Get in touch
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1701 Park Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
- (408) 279.4922
- http://www.antonellasristorante.com/
Hello Everyone,
As promised, in 2011 we’re beefing up for more reviews so you can have more ideas on where to go for some great food in the Bay Area.
Last Saturday night, four members of the FF Team decided to pay a visit to Antonella’s Ristorante located in the San Jose Rose Garden area at 1701 Park Avenue in San Jose.
Thankfully, we were smart enough to have made reservations in advance as the restaurant was hopping that night. We had a 7:00 RSVP, but arrived fashionably early. The owner, Lyle, offered us a glass of wine while we waited for our table . . Because we were a bit undecided, we left the choice to Lyle. It turned out to be a wonderfully smooth Cabernet wine, called Napa “Heitz & Cellar” 2005.
When you enter the restaurant, you are met with some great hand painted murals of Venice and other Italian country scenes . . In the background are the soft sounds of Italian music . . This really sets the scene for your dining experience. The restaurant has two dining sections – inside seating as well as a large covered patio, which gives you that feeling of a sidewalk café in Venice. (Oh, yes how I still remember that great week in Venice a few years back.)
We were seated promptly at our reservation time. Some “home made” delicious caramelized onion foccaccia bread with dipping oil was delivered to our table.
Honestly, I had to stop after one piece, since I anticipated indulging into some great appetizers. As usual, we were starved, so we ordered some appetizers pretty quickly. We decided on the home made Crab Cakes (served with tartar and cocktail sauce) as well as the “specialty” crispy and tasty Fried Calamari (served with fresh horseradish and ranch dressing by special order of one of the FF team members). At this point, we’re all very impressed with the quick response from the staff.
Our server for the evening was a gentleman named Octavio. He alerted us to the special menu items for that evening and answered questions about the menu. After doing a comprehensive review of the menu, I decided on the Garlic Herb New York Steak (served with Gorgonzola cheese, horseradish, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach); I asked to switch out the mash potatoes for veggies and add some mushrooms to my steak, Octavio accommodated my request. I was tempted to try the Sole special for the evening because it really sounded good. But for some reason, I was craving a steak.
As I looked around – the staff and owner were a flurry of activity - always tending to their customers.
When my steak arrived it was cooked perfectly . . . (I’m a “medium well” kind of guy and it is usually impossible to get a steak cooked right the first time.) Our server asked if I’d like to check on it to see if it was cooked right. . Walla . . a perfect creation! This baby isn’t going back on the fire. As I looked around the table, the crab cakes and calamari were history, very fresh, not too fishy. A few of the other FF members were delighted with the Penne alla Vodka, (a Pasta sautéed with tomato, vodka and a hint of cream) and the mushroom raviolis. By this time, were on our second bottle of wine and enjoying our night out very much. The staff checked on us regularly to ensure all was well . . . I was drinking a lot of water, however, my glass was never empty.
Now, the million dollar question . . Do we dare step over to the sweet side of dessert? After eating the generous dinner portions Antonella’s serves, we really didn’t have much room for dessert. But - you can always make room for dessert – even if it means all have to share just one!
We took the owner’s recommendation and ordered the Tiramisu. It was a hard choice though since all their desserts are made “in-house”. (They even had Spumoni- you don’t see that often!) The Tiramisu was very moist – it melted in your mouth.
Folks, whether you’re in the area visiting the Rosicrucian Museum, enjoying a day at the Rose Garden, or seeing a performance at the Hoover Theatre, I can’t recommend enough for you to stop by Antonella’s for lunch or dinner. You will be served by an excellent staff, served generous portions from a tasteful menu that is all prepared “in-house” at a very reasonable price.
Before, turning off the light, I’d like to make one other comment, if you have a party or banquet in the future, you may want to consider stopping by and checking out the romantic patio setting Antonella’s has to offer . . you won’t be disappointed.
At the end of our evening, we all agreed, this hardworking staff enjoys what they do and cares about their customers . . This makes Antonella’s one of the premiere destinations for Italian food in San Jose.
FF Team!
As promised, in 2011 we’re beefing up for more reviews so you can have more ideas on where to go for some great food in the Bay Area.
Last Saturday night, four members of the FF Team decided to pay a visit to Antonella’s Ristorante located in the San Jose Rose Garden area at 1701 Park Avenue in San Jose.
Thankfully, we were smart enough to have made reservations in advance as the restaurant was hopping that night. We had a 7:00 RSVP, but arrived fashionably early. The owner, Lyle, offered us a glass of wine while we waited for our table . . Because we were a bit undecided, we left the choice to Lyle. It turned out to be a wonderfully smooth Cabernet wine, called Napa “Heitz & Cellar” 2005.
When you enter the restaurant, you are met with some great hand painted murals of Venice and other Italian country scenes . . In the background are the soft sounds of Italian music . . This really sets the scene for your dining experience. The restaurant has two dining sections – inside seating as well as a large covered patio, which gives you that feeling of a sidewalk café in Venice. (Oh, yes how I still remember that great week in Venice a few years back.)
We were seated promptly at our reservation time. Some “home made” delicious caramelized onion foccaccia bread with dipping oil was delivered to our table.
Honestly, I had to stop after one piece, since I anticipated indulging into some great appetizers. As usual, we were starved, so we ordered some appetizers pretty quickly. We decided on the home made Crab Cakes (served with tartar and cocktail sauce) as well as the “specialty” crispy and tasty Fried Calamari (served with fresh horseradish and ranch dressing by special order of one of the FF team members). At this point, we’re all very impressed with the quick response from the staff.
Our server for the evening was a gentleman named Octavio. He alerted us to the special menu items for that evening and answered questions about the menu. After doing a comprehensive review of the menu, I decided on the Garlic Herb New York Steak (served with Gorgonzola cheese, horseradish, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach); I asked to switch out the mash potatoes for veggies and add some mushrooms to my steak, Octavio accommodated my request. I was tempted to try the Sole special for the evening because it really sounded good. But for some reason, I was craving a steak.
As I looked around – the staff and owner were a flurry of activity - always tending to their customers.
When my steak arrived it was cooked perfectly . . . (I’m a “medium well” kind of guy and it is usually impossible to get a steak cooked right the first time.) Our server asked if I’d like to check on it to see if it was cooked right. . Walla . . a perfect creation! This baby isn’t going back on the fire. As I looked around the table, the crab cakes and calamari were history, very fresh, not too fishy. A few of the other FF members were delighted with the Penne alla Vodka, (a Pasta sautéed with tomato, vodka and a hint of cream) and the mushroom raviolis. By this time, were on our second bottle of wine and enjoying our night out very much. The staff checked on us regularly to ensure all was well . . . I was drinking a lot of water, however, my glass was never empty.
Now, the million dollar question . . Do we dare step over to the sweet side of dessert? After eating the generous dinner portions Antonella’s serves, we really didn’t have much room for dessert. But - you can always make room for dessert – even if it means all have to share just one!
We took the owner’s recommendation and ordered the Tiramisu. It was a hard choice though since all their desserts are made “in-house”. (They even had Spumoni- you don’t see that often!) The Tiramisu was very moist – it melted in your mouth.
Folks, whether you’re in the area visiting the Rosicrucian Museum, enjoying a day at the Rose Garden, or seeing a performance at the Hoover Theatre, I can’t recommend enough for you to stop by Antonella’s for lunch or dinner. You will be served by an excellent staff, served generous portions from a tasteful menu that is all prepared “in-house” at a very reasonable price.
Before, turning off the light, I’d like to make one other comment, if you have a party or banquet in the future, you may want to consider stopping by and checking out the romantic patio setting Antonella’s has to offer . . you won’t be disappointed.
At the end of our evening, we all agreed, this hardworking staff enjoys what they do and cares about their customers . . This makes Antonella’s one of the premiere destinations for Italian food in San Jose.
FF Team!
Lunch 11am-4pm: Dinner 4pm-9pm Mon-Sun:
