Il Fornaio Del Mar
| Address: | 1555 Camino Del Mar #301, Del Mar, CA 92014, USA |
| Phone: | +1 858-755-8876 |
| Site: | ilfornaio.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 18
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Ana Gancheva
Absolutely terrible experience! We made reservations, but had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. We ordered appetizer, dinner and dessert. We received our appetizer, the calamari, after 30 minutes. It was chewy and bland. After another 30 minutes, we decided to leave as our dinner was yet to arrive. Waitress finally apologized and comped us for our dinner dishes (which we got to go) as we decided to leave and take the dessert to go. We ordered Uber and got in the car, checking on whats in the bag. Waitress never added the dessert! So my boyfriend went back up to see if she forgot to put in the bag. After 15 minutes my boyfriend came down... Waitress never put in the order!! We finally got home at 9:45, sill starving. We opened the to-go boxes to eat dinner at last. I ordered the pennoni with vodka sauce, it was greasy and heavy. Theyve added bacon, but not render the bacon fat so all of the pasta was swimming in...fat. Disgusting. The other pasta dish was the tagliatelle with bolognese, as the restaurant boldly claims to serve fresh pasta. Pasta was not salted, sauce was extremely bland, also missing salt, Finally, the dessert. A cannoli cream cake, very dry and underwhelming. This horrible, absolutely terrible dinner experience. I make better pasta, and it doesnt cost $120.
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Brian Ferguson
Ever been to a place where, apparently, only gorgeous people go? (I still dont know why they let me in). Clearly some places hire their employees based on looks (fittingly, our waitress was stunning), but how do they control the attractiveness of their clientele? Ive had Happy Hour at Il Fornaio in Del Mar Plaza several times in the last few months, and the least attractive person there was, well...me (lol). But the next least attractive person was hot. Seriously...young, old, male, female, kids, it didnt matter. Maybe somehow Im the only non-gorgeous person who knows about Il Forniaos great Happy Hour ($6 appetizers and pizzas from 4-6pm), while watching the sun set on the ocean with 180degree views up and down the coast...cant be beat. The calamari appetizer and beef carpaccio salad are excellent. The pizzas are larger than a personal pizza and are very tasty. Happy Hour is available in the bar are and the outdoor patio area overlooking the Pacific.
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Tracey Citron
We had to wait for a table not because the restaurant was busy, but because the kitchen was "backed up." That should have been our first red flag. Our drinks and meals did take forever to arrive, which we should have expected. Our sons meal didnt arrive because the waiter forgot to order it. We overheard the kitchen discussing this and quickly making his pizza. My husbands meal, a seafood dish that should have included 3 mussels, had 2 mussels that were unopened. They never should have left the kitchen. Disgraceful. The conflict avoidant waiter just sent the manager over who did not offer to bring new mussels (likely because they were out) but did reduce our bill significantly. Unfortunately it was too little too late, we definitely will not be back.
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Ace L
I dont really come here too often anymore, like I did when it first opened (yes, Ive been in the area that long), but all in all, its pretty good. The pastas are fresh. I usually stick to the basics like the tomato/basil/pasta or a grilled chunk of meat. The breads are really really good, since they bake them fresh, in-house, so keep asking the waiter to bring you new platters. The pizzas and stromboli used to be good, but now I look for better places when I want pizza. Still, its a great location, with a view of the ocean on the semi-enclosed patio.
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A Private User
My husband and I are locals and had previously eaten in the bar, but decided to sit in the restaurant tonight. We ordered pasta specials and glasses of wine. When the pasta came, we questioned whether we had inadvertently ordered the lesser, appetizer portion. This was not the case. We spent $70 for two small pasta dishes and two mediocre glasses of wine. Neither quallity, nor quantity were here. We wont return. The lunch pasta portion at the Lodge at Torrey Pines was actually larger.
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Bobby Phimmasane
This restaurant is in a prime location with great views. I like the patio and decor. I food didnt impress though. I had sausage ravioli to start and chicken for the main dish. The ravioli was a little bland, even though the waiter said it was spicy. The chicken was terrible, very dry and dressing tasted like cheap buffalo sauce. Im going to give the food a second chance. The service was great.
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Justin Sachs
Horrible service. We walked out after the hostess wouldnt seat us outside despite plenty of open tables. Then when we asked them to see if there was a way for them to seat us after all, the hostess left us standing in the middle of the restaurant while she went on seating other parties ignoring us completely. We wont be going back.
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Lili Hamra
Usually top notch. But this last time we went there, they just couldnt get our order right. the manager made very good on it though. He compd my meal and my daughters, even after they were remade....So for customer service and follow through and the fact that its usually DELISH!!! ..,we WILL be back.
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Zuzana Votrubec
There is nothing that beats the $5 pizzas and wines during the weekday happy hour from 5-6pm paired with the phenomenal ocean views from the patio. Love the bread basket and beef carpaccio as well. Service is always top notch no matter if you are doing a fine dining experience or happy hour on patio.
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A Private User
Tried the veal. Excellent food, although I was a bit bewildered by the choice of including potato fritters on several dishes. Service was a bit spotty, one member in my party received the wrong dish. Overall a good value and an excellent night out. Beware, valet parking only for this plaza.
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Susan Tamsky
The special risotto with clams, mussels, scallops and a Hugh prawn was prepared and presented with perfection. The squid ink dressing gave it a depth of taste that was earthy but not overpowering. Service was delightful as was the desserts.
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A Private User
the view from this restaurant is amazing! if you go in the evening you can dine and watch the sunset and it is breathtaking. everyone that works here is polite and there to make your experiance enjoyable! the food is great, made fresh.
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Dale Gottschalk
I did music (guitar, percussion & DJ) for a private event here last night. The food was amazing and the view was great. The staff was very friendly...I will be coming back with friends to eat here. I highly recommend Il Forniao.
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Suzy You
We came for lunch and it was excellent. The burrata really good quality and the gnocchi was cooked perfectly as well. Definetly drop by this place for an authentic Italian meal :) Felt like a little piece of Italy in CA!
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Linda Kaeser
Great location,view, bar Friendly staff SLOW SLOW SLOW SERVICE 8 different entrees in our group 3 were good , 2 terrible 1.5 hrs to get entrees served They did comp us goodies, but still Bye bye
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Sergio De La O
sabrosa la comida yo trabaje ai por casi un año i saludos amis amigos que trabajan ai
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Maggie Brown
Great wait staff. Ive not been at peak hours, but during the perimeter hours its relaxed and the staff make you feel like family. Its a favorite on my frequent commutes up and down the coast.
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Daniel Black
Fabulous Italian food. Ive been to Il Fornaio in Las Vegas, NV, Palo Alto, CA as well as this location in Del Mar; always had a pleasant meal and would highly recommend dining there.
