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Villa D'Este Reviews List
Villa D'Este
Villa d" Este, serving you with traditional Italian Cuisine has been owned & operated by the Oropeza Family since 1978. Villa d'Este is known locally as one of the best family restaurants in San Francisco. Offering menu selections of pasta, poultry, veal, vegetarian, seafood, and beef. Come and indulge in our seven course dinner including antipasto, mixed green salad, soup, pasta bolognese, entrée coffee and Spumoni ice cream. We also have serve A La Carte which comes with a mixed green salad or soup. We offer live music on Fridays and Saturdays! We are open for Dinner seven days a week at 4-10 p.m. We serve a Champagne Brunch on Sundays from 11am-2:30p.m. Interested in entertaining your guests as a private party? We also serve banquets and off-site catering. Call us or come by to learn more! Enjoy a full bar with great cocktails and get to know us!
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36 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 36 reviews
5 stars
(7)
4 stars
(12)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(5)
Food
(Very Good)
3.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(22)
- good for groups(14)
- special occasion(10)
- kid-friendly(8)
- romantic(8)
- great for brunch(3)
Villa D'Este Reviews List
Review 1 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice try, but could be much better.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The interior brings you back to the twenties. The food is average at best. The servers did a good job, but looked like they were busers. The atmosphere demands their shirts be pressed and clean. Wrinkled with sleeves rolled up is not appropriate, even in a fast food restaurant."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
food is disappointing
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant is a lovely 1920s space with old fashioned charm from the owner/waiter but the food is really disappointing -- sad salads, boring lasagne, and a carbonara that tasted like bacon grease. We have been twice now with the kids as we hoped the first time was just a bad day but the food here is really stuck in the past. For San Francisco, with so many other choices, we won't be back. Service was also slow, had to ask twice for my glass of wine."
Dined on 5/14/2013
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Review 3 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pleasantly surprised
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We made a last minute Mother's Day dinner reservation for 6:00 for a party of 10. We had never been to this place before. They were able to accommodate us without problem. Food and service were excellent. We would like to go back again and try their standard menu."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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Review 4 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I appreciate the host person, very kind and always reviewing the service. Chicken was good although I would like a little bigger portion. Coffee was great. Good for the price. Thank you!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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Review 5 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Impressed
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Staff was professional and friendly. Food was delicious. I had chicken and my husband had the veal. Price is reasonable for all the food that is served. Bread is served warm...Yummy!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A pleasant surprise, Great ambiance
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Villa D'Este was a pleasant surprise. From reading reviews on other sites, I had very low expectations, but after heading there with my family over the weekend, I'm convinced this is a solid home-style Italian restaurant. It is family owned and operated, so you can't expect the food to be spot on every single time. But, the decor in the room, the service are all things you would expect from a family owned business. The menu items are the same every night; with exception to a nightly special which changes.
For the price, service and selection of Italian cuisine items, I considered this between average and above average."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We have been coming here for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We have been coming here for years. It is a homey place."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went for Easter Brunch - would
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Went for Easter Brunch - would have liked the option of coffee or champagne rather than just champagne since only one in our party drinks alcohol. Wished there were more vegetarian options or would have liked to order from the regular Sunday Brunch menu. Large party made restaurant very noisy - happy we were almost finished when they arrived!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nostalgia all the way
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"It's hard to rate this place. Is the food great? No. Is the service great? No. Is the atmosphere great? Yes and No. It depends on what you're looking for. It's a trip down memory lane for anyone older than 40. This is what "fancy" italian restaurants used to be like right down to the blue cheese dressing on the salad (although I almost wish they'd go the whole way and use iceberg). It's fun place to eat once in awhile."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2000
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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Review 11 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Seriously, one of the worst
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Seriously, one of the worst meals I have had. Food had that distinctive tinny flavor you get from too many canned ingredients. My sons lasagna had been defrosted. The antipasto was all either canned or from a jar except the baby carrot sticks that were still soggy from the bottom of the bag. We were so excited to try this place becaus eof the charming exterior but when even your kids are commenting on the poor quality of the food, you know it's bad. My advice to you, don't go here."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
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Review 12 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
We went there on a Monday
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We went there on a Monday evening and there were only 3 tables in use in the large dining room - although I realize Monday is a slow eat-out night. The food was adequate, but not wonderful. The staff seemed to consist of 2 people - one man was bartender, waiter,cashier,etc. He was very friendly and nice. It is in my neighborhood and convenient, but don't know if I would hurry back."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: kid-friendly
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Review 13 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Canned Vegetables
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I've had better food on United Airlines. The antipasto was canned vegetables and Oscar Meyer cold cuts (baloney and bland salami). The calamari steak was greasy and accompanied by more canned vegetables and some chef-boy-are-dee pasta. The wine list was woefully thin (no imported champagne, a handful of Italian wines).
Apart from the food, everything else is great. Live jazz singer, excellent table service, comfortable room, easy parking/transit.
Good opportunity for an up and coming chef to reinvigorate this tired bundle of potential."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
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Review 14 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I came to treat my new landlords
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I came to treat my new landlords to dinner. Although this was a mutual visit with friends, I can see this place as a very romantic place for couples to experience. The food was excellent. This is a place to go when "not in a rush to eat and go" and can relax with music in the background. This place is not suitable for people in wheelchairs."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
This was somewhat of a disappointme
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was somewhat of a disappointment. I remember this place from many years ago. It is such a cool spot with the little courtyard and art deco decor but I took my sweetheart for Valentine's Day and it was mediocre at best. The place has the potential to be a knock out romantic location but the lighting was too bright (more like a casual diner) and even though they had a rather pricey set menu that night they had no live music. Had they done anything to improve the ambiance we would have been delighted but we could barely hear Sinatra playing in the background from where we sat near the window. The salad was pretty pathetic and the pasta starter as well. The entrees were okay but nothing special. It's a shame - so much potential."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 16 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We are 'regulars' at the Villa
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We are 'regulars' at the Villa d'este. Once a week. Roman runs a nice restaurant using his adult grandchildren as wait staff. The food is well prepared and tasty. The chateaux atmosphere 1920s style provides great ambiance."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 17 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"I love the relaxed feel of
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
""I love the relaxed feel of this place - dark, small and cozy – like a comfortable living room. I definitely would return to try more dishes. The Minestone Soup was amazing and the lettuce salad was refreshing.Two of us had The New York Steak while the other party had the Sauteed Seafood.Service was well-timed and friendly.""
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 18 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Completely IGNORED so we left
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We made a reservation on Open Table for Valentine's Day at 7pm. We were excited about the special menu with filet mignon and lobster ($45)! We arrived on time, were greeted and asked for a drink order. That's where the good service ended. We were seated in about 5-8 minutes. That was the last time anyone spoke to us. We sat for nearly 25 minutes without anyone coming to the table! HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. We saw other people who were seated AFTER US having their orders taken. At this point, I start to wonder if we're being ignored for some other reason - are we being discriminated against? When you're planning to spend over $100, you expect decent service. Went across the street for Sushi and had food in front of us within 10 minutes!!!!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 19 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Old school Italian restaurant.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Old school Italian restaurant. Good value for a multi-course Italian dinner."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I took my sister here for
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I took my sister here for her birthday. The was really good, and the staff were friendly I will definitely be going back again."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The owner is so sweet and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The owner is so sweet and helpful and the atmosphere is beautiful."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 22 for Villa D'Este
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very good local place. Classic
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very good local place. Classic Italian food very well executed. Friendly owner/bartender. Young waitress a bit off-standing, but efficient none the less. I'm glad I went back after many years, will definitely be on my "regular" list, now."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Villa D'Este
Based on the average of (14) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate