Place was delicious. The Waiter was kind and warm. She recommended dishes and they were incredible. Some of the best chicken parm Ive ever had. When Im back in Ventura, I will go again. If you deciding between Cafe Fiore and The Sportsman across the street, do not waste your time at the sportsman, with piss poor service, inferior frozen food from a shop right, and a horrible decor. Go the CAFE FIORE.
(5)
lynette l.
Exceptional dessert, short rib dinner was also perfect. Great G&T, all worth going back for no doubt
(5)
Stacey P.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary and enjoy some delicious food and we were not disappointed. This was my second visit and my husband's first and he was really impressed. We ordered the bruschetta each piece topped with something different. The peppers added so much flavor and I don't care for eggplant at all but it was cooked and spiced so perfectly that I couldn't help but like it. My husband ordered the butternut squash ravioli. It was very rich and sweet almost like a dessert, it was so amazing. I ordered the risotto with chicken and mushrooms. It was served in a tiny saucepan and was creamy and the chicken so tender! For dessert we decided on the creme brulee and the peach raspberry cobbler. Hats off to the pastry chef, this was by far our favorite part of our meal! The staff were all so inviting and warm. We were really happy with our night out.
(5)
John K.
A pleasant surprise in what was predicted to be slim pickings. We started with the house martini and progressed through the lavender martini to the avocado martini. Don't think I drank my dinner. I also had what I thought was the best meal at the table; lamb chops and risotto. I was completely impressed. We also had salmon and pasta dishes that were very satisfying.
(4)
Ric P.
Been here a few times. I must say, they do a mighty fine job. Weather you're dining at the bar, booth or treehouse, the food & service are perfecto.
(4)
Joe B.
Almost perfect.. it was really good.. We stopped in for happy hour... Nice menu, nice staff, nice ambiance. We ordered some drinks and a pizza.... all were really good... The bartender could not have been nicer. We will be back for sure.... It is affordable, tasty food and a cool place.....
(4)
Seamus P.
The biggest reason you see this place jam packed & enduring so strong, boils down to how it serves every different type of diner, with $10 ranged Pastas & Pizzas to $20-$25 entrees & specials. My top 3 dream dinners here are: Braised Lamb Shank with Gorgonzola Gnocchi; New York steak drizzled in balsamic glaze with Butternut Squash mashed pots & Gorgonzola sauce; & the Seared Ahi Tuna rolled in sesames, topped with balsamic glaze & over Grilled veggies. Love the Pear/Gorgonzola/Candied-Walnut Salad or the Burata Salad. Love the Bread Pudding Dessert. And of course the fresh Mixed Berry Mojito is the most amazing cocktail ever! All the shi-shi spots in downtown offer mojitos these days, but not a lot of places do GOOD mojitos, ...this is a can't miss mojito. Also, It has a warm & stylish decor that's always comfortable to be in, with most every seat in the dining room being a big plush/comfy booth. For my fellow Venturans who know me, there's certainly a bias but this is my favorite restaurant in Ventura for a reason. I'm sad for all the sour folks with bad reviews of this spot that I love so much. I can't help but suspect that those unhappy customers have an unhappiness that Fiore just isn't clinically trained to repair b/c I've had nothing but consistently good experiences here.
(5)
dave g.
Been there a bunch of times. I recommend it.
(5)
Lisa P.
On May 17 we had dinner at Cafe Fiore to celebrate my daughter's graduation from college. I had personally gone in a week prior to make the reserverations and specify a table out in the tree house area. Everything seemed to be good. On Saturday they called to confirm the reservation and asked if we could move from 7:30 to 8:00, we accommodated the request. When we arrived at 8:00, we were told that we would have an hour wait for the table we had requested. The hostess, Amanda was short and rude to my daughter, as she checked us in while my husband and I parked the car. They finally found us a table outside, but it was in the main traffic way for those eating on their upper patio area, that we had originally requested. They did comp us a couple of appetizers, but it wasn't the experience that we had hoped to give our daughter on her graduation day. The food and service were OK, but I'd think twice about going there for a special occasion again.
(1)
Marina R.
Absolutely love this place, from decor, to drinks, Moscow Mule and Pomegranate Mojito are my favorite, but everything else including house Riesling is delicious, moving on to the food, so so good, many healthy dishes, always fresh ingredients, just can't say enough good things. The place has an eclectic, earthy, and elegant feel to it, perfect for casual dinner or romantic evening, well done. Bravo! Love the outside booths too.
(5)
Brandie D.
Let's just say this is one of...if not my favorite restaurant. I always try to get my friends to come with me at least one time. The parking structure is close by and a nice little walk through downtown....if you don't get lost that is....haha. If you are lucky enough to get street parking then that's great too. I always reserve ahead of time and get the corner booth right across from the bar on the right side. I have the same server every time on Friday or Saturday nights and she is wonderful. The owner is usually present and she is familiar with people who dine and is vigilant in the setting. The ambiance is amazing...and do not go there expecting Olive Garden. Just go, relax, have some drinks, and have a nice dinner. I tend to go later in the evening, like 8 or 9 which seems to be a more relaxed time to go and then they have a band that sets up on Friday's. I normally have at least three drinks...they are all yummie, but I really like the sangrias...there are two. I stick to what I know and order off the specials, but I should try something new. If you order a salad to eat before your meal, I would recommend sharing it. So far my experience with the food has been good...I know what I like and I stick to that. Lol. I always have to get the bon bon which is a huge slab of mint n chip ice cream covered with chocolate. It's amazing and if you are on a diet or counting calories...just don't order dessert! I have had a few of their desserts and they are all Heavenly.
(5)
Pinot S.
I felt at home when I first walked in. The decor creates an aura of being in a warm sophisticated rustic italian relatives home. I love the cushions and how the plates are all different as if they have been passed down generations. The black and white photos reliving old memories. The antique mirrors. The display of various wine bottles. The out door patio is just as cozy. They have a great lunch and dinner menu. A marvelous selection of wines and decadent desserts. CAUTION: Middle age singles frequent the bar during happy hours and the weekends.
(5)
Andrew P.
i was at the car with my girlfriend, as we were eating we saw one of the bartenders put her hair in a ponytail, then picked her eye 2 time and put the remains on the apron and then pick her nose and put again on her apron but never one time did she was her hands. I spoke to the manager and she said that she was going to talk to her. what a joke, she should fire her.
(1)
meagen b.
We came here while visiting the area and absolutely loved it! Great atmosphere, great food and great service. Overall excellent. Great for a date or a large group, you really cant go wrong with this place!
(5)
K S.
This is my favorite restaurant ever!! Cafe Fiore has a beautiful location. Located in the heart of downtown Ventura and just a few blocks East of the ocean. I recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a delicious meal or culinary adventure. Their staff is friendly and has been with them for a long time. The bread they serve with the tomato sauce is so lovely. My favorite dish is the Butternut Squash Ravioli (Tortellaci Di Zucca). They have a wonderful wine list complete with local wine selections. Cafe Fiore never fails. I've never left there disappointed. I look forward to going each time I am in the area. I have been going there for several years and will continue for several more. Bon Appetite!
(5)
Mike G.
I have a bit of a dilemma assigning a rating to Cafe Fiore. On the one hand, the food was very good; yet, on the other hand, we had a very poor experience with our service at the bar before we were seated. We ordered two Fiore Martinis from our server, who happened to be training a new employee that night. Since our server was the trainer, and not the trainee, we expected to get good service; unfortunately, that was not the case. Our martinis took a long time to get delivered to us and they were warm by the time we got them. I found it impossible to flag our server down, so I went to the bar myself and asked for them to be re-shaken; the bartender was a bit standoff-ish, offered no apologies for herself or our server, but agreed to re-shake the drinks. After getting our now-cold martinis we were shown to our table for dinner. Our bar server appeared within seconds in order to leave our bill for us (where were you when we needed you to fix our martinis?). The drinks were $18, so I gave our server a $20; he asked if he could keep the change and I said "no, please bring back the change". I intended to leave a tip, but not for the full difference since the bar service was seriously lacking. The bar server left and never returned the entire evening with our change. On to the food: My wife had the Butter Squash Tortelluci and I had the Lobster Ravioli. Both dishes were excellent and I would definitely return to Fiore for the food. Next time we'll just skip the bar area in order to avoid the terrible bar service. 5 stars for the food, 1 star for the awful bar service.
(3)
Amy H.
NYE Nightmare! We arrived for our 8:00 reservation with a 4 course pre-set menu and NYE party. Our server Javier was wonderful, however our food was pretty terrible. Both Lobster entrees came out mushy.. yuck. and the 2 Rib-Eyes looked as if they came from different animals. One was in four small pieces charred to a crisp and was oreded medium rare. When I returned it, the next stake came back raw. at this point everyone else had finished eating so I just gave up on dinner altogether. After spending almost $1000, between the four of on your pre-set menu we watched a man get smashed in the face with a water glass which was picked up and then set on our table! Totally unsafe and unsanitary! To keep the night going we decided to move into the dinning room. My friend ordered a drink from the bartender and received a less than mediocre and half the size (as she ran out of the liquor) and he protested having to pay full price. She became very argumentative so he paid AND TIPPED 10% according to the the unsatisfactory drink he received. Well the bartender got a manager to "speak to him outside". Then decided his business was not needed and that he would have to stay outside while we finished the evening inside! We asked to speak to the owners or general manager since we had invested a considerable amount of money on the evening and this "manager" was being rather unreasonable. I handed him my business card to give to the owner and HE THREW IT BACK AT ME! So needless to say we left and will never spend another dime at this establishment again. Ever.
(1)
Laura R.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. One of, if not THEE, favorites for me. Specials menu is what I usually order off of and am not disappointed. If you don't find anything that sounds appealing to you on the specials, all the regular menu items are solid as well. Bartenders are great. They have a great selection of wine, other drinks are yum-e too.
(5)
Wes L.
We went with our two kids (2 and 4), and were excited to be seated in the back covered patio area that turns into a night club at night (I guess). We didn't have reservations, nor did we need them. The service was decent at the beginning (quick delivery of bread and relish to divert the kids, and a bottle of Borello for mom and I). I am concerned that a place like this doesn't understand how to do wine service right, but oh well, I just wanted the vino! My wife ordered the butternut squash tortelloni (basically ravioli), and I had the duck risotto (duck on the side since I don't eat the meat). My kids had cheese pizza (really good actually), and spaghetti with meat balls. The server forgot the lobster bisque I ordered, but was apologetic when I pointed it out. The food was served piping hot, and the portions were good! My wife raved about her dinner, and mine was good too (no one liked the duck though). The host was not considering her audience when she sat the couple next to our family (the wife immediately pointed out that they had just dropped their kids off with a sitter so...), the next couple were cool, and we were on the way out. Overall a good experience, just lacked attention to detail.
(3)
Brian E.
A four star average? Seriously? Has everyone here really eaten the food at Fiore? If I were just rating the atmosphere and drinks I would give it five stars... they hit that pitch right out of the park. I especially like the "treehouse" bar out back with the great fireplace and good music. It's one of my favorite places to have a drink. I've eaten here three times though, and have yet to enjoy a meal. Serving food here just seems like an afterthought. The entrees are marginal at best, took a long time to come out and two out of three times were served luke-warm. Where's the flavor? Where's the passion of the chef? Both are missing in action. Of all the restaurants in Ventura this is the one in most need of a Chef Ramsay kitchen nightmare makeover. He could turn this into a fantastic place. Until that happens though my advice is to meet your friends here for drinks, but then walk down Main Street and find a different restaurant for dinner.
(2)
Vince A.
I travel 3-4 nights a week all over the West Coast and Southwest, eating out quite a bit and this is the first time I eagerly took the time out to write a review. What a cool place. Walked in and it feels like you are in a big room in a comfy house. Sweet little couch in the corner with a bluesy rock 3 piece band playing great music. Full bar so it took a minute or two to get a seat, but once I did the place did not disappoint. I had the lamb shank with potato gnocchi and it was mah-velous. Gnocchi is usually hit or miss so I very rarely order it, but this was superb. The lamb literally fell off the bone with a light touch of the fork. I asked the barkeep to pour me a nice FULL red and he nailed it. Very eclectic mix of people of all ages and lots of eye candy. I would highly recommend this joint if you find yourself in Ventura and I look forward to my next visit. Vince A. San Clemente, CA
(4)
Megan R.
I love the food here and the atmosphere is really romantic. Our go to date night place!
(4)
Vanessa H.
I was happy to find that Cafe Fiore was open for a late dinner on a Thursday night. To further my delight, there was a pair of live musicians set up in house to entertain patrons. (they were actually quite good!) We were promptly seated and provided with the extensive wine list and menu. Soon after we ordered, an assorted bread basket arrived with a tomato based sauce which were both delicious. We ordered a salad and entree to split: the salad had beets, orange pieces, and mozzarella; the entree was a squash stuffed pasta in a creamy buttery sauce. Both were delicious! The squash was sweet and added a great dimension of flavor to the hand made fresh pasta. Overall, the atmosphere was great; live music made it feel more like a night out rather than just dinner; and the service was prompt, polite and informative. If you find yourself in the mood for an unexpected Italian dining experience while in the downtown Ventura neck-of-the-woods, give this place a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(4)
Jim A.
We drive up from El Segundo 3-4 times a year just for Sat lunch. It's that good. Luis is a great waiter.
(5)
Hula B.
Food was great, service was "whatever". Had weekday lunch with our 5 year old daughter. Decor was nice, restaurant was clean. Pillow backed round booths were a bit uncomfortable and a little cramped for such a big open dining room. We were greeted promptly and our drink order was taken right away. The drinks (Sprite, Iced Tea and a Shirley Temple) were slow in arriving...took at least 10 minutes. Butternut Squash Ravioli was delicious. The lobster bisque was rich and had a great texture. At first glance, the kids menu seemed overpriced. Once the food came, it had the quality of an adult entree. The mashed potatoes were a stand out. The Strawberry and Gorgonzola salad was very fresh and all of the components were well balanced. The short time we spent with our server was pleasant and she was nice but we only saw her twice before having to ask for our check. We found the bus staff and backwaiters to be a bit aggressive in dealing with our table. They were very heavy handed and almost careless when taking things from our table. Overall, the price was fair for the quality of food offered, the atmosphere was quite nice, the wine list looked respectable, the food was great, the service was not, cocktail menu wasn't very interesting but we'll have to taste our way through that when we go back for dinner sometime.
(3)
Ravena F.
Party shuttle to Ventura woo-hoo!! That's right it's a 3-day bachelorette party weekend and I now present to you the crown jewel. 17 ladies dolled up in cocktail dresses, trooping through the restaurant, turning heads on our way back to our private dining room. Divine cocktails start coming our way fast and strong. Good thing they already had appetizers set up and ready for us when we arrived. The menu is mostly Italian fare, extensive and salivation-inducing. I ended up going with a seafood pasta dish to help line the ole stomach in prep for the night ahead. It was superb. The oohs and ahs could be heard in an orgasm echoing around the table as all the ladies savored the excellent vittles. Dinner concluded with a few chewable desserts ordered and several drinkable desserts ordered (ports and scotches for these classy ladies). Here's where this restaurant earns it's 5th star: More clicking and clacking of many heels as we traipse back through the restaurant and to the outside patio/club area. That's right, I said club. Damn, what a good idea! Open to the sky in the middle, the danceclub is airy and sexy. DJ was great, playing excellent dance music all night. We had rented two of the cabanas lining the dance-floor (including vodka bottle service), so we had places to put down our drinks (no drinks allowed on the dance floor) and the non-dancers could mingle. From dinner to dancing, the night was a blast. This place is a great one-stop date night, girls/guys night or bachelorette party night. Tip: Don't be freaked out by the live cover band that plays in the restaurant. That is not the club!!!
(5)
Patricia L.
Good food and service. Recently had the fettucini Bolgnese, wow it's excellent! Full bar and good wine selection. It gets busy you may need a reservation. Stay away from the steak, stick to italian entrees. Pizzas are great, thin crust is nice. Cheers.
(4)
Lisa O.
I've been to Cafe Fiore numerous times and I must say, I've never been disappointed - I always leave with a very happy tummy! While their prices aren't cheap, they're actually priced very reasonably for this quality of consistently delicious food. I live in LA and dine out frequently at many of the top LA restaurants where one spends a hell of a lot more money and gets half as much food; plus much of it is so "new and experimental" that it's not even very satisfying! At Cafe Fiore I'm always satisfied with anything I order and I don't leave feeling like I broke the bank. I've sat at the kitchen bar and watched the dishes they put out and it's quite impressive to see how many different things they have and they all look tasty. Some of my favorites when I go: - lobster bisque - caesar salad (I'm a caesar salad snob and theirs is my favorite) - butternut squash ravioli - Guiseppe pizza I sometimes wish they had a location here in LA so I could go more often and try more of the MANY choices on the menu but if I ate there more often I would DEFINITELY need to commit to a diet and live at the gym - their food is far from low fat but worth every calorie!
(5)
Maggie D.
Too expensive for the (un)quality of food... but this is one of the few venues in Ventura that cares about ambiance. Don't go on amateur nights (too crowded, poor service); best bets are M-W. ps: the pesto gnocchi is sometimes really good, but usually overcooked. *edit: this crowd is turning lol.
(2)
Esther S.
I totally loved my experience here, it's about time Ventura opened up a cute Italian place that has awesome food and a great bar. I came with a friend for dinner, there was a monstrous wait but we opted for a the less favored table near the kitchen. Didn't matter, the bread with tapenade, and carpaccio kept me busy. I ordered the Serrano pasta and my friend ordered the Bolognese. Both excellently flavored and delicious. I really should have stopped halfway through but honestly the ricotta is irresistible. Paired with a lovely Zinfandel recommended by the waiter I was in food paradise for an hour. I usually know what I want when I go through menus but truly had a difficult time deciding here. It's a really cute place, expect long waits because the place isn't that big, and word has gotten out that it's good food. Staff was very friendly and service was prompt. This is my new favorite in the VC area.
(4)
Steve M.
Good drinks, good food, great atmosphere & live music.
(4)
Diana G.
DINNER/DRINKS: Fiore's butternut squash - AMAZING!! More of a dinner/dessert entree - dinsert if you prefer. I do enjoy foods on the sweet side, so if you're not a real sweet food fan I'd tell you to order the chicken ravioli instead. Their Sangria is definitely my new Ventura favorite - and it was actually the manager at another Ventura who introduced me to it when I ran into him at Fiore's a couple years back. Lots of fruit - including lychee, lots of flavor and very refreshing. NIGHTLIFE: Been here a couple times after hours to enjoy both the live bands and the DJ who spins on the back patio. I have experienced both the good and the bad... some bands take longer/more breaks, while others play for almost an hour straight with a short break to keep up with the attitude of the crowd, I've even been when they have asked the management if they can play a lil longer - whoohoo. DJ wise, for the most part it's been a good vibe. I can't stand the DJs who clear the floor with one song and keep playing the same kind of music just because they have a mix set-up - NO. When a floor clears that tells you something- change it up!! I've always enjoyed the night-time atmosphere here, low key and filled with people who just want to meet and mingle. The front bar area seems to be more of an older than 30 crowd, the back patio/DJ feeding to the younger groups.
(4)
McKenna R.
Two words: Holy Crap. This has to rank as one of the top 5 most exceptional meals I've ever had. Cafe Fiore is sublime! It hits all the marks for cool ambiance (fireplace, live jazz, sexy decor and fun, mixed crowd of young and old hipsters), excellent service, impressive wine/cocktail list, and finally, a superbly varied menu of offerings for dinner. For appetizers we had the wonderful, crisp Caesar Salad (with real whole anchovies, the way it SHOULD be done, oo la la) and the Caprese salad. The Caprese had the most wonderful, smooth mozzarella slices, topped with a dollop of pesto, and paired with lemony olive oil and basil and arugula. (nice touch on the arugula, Cafe Fiore! a nice twist which worked very well). Servers kept the soft sourdough and foccacia (which appeared to baked on premises) flowing in the bread basket, accompanied by a fragrant and savory dipping oil with very finely diced herbs, tomatoes and olives. I ordered the Butternut Squash Risotto, and honestly...NEVER have had such smooth and heavenly puree tucked inside tender, homemade ravioli pillows. The pinch of nutmeg in the filling and the parmigiano sage cream sauce (somehow they managed to make a cream sauce light!) sent me to the moon. My companions blissed out on the Lobster Ravioli, whole wheat pasta with sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella, and the roasted lamb shank with gnocchi in a gorgonzola sauce. I normally don't care for gorgonzola, but Cafe Fiore has MASTERED the art of sauces, making them big on flavor on not to heavy-handed on cream and cheese. We chose a bottle of '07 Ruffino Riserva Chianti with dinner--it was light, very juicy and so drinkable with our meals. A perfect compliment! I had the rare urge to sip a port for dessert, so I ended up getting a fantastic 10 year port. Of course, I also had to dip into the desserts everyone else got. Dessert was practically an insane notion to me at that point after all the wonderful food, but how can you resist little chunks of deep-fried banana with a nutella/caramel dipping sauce or banana caramel crepes? Are you getting the picture now? Cafe Fiore rocks. Go. Now.
(5)
Victor V.
Very Bad! Went there with my date on a Thursday night for a nice romantic dinner. They state they are Southern Italian cooking which means everything is tomato based. Our waiter was not bad and the service was decent--but the food was sub par. My dinning partner ordered a Merlot, which was ok, but nothing great. I ordered a seven and seven which tasted like whiskey and soda water. I told the waiter about it and he said "no problem- what would you like to try instead?" I asked if they had regular iced tea and he said "sure" They brought me out a warm glass of Passion Fruit tea with a few small ice cubes. I hate Passion Fruit tea. I relayed this to the waiter and said I'd just stick with ice water (which they never refilled) Looking at the tomato-based menu, I chose something simple- spaghetti and meatballs. My gal picked chicken with spinach. They brought us some bread slices, which were so oily that it was getting my fingers soaked. I couldn't eat those. At that point I figured that it would be best to go elsewhere but it was my gal's first time and the reviews seems to reflect a great dinning experience from others. After twenty minutes, a server showed up with my order, but not my girlfriends. This caused us to look at each other with puzzlement. The pasta was undercooked and dry, even though I had ordered it tossed with butter and the meatballs on the side. The meatballs were about the size of a marble and tasted like bread balls. Five minutes after I had received my order and she was still waiting, the waiter came over and apologized about her chicken, saying that they had burnt it! I ate some of the pasta, finished my water and pushed the "bread balls" aside. Her meal finally arrived but it looked like a thin piece of deep fried chicken and that is exactly what it was. Very greasy. The waiter again apologized and said they were out of feta cheese but they were substituting goat cheese on her spinach instead. I waited until she finished the salad and pushed her fried chicken aside. A lady came to the table and asked how the meal was and I said it was just awful and gave her the details. She seemed very hurt and asked what she could do. I said nothing, so she said no charge. We walked up the street and ate at Dargan's Irish Pub.
(1)
Philip H.
I went for the food, not for loud music and old cougars trying to harass me. I've ordered a lasagna which was very blend, I ate it because I was starving, in other circumstances I would send it back. Then I've tried the tiramisu, which had the nutella overpowering the rest, but the tiramisu traditionally is not supposed to have nutella, bah!! Great disappointment
(1)
Yvette B.
The atmosphere is really nice and the food is good. The wine is absolutely wonderful!! It's relaxing and can be quite romantic when it's not crowded. The only downside is the size of the place. When it gets really crowded on weekends, the place loses it's 'romantic' atmosphere and it turns into somewhat of a bar hop. People are rude and try to invade your space. But, overall, it's a fun place to go. =0) Yvette L. Brownstone from Ventura, California
(3)
Lauren M.
I had met my brother and his wife here for dinner about 2 months ago and forgot to write this review. I love this place. Food is AWESOME and the ATMOSPHERE is GREAT ONE thing, if you have to go for dinner make it a night when they don't have a live band, you'll end up screaming through dinner.
(5)
Clarissa H.
Okay, 3.5/4, is the official rating here. I've only been here once so let me tell you what my ONE time experience was here. I went with my father late one night. ( Yes, late night dining! Not just bar! ) The atmosphere is romantic, I'd like to go on a nice-formal date here some time. I will say, not much here sounded appetizing to me, although my taste for italian food is typically limited to cream based/sauced dishes, over red sauce, and tons of mushroom ravioli and/or tortellini. And I don't like seafood, I feel so deprived. Their brushcetta/bruchette was good, I liked the fresh bread, and the sauce wasn't lacking flavor at all. I think it's hard to fuck up bruschette though, personally. I believe I ordered the Agnolotti Di Pollo E Spinaci, which if you go on their website can get a more detailed description of what it was. I was THOROUGHLY impressed with the freshness of all the ingredients, it was astonishing! I think that if you like seafood pasta dishes, or light, delicate tasting fresh salads, go here. Also, if you have a buck. I wish I could write more, I might try to update some other time when I go again.
(4)
E S.
I LOVE the food here. I cannot wait to go back
(5)
Miss V.
Loved it! Long wait even with a reservation, but boy am I glad we stuck around! It was my birthday dinner and we got a great table in the back corner. It's got great decor and they were playing great oldies: Frankie Valli, Dean Martin...sweep you off your feet? Oh yes! Patio dinning looks really pretty and romantic, so next time I'll ask to be seated there. The house salad is amazing. I tried the chicken ravioli because I wanted to try something different and it was delicious. My fiance had the lamb risotto and it was equally delicious! Half way through our meal they had a live band set up and start playing, which changed the mood completely. But not in a bad way. They cut off the jazzy music and started playing some fun dance stuff. The bar area is a cougars den for sure. Drinks are delicious and very creative! Must try!
(5)
Connor H.
An all-around top quality restaurant. The service is good, and the food is delicious. Nothing to complain about, really. I had the lasagna, which was delicious. The food is rather rich, but not in a bleh kinda way, in a yum kinda way. I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)
B S.
This place is the perfect blend of outdoor dining , amazing food, Ocean air, and an amazing wait staff! Been loving the Butternut Squash dish, and now the sister place... Padri has opened near me, but it is a bit more staunchy ... And requires valet? Have to take the special person in your life here.... This is as GREAT as it gets in California for sure!!!
(5)
Steven T.
This has been my favorite restaurant in ventura for a while now. My friend introduced me to this place about 2 years ago, and completely fell in loveee. I usually go here for special occasions or weekends. If you're going to go on the weekends, i recommend making a reservation, place is packed. I've read reviews and people are complaining about the booths? I don't see what's so bad about them. They're quite comfy. The ambiance is really warm and suave. They also have a patio area outside, i think it's called the treehouse lounge at night? and they play music and have a bar out there and what not. It's nice to sit out there on a sunny day though for lunch. okay, so let's get to the food... drinks: they have a variety of martini's you can choose from, i've had the pom martini (it's really good.) Lemon drop (sweet, a little weak on the alcohol side.) they have a great selection of wine. food: i've had the rigatoni pesto pasta with shrimp; i think it's called the rigatoni di ginaro? (my favvv) pasta is cooked perfectly al dente, pesto is not overpowering, but you can definitely taste the basil, the shrimps are succulent, and cherry tomatoes go perfect with it. The lasagna is pretty good, I've only had a bite from my friend whose had it. I've also had this pizza that had cheese, arugula on top and some sort of meat, i forgot, but it was good and light. (maybe sausage or pancetta.) I've had their ravioli, it was light, the sauce was sweet and savoury, but I wish there was more =) I've had lobster bisque from there, that was pretty good too, couldn't really taste the lobster flavor though, but I still liked it. OH, and right after you order, they bring you a bread basket (white and some sort of italian bread) and this sauce/dip sort of mixture and it's deliciousss. Dessert, you HAVE to get the chocolate chip mint bon bon. It's HEAVEN. It's this chocolate chip mint ice cream covered in a chocolate shell, and it's just the perfect finish. Staff is really attentive and friendly, I don't think I can quite complain about a thing here, except maybe once, I went with a friend for a late lunch and it was like live reggae music or something and we sat outside, too loud to converse ... But overall, this is by far my favorite little restaurant in ventura.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I really enjoyed my dining experience here. To start I like the ambiance. The extra cushions attached to the half circle booths, the open cellar, the exposed beams. We went on a Saturday for a late lunch, around 1:30 or so. I imagine that's why we avoided any wait. We both ordered some wine. The bread was fresh and simple with a nice cold marinara for dipping. I ordered the lasagna and was not disappointed. I don't usually order lasagna as most places load it up with too much ricotta and sauce. But I took a chance as it's made with a bechamel. It was delicious. Highly concentrated meat sauce complimented with the light bechamel. My boyfriend ordered a pizza with prosciutto, artichokes and mushrooms. The crust was nice and thin and flavorful and the toppings were nicely pared. Both meals were so good that we ended up splitting them. It was a very lovely dining experience. I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Jamie S.
I used to love Cafe Fiore. The atmosphere is so beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was top notch, however on my most recent experience I would have to say that the latter two have gone downhill significantly. The food was sub par and terribly overpriced and the service was so slow and quite unattentive in general. The wine list by the glass was somewhat lacking, especially for an Italian restaurant. They didn't even offer a blend by the glass. So I ordered a wine on the server (Suzanne's) recommendation and I checked the menu to see the price, and when we got our bill she charged me $2.50 more per glass. When I brought it to her attention she brought me a completely different menu to show me what I ordered and not only was it a different menu, the way they had it labeled was different. It isn't even about the money, it is just the principle of it. The food was just okay honestly. Not at all worth the price. I've paid less than half that amount for Penne Arrabiata in the past and it was heavenly. This was just noodles in sauce really. Might as well have been called ragu. If it weren't for the pound of parmesan cheese I had them add to the sauce it would have been terrible. Our server, Suzanne, was so unfriendly and as a former server who takes care of her own, I was really disappointed at the lack of attention and willingness to listen. She lost more than the slight difference on the wine in her tip, needless to say, and I am always a 20% + tipper. The atmosphere is the only redeeming quality of this establishment, so if ever I am in the mood for an overpriced glass of wine in a beautiful environment, I may go back, but other than that, I'll pass.
(2)
Andrew M.
Came in, they weren't that busy, had my date sit and save us a seat in the lounge area...asked bartender (whom i had to flag down to get a drink) for two drinks, she was very rude and stated that my date needs to come to the bar, I'm sorry but we don't look like were teenagers both of us are managers at a local upscale hotel who recommend this restaurant all the time...the bartender wouldn't serve me the two drinks, very irritating, trying to have a romantic drink with my date and wait on her a little but instead this bartender ruined it...we decided to not have a drink and went to anacapa brewing company where the servers are always nice and food was excellent...DONT GO HERE!
(1)
E F.
While visiting a friend in Oxnard we went up to Ventura for some shopping and dinner. She had seen this restaurant before and wanted to give it a try. We got there around 5 so it was early enough to get a seat on their beautiful patio. The menu was quite large with many things that sounded great. We settled on the Insalata Della Casa, the Giuseppe Pizza, and the Lasagna Special that was chicken with bechamel and ricotta. The salad was your basic fresh salad with a nice balsamic. The Pizza was TO DIE FOR!!! Get it, everyone NEEDS to get it!!! The Lasagna...HORRIBLE! It was greasy, dry and bland as bland could be. We told our waiter who offered to take it off and replace it with something else...neither of us ate it but we didn't want to send it back as her 11 month old daughter was making dinner out of it...we didn't order anything else as we were full from the salad and pizza. We did hear him tell the next table that the Lasagna special was sold out...at 5:30 mind you...I think it "ran out" as soon as we told him that it wasn't good. Unfortunately the lasagna was never taken off the bill....the other person saved their money and was able to order something else...lucky them!
(4)
Tom S.
Went to this fine restaurant on Sunday. What a great place, excellent food and a wonderful wine list. I highly recommend this place for an intimate dinner and if you want to hang for a while there's jazz and blues going on later in the evening
(4)
Nostalgia J.
I have to give it up to Cafe Fiore when it comes to having dinner. The food is pretty damn wonderful, service is good-ish, and they have a pretty little patio if you like to dine alfresco. Don't you just love that pretentious word? The last few times I had: a spinach salad -it had a poached egg on top, and the yolk was runny. Sounds nasty? It was so good! The seafood chippino, and although I don't like deshelling sea creatures at my table, it was the best I've had yet. Spicy, garlicky, hint of fine liquor, and lots of fresh , delicious sea creatures. I've also had different big chunks of grilled meat and different pastas. I cant remember too many details, but the meat is always really nice quality and presented beautifully. They bring you tapenade with your bread instead of butter. They also have tons of fruity, girlie martinis. They used to have one called the key lime pie that was just too good to be a martini -it had grahm cracker crumbs on the rim...what the hell? Gimmee another one. Sometimes they have live music, and it can be hit or miss. The 'tude factor on the bartenders...I've seen them be a little rude, but as a blissfully EX bartender I get that. They lose a star for their bar scene, but here's the real reason why: Nasty old rich guys who think they're interesting and/or handsome that look you up and down like you're a rack of lamb, and get cocky and mean if youre not receptive -no matter how politely you tell them to fuck off. The place is too small to avoid these pricks. Have your meal, an extra martini, and head out.
(4)
Richard O.
I'm just some one who really loves this place.my wife and I had dinner and drinks on Sunday and food and service,the best.was kind of nice the waitress remembered us .
Boring! I'm actually getting bored just thinking about it. I'm not sure if I should be writing this review because all my memories of Cafe Fiore are getting mixed up with my memories of going to the Olive Garden. I think this is just a place where people go to hook up. People don't actually eat the food here. Or enjoy the cocktails.
(2)
Alvin M.
Was in Ventura over the Memorial Day weekend and had a great time at this restaurant. The calamari was pretty good. I have to say, the arugula salad was quite tasty, but the fish special they had was disappointing. The white fish was way over cooked, so it was dry and could barely break apart. The waitress felt bad, since she recommended it, so she gave us free dessert and coffee, which was really nice, since we also waited 40mins for our food to arrive........ Also the music was a little too loud and twice within in the 1 1/2 half we were there, the light at our table kept dimming.......so it got darker. I mean, how much darker can it be if we are eating at 8pm..... So overall, the place is just ok. It tries to be a cool contemporary italian restaurant, but it's got some stuff to tweak....
(3)
Wesley D.
This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in Ventura. The atmosphere is always perfect, and the food never disappoints. The pastrami is excellent, and the shrimp wrapped in bacon is worth dying for. I don't think I've ever been unhappy with what I've ordered. The Kobe beef burger is always delicious. The staff is always friendly and makes the whole experience complete. Another thing that I like about this place is how awesome the bathrooms are! Always a plus.
(5)
Alysia S.
Wonderful! Would go back for sure!
(5)
Kathy R.
We got to the restuarant and our table was ready; But it was a back table amd tje seat was was tpp marrpw tp sot om/ We squeezed into the booth and my husband went to get the hostess. She did not want to move use but sitting in the back was a deal breaker and my husband insisted. Resettled into a booth in the main area was much better but those soft pillows are useless. Very uncomfortable; And the velcro that holds the pillows is filthy - full of old food and hair. Grossed me out.Our waiter gave us the rundown on specials and so we ordered a special salad with figs - delicious. We ordered a lovely Italian Wine (Montepulcino) which was fabulous. Bread delicious. My husband ordered a steak and 4 cheese risotto and i ordered Ossobuco The steak piece was cooked as ordered and tender. The risotto just ok. My Osso Buco had way way too much saffron. We were disappointed. Our Trio dessert was good. . . Out waiter very attentive but his bus boy was a bi over-zealous trying to clear away our dishes while we were still eating making us feel super rushed for no reason.
(3)
Andy G.
We have been eating lunch here for years. We always get exactly the same thing and I always leave at least $10.That's not bad for 2 quick lunches. It was only recently that the waitress even acted like she recognized us. (We seemed to get the same one most of the time.) There's a brand new restaurant that just opened right next door. You'd think that they would be on their best behavior, right? Evidently not. Today I made reservations at 1:00 for 6 people. I was taking my employees to lunch for the Holidays. When we get there the manager? takes us to a 4 person booth and walks away. I'm dumfounded. This is 5 full sized guys plus my wife. Seriously? I have to call him back to the table and ask to be moved. He wants to put us at 2 different tables, out on the patio (it's 58 degrees out ! ) or put us in some back room. There's a large table in the middle of the room but he won't seat us there because it's a table for 8. I told him that either he seat us at an appropriate table or we would walk next door. Then, without any hesitation, he says" then go next door" and abruptly walks away. All of us were just stunned. Unbelievable. I told all the guys before we went to expect good food but not great service. Boy was I right!!!
(1)
Scott S.
Let me explain, I wasn't able to post this until now. This review is going over a visit from this past Valentine's Day. Don't ask! Cafe Fiore was very nicely decorated on the inside, just for Valentine's Day. I made early reservations for 5:00pm. One big thing I look at is the front of the house. I received a call day before to confirm. I had some problem with whoever answered my call back thinking my reservation was for that day having some trouble finding my name, I have to tell it's for tomorrow, getting a response "well you didn't say that." When arriving on time getting seated was a hassle. There was a gentleman before me trying to get a stand table and got ignored. My fiance is next to me witnessing this just biting her lip wanting to say what is going through her mind and giving me a smile instead. In the end they didn't even find my name and just sat us. I hoped this kind of service we'd be receiving all night, luckily we received one of the best servers I have been waited on ever. Being attentive and going over some of the valentine specials, getting us whatever we needed. I ordered the risotto quail and fiance got beet ravioli. She didn't like it and my entree was very tasty. Our waiter came by around 4-5 times in the short fast dinner we had. He even read off my fiance's face she didn't like her food, asked if she wanted to switch it with another. How much I tip shows how much I enjoyed spending time in a place with someone I love, but of course being the beginning of the dinner shift. It was of course expected. I enjoyed everything at this restaurant would come back again, not with a big party since it was so hard for a party of two just to get seated.
(4)
Victoria B.
Very good! I've never been disappointed with my food or my drinks at Cafe Fiore. The service has always been good and you can't really ask for a better ambiance! If the weather permits, ask to sit in the "treehouse." It is a sort of indoor/outdoor cool patio thing. It has heaters and neat seating. My stepmom always orders the butternut squash ravioli, dad always gets the osso bucco (sad), and I vary between specials, pastas (gnocchi!), and the various pizzas, which are all delicious! Very fun date or special event place. The only downside (sort of) is parking, but there is a free structure right by the restaurant if you can't get street parking! I would make a reservation for sure!
(4)
Amanda G.
Sorry, but this place is NOT a 4-star. The food is painfully average...painful because it's so overpriced. The atmosphere is great. It's a beautiful place, and I really, genuinely wish the food was good, because it if were, I would be here all the time. I will say this...the tapenade they serve with the bread is BOMB. I think I could have just a huge bowl of that, a bread basket, and a basic green salad and be more satisfied then I've ever been with a meal there. I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and the food has never been bad, but it's never been anything more than mundane. On par with Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden, at best...at 2 to 3 times the price...and I don't know what the issue is with this, if servers just let the food sit in the window or what, but my food is never hot enough. I don't want my food arriving to me at a temperature that is barely warm, so that ten minutes into my meal it's now cold. Maybe this little story is just something that personally rubbed me the wrong way, but I'll let you all be the judge: Went out the other night with a group of girlfriends. If you're unfamiliar with their menu, all of the names of the dishes are in Italian, which of course can be intimidating when you're ordering (unless you don't mind using that tactic I hate as a waitress: the "point-at-item-on-menu"). So, my friend ordered a dish and struggled through the name of the dish to the bitter end...only to have the waitress reply in a vaguely condescending tone, "Okay, lobster ravioli." Well, yes, that's what she wanted, but she was trying to be a good sport and play along with your Italian menu. Thanks for making her feel like an ass. Again, maybe it was just me. Anyway...stick to the bar. The drinks aren't bad...get yourself set up with a cocktail and some of that bread and tapenade and you MIGHT have a 4-star experience.
(3)
BJ P.
Stooped here on the way to Santa Barbara on a referral. Really nice place with xlnt staff, very attentive and friendly. Waitress knew the food and wine very well. We had a great salad with arugula, fennel, a different cheese that we had not heard of and orangee slices etc.. Very Tasty. Gnocci was xlnt and Osso Bucco was good. I would definitely go back.
(4)
stephanie f.
MMMMMmmmmmmm.... my mouth is watering just thinking about the wonderful meal we had last Saturday night! Didn't have a reservation so we decided to sit at the kitchen counter. A restaurant that isn't afraid to let it's guests see the behind the scenes action is good by me! The bread and tomato relish was amazing. I kept telling myself it was time to stop munching, and then the basket was empty! Our basic veggie salad was complimented by a delicious vinaigrette! My friend really enjoyed her butternut squash tortellini. She said it was so delicious and sweet, it could have been dessert. I had the fettucini bolognese. It was by far the best pasta dish I have had in as long as I can remember. A perfect mix of tomatoes, meat, herbs, and fresh pasta. We stared at the nice couple next to us who was enjoying what looked like a baked apple dessert, wishing we had room left to order our own....ahhhh, next time! We enjoyed the food, ambiance, and kitchen staff's entertainment. The service wasn't great, but I'd definitely try it again.
(4)
Cathy K.
It was a random trip, so we didn't really have anything planned. The idea was to sightsee and then just check out some random place. We strolled up and down downtown Ventura, and peeped into every restaurant that was open. They all looked pretty dead, though. Surprisingly, when we passed Cafe Fiore, it looked pretty packed - so packed, in fact, that most of the tables on the outdoor patio were full despite the fact that it was freezing outside. Might as well check it out, right? It seemed the only happening spot in town anyway. Turns out, we made a pretty good choice. When we first walked in, the hostess was nice as ever. We wanted to check out the menu offerings before actually committing to eating there, and she was patient as ever. She was also really accommodating with our seating arrangement and gave us a variety of choices (even though the place was pretty packed). There was a bar right smack in front of the entrance, and lots of people were milling around drinking, snacking, watching sports on the few flat screens mounted here and there, and... amidst all that, there was a live jazz band off to one corner playing some really cool music. Families, couples, large groups, and even a huge dinner party filled up every corner of the place. Talk about a strange mishmash, right? We sat down at a cozy, intimate, candlelit table next to the wall of wines and browsed through the extensive menu. Turns out, both S and I were eyeing the same two items on the menu. We decided to just get both and share. The server was super prompt, bringing us waters, bread, and cold marinara sauce. The bread basket had slices of french bread and Italian bread. The French bread was much tastier and softer than the Italian... but WHO CARES when you get to dip the breads into the yummy marinara sauce? Oh, olive oil and vinegar, get out of the way! Bring on the cold marinara! YUM!!! It was also cool that they had an open kitchen. It was fun to watch the chefs whip up their creations right by our table. Our food came out fairly quickly, and as the two of us were super hungry, we dug right in. Chicken Spinach Ravioli - Both of us were kind of confused, as neither of us had ever tried chicken ravioli before. I must say, the chicken didn't add much to the dish, as all I really tasted was the spinach and the cheese. No matter. The plate was doused in olive oil, sprinkled with bright red tomatillos and spinach, and... in the center, a huge dollop of the BEST FRESH MOZZARELLA I'd had in a LONG while. Holy cow, that hunk of half melted cold cheese was SOOOOO good!!! Ribbon Pasta with Pesto - SO YUM! This dish was just a giant plate of thick ribbon pasta swimming in olive oil. Fresh pesto made the entire plate look green, which made it hard to identify the cuts of asparagus tossed in. Potatoes and pine nuts just added to this plate of deliciousness. Greasy? HELL YEAH. But good? HELLLLLLL YEAH. Sometime during our meal, the jazz band took a break or quit for the night or something... but the cool music was replaced by cliche Starbucks music (a la Norah Jones). It was okay, but I think both S and I would've preferred that the jazz band continue. Whatever. No biggie. The service was fairly prompt (even though we had a different server bring us different things every time, which I found sort of weird), the food was pretty damn good for the price (everything was under $20), the portions were huge, and the free bread and dipping sauce were BOMB DIGGITY! For a random place that we knew nothing about, I'd have to say, we lucked out. Pretty darn good!
(4)
Mike S.
Great place for lunch or dinner. Excellent staff. Reasonable prices. I'm not a drinker but I hear the bar is a fun place.
(5)
jessica v.
I have been to this place many times for drinks. This weekend I finally had dinner and I was not impressed. We arrived at 8:30 and were promptly seated. The restaurants was not too busy. It had a very relaxed atmosphere, no need to dress up. On paper, the meals sounded DELICIOUS, the offered an array of choices.I opted for the rissotto with scallops and my friend ordered the three cheesse ravioli. Our dinner took about 30 minutes to get served. I was a bit hungry so I was a little imptient. The bread and marinara sauce was just not cutting it for me and I wanted my FOOD NOW. At last our food makes it our table, I taste my rissotto and was very dissapointed. Where is the flavor?! The food was very bland! Eventhough I was hungry, I didn't finish the food. In my view, the food is overpriced. My friend's ravioli was not good either. I do not plan on wasting my dinner dollars at Cafe Fiore. The mojitos and the live music is the only good reason to visit Cafe Fiore.
(2)
Corey K.
This Restaurant is a complete joke and waste of time. The ambiance screams fine italian cuisine, the food sounds great on paper, the product poorly constructed with absolutely no concern for patrons taste buds. It has been months since my final visit but i still remember the utter disappointment that ensued after getting a pizza that could be outdone by "the hut", risotto that was grainy coarse and all too rich for its own good. For what is served the prices are all too high, i pity the regulars, faux foodies who would sacrifice flavor for ambiance. Goodbye forever Fiore you do not exist to me!
(1)
Melanie B.
Please bring back the Lychee Martini and the Strappy Sanda martinis/ drinks. Due to the fact patrons are concerned that the next thing to be removed, could perhaps... Gasp- the spa menu. Please don't do away with your incredible spa menu or cappuccinos. I'd not be able to go on. Ps, last night we ate here and ordered your coconut cake special for dessert- it was Amaze, simply perfection. Thank you~ M
(5)
Alan W.
I grew up in Ventura but moved away for college, so I never got a chance to really experience downtown. Old buddy of mine told me to come out to Cafe Fiore for a few drinks and dinner. I was mainly in the outdoor bar area, so I can't comment about the inside, but it had a great laid-back feel outside with people getting off work and going for a casual drink. Had some margharita pizza I think but remember it being very good. Coming from the LA/OC the drinks are fairly resonably priced. It was a little crowded but the food was decent, ambiance was good, and nice outdoor patio. There is a outdoor bungalow niche outdoor seating area has a great feel to it. Next time I come here I'll try and grab a seat there. Was great to go back to downtown and will definitely come back here.
(4)
Erin W.
I've been here twice and both times the service has been laughable. I got the gnocchi. Some of the pieces were wayyyyyyy under cooked and still just dough. The sauce was good, which made me think if it was cooked it would have been good. I've had top-notch gnocchi in Italy before -- so maybe my standards are more than southern CA can handle. The atmosphere is great though. Wine bottles everywhere and they have a terrace for outdoor seating in the summertime. I will give them another chance -- after all the third time's a charm...
(2)
veronica v.
Don't bother!! We used to like the place, the last two times the service has been horrible, and the food below par for the price. The brought undercooked chicken, with burnt sauce. We waited 10 to get refills and after waiting for 15 min, I finally got up, had to look for the waiter to ask for the bill. We'll never go back... Too bad since it used to be a nice place.
(1)
Allison T.
Very tasty! I went here for lunch. I really enjoyed the decor of brick, velvet pillows in the booths, iron chandelier, etc. For my meal I had the salmon salad. Delicious! Everything was well cooked and well prepared. For dessert, I had the strawberry rhubarb cobbler. And to top it all off my meal was only 20.00! I look forward to eating here again.
(4)
Littlefish B.
5 adults, ready for wine & dinner, were very satisfied. Seated at a high table at the entry/bar end of the indoor room. The dark wood, bar and fireplace create a great, active ambience for a fun meal. After seeing the more lit, rear restaurant area I know I'd have been disappointed if seated back there. The live band was good, but it was too loud to talk when they were playing (we were on the other side of the restaurant but we were at the front like they were). Excellent wine list and recommendation from the waitress. I stepped out and tried the cucumber martini; nothing special but unique. Very nice touch: fresh bread & very tasty marinara dipping sauce to start. Highly recommended pastas: - gnocchi: to die for! ultra-light very tender, clearly hand-made... enjoyed with arrabiata sauce. - rigatoni with a spicy pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes and shrimp - butternut squash ravioli (sorry, only thought it was ok)
(4)
Erin J.
I like this place, I really do.theres a few things on the menu that I really enjoy such as the beef carpaccio and a couple of their pizzas. Presentation is always good too! The one thing I've had consistent problems with is the beginning of service, before I've even gotten my table. I admit I've never booked a rez but I get there before dinner rush gets real busy and I sit at the bar until I have a table. Hostess always forgets! I have a glass of wine and have had to go up to em to remind them! Not cool! This has happened four times in a row! I do love the atmosphere whether it's in one of their nice booths inside or outside!
(3)
Amanda G.
I came here on Friday night for the "chill" night of my bachelorette party. The place was packed, so it's a good thing one of the girls decided to call a little ahead and reserve us a table. We sat out in the patio area. The atmosphere was great. We ordered a couple of drinks and everyone got dinner. The drinks and dinner were all very pleasing. I had the gnochi with pesto sauce and it was amazing! I would definitely recommend it. We also did some dancing once the patio turned into the Tree Top Lounge. The music was good and there was a ton of space to move around. My only complaint about this place was our server. We could hardly ever find her and when she would come by she would be quick and make her getaway. There was some random man, I assume the manager, who would come by asking about refills on water or taking our drink orders. There were only 7 of us, so it wasn't like we were a lot to handle. Our assumption was that she knew she was automatically getting a tip, so why bother. But if she had been attentive and even visible to us, we would have given her more than what was required. In the end, it's a great place and even better if you don't care about service.
(4)
John C.
Great Saturday night atmosphere (get a reservation!) Really good and unique food though service is occasionally a little slow depending on your server. Big fan.
(4)
Aimee V.
Pretty busy for a Thursday night. Bar service was unacceptable. Took too long to get a drink. Ambience was great. Great live band. But waiter service was no better then the bar. He never once refilled our drinks! I will say that the seafood pasta was the best I had ever had. So service wasn't so good but the food was awesome.
(3)
Darth B.
Nice place to go for some "Northern Italian" influenced cuisine. Have been a number of times. Friendly service. I've tried quite a few appetizers and main courses and all have been good. Little bit of a pretentious feel with the clientele, and the drinks were a bit overpriced, but all in all a nice restaurant to go for a great meal with family or friends.
(4)
Kelly M.
I recommend happy hour during the week to avoid the weekend crowd! It's a great place to meet with your girl friends after work, or a dinner date with my husband!
(5)
Gabby S.
Decent food. I had a spicy pesto dish and my friend had risotto. The risotto came in a pot which I thought was cute. When we went it was in the middle of the week and they had a live singer, who did an amazing job. The service was not the best sadly. We had to flag down a waiter to order. Another downside, this is place is on the pricey side. On the positive note, its a great date place.
(3)
Asya R.
My husband and I LOVE Cafe Fiore. We love it so much we got married on their patio then rented out the Tree House lounge for our reception. Anna and Mary Jane were amazing to work with and the staff was fabulous. The food ... out of this world. You won't get personalized service like this anywhere.
(5)
Emari H.
I've been wanting to go to this restaurant for a long time and we finally made it there for our anniversary. The first time we tried to go it was a holiday weekend and it was impossible to get in so definitely make a reservation. We were already happy with their basket of bread with awesome seasoned red sauce. The bruschetta comes with three types (traditional tomato, mushrooms, and zuccini) on a toasted bread. I liked the tomatoes the best but they were all too salty. Coming from me, who put salt on everything, it was salty. If it was all tomatoes with little less salt, it would be a great bruschetta. Then came the soups. We had minestrone (vegetables) and lobster bisc. Minestrone was the bomb! My hubby loved his bisc too but remember it is a very rich and filling dish even with just a bowl. Bisc came with a swirl of olive oil floating on top that screams "heart attack!" but it was very tasty. I could have just had that bread with dipping sauce with minestrone and would have been happy. We ordered gnocchi and lazagna. Gnocci was good but I've had better. I ordered it with marinara sauce but maybe I should have tried a different sauce...I personally like it a little more on a firm side. I did not like the lazagna because it had a weird taste to the meat like almost gamy. I assumed it was beef but now that I think about it maybe it was some wild game?? The sauce for the lazagna was not that great either but my hubby said he liked it anyway. The winner of the day was the desserts! We could not do it there so brought them home and had it later that evening. Tiramisu and a chocolate cake (forgot what they call it) was so good I went to heaven. I think I liked the tiramisu better... They have a great selection of wines so I think that would be a great place for some appetizers with wine and then some dessert. The atmosphere is definitely better than the consistency of great tasting food. It has a very cozy, warm and inviting mood to the place. Great place to take visitors. I felt like wine yesterday but they had a good selection of caipirinha I have to try it next time. Oh, BTW, it IS a cougerville. I think they had a mini convention when we went.
(4)
Steven T.
I just wanted to post my experience, and explain my 5 Star rating. The service we received was "good" at best but based on prestigious fassade, I would have expected more. I have been eating home made Italian food my entire life and this ranks right up with the best I have had. The Potatoe Gnocchi was outstanding. Soft & fluffy, which is different for me, also, the arabiata sauce was phoneminal. Over all I think it deserves 5 Stars for atmosphere, the food, and the very reasonable pricing. Great place for a few friends to go.
(5)
Wendi M.
I have always heard everyone telling me how great it is here, so this weekend I had to check it out for myself..... I had a blast!... The atmosphere was so chill and classy at the same time..... I went with my BFF and went to the Tree House Lounge in the back, we stayed for the DJ, danced and had a fabulous time. I was the DD so my BFF drank Patron shots and LemonDrop's... too much fun!... Great place for the 30 and over crowd.... We plan on going back next month for her B-day to enjoy dinner and a night of fun, fun, fun.... Can't Wait!!!
(4)
Michelle T.
After a action packed day full of wine-tasting, touring, and eating, the adventure continued at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Let me just say: GET THE GNOCCHI. seriously, after one bite, i think i went to heaven. The home-made gnocchi comes in a gorgonzola sauce and is accompanied by a luscious braised lamb shank. Everything married well deliciously together, and would have been even better with a glass of wine- but I couldn't after all the tasting earlier in the day. The Mare Pizza was also pretty delicious- tons of fresh seafood on top of a thin crust pizza with a spicy tomato sauce. YUM. Thanks Rhett S (and his parents!) for the tasty suggestion! I tried other dishes, and they were all pretty great too. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat (tons of cougars and manthurs at the bar apparently), the martini list is endless, and they make their own pastas! (hard to find in most italian restaurants) Would definitely go again!
(4)
Katie M.
Love this place; the atmosphere and decor are cozy, rustic and modern all at once. Great for date night or groups. The booths are cozy with lots of pillows. The food is delicious and the pasta is fresh. The bread and tepenade they start you off with is great! I had the lobster ravioli and a lavendar martini... While I've had better lobster ravioli, I'd order it again and enjoyed it. The martini was unique and fabulous, as was the calimari appetizer we shared, which had some breaded & fried veggies mixed in (though I could have done without the fennel). My boyfriend got the lasagna which was also tasty.
(4)
Russ M.
This was a pretty cool spot. We threw a party, of sorts, here for my in-laws 40th anniversary. About 25 of us basically took over the lounge area at the front of the restaurant. The staff there were great. They were attentive to our group and took good care of us. We ordered several appetizers including, an anti-pasto plate, tempura green beans, fried calamari and several pizzas. Everything was great. The pizzas were an especially good deal for $5 on the happy hour menu. When things started to wind down, a bunch of us decided to stay for dinner. They sat us in a private room in the back of the restaurant which was pretty cool. I ordered the gnocchi with pesto sauce. The gnocchi was perfect but the peso was just so so. Too creamy for my taste (not nearly as good as mine!). The wife had the fresh seafood salad which frankly, looked as uninspired as she said it tasted. All in all it was good stuff, save for the ball and chain's salad. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Felisha E.
This restaurant instantly became a favorite, and I make it a point to go every time I visit Ventura. I was instantly impressed with the decor, and even more impressed by the delicious selection on the menu! I had the linguini with clams and I can say that it is, by far, the best Linguini a la Vongole I've ever had (including plates I tried in Italy!) It was bursting with flavor and not overbearingly rich. The other dishes I had were also great, and the service was friendly. Definitely a great date spot, too!
(5)
Brian G.
Service was excellent, but food was subpar. We ordered Riisotto and Spaghetti with meatballs. I thought the food was just okl. But the ambiance was nice.
(3)
Dawn P.
The hip place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. This place has expanded since the first time visiting in Oct. 2007, with an extended outside patio/bar area. Great atmosphere inside. The bar is dark and woody. Off to the side is an area where a live band is set up with room for dancing in front of a fireplace and a couch and chairs/table close by for seating. Behind the bar is the restuarant section again with the dark tons that make it very inviting to sit for an hour or so. The outside patio is very nice, but even better is the new expansion of a bar and cabana type sectioned tables. If you aren't into the live band, walk on out to the live DJ and dance area and get your grove on. Drinks can be a bit pricey- two martinis for $18... hmm maybe that's the norm these days. I have mostly just been to Cafe Fiore for drinks, have yet to sit down and have a dinner.. So I will report back once I do. :) Cheers!!
(4)
Jessica K.
Great food, service, and atmosphere. Waitress suggested a great cocktail. Had a great time. All around awesome experience and we will be returning soon! I fell in love with their crab and calamari salad. Yumm!
(5)
Stephany J.
In love with this place!..the atmosphere is romantic and the aroma is amazing. They have friendly staff, and a lot of delicious choices. I've tried so many dishes, but My favorite is the lobster ravioli, creamy & wonderful. it really hits the spot. Their menu is a little hard to read, but you can basically order anything you'd like. You can order a pasta and change the sauce or add shrimp instead of chicken. Its really fun to try different combinations. The live band gives the place a great vibe too. all in all, hands down one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)
Tiffany O.
Wow! Went here for dinner with a group on Friday 8/27. The place was packed but we had a private room in the back. The service was amazing, the food was incredible and the sangria was the best I've ever had. I ordered the seared ahi off the spa menu and it was perfect, really tasty but not overly filling. My friends had pastas, the lobster ravioli was fantastic. Will go back next time I'm in Ventura.
(5)
Heather M.
Cafe Fiore, your food was most excellent. Everyone in our party was pleased with the calamari appetizer and our individual entrees. Your service, on the other hand, is lacking. The minute we sat down someone was asking for our drink order. Needing time to look at the menu we asked for a few minutes which turned into 10. Then a different waiter stopped by and took our drink order. Then the original guy came by about 5 minutes later to get our drink order. While they sorted out the confusion we sat for another 20 minutes before anyone came back to take our food order. We were catching up with an old friend which did offer a distraction while we waited. If not for that I would have been rather annoyed with our experience. Overall I would say this place is worth checking out for the food.
(3)
Jamie G.
Four people outside of Ventura county have recommended this place! Wow! Beautiful restaurant with an amazing selection of entrees and drinks. Service was slow... but we learned that good things come to those who wait. Our entrees were delicous!!! The bread appetizer was amazing with this great cold tomato and olive concoction. If you are in Ventura you must dine at Cafe Fiore! Don't miss it!
(4)
Jay S.
Really great service and delicious food. My wife and I had a great meal here! Highly recommended. Being able to make a reservation through Yelp was a real help also.
(4)
Alex J.
Great experience. The prosciutto wrapped goat cheese was ecstasy. The only reason they don't get a 4 star is because the seating in the booth had this annoying Velcro on the pillows that limited my space. When I asked to remove them They did so but left exposed the spiky end of the Velcro that kept grabbing onto my sweater everytime I leaned back. But overall a great place to dine. I'd do it again. Plus my dining companion was top notch.
(3)
Beth G.
This is beginning to be one of my favorite places to eat when I am in town. We always get really great service and the martini menu is fab! This last time we got the butternut squash ravioli in a sage cream sauce..oh my it's like heaven and Thanksgiving on a plate. And for dessert we got the Budino...I still can't stop thinking about it. All in all, I would have given this 5 stars but the fish special ono was overcooked. Yes, we should have said something but we were so liquored up on martinis and wine that we didn't really care.
(4)
Diane S.
Ventura's BEST!! The best food; The best location on California st. Awesome live music. VERY comfortable booths ( i have a bad back so this is super important to me)!! and the bar and people are fun and classy.
(5)
Elicia S.
I want to give Cafe Fiore five stars. I really believe that it is the best Italian food in Ventura County for dinner. (The Burrata salad is fantastic, roasted beats, fresh mozzarella and a chewy soft crouton-like-thing, really we get it every time. The gnocchi are literally pillows from heaven and the risotto is fabulous as well.) So why three stars? The service is terrible. This is not based on one bad experience, we have been to Cafe Fiore probably 10-15 times in the past year. We went for my birthday as well as my boyfriend's, because we love the food, but the service is horrendous. Every time we have made a reservation we have waited at least twenty minutes beyond the reservation time (for my boyfriend's birthday- party of 5- we waited an hour past the reservation). Once seated, the servers are nice but not prompt, or always accurate. The truth is, I will be back to Fiore because the food is brilliant, but I am prepared for the service to not live up to the same standard.
(3)
Jessica D.
This place is great! The bartender, Candace, is awesome. She made us her favorite drinks because we couldn't pick. She spent a lot of time talking to us too. The food was good, but the butternut squash ravioli is better at Cafe Firenze in Moorpark. (which I learned was opened after the chefs left Fiore) We had a really nice time, and for downtown Ventura, its a sure bet.
(4)
Marianne W.
Ok I too have read up on the reviews regarding this place. Well I have to say that my experience was wonderful. My hubby and I arrived 30 minutes prior to our reservation time because the Ventura Wine Walk and the Tree Lighting were in full swing so we knew the area would be busy, it was. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table. The place was so cute inside as it was decorated for the holidays and the fireplace made the atmosphere ever more enjoyable. If you like trying new drink ideas then try the Lavender Fields martini, it was amazing. I personally enjoy sitting at the bar watching the bartenders make the drinks. I wanted to try them all. We ordered the Beef Carpaccio while we waited for our table (another recommendation for you). Now on to our table, which by the way was ready in 40 minutes which was only 10 minutes after reservation time. This timetable did not bother us, we were kept updated by the hostesses, since the activities going on outside and inside kept us entertained. We decided that we both wanted the lamb so I order the shank with gnocchi and my husband got the loin with risotto. Our waitress informed us it would be 20 minutes for these entrees. I would rather be informed than sit around wondering where my meal was so thank you Clarissa. My lamb shank was quite sizable and fall of the bone delicious. My husband enjoyed his loin and the risotto was very creamy. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert which was such a shame. We plan on visiting Ventura again and going to Cafe Fiore. Maybe next time we can get a seat that overlooks the chefs in action.
(4)
Anthony T.
Great ambiance. The bread was great. The soup was great. Then the 50 minute wait for the entree. The entree, risotto with lamb, was salty. Salty! McDonald's uses less salt. Where is Gordon Ramsay when he's needed for a restaurant makeover!
(2)
John G.
Heard all the buzz about this place so I had to give it a try for myself. Ambiance was great, real upbeat and fun. Live band was good but I wish the music was piped out to the patio where we were seated, only some elevator music playing out there. The Ahi tuna plate was fantastic, couldn't be any better, the Free Range Chicken is presented in a cast iron skillet, unfortunately floating in the associated fat and oil. The flavor was spot on but some grease removal would have made this entree a winner. A little warning here, the city has instituted a new parking meter system, one in which you park, find the ticket kiosk, (Three parking spots away) pay, receive a ticket which you then place on your vehicle, No posting of this procedure is visible at the parking spot itself and can easily be missed, you must be aware. The dinner was good but the additional $40,00 parking ticket dulled the experience a bit. This donation to the city is not reflected in this review, only mentioned as a heads up,
(4)
Melissa G.
Nice ambience, good value. Been here three times now for lunch and food is consistently good.
(4)
Mon B.
I love the concept of this place. It's without a doubt an attractive venue, but we have thrown a few parties here over the course of the last several years with nothing but disasters. I hate to write a negative review, but besides the horrific service, our last investment in this joint resulted in food poisoning for 5 out of the 8 in our party...it all pointed to the Crab Bisque Soup. When we addressed the issue with the owner, we were met with staunch defensiveness rather that professionalism, let alone sympathy. We're voting with our dollars and taking our fun else where.
(1)
Red D.
Unique menu and that includes the deserts which is a nice. Go there to try something new. I enjoyed my meal and service. Good music on a Wed night.
(3)
Delilah R.
Cafe Fiore. WOW what can I say. I've been here times before the first time I had a GREAT experience from beginning to end the last three times have been close to horrific. ONE of the young ladies (I'm being kind in calling her a lady) EVERY TIME I've gone or even have called is flat out RUDE and NASTY the waiters and the bus boys have always been great and the food is wonderful. Sadly last night was not one of the better experiences I had called to see if I could get a reservation the same RUDE hostess answered the phone and just told me NO there is nothing I had my sister call and surprisingly she was able to get in a reservation. Our waiter although kind mixed up part of the order never didn't refill my husbands soft drink or ask if we wanted another cocktail. I asked three different bus boys for a refill on water which didn't happen and I ended up getting double charged for our meal. Although they have the best Osso Bucco that I've ever had the Hostess and the double charge on my bill is enough to never want to go back.
(1)
Kevin H.
Nice atmosphere, butternut squash is d'lish - practically a desssert. I think I taste a hint of amaretto cookie in the squash?
(4)
Melissa T.
Funny story, I tried to go here on a Saturday evening with a friend, not thinking ahead of making reservations. Bad mistake. They were booked until 10pm. So make note to make reservations if you plan on dining here! Then come Tuesday, I went here for lunch for work. We got a room reserved in the back. This is a beautiful restaurant!! The decor, service, staff, food are excellent! They have a patio area on the side too. Their food pricing is reasonable. The food is tasty and just right amount. They have bread and this amazing dipping sauce! I am going to have to come back here for dinner.
(5)
Angie C.
4.5. This restaurant is a wonderful place for a nice italian meal. I went here based on the Yelp reviews and it was even better than expected. The service was excellent. The food tasty. Going here for lunch, I had the pizza margherita and the burrata and pine nut salad. Both were very tasty. I also had a glass of the barbera wine. I would have that again definitely. Overall, a great afternoon lunch in Ventura.
(4)
Lauren R.
Husband described butternut squash ravioli as "orgasmic". Enough said. We ate outside on the beautiful patio, which I'm glad about because the band was super loud inside. Otherwise, ambiance at this place is SO lovely and festive. Service was very good, and we had a really fun birthday dinner together. Great place for groups!
(5)
Laura M.
For some reason I love this place but I don't know why..lol Maybe it's the big selection of wine =) The food is good and drinks are good, what else do I need?
(4)
Eric T.
A restaurant is more than just food; which is why I'm giving Cafe Fiore no more than 3 stars; here's why: Pros: Very attractive room Excellent food and decently (not obscenely) sized portions Very good wine list Waiter was properly attentive and not overbearing Cons: The very good wine list was also VERY over-priced. With just a handful of bottles as exceptions, the majority of the wine was $50-70 per bottle and up. The wait for the food was very long. The live music on a Saturday night is so loud that it's almost impossible to have a conversation--and we were at the opposite end of the restaurant from the band. The restaurant lost added revenue from us as we decided to skip dessert so we could leave and talk.
(3)
Rae M.
High expectations because of amazing experience a year ago. I recently went there and was disappointed in the famous seafood pasta dish!! It was too salty! The lamb rissoto was also salty! Something was up with the chef that night! To top it off, our male waiter sucked! He was slow, didn't introduce himself and we had to search for him to get served! Whack!!
(2)
Celina B.
We love this place. We go here for date night as well as family night. The food is yummy. The service is great.
(5)
Juan E.
I'm a simple writer ..... and this place is awesome for the food,service, and atmosphere. the owner is a woman who is always there witch is nice to see ..... The later you go the younger the crowd and then it turns into a nice night club in the back and a jazz bar in the restaurant. we love the wine,pasta,and pizza.... make a reservation or you will be wating a long time.
(4)
Frank S.
Always a busy place on weekends, I recommend to call for reservations in advance. We sat out in the patio area. The atmosphere was great. We ordered a couple of drinks and everyone gotdinner. The gnochi with pesto sauce and it was to die for! I recommend it highly. The service was slow at times, I guess that the number of staff was overwhelmed catering to all tables.
(4)
April N.
The food was a little pricey however it was worth it. The butternut squash was scrumptious. The bread and dipping sauce was great. I love going to this restaurant when I am in Buena Ventura.
(5)
Corina C.
Great food ad entertainment!
(5)
Kevin F.
We stopped in Ventura for a late lunch and hit this place. The food was okay, it won't kill ya, but for the price it should have been MUCH better. It is mediocre Italian food served in a restaurant with a great atmosphere. Restaurants like this are a dime a dozen around SoCal so we'll just keep driving next trip. Since we were on the road I couldn't go for a martini attitude adjustment to see if I would like the food any better.
(2)
maxine s.
We went for dinner on a Wednesday night, and cafe fiore was crowded but we got right in. They brought delicious (homemade?) bread and a tapenade immediately, which was wonderful because we were both starving after driving back from a movie in Santa Barbara. Their wine list is extensive: I had a Chianti that was very juicy and good, and my husband chose the suggested pairing for his risotto special, which was too sweet. GET THE GNOCCHI! you can choose your sauce and it's like eating fluffy pillows of deliciousness. His risotto was good too, with bits of prosciutto and surrounded by some sort of stuffed chicken. The waitstaff was nice enough but nothing special, but the food was super yummy. We'll definitely be back again...
(5)
Meg C.
The BEST time to hit Cafe Fiore is saturday afternoon- after saying that i guess i'm probably going to have to make reservations then too... hmmm- Regardless the girls and I always go there for dessert (first) and martini's followed by Lobster bisque (if we still have room or need to sober up a little) The service isn't the best but the bread is good- and the martini's are Wonderful. For dessert- the Bon Bon. SERIOUSLY!! Mint ice cream in a cave of chocolate resting atop a brownie! how can you go wrong? you can't.
(3)
Anna B.
Great food. I've been here only once, but yearn to go back. We got the butternut squash ravioli (best I've ever had) and an eggplant sandwich. Both were memorable, though the ravioli is what is calling my name to return. Their wine by the glass was also very nice. We got pinot noir and it was also memorable. The ambiance is nice and funky in a weird rich grandma sort of way. I really liked it. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Kathy J.
Although they have a great wine selection, the food here is severely underwhelming for a place that tries so hard with the ambiance and service. Dishes are over-seasoned, overcooked or both. The first time I came, no one in my group of three could really finish their plate. I've given Fiore a few more chances since then, but I've just been disappointed. I'll stick with happy hour appetizers and drinks from now on!
(2)
Del A.
My party of 9 were first in for lunch. We had the private dining room in the back of the restaurant. Nice room, quiet and private. Our server came in and did the usual drink order. No mention of specials, seemed rushed in a hurry to get in and out. I ordered the Meatball Panini, I know costco makes better frozen meatball then they served, come on people, and what about toasting the panini. The sandwich appeared not to be fresh made but put together hours earlier and reheated. The plate came with a simple field green salad lightly dressed and what they claim were in house potato chips. I don't think so. My wife had their Risotto, it was a nice presentation in a copper sauce pan, and actuall tasted fresh.I would order that next time, except there won't be a next time, because service was slow at best, the wait staff and runners seemed very board with their jobs and just wanted to get it done. No interaction with the guest whatsoever, and my pet peeve. "Know who ordered what waiters". I can't stand it when the waiter who took the order can't place the correct dish in front of the correct diner. This isn't a Hash House people. I give it two stars, food overall was mediocre and just not interesting at all. Too bad cause the place has a great look and a great location. Meter parking on the street and parking enforcement standing by just waiting. Not nice Santa Barbara.
(2)
Claire M.
Whenever I visit my mom in Ventura, we always go to Cafe Fiore, and I always get the butternut squash ravioli and a fruity martini. I have fantasies about that ravioli when I leave... The service is usually quite good and personable, the lounge is a great place to sit on a squishy couch and people watch, and the rest of the menu is also dependably great. The atmosphere is great for going to dinner with your mom, going out with girlfriends, or taking the husband. If I were young and single in Ventura, I would start every Friday night here.
(5)
Alice W.
Cafe Fiore is one of my favorite restaurants in Ventura County. It's got a great ambiance and I've never had a dish that wasn't delicious. When they get too busy the service isn't always excellent, but they try so I can't knock them down for that. If I want a delicious meal at a cute sit down restaurant I know I can go to Cafe Fiore and they wont let me down.
(5)
Vanessa C.
I love Cafe Fiore for their sangria (I'm a fan of both the white and the red), and their gnocchi gorgonzola. Their new outdoor patio is great, tables with lots of privacy and twinkly lights. Also, no velcro ripping pillows outside! Those pillows have got to go, it's mortifying getting in and out of the booths. I tend to avoid nights when the live band is playing, because the volume is so loud I can barely hear myself savoring my gnocchi.
(4)
Marcus D.
It is packed because the food here is awesome! The quality of the food more than justifies the price. The atmosphere is lively, yet the tables are private enough, making it a good place for a romantic dinner as well. You can't go wrong.
(5)
bobby d.
Went here with family on a Saturday night and had a great table. Waitress was a bit aloof but her backup filled in and took care of business when it mattered. Place was packed. Had to ask for a manager after being told "5 more minutes" for the fourth time by the hostess. The total wait time with a 8p reservation was 45 minutes. Food was excellent. Great lasagna and the drink menu and atmosphere was primed for a long night.
(4)
Rizza J.
I love this place. It's cute, intimate & the atmosphere is very cool and hip. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my top choices. Portions are tiny but that's what you get for upscale Italian. Desserts are awesome!
(4)
Lois P.
Great ambiance! It's Italian food that leaves you a refeshing and not so heavy feel afterwards. Maybe because they incorporate fruit in their dishes. Winners: prosciutto appetizer, seafood skewer (I don't remember the name), beef ravioli, chocolate molten cake.
(4)
N. O.
Way overpriced food, and the food was cold. On top of that the alcohol has to be watered down and the glasses are minatue. Wont go back. More of an older scene, 35+
(1)
Phillip G.
I gave it three stars because I disagree with Yelp's description of stars. To Yelp, three stars is "A-OK", whereas this restaurant feels more like Yelp's two star description "Meh. I've experienced better." First of all, this place wasn't horrible, it wasn't even bad. But for the price that you are paying, you should expect great or even excellent and it isn't those either. Pros: The atmosphere is good. Its dimly lit, and sounds like a bustling Italian cafe. Not super quite nor too loud. My date seemed to really enjoy the atmosphere. Cons: The price to quality ratio. I had the lamb shank, my date had the chicken. Both plates cost $24 which I don't mind paying but I don't the chef deserves this price. For that price, or even less, you can get much better food elsewhere. After splitting a salad, desert, a bottle of wine, tip/tax plus our two entrees the cost of the meal was $115.
(3)
Christopher L.
Very good food, very good service, decent desserts, decent drinks, older crowd, and a live band! They have a wine tasting special sometimes. Try the butternut squash ravioli! If I were 30-40, I would definately try to hook up with the other 30-40s in here late at night! I'm not that old yet and won't though. I did walk into the place once to get a drink with friends but saw a women who still had her bandage from a nose job. Needless to say, I turned around and went home. Also, watch out for Rico Suave!
(5)
R. Herbert R.
Arrived early Tuesday for lunch; seated promptly with courteous server. Ordered spaghetti, spouse ordered lasagna also house salad and glass of house red wine [wine came in a small carafe which was more wine than usual when you order one glass]. Bread was served with a dipping sauce. The sauce on the spaghetti was reminiscent of Campbell's soup made with milk. The surprise was the number of meatballs; more than a dozen, although small, they were tasty. The portions were more than ample. The total bill was $32.00, which we considered a bargain. We can't vouch for their dinner menu or service but our lunch was better than we expected.
(4)
Trinity C.
Interesting drink choices. Went with the raspberry lemon drop cocktail. Unfortunately, it tasted a little too close to cold medicine for my liking. For my entree, I went with the regularly suggested butternut tortellaci. It was delicious and the portion enough for two meals. I did feel it could use something crunchy on top. For dessert, I tried the special: grilled toast with nutella, bananas and icecream. This dish was truly awful. Too much bread and it had been grilled with steaks and chops. Tried to get through it, but failed. I did get a pretty quiet table in the back and thoroughly enjoyed the live and very talented music. However, the table service left much to be desired. It was exceedingly slow and at times non-existant. While I adore not being rushed through dinner, I also like not having to flag down busboys to ask for a water refill. In short? The entree was good enough to warrant a return trip, I'll just know to bring a book.
(3)
Travis R.
Okay, so on weekends its a bit of a scene... As Michelle said earlier, the bar is total cougar-ville with the occasional manther (hey, its Ventura).... but I actually enjoy the food here. I usually come in the middle of the week for dinner. The clams/mussles appetizer is predictably fantastic, not rubbery, perfectly cooked with an amazing sauce/broth (tomato basil based with a rich clam/seafood flavor). I've found the best dishes to be on the "specials" page of the menu. Though I did get a seafood risotto once which had the same base as the clams and the waitress didn't warn me, so it was like the same food twice. The wine list is decent but more than once they have been out of the bottle I selected, annoying. Every bottle I've ordered the wait staff has never tried and knows nothing about... that usually goes for the food too. I haven't had the best wait-staff experience here... but the food has always been excellent.
(4)
George M.
Best Chocolate Martini I ever had outside of Los Angeles, sorry Chicago, Cafe Fiore in Ventura has got you beat.
(4)
Joe G.
Had my second meal here this past weekend. The ambiance and feel in the place is excellent. My wife and I had great food and the prices are reasonable. You can get an average entree for $13-15. The wine list is good, not great but good. I would like to see just a bit more variation on the menu. That's the only reason for four stars.
(4)
Lee Lee L.
This place has nice decor and some of the food is good but the service time and again can be slow or even rude. The hostesses I have found to not always be of any grace which is a huge turn off. The manager even chooses sides with the hostess. Weird. I won't be making any more plans to eat there.
(2)
Michele D.
I was looking forward to checking this place out based on the reviews from other yelpers...but alas, my own experience was less than stellar. My companion and I stopped first at JJ's and had martinis...they make the BEST caramel apple martini. When we got to Cafe Fiore at the appointed time (8:00p.m.-we got lucky and managed to snatch up a a reservation after someone else cancelled), we were seated immediately, our drink and food order taken, and then we were promptly forgotten. Sure they filled our bread and water (too much) -but our food took more than 40 minutes to get to us and both the pork chop my friend had and the sausage that I had were covered in the same lumpy, broken mustard sauce. Their caramel apple martini was AWFUL- too tart -and the caramel curdled in the drink...ick. I will say the decor was nice - romanticly lit , and our seats were comfortable. The bar area was crowded so leaving was a bit tricky, but considering the amount of people crowding the bar, the ambiance at our table was intimate and comfortable.
(2)
Don M.
Great Italian food done in a true continental style with some California updates. Excellent wines. Friendly and competent service. Nice rustic/wine bar ambiance. If you want to impress your date or just have a great meal, this is a sure bet.
(5)
Breck O.
Left VERY unsatisfied. My pasta was undercooked and dry, sauce didn't taste like anything. My friend's dish was hardly edible as well. Good mojito though. We wanted to go to Mc Donalds afterward.
(1)
esther e.
The main reason to come to Fiore is the White Sangria. This really isn't the restaurant for vegetarians and the pillows are attached to the booths with copious amounts of velcro. Even if you're severely underweight, make one false move and you'll hear a hideous ripping sound. Get the gnocci or the tortellaci di zucca followed up by a hearty serving of creme brulee.
(4)
M W.
One of our "fail safe" locales in Ventura. Relatively innovative Italian food. Last visit we had the Burrata Con Insalata, which was a creamy mozzarella in a salad. Portion was very big, enough for a main, and was very good. We also had the Pappardelle Pesto and the Raviloi di Aragosta, which is a lobster ravioli in a cream sauce. Both these dishes were very good, with the lobster ravioli a bit too rich but with a good lobster filling. I have had some of the tomato based entrees before and I think I would go back to those. Some of the cream sauce entrees are simply too rich for me. One of the best things that I have had there was the risotto with gorgonzola and fillet of lamb. Sounds rich, but it wasn't, it was excellent. They do a good job on their risottos. My recommendation, is to share a starter and than go to the mains. The portions are very large and you will leave full! As an aside, the bartender could not make a Kir Royale. She put too much creme de casiss into the sparkling wine, making it too sweet.
(4)
gerald s.
One of the best in Ventura. Careful not to sit by the bar on a Saturday night though, it would be a bit too noisy. The food was good, atmosphere fun and an overall nice experience for us, a Long Beach couple up for a nice weekend.
(4)
Sandra Q.
I have mixed feelings about this place. 1st off there were reservation problems. I was having a Bday dinner party and reserved a large table for 12 in the lounge area. Other family members called to make reservations and asked to be seated by my group. They told her they would sit her with my group. She tried to explain she wanted her own table. When we arrived we had too many people and not enough seats. We put up a stink and after a while they got their own table. The place was packed. We were seated a half hr late at 8:00pm. It is so dark in the treehouse lounge we had to use our cell phones for lighting to read the menu. I was having a party after dinner and had guests arriving at 9:00. We we just getting our food at 9:00. But the food was fantastic. Everyone loved the dishes. I had the chicken with spinach ravioli. The pasta was so lite. It was almost like crepe. Melted in your mouth. The seafood linguini was great and spicy. We had18 for dinner with a variety of dishes and we all loved our meals. Lobster and Tomato Bisque excellent The drinks are well made and not weak either. Perfect drinks and food. Service just ok. In the lounge area they have a Dj at 9:30 They removed the center tables for dancing which gave us plenty of room. Music was a combo of genres. But all danceable. Some old some current. We had a blast. We danced all night. Had to hunt down the wait staff to keep the drinks flowing. Good club atmosphere. They have a live band in the main area that also played good rock so we could wander between the two music option. Watch out if you want to split meal and or drink charges. Great food, kinda pricy. Service lacking. Night scene and dancing were fun. I celebrated my 58th there with family and friends. Ages from 21 and up to 63. All of us danced the night away. It turned out to be one of my most memorable and favorite birthdays.
(4)
Dana W.
I am new to Ventura and stumbled upon Cafe Fiore. Took a chance as I had never heard anything about it and I was pleasantly surprises. Ambiance is cozy and inviting and food was delicious! Service was good too, waitress was attentive without being buggy. Will go back for sure.
(4)
Kristie S.
My husband and I have eaten here many times. The food is always wonderful and the atmosphere is romantic and fun. I hated to only give it 4 stars, but the service is a bit unpredictable -- the hostesses have ignored us and been a bit snotty, the servers can be impersonal and snobby. Last year we went for Valentine's Day and their prices had been jacked up higher than normal, so we definitely don't go on holidays anymore. Even with those negative issues, we still like the atmosphere and the delicious food.
(4)
D W.
Awesome Atmosphere! Good service, cool inviting bar and lounge area, and great cozy place to get together with friends for a nice meal. Everytime we are in town, we make a trip to Cafe Fiore located in the downtown area. (There is a parking garage in the rear of the restaurant down the alley - no charge). The restaurant is very warm and inviting. Reservations are usually needed - make sure to reserve your seating inside (the outside leaves something to be desired).
(4)
Angela R.
I visited Cafe Fiore yesterday and after reviewing their website I was impressed and looking forward to the meal. Upon arrival, they were extremely busy and had a great vibe and energy. We had to wait for our table, but the servers were great and accommodating. The menu had quite a few choices and our server highly recommended selecting any of the specials for the evening. I decided to chose something from their "SPA" menu. I ordered the Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna with Roasted Vegetable Salad with Grilled Asparagus. Sounds good right. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! The dish arrived and although it looked appetizing it had a funny odor. I cautiously sampled the tuna and the vegetables and it tasted very poorly. I could not even let the plate sit before me because I kept smelling a fishy odor. My date also smelled this odor. I asked the server to take the dish back and upon their return they did mention that the owner and chef could smell the odor too and they were sorry. My thing was then why did they even serve it to me!!! Unfortunately, it left a horrific taste in my mouth and my stomach was turning. They offered another meal and I reluctantly ordered the Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach with garlic thinking that should be safe. It came out much later than my dates dish and so I tried to eat it but it was incredibly blazing hot and inedible. The potatoes were more charred than roasted and the spinach was slightly warm. The chicken was good, but too hot to eat and enjoy the meal. I ended up taking a few bites and then due to time there, I had them box the rest to go. The overall experience was the atmosphere, decor and service was awesome, but the food was such a disappointment that I would only return to perhaps have a drink at the bar because I really like the ambiance there. But, in the end my stomach paid for the few bites of the Ahi Tuna that I did have and today I am not sure that I would return at all. By the way, the two stars were only for the atmosphere and our server last night.
(2)
east coast girl y.
I haven't been back to Fiore in a while, and there's a reason. Started going there years ago, and the food was sooo goood! Emphasizing the past tense here. Every time we would go back the food was never good as the last time, and the service just kept getting worse. I've been a server for years, bartender too so I consider myself to be extremely understanding if a server is busy, 'in the weeds', and having a hard time giving their best service to tables. But in most instances, this was NOT the case. I get the feeling most of them don't like working there, and it shows. If you order a second drink, order it after you receive your first so you don't have to wait 25 mins for it to show up. I understand food taking a while, but a beer? come on. I love the ambiance, and the fact that they have live music most nights of the week, but I could do without the same group of older men oogling over the younger women that walk in. gross.
(2)
Marc M.
I went here before a wedding because no one wanted to eat some of the scallops and shrimp they were serving. It was a fancy-ish looking place from the outside, and same when we entered. The service was fairly quick, and the bread was really really good. I ordered the pizza margarita, a long with 4 other people. While we waited they turned on heatlamps and some music. The heat lamps didn't work, and they were playing really terrible remixes of songs. I mean really an Electronic remix of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey? The waiter only brought us enough pizzas for the 4 of us and there were 5 people at the table. The pizza was okay the crust was almost like a potato chip. Overall It filled me up, although I wasn't too impressed.
(2)
Margaret L.
Really good italian food. I feel in love with this place after the butternut squash ravioliis: Creamy and savory with the perfect texture. The drinks are also pretty good, however, I do not recommend the Milky WayMartini -- even though it does sound good. The bread and tomato-like salsa (no idea what's it called) is pretty gosh darned good. I do enjoy how there's a healthy side of the menu-- however the regular menu is just too delish and easily tempting enough to cheat on your diet. The dessert menu is pretty good, however, the strawberry shortcake is sometimes hit or miss you never know if it'll ever be good. The atmosphere is a little on the older side (30+) but the live jazz and romantic al fresco dinning is good times.
(5)
Glen K.
This place is always crowded. A popular spot with the locals. Getting a drink from the bar sometimes requires firing off a signal flare though with only two bartenders for the masses and wait staff. The atmosphere reminds me of an old English pub in the front and Houston's steakhouse in the back. The booths seating areas need to be redesigned. The two top booths are too small and crowded in the walkways. The other larger booths have these pillows that you have to remove in order not to be sitting right up against the table. The service here is good sometimes and terrible other times. It has nothing to do with being busy. They sometimes have a band. Most of the time it is decent music, maybe a little loud for a restaurant. They have a patio area for dancing in the evening. Its mostly a younger crowd. The saving grace here for this place is the food. Mmmmwhah! I have never been disappointed with it. However, if you are looking for a nice romantic quiet Italian dinner, don't come here. It is attractively lively and delicious despite its Cybilesque service and Quasimodo seating.
(3)
Kristin L.
although last night the calamari was average, their wine list & staff are great. too bad they DO NOT have jazz music, but the RB/funk is great for weekend, party atmosphere.
(4)
suey l.
very cute place! good food! suey luvs it.
(4)
Corina F.
We were seated immediately as we had a group reservation. The food, wine, drinks, etc, all were served promptly. Food was good. Salad was drenched in dressing, so I only ate a few bites. The soup was tasty but perhaps a bit over on condiment. We sat at a long table near the kitchen but the chairs didn't suit the table. We were all sitting low to the table. Not very comfortable. The restaurant was busy but what made it really uncomfortable was that the A/C was off. It felt very stuffy and being close to the kitchen, didn't help.
(3)
Milady D.
Extremely sub par itialian food, it's off and we couldn't even stomach it. Please don't waste the amount of money it cost. And the coke was ice with a shot of freaking coke. Worst Italian ever. The chicken parm was also drowned in cheese and my boyfriend didn't even eat more than 2 bites
(1)
John S.
I took my girlfriend here tonight for dinner. The location and atmosphere is good. It's a pub up front and restaurant in back. It's a great place to grab drinks and eat some food but not for a fine dining experience. The great service made up for the OK to sub average food. It cost a bill between two of us this evening. The bruschette antipasto (appetizer) was good. 3 different kinds come with the plate... eggplant, tomato, and an onion slaw. All were tasty, bread a bit toasted to thick crusty and hardness in places but good flavors. Main entrees, we chose off the chef special menu and it wasn't anything to write home about. Risotto, it was flavorful at first but cooked too long (or stored after it was made then heated back up). The salmon on top was the same, it had a frozen reheated taste and texture to it. It tasted and felt like it was days old and reheated. Halfway through I couldn't eat any more of it. Not worth the $20, I just wouldn't serve it. + $8 wine pairing. I eat proper risotto on a regular basis, so I know risotto and after the initial flavors it was a miss. I bet it was pretty darn good fresh. Pesco, my girlfriend had the halibut on polenta with vegetables. The thin filet of halibut was nicely seasoned and grilled and went well with the polenta. The snap peas were blanched and good, the tomatoes and peppers were a bit of a mystery. This dish seems better than the risotto but was average but not worth $27 + $8 wine pairing. Dessert, I had the weekly special chocolate mousse on oreo with white chocolate creme. My girlfriend had the lemon trio. The mousse I had was stored and the macadamia nuts on top were soft and tough from being stored in the fridge. Just adding the macadamia fresh at serving would have been a nice touch. The lemon trio was decent and came with 3 pieces so a large sampling. Some of it seemed stored for a while... hmm... We probably won't go back for any fine dining experience but we might go back for the drinks and bar style italian food... ie. pizzas, bruschette, and simple things that can't go wrong. All in all, glad we tried out the place. For the prices of their specials, I would go to Cafe Firenze in Moorpark where you get a true culinary experience. LIke I said the service is really good though, busy bar, live music. Sub par food but the bar food and drinks seem pretty decent.
(3)
Princess Amy S.
I tried taking my dad here over the weekend for dinner, because it's his favorite. While we were discussing whether or not to sit outside, I noticed a Latina girl with long dark hair and a red skirt on walk by me and give me a dirty look. She didn't greet us, she didn't smile- none of that. Turns out she was one of the hostesses, and she had one of the most snotty attitudes I've ever encountered! She insisted on seating us at the very back of the restaurant, saying that she had reservations. While that may have been true, it was only 5:30 and some of those reservations weren't until 7pm. My dad wanted to be around other people so I asked a waitress, but the taste left in my mouth from that hostess was so bad we finally just ended up walking out. Note to Cafe Fiore- THIS IS VENTURA, NOT BEVERLY HILLS! And even in Beverly Hills I have never been treated so rudely with such a snotty demeanor. Ever. I've been here before and the food is decent and most of the staff has been nice, which is why I'm giving it two stars. But seriously, paying customers ought to be treated with more respect! Especially regulars, which my dad is. Never again.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Dave M.
Gnocchi is awesome!
(4)Emerson L.
Place was delicious. The Waiter was kind and warm. She recommended dishes and they were incredible. Some of the best chicken parm Ive ever had. When Im back in Ventura, I will go again. If you deciding between Cafe Fiore and The Sportsman across the street, do not waste your time at the sportsman, with piss poor service, inferior frozen food from a shop right, and a horrible decor. Go the CAFE FIORE.
(5)lynette l.
Exceptional dessert, short rib dinner was also perfect. Great G&T, all worth going back for no doubt
(5)Stacey P.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary and enjoy some delicious food and we were not disappointed. This was my second visit and my husband's first and he was really impressed. We ordered the bruschetta each piece topped with something different. The peppers added so much flavor and I don't care for eggplant at all but it was cooked and spiced so perfectly that I couldn't help but like it. My husband ordered the butternut squash ravioli. It was very rich and sweet almost like a dessert, it was so amazing. I ordered the risotto with chicken and mushrooms. It was served in a tiny saucepan and was creamy and the chicken so tender! For dessert we decided on the creme brulee and the peach raspberry cobbler. Hats off to the pastry chef, this was by far our favorite part of our meal! The staff were all so inviting and warm. We were really happy with our night out.
(5)John K.
A pleasant surprise in what was predicted to be slim pickings. We started with the house martini and progressed through the lavender martini to the avocado martini. Don't think I drank my dinner. I also had what I thought was the best meal at the table; lamb chops and risotto. I was completely impressed. We also had salmon and pasta dishes that were very satisfying.
(4)Ric P.
Been here a few times. I must say, they do a mighty fine job. Weather you're dining at the bar, booth or treehouse, the food & service are perfecto.
(4)Joe B.
Almost perfect.. it was really good.. We stopped in for happy hour... Nice menu, nice staff, nice ambiance. We ordered some drinks and a pizza.... all were really good... The bartender could not have been nicer. We will be back for sure.... It is affordable, tasty food and a cool place.....
(4)Seamus P.
The biggest reason you see this place jam packed & enduring so strong, boils down to how it serves every different type of diner, with $10 ranged Pastas & Pizzas to $20-$25 entrees & specials. My top 3 dream dinners here are: Braised Lamb Shank with Gorgonzola Gnocchi; New York steak drizzled in balsamic glaze with Butternut Squash mashed pots & Gorgonzola sauce; & the Seared Ahi Tuna rolled in sesames, topped with balsamic glaze & over Grilled veggies. Love the Pear/Gorgonzola/Candied-Walnut Salad or the Burata Salad. Love the Bread Pudding Dessert. And of course the fresh Mixed Berry Mojito is the most amazing cocktail ever! All the shi-shi spots in downtown offer mojitos these days, but not a lot of places do GOOD mojitos, ...this is a can't miss mojito. Also, It has a warm & stylish decor that's always comfortable to be in, with most every seat in the dining room being a big plush/comfy booth. For my fellow Venturans who know me, there's certainly a bias but this is my favorite restaurant in Ventura for a reason. I'm sad for all the sour folks with bad reviews of this spot that I love so much. I can't help but suspect that those unhappy customers have an unhappiness that Fiore just isn't clinically trained to repair b/c I've had nothing but consistently good experiences here.
(5)dave g.
Been there a bunch of times. I recommend it.
(5)Lisa P.
On May 17 we had dinner at Cafe Fiore to celebrate my daughter's graduation from college. I had personally gone in a week prior to make the reserverations and specify a table out in the tree house area. Everything seemed to be good. On Saturday they called to confirm the reservation and asked if we could move from 7:30 to 8:00, we accommodated the request. When we arrived at 8:00, we were told that we would have an hour wait for the table we had requested. The hostess, Amanda was short and rude to my daughter, as she checked us in while my husband and I parked the car. They finally found us a table outside, but it was in the main traffic way for those eating on their upper patio area, that we had originally requested. They did comp us a couple of appetizers, but it wasn't the experience that we had hoped to give our daughter on her graduation day. The food and service were OK, but I'd think twice about going there for a special occasion again.
(1)Marina R.
Absolutely love this place, from decor, to drinks, Moscow Mule and Pomegranate Mojito are my favorite, but everything else including house Riesling is delicious, moving on to the food, so so good, many healthy dishes, always fresh ingredients, just can't say enough good things. The place has an eclectic, earthy, and elegant feel to it, perfect for casual dinner or romantic evening, well done. Bravo! Love the outside booths too.
(5)Brandie D.
Let's just say this is one of...if not my favorite restaurant. I always try to get my friends to come with me at least one time. The parking structure is close by and a nice little walk through downtown....if you don't get lost that is....haha. If you are lucky enough to get street parking then that's great too. I always reserve ahead of time and get the corner booth right across from the bar on the right side. I have the same server every time on Friday or Saturday nights and she is wonderful. The owner is usually present and she is familiar with people who dine and is vigilant in the setting. The ambiance is amazing...and do not go there expecting Olive Garden. Just go, relax, have some drinks, and have a nice dinner. I tend to go later in the evening, like 8 or 9 which seems to be a more relaxed time to go and then they have a band that sets up on Friday's. I normally have at least three drinks...they are all yummie, but I really like the sangrias...there are two. I stick to what I know and order off the specials, but I should try something new. If you order a salad to eat before your meal, I would recommend sharing it. So far my experience with the food has been good...I know what I like and I stick to that. Lol. I always have to get the bon bon which is a huge slab of mint n chip ice cream covered with chocolate. It's amazing and if you are on a diet or counting calories...just don't order dessert! I have had a few of their desserts and they are all Heavenly.
(5)Pinot S.
I felt at home when I first walked in. The decor creates an aura of being in a warm sophisticated rustic italian relatives home. I love the cushions and how the plates are all different as if they have been passed down generations. The black and white photos reliving old memories. The antique mirrors. The display of various wine bottles. The out door patio is just as cozy. They have a great lunch and dinner menu. A marvelous selection of wines and decadent desserts. CAUTION: Middle age singles frequent the bar during happy hours and the weekends.
(5)Andrew P.
i was at the car with my girlfriend, as we were eating we saw one of the bartenders put her hair in a ponytail, then picked her eye 2 time and put the remains on the apron and then pick her nose and put again on her apron but never one time did she was her hands. I spoke to the manager and she said that she was going to talk to her. what a joke, she should fire her.
(1)meagen b.
We came here while visiting the area and absolutely loved it! Great atmosphere, great food and great service. Overall excellent. Great for a date or a large group, you really cant go wrong with this place!
(5)K S.
This is my favorite restaurant ever!! Cafe Fiore has a beautiful location. Located in the heart of downtown Ventura and just a few blocks East of the ocean. I recommend this to anyone and everyone looking for a delicious meal or culinary adventure. Their staff is friendly and has been with them for a long time. The bread they serve with the tomato sauce is so lovely. My favorite dish is the Butternut Squash Ravioli (Tortellaci Di Zucca). They have a wonderful wine list complete with local wine selections. Cafe Fiore never fails. I've never left there disappointed. I look forward to going each time I am in the area. I have been going there for several years and will continue for several more. Bon Appetite!
(5)Mike G.
I have a bit of a dilemma assigning a rating to Cafe Fiore. On the one hand, the food was very good; yet, on the other hand, we had a very poor experience with our service at the bar before we were seated. We ordered two Fiore Martinis from our server, who happened to be training a new employee that night. Since our server was the trainer, and not the trainee, we expected to get good service; unfortunately, that was not the case. Our martinis took a long time to get delivered to us and they were warm by the time we got them. I found it impossible to flag our server down, so I went to the bar myself and asked for them to be re-shaken; the bartender was a bit standoff-ish, offered no apologies for herself or our server, but agreed to re-shake the drinks. After getting our now-cold martinis we were shown to our table for dinner. Our bar server appeared within seconds in order to leave our bill for us (where were you when we needed you to fix our martinis?). The drinks were $18, so I gave our server a $20; he asked if he could keep the change and I said "no, please bring back the change". I intended to leave a tip, but not for the full difference since the bar service was seriously lacking. The bar server left and never returned the entire evening with our change. On to the food: My wife had the Butter Squash Tortelluci and I had the Lobster Ravioli. Both dishes were excellent and I would definitely return to Fiore for the food. Next time we'll just skip the bar area in order to avoid the terrible bar service. 5 stars for the food, 1 star for the awful bar service.
(3)Amy H.
NYE Nightmare! We arrived for our 8:00 reservation with a 4 course pre-set menu and NYE party. Our server Javier was wonderful, however our food was pretty terrible. Both Lobster entrees came out mushy.. yuck. and the 2 Rib-Eyes looked as if they came from different animals. One was in four small pieces charred to a crisp and was oreded medium rare. When I returned it, the next stake came back raw. at this point everyone else had finished eating so I just gave up on dinner altogether. After spending almost $1000, between the four of on your pre-set menu we watched a man get smashed in the face with a water glass which was picked up and then set on our table! Totally unsafe and unsanitary! To keep the night going we decided to move into the dinning room. My friend ordered a drink from the bartender and received a less than mediocre and half the size (as she ran out of the liquor) and he protested having to pay full price. She became very argumentative so he paid AND TIPPED 10% according to the the unsatisfactory drink he received. Well the bartender got a manager to "speak to him outside". Then decided his business was not needed and that he would have to stay outside while we finished the evening inside! We asked to speak to the owners or general manager since we had invested a considerable amount of money on the evening and this "manager" was being rather unreasonable. I handed him my business card to give to the owner and HE THREW IT BACK AT ME! So needless to say we left and will never spend another dime at this establishment again. Ever.
(1)Laura R.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. One of, if not THEE, favorites for me. Specials menu is what I usually order off of and am not disappointed. If you don't find anything that sounds appealing to you on the specials, all the regular menu items are solid as well. Bartenders are great. They have a great selection of wine, other drinks are yum-e too.
(5)Wes L.
We went with our two kids (2 and 4), and were excited to be seated in the back covered patio area that turns into a night club at night (I guess). We didn't have reservations, nor did we need them. The service was decent at the beginning (quick delivery of bread and relish to divert the kids, and a bottle of Borello for mom and I). I am concerned that a place like this doesn't understand how to do wine service right, but oh well, I just wanted the vino! My wife ordered the butternut squash tortelloni (basically ravioli), and I had the duck risotto (duck on the side since I don't eat the meat). My kids had cheese pizza (really good actually), and spaghetti with meat balls. The server forgot the lobster bisque I ordered, but was apologetic when I pointed it out. The food was served piping hot, and the portions were good! My wife raved about her dinner, and mine was good too (no one liked the duck though). The host was not considering her audience when she sat the couple next to our family (the wife immediately pointed out that they had just dropped their kids off with a sitter so...), the next couple were cool, and we were on the way out. Overall a good experience, just lacked attention to detail.
(3)Brian E.
A four star average? Seriously? Has everyone here really eaten the food at Fiore? If I were just rating the atmosphere and drinks I would give it five stars... they hit that pitch right out of the park. I especially like the "treehouse" bar out back with the great fireplace and good music. It's one of my favorite places to have a drink. I've eaten here three times though, and have yet to enjoy a meal. Serving food here just seems like an afterthought. The entrees are marginal at best, took a long time to come out and two out of three times were served luke-warm. Where's the flavor? Where's the passion of the chef? Both are missing in action. Of all the restaurants in Ventura this is the one in most need of a Chef Ramsay kitchen nightmare makeover. He could turn this into a fantastic place. Until that happens though my advice is to meet your friends here for drinks, but then walk down Main Street and find a different restaurant for dinner.
(2)Vince A.
I travel 3-4 nights a week all over the West Coast and Southwest, eating out quite a bit and this is the first time I eagerly took the time out to write a review. What a cool place. Walked in and it feels like you are in a big room in a comfy house. Sweet little couch in the corner with a bluesy rock 3 piece band playing great music. Full bar so it took a minute or two to get a seat, but once I did the place did not disappoint. I had the lamb shank with potato gnocchi and it was mah-velous. Gnocchi is usually hit or miss so I very rarely order it, but this was superb. The lamb literally fell off the bone with a light touch of the fork. I asked the barkeep to pour me a nice FULL red and he nailed it. Very eclectic mix of people of all ages and lots of eye candy. I would highly recommend this joint if you find yourself in Ventura and I look forward to my next visit. Vince A. San Clemente, CA
(4)Megan R.
I love the food here and the atmosphere is really romantic. Our go to date night place!
(4)Vanessa H.
I was happy to find that Cafe Fiore was open for a late dinner on a Thursday night. To further my delight, there was a pair of live musicians set up in house to entertain patrons. (they were actually quite good!) We were promptly seated and provided with the extensive wine list and menu. Soon after we ordered, an assorted bread basket arrived with a tomato based sauce which were both delicious. We ordered a salad and entree to split: the salad had beets, orange pieces, and mozzarella; the entree was a squash stuffed pasta in a creamy buttery sauce. Both were delicious! The squash was sweet and added a great dimension of flavor to the hand made fresh pasta. Overall, the atmosphere was great; live music made it feel more like a night out rather than just dinner; and the service was prompt, polite and informative. If you find yourself in the mood for an unexpected Italian dining experience while in the downtown Ventura neck-of-the-woods, give this place a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(4)Jim A.
We drive up from El Segundo 3-4 times a year just for Sat lunch. It's that good. Luis is a great waiter.
(5)Hula B.
Food was great, service was "whatever". Had weekday lunch with our 5 year old daughter. Decor was nice, restaurant was clean. Pillow backed round booths were a bit uncomfortable and a little cramped for such a big open dining room. We were greeted promptly and our drink order was taken right away. The drinks (Sprite, Iced Tea and a Shirley Temple) were slow in arriving...took at least 10 minutes. Butternut Squash Ravioli was delicious. The lobster bisque was rich and had a great texture. At first glance, the kids menu seemed overpriced. Once the food came, it had the quality of an adult entree. The mashed potatoes were a stand out. The Strawberry and Gorgonzola salad was very fresh and all of the components were well balanced. The short time we spent with our server was pleasant and she was nice but we only saw her twice before having to ask for our check. We found the bus staff and backwaiters to be a bit aggressive in dealing with our table. They were very heavy handed and almost careless when taking things from our table. Overall, the price was fair for the quality of food offered, the atmosphere was quite nice, the wine list looked respectable, the food was great, the service was not, cocktail menu wasn't very interesting but we'll have to taste our way through that when we go back for dinner sometime.
(3)Ravena F.
Party shuttle to Ventura woo-hoo!! That's right it's a 3-day bachelorette party weekend and I now present to you the crown jewel. 17 ladies dolled up in cocktail dresses, trooping through the restaurant, turning heads on our way back to our private dining room. Divine cocktails start coming our way fast and strong. Good thing they already had appetizers set up and ready for us when we arrived. The menu is mostly Italian fare, extensive and salivation-inducing. I ended up going with a seafood pasta dish to help line the ole stomach in prep for the night ahead. It was superb. The oohs and ahs could be heard in an orgasm echoing around the table as all the ladies savored the excellent vittles. Dinner concluded with a few chewable desserts ordered and several drinkable desserts ordered (ports and scotches for these classy ladies). Here's where this restaurant earns it's 5th star: More clicking and clacking of many heels as we traipse back through the restaurant and to the outside patio/club area. That's right, I said club. Damn, what a good idea! Open to the sky in the middle, the danceclub is airy and sexy. DJ was great, playing excellent dance music all night. We had rented two of the cabanas lining the dance-floor (including vodka bottle service), so we had places to put down our drinks (no drinks allowed on the dance floor) and the non-dancers could mingle. From dinner to dancing, the night was a blast. This place is a great one-stop date night, girls/guys night or bachelorette party night. Tip: Don't be freaked out by the live cover band that plays in the restaurant. That is not the club!!!
(5)Patricia L.
Good food and service. Recently had the fettucini Bolgnese, wow it's excellent! Full bar and good wine selection. It gets busy you may need a reservation. Stay away from the steak, stick to italian entrees. Pizzas are great, thin crust is nice. Cheers.
(4)Lisa O.
I've been to Cafe Fiore numerous times and I must say, I've never been disappointed - I always leave with a very happy tummy! While their prices aren't cheap, they're actually priced very reasonably for this quality of consistently delicious food. I live in LA and dine out frequently at many of the top LA restaurants where one spends a hell of a lot more money and gets half as much food; plus much of it is so "new and experimental" that it's not even very satisfying! At Cafe Fiore I'm always satisfied with anything I order and I don't leave feeling like I broke the bank. I've sat at the kitchen bar and watched the dishes they put out and it's quite impressive to see how many different things they have and they all look tasty. Some of my favorites when I go: - lobster bisque - caesar salad (I'm a caesar salad snob and theirs is my favorite) - butternut squash ravioli - Guiseppe pizza I sometimes wish they had a location here in LA so I could go more often and try more of the MANY choices on the menu but if I ate there more often I would DEFINITELY need to commit to a diet and live at the gym - their food is far from low fat but worth every calorie!
(5)Maggie D.
Too expensive for the (un)quality of food... but this is one of the few venues in Ventura that cares about ambiance. Don't go on amateur nights (too crowded, poor service); best bets are M-W. ps: the pesto gnocchi is sometimes really good, but usually overcooked. *edit: this crowd is turning lol.
(2)Esther S.
I totally loved my experience here, it's about time Ventura opened up a cute Italian place that has awesome food and a great bar. I came with a friend for dinner, there was a monstrous wait but we opted for a the less favored table near the kitchen. Didn't matter, the bread with tapenade, and carpaccio kept me busy. I ordered the Serrano pasta and my friend ordered the Bolognese. Both excellently flavored and delicious. I really should have stopped halfway through but honestly the ricotta is irresistible. Paired with a lovely Zinfandel recommended by the waiter I was in food paradise for an hour. I usually know what I want when I go through menus but truly had a difficult time deciding here. It's a really cute place, expect long waits because the place isn't that big, and word has gotten out that it's good food. Staff was very friendly and service was prompt. This is my new favorite in the VC area.
(4)Steve M.
Good drinks, good food, great atmosphere & live music.
(4)Diana G.
DINNER/DRINKS: Fiore's butternut squash - AMAZING!! More of a dinner/dessert entree - dinsert if you prefer. I do enjoy foods on the sweet side, so if you're not a real sweet food fan I'd tell you to order the chicken ravioli instead. Their Sangria is definitely my new Ventura favorite - and it was actually the manager at another Ventura who introduced me to it when I ran into him at Fiore's a couple years back. Lots of fruit - including lychee, lots of flavor and very refreshing. NIGHTLIFE: Been here a couple times after hours to enjoy both the live bands and the DJ who spins on the back patio. I have experienced both the good and the bad... some bands take longer/more breaks, while others play for almost an hour straight with a short break to keep up with the attitude of the crowd, I've even been when they have asked the management if they can play a lil longer - whoohoo. DJ wise, for the most part it's been a good vibe. I can't stand the DJs who clear the floor with one song and keep playing the same kind of music just because they have a mix set-up - NO. When a floor clears that tells you something- change it up!! I've always enjoyed the night-time atmosphere here, low key and filled with people who just want to meet and mingle. The front bar area seems to be more of an older than 30 crowd, the back patio/DJ feeding to the younger groups.
(4)McKenna R.
Two words: Holy Crap. This has to rank as one of the top 5 most exceptional meals I've ever had. Cafe Fiore is sublime! It hits all the marks for cool ambiance (fireplace, live jazz, sexy decor and fun, mixed crowd of young and old hipsters), excellent service, impressive wine/cocktail list, and finally, a superbly varied menu of offerings for dinner. For appetizers we had the wonderful, crisp Caesar Salad (with real whole anchovies, the way it SHOULD be done, oo la la) and the Caprese salad. The Caprese had the most wonderful, smooth mozzarella slices, topped with a dollop of pesto, and paired with lemony olive oil and basil and arugula. (nice touch on the arugula, Cafe Fiore! a nice twist which worked very well). Servers kept the soft sourdough and foccacia (which appeared to baked on premises) flowing in the bread basket, accompanied by a fragrant and savory dipping oil with very finely diced herbs, tomatoes and olives. I ordered the Butternut Squash Risotto, and honestly...NEVER have had such smooth and heavenly puree tucked inside tender, homemade ravioli pillows. The pinch of nutmeg in the filling and the parmigiano sage cream sauce (somehow they managed to make a cream sauce light!) sent me to the moon. My companions blissed out on the Lobster Ravioli, whole wheat pasta with sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella, and the roasted lamb shank with gnocchi in a gorgonzola sauce. I normally don't care for gorgonzola, but Cafe Fiore has MASTERED the art of sauces, making them big on flavor on not to heavy-handed on cream and cheese. We chose a bottle of '07 Ruffino Riserva Chianti with dinner--it was light, very juicy and so drinkable with our meals. A perfect compliment! I had the rare urge to sip a port for dessert, so I ended up getting a fantastic 10 year port. Of course, I also had to dip into the desserts everyone else got. Dessert was practically an insane notion to me at that point after all the wonderful food, but how can you resist little chunks of deep-fried banana with a nutella/caramel dipping sauce or banana caramel crepes? Are you getting the picture now? Cafe Fiore rocks. Go. Now.
(5)Victor V.
Very Bad! Went there with my date on a Thursday night for a nice romantic dinner. They state they are Southern Italian cooking which means everything is tomato based. Our waiter was not bad and the service was decent--but the food was sub par. My dinning partner ordered a Merlot, which was ok, but nothing great. I ordered a seven and seven which tasted like whiskey and soda water. I told the waiter about it and he said "no problem- what would you like to try instead?" I asked if they had regular iced tea and he said "sure" They brought me out a warm glass of Passion Fruit tea with a few small ice cubes. I hate Passion Fruit tea. I relayed this to the waiter and said I'd just stick with ice water (which they never refilled) Looking at the tomato-based menu, I chose something simple- spaghetti and meatballs. My gal picked chicken with spinach. They brought us some bread slices, which were so oily that it was getting my fingers soaked. I couldn't eat those. At that point I figured that it would be best to go elsewhere but it was my gal's first time and the reviews seems to reflect a great dinning experience from others. After twenty minutes, a server showed up with my order, but not my girlfriends. This caused us to look at each other with puzzlement. The pasta was undercooked and dry, even though I had ordered it tossed with butter and the meatballs on the side. The meatballs were about the size of a marble and tasted like bread balls. Five minutes after I had received my order and she was still waiting, the waiter came over and apologized about her chicken, saying that they had burnt it! I ate some of the pasta, finished my water and pushed the "bread balls" aside. Her meal finally arrived but it looked like a thin piece of deep fried chicken and that is exactly what it was. Very greasy. The waiter again apologized and said they were out of feta cheese but they were substituting goat cheese on her spinach instead. I waited until she finished the salad and pushed her fried chicken aside. A lady came to the table and asked how the meal was and I said it was just awful and gave her the details. She seemed very hurt and asked what she could do. I said nothing, so she said no charge. We walked up the street and ate at Dargan's Irish Pub.
(1)Philip H.
I went for the food, not for loud music and old cougars trying to harass me. I've ordered a lasagna which was very blend, I ate it because I was starving, in other circumstances I would send it back. Then I've tried the tiramisu, which had the nutella overpowering the rest, but the tiramisu traditionally is not supposed to have nutella, bah!! Great disappointment
(1)Yvette B.
The atmosphere is really nice and the food is good. The wine is absolutely wonderful!! It's relaxing and can be quite romantic when it's not crowded. The only downside is the size of the place. When it gets really crowded on weekends, the place loses it's 'romantic' atmosphere and it turns into somewhat of a bar hop. People are rude and try to invade your space. But, overall, it's a fun place to go. =0) Yvette L. Brownstone from Ventura, California
(3)Lauren M.
I had met my brother and his wife here for dinner about 2 months ago and forgot to write this review. I love this place. Food is AWESOME and the ATMOSPHERE is GREAT ONE thing, if you have to go for dinner make it a night when they don't have a live band, you'll end up screaming through dinner.
(5)Clarissa H.
Okay, 3.5/4, is the official rating here. I've only been here once so let me tell you what my ONE time experience was here. I went with my father late one night. ( Yes, late night dining! Not just bar! ) The atmosphere is romantic, I'd like to go on a nice-formal date here some time. I will say, not much here sounded appetizing to me, although my taste for italian food is typically limited to cream based/sauced dishes, over red sauce, and tons of mushroom ravioli and/or tortellini. And I don't like seafood, I feel so deprived. Their brushcetta/bruchette was good, I liked the fresh bread, and the sauce wasn't lacking flavor at all. I think it's hard to fuck up bruschette though, personally. I believe I ordered the Agnolotti Di Pollo E Spinaci, which if you go on their website can get a more detailed description of what it was. I was THOROUGHLY impressed with the freshness of all the ingredients, it was astonishing! I think that if you like seafood pasta dishes, or light, delicate tasting fresh salads, go here. Also, if you have a buck. I wish I could write more, I might try to update some other time when I go again.
(4)E S.
I LOVE the food here. I cannot wait to go back
(5)Miss V.
Loved it! Long wait even with a reservation, but boy am I glad we stuck around! It was my birthday dinner and we got a great table in the back corner. It's got great decor and they were playing great oldies: Frankie Valli, Dean Martin...sweep you off your feet? Oh yes! Patio dinning looks really pretty and romantic, so next time I'll ask to be seated there. The house salad is amazing. I tried the chicken ravioli because I wanted to try something different and it was delicious. My fiance had the lamb risotto and it was equally delicious! Half way through our meal they had a live band set up and start playing, which changed the mood completely. But not in a bad way. They cut off the jazzy music and started playing some fun dance stuff. The bar area is a cougars den for sure. Drinks are delicious and very creative! Must try!
(5)Connor H.
An all-around top quality restaurant. The service is good, and the food is delicious. Nothing to complain about, really. I had the lasagna, which was delicious. The food is rather rich, but not in a bleh kinda way, in a yum kinda way. I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)B S.
This place is the perfect blend of outdoor dining , amazing food, Ocean air, and an amazing wait staff! Been loving the Butternut Squash dish, and now the sister place... Padri has opened near me, but it is a bit more staunchy ... And requires valet? Have to take the special person in your life here.... This is as GREAT as it gets in California for sure!!!
(5)Steven T.
This has been my favorite restaurant in ventura for a while now. My friend introduced me to this place about 2 years ago, and completely fell in loveee. I usually go here for special occasions or weekends. If you're going to go on the weekends, i recommend making a reservation, place is packed. I've read reviews and people are complaining about the booths? I don't see what's so bad about them. They're quite comfy. The ambiance is really warm and suave. They also have a patio area outside, i think it's called the treehouse lounge at night? and they play music and have a bar out there and what not. It's nice to sit out there on a sunny day though for lunch. okay, so let's get to the food... drinks: they have a variety of martini's you can choose from, i've had the pom martini (it's really good.) Lemon drop (sweet, a little weak on the alcohol side.) they have a great selection of wine. food: i've had the rigatoni pesto pasta with shrimp; i think it's called the rigatoni di ginaro? (my favvv) pasta is cooked perfectly al dente, pesto is not overpowering, but you can definitely taste the basil, the shrimps are succulent, and cherry tomatoes go perfect with it. The lasagna is pretty good, I've only had a bite from my friend whose had it. I've also had this pizza that had cheese, arugula on top and some sort of meat, i forgot, but it was good and light. (maybe sausage or pancetta.) I've had their ravioli, it was light, the sauce was sweet and savoury, but I wish there was more =) I've had lobster bisque from there, that was pretty good too, couldn't really taste the lobster flavor though, but I still liked it. OH, and right after you order, they bring you a bread basket (white and some sort of italian bread) and this sauce/dip sort of mixture and it's deliciousss. Dessert, you HAVE to get the chocolate chip mint bon bon. It's HEAVEN. It's this chocolate chip mint ice cream covered in a chocolate shell, and it's just the perfect finish. Staff is really attentive and friendly, I don't think I can quite complain about a thing here, except maybe once, I went with a friend for a late lunch and it was like live reggae music or something and we sat outside, too loud to converse ... But overall, this is by far my favorite little restaurant in ventura.
(5)Jennifer S.
I really enjoyed my dining experience here. To start I like the ambiance. The extra cushions attached to the half circle booths, the open cellar, the exposed beams. We went on a Saturday for a late lunch, around 1:30 or so. I imagine that's why we avoided any wait. We both ordered some wine. The bread was fresh and simple with a nice cold marinara for dipping. I ordered the lasagna and was not disappointed. I don't usually order lasagna as most places load it up with too much ricotta and sauce. But I took a chance as it's made with a bechamel. It was delicious. Highly concentrated meat sauce complimented with the light bechamel. My boyfriend ordered a pizza with prosciutto, artichokes and mushrooms. The crust was nice and thin and flavorful and the toppings were nicely pared. Both meals were so good that we ended up splitting them. It was a very lovely dining experience. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Jamie S.
I used to love Cafe Fiore. The atmosphere is so beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was top notch, however on my most recent experience I would have to say that the latter two have gone downhill significantly. The food was sub par and terribly overpriced and the service was so slow and quite unattentive in general. The wine list by the glass was somewhat lacking, especially for an Italian restaurant. They didn't even offer a blend by the glass. So I ordered a wine on the server (Suzanne's) recommendation and I checked the menu to see the price, and when we got our bill she charged me $2.50 more per glass. When I brought it to her attention she brought me a completely different menu to show me what I ordered and not only was it a different menu, the way they had it labeled was different. It isn't even about the money, it is just the principle of it. The food was just okay honestly. Not at all worth the price. I've paid less than half that amount for Penne Arrabiata in the past and it was heavenly. This was just noodles in sauce really. Might as well have been called ragu. If it weren't for the pound of parmesan cheese I had them add to the sauce it would have been terrible. Our server, Suzanne, was so unfriendly and as a former server who takes care of her own, I was really disappointed at the lack of attention and willingness to listen. She lost more than the slight difference on the wine in her tip, needless to say, and I am always a 20% + tipper. The atmosphere is the only redeeming quality of this establishment, so if ever I am in the mood for an overpriced glass of wine in a beautiful environment, I may go back, but other than that, I'll pass.
(2)Andrew M.
Came in, they weren't that busy, had my date sit and save us a seat in the lounge area...asked bartender (whom i had to flag down to get a drink) for two drinks, she was very rude and stated that my date needs to come to the bar, I'm sorry but we don't look like were teenagers both of us are managers at a local upscale hotel who recommend this restaurant all the time...the bartender wouldn't serve me the two drinks, very irritating, trying to have a romantic drink with my date and wait on her a little but instead this bartender ruined it...we decided to not have a drink and went to anacapa brewing company where the servers are always nice and food was excellent...DONT GO HERE!
(1)E F.
While visiting a friend in Oxnard we went up to Ventura for some shopping and dinner. She had seen this restaurant before and wanted to give it a try. We got there around 5 so it was early enough to get a seat on their beautiful patio. The menu was quite large with many things that sounded great. We settled on the Insalata Della Casa, the Giuseppe Pizza, and the Lasagna Special that was chicken with bechamel and ricotta. The salad was your basic fresh salad with a nice balsamic. The Pizza was TO DIE FOR!!! Get it, everyone NEEDS to get it!!! The Lasagna...HORRIBLE! It was greasy, dry and bland as bland could be. We told our waiter who offered to take it off and replace it with something else...neither of us ate it but we didn't want to send it back as her 11 month old daughter was making dinner out of it...we didn't order anything else as we were full from the salad and pizza. We did hear him tell the next table that the Lasagna special was sold out...at 5:30 mind you...I think it "ran out" as soon as we told him that it wasn't good. Unfortunately the lasagna was never taken off the bill....the other person saved their money and was able to order something else...lucky them!
(4)Tom S.
Went to this fine restaurant on Sunday. What a great place, excellent food and a wonderful wine list. I highly recommend this place for an intimate dinner and if you want to hang for a while there's jazz and blues going on later in the evening
(4)Nostalgia J.
I have to give it up to Cafe Fiore when it comes to having dinner. The food is pretty damn wonderful, service is good-ish, and they have a pretty little patio if you like to dine alfresco. Don't you just love that pretentious word? The last few times I had: a spinach salad -it had a poached egg on top, and the yolk was runny. Sounds nasty? It was so good! The seafood chippino, and although I don't like deshelling sea creatures at my table, it was the best I've had yet. Spicy, garlicky, hint of fine liquor, and lots of fresh , delicious sea creatures. I've also had different big chunks of grilled meat and different pastas. I cant remember too many details, but the meat is always really nice quality and presented beautifully. They bring you tapenade with your bread instead of butter. They also have tons of fruity, girlie martinis. They used to have one called the key lime pie that was just too good to be a martini -it had grahm cracker crumbs on the rim...what the hell? Gimmee another one. Sometimes they have live music, and it can be hit or miss. The 'tude factor on the bartenders...I've seen them be a little rude, but as a blissfully EX bartender I get that. They lose a star for their bar scene, but here's the real reason why: Nasty old rich guys who think they're interesting and/or handsome that look you up and down like you're a rack of lamb, and get cocky and mean if youre not receptive -no matter how politely you tell them to fuck off. The place is too small to avoid these pricks. Have your meal, an extra martini, and head out.
(4)Richard O.
I'm just some one who really loves this place.my wife and I had dinner and drinks on Sunday and food and service,the best.was kind of nice the waitress remembered us .
(5)Darlene S.
Visited Café Fiore this Sunday for lunch. It was a lovely find for me and my three friends. We sat on the patio and enjoyed our hot latte's with their delicious Budino di Pane (an Italian style warm break pudding served with Jack Daniels creme anglaise). Of course, we started with this dessert before lunch and it was the perfect choice! Then we had their Burratta Con Bietole (a Creamy burrata, roasted beets, pistachios, oranges, fennel & avocado, with a citrus vinaigrette) and the Risotto con Pollo e Funghi (a Porcini mushroom risotto, parmesan & chicken) that was served in the copper pot, which was charming! Both entries had fabulous flavor and the presentation was lovely. The waiter was knowledgeable and friendly and they kept our darling cups filled to the brim with hot coffee. We dined for a few hours without any rush. I highly recommend this gem in Ventura. I also noticed a gorgeous private dining room for about 12-14 people that I'd like to try some time with my friends! Minus one star because I thought their patio could use some sprucing up and we had to ask them to remove the broom and dust pan from our view.
(4)Joshua G.
Boring! I'm actually getting bored just thinking about it. I'm not sure if I should be writing this review because all my memories of Cafe Fiore are getting mixed up with my memories of going to the Olive Garden. I think this is just a place where people go to hook up. People don't actually eat the food here. Or enjoy the cocktails.
(2)Alvin M.
Was in Ventura over the Memorial Day weekend and had a great time at this restaurant. The calamari was pretty good. I have to say, the arugula salad was quite tasty, but the fish special they had was disappointing. The white fish was way over cooked, so it was dry and could barely break apart. The waitress felt bad, since she recommended it, so she gave us free dessert and coffee, which was really nice, since we also waited 40mins for our food to arrive........ Also the music was a little too loud and twice within in the 1 1/2 half we were there, the light at our table kept dimming.......so it got darker. I mean, how much darker can it be if we are eating at 8pm..... So overall, the place is just ok. It tries to be a cool contemporary italian restaurant, but it's got some stuff to tweak....
(3)Wesley D.
This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in Ventura. The atmosphere is always perfect, and the food never disappoints. The pastrami is excellent, and the shrimp wrapped in bacon is worth dying for. I don't think I've ever been unhappy with what I've ordered. The Kobe beef burger is always delicious. The staff is always friendly and makes the whole experience complete. Another thing that I like about this place is how awesome the bathrooms are! Always a plus.
(5)Alysia S.
Wonderful! Would go back for sure!
(5)Kathy R.
We got to the restuarant and our table was ready; But it was a back table amd tje seat was was tpp marrpw tp sot om/ We squeezed into the booth and my husband went to get the hostess. She did not want to move use but sitting in the back was a deal breaker and my husband insisted. Resettled into a booth in the main area was much better but those soft pillows are useless. Very uncomfortable; And the velcro that holds the pillows is filthy - full of old food and hair. Grossed me out.Our waiter gave us the rundown on specials and so we ordered a special salad with figs - delicious. We ordered a lovely Italian Wine (Montepulcino) which was fabulous. Bread delicious. My husband ordered a steak and 4 cheese risotto and i ordered Ossobuco The steak piece was cooked as ordered and tender. The risotto just ok. My Osso Buco had way way too much saffron. We were disappointed. Our Trio dessert was good. . . Out waiter very attentive but his bus boy was a bi over-zealous trying to clear away our dishes while we were still eating making us feel super rushed for no reason.
(3)Andy G.
We have been eating lunch here for years. We always get exactly the same thing and I always leave at least $10.That's not bad for 2 quick lunches. It was only recently that the waitress even acted like she recognized us. (We seemed to get the same one most of the time.) There's a brand new restaurant that just opened right next door. You'd think that they would be on their best behavior, right? Evidently not. Today I made reservations at 1:00 for 6 people. I was taking my employees to lunch for the Holidays. When we get there the manager? takes us to a 4 person booth and walks away. I'm dumfounded. This is 5 full sized guys plus my wife. Seriously? I have to call him back to the table and ask to be moved. He wants to put us at 2 different tables, out on the patio (it's 58 degrees out ! ) or put us in some back room. There's a large table in the middle of the room but he won't seat us there because it's a table for 8. I told him that either he seat us at an appropriate table or we would walk next door. Then, without any hesitation, he says" then go next door" and abruptly walks away. All of us were just stunned. Unbelievable. I told all the guys before we went to expect good food but not great service. Boy was I right!!!
(1)Scott S.
Let me explain, I wasn't able to post this until now. This review is going over a visit from this past Valentine's Day. Don't ask! Cafe Fiore was very nicely decorated on the inside, just for Valentine's Day. I made early reservations for 5:00pm. One big thing I look at is the front of the house. I received a call day before to confirm. I had some problem with whoever answered my call back thinking my reservation was for that day having some trouble finding my name, I have to tell it's for tomorrow, getting a response "well you didn't say that." When arriving on time getting seated was a hassle. There was a gentleman before me trying to get a stand table and got ignored. My fiance is next to me witnessing this just biting her lip wanting to say what is going through her mind and giving me a smile instead. In the end they didn't even find my name and just sat us. I hoped this kind of service we'd be receiving all night, luckily we received one of the best servers I have been waited on ever. Being attentive and going over some of the valentine specials, getting us whatever we needed. I ordered the risotto quail and fiance got beet ravioli. She didn't like it and my entree was very tasty. Our waiter came by around 4-5 times in the short fast dinner we had. He even read off my fiance's face she didn't like her food, asked if she wanted to switch it with another. How much I tip shows how much I enjoyed spending time in a place with someone I love, but of course being the beginning of the dinner shift. It was of course expected. I enjoyed everything at this restaurant would come back again, not with a big party since it was so hard for a party of two just to get seated.
(4)Victoria B.
Very good! I've never been disappointed with my food or my drinks at Cafe Fiore. The service has always been good and you can't really ask for a better ambiance! If the weather permits, ask to sit in the "treehouse." It is a sort of indoor/outdoor cool patio thing. It has heaters and neat seating. My stepmom always orders the butternut squash ravioli, dad always gets the osso bucco (sad), and I vary between specials, pastas (gnocchi!), and the various pizzas, which are all delicious! Very fun date or special event place. The only downside (sort of) is parking, but there is a free structure right by the restaurant if you can't get street parking! I would make a reservation for sure!
(4)Amanda G.
Sorry, but this place is NOT a 4-star. The food is painfully average...painful because it's so overpriced. The atmosphere is great. It's a beautiful place, and I really, genuinely wish the food was good, because it if were, I would be here all the time. I will say this...the tapenade they serve with the bread is BOMB. I think I could have just a huge bowl of that, a bread basket, and a basic green salad and be more satisfied then I've ever been with a meal there. I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and the food has never been bad, but it's never been anything more than mundane. On par with Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden, at best...at 2 to 3 times the price...and I don't know what the issue is with this, if servers just let the food sit in the window or what, but my food is never hot enough. I don't want my food arriving to me at a temperature that is barely warm, so that ten minutes into my meal it's now cold. Maybe this little story is just something that personally rubbed me the wrong way, but I'll let you all be the judge: Went out the other night with a group of girlfriends. If you're unfamiliar with their menu, all of the names of the dishes are in Italian, which of course can be intimidating when you're ordering (unless you don't mind using that tactic I hate as a waitress: the "point-at-item-on-menu"). So, my friend ordered a dish and struggled through the name of the dish to the bitter end...only to have the waitress reply in a vaguely condescending tone, "Okay, lobster ravioli." Well, yes, that's what she wanted, but she was trying to be a good sport and play along with your Italian menu. Thanks for making her feel like an ass. Again, maybe it was just me. Anyway...stick to the bar. The drinks aren't bad...get yourself set up with a cocktail and some of that bread and tapenade and you MIGHT have a 4-star experience.
(3)BJ P.
Stooped here on the way to Santa Barbara on a referral. Really nice place with xlnt staff, very attentive and friendly. Waitress knew the food and wine very well. We had a great salad with arugula, fennel, a different cheese that we had not heard of and orangee slices etc.. Very Tasty. Gnocci was xlnt and Osso Bucco was good. I would definitely go back.
(4)stephanie f.
MMMMMmmmmmmm.... my mouth is watering just thinking about the wonderful meal we had last Saturday night! Didn't have a reservation so we decided to sit at the kitchen counter. A restaurant that isn't afraid to let it's guests see the behind the scenes action is good by me! The bread and tomato relish was amazing. I kept telling myself it was time to stop munching, and then the basket was empty! Our basic veggie salad was complimented by a delicious vinaigrette! My friend really enjoyed her butternut squash tortellini. She said it was so delicious and sweet, it could have been dessert. I had the fettucini bolognese. It was by far the best pasta dish I have had in as long as I can remember. A perfect mix of tomatoes, meat, herbs, and fresh pasta. We stared at the nice couple next to us who was enjoying what looked like a baked apple dessert, wishing we had room left to order our own....ahhhh, next time! We enjoyed the food, ambiance, and kitchen staff's entertainment. The service wasn't great, but I'd definitely try it again.
(4)Cathy K.
It was a random trip, so we didn't really have anything planned. The idea was to sightsee and then just check out some random place. We strolled up and down downtown Ventura, and peeped into every restaurant that was open. They all looked pretty dead, though. Surprisingly, when we passed Cafe Fiore, it looked pretty packed - so packed, in fact, that most of the tables on the outdoor patio were full despite the fact that it was freezing outside. Might as well check it out, right? It seemed the only happening spot in town anyway. Turns out, we made a pretty good choice. When we first walked in, the hostess was nice as ever. We wanted to check out the menu offerings before actually committing to eating there, and she was patient as ever. She was also really accommodating with our seating arrangement and gave us a variety of choices (even though the place was pretty packed). There was a bar right smack in front of the entrance, and lots of people were milling around drinking, snacking, watching sports on the few flat screens mounted here and there, and... amidst all that, there was a live jazz band off to one corner playing some really cool music. Families, couples, large groups, and even a huge dinner party filled up every corner of the place. Talk about a strange mishmash, right? We sat down at a cozy, intimate, candlelit table next to the wall of wines and browsed through the extensive menu. Turns out, both S and I were eyeing the same two items on the menu. We decided to just get both and share. The server was super prompt, bringing us waters, bread, and cold marinara sauce. The bread basket had slices of french bread and Italian bread. The French bread was much tastier and softer than the Italian... but WHO CARES when you get to dip the breads into the yummy marinara sauce? Oh, olive oil and vinegar, get out of the way! Bring on the cold marinara! YUM!!! It was also cool that they had an open kitchen. It was fun to watch the chefs whip up their creations right by our table. Our food came out fairly quickly, and as the two of us were super hungry, we dug right in. Chicken Spinach Ravioli - Both of us were kind of confused, as neither of us had ever tried chicken ravioli before. I must say, the chicken didn't add much to the dish, as all I really tasted was the spinach and the cheese. No matter. The plate was doused in olive oil, sprinkled with bright red tomatillos and spinach, and... in the center, a huge dollop of the BEST FRESH MOZZARELLA I'd had in a LONG while. Holy cow, that hunk of half melted cold cheese was SOOOOO good!!! Ribbon Pasta with Pesto - SO YUM! This dish was just a giant plate of thick ribbon pasta swimming in olive oil. Fresh pesto made the entire plate look green, which made it hard to identify the cuts of asparagus tossed in. Potatoes and pine nuts just added to this plate of deliciousness. Greasy? HELL YEAH. But good? HELLLLLLL YEAH. Sometime during our meal, the jazz band took a break or quit for the night or something... but the cool music was replaced by cliche Starbucks music (a la Norah Jones). It was okay, but I think both S and I would've preferred that the jazz band continue. Whatever. No biggie. The service was fairly prompt (even though we had a different server bring us different things every time, which I found sort of weird), the food was pretty damn good for the price (everything was under $20), the portions were huge, and the free bread and dipping sauce were BOMB DIGGITY! For a random place that we knew nothing about, I'd have to say, we lucked out. Pretty darn good!
(4)Mike S.
Great place for lunch or dinner. Excellent staff. Reasonable prices. I'm not a drinker but I hear the bar is a fun place.
(5)jessica v.
I have been to this place many times for drinks. This weekend I finally had dinner and I was not impressed. We arrived at 8:30 and were promptly seated. The restaurants was not too busy. It had a very relaxed atmosphere, no need to dress up. On paper, the meals sounded DELICIOUS, the offered an array of choices.I opted for the rissotto with scallops and my friend ordered the three cheesse ravioli. Our dinner took about 30 minutes to get served. I was a bit hungry so I was a little imptient. The bread and marinara sauce was just not cutting it for me and I wanted my FOOD NOW. At last our food makes it our table, I taste my rissotto and was very dissapointed. Where is the flavor?! The food was very bland! Eventhough I was hungry, I didn't finish the food. In my view, the food is overpriced. My friend's ravioli was not good either. I do not plan on wasting my dinner dollars at Cafe Fiore. The mojitos and the live music is the only good reason to visit Cafe Fiore.
(2)Corey K.
This Restaurant is a complete joke and waste of time. The ambiance screams fine italian cuisine, the food sounds great on paper, the product poorly constructed with absolutely no concern for patrons taste buds. It has been months since my final visit but i still remember the utter disappointment that ensued after getting a pizza that could be outdone by "the hut", risotto that was grainy coarse and all too rich for its own good. For what is served the prices are all too high, i pity the regulars, faux foodies who would sacrifice flavor for ambiance. Goodbye forever Fiore you do not exist to me!
(1)Melanie B.
Please bring back the Lychee Martini and the Strappy Sanda martinis/ drinks. Due to the fact patrons are concerned that the next thing to be removed, could perhaps... Gasp- the spa menu. Please don't do away with your incredible spa menu or cappuccinos. I'd not be able to go on. Ps, last night we ate here and ordered your coconut cake special for dessert- it was Amaze, simply perfection. Thank you~ M
(5)Alan W.
I grew up in Ventura but moved away for college, so I never got a chance to really experience downtown. Old buddy of mine told me to come out to Cafe Fiore for a few drinks and dinner. I was mainly in the outdoor bar area, so I can't comment about the inside, but it had a great laid-back feel outside with people getting off work and going for a casual drink. Had some margharita pizza I think but remember it being very good. Coming from the LA/OC the drinks are fairly resonably priced. It was a little crowded but the food was decent, ambiance was good, and nice outdoor patio. There is a outdoor bungalow niche outdoor seating area has a great feel to it. Next time I come here I'll try and grab a seat there. Was great to go back to downtown and will definitely come back here.
(4)Erin W.
I've been here twice and both times the service has been laughable. I got the gnocchi. Some of the pieces were wayyyyyyy under cooked and still just dough. The sauce was good, which made me think if it was cooked it would have been good. I've had top-notch gnocchi in Italy before -- so maybe my standards are more than southern CA can handle. The atmosphere is great though. Wine bottles everywhere and they have a terrace for outdoor seating in the summertime. I will give them another chance -- after all the third time's a charm...
(2)veronica v.
Don't bother!! We used to like the place, the last two times the service has been horrible, and the food below par for the price. The brought undercooked chicken, with burnt sauce. We waited 10 to get refills and after waiting for 15 min, I finally got up, had to look for the waiter to ask for the bill. We'll never go back... Too bad since it used to be a nice place.
(1)Allison T.
Very tasty! I went here for lunch. I really enjoyed the decor of brick, velvet pillows in the booths, iron chandelier, etc. For my meal I had the salmon salad. Delicious! Everything was well cooked and well prepared. For dessert, I had the strawberry rhubarb cobbler. And to top it all off my meal was only 20.00! I look forward to eating here again.
(4)Littlefish B.
5 adults, ready for wine & dinner, were very satisfied. Seated at a high table at the entry/bar end of the indoor room. The dark wood, bar and fireplace create a great, active ambience for a fun meal. After seeing the more lit, rear restaurant area I know I'd have been disappointed if seated back there. The live band was good, but it was too loud to talk when they were playing (we were on the other side of the restaurant but we were at the front like they were). Excellent wine list and recommendation from the waitress. I stepped out and tried the cucumber martini; nothing special but unique. Very nice touch: fresh bread & very tasty marinara dipping sauce to start. Highly recommended pastas: - gnocchi: to die for! ultra-light very tender, clearly hand-made... enjoyed with arrabiata sauce. - rigatoni with a spicy pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes and shrimp - butternut squash ravioli (sorry, only thought it was ok)
(4)Erin J.
I like this place, I really do.theres a few things on the menu that I really enjoy such as the beef carpaccio and a couple of their pizzas. Presentation is always good too! The one thing I've had consistent problems with is the beginning of service, before I've even gotten my table. I admit I've never booked a rez but I get there before dinner rush gets real busy and I sit at the bar until I have a table. Hostess always forgets! I have a glass of wine and have had to go up to em to remind them! Not cool! This has happened four times in a row! I do love the atmosphere whether it's in one of their nice booths inside or outside!
(3)Amanda G.
I came here on Friday night for the "chill" night of my bachelorette party. The place was packed, so it's a good thing one of the girls decided to call a little ahead and reserve us a table. We sat out in the patio area. The atmosphere was great. We ordered a couple of drinks and everyone got dinner. The drinks and dinner were all very pleasing. I had the gnochi with pesto sauce and it was amazing! I would definitely recommend it. We also did some dancing once the patio turned into the Tree Top Lounge. The music was good and there was a ton of space to move around. My only complaint about this place was our server. We could hardly ever find her and when she would come by she would be quick and make her getaway. There was some random man, I assume the manager, who would come by asking about refills on water or taking our drink orders. There were only 7 of us, so it wasn't like we were a lot to handle. Our assumption was that she knew she was automatically getting a tip, so why bother. But if she had been attentive and even visible to us, we would have given her more than what was required. In the end, it's a great place and even better if you don't care about service.
(4)John C.
Great Saturday night atmosphere (get a reservation!) Really good and unique food though service is occasionally a little slow depending on your server. Big fan.
(4)Aimee V.
Pretty busy for a Thursday night. Bar service was unacceptable. Took too long to get a drink. Ambience was great. Great live band. But waiter service was no better then the bar. He never once refilled our drinks! I will say that the seafood pasta was the best I had ever had. So service wasn't so good but the food was awesome.
(3)Darth B.
Nice place to go for some "Northern Italian" influenced cuisine. Have been a number of times. Friendly service. I've tried quite a few appetizers and main courses and all have been good. Little bit of a pretentious feel with the clientele, and the drinks were a bit overpriced, but all in all a nice restaurant to go for a great meal with family or friends.
(4)Kelly M.
I recommend happy hour during the week to avoid the weekend crowd! It's a great place to meet with your girl friends after work, or a dinner date with my husband!
(5)Gabby S.
Decent food. I had a spicy pesto dish and my friend had risotto. The risotto came in a pot which I thought was cute. When we went it was in the middle of the week and they had a live singer, who did an amazing job. The service was not the best sadly. We had to flag down a waiter to order. Another downside, this is place is on the pricey side. On the positive note, its a great date place.
(3)Asya R.
My husband and I LOVE Cafe Fiore. We love it so much we got married on their patio then rented out the Tree House lounge for our reception. Anna and Mary Jane were amazing to work with and the staff was fabulous. The food ... out of this world. You won't get personalized service like this anywhere.
(5)Emari H.
I've been wanting to go to this restaurant for a long time and we finally made it there for our anniversary. The first time we tried to go it was a holiday weekend and it was impossible to get in so definitely make a reservation. We were already happy with their basket of bread with awesome seasoned red sauce. The bruschetta comes with three types (traditional tomato, mushrooms, and zuccini) on a toasted bread. I liked the tomatoes the best but they were all too salty. Coming from me, who put salt on everything, it was salty. If it was all tomatoes with little less salt, it would be a great bruschetta. Then came the soups. We had minestrone (vegetables) and lobster bisc. Minestrone was the bomb! My hubby loved his bisc too but remember it is a very rich and filling dish even with just a bowl. Bisc came with a swirl of olive oil floating on top that screams "heart attack!" but it was very tasty. I could have just had that bread with dipping sauce with minestrone and would have been happy. We ordered gnocchi and lazagna. Gnocci was good but I've had better. I ordered it with marinara sauce but maybe I should have tried a different sauce...I personally like it a little more on a firm side. I did not like the lazagna because it had a weird taste to the meat like almost gamy. I assumed it was beef but now that I think about it maybe it was some wild game?? The sauce for the lazagna was not that great either but my hubby said he liked it anyway. The winner of the day was the desserts! We could not do it there so brought them home and had it later that evening. Tiramisu and a chocolate cake (forgot what they call it) was so good I went to heaven. I think I liked the tiramisu better... They have a great selection of wines so I think that would be a great place for some appetizers with wine and then some dessert. The atmosphere is definitely better than the consistency of great tasting food. It has a very cozy, warm and inviting mood to the place. Great place to take visitors. I felt like wine yesterday but they had a good selection of caipirinha I have to try it next time. Oh, BTW, it IS a cougerville. I think they had a mini convention when we went.
(4)Steven T.
I just wanted to post my experience, and explain my 5 Star rating. The service we received was "good" at best but based on prestigious fassade, I would have expected more. I have been eating home made Italian food my entire life and this ranks right up with the best I have had. The Potatoe Gnocchi was outstanding. Soft & fluffy, which is different for me, also, the arabiata sauce was phoneminal. Over all I think it deserves 5 Stars for atmosphere, the food, and the very reasonable pricing. Great place for a few friends to go.
(5)Wendi M.
I have always heard everyone telling me how great it is here, so this weekend I had to check it out for myself..... I had a blast!... The atmosphere was so chill and classy at the same time..... I went with my BFF and went to the Tree House Lounge in the back, we stayed for the DJ, danced and had a fabulous time. I was the DD so my BFF drank Patron shots and LemonDrop's... too much fun!... Great place for the 30 and over crowd.... We plan on going back next month for her B-day to enjoy dinner and a night of fun, fun, fun.... Can't Wait!!!
(4)Michelle T.
After a action packed day full of wine-tasting, touring, and eating, the adventure continued at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. Let me just say: GET THE GNOCCHI. seriously, after one bite, i think i went to heaven. The home-made gnocchi comes in a gorgonzola sauce and is accompanied by a luscious braised lamb shank. Everything married well deliciously together, and would have been even better with a glass of wine- but I couldn't after all the tasting earlier in the day. The Mare Pizza was also pretty delicious- tons of fresh seafood on top of a thin crust pizza with a spicy tomato sauce. YUM. Thanks Rhett S (and his parents!) for the tasty suggestion! I tried other dishes, and they were all pretty great too. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat (tons of cougars and manthurs at the bar apparently), the martini list is endless, and they make their own pastas! (hard to find in most italian restaurants) Would definitely go again!
(4)Katie M.
Love this place; the atmosphere and decor are cozy, rustic and modern all at once. Great for date night or groups. The booths are cozy with lots of pillows. The food is delicious and the pasta is fresh. The bread and tepenade they start you off with is great! I had the lobster ravioli and a lavendar martini... While I've had better lobster ravioli, I'd order it again and enjoyed it. The martini was unique and fabulous, as was the calimari appetizer we shared, which had some breaded & fried veggies mixed in (though I could have done without the fennel). My boyfriend got the lasagna which was also tasty.
(4)Russ M.
This was a pretty cool spot. We threw a party, of sorts, here for my in-laws 40th anniversary. About 25 of us basically took over the lounge area at the front of the restaurant. The staff there were great. They were attentive to our group and took good care of us. We ordered several appetizers including, an anti-pasto plate, tempura green beans, fried calamari and several pizzas. Everything was great. The pizzas were an especially good deal for $5 on the happy hour menu. When things started to wind down, a bunch of us decided to stay for dinner. They sat us in a private room in the back of the restaurant which was pretty cool. I ordered the gnocchi with pesto sauce. The gnocchi was perfect but the peso was just so so. Too creamy for my taste (not nearly as good as mine!). The wife had the fresh seafood salad which frankly, looked as uninspired as she said it tasted. All in all it was good stuff, save for the ball and chain's salad. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Felisha E.
This restaurant instantly became a favorite, and I make it a point to go every time I visit Ventura. I was instantly impressed with the decor, and even more impressed by the delicious selection on the menu! I had the linguini with clams and I can say that it is, by far, the best Linguini a la Vongole I've ever had (including plates I tried in Italy!) It was bursting with flavor and not overbearingly rich. The other dishes I had were also great, and the service was friendly. Definitely a great date spot, too!
(5)Brian G.
Service was excellent, but food was subpar. We ordered Riisotto and Spaghetti with meatballs. I thought the food was just okl. But the ambiance was nice.
(3)Dawn P.
The hip place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. This place has expanded since the first time visiting in Oct. 2007, with an extended outside patio/bar area. Great atmosphere inside. The bar is dark and woody. Off to the side is an area where a live band is set up with room for dancing in front of a fireplace and a couch and chairs/table close by for seating. Behind the bar is the restuarant section again with the dark tons that make it very inviting to sit for an hour or so. The outside patio is very nice, but even better is the new expansion of a bar and cabana type sectioned tables. If you aren't into the live band, walk on out to the live DJ and dance area and get your grove on. Drinks can be a bit pricey- two martinis for $18... hmm maybe that's the norm these days. I have mostly just been to Cafe Fiore for drinks, have yet to sit down and have a dinner.. So I will report back once I do. :) Cheers!!
(4)Jessica K.
Great food, service, and atmosphere. Waitress suggested a great cocktail. Had a great time. All around awesome experience and we will be returning soon! I fell in love with their crab and calamari salad. Yumm!
(5)Stephany J.
In love with this place!..the atmosphere is romantic and the aroma is amazing. They have friendly staff, and a lot of delicious choices. I've tried so many dishes, but My favorite is the lobster ravioli, creamy & wonderful. it really hits the spot. Their menu is a little hard to read, but you can basically order anything you'd like. You can order a pasta and change the sauce or add shrimp instead of chicken. Its really fun to try different combinations. The live band gives the place a great vibe too. all in all, hands down one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Tiffany O.
Wow! Went here for dinner with a group on Friday 8/27. The place was packed but we had a private room in the back. The service was amazing, the food was incredible and the sangria was the best I've ever had. I ordered the seared ahi off the spa menu and it was perfect, really tasty but not overly filling. My friends had pastas, the lobster ravioli was fantastic. Will go back next time I'm in Ventura.
(5)Heather M.
Cafe Fiore, your food was most excellent. Everyone in our party was pleased with the calamari appetizer and our individual entrees. Your service, on the other hand, is lacking. The minute we sat down someone was asking for our drink order. Needing time to look at the menu we asked for a few minutes which turned into 10. Then a different waiter stopped by and took our drink order. Then the original guy came by about 5 minutes later to get our drink order. While they sorted out the confusion we sat for another 20 minutes before anyone came back to take our food order. We were catching up with an old friend which did offer a distraction while we waited. If not for that I would have been rather annoyed with our experience. Overall I would say this place is worth checking out for the food.
(3)Jamie G.
Four people outside of Ventura county have recommended this place! Wow! Beautiful restaurant with an amazing selection of entrees and drinks. Service was slow... but we learned that good things come to those who wait. Our entrees were delicous!!! The bread appetizer was amazing with this great cold tomato and olive concoction. If you are in Ventura you must dine at Cafe Fiore! Don't miss it!
(4)Jay S.
Really great service and delicious food. My wife and I had a great meal here! Highly recommended. Being able to make a reservation through Yelp was a real help also.
(4)Alex J.
Great experience. The prosciutto wrapped goat cheese was ecstasy. The only reason they don't get a 4 star is because the seating in the booth had this annoying Velcro on the pillows that limited my space. When I asked to remove them They did so but left exposed the spiky end of the Velcro that kept grabbing onto my sweater everytime I leaned back. But overall a great place to dine. I'd do it again. Plus my dining companion was top notch.
(3)Beth G.
This is beginning to be one of my favorite places to eat when I am in town. We always get really great service and the martini menu is fab! This last time we got the butternut squash ravioli in a sage cream sauce..oh my it's like heaven and Thanksgiving on a plate. And for dessert we got the Budino...I still can't stop thinking about it. All in all, I would have given this 5 stars but the fish special ono was overcooked. Yes, we should have said something but we were so liquored up on martinis and wine that we didn't really care.
(4)Diane S.
Ventura's BEST!! The best food; The best location on California st. Awesome live music. VERY comfortable booths ( i have a bad back so this is super important to me)!! and the bar and people are fun and classy.
(5)Elicia S.
I want to give Cafe Fiore five stars. I really believe that it is the best Italian food in Ventura County for dinner. (The Burrata salad is fantastic, roasted beats, fresh mozzarella and a chewy soft crouton-like-thing, really we get it every time. The gnocchi are literally pillows from heaven and the risotto is fabulous as well.) So why three stars? The service is terrible. This is not based on one bad experience, we have been to Cafe Fiore probably 10-15 times in the past year. We went for my birthday as well as my boyfriend's, because we love the food, but the service is horrendous. Every time we have made a reservation we have waited at least twenty minutes beyond the reservation time (for my boyfriend's birthday- party of 5- we waited an hour past the reservation). Once seated, the servers are nice but not prompt, or always accurate. The truth is, I will be back to Fiore because the food is brilliant, but I am prepared for the service to not live up to the same standard.
(3)Jessica D.
This place is great! The bartender, Candace, is awesome. She made us her favorite drinks because we couldn't pick. She spent a lot of time talking to us too. The food was good, but the butternut squash ravioli is better at Cafe Firenze in Moorpark. (which I learned was opened after the chefs left Fiore) We had a really nice time, and for downtown Ventura, its a sure bet.
(4)Marianne W.
Ok I too have read up on the reviews regarding this place. Well I have to say that my experience was wonderful. My hubby and I arrived 30 minutes prior to our reservation time because the Ventura Wine Walk and the Tree Lighting were in full swing so we knew the area would be busy, it was. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table. The place was so cute inside as it was decorated for the holidays and the fireplace made the atmosphere ever more enjoyable. If you like trying new drink ideas then try the Lavender Fields martini, it was amazing. I personally enjoy sitting at the bar watching the bartenders make the drinks. I wanted to try them all. We ordered the Beef Carpaccio while we waited for our table (another recommendation for you). Now on to our table, which by the way was ready in 40 minutes which was only 10 minutes after reservation time. This timetable did not bother us, we were kept updated by the hostesses, since the activities going on outside and inside kept us entertained. We decided that we both wanted the lamb so I order the shank with gnocchi and my husband got the loin with risotto. Our waitress informed us it would be 20 minutes for these entrees. I would rather be informed than sit around wondering where my meal was so thank you Clarissa. My lamb shank was quite sizable and fall of the bone delicious. My husband enjoyed his loin and the risotto was very creamy. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert which was such a shame. We plan on visiting Ventura again and going to Cafe Fiore. Maybe next time we can get a seat that overlooks the chefs in action.
(4)Anthony T.
Great ambiance. The bread was great. The soup was great. Then the 50 minute wait for the entree. The entree, risotto with lamb, was salty. Salty! McDonald's uses less salt. Where is Gordon Ramsay when he's needed for a restaurant makeover!
(2)John G.
Heard all the buzz about this place so I had to give it a try for myself. Ambiance was great, real upbeat and fun. Live band was good but I wish the music was piped out to the patio where we were seated, only some elevator music playing out there. The Ahi tuna plate was fantastic, couldn't be any better, the Free Range Chicken is presented in a cast iron skillet, unfortunately floating in the associated fat and oil. The flavor was spot on but some grease removal would have made this entree a winner. A little warning here, the city has instituted a new parking meter system, one in which you park, find the ticket kiosk, (Three parking spots away) pay, receive a ticket which you then place on your vehicle, No posting of this procedure is visible at the parking spot itself and can easily be missed, you must be aware. The dinner was good but the additional $40,00 parking ticket dulled the experience a bit. This donation to the city is not reflected in this review, only mentioned as a heads up,
(4)Melissa G.
Nice ambience, good value. Been here three times now for lunch and food is consistently good.
(4)Mon B.
I love the concept of this place. It's without a doubt an attractive venue, but we have thrown a few parties here over the course of the last several years with nothing but disasters. I hate to write a negative review, but besides the horrific service, our last investment in this joint resulted in food poisoning for 5 out of the 8 in our party...it all pointed to the Crab Bisque Soup. When we addressed the issue with the owner, we were met with staunch defensiveness rather that professionalism, let alone sympathy. We're voting with our dollars and taking our fun else where.
(1)Red D.
Unique menu and that includes the deserts which is a nice. Go there to try something new. I enjoyed my meal and service. Good music on a Wed night.
(3)Delilah R.
Cafe Fiore. WOW what can I say. I've been here times before the first time I had a GREAT experience from beginning to end the last three times have been close to horrific. ONE of the young ladies (I'm being kind in calling her a lady) EVERY TIME I've gone or even have called is flat out RUDE and NASTY the waiters and the bus boys have always been great and the food is wonderful. Sadly last night was not one of the better experiences I had called to see if I could get a reservation the same RUDE hostess answered the phone and just told me NO there is nothing I had my sister call and surprisingly she was able to get in a reservation. Our waiter although kind mixed up part of the order never didn't refill my husbands soft drink or ask if we wanted another cocktail. I asked three different bus boys for a refill on water which didn't happen and I ended up getting double charged for our meal. Although they have the best Osso Bucco that I've ever had the Hostess and the double charge on my bill is enough to never want to go back.
(1)Kevin H.
Nice atmosphere, butternut squash is d'lish - practically a desssert. I think I taste a hint of amaretto cookie in the squash?
(4)Melissa T.
Funny story, I tried to go here on a Saturday evening with a friend, not thinking ahead of making reservations. Bad mistake. They were booked until 10pm. So make note to make reservations if you plan on dining here! Then come Tuesday, I went here for lunch for work. We got a room reserved in the back. This is a beautiful restaurant!! The decor, service, staff, food are excellent! They have a patio area on the side too. Their food pricing is reasonable. The food is tasty and just right amount. They have bread and this amazing dipping sauce! I am going to have to come back here for dinner.
(5)Angie C.
4.5. This restaurant is a wonderful place for a nice italian meal. I went here based on the Yelp reviews and it was even better than expected. The service was excellent. The food tasty. Going here for lunch, I had the pizza margherita and the burrata and pine nut salad. Both were very tasty. I also had a glass of the barbera wine. I would have that again definitely. Overall, a great afternoon lunch in Ventura.
(4)Lauren R.
Husband described butternut squash ravioli as "orgasmic". Enough said. We ate outside on the beautiful patio, which I'm glad about because the band was super loud inside. Otherwise, ambiance at this place is SO lovely and festive. Service was very good, and we had a really fun birthday dinner together. Great place for groups!
(5)Laura M.
For some reason I love this place but I don't know why..lol Maybe it's the big selection of wine =) The food is good and drinks are good, what else do I need?
(4)Eric T.
A restaurant is more than just food; which is why I'm giving Cafe Fiore no more than 3 stars; here's why: Pros: Very attractive room Excellent food and decently (not obscenely) sized portions Very good wine list Waiter was properly attentive and not overbearing Cons: The very good wine list was also VERY over-priced. With just a handful of bottles as exceptions, the majority of the wine was $50-70 per bottle and up. The wait for the food was very long. The live music on a Saturday night is so loud that it's almost impossible to have a conversation--and we were at the opposite end of the restaurant from the band. The restaurant lost added revenue from us as we decided to skip dessert so we could leave and talk.
(3)Rae M.
High expectations because of amazing experience a year ago. I recently went there and was disappointed in the famous seafood pasta dish!! It was too salty! The lamb rissoto was also salty! Something was up with the chef that night! To top it off, our male waiter sucked! He was slow, didn't introduce himself and we had to search for him to get served! Whack!!
(2)Celina B.
We love this place. We go here for date night as well as family night. The food is yummy. The service is great.
(5)Juan E.
I'm a simple writer ..... and this place is awesome for the food,service, and atmosphere. the owner is a woman who is always there witch is nice to see ..... The later you go the younger the crowd and then it turns into a nice night club in the back and a jazz bar in the restaurant. we love the wine,pasta,and pizza.... make a reservation or you will be wating a long time.
(4)Frank S.
Always a busy place on weekends, I recommend to call for reservations in advance. We sat out in the patio area. The atmosphere was great. We ordered a couple of drinks and everyone gotdinner. The gnochi with pesto sauce and it was to die for! I recommend it highly. The service was slow at times, I guess that the number of staff was overwhelmed catering to all tables.
(4)April N.
The food was a little pricey however it was worth it. The butternut squash was scrumptious. The bread and dipping sauce was great. I love going to this restaurant when I am in Buena Ventura.
(5)Corina C.
Great food ad entertainment!
(5)Kevin F.
We stopped in Ventura for a late lunch and hit this place. The food was okay, it won't kill ya, but for the price it should have been MUCH better. It is mediocre Italian food served in a restaurant with a great atmosphere. Restaurants like this are a dime a dozen around SoCal so we'll just keep driving next trip. Since we were on the road I couldn't go for a martini attitude adjustment to see if I would like the food any better.
(2)maxine s.
We went for dinner on a Wednesday night, and cafe fiore was crowded but we got right in. They brought delicious (homemade?) bread and a tapenade immediately, which was wonderful because we were both starving after driving back from a movie in Santa Barbara. Their wine list is extensive: I had a Chianti that was very juicy and good, and my husband chose the suggested pairing for his risotto special, which was too sweet. GET THE GNOCCHI! you can choose your sauce and it's like eating fluffy pillows of deliciousness. His risotto was good too, with bits of prosciutto and surrounded by some sort of stuffed chicken. The waitstaff was nice enough but nothing special, but the food was super yummy. We'll definitely be back again...
(5)Meg C.
The BEST time to hit Cafe Fiore is saturday afternoon- after saying that i guess i'm probably going to have to make reservations then too... hmmm- Regardless the girls and I always go there for dessert (first) and martini's followed by Lobster bisque (if we still have room or need to sober up a little) The service isn't the best but the bread is good- and the martini's are Wonderful. For dessert- the Bon Bon. SERIOUSLY!! Mint ice cream in a cave of chocolate resting atop a brownie! how can you go wrong? you can't.
(3)Anna B.
Great food. I've been here only once, but yearn to go back. We got the butternut squash ravioli (best I've ever had) and an eggplant sandwich. Both were memorable, though the ravioli is what is calling my name to return. Their wine by the glass was also very nice. We got pinot noir and it was also memorable. The ambiance is nice and funky in a weird rich grandma sort of way. I really liked it. I will definitely be back.
(4)Kathy J.
Although they have a great wine selection, the food here is severely underwhelming for a place that tries so hard with the ambiance and service. Dishes are over-seasoned, overcooked or both. The first time I came, no one in my group of three could really finish their plate. I've given Fiore a few more chances since then, but I've just been disappointed. I'll stick with happy hour appetizers and drinks from now on!
(2)Del A.
My party of 9 were first in for lunch. We had the private dining room in the back of the restaurant. Nice room, quiet and private. Our server came in and did the usual drink order. No mention of specials, seemed rushed in a hurry to get in and out. I ordered the Meatball Panini, I know costco makes better frozen meatball then they served, come on people, and what about toasting the panini. The sandwich appeared not to be fresh made but put together hours earlier and reheated. The plate came with a simple field green salad lightly dressed and what they claim were in house potato chips. I don't think so. My wife had their Risotto, it was a nice presentation in a copper sauce pan, and actuall tasted fresh.I would order that next time, except there won't be a next time, because service was slow at best, the wait staff and runners seemed very board with their jobs and just wanted to get it done. No interaction with the guest whatsoever, and my pet peeve. "Know who ordered what waiters". I can't stand it when the waiter who took the order can't place the correct dish in front of the correct diner. This isn't a Hash House people. I give it two stars, food overall was mediocre and just not interesting at all. Too bad cause the place has a great look and a great location. Meter parking on the street and parking enforcement standing by just waiting. Not nice Santa Barbara.
(2)Claire M.
Whenever I visit my mom in Ventura, we always go to Cafe Fiore, and I always get the butternut squash ravioli and a fruity martini. I have fantasies about that ravioli when I leave... The service is usually quite good and personable, the lounge is a great place to sit on a squishy couch and people watch, and the rest of the menu is also dependably great. The atmosphere is great for going to dinner with your mom, going out with girlfriends, or taking the husband. If I were young and single in Ventura, I would start every Friday night here.
(5)Alice W.
Cafe Fiore is one of my favorite restaurants in Ventura County. It's got a great ambiance and I've never had a dish that wasn't delicious. When they get too busy the service isn't always excellent, but they try so I can't knock them down for that. If I want a delicious meal at a cute sit down restaurant I know I can go to Cafe Fiore and they wont let me down.
(5)Vanessa C.
I love Cafe Fiore for their sangria (I'm a fan of both the white and the red), and their gnocchi gorgonzola. Their new outdoor patio is great, tables with lots of privacy and twinkly lights. Also, no velcro ripping pillows outside! Those pillows have got to go, it's mortifying getting in and out of the booths. I tend to avoid nights when the live band is playing, because the volume is so loud I can barely hear myself savoring my gnocchi.
(4)Marcus D.
It is packed because the food here is awesome! The quality of the food more than justifies the price. The atmosphere is lively, yet the tables are private enough, making it a good place for a romantic dinner as well. You can't go wrong.
(5)bobby d.
Went here with family on a Saturday night and had a great table. Waitress was a bit aloof but her backup filled in and took care of business when it mattered. Place was packed. Had to ask for a manager after being told "5 more minutes" for the fourth time by the hostess. The total wait time with a 8p reservation was 45 minutes. Food was excellent. Great lasagna and the drink menu and atmosphere was primed for a long night.
(4)Rizza J.
I love this place. It's cute, intimate & the atmosphere is very cool and hip. The butternut squash ravioli is one of my top choices. Portions are tiny but that's what you get for upscale Italian. Desserts are awesome!
(4)Lois P.
Great ambiance! It's Italian food that leaves you a refeshing and not so heavy feel afterwards. Maybe because they incorporate fruit in their dishes. Winners: prosciutto appetizer, seafood skewer (I don't remember the name), beef ravioli, chocolate molten cake.
(4)N. O.
Way overpriced food, and the food was cold. On top of that the alcohol has to be watered down and the glasses are minatue. Wont go back. More of an older scene, 35+
(1)Phillip G.
I gave it three stars because I disagree with Yelp's description of stars. To Yelp, three stars is "A-OK", whereas this restaurant feels more like Yelp's two star description "Meh. I've experienced better." First of all, this place wasn't horrible, it wasn't even bad. But for the price that you are paying, you should expect great or even excellent and it isn't those either. Pros: The atmosphere is good. Its dimly lit, and sounds like a bustling Italian cafe. Not super quite nor too loud. My date seemed to really enjoy the atmosphere. Cons: The price to quality ratio. I had the lamb shank, my date had the chicken. Both plates cost $24 which I don't mind paying but I don't the chef deserves this price. For that price, or even less, you can get much better food elsewhere. After splitting a salad, desert, a bottle of wine, tip/tax plus our two entrees the cost of the meal was $115.
(3)Christopher L.
Very good food, very good service, decent desserts, decent drinks, older crowd, and a live band! They have a wine tasting special sometimes. Try the butternut squash ravioli! If I were 30-40, I would definately try to hook up with the other 30-40s in here late at night! I'm not that old yet and won't though. I did walk into the place once to get a drink with friends but saw a women who still had her bandage from a nose job. Needless to say, I turned around and went home. Also, watch out for Rico Suave!
(5)R. Herbert R.
Arrived early Tuesday for lunch; seated promptly with courteous server. Ordered spaghetti, spouse ordered lasagna also house salad and glass of house red wine [wine came in a small carafe which was more wine than usual when you order one glass]. Bread was served with a dipping sauce. The sauce on the spaghetti was reminiscent of Campbell's soup made with milk. The surprise was the number of meatballs; more than a dozen, although small, they were tasty. The portions were more than ample. The total bill was $32.00, which we considered a bargain. We can't vouch for their dinner menu or service but our lunch was better than we expected.
(4)Trinity C.
Interesting drink choices. Went with the raspberry lemon drop cocktail. Unfortunately, it tasted a little too close to cold medicine for my liking. For my entree, I went with the regularly suggested butternut tortellaci. It was delicious and the portion enough for two meals. I did feel it could use something crunchy on top. For dessert, I tried the special: grilled toast with nutella, bananas and icecream. This dish was truly awful. Too much bread and it had been grilled with steaks and chops. Tried to get through it, but failed. I did get a pretty quiet table in the back and thoroughly enjoyed the live and very talented music. However, the table service left much to be desired. It was exceedingly slow and at times non-existant. While I adore not being rushed through dinner, I also like not having to flag down busboys to ask for a water refill. In short? The entree was good enough to warrant a return trip, I'll just know to bring a book.
(3)Travis R.
Okay, so on weekends its a bit of a scene... As Michelle said earlier, the bar is total cougar-ville with the occasional manther (hey, its Ventura).... but I actually enjoy the food here. I usually come in the middle of the week for dinner. The clams/mussles appetizer is predictably fantastic, not rubbery, perfectly cooked with an amazing sauce/broth (tomato basil based with a rich clam/seafood flavor). I've found the best dishes to be on the "specials" page of the menu. Though I did get a seafood risotto once which had the same base as the clams and the waitress didn't warn me, so it was like the same food twice. The wine list is decent but more than once they have been out of the bottle I selected, annoying. Every bottle I've ordered the wait staff has never tried and knows nothing about... that usually goes for the food too. I haven't had the best wait-staff experience here... but the food has always been excellent.
(4)George M.
Best Chocolate Martini I ever had outside of Los Angeles, sorry Chicago, Cafe Fiore in Ventura has got you beat.
(4)Joe G.
Had my second meal here this past weekend. The ambiance and feel in the place is excellent. My wife and I had great food and the prices are reasonable. You can get an average entree for $13-15. The wine list is good, not great but good. I would like to see just a bit more variation on the menu. That's the only reason for four stars.
(4)Lee Lee L.
This place has nice decor and some of the food is good but the service time and again can be slow or even rude. The hostesses I have found to not always be of any grace which is a huge turn off. The manager even chooses sides with the hostess. Weird. I won't be making any more plans to eat there.
(2)Michele D.
I was looking forward to checking this place out based on the reviews from other yelpers...but alas, my own experience was less than stellar. My companion and I stopped first at JJ's and had martinis...they make the BEST caramel apple martini. When we got to Cafe Fiore at the appointed time (8:00p.m.-we got lucky and managed to snatch up a a reservation after someone else cancelled), we were seated immediately, our drink and food order taken, and then we were promptly forgotten. Sure they filled our bread and water (too much) -but our food took more than 40 minutes to get to us and both the pork chop my friend had and the sausage that I had were covered in the same lumpy, broken mustard sauce. Their caramel apple martini was AWFUL- too tart -and the caramel curdled in the drink...ick. I will say the decor was nice - romanticly lit , and our seats were comfortable. The bar area was crowded so leaving was a bit tricky, but considering the amount of people crowding the bar, the ambiance at our table was intimate and comfortable.
(2)Don M.
Great Italian food done in a true continental style with some California updates. Excellent wines. Friendly and competent service. Nice rustic/wine bar ambiance. If you want to impress your date or just have a great meal, this is a sure bet.
(5)Breck O.
Left VERY unsatisfied. My pasta was undercooked and dry, sauce didn't taste like anything. My friend's dish was hardly edible as well. Good mojito though. We wanted to go to Mc Donalds afterward.
(1)esther e.
The main reason to come to Fiore is the White Sangria. This really isn't the restaurant for vegetarians and the pillows are attached to the booths with copious amounts of velcro. Even if you're severely underweight, make one false move and you'll hear a hideous ripping sound. Get the gnocci or the tortellaci di zucca followed up by a hearty serving of creme brulee.
(4)M W.
One of our "fail safe" locales in Ventura. Relatively innovative Italian food. Last visit we had the Burrata Con Insalata, which was a creamy mozzarella in a salad. Portion was very big, enough for a main, and was very good. We also had the Pappardelle Pesto and the Raviloi di Aragosta, which is a lobster ravioli in a cream sauce. Both these dishes were very good, with the lobster ravioli a bit too rich but with a good lobster filling. I have had some of the tomato based entrees before and I think I would go back to those. Some of the cream sauce entrees are simply too rich for me. One of the best things that I have had there was the risotto with gorgonzola and fillet of lamb. Sounds rich, but it wasn't, it was excellent. They do a good job on their risottos. My recommendation, is to share a starter and than go to the mains. The portions are very large and you will leave full! As an aside, the bartender could not make a Kir Royale. She put too much creme de casiss into the sparkling wine, making it too sweet.
(4)gerald s.
One of the best in Ventura. Careful not to sit by the bar on a Saturday night though, it would be a bit too noisy. The food was good, atmosphere fun and an overall nice experience for us, a Long Beach couple up for a nice weekend.
(4)Sandra Q.
I have mixed feelings about this place. 1st off there were reservation problems. I was having a Bday dinner party and reserved a large table for 12 in the lounge area. Other family members called to make reservations and asked to be seated by my group. They told her they would sit her with my group. She tried to explain she wanted her own table. When we arrived we had too many people and not enough seats. We put up a stink and after a while they got their own table. The place was packed. We were seated a half hr late at 8:00pm. It is so dark in the treehouse lounge we had to use our cell phones for lighting to read the menu. I was having a party after dinner and had guests arriving at 9:00. We we just getting our food at 9:00. But the food was fantastic. Everyone loved the dishes. I had the chicken with spinach ravioli. The pasta was so lite. It was almost like crepe. Melted in your mouth. The seafood linguini was great and spicy. We had18 for dinner with a variety of dishes and we all loved our meals. Lobster and Tomato Bisque excellent The drinks are well made and not weak either. Perfect drinks and food. Service just ok. In the lounge area they have a Dj at 9:30 They removed the center tables for dancing which gave us plenty of room. Music was a combo of genres. But all danceable. Some old some current. We had a blast. We danced all night. Had to hunt down the wait staff to keep the drinks flowing. Good club atmosphere. They have a live band in the main area that also played good rock so we could wander between the two music option. Watch out if you want to split meal and or drink charges. Great food, kinda pricy. Service lacking. Night scene and dancing were fun. I celebrated my 58th there with family and friends. Ages from 21 and up to 63. All of us danced the night away. It turned out to be one of my most memorable and favorite birthdays.
(4)Dana W.
I am new to Ventura and stumbled upon Cafe Fiore. Took a chance as I had never heard anything about it and I was pleasantly surprises. Ambiance is cozy and inviting and food was delicious! Service was good too, waitress was attentive without being buggy. Will go back for sure.
(4)Kristie S.
My husband and I have eaten here many times. The food is always wonderful and the atmosphere is romantic and fun. I hated to only give it 4 stars, but the service is a bit unpredictable -- the hostesses have ignored us and been a bit snotty, the servers can be impersonal and snobby. Last year we went for Valentine's Day and their prices had been jacked up higher than normal, so we definitely don't go on holidays anymore. Even with those negative issues, we still like the atmosphere and the delicious food.
(4)D W.
Awesome Atmosphere! Good service, cool inviting bar and lounge area, and great cozy place to get together with friends for a nice meal. Everytime we are in town, we make a trip to Cafe Fiore located in the downtown area. (There is a parking garage in the rear of the restaurant down the alley - no charge). The restaurant is very warm and inviting. Reservations are usually needed - make sure to reserve your seating inside (the outside leaves something to be desired).
(4)Angela R.
I visited Cafe Fiore yesterday and after reviewing their website I was impressed and looking forward to the meal. Upon arrival, they were extremely busy and had a great vibe and energy. We had to wait for our table, but the servers were great and accommodating. The menu had quite a few choices and our server highly recommended selecting any of the specials for the evening. I decided to chose something from their "SPA" menu. I ordered the Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna with Roasted Vegetable Salad with Grilled Asparagus. Sounds good right. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! The dish arrived and although it looked appetizing it had a funny odor. I cautiously sampled the tuna and the vegetables and it tasted very poorly. I could not even let the plate sit before me because I kept smelling a fishy odor. My date also smelled this odor. I asked the server to take the dish back and upon their return they did mention that the owner and chef could smell the odor too and they were sorry. My thing was then why did they even serve it to me!!! Unfortunately, it left a horrific taste in my mouth and my stomach was turning. They offered another meal and I reluctantly ordered the Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach with garlic thinking that should be safe. It came out much later than my dates dish and so I tried to eat it but it was incredibly blazing hot and inedible. The potatoes were more charred than roasted and the spinach was slightly warm. The chicken was good, but too hot to eat and enjoy the meal. I ended up taking a few bites and then due to time there, I had them box the rest to go. The overall experience was the atmosphere, decor and service was awesome, but the food was such a disappointment that I would only return to perhaps have a drink at the bar because I really like the ambiance there. But, in the end my stomach paid for the few bites of the Ahi Tuna that I did have and today I am not sure that I would return at all. By the way, the two stars were only for the atmosphere and our server last night.
(2)east coast girl y.
I haven't been back to Fiore in a while, and there's a reason. Started going there years ago, and the food was sooo goood! Emphasizing the past tense here. Every time we would go back the food was never good as the last time, and the service just kept getting worse. I've been a server for years, bartender too so I consider myself to be extremely understanding if a server is busy, 'in the weeds', and having a hard time giving their best service to tables. But in most instances, this was NOT the case. I get the feeling most of them don't like working there, and it shows. If you order a second drink, order it after you receive your first so you don't have to wait 25 mins for it to show up. I understand food taking a while, but a beer? come on. I love the ambiance, and the fact that they have live music most nights of the week, but I could do without the same group of older men oogling over the younger women that walk in. gross.
(2)Marc M.
I went here before a wedding because no one wanted to eat some of the scallops and shrimp they were serving. It was a fancy-ish looking place from the outside, and same when we entered. The service was fairly quick, and the bread was really really good. I ordered the pizza margarita, a long with 4 other people. While we waited they turned on heatlamps and some music. The heat lamps didn't work, and they were playing really terrible remixes of songs. I mean really an Electronic remix of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey? The waiter only brought us enough pizzas for the 4 of us and there were 5 people at the table. The pizza was okay the crust was almost like a potato chip. Overall It filled me up, although I wasn't too impressed.
(2)Margaret L.
Really good italian food. I feel in love with this place after the butternut squash ravioliis: Creamy and savory with the perfect texture. The drinks are also pretty good, however, I do not recommend the Milky WayMartini -- even though it does sound good. The bread and tomato-like salsa (no idea what's it called) is pretty gosh darned good. I do enjoy how there's a healthy side of the menu-- however the regular menu is just too delish and easily tempting enough to cheat on your diet. The dessert menu is pretty good, however, the strawberry shortcake is sometimes hit or miss you never know if it'll ever be good. The atmosphere is a little on the older side (30+) but the live jazz and romantic al fresco dinning is good times.
(5)Glen K.
This place is always crowded. A popular spot with the locals. Getting a drink from the bar sometimes requires firing off a signal flare though with only two bartenders for the masses and wait staff. The atmosphere reminds me of an old English pub in the front and Houston's steakhouse in the back. The booths seating areas need to be redesigned. The two top booths are too small and crowded in the walkways. The other larger booths have these pillows that you have to remove in order not to be sitting right up against the table. The service here is good sometimes and terrible other times. It has nothing to do with being busy. They sometimes have a band. Most of the time it is decent music, maybe a little loud for a restaurant. They have a patio area for dancing in the evening. Its mostly a younger crowd. The saving grace here for this place is the food. Mmmmwhah! I have never been disappointed with it. However, if you are looking for a nice romantic quiet Italian dinner, don't come here. It is attractively lively and delicious despite its Cybilesque service and Quasimodo seating.
(3)Kristin L.
although last night the calamari was average, their wine list & staff are great. too bad they DO NOT have jazz music, but the RB/funk is great for weekend, party atmosphere.
(4)suey l.
very cute place! good food! suey luvs it.
(4)Corina F.
We were seated immediately as we had a group reservation. The food, wine, drinks, etc, all were served promptly. Food was good. Salad was drenched in dressing, so I only ate a few bites. The soup was tasty but perhaps a bit over on condiment. We sat at a long table near the kitchen but the chairs didn't suit the table. We were all sitting low to the table. Not very comfortable. The restaurant was busy but what made it really uncomfortable was that the A/C was off. It felt very stuffy and being close to the kitchen, didn't help.
(3)Milady D.
Extremely sub par itialian food, it's off and we couldn't even stomach it. Please don't waste the amount of money it cost. And the coke was ice with a shot of freaking coke. Worst Italian ever. The chicken parm was also drowned in cheese and my boyfriend didn't even eat more than 2 bites
(1)John S.
I took my girlfriend here tonight for dinner. The location and atmosphere is good. It's a pub up front and restaurant in back. It's a great place to grab drinks and eat some food but not for a fine dining experience. The great service made up for the OK to sub average food. It cost a bill between two of us this evening. The bruschette antipasto (appetizer) was good. 3 different kinds come with the plate... eggplant, tomato, and an onion slaw. All were tasty, bread a bit toasted to thick crusty and hardness in places but good flavors. Main entrees, we chose off the chef special menu and it wasn't anything to write home about. Risotto, it was flavorful at first but cooked too long (or stored after it was made then heated back up). The salmon on top was the same, it had a frozen reheated taste and texture to it. It tasted and felt like it was days old and reheated. Halfway through I couldn't eat any more of it. Not worth the $20, I just wouldn't serve it. + $8 wine pairing. I eat proper risotto on a regular basis, so I know risotto and after the initial flavors it was a miss. I bet it was pretty darn good fresh. Pesco, my girlfriend had the halibut on polenta with vegetables. The thin filet of halibut was nicely seasoned and grilled and went well with the polenta. The snap peas were blanched and good, the tomatoes and peppers were a bit of a mystery. This dish seems better than the risotto but was average but not worth $27 + $8 wine pairing. Dessert, I had the weekly special chocolate mousse on oreo with white chocolate creme. My girlfriend had the lemon trio. The mousse I had was stored and the macadamia nuts on top were soft and tough from being stored in the fridge. Just adding the macadamia fresh at serving would have been a nice touch. The lemon trio was decent and came with 3 pieces so a large sampling. Some of it seemed stored for a while... hmm... We probably won't go back for any fine dining experience but we might go back for the drinks and bar style italian food... ie. pizzas, bruschette, and simple things that can't go wrong. All in all, glad we tried out the place. For the prices of their specials, I would go to Cafe Firenze in Moorpark where you get a true culinary experience. LIke I said the service is really good though, busy bar, live music. Sub par food but the bar food and drinks seem pretty decent.
(3)Princess Amy S.
I tried taking my dad here over the weekend for dinner, because it's his favorite. While we were discussing whether or not to sit outside, I noticed a Latina girl with long dark hair and a red skirt on walk by me and give me a dirty look. She didn't greet us, she didn't smile- none of that. Turns out she was one of the hostesses, and she had one of the most snotty attitudes I've ever encountered! She insisted on seating us at the very back of the restaurant, saying that she had reservations. While that may have been true, it was only 5:30 and some of those reservations weren't until 7pm. My dad wanted to be around other people so I asked a waitress, but the taste left in my mouth from that hostess was so bad we finally just ended up walking out. Note to Cafe Fiore- THIS IS VENTURA, NOT BEVERLY HILLS! And even in Beverly Hills I have never been treated so rudely with such a snotty demeanor. Ever. I've been here before and the food is decent and most of the staff has been nice, which is why I'm giving it two stars. But seriously, paying customers ought to be treated with more respect! Especially regulars, which my dad is. Never again.
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