EM H.
Yelp
Mom wanted to check out Vina Enoteca, so she invited us to dinner here. For some reason, she thought that the restaurant was fairly new, but, based on some photos I saw on yelp, they have been around since at least 2016.
Mom made reservations for her, the boys and me for Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM, informing them that we were celebrating Z's birthday. I was hanging with Auntie Sol and Cousin Devon, so they drove me to meet up with Mom and the boys at the restaurant. Located at the Stanford Barn in Palo Alto, we easily found parking in the lot. Auntie Sol and Cousin Devon accompanied me to go inside and wait for Mom and the boys to arrive. When Mom arrived, she invited Auntie and Cousin to join us for dinner. Vina Enoteca easily accommodated the additional two seats.
Mom was impressed by the rustic venue with hardwood floors, wooden beams and a brick wall separating the dining room from the barroom. The place was very clean and tidy during our visit.
Upon seating, we were given "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" menus. I thought that was a nice touch. Below are what we ordered:
Housemade Focaccia ($8) - The bread was really nice and soft. Tasted delicious, too, with the extra virgin olive oil and nduja butter. Likely THE BEST foccaccia that I ever had.
Insalata Verde ($15) - A pretty plate of greens with colours of pink and orange popping out from the shavings of radish and carrots.
Insalata Cesare ($19) - Wow, they were very generous with the servings of anchovies. Z preferred the octopus over this salad that he ordered.
Polipo alla piasta ($30) - I don't eat octopus, but Z tried this and immediately after tasting, he said, "Wow! That's really good. I should have ordered that."
Zuppa de Funghi ($20) - Our server, Alejandra, highly recommended this soup. It was rich and deliciously earthy in taste.
Tagliatelle Bolognese ($29) - Meh. Cousin Devon ordered this pasta dish. He thought that it was ok, I was not impressed by it. The sauce didn't taste like it simmered long enough for a robust flavour.
Involtino di Pollo ($35) - Mom and I both had the chicken for our main dishes. It was a nice poultry entrée. I think that I would have enjoyed it more with wild rice rather than the farro that sat under the chicken.
Calabrese ($28) - V was the last to finish his food because he ate every single slice of this personal pizza. He fully enjoyed it. He was so stuffed that he didn't have room for dessert which doesn't happen often at all.
Mafaldine al ragu' ($38) - Auntie Sol and Z ordered this pasta that came with a side of bone marrow. This was Z's first time trying bone marrow and it did not disappoint him at all. This pasta was much tastier than the bolognese.
TIRAMISÙ ($14) - Z was served this dessert, topped with a lit candle, on the house. This birthday dessert was brought out to him before everyone was finished eating and prior to passing out dessert menus. Mom and I found the timing of this interestingly odd, but appreciated the complimentary sweet. Served in a cup, it resembled a sundae. It was yummy.
PANNA COTTA ($14) - Mom and I love panna cotta, so we ordered this to share. I liked the side of biscotti that were served with the chestnut flavoured Italian custard, but I wasn't a fan of the panna cotta itself. Alejandra could tell that Mom and I were not enjoying this much and approached us, offering for us to order something else.
TORTA CIOCCOLAT E ZUCCA ($15) - We ordered this tart to replace the panna cotta. It was interesting, but I wouldn't order it again.
Our waitress, Alejandra, must be a mind reader because as we were winding down on the chocolate and squash tart, sort of picking at it, she came to the rescue and brought to us a traditional panna cotta. The surprise dessert was not on the menu, it was made for the private party that they were hosting in the back room and an extra was available for her to serve to us. This classical version we loved and practically licked it all off of the bowl.
Needless to say, Alejandra was awesome. We appreciated her keen attentiveness, great recommendations, and warm friendliness. I actually heard her ask Z, "Are you enjoying your birthday dinner?" Such a sweetheart she was.
We had a great dining experience at Vina Enoteca. I was eyeing the Halibut ($46), the Mezze Maniche Cacio e Pepe ($25) and the Lumache all'Amatriciana ($28). I will need to order one of them next time...and definitely ask to be seated at Alejandra's table.