About
Welcome to Spasso Ristorante, a charming culinary gem nestled in the heart of San Carlos, California. This inviting Italian eatery specializes in delectable seafood and mouthwatering steaks, making it a prime destination for those craving an authentic taste of Italy. From its warmth and welcoming atmosphere to its thoughtfully designed menu, Spasso Ristorante is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience to savor.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by a cozy ambience complemented by moderate noise levels that make it suitable for various occasions—whether it's a romantic dinner or a casual meal with family and friends. The restaurant also boasts an array of modern utilities to enhance your dining experience, including:
One highlight that consistently captures the attention of diners is the complimentary bread served with a savory balsamic olive oil dip, which has received rave reviews for its rich flavor and warmth—true comfort food. However, the star dishes range from the mouthwatering mushroom bruschetta—infused with truffle oil—to robust entrées like the teriyaki skirt steak and veal piccata. While some dishes, like the saffron pappardelle, may have been described as slightly bland by guests, desserts such as tiramisu often receive higher accolades for their balance of sweetness and coffee flavor.
Dining at Spasso, be it a special celebration or a casual night out, offers a mix of hearty meals and a vibrant social atmosphere. Guests have lauded the attentive service, with staff members like Delaney and Yaren often going the extra mile to accommodate needs, ensuring that each visit is enjoyable and memorable.
For those considering a visit to Spasso Ristorante, it's wise to make a reservation, especially during peak hours or special occasions. With an ever-evolving menu and a dedication to quality, Spasso Ristorante stands out as a must-try destination for both locals and visitors seeking the best of Italian cuisine in a welcoming setting.
Whether you’re looking for a delightful meal to enjoy with the family or a spot to celebrate a special night with loved ones, Spasso promises an unforgettable culinary journey.
“ I wanted to give maybe a 3.7-ish...? Went here on Valentine's Day. Food was good. Service was good. The server took our order wrong and they were fast enough to give us the correct dish after like 5 mins. A bit disappointing was they changed their menu on Valentine's Day, which originally we wanted to order the seafood plates from their regular menu but they no longer serve it on Valentine's Day, which led to some disappointment). They mark up their menu prices (increase $2-$4 per item) on Valentine's Day's which makes sense to me. I am new to the area so I might try out some other Italian places in the area and see which one is my favorite.... ”
“ My husband and I visited the restaurant during our short stay in San Carlos. The ambience is nice and so was the food. There was complimentary bread and balsamic olive oil with onions in it to start with. The balsamic was so good. Really liked the addition of onions in it. We ordered the mushroom bruschetta, pork chop and saffron pappardelle. The bruschetta was really good. I could taste the truffle oil in it. The only let down was the pappardelle. It tasted a bit bland. We ended our dinner with tiramisu which was really good and strong on the coffee. Overall a nice date it was! ”
“ We like to come here for nicer celebration meals! The bread and olive oil dip is honestly the star of the show. It's complementary and warm and delicious. Meal wise everyone was happy with their choices. They accommodate allergies/make substitutions and my sister loves the teriyaki skirt steak. The veal piccata was very good. The pastas are pretty good but less stand out. I thought the veal cannelloni was a bit like a lasagna. The texture of the pappardelle was perfect. It gets busy so make a reservation! ”
“ This place is amazing! The hostess, Delaney, is what made our night. I'm currently disabled and she went out of her way to accommodate my needs from the very beginning all the way until the end of our dinner. I had to use the restroom and she personally walked me all the way back to the restroom and held the door for me! The food was incredible, our server was extremely attentive, and the food came out fast. I'll definitely come back. Thanks Delaney! ”
“ We had a wonderful dinner at Spasso's. Our server, Yaren was friendly & sweet, making sure we were taken care of. She even asked if we were celebrating anything special, just so she didn't miss it. Food was delicious, starting with the Bruscetta and the Buratta apps. We had several entrees, including the Sausage Rigatoni, Chicken wrapped in Pancetta, Chicken Parmesan, Veal Cannelloni For dessert I tried the Tiramisu and the Créme brûlée, both which we very tasty. The restaurant itself is cozy and comfortable with a full bar. A nice place for dinner or a special meal. ”
“ Tucked away amidst the various shops in downtown San Carlos, exists a truly exquisite Italian restaurant worth the hassle of finding nearby parking ! Spasso's menu is minimal, but I've come to learn that it's better to be excellent at preparing a few dishes than decent at many. And I'll tell you what... the dishes here do NOT disappoint! From flavor to portion-size, to presentation and variety, this place has all your bases covered. While there does not appear to be any dress code for attendance, I will mention that the decor is definitely elegant so prepare yourself for an upscale dining experience. The service here was great. The entire wait staff was helpful and quick to bring you whatever your heart desires. Side note: come thirsty! The drinks here are phenomenal! Just be aware, the limoncello is small, but packs a wallop of a punch! ”
“ So many great outdoor spots in downtown Redwood City. Inside at the bar / tables or outside you can't go wrong! Great sign that the restaurant was very busy on a Sunday night. We lucked into two seats at the bar. The bartender was in the middle of a conversation with 2 regulars but quickly got to us with setups and drinks. I strongly recommend the martini. Perfectly chilled. Great way to start a Sunday Date Night! Our order was very ordinary (bolognese and eggplant parm) but it was anything but. Perfect aldente pasta. Delicious rich bolognese. Cooked down to mouth watering goodness. The eggplant parm was tender and flavored. Incredible. Service was on point. 100% going back. ”
“ Always such a treat to dine at one of my fav restaurants on Laurel St. The food, service and ambiance always 100%! I have had most of the entrees and apps on their menu over the years and there's nothing I would not recommend. I love the Warm Napa Cabbage Salad with grilled chicken breast added. Their grilled chicken is so juicy and flavorful grilled to perfection. The Mushroom Truffle Bruschetta is a decadent treat! Super creamy and shroomy all hot and slathered over the lightly grilled crostinis. Other entrees I recommend are definitely the salmon and all the pasta entrees. All are made just right. THE BREAD!!! Wow! Warm, soft, fresh sliced bread with oil tapenade for the table is insanely addictive! One of the best table breads! The service is always accommodating and so friendly. I love dining here! It's always such a treat. The warmly lit interior with murals on the walls is very inviting. If weather permits, the outside area is where I typically like to dine. Parking, you will need to drive around the area. There is a free parking garage off Walnut. There's no car access in front of the restaurant since COVID. All parking in the area is free M-Sat but timed during the day 2-3 hour parking spots, except Sundays. Cheers! ”
“ Favorite Italian spot in the area. No pizzas only pastas but they do them so well. My favorites here are the Wild Mushroom Ravioli and Mushroom Bruschetta. We also ordered the clams and burrata for appetizers. Clams were fresh but burrata portion was small and overall was not my favorite. The mushroom bruschetta is my favorite appetizer and is pretty unique. It comes with 4 pieces but for our party of 6 they offered to add 2. The ravioli also came in 6, it was amazing however was lacking a pinch of salt for my taste. The dessert menu was provided at the end with lots of sweet treats including dessert drinks. We ended off with coffees to go. Parking is available nearby in the large San Carlos parking lot. For our team lunch on a Wednesday afternoon, we made a reservation ahead of time but there was make no wait. ”