Cetrella

We went for dinner During a workday night and there were only a few people and very quiet. For starters, we had garlic prawns and roasted octopus. The octopus is very good and flavorful, despite small portion. The prawns are fine but I don't really taste much garlic flavor, rather tomato sauce like base flavor. For man entrees, we tried lamb shank and branzino. Lamb was cooked well and easy to get off the bone. Fish was also cooked fresh. Both flavors were okay, not stunning but was something one can expect from similar restaurants. Overall a bit pricy but ingredients were pretty good.

Cetrella is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Los Altos for upscale dining, special occasions, or a romantic night out. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and elegant, the perfect blend of modern California charm and classic sophistication. The food was phenomenal. We ordered the seasonal fish crudo to start, which was perfectly tender and flavorful, followed by the fava bean hummus, corn soup, Mezze Rigatoni, and forest mushroom risotto, all cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. The seasonal ingredients and attention to detail in every dish truly set this place apart. Amol the chef even came out and greeted us. Service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and made excellent wine and drink pairing suggestions from their impressive cocktail list. All made with fresh ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a top-rated restaurant in Los Altos or planning a private event, Cetrella delivers exceptional quality and hospitality. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a five-star dining experience in the heart of Silicon Valley for lunch or dinner.

Excellent service in a modern, but stark, environment. Lamb meatballs were a good starter, especially when you get the warm bread to sop up.the thick sauce. Crabcakes were small and unremarkable and, for someone who used to live in Baltimore, they tasted nothing like Maryland crab cakes! The mushroom risotto and half chicken were both stars, and the potatoes braves had a spicy kick. The white cake was tasteless and disappointing but the chocolate tart was a great end to a very pleasant dinner.

Delicious food, beautifully presented with attentive service. The food was consistently delicious across starters, mains and desserts. The selection of wines, cocktails and mocktails was excellent and quickly presented. A memorable dining experience

Wonderful dishes and comfortable environment, with considerable service! The crab cake was perfectly crispy and flavorful. The fish was incredibly fresh, delicious with delightful tanginess. The pasta with lobster was chewy, tasty,and well-balanced. The pudding had the perfect level of sweetness, making for an excellent dessert. Highly recommended!

This is hands down the best restaurant in Los Altos! The food is incredible, the music makes me feel like I’m in Europe and the staff is so wonderful! We try to make it here weekly because we love it so much. And it’s so clean!!! Immaculate.

After l had a very bad experience at this place a few years ago, when it was garbage industrial Indian food, l discovered that the ownership had changed. What a difference: excellent food and excellent service. I had the lamb shank and my wife the half roasted chicken. Both very good. Prices are reasonable by today's standard. Wines on the high side. The owner very friendly.

Everything we ordered was delicious and well prepared. Especially liked the crab cakes and Branzino! Service was also excellent.

I have always wanted to try Cetrella but never got the chance as my kids love the State Street Diner that is next door which trumps going to this spot. So when I had the chance, I ended up going to this for a dinner party I hosted for 7 guests and me. Everyone had a blast. Food: We had 7 or 8 starters that we shared. I highly recommend getting a bunch of starters and sharing them. The beat salad and the crab cakes were the highlights. Service: We had exquisite service and the staff was very courteous. I am sorry that there are no pictures, but I will be going here again.

Fantastic meal from start to finish. My wife and I went to Cetrella on a weeknight with no reservation; showed up a little before 5 so there was no problem getting a table though the place did start to fill up as the night went on. Even as more guests arrived the ambience remained charming and comfortable yet elegant. Great spot for a date. And there was no question why it would fill up. From the croquette appetizer to our entrees of glazed short rib and rigatoni to the dessert, everything was outstanding. All that paired with an excellent wine list made for an unforgettable meal. Finally, kudos to the front of house and wait staff. They made a great meal into a great experience.

First time at Cetrella was for a holiday dinner for the SVC NASPP EC/PC Group on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Our reservation was booked for 5:30 PM for a party of about 23 persons. I parked in the lot on Main Street across the street from Cetrella and arrived promptly at 5:30 PM. As I walked up to the venue, I could see that they have a small patio for a few tables to offer dining al fresco. It was a crisp, winter night, so no one was seated outside that evening. Inside, the main dining room was brightly lit and appeared very clean. I was immediately greeted by a staff member and led to our party's table. Below are a few items of what we ordered: Crown of the Peninsula ($18) - A few of us ordered this fruity cocktail in a vintage-style champagne glass. I wished that the raspberry flavour of the purée came through stronger than it did. Garlic Prawn ($19) - Ok, not super exciting. Crab Cakes ($21) - Two served per order. Not bad. Fritto Misto ($19) - This was the most popular STARTER of the night. Roasted Spanish Octopus ($22) - I did not try this, but those who did seemed to enjoy it. Braised Lamb Shank ($37) - This was one of the popular dishes ordered from the MAIN section. Everyone who ordered was happy with their meal. Filet Mignon ($45) - This was my order. The meat was cooked to perfection and the fritto and potato dauphinoise were nice accompaniments. Forest Mushroom Risotto ($28) - Rhonda ordered this and found it deliciously rich. In fact, she found it too heavy to finish in a single seating. She shared some of this rice dish with me - YUM! Brussels Sprouts SIDE ($13) - Served with slightly crisped, almost caramelized and topped with shredded parmesan cheese. Green Beans SIDE ($13) - These veggies were bright green and slightly wrinkled from the cooking process. Tarte au chocolat ambroisien ($16) - Chocolate lovers, this dessert is for you! Soft Vanilla Cream Cake ($16) - Everyone was intrigued by this dessert that looked like a cheescake, but was surprisingly much lighter. Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta ($13) - I didn't order DESSERT, but once I saw this served, I regretted that I didn't order it. This sweet looked delectable, especially topped with the pistachios. Next time for sure!! Service was friendly and helpful. We had a very nice time at Cetrella. Everyone left with smiles and happy tummies.

3.4 stars. Not quite making it to round up to 4. Slightly disappointing considering all the other reviews I see, but maybe just not my scene. I came here for a work dinner on a Thursday night, not packed, but lively inside. Food was 4 stars. Great dishes, very well made. I got see the ribeye, the short rib, the risotto, as well as my own lamb ragu pasta- if those were as delicious as mine, they were all great! The basque cheesecake was tasty -mayeb not everyone's fave since it's more savory than one might imagine. All the starters we shared were good as well. Service: professional and attentive, but also given the mellowness of the night, they seemed less on the ball than I've seen at other work events in other restaurants. It seemed like they were super busy, though it didn't appear that they were. Specific sub-three-star example that drew down my rating: my cocktail sat empty for many many minutes. Why wasn't I preemptively asked if I wanted another? When I finally got someone's attention, the cocktail didn't arrive until halfway thru the main. I could see the bar from my seat, and the two bartenders were not slammed or anything. Yes they were making drinks for other tables, but again compared to the coordination I see many other places, this attention & timing gap was a poor showing. (What I ordered: a Manhattan, so should be pretty basic to make) Given how many other restaurants of this caliber are around this area -even just up the block, I have no reason to choose to come back.

Over priced, cold food,horrible service. I've tried this restaurant 4 times. Twice in their old location, and twice in their new. Figuring any restaurant could have an off day. Never again. There are many more Los Altos restaurants I can spend my money at.

Only ever been here for work dinner so no food photos... The newish location is cozier than the previous one (positive) but the acoustics are such that it can be a little loud. as always, the staff is very nice -- attentive without being intrusive. They'll even banter with you if that's your thing. Salmon Gravlax: tender and nice flavor. Maybe a tad more of the trout caviar. I ate it all -- quickly. Burrata: with beets and cherry tomato. A runnier burrata rather than the firmer kind. If I'm quibbling, more beets. Truffle Polenta Cappelletti: this is a pleasant surprise. The polenta is stuffed into the cappelletti -- think a smallish tender gnocchi. The lamb meatballs were excellent. A smaller sized main compared to some of the other dishes. Glazed Short Rib: served with mash potato and spinach. Slow cooked as you'd expect. Solid dish and worth repeating. NY strip: gigantic portion. Expertly seasoned. Despite a Herculean effort, couldn't finish it. Even better the next morning with eggs. Tarta de queso vasca: what? A Basque cheesecake with vanilla bean ice cream. If you're not familiar, the basque version has a slightly burnt exterior that imparts a bittersweet note, while the texture is denser and firmer than the NYC version. This one is made expertly. There aren't many wines by the glass but a nice selection by the bottle. The Grotto margarita is almost too good. The food comes out at a Spanish pace. Relax and have a good conversation with your dining party.

The best dinner restaurant in Los Altos! Absolute delicious and a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. Great cocktails also!

Had a great time, love the "new" venue and vibe! Short ribs were tasty and tender, mushroom risotto was flavorful and creamy. Service was great, attentive but not intrusive.

This is based on my first visit to the *new* Cetrella since they changed locations, moving from the corner of Main and First to the State Street market. There is a new chef and overall I think the food is even better than before. The pate is more of a mousse but very good, as was the vichysoisse, and the burrata (with plenty of salad that came with it). The steaks were very good and the salmon made my mother-in-law (a tough customer) ecstatic. The basque cake (roughly a cheesecake) was very good as was the sorbet. So, net, on the food -- it's even better than before though I do miss a few of the old menu items (e.g., the mussels, beignets, and the simply-grilled mains). The service was and is remains wonderful. The owner gets to know his guests and takes care of them. The servers were and are amazing. The ambiance is different, it's a bit more compact, the tables are a bit closer together, the noise level is similar. So at the first order, I'd say different. At the second order, I'd say better -- i.e., it's lighter and a bit more modern and I can't wait for the Spring/Summer when they can use lovely patio area. Overall a great visit.

Five of us had dinner last night at Cetrella and all 3 appetizers (Tuscan Kale Salad, Fritto Misto and the Garlic Shrimp (special) were excellent as were all five of our entrees: Forest Mushroom Risotto, Squid Ink Spaghetti, Branzino, Crispy Skin New Zealand Ora King Salmon and the Glazed Short Rib. Fantastic meal and service, thank you. The only disappointment was that the Blue Jays lost the WS.

Fabulous dinner at Cetrella! Started with the fish crudo - fresh, delicate, delicious! Husband ordered the Squid Ink pasta with prawns & octopus, and he's still raving that it was the best pasta dish he's had. I ordered the mushroom risotto which was perfectly done, with a very generous variety of mushrooms. We were too full for dessert, unfortunately! Very friendly, attentive service, as always. We had been to the previous locations many times and really enjoyed the new place by State Street Market. We were too busy enjoying the food to take photos...

Food is outstanding for all choices on the menu. My favorite is the bronzini. Service is very attentive. Owner very involved in all aspects of the restaurant.

Best meal I've had in a long time. And great service/atmosphere too. Look forward to going again.

I had the most wonderful date night here with my husband! We made a reservation for a Saturday dinner at 6pm. We arrived a few minutes early to our reservation to a warm reception and were promptly shown to our table. The service was lovely, and the food even better. We had a great time! Appetizers: Mussels - fresh, warm, and delicious. Comes with some bread pieces for dipping into the delicious sauce at the bottom. The bread was a little crispy and I believe would have been better as a soft spongey bread instead. Otherwise, delicious! Fritto Misto - another great app. The breading was light, crispy, and well-seasoned. My favorites were the shishito peppers and rock shrimp. Mains: Grilled Swordfish (daily special) - so, so good. I'm used to having swordfish that is always slightly dry, but this was anything but! Especially the parts close to the skin were so buttery and juicy, and the beurre blanc helped tremendously with the moisture. Honestly the best swordfish I have ever had. Amazing! Whole Grilled Branzini - another well-executed fish dish. Crispy skin and great meat texture. I wish I tried more of this, but my husband let me know that he loved it! Dessert: Seasonal Housemade Sorbet (raspberry) - delicious, and as expected! The two available flavors were lemon and raspberry. I misheard the waiter when choosing the flavor and did not realize I could have chosen both flavors. I wish I could have tried the lemon as well because the raspberry was delicious! Tiramisu - light, creamy, and not so sweet. A perfect way to end dinner. The interior has such a clean, sophisticated feel, and the food was phenomenal. I would definitely recommend this place for a romantic dinner date or to celebrate a special occasion.

Best restaurant in the Los Altos/Palo Alto area. French chef from Paris, fresh/organic ingredients, really tasty and healthy food. The location and ambiance are great too. Highly recommend!

This restaurant is in a nice location with a warm, elegant ambiance inside, although the booth seating seemed a bit awkwardly shaped. We started with a Gravlax appetizer (special that evening) which was beautifully presented/plated - but looked better than it tasted. The salmon and short rib entrees were reasonably good, but I wouldn't say they were memorable. The whole roasted branzino also looked better than it tasted. It was stuffed with a hefty batch of sauteed fresh spinach and could have benefited with a bit more seasoning. The standout items of the evening were the Fritto Misto and the Crabcake starters. Both of those were delicious and worthy of ordering again. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal - I'm sure we would come back again.

Consistent 5 star experience ! Best food and service in Los Altos! Owner is a delight, and this place should be packed every night (but please don't tell anyone). The Kale salad is to die for !

It's not bad, but they never offer anything new. There are better places to eat in Los Altos. The highlight of their menu is perhaps the short rib with mashed potatoes.

Excellent food and service! For dinner we had the kale salad, and I'm always impressed when people can make kale taste delicious. Then had the salmon which was excellent, and said squid ink spaghetti with octopus which was amazing! The drinks were all great, including the non alcohol Andalusian Forest! Desserts were memorable too, the panacotta and the white layered cake. Service was excellent, Andre I believe. The maitre de checked on us several times too! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other dishes. It sounds like their lamb and branzino are highly rated.

Everything was great from start to finish including the house Manhattan, mushroom risotto, and the lamb ragu pasta special. And even though I am not a fan of kale, the kale salad really was fantastic. No room for dessert but will get it next time. Service was excellent. We'll be back.

Food was amazing, Best salmon I have ever had. Service was impeccable. Not intrusive. Ambiance was classy and welcoming. We love this place. It's the best game in town.

Went to Cetrella again and our experience was even better than the last time. Love the casual atmosphere and great food and service. Anyone in Los Altos that doesn't dine at Cetrella frequently is missing a great evening.

Complete rip-off for a very underwhelming experience. Cannot recommend. We made a reservation for NYE dinner via Open Table, and were looking forward to their menu that sounded pretty interesting. However, when we arrived at the restaurant, we were in for a rude surprise that they only had a new year's special 4-course menu that night for $120 per person (excluding taxes and tips). This was not indicated when we made the reservation for Dec. 31st. Since it was NYE, and we were a reasonable party, we had to make the practical choice of going with it rather than leaving and trying to find another dinner place later in the night. The 4-course dinner ended up being an unimpressive Italian spread, completely deviating from their regular menu. There is nothing to write about the dishes. If the business had been up front about the special menu while making the reservation, we would have had the chance to look for other options. They made it a catch 22 situation for the customer. This is not the attribute of a transparent and customer-caring business. This may be a good place on regular days, but we are disappointed and will not return to give it another try.

I do not recommend Cetrella. The food is marginal, at best. The menu is limited, and there are many alternatives in Los Altos. The lunch arrived cold. My recommendation is the management to make changes to the restaurant, including changing the menu.

Great service, lovely bar, and new Michelin star chef. The new menu and location is lovely

Wow, what a great experience. We were a multigenerational party of five--two grandparents, two parents, and one child--and everyone loved their food. This is often difficult given that we are foodie transplants from Manhattan, with both vegetarians and meat eaters in our group. We had lamb shank, filet mignon, crab cakes, chicken, and various salads. Everyone raved about their meal. And their homemade bread was equally delicious. Cocktails were also creative and well crafted. What I loved is that they also had non-alcoholic cocktails for my daughter. Apart from great dining, we loved service. It was truly impeccable. Super attentive and warm but non intrusive. Ambiance is modern-elegant. Appropriate for a special occasion, date, or night in town. Or if you just want to treat yourself to great food and nice setting :-) We can't wait to be back.

Another wonderfully beautiful evening at Cetrella. The short rib was fork tender, the pasta perfectly al dente, the flavors so delicious and well-balanced. The ambiance relaxed yet refined. We didn't want it to end! We will definitely be back soon!!

Great ambiance and food! All the servers were welcoming and friendly. We got a variety of apps and main dishes, and all of them were delicious and great to share with the party.

We have always enjoyed your fine food and atmosphere, and gracious hospitality. A perfect setting for elegant dining in Los Altos...relaxed, yet refined, and always welcoming.

Came out here with a few friends for a last minute engagement. It's my first time here and we tried to order a good selection of entrees the menu had to offer. (Thankfully with Yelp I had a lot of time to review photos of the food ) - started with their Persian salad, and I kid you not, the tahini sauce with lemon was just so addicting, I could eat a whole bowl of this. It was a great start to freshen up the palate for what's left to come. -I am always a sucker for everything truffle so of course I had to try their truffle pasta. Delishhhhhh. -the short rib was great, nothing to complain. It was tender and soft. Great sauce with it too. -pizza was probably my least favorite, it's safe and a bit bland. :/ presentation looks great though. -salmon was cooked great. Simple and tasty. -topped everything off with panna cotta which was light, and not too sweet which we loved. If you're looking for Mediterranean/Italian style dishes, I recommend checking them out!

The food was amazing, and it started with the appetizers with the salmon, tartare moving over to the crabcakes, along with great ribeye Everyone else had either salmon, which was fantastic tortellini, and risotto, which turned out to be fabulous as everyone said!

Food and service were very good. Every one enjoyed their meals. The only exception was the crab cakes which unfortunately were terrible and tasted like they had been sitting around for a week.

Have just visited the fabulous 3rd location of this storied restaurant and love it. Consistent over the years, you can expect warm greetings from owner M'hamed Bahet, a stylish and convivial decor, and delicious offerings from the talented kitchen staff. Bonus points for delightful French music during our seating. We felt like we were back in the south of France. Los Altos is so lucky to have kept Cetrella.

We've been coming to Citrella for years, to their old Los Altos location and their current Los Altos location. Food is consistently pleasing, and the service is professional and competent: a winning combination. Give it a try, I expect you'll be pleased. .

The service was excellent and our waiter was very attentive. Our water glasses were always refilled. We ordered two appetizers which were delivered shortly before our entree; the wait was exceptionally long. The three crab cakes were tiny and tasted like canned crab; for $21.00 I would have expected fresh crab. The presentation of the glazed short ribs was beautiful, but the ribs hardly seemed glazed and they tasted bland. The sliver of Basque cheesecake wasn't enough for three bites and was also bland. We liked the Ambrosian tarte the best. The acoustics were terrible and it was difficult to carry on a normal conversation.

Food was pretty average. The Brussel sprouts were ok. Risotto had no flavor. Deboned sea bass was ok.

Cetrella is like home to us. It's the first date night restaurant we frequented when we moved to the Bay Area in 2015 just a family of two with our first baby on the way. We enjoyed the ambiance, the delectable options, and the fact that they always remember us, which we appreciate. 9 years and 3 kids later, and we've celebrated many occasions there- from Birthdays and double dates, to Mother's Day brunches, Anniversaries, job promotions, and even getting take out during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why do we keep coming back? We always feel so "taken care of". They remember our favorite appetizers, drinks, and desserts. We check in on each other and share family updates. It's the place where we truly feel a genuine sense of home and community. Thank you to M'hamed and his wonderful team- We are forever Cetrella fans!

My husband and I dined here to celebrate a milestone anniversary. It was so nice to return to dining indoors. Service was very professional and attentive. We enjoyed our cocktails and wines with the finely chopped kale, pomegranate and pear salad. My husband enjoyed crab cakes and mushroom risotto while I liked my short rib on mashed potatoes with carrots. We shared a pistachio panna cotta and were treated to flutes of complimentary sparkling wine for our special occasion. How nice! We like to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries here.

Easy to get a table and great food and attentive after service with personal follow up.

cetrellas was not good tbh. i went with my friend and the food took long and it was cold kinda. the waiter was like not really around when we needed stuff and the music was weird. we got some pasta and it was kinda soggy or something. also i think the chairs were uncomfortable or maybe just my back idk. wouldnt really go again maybe. 2/5 i guess.

Was recommended this place, so my friends and I decided to give it a try and it was GOOD. The restaurant is really nice, clean and had attentive servers--also since it's in downtown los altos, parking was not an issue! For food we ordered: Tuna Crudités (I think... It was the special of the day): this one was really good! It had tuna, mango, and olive tapenade and everything works so well together. My only wish was that there was more of it! New Zealand Ora King Salmon Pizza: This one was really good! I was expecting a cooked salmon on top, but it's actually more of a smoked salmon. I never had any pizza like this before and I'm not sure why because it's SO GOOD. Forest Mushroom Risotto: This one smelled really good (the truffle?) but I couldn't really taste the truffle. That didn't stop it from being good though. Although it wasn't as flavorful as some of the other dishes, I really like how it wasn't over seasoned, and the consistency of the risotto was really good! Cappelletti Filled with Truffle Polenta: Another dish where I was slightly disappointed to not taste the truffle, but it was still (nonetheless) really good! The cappelletti was very well cooked and the sauce was nice and zesty. Foothill Collins: This was good! I could really taste the blueberry and basil and the alcohol wasn't too overpowering! Overall, really liked this place and would definitely come again. I do think it is a fancier place and on the pricier side, but it's still a great place to grab dinner with friends or to celebrate a special event!

4.5 Stars I attended a seminar here with a private room - dinner included drinks (wine/sparkling and still water), mixed green salad, a ravioli appetizer, choice of three entrees and a panna cotta dessert Service was very professional and attentive. The acoustics were not the best - just a curtain between two rooms made it hard to hear our speaker. The group next door to us made was a bit distracting. Food was surprisingly well executed and flavorful - I often food is not at the right temperature, etc when done for larger groups. The truffle oil with mushroom risotto was incredibly satisfying. Perfect texture creamy and rich with at least two types of mushrooms generously blended in. I definitely want to go back and order this again. The dessert was also stellar - I love everything custard related - and this rendition was superb. A bit too much for me for one sitting - but would be perfect to share with a loved one along a good cup of coffee. Overall - a very positive experience.

Just went to Cetrella for a milestone birthday. The ambiance is lovely and simple. Seats were comfortable and all the tables feel almost like they're private. Three of us had the filet mignon and said it was one of the best cuts we've ever had--the potatoes that were with it were delicious. Our vegetarian family were also able to get the pasta verde and said it was delicious. The starters and desserts were gorgeous, too. The service was brilliant with just enough attention paid to the table and recommendations on the wine were perfect.

Love this restaurant. Food is consistently good. I enjoy eating here with my wife or bringing friends. I also enjoy bringing colleagues for business meals. Nice wine list. Great choices at reasonable prices. See photo of beautiful meal I ate at the bar while talking to my friend M'hamed. I always feel welcome here. Very nice people. Great service.

First time to this place. I have to say i really liked it! The atmosphere is wonderful, not loud but not dead silent either. Some of the notable food was the persimmon with buratta cheese and the octopus were awesome! Octopus wasnt overcooked and the persimmons went surprisingly well with the cheese. I also ordered the duo lamb for dinner and it was good. The lamb cheek was tender and the chops were cooked well, but the cut itself wasnt the greatest. Also loved the dessert!!! Chocolate fondant was cooked through a d very soft, the inside had a great consistency and the a la mode was a smooth consistency! The service was wonderful and very attentive and accommodating. Side note that the moscow mule was made very well and served properly =D

Great ambiance, service and food! Always have a great experience here. Awesome wine selection and beautiful presentation with dishes.

Top notch food. Service is amazing and quite accommodating. Will happily be back! If coming with younger children be aware that the atmosphere is a bit on the quieter side. Having said that - our six year old fit in just fine and really enjoyed the food. Our 13 year old absolutely devoured her ravioli. While I don't think there's a dedicated kids' menu - there's a variety to choose from that kids enjoy. The Fritto Misto is the best we've had in recent memory!

Great service and ambiance. The proprietor is very accommodating. The food is consistently good and the cocktails are great. The staff are friendly and attentive. This is all around a high quality restaurant that I visit often.

The new space is absolutely beautiful and the service was exceptional! Cetrella cocktail is tart and delicious and I can't get enough of their kale salad.