Best Italian Restaurants in Occidental

We’ve been several times… but we love introducing this restaurant to friends. We always bring someone new with us. The food is spot on, the cocktails are amazing and the service is always excellent!

Second visit after an incredible experience in Sept. This visit was also incredible. Service is excellent and not rushed. We chose a dining room table as it was cold outside (note you can select that on OpenTable as the patio while enclosed and with heaters seemed cold to me). There are numerous “rooms” and cubby’s to sit. One cool place is high top tables in the bar. Very cozy and warm. But we chose the dining room. Food was super tasty and enjoyable. See comments on individual dishes with the pictures attached. One picture we missed was the spinach salad. So yummy! Bacon, walnuts, capers and goat cheese make this a winner. We split it and it was a nice salad before entree especially if you have an appetizer. The wine list is extensive with a generous California selections. We enjoyed a nice Papapietro Perry Pinot noir single vineyard in part to try out this producer (wonderful cherry nose and smooth and tasty). Will have to now go check out the winery! Going to be tough and have something other than the carbonara but will need to as the menu is very extensive. Only criticism is sparkling water is $9 a bottle. That seems excessive. Pretty amazing when that was my only criticism!

Fantastic food and great service. The executive chef and owner made the rounds around the tables a couple of times - a really nice touch and experience. Would highly recommend.

This was my mother in laws third time eating at Portico on this visit! She absolutely loves it (and so do we!). Last night we had Burrata to start and a beer chèvre salad. They comped us some extra bread and olive oil/balsamic for dipping and we didn’t even ask. (grandma is now a frequent flyer so that may help lol!). Entrees were outstanding as my daughter and I split a Margueritta pizza and vegetarian Lasagna. My wife got the eggplant parmigiana and split that with her mom along with gnocchis which are to die for. My other daughter got vegetable risotto and her boyfriend was with us and he got the cream and saffron with pannicetta (he’s the only meat eater among us). What a great meal and we will definitely be back!

Loved this little spot in Forestville. First time and we would go back for sure. We had the Sangiovese and Spices poached Pear, House smoked Prosciutto and Cheese Sauce, Rosemary Focaccia Crostini to start. DELICIOUS. Very different than flavors I've had before, which FYI I'm a foodie, so this was a nice treat. We followed this with the Stuffed roasted Quail wrapped in Prosciutto over Squash and Parmesan Gratin, Sweet Potato Leaves and Sage Oil. SUPERB! the stuffing was highlighted with sage flavors. BELLISOMO!