C'era Una Volta - Alameda

C'era Una Volta offers delightful Italian cuisine with outstanding service, consistently delivering high-quality dishes.

The restaurant has a pleasant décor and serves authentic Italian food prepared by an Italian chef. The waiter was extremely friendly and engaging. The only issue was that our main courses arrived before we had finished our starters. The menu is concise, indicating that the ingredients used are likely fresh.

It was good. Not great, but good. Small-ish portions, pasta and dessert especially. The bread and olive oil/Dijon was yummy.

Enjoyed dinner alfresco, protected from the evening breeze by a vine covered arbor. There was a heater, but we didn’t need it to stay comfortable. Watching the local folks going about their Saturday evening business felt like being in Italy. Our friend said the meal was just like her Italian grandmother’s. Not fancy, but delicious. The three course fixed price dinner for $39 was a bargain. Full portions of your choice of numerous salads, three main courses, and several desserts. We started with a very fresh salumni platter, with prosciutto, chunks of good Reggiano, several salamis, all sliced to order, served with housemade focaccia. The gnocchi with Gorgonzola and walnuts passed my friend’s “Nonna” test with f,ting colors. Not gummy, and the Gorgonzola was not harsh. Three of us ordered the prix fix dinner with a variety of salads, with Porcini risotto and braised on the bone pork ribs for a main. Our other companion ordered the eggplant parmigiana and loved it. The ribs were succulent, served with its sauce, plus roasted vegetables and really good roasted potatoes. The risotto was perfectly cooked a bit of a bite to the rice, and saucy, as it should be when cooked to order. We shared two desserts from the prix fix: housemade tiramisu and affogato made with hazelnut gelato with a splash of Frangelico and a cup of espresso poured over. Heavenly.

Delicious food and an amazing atmosphere. The outdoor patio was amazing and service was fast and friendly.