cocktails and nice ambiance. We've been back a few times and have been happy every time we go
(5)
Molly A.

Loved the atmosphere, and the food. The resturant is very cute, and feels like you are in the City, has a great vibe about it. Its very cozy, and intimate and the staff are wonderful. Will definitely go again.
(4)
Manny F.

The food was delicious. I ordered the gnocci with duck in a sugo sauce. Portion was generous and tasty. The appetizer was a prosciutto of boar, duck, cheese, pate, and some sort of tasty sauce. For dessert I tried the ricotta cheesecake. All were well worth it. A bit pricey, but as you could expect for quality Italian food.
(4)

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Address : 1606 N Main St
Walnut Creek, CA, 94596
Phone (925) 930-8008
Website https://www.ottavio-osteria.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:00 pm - 9:3

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate, Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Ottavio

1606 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596

Ottavio Menu

Dinner Menu

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Dinner Menu

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Katrina B.

Julie T.

Julia K.

Allie H.

Michael S.

Steve K.

Charly K.

D. B.