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Il Fornaio, Walnut Creek, CA P167
 
A Top Pick in the Area
 
While this is a chain, it is a small chain and the two restaurants I've visited are like night and day.  The Portland edition has good food, but poor service, higher prices than you would expect and a serious attitude.  This restaurant in Walnut Creek was lovely. 

The decor is beautiful...with a "patio like" area near opening windows and a main dining room area replete with Italian Renaissance paintings.  The menu, while not particularly exotic, had several good choices for lunch...and the raspberry sorbet was quite good. 

The fried Calimari was excellent as was the salad of tomatoes and mozzarella.  The lobster ravioli was very good as well. 

Unlike the Portland Il Fornaio, there was no attitude of "why are you bothering me to take your money" present. 

Food: A. Attitude: A. Ambiance: A+. Parking: Can be a problem. Service: A-. Value: A-.

 
Il Fornaio Overall grade: A
1420 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 296-0100
Date of visit: 10/1999 Rcvd: 10/4/1999
Submitted by: HCG, Tualatin, OR C2 R173
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