Il Fornaio - DEL MAR

The menu features a fantastic variety of Italian dishes, and I was thrilled to sample many different items thanks to dining with friends. The atmosphere is perfect; it allows you to take your time rather than feeling rushed, which is often the case in popular restaurants. The service was excellent, yet the environment remained relaxed. They also have a special menu that changes frequently, which is what I ordered from. I ended up enjoying some delicious Rigatoni. I should also mention that I was intrigued by the brunch menu, which sounded absolutely delightful.

My daughter and I really enjoy the food at all the Il Fornaio restaurants we've visited (Coronado, Santa Monica, and Del Mar). However, we've found the atmosphere and service at the Del Mar location to be quite disappointing. The staff we interacted with came across as pretentious, unfriendly, and inefficient. During our last visit, we almost decided to leave because we waited so long for service. Our water and tea glasses were never refilled, and our salad plates were left on the table while we ate our duck, despite our request for them to be cleared. My daughter loves the French toast served during Sunday brunch, but if it weren't for the Pasta Puttanesca and the hassle of driving to another Il Fornaio location, I don't think I would return.