Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

4.8

716 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

Neighborhood gem
Lively
Good for special occasions

Montecatini is a stable for Walnut Creek as it opened October 17, 1989, the day of the Loma Prieta earthquake in California. Since then, Montecatini Ristorante has become a place for "regulars" to enjoy a true Italian dining experience. We are a loud and bustling environment where many have come to say we're like family. All our dishes are meticulously prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. Our pastas and entrees are served piping hot from our kitchen to your table.

Montecatini has been awarded "Best of East Bay" for Best Italian Restaurant in the East Bay Area by Diablo Magazine for several years. As of January 2022 our chef, Ermes Paulin, has passed ownership down to two of Montecatini's long-time employees, Terrance and Taylor George. They plan to keep Montecatini thriving on its "old school" vibe while enhancing the cocktail and wine program. So come in and experience Montecatini for yourself and see what a true hidden gem we are!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary European, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(925) 943-6608
Website
http://www.montecatinirestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Ermes Paulin
Catering
Please email us directly for a catering menu at MontecatiniR@gmail.com
Private party facilities
Please email us directly to inquire about private events at MontecatiniR@gmail.com

Location
1528 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Neighborhood
Walnut Creek
Cross street
Between Main and Locust
Parking details
We suggest parking at the Lesher Center for the Performing Arts Parking Garage on Locust St. and Civic Drive. (Rates most of the time:1st hour free, $0.50/hr afterwards.)
Public transit
Walnut Creek Bart Station
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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Offers

Daily Happy Hour from Open - 6:30PM
Multiple dates available
Wed - Thu - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Montecatini offers a daily Happy Hour featuring marked down wine and cocktails! Make your reservation through our website MontecatiniRestaurant.com or give us a call 925-943-6608

Mozzarella, Pomodori & Basilico$15.00
Fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil
Carpaccio$18.00
Thinly sliced premium beef, served with capers, Montecatini's special sauce
Escargot$18.00
Garlic, Cognac and butter. Please allow ~ 15 min
Prosciutto Antipasto$16.00
Zuppa di vongole$20.00
Pancetta Wrapped Prawns$19.00

Minestre-Insalate / Soup-Salads

Minestrone Toscano$10.00
Vegetable Minestrone soup
Insalata della Casa$12.00
Butter lettuce, Italian peppers, frittata
Caesar Salad$13.00
Hearts of Romaine with Gorgonzola$14.00
Radicchio and Arugula$14.00
Two bitter Italian lettuces, goat cheese, balsamic vinaigrette
Insalata di Spinaci$15.00
Fresh spinach, wilted by hot sautéed dressing with fresh mushrooms, pancetta, red onion
Calamari Vinaigrette$16.00
Shrimp Vinaigrette$15.00
Insalata di Pesce$18.00
Bay shrimp, calamari, baby clams, butter lettuce

Pasta & Italian Specialties

Capellini al Pomodoro$23.00
Fettuccine Bolognese $25.00
Fettuccine Primavera$25.00
Fresh vegetables, feta cheese, garlic, pesto
Panzotti di Formaggio$26.00
Large, house‐made three‐cheese ravioli, fresh tomato sauce
Tortellini Montecatini$26.00
Veal‐filled, w/ prosciutto, peas, light cream sauce
Fettuccine alla Carbonara$27.00
Pancetta, onion, white wine, cream sauce
Lasagne Casalinga$26.00
Chef's special recipe. Please allow ~ 25 min
Gnocchi$25.00
Chef‐made in‐house, choice of sauces: Pesto cream, pomodoro, Bolognese, ETC
Linguine alle Vongole$29.00
Fresh clams, baby clams, choice of red / white sauce
Fettuccine alla Viareggina$30.00
House specialty: with large scallops, prawns, bay shrimp, fresh mushrooms, tomato cream sauce. Voted Best Pasta 2016 by readers of Walnut Creek Magazine
Melanzane (Eggplant) Parmigiana$25.00
Fresh eggplant, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, tomato cream sauce

Pesce / Seafood

Calamari Saltati$30.00
Baby squid sautéed, fresh tomato, capers, garlic
Seppia Dore$32.00
Calamari steak abalone style, white wine, lemon
Gamberi Scampi$31.00
Large prawns, white wine, garlic, parsley, lemon
Scallops al Limone$33.00
Large scallops, lemon, white wine sauce

Pollo / Chicken

Pollo alla Piccata$29.00
Breast of chicken, capers, lemon, white wine. Awarded Best Chicken Piccata 2016 by editors of Diablo Magazine 100 Best Bites of San Francisco East Bay
Pollo Scaloppine con Funghi$29.00
Breast of chicken, fresh sautéed mushroom, rosemary, brown sauce
Pollo alla Parmigiana$29.00
Breast of chicken with mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, tomato cream sauce
Pollo alla Schiacciata$30.00
Brick pressed baked half chicken with fresh rosemary, garlic. Please allow ~ 30 min

Carne / Veal - Steak

Vitello Piccata$31.00
Veal with capers, lemon, white wine sauce
Vitello Scaloppine con Funghi$31.00
With fresh mushroom, white wine, rosemary, demi‐glace brown sauce
Vitello alla Parmigiana$31.00
With mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, tomato cream sauce
Vitello Saltimbocca$32.00
With prosciutto, mozzarella, sage, demi‐glace brown sauce
New York Pepper Steak$38.00
Choice New York steak, black peppercorn, demi‐glace brown sauce
Pork Cutlet Sorrento $34.00
Bone in pork rack, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, reduction sauce

What 716 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

East Bay
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Montecatini Restaurant in Walnut Creek is celebrated for its "best authentic Italian" cuisine in the East Bay. Guests enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with "outstanding food and service," making it ideal for special occasions. The menu features classic Italian dishes, daily specials, and an impressive wine list. Despite its "boisterous" setting, the restaurant's "outstanding" customer service, led by host Steve, ensures a memorable dining experience.

716 Reviews

J
Julia
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing as always! I only wish my appetite was bigger. Truly the best Italian around the Bay. Impeccable service as well.
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J
Joe
VIP
San Francisco
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
It is with some trepidation that I write this review as I’ve always enjoyed Montecatini. We arrived at 4:37pm for a 4:45pm reservation. We were seated promptly. We ordered drinks, an appetizer and dinner shortly thereafter. The drinks arrived as did the appetizer. However it wasn’t until 6:05pm that our meal was served. 88 minutes after being seated. I realize it’s a small restaurant and we are in the midst of the holiday season but that was an excessive amount of time to wait on dinner. We had 7:00pm theater tickets so when dinner finally arrived we felt rushed to eat. What made things worse was that tables seated after us were served and ready to leave prior to our dinner arriving. We were told by the waiter and host a few times that we were next but to no avail. I believe I will just chalk this up to one of those things that happen. I will continue to visit Montecatini in hopes that this was just an anomaly
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K
Ken
San Francisco
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place is a gem. Old-school Italian with tasty food, generous portions, and top-notch service and overall hospitality. Highly recommended!
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B
BarbaraJan
San Francisco
26 reviews
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The food was excellent! We ate the Prawns wrapped in pancetta. Seafood pasta bowl. Tiramisu was very good. I felt the service was not great. The usual host was not there and we were not treated like valued customers. Sadly, It seemed all about packing in as many people for Profit and not for the experience, anymore.
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J
Jay
San Diego
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food and service was excellent. A little loud in there but there were several large groups when we were dining.
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C
Courtney
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Montecatini is our favorite restaurant. The staff always make us feel like family and provide the best dining experience everytime.
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V
Vince
Hawaii
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always great food and great service -fun place Have been there many times and keep going back so it must be good and it is
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L
Loree
VIP
San Francisco
106 reviews
4.0
106 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Not the same without Steven there. The vibe was different
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J
Jack
VIP
San Francisco
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always enjoy Montecatini. (During the pandemic we use to come from Piedmont for takeout meals.) The seafood salad is excellent. Love the escargot especially dipping bread in the glorious garlic butter (my aunt just could not get enough of that and was still raving about it the next day). Husband enjoyed the veal chop, two of us enjoyed the veal scallopini, and a friend who is normally strictly a vongole eater branched out to the seafood pasta in the red cream sauce and she loved it. Get the chocolate cake for dessert, more a creamy mousse cake. Note - we often have leftovers to enjoy another day.
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C
Cris
VIP
Hawaii
29 reviews
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food is always fabulous at Montecatini. Enjoyed the house salad and the romaine with Gorgonzola salads. Also loved the lasagna and tortellini. Some of the best tiramisu Zabaglione with strawberries ever. Our server was great. Definitely need reservations to get in here.
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FAQs

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (925) 943-6608.

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek is rated 4.8 stars by 716 OpenTable diners.

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

1528 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Additional information

Cross street
Between Main and Locust
Neighborhood
Walnut Creek
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary European, Wine Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
We suggest parking at the Lesher Center for the Performing Arts Parking Garage on Locust St. and Civic Drive. (Rates most of the time:1st hour free, $0.50/hr afterwards.)
Public transit
Walnut Creek Bart Station
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa
Executive chef
Ermes Paulin
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.montecatinirestaurant.com/
Phone number
(925) 943-6608
Catering
Please email us directly for a catering menu at MontecatiniR@gmail.com
Private party facilities
Please email us directly to inquire about private events at MontecatiniR@gmail.com

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card

Daily Happy Hour from Open - 6:30PM

Antipasti / Appetizers

Mozzarella, Pomodori & Basilico$15.00

Carpaccio$18.00

Escargot$18.00

Prosciutto Antipasto$16.00

Zuppa di vongole$20.00

Pancetta Wrapped Prawns$19.00

Minestre-Insalate / Soup-Salads

Minestrone Toscano$10.00

Insalata della Casa$12.00

Caesar Salad$13.00

Hearts of Romaine with Gorgonzola$14.00

Radicchio and Arugula$14.00

Insalata di Spinaci$15.00

Calamari Vinaigrette$16.00

Shrimp Vinaigrette$15.00

Insalata di Pesce$18.00

Pasta & Italian Specialties

Capellini al Pomodoro$23.00

Fettuccine Bolognese $25.00

Fettuccine Primavera$25.00

Panzotti di Formaggio$26.00

Tortellini Montecatini$26.00

Fettuccine alla Carbonara$27.00

Lasagne Casalinga$26.00

Gnocchi$25.00

Linguine alle Vongole$29.00

Fettuccine alla Viareggina$30.00

Melanzane (Eggplant) Parmigiana$25.00

Pesce / Seafood

Calamari Saltati$30.00

Seppia Dore$32.00

Gamberi Scampi$31.00

Scallops al Limone$33.00

Pollo / Chicken

Pollo alla Piccata$29.00

Pollo Scaloppine con Funghi$29.00

Pollo alla Parmigiana$29.00

Pollo alla Schiacciata$30.00

Carne / Veal - Steak

Vitello Piccata$31.00

Vitello Scaloppine con Funghi$31.00

Vitello alla Parmigiana$31.00

Vitello Saltimbocca$32.00

New York Pepper Steak$38.00

Pork Cutlet Sorrento $34.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek restaurant rated?

Does Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek offer gift cards?

Is Montecatini Restaurant - Walnut Creek currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Gift card