Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

il vecchio in Pacific Grove

4.5 (199) 110 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States

Categories

Italian restaurant
Breakfast restaurant
Lunch restaurant

Location on the map

Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-324-4282
Site: https://ilvecchiorestaurant....

Opening hours

Monday:5–8 PM
Tuesday:5–8 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Saturday:8 AM–1:30 PM
Sunday:8 AM–1:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

199 Reviews for il vecchio 2024:

Review №1

2023-12-01 02:27:35

Wonderful trattoria. Had the chicken Marsala and it was fantastic. Happy hour meatballs and tomato sauce was good. Tomato sauce is bright but not acidic. I will be coming back!

Review №2

2023-09-16 12:56:16

Happy hour is amazing!! Loved the pork shoulder, the shrimp and the burrata.Took my beloved truffle pasta home as I was too full to eat it.Will try the lamb Ragu next time. Zero room for the gelato yet again.I truly love this place.Will soon be a regular.By the way I confirmed with the waiter I think Sam who said on Wednesdays that they close at around 7:30.Morale of that is get there early and on time.---Tried looking for pictures on my phone for the truffle pasta but couldnt find it. I was so eager for it that I inhaled it. That said it was delicious. We loved it and the food and service was wonderful. Will definitely go back and get that pasta again and try the gelato. Didnt try that but will definitely consider due to the rave reviews.

Review №3

2023-10-12 15:51:07

Overall, I had a great time.I only graded it 3 stars because my plates and my cups were dirty. I cleaned them up with a napkin and it was fine. I wasnt going to give the staff a hard time. If I can solve it on my own, then its fine.I stopped in for breakfast before heading to the aquarium. Food was good. Had a great time with friends.

Review №4

2023-06-25 03:28:01

Tasty calamari, beet salad, cheesecake, and rigatoni.Kind, polite staff who use gender inclusive language!You can hear your party even when the restaurant is busy!

Review №5

2022-09-12 05:01:45

What a great meal!Stopped here when in town and was starving. Most food was poorly rated and highly expensive in the area, il vecchio was neither of these two.Once stopping in we were able to be seated right away and the service was very quick, and the food was delicious.One thing I would say to fix - the salmon dish says it’s paired with saffron risotto . This is not the case, it’s just rice - not risotto.The soup of the day was split pea soup and it was just fantastic. Exactly how grandma use to make it !

Review №6

2023-11-19 04:11:33

Solid Italian place. Pretty small and focused menu. Met expectations. Service was good.

Review №7

2022-11-11 04:00:19

We discovered this hidden gem a year ago and honestly…I almost didn’t review it because selfishly I just want to keep it to myself! This place is AMAZING. Everything is homemade. The food, service, environment and charm is simply unbeatable. Watching the kitchen is mesmerizing - they are a well-oiled machine putting out hot, perfectly-seasoned and well-portioned hearty Italian meals. Order anything on the menu and I guarantee you’ll be happy!

Review №8

2022-12-28 21:13:28

The service is quick at this place. They brought us our plates within five minutes of placing. The food made me and my wife a little sick in the stomach, but not sure why, given that it smelled and tasted really good. We ordered the Orecchiette and the Rigatoni.

Review №9

2023-10-25 03:34:58

GREAT Italian food and our great waiter even made good on a 25% discount (in honor of being voted best Italian food on the Monterey peninsula for three years running), after we forgot to mention the offer when we arrived. Top notch, first class establishment! See you the next time we visit the area!

Review №10

2023-07-26 04:53:39

I ended up here for breakfast recently after waiting for 45+ minutes outside of First Awakenings after the FA staff told me it would be a 10-15 minute wait. I am glad I walked down the street to check this place out.I was seated immediately and the server came to take our order quite quickly. When I was seated, there was 2-3 other tables with people sitting. By the time we left, the restaurant had completely filled up with people we noticed that had also been waiting outside First Awakenings. The service was absolutely outstanding. I believe it was only 2 or 3 of them, but they were working their butts off to make sure everyone was taken care of. The food was really solid as well. Plus $5 Mimosas and $6 Bellinis. Delicious.Would definitely recommend it as a solid breakfast offering to anyone in the area. French Toast was excellent.

Review №11

2022-11-20 16:33:39

Of the Italian I have had in Monterey it is the best.Made a reservation for a Friday at 6 but it was already packed. Still ended up waiting like 20 min for a table and other people waited as well. There was some confusion.The wine list was surprisingly good if you like Italian wines I would recommend.Everyone at the table got different things. The lamb ragù was pretty good and the carbonara as well. And prices were ok for Monterey.I would not get the tiramisu. It was a really let down at the end as it was pretty runny. But everything else was decent.Ended up spending about 50$ per person plus tip.I might return here.

Review №12

2022-08-02 06:42:07

Celebrated 2 birthdays on the 10th Year Anniversary price rollback..such a wonderful idea. The price of Carbonara was $12, which was the price back in 2012. No wonder the place was bustling! It was a lovely evening for us👍Gnocchi were exceptional. Rock cod puttanesca was very enjoyable. Desserts were over the top. Value good only for the month of July.

Review №13

2023-11-01 23:46:32

Great rustic place to have a meal. I have had lunch here many times, this was the first time I had breakfast. My frittata was served in a cast iron skillet. It was delicious, coffee was good too, they left the pot on the table so I just refilled my cup.

Review №14

2023-10-17 00:57:22

Absolutely delicious authentic Italian food. The Carbonara was excellent, and all their pasta is fresh and hand made. The restaurant’s atmosphere is homey and charming. Would definitely return :)

Review №15

2023-09-10 20:56:19

Had brunch here and absolutely loved it. We had a large party and they were able to accommodate us with no issues. Food and service was great and fairly priced. By all rights they should have been far busier than they were.

Review №16

2023-06-02 20:03:29

Great local food spot for Italian food! Well priced, and tastes just like homemade pasta. Definitely reccomend if youre in Monterey / Pacific Grove area.

Review №17

2022-08-01 07:05:42

I stopped by for lunch. Thankfully the breakfast menu is available through the short lunch duration so you and your friends can have pancakes, pasta, salad, and gelato at the same time if you prefer. The dishes are fairly priced and delicious for a restaurant near cannery row. Definitely call ahead for a reservation around dinner time. If youve never had gelato with a balsamic glaze I suggest you try it. Its a different but exciting flavor.

Review №18

2023-09-13 19:35:19

So tasty. Everything seems very fresh and the portions are big for the price. Their lunch was s open Wednesday-Saturday and we had a great lunch experience. Service and food were top notch and we will definitely return.

Review №19

2023-09-05 04:39:17

Fantastic food, great service, nice atmosphere. One of the best Italian restaurants in town. GOOOOOD LUCK getting in though. Consistently does not operate during the advertised hours. Three times now I have come to this restaurant during the hours of operation just to find out that it is closed- no sign on the door, no early warning. Just closed with no explanation. They also will close early- I have showed up an hour before closing time just to be turned around and refused service.Call before wasting your time showing up to this restaurant.

Review №20

2021-10-10 19:04:13

We arrived right before they opened and they sat us down no problem. They were short two cooks but our party of 20 was well serviced and the manager was very accommodating, recommending certain dishes and great selections of wine. The inside of the restaurant has a very cool vibe- very unassuming when looking at it from the outside. Food was excellent, highly recommend.

Review №21

2023-11-26 04:05:12

Apparently reservations are just suggestions and not honored. Weren’t given any updates on timing and staff were very unprofessional advising us that they “have to take every reservation” even if they don’t have tables. Had us wait for half an hour past our accepted reservation time with no updates. When we asked for an explanation from the manager/owner we were informed they were not available.

Review №22

2019-07-01 03:51:47

Ive been here a couple of times and each time its been delightful! The Sunday spare ribs special was exquisite-- falling off the bone and full of flavor! If I lived closer I would definitely go for this weekly offering!!Its a relaxed, casual vibe with authentic Italian dishes and homemade pasta daily.

Review №23

2023-06-30 20:03:33

Food is really good here for dinner. Best to come weekday and you usually don’t have to wait.

Review №24

2023-08-26 05:35:58

I’ve stopped in a few times. The rock cod dish is great. I don’t like the sandwich version but with the rice (not risotto) and salad is very good.The desserts are ok but too sweet for my taste. The gelato desserts are interesting and served in a tall soda fountain glass and is plenty for two people!

Review №25

2023-07-25 10:15:34

Our favorite local restaurant! We have celebrated so many special occasions here and is always what we opt for when taking friends from out of town out. The Orecchiette is my absolute favorite also the truffle mushroom pasta. Don’t skip dessert! The chocolate cake is amazing!!

Review №26

2018-04-02 10:32:38

The restaurant has a nice rustic theme going. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The butternut squash soup was delicious. I had pasta del diavolo, where the pasta is imported from Italy. The pasta had the perfect firmness with a buttery richness. We ordered burrata alla panna, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the mozzarella (I like the cheese to be a bit firmer than that), don’t like the bread so extra crispy, and the tomatoes seemed to be the larger variety rather than the small, sweet tomatoes that I usually see used for this dish. Not something I would order again. The patate con herbe was sautéed to a delectable crispness. I ordered a wonderful port wine for dessert. They also have a great selection of wine cocktails I wish I had the chance to try more of. All in all, a very filling meal and a great experience.

Review №27

2023-12-05 20:23:32

This was quite possibly the best Italian food I have had in years if not my life. The cocktails and Italian sodas are phenomenal as well.

Review №28

2023-03-26 03:57:50

Even with a short staffed kitchen, we were well taken care of. The staff was great, pleasant to deal with and kind. The food was incredibly reasonably priced, great drinks, and the desert was ridiculous.Great aperal spritz and Negroni!

Review №29

2023-03-11 17:06:25

So, so good. Very popular, so either eat early or make a reservation. We especially enjoyed the gelato with a balsamic/strawberry glaze.

Review №30

2023-11-25 17:45:53

A local place, off the tourist circuit. We were lucky to get there for happy hour and tried a few items.. pork shoulder, meatballs, salad (wonderful!), eggplant parmesan. It reminded me of Buca de Pepo; solid, but unmemorable.We did enjoy the people and the local aspect of the restaurant. Unfortunately, our server was incredibly rude and downright unfriendly to us. Is it because we are not local? or not caucasian? It was uncomfortable

Review №31

2023-10-01 05:33:05

Food is so wonderful and I love the Italian cocktails. Carl the owner hand selects the wine and servers are very special people who offer a personal connection. It’s our favorite restaurant on the Peninsula where we always bring our visitors/guests for a delightful time. We love Il Vecchio!

Review №32

2021-04-19 05:44:23

Italian food done right. Everything from service to bread to baked eggplant and pasts was great. Qualify food, generous portion size and decent price make this one a winner.

Review №33

2022-08-21 16:32:57

We ended up at il vecchio after the wait at first awakenings was too long, and I’m so glad we ended up here instead! Very cozy and unique vibe, and the food was GREAT. I was especially impressed by the gluten free pancake - you won’t be able to tell the difference. Order it with fresh blueberries :)I got the eggs Benedict with ham - the hollandaise sauce was really good and it came with TONS of hamHighly recommend!

Review №34

2023-06-27 02:00:56

One of my favorite go-to places for Italian food on the peninsula. The pasta dishes are always hearty and filling. Their salad tonight was incredibly tasty. They have a delicious happy hour menu with small plates.

Review №35

2019-12-15 18:46:24

Love this restaurant!! The breakfast was phenomenal! Fried polenta was creamy and crisp. Basted eggs...a must try. The Molinari sausage was perfect because it was not over seasoned. Ive been for lunch and never been disappointed. Decor is fun with old beaters made into lights. Old stressed painted chairs hanging from the wall add an interesting contrast to the old windows inserted to divide seating areas into more privacy but still allow the light through. Wait staff are friendly and non obtrusive. A must for weekend brunch!

Review №36

2023-04-09 23:57:35

Probably the best Lamb ragu Ive ever had in my life. So rich and flavorful. Lamb was so tender, carrots and celery just perfect. The fresh paparadelli noodles were terrific. Cesar Salad was good. Really enjoyed the San Simeon Sauvignon Blanc too.

Review №37

2022-06-26 03:58:25

Terrible pizza!! It was so bad that made me mad. My husband and I were lured by their description of sourdough crust. We ordered their roasted veggies pizza. We were very disappointed. The dough was so so (it needs more salt and the texture is just not there). The toppings were meager on veggies and heavy on cheese, which makes it taste almost disgusting to me. Honestly this was the worst pizza I had for a while. Im still giving the restaurant a 3 star, though, because we liked what we had there last night (lamb ragu was excellent, although the Serento salad was a bit underwhelming).

Review №38

2023-10-15 16:29:16

The food was under seasoned and bland. The burrata was the not soft centered burrata that i was expecting, more looks like store bought. Gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese souce was really band. If you bind fold me, then i couldnt tell that it gorgonzola and the apples have zero sweetness, i have a add a lot of table salt to eat it, really disappointing.The dessert, Gelato with English toffee was really good, the only savings grace was the dessert, rest bland.

Review №39

2022-08-22 21:45:32

I never get tired of this place. I mean, ratatouille with the silkiest poached eggs for breakfast? Sign me up. Every meal Ive ever had here is incredible and the staff are awesome. Whatever you want to tip them: double it, because they just dropped their dinner prices by 30%!!! Youll still get a deal, youll be a great tipper, and your server will be STOKED. Everyone wins. Have a great meal. 😀

Review №40

2022-06-19 16:29:45

It’s a short walk from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a great place to have dinner. All the portions were very generous and flavorful. The beet salad and baked eggplant were delicious. They also have a selection of gelato flavors mixed in-house!

Review №41

2023-08-29 17:06:23

First time eating at il Vecchio. The food was delicious! I had Osso Buco Pasta and my sister had Lamb Filet. Both dishes were spectacular! Pasta was perfectly prepared. All pasta imported from Italy. Great wine list! Olive appetizer was very good. Sat outside with our dog. Very attentive waiter (Sam). Highly recommend this restaurant!

Review №42

2021-09-09 15:46:28

I had a great meal here. must try the osso buco pasta (beef shank w/ reginette pasta). the insalata mista was great, too. i’d try other things on the menu if i come back here.

Review №43

2023-10-17 02:55:05

Didn’t get a chance to go in. Their page says they were open until 8, and my wife and I showed up on our anniversary at 7:40 and were turned away.Pretty frustrating, the website said nothing about requiring reservations or closing early, food looks good but they just might turn you away before they close…

Review №44

2022-03-23 19:16:53

This place deserves more than 5 stars, the restaurant is comfortable and cute, the service was nice and employees polite. The cook, Silvano I believe is his name cooked the best egg Benedict i’ve ever had. Great food.

Review №45

2019-08-18 07:18:20

Everything about this restaurant is extremely thoughtful. The furniture, the servers, and the food have all been curated with an attention you cannot help but admire. In pace with the name, all of the furniture is sturdy, old, and deliberate in a charming way.The dish that I ordered was the agnello con pappardelle, The house-made noodles were absolutely delicious, and were of course the focal point of the entire dish. The lamb, tender and warm, complimented the noodles rather than distract from them, and it could be appreciated in its entirely. The flavors landed delicately on the palette, and I it allowed me to savor each bite.Lest I forget, the bread which was served as a starter was accompanied by the loveliest balsamic vinegar. It was a playful and absolutely served to whet my appetite for the main course. I could not be more pleased with my experience, and I will be returning if I find myself in Monterey again.

Review №46

2017-10-26 07:59:39

The homemade pasta and carbonara were excellent. Their pasta was done perfectly, pretty thick rounds with a bit of aldente crispness. BUT, the stunner for us was surprising, the pizzaiola. The sauce was thick and chunky as I like it, with a perfectly paired olive. They also maintain a solid affordable Chianti by the bottle - nothing better than drinking real Italian style table wine with some nicely done fresh pasta. We will be back.

Review №47

2023-08-05 21:25:10

Excellently prepared Italian dishes. Fresh seafood, reasonably priced, and very good service. Will definitely return next time were in town.

Review №48

2022-02-22 17:01:23

Fantastic Italian mom-and-pop style restaurant, just outside of the Cannery Row toruist hotspot, but only 2 or 3 blocks from the aquarium. We got there right at 5 as they were opening and had no trouble getting a table, but the place was packed in about 10 minutes. If you want to take your time getting there, Im guessing youd want to have reservations. The food was a perfect recreation of my Italian grandmothers cooking. Loved it!

Review №49

2021-12-27 21:57:17

A friend who lived in Monterey highly recommended this place so I had to come here myself. Delicious food, reasonably priced in a comfortable setting. Staff was extremely nice!

Review №50

2021-12-05 12:17:15

Friendly staff and service. Food is amazing. My kids loved their pancake, but definitely a sharable plate for little ones.

Review №51

2022-04-02 16:32:35

Only ate breakfast here, but it has now ranked one of my top two breakfast joints in Monterey/Seaside. Had the Mendocino and Chicago. Make sure you get the pork sausage from San Francisco.

Review №52

2023-07-03 22:54:55

Great spot to grab a bite of really good Italian food.Apps: BurrataFood: Carbonara and Osso Buco pastaDesserts: Chocolate marscapone cake and The Matterhorn (gelato)We ordered a lot of food (we figured calories don’t count on vacation) and did not regret any of our choices. The server was a total doll and gave us some good suggestions.I like the location, it’s a short walk (uphill) from cannery row, which allowed me to work off all of the pasta and dessert we ate.

Review №53

2021-10-23 00:55:31

I e lived for years in Italy and the Carbonara and other food items I had tonight are on par with eating in a great Italian restaurant. Superb food and the atmosphere and decor are just wonderful. Highly recommend this gem.

Review №54

2019-03-30 17:38:34

Tried the breakfast for the first time and like the dinner menu did not disappoint. The benedict and French toast style focaccia were both delicious. Even the coffee was excellent, I rarely any noteworthy flavor at other places so this was a pleasant surprise. The owner, Carl, came by to ask how everything was as well. What a nice guy!

Review №55

2023-10-23 14:55:31

Great little restaurant near Cannery Row and the Aquarium. Good food, good service and reasonably priced. Very nice experience.

Review №56

2023-05-06 18:24:24

Delicious Italian Cuisine. Very comfy spot and great desert. I tried the canalloni it was EVERYTHING!!

Review №57

2023-07-24 20:48:03

Just dicovered this hidden gem . Went in for breakfast. It was amazing breakfast was one of the best we had in a while . The service and waitress was great. Regina was amazing . We also went back for lunch and food was even better . Defiantly our favorit restaurant

Review №58

2021-06-21 04:49:03

Restaurant was very accommodating, allowing me and my partner to be seated and get drinks before the restaurant had officially opened. The food was really good and the staff was friendly. Would definitely go to again if Im in the area again.

Review №59

2020-08-10 02:48:36

Amazing pasta and super friendly service. We had such a lovely time dining here, they’ve done a great job with the outdoor dining set up!

Review №60

2021-05-26 03:26:46

Wonderful traditional Italian flavors in a clean and classic environment. Whenever I am missing Italy, I go to il vecchio to relive some of the flavors. Not a lot of places truly remind me of the meals I ate in Italy, but this is definitely one of them!

Review №61

2018-10-02 03:29:18

Wonderful ambiance and the food was amazing. Really, had several items here and all were delicious and very reasonable priced too! Every time Im in Monterey Ill include a stop to IL Vecchio.

Review №62

2023-10-31 14:50:54

Delicious food!!! Service was pretty good considering they seemed very short staffed. The food is absolutely amazing!

Review №63

2018-01-07 18:31:53

First time visit, close to the outlet and aquarium, have its own parking place! They offer worker lunch special. Everyday is different, salad is included. It is pretty quick since only two entrees provided. We also had a veggie soup from their daily special, my kid likes it.

Review №64

2018-07-15 02:50:45

Very homey Italian restaurant with good service and excellent food! Would definitely recommend if you are staying in the Monterey area for a visit. You wont be disappointed!

Review №65

2023-04-02 18:28:57

This was one of THE WORST dining experiences I have ever had. The food was good but if you don’t have a good dining experience then it doesn’t really matter how good the food is. We were a group of 10, business colleagues, who had had a long day and wanted to go out and enjoy a good meal together. We were referred to this restaurant so we went. We were greeted by the hostess who seated us and then our server came, who was curt and rude from the outset. She gave us water and took our drink order. It took over 35 minutes to get our initial drinks and two of our party didn’t get their drinks. I asked politely if they could get them and she shrugged and reminded me of how busy they were. I asked no more than three times for refills on water and finally the busing staff gave us refreshers on water. The busing staff also served us our dinner. We finished our meals and waited and waited and waited. We were not offered dessert, refills on drinks, while the table next to us continued to get stellar service. The gelato looked amazing but we wouldn’t know. After waiting another 25 minutes after our meal was complete we finally got up and asked for our check so we could get out of there. The check was over 450.00 and they were gracious enough to add a 20% gratuity for a server who did absolutely nothing. I’m curious if the busing staff who did the majority of the work saw any of that 75.00 tip that we were required to leave. I tried to talk to the owner but he had left and the hostess was nice enough but again reminded me that they were very busy and understaffed and that she would give my number to the owners and they would call me. They never called. My question is, if there are not enough servers to provide the level of service necessary, then why are you seating a full restaurant? Bottom line, I will never go back and would never recommend this restaurant to anyone no matter how good the food is.

Review №66

2021-09-07 01:49:06

Someday Im fulfilling my lungs with the freshest air, playing golf near 17 mile drive. Someday my eyes are amused by the beauty of Big Sur coastal road. Someday Im slightly drunk and completely happy after series of vine tasting courses in Carmel Valley.No matter what happened with me today, Im always visiting my favorite IL Vecchio for the best marinara pasta that is giving me the joy of delicious products of the ocean and a really good spaghetti 🍝

Review №67

2021-07-22 03:48:38

This was my 3rd time here! Takes me back when I used to come visit my fiancée in Monterey while she was attending CSUMB. The 1st time I ate here I fell in love with the place. Makes you feel like youre really in Italy. Staff was stupendous and the food was even better 😋. Cant wait to go back, thank you il vecchio!!!

Review №68

2023-12-04 22:22:05

In town for a golf outing and stop for bfast. Great food selection with a bar for the hang over.Highly recommended!!!

Review №69

2017-01-25 22:33:46

While searching for another restaurant, I mistakenly walked into this restaurant. It was packed, of course, it was dinner time and it was a Saturday night. This restaurant is really cute in its style, kind of funky, eclectic, rustic, and european-ish. Despite the separation of the main seating area to the bar area, this restaurant had a very open feeling.Being that the restaurant was packed and I didnt have a reservation and it was just me, I wound up sitting at the end of the bar. The hostesses were kind enough to put a chair at the very end of the bar and let me squeeze in. The menu was simple, not a whole lot of options to it. I had been wanting a good hearty bowl of Clam Chowder Soup, but because I mistakenly walked into this restaurant, I didnt have the option to get Clam Chowder, as this restaurant didnt serve Clam Chowder, I ended up ordering the soup of the day, which was a Beef Vegetable (I cant remember the exact name of the soup), but it turned out to be really good, very hearty, healthy and filling. I also ordered a side of grilled vegetables which ended up being leftovers the next day!It had become pretty cold that evening, so with my meal, I ordered a cup of tea. But instead of just giving me a cup of tea with a little metal teapot, I was given a regular pot of tea. I thought that was decent of them, and from what I recall it really wasnt that expensive. They had some pretty decent tea flavors.The Bartender who waited on me was really nice and attentive, although the restaurant was packed and it was a busy night, he did a great job serving his customers. I walked about 4 blocks to get to this area, in search of the other restaurant, but I believe parking was all street parking and it wasnt very difficult to find spaces. From what I could tell from how crowded the place was, was that it was a very popular place. Seeing that there wasnt any open seating was pretty comforting, it gave me the extra assurance of their quality of food and service.

Review №70

2021-12-08 19:28:47

Love love love the style of this restaurant! Very unique and welcoming. Staff is wonderful and greeted with a pleasant hello and a smile. Hard to see that lately. And of course, food was delicious. Thank you!

Review №71

2023-08-08 05:16:51

This place was poppin’ on a Tuesday. Our sever was the sweetest and kindest and most attentive. The atmosphere was relaxed and even when the place was full it didn’t feel overcrowded.Have desert. 😬

Review №72

2023-11-26 05:15:33

We always have a wonderful experience at il Vecchio. All staff are friendly and efficient! Food is great.

Review №73

2019-07-13 05:08:55

This meal shouldve been served in private...we moaned so much we shoulda had a curtain between us and the table next to us...the people who prepared and served this meal love food...you could taste it. There arent enough stars to rate this place.

Review №74

2017-04-22 21:28:40

Worth the drive from San Jose! The owner is very passionate about his restaurant. He personally will visit your table, make sure you know whats in the kitchen that he thinks is extra good that night. Ask him about the wine selection! His knowledge is awesome and he may just pour you a glass on him. Their FB account responds within minuets if you have any questions or just want to say hi to the ownership. They go out of their way to make you feel special so be ready to get spoiled.Parking is what it is.... Pacific Groves stingy parking selection I suggest getting an Uber or Lyft ride if your a local.

Review №75

2019-02-19 19:05:15

Service was excellent and so was the pasta. The ice cream sundae looked great, but tasted like freezer burn.

Review №76

2021-11-29 10:02:13

Such a cute little place. Food is great. House specials are worth trying. We had mushroom truffle pasta which was amazing!!

Review №77

2023-02-27 03:45:22

I would give it negative stars, if possible. Worst food ever. The pizza reminded us of cheap pizza from childhood. They drizzle some pesto on top of their cheese pizza and call it pesto pizza. No toppings. The pasta was nothing you couldnt make at home with jar sauce. The gelato had no flavor other than overly sugary. Disappointing!The prices are too high for what tastes like fast food, and the portion sizes we got. We wanted to love this place based upon the reviews, and being locals. Called to voice my concerns about the food, and got a lot of rude attitude, and nothing more. Management never returned my call. Spent a lot of money for bad food and bad attitudes. Not a place we could ever recommend, sadly.In response to restaurant:Oh, yes, it was your place. We know where we have eaten. I didnt say our visit was in past few months.

Review №78

2023-11-26 03:35:30

Took a reservation over the phone and then when we arrived on time, hostess did not honor it. Very unprofessional staff, unaccommodating to families.

Review №79

2019-07-10 16:38:40

We went to IL Vecchio for dinner; weve been there before but its been a while. We remember that it was good food at decent prices and a few years later it continues to be the place on the Monterey peninsula that is a go-to place for a quality, satisfying meal at reasonable prices.We started off with a burrata-the first place Ive ever been to where burrata wasnt just a soft version of mozzarella. It was creamy, soft and delicate, served with a crustini, basil, chopped tomatoes. Gorgeous.My entrée was the Molinari sausage with polenta and veggies. The sausage was terrific-grilled but not dry, split and then seared. The polentswas a baked version i like letter than creamy. The carrots and zucchini were sauteed to perfection.We also had the truffle pasta which was not the overwhelming truffle flavor that maybe restaurants think people want. Its like the heavy perfume people douse themselves with. Lots of mushrooms, generous truffle flavor, pasta was al dente. In fact we thought the pasta and the sausage paired well together!It was our anniversary and we were looking for a special but not pretentious place for dinner. They make as much from scratch as possible which was much appreciated. Definitely a must-go!

Review №80

2023-10-14 16:40:14

Taste does not justify the price. Not terrible but really not that good. Good ambience but that’s it really

Review №81

2021-03-08 19:46:18

Ohhhhh why not this place .....I went to this place in January2021 the end of January in particular...the place was a perfect spot for Italian food......I really enjoyed the food perfect portions and flavors,for my personal experience with food it felt like home a dish served with love and perfection, also wine lovers or if you are on a date they have really good collection of vines do try🙂,they have a good outdoor seating too, so that’s a plus on a bright pleasant sunny day 🙂....it’s an add on for my next visit to Monterey ......I would recommend this place with all my heart

Review №82

2023-05-13 01:16:37

My girlfriend and I came here for dinner on 5/11/23 after driving from Reno. We arrived to find out that they were taking their last orders for the night, but the hostess informed me that they could squeeze us in. We were seated and our waitress, Lisa, came over to the table promptly to get us situated. I didn’t order any drinks because I still had to drive, but I ended up ordering the spaghetti and meatballs and my girlfriend ended up ordering the Caesar salad. Our food took an appropriate length of time to come out, and it tasted phenomenally good. You could taste almost each individual ingredient that comprised the sauces and seasonings. Nothing was too strong or cooked improperly. For dessert, my girlfriend ended up getting a gelato with mint. Unfortunately, she ended up discovering many soggy sprigs of mint in there that she did not particularly like, but it still tasted good regardless. When Lisa came back to ask how it was and my girlfriend told her about it, she immediately took the time to remove the gelato from our bill as a courtesy. She was such a wonderful waitress, we tipped her well, and if we ever come back to Monterey bay in the future, we will absolutely come here again. Thank you!!

Review №83

2023-06-06 23:14:52

Stop waiting in line for brunch at first awakenings. This place has much better food and the service is top notch. Also the best pasta in town if looking for dinner.

Review №84

2019-11-01 05:16:01

The waiter was friendly and so sweet. Awesome,we will be back soon.A bit of expensive

Review №85

2023-07-05 21:14:16

Interesting decor: chairs hanging on the walls. Food was delicious! Waitstaff friendly. We had a great time!

Review №86

2020-11-29 07:31:44

Il Vecchio / The Old is a great Italian restaurant with friendly & attentive staff. I was there with my friend enjoying a buttery tender squid steak without those standard tentacles you usually find in other restaurants; it reminded of how the South Africans prepare squid steak in Cape Town. I also ordered sausage made from the famous San Francisco company, P.G. Molinari & Sons. The sausage came with 3 wedges of mielie made from maize and tasted a lot like the staple meal in Mozambique, S. Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Id come again just for the squid steak (see picture). Call ahead of time if youve a party bigger than 2. In the COVID-19 pandemic condition, we ate outside.

Review №87

2021-11-11 05:51:39

My husband had the cannelloni and I had the beef tips. Both were very good. The marscapone cake was exceptional. GET THE CAKE.

Review №88

2021-07-28 04:12:10

Delicious food as well as cocktails, very good service and fair price for the quality :)

Review №89

2022-11-20 04:09:07

Everything was great! Nice service, not long wait for the food and delicious dishes!

Review №90

2023-02-14 14:57:05

Food was decently good, albeit was a bit over priced. I’m giving this a poor review purely because they would not split the checks for our party, which was problematic because we were all on business travel and needed to expense dinner and created a large headache for us. The manager was also not friendly about this at all. Gratuity was then automatically added as well due to our party size of 6. We regretted eating here ultimately

Review №91

2021-08-28 21:13:34

My ultimate go-to Italian restaurant in Monterey Bay. Service and food are great. Love the atmosphere! I recommend trying their Mushroom Truffle pasta or the Orrechiette 🤤

Review №92

2023-10-01 03:02:12

We walked to this restaurant on a Sat night. Posted hours until 8:30pm, were denied a table at 7:57. Change your hours.

Review №93

2023-05-09 02:37:12

Tasty vegan options. I got the spaghetti and tomato sauce (basically the only option) but it was so good! I also got the ciabatta bread. Server was knowledgeable about vegan options.

Review №94

2017-09-08 05:12:52

Ill Vecchio has very tasty food, the best and freshest pasta, and a knowledgeable staff. The menu has fewer items than most restaurants near it, but you will find that Il Vecchio has a menu is similar to Olive Garden, but the quality and enthusiasm for each dish is superior.

Review №95

2023-03-13 19:35:53

Having lived in Italy, I find the food here absolutely amazing! One of my favorite restaurants in Monterey. The polenta is my usual. Love the Tiramisu, cappuccino, and all the pastas and appetizers. You cant go wrong here!! ❤

Review №96

2020-03-12 05:36:42

Befy good italian restaurant,excellent service, truffle pasta with mushrooms was divine

Review №97

2022-06-11 02:16:53

Lovely, authentic Italian Restaurant. We enjoyed our dinner (Spaghetti Meatballs)very much

Review №98

2019-02-10 01:44:45

Wonderful quaint Italian restaurant in Pacific Grove, very welcoming with a comfortable atmosphere. Had the pollo con marsala, and it was very delicious. The service staff was excellent and we felt very taken care of. While there are many places to eat in the area, I would check this place out.

Review №99

2022-09-21 07:37:08

Great Italian food! Customer service was impeccable 👌. Good value for the quantity of food. The evening we went to dinner the special was prices were from 2017 ! Osso Bosco was less than twenty dollars. The 14‐16 oz New York strip steak was also less than twenty dollars! Keep in mind that was the evening special. Again great food and customer service. Excellent Wine Selection and the pasta is homemade ! 😋

Review №100

2019-08-31 02:27:24

Chicken Marsala is awesome here. So are the meatballs. Friendly service and great food that is walking distance from the aquarium.

Review №101

2022-05-17 06:04:35

Probably the best value in the area. They were down to 2 waits but the service was very quick for a busy Saturday. I couldn’t get the meatballs everyone raves about during lunch. Rigatoni though was nice with balanced flavors The salad was not anything I was used to with the marinating in dressing. A Little Sweet for me but still nice.

Review №102

2023-06-11 19:14:42

One of our favorites!! Perfect Salmon. Enjoyed the good bread with olive oil&vinegar. Excellent service.

Review №103

2023-07-09 07:01:09

Im never disappointed when I go to Il Vecchio. The food, wine and service are always great.

Review №104

2023-06-03 02:19:30

Only complaint is that they never refilled my soda. Carbonara looked good, polenta was tasty, cannoli was huge.

Review №105

2019-12-12 03:05:26

Fantastic Italian food could not have asked for much more

Review №106

2022-11-05 19:23:39

Its noon on a Saturday, why isnt this place packed?!Oh. My. DELICIOUS GOODNESS!Im not one to go off like this in a review. But I seriously loved everything I had here. Coffee, Bellini (for $4!), and the Ragu Rigatoni. Mmmmmmmm, so savory with perfectly cooked pasta. My partner had the French toast with bacon. It was like a vanilla egg souffle. *Chefs kiss*Eat here. If you know whats good for you...

Review №107

2022-08-13 21:41:42

Came here for lunch and ordered rigatoni and pomodoro penne. The food tasted excellent and the price was very reasonable. The waitress was very friendly.I noticed one thing when we were being seated by another staff. She asked us to sit at a small table when there were plenty of tables available. A couple came after us and they got a bigger size table.

Review №108

2023-07-04 16:09:00

Went back for breakfast on Fathers day 2 people in line like 5 people in restaurant took an hour to be seated we ordered right away waited an hour and ten minutes no food or drinks i finally had enough got up and left no food or drinks we had 3 toddler with us cant wait 2 and a half hours to feed them worst service staff just ignore you we had a great experience before but not now totally bad experience wont be back

Review №109

2019-07-20 00:52:56

Delicious food and really friendly service! The menu had a ton of awesome looking options and the serving sizes were a good size

Review №110

2023-07-16 15:28:28

Very nice place and good prices too. A great diner option in Pacifica Grove.

Review №111

2022-09-21 01:27:22

Great Italian option in Monterey. It was crowded and we didnt had reservation but they were really friendly and the wait wasnt so long. The portions were huge, so prepare to eat a lot! I would recomend the pizza because our pasta was a little bit unseasoned.

Review №112

2022-10-18 07:13:31

We are diehards for il vecchio! We have been going here 4 times a month for at least 6 months. Its a must to stop in on the weekends for their lasagna but Ive tried every entrée and not one of them disappointed. The service is great and friendly and weve only had to wait for a table once out of 40+ times weve been there. My favorite drink is the Bastardo and my favorite meal is the NY Steak.

Review №113

2021-08-22 00:53:37

Our favorite meal on our Monterey trip! The frutti di Mar was excellent. The Gelato was pricey but delicious!

Review №114

2021-04-24 02:25:31

Excellent menu, great food, friendly service will definitely return!

Review №115

2023-04-14 03:20:29

They closed 45 minutes early. There were still alot of people but we were not allowed in. The website says what time it closes. Honor the time or change the website hours. I hate liars. What a waste of our time.. 20 minutes to walk there and then back another 20. Have some consideration for clients.

Review №116

2023-12-04 21:07:36

Food was so delicious and the pricing was great!

Review №117

2022-09-19 01:08:44

So glad this restaurant was recommended to us. The food is absolutely delicious. The servers are helpful and knowledgeableIts a very busy place. I recommend making a reservation. If not, feel very fortunate you got a table. 😉

Review №118

2021-06-09 02:41:59

So worth it. Such a charming setting with good service. Everything is so full of flavors and good quality ingredients. I had the cod, which melted in my mouth, but the salad and the dessert was the best part. (Salad? Really?? -Yes.) Everything was cooked to perfection. Even gave excellent wine suggestions to go with my dinner.

Review №119

2022-11-01 23:48:46

I was very excited to go here, especially because there aren’t many restaurants in the Monterey area that advertise as Italian restaurants.Unfortunately the food was sub par and not much flavor so it was a huge letdown considering it isn’t cheap.1 star for good service + 1 star for good decor

Review №120

2022-02-20 15:30:35

Ive had both take out and dine in here and have been very pleased every time. The Mista salad is delicious and the pastas were very good as well both as takeout and dine in. The staff were busy but cared about our meal and experience and had great suggestions. We did Salad and Pizza another night for take out and really loved the sourdough crust. We had sausage pizza with mushrooms and spicy italian salami and were very satisfied. I think the Pizzas could feed 3 but they told us they were just enough for one! We had a lot of leftovers but pizza leftovers is never a bad thing.

Review №121

2023-05-06 20:20:03

Best pesto I’ve had ever. Also, steak cooked very nicely. No frills, casual, perfect

Review №122

2023-01-18 16:03:13

My husband and I adore this place. The atmosphere is perfect for both special dinners and normal date night. The food is absolutely delicious and so is the desert!!

Review №123

2021-11-04 00:34:22

Great breakfast! Great service! Great price! 👍😊

Review №124

2021-10-25 13:48:00

Definitely a whole in the wall, if you werent looking some where to eat you wouldnt see it. Nice little niche. Beautiful inside, great staff. The menu had a great selection for breakfast, of course some things.if never heard for breakfast like ratatouille, or breaded chicken. I did have the Nebraska which was the breaded chicken with mushroom gravy, house potatoes eggs and fruit. Everything was very delicious. My husband had the Wyoming which was T-bone steak, egg, house potatoes and fruit. When it came to drinks it was very difficult, We asked for apple juice and only has enough for 1 cup, asked for hot cocoa and no chocolate. I finally settled on OJ. If they had the drinks I would have given 5 stars.

Review №125

2022-11-04 02:07:43

Absolutely loved it!!! The cocktails were amazing, and their pesto sauce is probably one of the best ones Ive ever had. Will definitely go again.

Review №126

2023-03-05 17:08:48

Closes at 9. Walked in at 805, waited for about 10 min until staff walked up to say they closed at 745 because it was slow. They saw us waiting, there was no need to be there that long just to be told they weren’t seating anymore. We went toMezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar… Go there instead, their service and food was amazing!!

Review №127

2022-02-12 21:04:29

We came for breakfast and didn’t have to wait to be seated. The staff was incredibly welcoming and kind, and they were always checking to ensure our coffee was filled and water was full. The food was delicious! We definitely plan to go back! Very family friendly location especially with little ones.

Review №128

2023-05-01 04:16:27

Food, drinks, service... All top notch! If you want rustic and delicious, il vecchio always delivers! Make 2 reservations, because you will want to come back the next night.**Update - last 2 visits have just been good, no longer Great, unfortunately. Staff is efficient, but seem more interested in turning tables than elevating the guest experience that I previously came to expect. Maybe its a Sunday night thing? No manager in sight, could be the difference maker.

Review №129

2017-12-12 03:23:23

Large portions and reasonably priced wine list. Service was slower than expected for a sparse crowd.

Review №130

2022-08-16 15:08:34

The breakfast is outstanding and very reasonably priced. All the ingredients are of the highest quality, and the multigrain pancakes and cornbread are to die for. We go at least once a week. Frankly, I don’t know why anyone would wait in line for the perfectly adequate place across the street when Il Vecchio has the best breakfast in the area.

Review №131

2021-05-09 04:18:47

Loved the food. Had the Chicken Marsala and the rigatoni, both of which were excellent and huge portions. Would definitely order both again. Nice to see they had a reasonably priced Barbera from Piemonte on the menu which is a favorite wine for us. Also amazing ice cream to go. Very satisfied with this meal and would definitely recommend.

Review №132

2021-10-09 01:31:20

As another reviewer mentioned, its pretty basic. I expected a bit more for the price we paid. Pesto gnocchi with walnuts and basil tasted like gnocchi from a bag at the store with a little bit of basil pesto from a jar.The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating however. I just thought the food was very plain.

Review №133

2021-09-13 15:37:22

We have eaten at il vecchio since we first started visiting Monterey more than 12 years ago. The food is always amazing. We tend to stick to the traditional dishes and are never disappointed.The only reason this is 4 star instead of 5 is on our past 2 visits theres been an issue of over promising (told it will be a 10 minute wait for a table and it takes 40 & told to pickup a togo order in 35 minutes and then wait for an additional 25).I have no issue that they are busy, that is great and they deserve it, but perhaps training your host/front-of-house staff to under promise and over deliver would be a better approach?

Review №134

2021-10-30 16:08:41

Top-notch service and delicious entrees. We came for dinner, I had the polenta with ragu. The owner was so friendly and welcoming, and enticed us to come back the next day for breakfast. The breakfast was fantastic! The gluten-free pancake is the best pancake I ever had. Generous portions, reasonable prices! Id highly recommend this place to anyone!

Review №135

2022-02-10 15:07:15

Had a wonderful dinner here when we were in town. Everything we ordered was excellent (spaghetti and meatballs and pork shoulder entree, and tiramisu). Service was top notch and the decor gives off a very Tuscan rustic vibe. Excellent overall, and highly recommend.

Review №136

2022-06-03 22:22:52

Loved this place. We went for our Anniversary. First time there. Honestly it was AWESOME. The Ceasar salad dressing is the best Ive ever had. They should bottle that stuff and sell it. Id buy a case. We had the Osso Bucco and the Gorgonzola Gnocchi. My ITALIAN husband liked the Gnocchi so much he order a second plate. Weve NEVER had better. It was so light and fluffy it just melted in your mouth and thats a miracle with Gnocchi. The Osso bucco was divine. The meat was like butter. We had the Cannoli and the Prince for dessert and they were excellent. If you want REAL Italian, OLD Italian, go here. They are the real deal, like the name says....Il Vecchio...Old way. Thanks guys. Wish we lived in the area. Ciao.

Review №137

2019-02-26 04:42:39

Wonderful atmosphere. Great service. Most important, great food!! We had an awesome experience tonight, we brought in our one and two year old and they put us in the middle of the main dinning room which we were a little apprehensive about because the kids had a long day and were worn out. Turns out that even with a full restaurant that the service was quick, very friendly and the food came surprisingly fast. The food was great! The noodles were freshly made that day and you could tell that it was made to order! Sad that after living here for two years that this was our first visit and most likely our last. (here to take care of unfinished business) We would have been normal customers otherwise. If we ever get back to Monterrey/pacific grove this will be a must have!

Review №138

2022-11-06 18:34:44

Amazing breakfast experience. Fabulous meals and plenty to eat. Wonderful service and ambience. Wish I had pictures but we ate our breakfast too fast. So good!!

Review №139

2021-11-12 17:29:47

Service was non-existent. Fifteen minutes for the waiter to show up and that was the only time we saw him. Didnt check up to see how we were doing, whether we liked the food, to refill water, to get the desert menu, to get the check, or even say thank you or goodbye at any point during the meal. When we left he was busy chatting to another server at the host stand.Luckily the bussers were amazing, bringing us our bread, bringing us the food we ordered, checking in on us multiple times throughout the night, getting us more water, taking our dessert order, even making the desserts themselves, and thanked us for coming. Tips went to the ones who deserves them, I hope they are properly appreciated and properly compensated since they seem to be doing all the work. Wish we had more cash to tip them out.We ordered the beet salad, pesto gnocchi, and carbonara. Food was decent, but unimpressive except for the homemade pesto sauce and cappuccino. I wouldnt come back for the food, but would come back for the cappuccino. Id highly recommend their cappuccino.

Review №140

2022-10-10 02:04:49

Superb! Wonderfully balanced flavors. Amazing fresh mozzarella. My husband and I had the salmon and rigatoni. For dessert we had the canoli and tiramisu.

Review №141

2022-11-12 15:35:34

Great food, waitress and staff amazing. The owner (passive aggressive old guy leaves at 6.30) was the only unpleasant part of an otherwise great experience. If I go back, it will be after 6.30pm.

Review №142

2022-09-27 19:25:10

Had dinner at one of our Go To Italian restaurants and were happy again with the food and service. Our waiter, Jacob, was busy with many tables but was very attentive to our requests. The meatball dish and pesto gnocchi were well prepared. The meatball and spaghetti sauce was light and tasty.

Review №143

2020-01-21 16:46:47

Reviewing for lunch only, where everything is optimized for efficiency and a very short window when theyre open. The good: service is good, the space is fun, the parmesan cheese used is good, the portions generous, and lunch is reasonably priced. However, the menu is very limited, you cant modify the dishes, the pasta is out of a box, and the final dishes were average. Id heard great things about this place, so Ill try to return to see if dinner is better.

Review №144

2022-11-03 08:51:42

Tasty Italian cuisine at fair prices. Everything Ive tried here was good. Its not my absolute favorite in the area but it comes close and Ill definitely be back.

Review №145

2021-12-18 04:50:24

Greatly enjoyed our meal here. Warm atmosphere and hearty portions. We loved the burrata, complementary bread with olive oil and balsamic, the rigatoni, and the mushroom truffle pasta. Can’t wait to come back again.

Review №146

2020-01-26 07:55:18

We tried to call three times to make a reservation on the same day, but line was always busy, so expect to wait if you walk in. In general, prices are reasonable and the food quality is good. However, we think the pesto cod had way too much pesto on it and the gnocchi with Gorgonzola and apples would had been better with pear. Servers can be very busy and forget things one may asks. Some of them seemed too concerned about cleaning up and setting up our table for the next customer waiting in line before we even had the chance to get our dessert.

Review №147

2022-05-05 03:30:11

Food was so delicious. Nice atmosphere and very good service!

Review №148

2022-11-15 03:48:09

Loved it. Italian can be hit or miss, but the service and dishes from the ciabatta bread w/ oil and vinegar to the orecchiette was divine! Please eat your next Italian meal here

Review №149

2022-05-22 17:36:00

Highly recommend!! We had the most wonderful experience here for breakfast. Forget about First Awakenings and walk down to il vecchino, you won’t be disappointed! They have the most kind and attentive service. Will be back as soon as I can.

Review №150

2022-10-20 18:05:09

Food was AMAZING! Everything we got was savory without fault of flavor!! Service was great and fast! Definitely making it a main stop next time we come around!

Review №151

2019-08-01 06:13:30

Food was excellent, service was prompt and staff was super friendly...I believe it was the owner that stopped by our table after we had finished to ensure our dining experience was a positive one. Nice touch😉 However, the food was brought to our table extremely hot, too hot, with no cautionary statement. We had a small child with us that burned his mouth taking a bite of his pasta. The rest of us at the table waited a good 5 minutes before attempting to even taste our selections.

Review №152

2018-07-30 17:03:45

Decent environment... Dont believe the description on the website about there being a fire place though. Its covered up by chairs and a table... I dont think they would ever light it. The tables were squished together, we got stuck halfway in an isle trying to avoid people walking to the bathroom and busy waiter/waitresses walking back and forth servicing tables.Food was good, and it wasnt overly expensive. Had the special for the night which was ribs in a BBQ rub for $18. And ordered pesto gnocchi which was $14, and was very good. Sliced bread and olive oil dip comes standard with each meal, was decent, had a sweet sugar taste added to oil. Decent wine selection as well. All in all a great place to bring a visiting relative... But not the best place if you are looking to impress your date.

Review №153

2023-09-29 17:45:41

The food is fantastic and the prices are very reasonable.

Review №154

2022-02-26 17:30:58

The food and the service were both excellent!! My wife had the huevos rancheros with chorizo and I had the ratatouille with poached eggs. And parking was free and easy. We definitely plan to visit again on our next trip to the area :)

Review №155

2022-02-11 16:44:15

The food was great, its the service that made me decide on the stars. Ive been here 3 times the first couple was great, the last one was the one I had problems with. Its a busy Saturday night but we had reservations so that went smoothly, got our food in time and it was delicious. The problem started on the dessert part, our server got our orders right away, he brought out one of them in like 5mins for our friend but ours took 30mins. So we asked him were our Tiramisu was and it was right beside us that didnt have to be a 30mins wait coz he pulled it out of a small fridge literally behind our table. Usually I wouldnt mind it coz I get its a busy night, the 2 star is for the manager on the floor or owner because he kept looking at us like we were stalling or taking our time when its not even our fault our food got there late, we were done with our dinner in 30mins. Then he came by saying if we were done coz people are blowing on their necks outside, so I said Im sorry Im not the one who brought our dessert late. So on our way out he apologized but the damage was done. Thats not how you talk to your customers especially if we were dining decently and appropriately.

Review №156

2022-01-19 18:25:56

We like Italian food and this Italian restaurant didnt disappoint us. The food was good, tasty. We liked their selection of Italian vine. Their home made gelato was wonderful. Well definitely go there again.

Review №157

2022-04-24 05:12:39

Food and service were good, off put by being asked to leave after buying dinner drinks and dessert, waiting plenty between service which was expected as they were busy. One group was waiting for a table and one other table was open… finished our dessert 5 minutes prior to being asked to move along- not a friendly end to dinner, probably won’t be going back.

Review №158

2018-12-16 13:37:49

This was our second visit to this unique place and we were not disappointed. The eclectic decor makes one feel right at home. The homemade pasta is delicious and a welcome change from the usual packaged variety. Of special note are the beef minestrone and the lamb. It is also very reasonably priced with dinner for four very hungry people costing $145, including tip. This will be one of our regular stops when we move to PG.

Review №159

2022-03-26 23:27:27

Ive tried the Mendocino which is French toast on sourdough bread and a sausage mmmm it was really good. Also tried the Nebraska which is Chicken thigh filet with breaded mushroom gravy, scrambled eggs and potatoes. The filet with the gravy and the super soft potatoes is unbelievable!!! Its so good must try!!! Cant wait to go back and try other dishes!!! Amazing service btw!!!

Review №160

2022-02-05 05:06:29

The food was SUUUPPPERRRR good! Our waiter Timon was super nice and even made an Italian cream soda by our special requests (which was bomb af btw)! Overall if you want some good food with a nice atmosphere and even nicer people, then this is the place for you!

Review №161

2022-03-23 23:01:26

Tiramisu was awful, sadly 😞 also service was very cold, when I asked what’s the pancake size, showing a circle with my hands to visually illustrate my expectations the waitress responded without even looking at me “it’s a plate size”. Well how do I know what kind of plates you guys use? Dirty plates were sitting on our table for quite a while as well, without attention.. Overall, espresso is ok, other than that I wouldn’t come back there

Review №162

2020-09-02 20:57:23

We dont New Jersey it up, owner Carl Alasko says of the recepies featured at Il Veccio. No disrespect to the Garden State, but this friendly Pacific Grove bistro proves how good regional Italian cooking can be. Yes, the spaghetti and meatballs are excellent, but have you tried polpete piemontese? How about mushroom truffle pasta al cepo? Perhaps best of all, Il Vecchio offers superb value when compared to the many Italian offerings in the other side of Carmel Hill. Add in the wonderful service and family atmosphere and you get one of the best dining options on the Monterey Bay.

Review №163

2022-01-09 19:24:27

The food was great but the attitude of the waiter we had was very unfriendly, he didn’t make us feel welcome at all. He never checked in on us if we need something. And when we asked a question about the design of the place, he didn’t care to answer and said the owner is just crazy. Also the gelato desert (caferoma) (they use probably default for every gelato order) was icy and not fresh.

Review №164

2021-08-07 16:44:31

Thank you all so much for our wonderful meal and amazing service after our wedding. All of you are wonderful, your cleaning staff and kitchen staff are wonderful and we really appreciate the consistent quality you are putting out, despite covid and everything else. This is still our favorite spot in the whole Bay!

Review №165

2022-08-27 22:13:13

The host was rude on the spot. She was blonde and had to be on something. A simple not at this time would have been fine but just standing there and looking into thin air every time I asked a question was unprofessional. Call 3 different times to make reservations no callback. The place has gone downhill from the first time I went in pre-covid. Family operated doubtful.

Review №166

2022-08-07 23:53:44

5 stars for the food, I had their breakfast, one gluten-free pancake, it was light and fluffy, also had the frittata with chicken sausage, by far the best Ive ever had in a restaurant!! Service needs some work, that said, Ill eat here again!

Review №167

2022-02-27 06:47:55

Decided to splurge on my last night in Pacific Grove. Foregoing Vanlife dinner…I ordered the tomato gnocchi and lamb pappardelle for dinner The gnocchi was one of the best I’ve ever had! Literally yummy pillows in your mouth and the pappardelle had tons of lamb! The star of the night was the tiramisu! I can’t even explain how beautifully delicious it was! I think the show stopper in the tiramisu was getting gifted Little nuggets of chocolate scattered throughout your bites! I didn’t get to take any photos because I was too busy eating 😂I will definitely drive 12 hours just for the tiramisu! Till we meet again…

Review №168

2021-07-11 19:56:11

Very mixed review. Our friends had a couple of the pasta dishes and were very happy with them. My Chicken Marsala on the other hand was very disappointing. Chicken thighs, on the bone, not chicken breast, and the sauce was more like a Coq au Vin sauce.We had high hopes for the gelato deserts, but there also it was a mixed result. My wifes selection was excellent, but the rest of us ended up with totally frozen gelato. Eating them was like chipping away at an ice block, and the gelato was almost tasteless because it was full of ice crystals.

Review №169

2022-07-10 03:49:22

Everything from our appetizers to dessert was amazing. The staff was attentive and helpful with any questions. Definitely looking forward to returning the next time Im in Monterey.

Review №170

2022-04-14 22:22:15

The mascarpone cake is delectable!! Try it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate gelato, cant beat it. Not too sweet, super moist and fluffy, creamy smooth frosting. Pastas and pizzas are so good. Sauces are scratch made, gnocchi, cannelloni and the carbonara pasta also scratch made! The pizza crust is so fluffy on the inside and a nice crunch on the exterior, does great reheated in the air fryer. The osso buco pasta is like a yummy beef stew and tomato sauce had a baby, probably will be our go to dish whenever we visit! Complimentary bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Friend who recently visited Italy refused to eat Italian after coming back, we combined him to go and he said it brought him back. Even the tiramisu was authentic, he says. Couldnt recommend this place enough!

Review №171

2018-12-04 05:05:18

My new favorite restaurant in PG! We were an hour early on our reservation and they still sat us quickly. We ordered for my 2 year old first so she didnt have to wait, she inhaled her pasta with butter sauce. Wine was good, pasta is made fresh in-house. Gelato is decadent, we had the triple chocolate with chocolate cake at the bottom. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice, reasonably priced Italian place.

Review №172

2021-04-22 19:17:03

This place was great. Indoor and outdoor dining are open. We went on a Monday and it wasn’t too busy. Recommend doing reservations for Friday through Sunday. It’s got delicious Italian food, wine, salads. We didn’t make it to dessert. Excellent service from start to finish!

Review №173

2018-09-07 23:45:28

This is one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the area. The food is authentic, the atmosphere is authentic and staff is friendly. The prices are reasonable and weve enjoyed every food item weve ordered so far. The deserts are amazingly good too so make sure to leave some room for desert. The place does get busy and if you dont have a reservation and its a busy time, expect a long wait which can get frustrating.

Review №174

2017-05-03 03:44:00

Ate there on the night before the marathon when they had a limited menu. Food was good.

Review №175

2021-09-10 01:55:41

Really flavorful food. Rigatoni was delicious.. Salad with Rock cod, Salmon, and Calamari was so good. Lunch prices were great. Service was very attentive.

Review №176

2023-03-26 00:13:20

Loved the spaghetti and meatballs! Great ambience and excellent wait staff. One of our go-tos.

Review №177

2016-05-28 03:00:47

OK, Im not one for fancy restaurants, but one is worth it. Il Vecchio has a very romantic yet rustic atmosphere. They way they decorate inside is very comfortable. The food, though a bit pricey, is all made from scratch. The tastes are amazing, and the menu is authentic. You will find traditional American-Italian food here if thats your thing. I suggest trying something more authentic, of which they have plenty. If you dont know what to order, ask the wait staff. They are very friendly to locals and tourists alike.

Review №178

2018-11-09 19:05:16

Great food, excellent service, romantic atmosphere and amazing-looking desserts. Recommend getting a reservation but they were still able to seat us pretty quickly on a weeknight without one. Awesome pasta options from the standard beef/pork/chicken and also lamb and seafood.

Review №179

2022-08-27 03:24:44

The website shows this restaurant closing at 9. I showed up at 8:10 and the kitchen was closed. The bartender seemed bothered that I asked if I can order a glass of wine. Not sure why my hotel recommended this place for dinner. Make sure to come over an hour early before closing or you won’t get service.

Review №180

2018-12-31 02:13:00

Fantastic local restaurant who makes their own pasta in-house. Call ahead for reservations as they get busy most evenings. Great wine list, beer on draft is limited. Definitely try the tiramisu... Wednesday is pizza night with the best dough in town. Eat here with friends or family for a dinner to remember..

Review №181

2020-10-17 15:13:37

Absolutely fantastic! The food is so delicious! This is one of my top two favorite Italian eateries. The salad was delicious- savory and sweet, and beautifully accompanied by fresh warm bread.My 1st experience at this restaurant, and I can’t wait to go back!

Review №182

2022-02-06 07:01:52

Food was decent. Likely would have been a lot better if the teen servers would have gotten off of their phones and stopped flirting with each other and other teen customers to work on service. Couldnt even keep our water full. Do not recommend.

Review №183

2018-07-07 14:05:25

The food was amazing. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. If youre looking for authentic Italian food this is definitely the place to go. They care about the quality of ingredients here. This is the reason we go to good restaurants. We want ingredients to be at least as good as we prepare at home, but with service and ambience to match. Here it is great.

Review №184

2021-08-27 01:34:14

My wife and I have been eating here when we come to PG and it was really nice. We just left after returning my wifes eggplant parmesan which was Raw. She didnt want anything else so we asked to box up mine and leave. No one came by to apologise for the raw food, no manager to see if they could do any to make it right. The waitress just came back with the bill which was for everything but the eggplant. No compt drinks no comped anything. If they wanted us back the manager should have picked up the check. Ive done that countless times to have unhappy Guests come back. We left the waitress a 20% tip cause she didnt cook the food and is not in a position to comp meals. Il Vechhios gets one star because I cant leave zero.

Review №185

2021-07-28 06:25:47

Great food, service, and atmosphere. Prices are a hair high for some items, but overall fitting. I would not call it world class, but it being among the better in the greater area seems certain.CAUTION: They will not split a check more than once no matter the size of party. Do NOT use this for government at all, nor for business where expensing limitations and/or documentation requirements are present.

Review №186

2023-04-18 03:49:05

The food was quite good but they dont do substitutions. Nice ambiance. They start to close early.

Review №187

2022-05-15 15:37:33

Great food. Dinner is always good and just recently we had their Sunday breakfast and it was enjoyed by the whole family. The key west frittata was very tasty!

Review №188

2016-07-19 06:17:17

Im lucky my S.O. and I dont live closer to this place, otherwise wed be stuffing ourselves silly with their amazingly fresh pasta all the time. Ive had two magical celebration dinners here. Last time, I was so excited asparagus soup was on the menu. And then Im not sure how, but the croutons stayed crisp in the middle even after floating in the soup for a while. It was so delicious, it brought tears to my eyes. Even my SO who usually only eats veggies if theyre there had an emotional reaction to the soup. It was only our first course! Attentive, friendly service. Great selection of wine and cocktails. And my crazy SO ordered 2 desserts, and I already had one - 3 for two of us. Everything was so satisfying and tasty. And a great value for the high quality food. The SO called the carbonara of our first meal life-changing!

Review №189

2018-11-29 22:10:05

Generally has superb Italian food but at this visit the salmon was a little over cooked and the potatoes were cold. My dining partners lamb ragu on pasta was a very small portion. We shared an appetizer and got two separate desserts plus two entrees and the bill with tip was $120. I felt it was a little pricey

Review №190

2017-12-16 04:39:10

The service was excellent and the complementary bread and oil/vinegar was delicious. The scampi pasta had a very strong fish smell which was a bit off putting. The lamb and papardelle was very tasty. The childrens pasta is overpriced for the small bowl you receive. The Aloha gelato was visually lovely, though the taste did not live up to the expectation. A family friendly restaurant offering delicious Italian cuisine at a reasonable price in a charming setting with high quality service.

Review №191

2014-09-05 13:25:38

Its a nice venue and gives a good vibe. The name means the old man and the decor has a rustic feeling to it. Though, there were too many strange things the night of our visit.The server was slightly strange. He seemed to want more to say the specials than address our questions. Furthermore, it almost felt like they were out of half the menu (various wines, pesto, desserts). On a busy week night, I feel like this shouldnt happen.However, the food we did eventually received was good. The fish was solid and local beer ok. Remember, this place closes early! Probably a standard in this area? I would try this place again, it may have been an off night.

Review №192

2021-10-09 04:19:34

This place was recommended by a local bed & breakfast host and we were super disappointed. Pasta was mediocre and the salmon was NOT good. Wondering if they had a change in the chef as they were pushing pizzas, which seemed off for the menu. There are far better places in town to go and for the price point don’t waste your money.

Review №193

2020-01-27 04:22:24

I love homemade pasta... I do not believe I experienced it here. I ordered the rigatoni; the sauce tasted like it came from a can. The tiramisu was wet & runny. The bread was cold. My dining mate was fine with her meal, but I would never return.

Review №194

2022-05-06 01:12:02

This place was really good! Home-y and the food was delicious. I tried the pesto gnocchi and they did not disappoint! They were so pillow-y and fluffy.

Review №195

2021-05-16 04:29:10

OMG, I ordered their special house lasagna. It was the best lasagna ive EVER tasted! My hubby (vegetarian) ordered their gnocchi; it was so delicious and satisfying! Their focacia bread was absolutely delicious with their own blend of olive and balsamic oil. We will definitely return!

Review №196

2021-11-11 05:16:55

Food is great, but I went to il vecchio today on my lunch break. I was not acknowledged for at least 10 minutes after coming in. Either was the lady before me. Once they did acknowledge me, they said, you can sit where ever you would like but you probably wont get food soon. We have 2 large parties. I had to leave. Management must not staff correctly. So disappointed ☹️

Review №197

2021-08-21 04:44:13

Down to earth authentic Italian menu/flavors.I ordered the lamb, which was delish. The marinate/rub was pergectly balanced between flavor and cutting any gamey taste. Portions were ample, with leftovers for several of us (chicken marsala, lamb, mushroom ragu).One note, the cannoli was a bit gritty, and not to my liking. The Gelato however, were quite tasty. Choose your dessert wisely.Will definitely be back!Vegan, GF, and no dietary restrictions in our party; and everyone left happy.

Review №198

2020-07-05 14:24:00

What a find! Its not a touristy place (which is a big plus) I found it on yelp and saw how many overwhelmingly positive ratings they had and decided to give it a try. Our party had 4 adults and 3 kids (a 9 year old and 2 five year olds) I had made reservations and we were seated right away. We had the most fabulous waitress and everyone at the table ordered something different. Be warned that the kitchen doesnt allow ANY substitutions or alterations, even something as simple as asking to have a sauce served over polenta instead of noodles. I absolutely loved my meal, a ragu over polenta, my son loved his gnocchi, the steak my niece had was fantastic as were the parmesan potatoes that came as her side. The carbonara was fantastic. My husband said his was good but nothing out of the ordinary. The only meal we didnt care for was the osso bucco ragu. It was so sweet, way too sweet. Not sweet like good quality tomatoes were used but like sugar, and too much of it, had been added to the ragu. They had a nice selection of locally made(perhaps homemade there in the restaurant?) gelatos already packaged and in a freezer and our group purchased several to take back to the hotel. They were good although I wish Id chosen the vanilla biscotti like my husband rather then the vanilla/hazelnut/chocolate. I was expecting the chocolate to be an accent note but what I got was so much chocolate sauce thats all you could taste. While the kids menu is miniscule (pasta w/choice of sauce and you can add a meatball for extra $) I was super impressed that they had a bookshelf with books and coloring books for kids to choose from along with buckets of crayons. Overall well definitely be back we just wont be ordering the osso bucco ragu 😉

Review №199

2018-04-28 12:56:12

Worst Italian Food EVER ! There is Nothing Authentic about the hole.Cute setting, cool building, near water, thats it. This was hands down the worst Italian restaurant I have ever experienced. A few at our table were vegetarian and the establishment would not change a thing to accommodate. I ordered a roasted beet salad, the beets were right out of the package, not fresh and not roasted at all. I love Italian homemade pasta, didnt want an entire meal, so forget it, you can not get a side of pasta?! Ive never been to an Italian restaurant that did not serve sides. All homemade pasta dishes are served with meat, no substitutes. Period. I asked for simple olive oil and garlic, my pasta sauce (olive oil?)had an odd texture and tasted like fish. No one at the table would eat it. Shrimp skewers were dried out and tiny. All dishes were mediocre at best. I have never left an Italian restaurant hungry, this was a first. Does your Italian Grandma ever let you leave hungry, thats unheard of and an embarrassment to Italians everywhere. Disgraceful.Staff was unfriendly, but at least the owner was rude too. Any questions asked were a huge inconvenience. This was a $300 meal! Oh yea, we could only put 1/2 of bill on credit cards, rest was cash. Party of 6, they add in tip, so service is allowed to be lousy. wth... Only redeeming part was the wine. Dont waste your time or money here.