The Best Italian Family-Owned Restaurant Northern California

Opened in 1968, it is not only one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Northern California, but it serves up some of the best, authentic Italian recipes you’ll find anywhere. It is run by Jeanne and Ricky, a co-owner husband and wife team dedicated to carrying on the gastronomic legacy of her father, Gene Dinucci.

It is peppered with oodles of photographs and other memorabilia the family has collected over the years. They are the perfect backdrop to the dining experience here, which is heavily focused on creating classic Italian dishes using locally sourced meat, poultry, produce, and other products wherever possible.

After selecting your pasta of choice—fettuccini, spaghetti, tortellini, and even gluten-free penne, the hardest part may be deciding whether to have a pesto, Bolognese, alfredo, or marinara sauce slathered all around it! The baked lasagna here is another amazing pasta option.

As you might expect, this hearty cut of meat is slow roasted to perfection and served with a bold au jus and creamy horseradish sauce. Note that it is only available on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 pm until it’s gone, so plan your visit accordingly. Non-meat eaters have a variety of options as well, including their outstanding eggplant parmigiana accompanied by your choice of rice pilaf, French fries, sauteed vegetables, or a baked potato.

Other patron favorites include the Cannelloni Crepes, Petrale Sole, and Pan-Fried Oysters. Yum!

You’ll get a kick out of the exclusive wines and local beers and spirits that pepper this cocktail menu.