Drop whatever you're doing and go have some gnocchi here. It is hands-down, the most perfect gnocchi I've had on this side of the Atlantic. I ordered it with the mushroom cream sauce (that wasn't listed as the gnocchi sauce, but they substituted with no problem.) The texture was light, yet toothy. The sauce held to it perfectly.
This is my favorite italian restaurant of all time. The pizza and pasta are out of this world, the ambiance is good for a date and for a family dinner, and the waiters and chefs are nice. I am a regular, and never disappointed.
This is my favorite italian restaurant of all time. The pizza and pasta are out of this world, the ambiance is good for a date and for a family dinner, and the waiters and chefs are nice. I am a regular, and never disappointed.
Services
At La Piazza, we are known for our friendly ambiance and our delicious food that keeps our customers coming back for more. We are located across the street from the Orinda Theatre, stop by before or after the movie and enjoy our delicious pastas prepared in front of you in an open kitchen, with our homemade pizzas baked in a wood burning oven, our excellent wine list and our delicious desert.
Reviews (28)
Nawah N.
Jul 21, 2021
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First time coming here since the new ownership! We ordered quite a few items as seen in the photos and everything we had was great! They had large portions and we loved the location of the restaurant itself. Had the chance to also try the bread pudding and flan which was a nice way to end the night. Owners were also very nice and welcoming! Overall had a great experience!
Jack F.
Jun 06, 2021
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F. T.
May 15, 2021
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We visited La Piazza on a Friday night to celebrate a birthday. We had a reservation and arrived a few minutes early. We waited 15 minutes for a table to be cleaned for us and then another 15 for someone to offer us water or a menu. The restaurant was clearly understaffed and unprepared. Several of the dishes and wines were unavailable, they didn't have matching dishes or wine classes and they first forgot to bring silverware and then napkins. In view of the challenges of Covid, we were willing to be patient, but eventually we realized that the reason we were receiving such poor service is
Laurie Garff
Mar 19, 2021
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Peter S.
Mar 14, 2021
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Naweed M.
Jan 31, 2021
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My wife and I went here for date night and loved it! They have outdoor seating located right across the big "Orinda" theatre sign which was cool. The pizza and pasta were amazing, the service was top notch, and the owner was very friendly. If you're reading this review and plan to visit, make sure you order the bread pudding for desert-delicious!
Kenneth Scott
Jun 04, 2020
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Elliott L.
Feb 16, 2020
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Talk about a great pizzeria. The margarita pizza comes completely covered with basil and a lovely crust. They make good use of their woodfired oven. Their Caesar salad is very fresh with homemade dressing. The staff is cordial and very understanding. Right across the street from the Orinda theater, a great place before after the movies all right.
Emily F.
Jan 18, 2020
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K. E.
Dec 31, 2019
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I met friends here for dinner and really enjoyed the food and friendly, helpful staff. Fresh bread slices to start we shared a Gorgonzola salad, creamy and nutty and was fantastic. The minestrone soup was shared around the table and had great flavor to all. We had pasta - the lemony ravioli and garlic angel hair way too yummy. Generous portions, good wine. Upscale for a pizza joint, not stuffy, and we could hear each other talk ... which was a bonus.
Leroy Reily
Dec 25, 2019
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This site is my favorite site. Of all restaurants I know I prefere it most. I always suggests to my friends to go to visit this place. when I feel like having a good meal, this is the place that comes first to my mind. very good and varied food and a rich cuisine.helpful crew, and nice ambience. In addition to that, the charge is reasonable. I praise this place with pleasure.
Michael S.
Sep 26, 2019
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Stephanie C.
Aug 18, 2019
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Ever since it changed hands now a couple of years ago, we go and each time its disappointing. Will not return. Food is just not special and basic. The lasagna was so oily and cold in the center. The pastas are nothing special. I don't eat pizza so can't comment on those. It's unfortunate as we don't have a lot of options in Orinda.
Robert Wheeler
Aug 10, 2019
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Ruwan T.
Aug 07, 2019
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I came here for the first time on a Saturday night, a little later in the evening (around 8pm). A friend and I were hoping to grab a quick bite before seeing a movie at the square, and thankfully this place was mostly empty.
We walked in and asked for the menu and were greeted by whom we surmise to be the owner - a really friendly and warm middle aged man who assured us we'd still make our movie in time and that the turnaround time for our pizza would be quick. The ambience was a plus as well: warm, homey, welcoming!
We were quickly seated by a young woman who got us menus, water, and complimentary
We walked in and asked for the menu and were greeted by whom we surmise to be the owner - a really friendly and warm middle aged man who assured us we'd still make our movie in time and that the turnaround time for our pizza would be quick. The ambience was a plus as well: warm, homey, welcoming!
We were quickly seated by a young woman who got us menus, water, and complimentary
Perry Jenkins
Jun 08, 2019
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At first when I ate the pizza it was good, very cheesy. However, although it was wood fire oven made- it did not taste like the pizza I had in Italy. The main issue I had was that there was too much garlic; there's only supposed to be small pieces of garlic in the pizza. Consequently, it hurt my stomach. It was definitely over priced! Other than that. It was a small, cozy restaurant with a great atmosphere.
Dan C.
Mar 10, 2019
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We were looking for a nice Italian restaurant to have a good dinner
with some friends. We love to have a chance to talk and eat.
Well we definitely got time to talk. We seated promptly and our
waitress took our order. We really got time to talk.
A couple were seated at the next table and they ordered.
And we talked. The couple next to us were served and they ate.
We talked and it took almost an hour for our food to arrive.
The couple next to us paid and left. In fact the restaurant began
to empty out.
Oh, the food, was OK when we got it. The apologies came and we
left. Not to return
with some friends. We love to have a chance to talk and eat.
Well we definitely got time to talk. We seated promptly and our
waitress took our order. We really got time to talk.
A couple were seated at the next table and they ordered.
And we talked. The couple next to us were served and they ate.
We talked and it took almost an hour for our food to arrive.
The couple next to us paid and left. In fact the restaurant began
to empty out.
Oh, the food, was OK when we got it. The apologies came and we
left. Not to return
Bill C.
Oct 13, 2018
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First, I have been coming to this nice restaurant for many years. The food is good with a great location. Wonderful.
Charles was the prior owner who was always charming and a great manager of the establishment. Charles sells to John this year. John who is a very sweet man knows nothing about the restaurant business from my observation.
The food is just as good as always and the place is still is as cute but it just doesn't run smoothly as it used to. Namely the problem for me is the service. The last 2 times it was "short staffed." Slow to order, slow to get served......
Charles was the prior owner who was always charming and a great manager of the establishment. Charles sells to John this year. John who is a very sweet man knows nothing about the restaurant business from my observation.
The food is just as good as always and the place is still is as cute but it just doesn't run smoothly as it used to. Namely the problem for me is the service. The last 2 times it was "short staffed." Slow to order, slow to get served......
Steve B.
Oct 09, 2018
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Sadly, this was my favorite restaurant in Orinda. I hadn't been there in several months and apparently it changed hands. I am making an assumption that the two Indian folks are the new owners.
Good news: The food is still the same and good. Our waitress was nice, but she was alone serving the whole restaurant which led to bad service. She wasn't getting any backup from the owners, one who poked around on his phone when not wandering around delivering wine. He other mostly sliced bread.
Bad news:. Let's start with temperature control, it was a bit uncomfortably warm.
Good news: The food is still the same and good. Our waitress was nice, but she was alone serving the whole restaurant which led to bad service. She wasn't getting any backup from the owners, one who poked around on his phone when not wandering around delivering wine. He other mostly sliced bread.
Bad news:. Let's start with temperature control, it was a bit uncomfortably warm.
Walter Rathjen
Aug 09, 2018
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I was charged $20 for a dish that was posted at $18. Rather than honor their mistake, they told me it was a mistake and they would change the sign to read $20.
Always enjoyed sitting on the bar until now as the owner or manager wants some ingredient tray covers/lids be left open which detracts/obstructs from watching the chief do his magic. The place was not even full and the covers were always closed when the place was full. Sad, they have List a repeat customer.
Always enjoyed sitting on the bar until now as the owner or manager wants some ingredient tray covers/lids be left open which detracts/obstructs from watching the chief do his magic. The place was not even full and the covers were always closed when the place was full. Sad, they have List a repeat customer.
Mark Mandoza
Jul 29, 2018
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I like trying best food about 40-50 miles, so I go Lot Of best places around Bay Area. Now I want to tell for sure and truth This place is really in bad hand, these owners use to be Owners of best lasagna place called Four corners and they completely destroyed name of 50 year old restaurant. service is good as always this place use to be slightly under staffed eahhh .. may be my feeling. Restaurant around this area is usually expensive but this is little more
expensive and they think they are THE BEST CHEF IN WORLD!!!
I can feel there is change since my last visit and now. I can still try once
expensive and they think they are THE BEST CHEF IN WORLD!!!
I can feel there is change since my last visit and now. I can still try once
Joe A.
Jul 26, 2018
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Marta Wallace
Jul 12, 2018
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Reliably delicious, this is our family's go to restaurant in Orinda. Lovely pasta, an ever changing specials menu, and friendly home town service make this place a gem. Check it out--but leave 1 table free for us, please!
1 year later, I must change review. The new owner is driving this place into the ground with a bumbling wait staff that can't get orders straight or even serve a glass of water without invading diners' personal space. Thank goodness Pedro is still the chef. Pedro, when you leave, let us know where you'll be cooking next! We'll follow the food.
1 year later, I must change review. The new owner is driving this place into the ground with a bumbling wait staff that can't get orders straight or even serve a glass of water without invading diners' personal space. Thank goodness Pedro is still the chef. Pedro, when you leave, let us know where you'll be cooking next! We'll follow the food.
Gj C.
Jun 17, 2018
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You never have a second chance to make a first impression.
I called to place a takeout order at Taverna Pellegrini last week. The Manager / Maitre'd who took my order, screwed up and did not prepare my husband's entree, when we picked it up. My husband states this and manager who took the phone order runs over and starts an argument. Belligerently raises his voice and angrily says, "THIS is what YOU ordered!! I read it back to you!!" Didn't apologize. Didn't say, "Oops, my bad", Didn't offer to make it right. He couldn't be wrong. It was more
I called to place a takeout order at Taverna Pellegrini last week. The Manager / Maitre'd who took my order, screwed up and did not prepare my husband's entree, when we picked it up. My husband states this and manager who took the phone order runs over and starts an argument. Belligerently raises his voice and angrily says, "THIS is what YOU ordered!! I read it back to you!!" Didn't apologize. Didn't say, "Oops, my bad", Didn't offer to make it right. He couldn't be wrong. It was more
Zahra R.
Mar 20, 2018
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Marjolein V.
Feb 26, 2018
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Cbjadmin
Aug 28, 2017
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I was only one here on a Monday, just after 5pm.. staff was friendly. I ordered pasta carbonara... gag! It is served a bowl, TONS of butter left in bottom of bowl, random few peas, prosciutto was weird. Heavy heavy cream sauce.. and did I mention the butter. Thick spaghetti pasta. I didn't care for it.. way too heavy. For $18, not worth it. La Strada in San Pablo is WAY better.. food is authentic.. sorry to bring up another restaurant but it was on my mind, having been there last week. I won't return here. Atmosphere nice though.. ugg on my dish. Ciao!
Victoria L.
Nov 05, 2016
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Food: 2/5 Price: 1/5 Service: 4/5 Ambience: 5/5
This is a really cozy Italian restaurant that has a mini stone fire pizza oven. The ambience and service are both amazing. However, the food was sub-par and also quite overpriced. Portion size was small too. Bread was stale and hard. The pizza was small thin-crust style with little toppings. The Rigatoni alla Piemontes was very very bland - super watery and soggy rigatoni with "Italian sausage" that was basically ground beef... I was pretty disappointed tonight.
Orders:
* Rigatoni alla Piemontes ($15.75) - Italian Sausage
This is a really cozy Italian restaurant that has a mini stone fire pizza oven. The ambience and service are both amazing. However, the food was sub-par and also quite overpriced. Portion size was small too. Bread was stale and hard. The pizza was small thin-crust style with little toppings. The Rigatoni alla Piemontes was very very bland - super watery and soggy rigatoni with "Italian sausage" that was basically ground beef... I was pretty disappointed tonight.
Orders:
* Rigatoni alla Piemontes ($15.75) - Italian Sausage
