Fattoria E Mare

Ever been told, «You have so much potential???»
I have.
The pessimist in me takes it as «I know you’re just trying to tell me in the nicest possible way that, I ‘suck’.»
It’s ok, I can handle the truth. I may cry a little inside (ok, more like an ugly Kim K. cry) but that just pushes me to improve myself and prove people wrong.
As much as a cliché as it sounds, Fattoria E Mare has so much potential (I sincerely mean that)…
The restaurant itself is impressively large with a huge dining area, open kitchen, contemporary bar and lounge area, a private room, and a large outdoor patio with a fire pit. Rent must be astronomical so it was really sad to see it very empty on a Friday night; like post-​apocalypse. And, skimming other reviews this seems to be the norm and it’s been that way since they opened in 2014.
My biggest issue was the staff and the service. It seems they lack leadership and/​or training.
I read that they were dog friendly (even states it on their Unilocal business page) and made a note on OpenTable for patio seating as I was bringing mine. I called the day of to confirm my reservations for a table in the outdoor patio and told the person on the phone I was bringing my dog. «No problem, we’re very dog friendly», I was enthusiastically told. Sounded like a great guy on the phone (owner?) so I was hoping for the same enthusiasm from the staff.
I arrived early before our reservations so I decided to check in early so I can order a drink while I wait for my friends. Upon checking in with Tater Tot, I was told «You’re going to have to tie and leave your dog outside while you eat.»
Ummm what?!
I told the employee that I booked a patio table online and I even called in earlier that day to confirm a table outside because I was bringing my dog (Tater Tot is my registered ESA). She unapologetically told me the patio was booked for a private event tonight. Again, I told her that wasn’t communicated to me earlier that day when I called and she left to check with someone. She ended up setting up a table for us outside in the patio (thank you) but by the time we left (close to 9 pm and they close at 10), there was no private event remotely appearing to start. =/​
Aside from that, service was amateurish and it’s obvious that the employees lack training. One of our servers was pretty curt and short with us. Seems like he was such in a huge rush during his interactions with us. I had asked if I could add an egg to my pizza to which he confusedly asked, «So you want that boiled or scrambled?» I didn’t want to confuse him or the kitchen staff so I asked that he just nix my request.
We also had another server who was nice but green; water glasses were never refilled and my friend had to ask for a refill for his soda. Additionally, food service was very slow. My friend and I receive our pizzas over 20 minutes after my other friend received his pasta and was near finishing it. Understandable if they were busy but it was dead for a Friday night (2 – 3 tables inside and several people at the bar) and I saw a handful of chefs in the kitchen.
As for the food, it was decent for the Peninsula and the prices were reasonable but all of our dishes had missing ingredients and/​or was replaced with another ingredient.
We started with the Burrata w/​herb slab bread, pumpkin seed, lemon zest ($ 16):
. The burrata was delicious — richly creamy, delicately stringy, and perfectly milky. However, they replaced the pumpkin seeds with what tasted and looked like fava beans and there was no herb slab on the bread. What if one of us were allergic to fava beans?
We also shared the Wagyu Carpaccio w/​black garlic aioli, pickled kumquat, rucola ($ 12):
. The wagyu was nicely marbled and melt in your mouth tender. Instead of garlic aioli, they drizzled some of type of sweet and sour sauce which took away from the natural beefy flavor.
For my main, I ordered the Bianca Pizza w/​burrata, proscuitto, asparagus, balsamic ($ 16):
because I love burrata so much. Except the burrata was replaced with regular mozzarella cheese (boo!). Maybe our burrata app was the last of the burrata? If so, I wish they would have told me to temper my disappointment. Aside from that, the pizza crust was quite pale and floppy on the bottom.
We skipped on dessert but make sure to check in on Unilocal to redeem a free one! We forgot to until after we left.
If you’re looking for a last minute place for dinner and for a large group that doesn’t require reservations, Fattoria E Mare may be an OK option if you don’t mind slow, spotty service.
Happy Hour in their lounge/​bar seems more promising. They have an HH menu available every day from 5 pm — 8 pm: all draft beers — $ 4, wine — $ 8, cocktails — $ 8, and $ 8 plates: burger, truffle mac & cheese, fried calamari, and margherita pizza. Saw a handful of employees from nearby Audi and Porsche who seem to be regulars at the bar.
*Wink wink*

Cold environment, no sign of liveliness anywhere.
Its like an abandoned town. Smelly old carpets, average food. Good service.
Nothing special.

Chef’s love for cooking spilling into presentation and creativity of the food.
Love it.

Had my sons 20^th bday at the private room. Chef Pablo recommended big seafood portions not in the menu. The food was great! The customer service was very attentive. All in all, the dinner was better than expected. I definitely recommend this place for big parties. There us plenty of parking too.

Ordered a margurieta pizza tasted very good but only few pieces of basil and a thin layer of cheese in the middle.
Practically I am eating a piece of flat bread which cost less than two dollars to make.

I’ve probably driven on 101 past the sign for this restaurant too many times to remember. It’s conveniently located near the airport and is both easy to find and easy to get back to 101 if you happen to be going or coming from one of the many airport parking lots in the area.
It’s a large space and on a weekend night was more empty than I expected, although there was a large group for a private event in attendance. Décor is nice and classy with wine glasses and folded napkins at every table and the open kitchen and view of the legit pizza oven is a nice sight as you make your way to the seating.
Service was friendly and low-​key, albeit a bit more slow-​paced which isn’t surprising given the atmosphere. Appetizers, main courses, and dessert are standard for what you would expect at an Italian restaurant and they also have well-​liked pizzas from their brick oven that I would have loved to try. Our order:
Burrata — $ 16. Delicious portion of fresh and soft burrata cheese listed among the salads, but it was more an appetizer. It was served with several thin slices of crispy bread that made a nice accompaniment.
Paparadelle al Bolognese — $ 17. Fresh pasta cooked nicely al dente and with a flavorful meat sauce. Enjoyable.
Cioppino — $ 32. Given how busy the restaurant was, I probably shouldn’t have ordered this dish but the menu description of crab, clams, mussels, calamari and anchovies in a tomato brudetto broth tempted me. It’s a nicely plated portion but it was clear that it consisted mainly of clams and fish. I couldn’t find any crab and was disappointed by the small portion size and lack of seafood given the price point. Overall, it was tasty, but again, not a generous portion.
Mango Cheesecake — $ 6. Tasty dessert.
Overall, we had a good meal at Fattoria E Mare. Great Italian is hard to find in the Bay Area, but Fattoria E Mare hit the spot. The pasta was fresh, the burrata was great and if it hadn’t been for the disappointing cioppino, we would have been great all the way around. Service is great and very family friendly.
Fattoria E Mare accepts credit cards, including Amex.

Decided to go here to meet a friend because it was equidistant from our homes.
I sent my cocktail back, it was THAT awful.
But I shoulda waited for the food, because I really wanted to send that back too, but I didn’t.

This is one of those gems where I don’t really want to write a review. Soon I won’t be able to get a table, will have to be waiting at the door at 5 pm… you know the drill. But I really can’t stand to not commend this place. I went with the parental units after they picked me up from SFO. It was a rainy Monday night, so the place was pretty empty and I was worried. After all, this place seems to be cursed. Velvet Turtle, Kuleto’s…no one can seem to hold this spot.
Ended up having a fantastic experience. Wine by the glass or bottle, a few beers, and although we didn’t have a cocktail I did spy a rather elegant looking full bar.
Food was amazing. Seabass — perfectly cooked with a crispy skin that you just can’t get at home. Accompanied by a very fresh tasting salad. Squid ink risotto was sooooo decadent and soooooo good. My Dad got a pasta — can’t remember which one, but it was also fabulous.
Our server was incredibly sweet. She had failed to mention that the Sierra Nevada was a seasonal Hefeweisen (the one beer my Dad won’t drink). She saw him nursing it and immediately took it off the bill. So nice!
Everyone seemed really nice and clearly the cook staff is talented, so you can bet I’ll be going back. I’d better be able to get a table!

Let me start by saying it takes a lot for me to give a 1 star. Maybe I need to give this place a second chance but it was awful. My mom was visiting and I wanted to take her somewhere delicious. This place was recommended but boy was I disappointed.
We got there at typical dinner rush time, with reservation and it was empty. I was honestly embarrassed I had reservation.
I got one of the pasta dishes. It tasted like someone didn’t drain the water out before adding the sauce. Everything was soggy and bland.
My mom got the fish and it was over done and almost inedible. It also is not cheap, which makes it even more frustrating that it was so gross.
Finally, the wait staff was not cheerful or attentive. I mean when the food is disappointing, wait staff dull, and atmosphere depressing it is hard to see a silver lining.
Like I said, maybe I need to try it again but it’s going to take a lot for me to go back.

Always a pleasure to go back to Fattoria, last time I was told by Chef Pablo that they change the menu four times a year using locally grown and organics products, I was excited to try new dishes.
I was not disappointed the flavors of the new dishes and the care of the presentations were like I was dining at a Michelin star restaurant, service and staff are always friendly and warm.
I strongly recommend the grilled local halibut, the branzino wich is very hard to find at any restaurant, also try the lobster ravioli.
I love the place I am looking forward to go back soon.

My family decided to eat out for dinner on a Friday night and stumbled upon this place while searching for seafood restaurants to eat at in the area. To being with, I’ve never even heard of this place and yet it’s right off the main freeway of 101?
I got off work late, and drove to here to meet up with the rest of my family. The exterior of the restaurant seemed a little dim; although, it does have potential to be a lively nightlife restaurant? As I entered this fine establishment on a Friday night, I had imagined it to be overflowing with people! Yet… It was quite the opposite – dead.
There were only about 14 customers in there, including my family’s party of 9. The employees appeared dull and not quite cheerful. Actually, they didn’t even seemed to be content? There’s an indication that something about the restaurant, but I tried looking past it till I had my meal.
Now the food! It was… OK. It wasn’t the greatest to match its magnificent façade. I ordered the Lobster ravioli (priced at $ 18) that was WAAYYYY not worth the price point. The taste was mediocre, it wasn’t enough to blow me away and make me feel that the $ 18 was worth it. I had 5 pieces of ravioli for dinner, and 2 pieces of shrimp… I don’t really have much to say about the dinner because it really wasn’t that great? It didn’t make wanna yack, yet there was also a lack of complements to give out as well.
One thing to complement was the waiter we had who brightened up our meal w/​his unwavering positive attitude. I think that was the best part of the meal. Other than that, this a restaurant that has A LOT of potential to be way greater than it is. Some changes would have to be the food (or price) because that was just not worth it, or the overall vibe he staff gives off. Dull.

We came here for the seafood. We were greeted right away by the hostess and seated immediately. Our server, Jose, was friendly and attentive. He was great at recommending dishes and educating us on the menu. We chose the seafood plate for two people that was on special. The portion was perfect for us and it was incredible.

Good food, well presented, amazing dessert! We went crazy for the lava cake… so delicious.
The server was attentive and kind.

This place is really huge, possibly one of the hugest establishments I’ve seen in awhile.
I’d definitely ask for a tour.
This is a great place too throw parties and a great place for groups period.
The service is excellent and the crowd is nice.
I like the location also because its right off the freeway, you can’t miss seeing it.
There’s a 7 – 11 close by, some great tennis courts, and car dealerships all within close distance.
The food is very mouthwatering.

Every Thursday night at Fattoria E Mare
Gus Ramil does karaōke here.
It Starts at 8pm nice and early and ends at midnight .
What I think really makes this special is they have happy hour all night long.
I long for happy hours while karaōke is going on.
It warms my heart.
This place is excellent for that.
The wine and food is of great quality too.
I always have too have my red wine and food wise I like it all but I think the wings are my favorite.
This place is very clean too.
I definitely suggest checking out the bathrooms.
I sang «stroking» last time I was here and the ladies loved it.
Boy that song really got some of them going.
I am sure glad they didn’t throw there panties at me because I’d be covered in them.
It wasn’t very crowded but I see this as a place that will progress.

Decent, but definitely no where near the quality of food should be for the price…
The salads are given in tiny portions– literally a few leaves, the one with Apple, dates, and walnuts had a very very bitter leaf that I could not eat. They switched it for a mixed greens which was must better.
The seafood platter my dad really liked, but he didn’t care for the clams at all. I liked the shrimp, scallops, beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The fish was nicely cooked, but didn’t have any special flavor that made it outstanding.
Free desserts– from Unilocal and Speaking with the chef… great people by the way.
Lavender chocolate lava cake was good– was burned but aye around it– could’ve used more ice cream though.
Bread pudding was alright
3 stars because of decent people and a nice atmosphere. Food is so-​so

Came here for dinner with the boyfriend. Made reservations for 7:30pm on a Friday which was not necessary because the restaurant was half empty when we got there.
They serve you focaccia bread with oil and vinaigrette after you order. My boyfriend ordered the lamb chops which was cooked perfectly. It came with 3 pieces and they were tender and juicy — cooked to a prefect medium rare. I got the lobster tortellini and it sounded better than it taste. The pasta was kind of hard and the lobster was minced up so much that it didn’t taste like lobster. The best part of the dish was the tomato broth and spinach. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing dish.
If you check in on Unilocal,you get one free dessert. My boyfriend ordered the coffee cheesecake and I got chocolate nutella bread pudding. I didn’t try the cheesecake but it seems like he liked it since he ate all of it. I thought the chocolate nutella will be incorporated into the bread pudding but it was served as a sauce instead — disappointing. But the bread pudding was good. It was not too sweet, a bit hard on the outside and soft on the inside. But still, not enough to keep me coming back.
I will not be coming back. Although my boyfriend enjoyed everything he ordered, he also said he will not be coming back because it was not worth the price — he got hungry a few hours later.

Second time here. In November of 2014, when restaurant was fairly new, a we had an abysmal meal here. Over cooked salmon and chicken that was not flavorful and dishes that looked bad. One diner sent back two plates before getting a third entrée that was ok. I did not post a review at that time because we were a large group (over 100) guests so maybe they needed more experience getting so much food out.
Tonight, approximately 30 people had cocktails at the outdoor patio here. Appetizers and drinks were good. Some guests raved about wonderful mozzarella balls. Ahi on bruschetta was unusual but good. Skewered shrimp was ok but the shrimp was small and stretched out on the skewer. Buffalo chicken wings reminded us of frozen chicken– flavor was like sweet barbecue sauce. Pizza looked ok. The patio is a nice space for outdoor mingling.
The restaurant is very large, so I think there should never be much of a wait. 30 years ago this was a chain restaurant – Velvet Turtle and not worth going to. In the 1990s it became Kuleto’s, named for the well regarded restauranteur who was co-​owner, and was popular with very good food. It was so popular that the parking lot only had valet parking do they could fit more cars. Then about 5 years ago a steak house moved in that frequently had groupon deals. That kept us away.
I think they get many customers from the hotels across 101.

Shout out to Fattoria E Mare! If you haven’t been here yet, you are TRULY missing out!
Right off the 101 freeway close to 7-​eleven and Car Dealer ship you can not miss this place! Usually opened from 5pm-​10pm weekdays.
Let me just start by saying that there signature is that BOMB Bread! Yummy, my mouth just waters thinking about it.
I first came here on March 23^rd as this restaurant as this was the venue for an event. I have to admit that inside is BEAUTIFUL! The outside is a charm as well especially with the lovely fireplace!
This restaurant has many closed rooms that people can rent out which is nice! If you are looking to host a party or a business event, then look NO further because you found the place!
The food that was cooked by the lovely Chef Pablo was delicious:
~asparagus and cheese crostini on bread
~assorted olives
~thin crust pizza
~gnocchi with the tasty vodka sauce (So DANG good)
~pasta
~mixed vegetables
~4 types of different cheese
~Tons of different type of cookies
Dessert:
~tiramisu
~peanut butter bar bites
~lemon bar bites
~bread pudding
~Italian wedding cake
I have to admit that this restaurant did an AMAZING job hosting a party. BIG SHOUT OUT to the owners: Samira and Jorge for making this an Epic event and I am so HAPPY i finally got a chance to taste there DELICIOUS food! I will definitely be back to order the Gnocchi with the tasty Vodka sauce because I was falling in love with that dish!
This place is truly a must to come to when in the area!

Fact: I could eat an entire serving of bread as my dinner. With or without dipping oil.
To me, Italian meals are just an excuse to carb out like it’s nobody’s business. Sure, I’ll feign excitement about the antipasti or varieties of Chianti, but deep down I just want the bread and butter.
Fattoria offers fresh focaccia on demand. Order a salad and Margherita pizza to balance things out and avoid shameful disappointment from the staff. Not that they’d make you feel bad here… Everyone is so nice!
Check in offer on Unilocal is a free dessert with purchase of an entrée. Because bread isn’t enough to ruin a diet :)

I’m always excited to spend time with two of my most favorite ladies on Unilocal.Upon seeing that one of my favorite ladies brought her favorite guy it’s a party!
I’m very happy with this choice for dinner. I’ve seen this place from the freeway and did one of those mental notes to check it out.
Walking in there are rows of table to your right facing a very inviting bar. I will go back for just this area in the future.
The main dining area is past the bar and the rows of table and the hostess desk. A table for five. We shared and tasted each other’s food so it was pretty much a good way of being introduced to a variety of entrees. Saw their pizza but never tried it. I heard it was very good. I noticed the brick oven on the way in.
We started with an amuse bouche. Proceeded to their very tasty Octopus appetizer. The Burrata Cheese was outstanding. My main entrée the Fusilli was very tasty that night and the following day too. Awesome portion or was it because I was topped off by all the sharing? I took the rest home.
For dessert we had the complimentary Coconut Tiramisu and Bread Pudding. You can each get your own dessert FREE when you check in on Unilocal!Is Unilocal cool or what?:)
Our server Will was awesome. Company was great albeit sleepy (I kid) The day we went there was a lone female singer. Not bad. Now the area by the bar with rows of cozy looking seating area is one area that I want to go back to. Looks very promisingly romantic:)
Thank you for the invite A. S!