We ordered:

1 Bruschetta $6

1 Spinaci salad $7

2 Quattro Stagioni pizzas $11 (x2)

1 Margherita pizza $8.50

1 Tiramisu $7

2 glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon McManis 2002 $8 (x2)

Total $66.50

1. Anyone who has driven into Palo Alto knows the deal. Parking is hit or miss--Friday and Saturday nights can be the toughest. But if you are willing to walk a few blocks, there really isn't anything to worry about. If you are among the unlucky few who don't have cars, the marguarette can get you into Palo Alto, but you will have to walk all the way down University. Our advice--go with a friend with a car. The good news is that parking in Palo Alto is free, and you don't have to worry about valets or anything of the sort. (Anna Bruno)

2. I made a reservation the day before we went. We went on Sunday, the 8th of February at 7pm. When I called, I asked if they thought I ought to make a reservation and they said it would be a good idea. Because of our reservation, we didn’t have to wait more than a few seconds to be seated. Outside of the restaurant, there were a few tables at which to sit, but when it’s cold, I don’t think people sit outside. The façade was big and impressive. Inside, one can sit to the left or to the right. The ceiling is tall and also impressive. Further back on the left, there is a bar for wine tasting. There are more tables in the back. The waiters were sympathetic, nice, and friendly. There was one to greet us, another to seat us, and then there was our waiter who was from Catania in Sicily. I asked him if he was the only Italian, and he said that it was just the cook and he. I was happy to know the cook was truly Italian. So, we talked to him in Italian for the duration of dinner. Our table was big enough and comfortable. There was a booth on one side, and two chairs on the other side. There was enough space between our neighbors and us. We didn’t have to listen to other people’s conversations. (Erinn Evans)

3. For dinner, I had a pizza, four seasons, with ham, mushrooms, olives, and marinated bell peppers. Tenley also ordered this pizza and Anna had the pizza margherita. (You can also order lots of pasta’s, but there weren’t a lot of other choices for second courses. There is a tasting menu, also, with primi and secondi.) The pizza is truly the most Italian pizza that I’ve ever eaten/found in the U.S. TRULY. It’s thin, without too much cheese, delicate, light, but it costs $11. What the hell. It’s the same size as pizza’s in Italy. Not too much oil…but they do something truly NOT Italian: they cut it for you at your table! I couldn’t eat it all, so I took the rest home with me. Then, for dessert, we ordered a tiramisu to try. And again, we were happy. The consistency of the cream was perfect. More cream than cake, and there wasn’t too much alcohol in the cake. It was great! (Erinn Evans)

The wines we tasted included a Californian Cabernet from 2001 ($8 a glass) and a Tuscan Chianti ($7 a glass). The cabernet was as bold as any I had tasted, but surprised me with a hint of sweetness followed by an explosion of scintillating spices as it rolled down my throat. I highly recommend this wine to complement any meat based entrée or even with the bruschetta or caprese appetizers. Also, any salad with balsamic would be complimented well by this wine. The chianti was impressive as well. Tasting a good chianti away from Tuscany is always a treat, and Café Niebaum-Coppola has more than one. This is a great restaurant to go wine-tasting only. Although we did not taste white wine, I felt fully satisfied with the rich flavors embodied in the reds, and would be confident in any wine listed. (Tenley Bick)

4. Che Bella! Our waiter was even Italian! Though don't let that fool you,
most of the waiters are not. In general, the service was superb. You
won't feel that you are waiting too long for your order, but you won't be
rushed either. No complaints whatsoever regarding speed or
professionalism. The service was everything you would expect when eating
at a nice Palo Alto restaurant. Not only are the waiters friendly and
efficient, but the waiters assistants are excellent as well. They are very
attentive with the waters--your glass will never be empty. Also, if you
want extra bread or you have any other request, don't hesitate to ask. (Anna Bruno)

5. The atmosphere in this upscale bistro is charming, warm, and delightfully unique in the slew of cafes in the area surrounding Stanford. Warm light from the sconces surround the customers with a romantic setting while they sip on their espressos and sample the rich food. Walnut booths serve as half the seating, while tables reminiscent of couple tables in Piazza San Marco’s cafes fill the rest of the rectangular hall. Twenty-some foot ceilings and tiled floors keep the environment elegant and refreshing after seeing far too many Italian restaurants resorting to the kitschy pizzeria red and white checker hodge podge theme that Bucca di Beppo’s has popularized. The crowd is mostly adult, and because it is rather intimate it would not be the best choice for a night out with the visiting parents. Take your significant other or a group of close friends for a lovely dinner replete with actual Italian waiters, superior service, and lots of wine. (Tenley Bick)

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ITALIAN VERSION

1. Io ho fatto una prenotazione il giorno primo di andare. Siamo andate domenica, l’8 febbraio alle 19:00. Quando ho chiamato, ho chiesto se dovessi fare una prenotazione, e m’hanno detto che sarebbe una buona idea. Perché abbiamo avuto la prenotazione, non avevamo bisogno di aspettare per più di alcuni secondi. Fuori dal ristorante, ci sono alcune tavole per sedere, peró, quando fa freddo, non penso che siano le persone fuori dal ristorante. La faciatta era grande e mi ha fatto l’impressione. Dento, si può sedere alla destra oppure alla sinistra. Il soffito è alto e impressionante. Più davanti alla sinistra, c’era un bar dove si può assagiare il vino. C’erano ancora tante tavole in fondo. I camerieri erano simpatici, piacevole, e amichevole. C’era una per incontrarci, un’altra per sederci, e poi, c’era il cameriere nostro chi viene da Catania, in Sicilia. Ho chiesto se lui fosse l’unico italiano davvero, e m’ha detto che c’era lui e poi anche il cuoco. Ero contenta di sapere che il cuoco è davvero italiano. Allora, abbiamo parlato con lui in italiano per tutto la cena. La nostra tavola era abbastanza grande e comoda. C’era una cabina (booth) ad un lato, e due sedie a l’altro lato. C’era abbastanza spazio fra noi e i nostri vicini. Non dovevamo ascolatre le conversazione degli altri. (Erinn Evans)

2. Per cena, ho mangiato una pizza, quattro stagione, con prociutto, funghi, olive, e peperoni marinati. Anche Tenley l’ha mangiato e Anna ha mangiato una pizza margherita. (Si può mangiare anche tante paste, però non c’erano tante altre scelte come secondi. C’è un menu di assaggi con i primi e i secondi.) Questa pizza è davvero il più italiano che ho mai trovato negli stati uniti. DAVVERO. È fine, senza troppo formaggio, delicata, leggere, però costa $11. Che cazzo. È grande come in Italia, piccola come in Italia, uguale. Non c’era troppo olio…però fanno qualcosa davvero non italiano: La tagliono per voi alla tavola! Non potevo mangiare tutto, e potevo portarla via quello che non ho mangiato. Poi, per il dolce, abbiamo ordinato il tiramisù per tutti di assagiare. E ancora una volta, ero contenta. La consistenza della crema era fatta perfetta. Più crema che torta, e non c’era troppo alcool nella torta. Era buonissimo! (Erinn Evans)