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La Toscana Ristorante Reviews List
La Toscana Ristorante
Welcome to our Cucina Toscana. We are centrally located off Hwy. 101 in San Rafael, across for the famous Frank Lloyd Wright Marin Civic Center.
We offer housemade pastas, such as spinach ricotta ravioli, beef ravioli gnocchi, cannelloni and lasagna, and feature great plates such as Fresh Pappardelle with Wild Boar, or Veal Milanese with Arugula in a Lemon Vinaigrette. We offer fresh daily seafood specials, vegetarian options, salads, chicken, steaks and veal.
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We offer housemade pastas, such as spinach ricotta ravioli, beef ravioli gnocchi, cannelloni and lasagna, and feature great plates such as Fresh Pappardelle with Wild Boar, or Veal Milanese with Arugula in a Lemon Vinaigrette. We offer fresh daily seafood specials, vegetarian options, salads, chicken, steaks and veal.
65 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 65 reviews
5 stars
(18)
4 stars
(29)
3 stars
(16)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(36)
- good for groups(20)
- special occasion(16)
- vibrant bar scene(12)
- kid-friendly(9)
- notable wine list(8)
La Toscana Ristorante Reviews List
Review 1 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Took my parents for Mother's Day. We all LOVED it! Excellent food! Great local restaurant. Wish I'd know about this gem years ago."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 2 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Loud!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Arriving at 7 on Saturday night the place was packed, and very LOUD! Most of the people left by 8 (it was an early bird crowd) which helped. Food was good, not spectacular."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 3 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Restaurant is located across from the Marin Civic Center. Perfect for pre-theater dinner, although it was really hard to hear in the dining room at times. Once the theater groups left, noise level was acceptable. Service was excellent despite the large crowd and two large groups. Food is always good, and portions are large. We come here often and are never disappointed."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
mixed
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"3 meals were very good, 1 was poor
Impossible to hear each ither because of noise level"
Impossible to hear each ither because of noise level"
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 5 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Solidly just okay
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Menu is like the Greatest Hits of Italian Restaurants of the 60s. No thrills and no catastrophes either. A good choice for early dinner when you're going to something at the Marin Veterans auditorium."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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Review 6 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The gnocchi with gorgonzola
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce was outstanding. My husband loves it. The decor, the service, and the food make this restaurant a lovely place to take guests."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We celebrated my husband's
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We celebrated my husband's birthday. I had the salmon grilled. It was fabulous. My husband had the veal, which he loved. They surprised my husband with a tiramisu dessert on a plate with "Happy 76th Birthday" written in chocolate. It was delish!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 8 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
La Toscana is a true gem,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"La Toscana is a true gem, great food, great staff and a very comftable place to enjoy a wonderful meal. Old time Marin in a busy world."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 9 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food and excellent service.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good food and excellent service. The salad was overpriced"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My husband loved the sole
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband loved the sole piccata, and I loved the salad Vincenzo. La Toscana is close to our home and such a lovely place. You feel right at home."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 11 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My dinner was good, calamari
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My dinner was good, calamari steak. My friend's capillini was overcooked... just sort of a blob of noodles. But I never order that dish because it's often overcooked unless you go to a really high-end restaurant. Prices are moderate. They do sell 1/2 glasses of wine, which I think is smart and I appreciate that."
Dined on 03/04/2013
2007
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Review 12 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Dinners were served barely
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Dinners were served barely warm; chicken marsala was too sweet;
fi-let of sole was over cooked and full of bones."
fi-let of sole was over cooked and full of bones."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2011
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Review 13 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We always enjoy coming back.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We always enjoy coming back. Calamari steak was a good size portion and delicately delicious. The Minestrone soup said, Wow!. consistency was perfect and very flavorful."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 14 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This last time I dined there
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This last time I dined there was decades ago prior to last Saturday evening. Our primary reason for going this Saturday was because its the only restaurant in Marin serving the ancient Roman dish Cacio de pepe. Our waitperson was attentive and professional. The Cacio de Pepe was better than any we had in Rome last year as in ANY! the Barata was superb as was the Chianti we drank.
Why this restaurant doesn't receive more accolades and mention is beyond me. We rate this up along Poggios and Frantoios and far superior to Fabrizio ,Il Davide, Ambrosia, or other middle of the road places."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 15 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
very good, surprisingly as
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"very good, surprisingly as the location: across from the freeway, is not impressive.
it was full of customers, it was early in the evening & full.
very tasty food.,"
it was full of customers, it was early in the evening & full.
very tasty food.,"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was very good. Service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was very good. Service was excellent."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 17 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Our server was very attentive
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our server was very attentive and accommodating. We brought in our own cake and he brought it to us at our request with no cutting charge. He made a good suggestion for a glass of wine which happened to be the "house" chardonnay, go figure. I had the Alaskan halibut on polenta, my wife had a pasta dish that was tasty as well. Overall, we were pleased. We had trouble finding the restaurant initially, but that's because we couldn't stop looking into each other's eyes; we are deeply in love. Sigh...anyway, keep your eyes open and you'll see it from the freeway. It's on a frontage road, West side of 101."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
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Review 18 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Gem + 1/2 Off WINE!!!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This restaurant has only been there for a 100 years but we had never ventured to it until we saw it cruising on Open Table. What a pleasant surprise to fine true Tuscan dining right in our back yard. The Cannelloni della Casa, my test for confirming authenticity of a Tuscany meal was truly "top shelf". My partner had the Puttanesca; a simple organic spaghetti with prawns, tomato, anchovies, capers, olives, garlic, basil, with chili flakes. Again, a winner.
Service was friendly an efficient and more importantly, knowledgeable of everything on the menu plus the Italian region to boot! An added feature.
Best part though, was the Wednesday special of 1/2 price off on any bottle of wine. Don't miss that!"
Service was friendly an efficient and more importantly, knowledgeable of everything on the menu plus the Italian region to boot! An added feature.
Best part though, was the Wednesday special of 1/2 price off on any bottle of wine. Don't miss that!"
Dined on 02/06/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 19 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Our server was not very attentive
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our server was not very attentive & especially near the end of our meal I really had to look for him."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2012
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Review 20 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This restaurant is always
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant is always very comfortable, comfortable seating, and atmosphere. The food is consistently very good and we never feel rushed. I think part of the reason for the relative quiet is the fact that the main dining room is far from the bar, which is nice."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 21 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This restaurant has been operating
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant has been operating for many years, and we stopped going because the menu and decor were so outdated. We heard they changed the menu and remodeled, so we thought we'd give them a try again. We were very impressed. The pasta was perfectly cooked. The wild boar parpadelle was extraordinary, and the gnocchi melted in one's mouth. The party member who ordered the veal said it was the best he's had in awhile. The portions were sharing size, so go with a big appetite or plan on lunch with leftovers. Service was excellent, and the new look to the room and the bar was refreshing. Definitely on our list for regular neighborhood outings."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for La Toscana Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
under the Lucca amphitheatre Piazz
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Had an early reservation, so as to attend a before the performance seminar at
the Marin Civic Center Auditorium. Since the regular wait staff had not yet
come on duty, a young man working in the bar section came over and took very good
care of us, The regulars were also very adept, except my lady friend was paying
the bill, and the waiter never recognizied that, and he kept giving the
bill and receipt to me. She was unhappy with this gaffe.All and all, it
was a very pleasant experienc, and we plan to do it again."
the Marin Civic Center Auditorium. Since the regular wait staff had not yet
come on duty, a young man working in the bar section came over and took very good
care of us, The regulars were also very adept, except my lady friend was paying
the bill, and the waiter never recognizied that, and he kept giving the
bill and receipt to me. She was unhappy with this gaffe.All and all, it
was a very pleasant experienc, and we plan to do it again."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2011
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for La Toscana Ristorante
Based on the average of (43) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic