Best Historic Restaurants in Palo Alto

A Wonderful Dining Experience at Osteria Italian Restaurant I recently had the pleasure of dining at Osteria Italian Restaurant with seven guests, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Our waitress, Violet, was absolutely fantastic—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. She made sure we were well taken care of throughout our meal. The food was nothing short of exceptional. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. From appetizers to entrees, every guest at the table was delighted with their choices. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the dessert, which was a perfect sweet ending to our wonderful meal. Overall, Osteria is a gem that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for delicious Italian cuisine and excellent service. Thank you, Violet, for making our evening so special!

I have been there before but my wife and I went there for lunh today. We ate inside as it was cool outside (I have had lunch outside with a friend before and it was very nice). The inside was a large room with tables placed far enough apart for privacy and conversation. We sat by the window and were immediately greeted, given water and a menu. We brought a bottle of wine - they do not serve alcohol but you can bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal and we did. The corkage fee iss $20. We ordered to starters: the crab cakes and the mushroom empanadas to share. They were very good and were hot. My wife had the Loaded Tacos with shrimp - four tacos loaded with shrimp cooked just right, some avocado, and a spicy sauce. It was a large plate. She liked it very much. I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli. The pasta was cooked al dente, the sauce was very good and the crispy bacon and red onions were a great accompaniment. I could not discern the sage however. The service was great. We finished with a shared desert and a couple of Cappuccinos. And I cannot forget to mention that two gentlemen played electric guitars (a base and a 6-string). They played jazz at just the right volume. It was jazz - the first number was a great rendition of Summertime - no voice, just 2 guitars). It was great. We really enjoyed our lunch. Highly recommended. .

Service was impeccable and the food was tasty. Only ding is that the reservation process is problematic when having to make any changes.

Excellent barbecued baby back ribs and chicken. Must have the fried onion strings, our favorite appetizer. Love the warm ambiance with large fireplaces in a historical building. Have been going to MacArthur Park for over 30 years and always pleased with the excellent food and service.

Not only was the space itself beautiful, comfortable, and well thought out- every dish was delicious, and the service was impeccable. A definite highlight was the chocolate cake, and the tuna tartar was divine. Nick, our waiter, and all of the rest of the crew- were top notch. We came for a birthday celebration, and I’m certain we will return.