Margherita

Really good place for a casual dinner. Food is simple, fresh Italian, and you can sit at the bar and watch it being made. The ambience is relaxed – people in shorts and t-shirts can end up sitting next to people dressed for a date. But, it feels right. Prices are pretty good, and the house wine decent enough.

La Piazza is so much more than just a convenient restaurant to squeeze in a meal before you see a movie across the street. I have been to La Piazza a handful of times over the years. I am always so impressed by the friendly, accommodating service, and the wonderful food in a casual-chic dining atmosphere.

Love this place! Always solidly good food, super hospitable, welcoming owner and environment. I had the linguine and clams….so tasty. Every thing/dish I have ever had there I love…..its a good neighborhood place with good prices and consistently good food!

I love this little Italian restaurant in Orinda. Located right across the street from the Orinda Movie Theater. I’ve been coming here for years. They have a wood brick oven and their pasta is Delicious! I always order their Cesar salad (they make their own croutons) with the Rigatoni De la Pimontes (Delish!).

Drop whatever you’re doing and go have some gnocchi here. It is hands-down, the most perfect gnocchi I’ve had on this side of the Atlantic. I ordered it with the mushroom cream sauce (that wasn’t listed as the gnocchi sauce, but they substituted with no problem.) The texture was light, yet toothy. The sauce held to it perfectly.

I feel like I frequently give five stars but I hope that doesn’t dilute this review. La Piazza has always been impressive to me. I used to get it delivered to the house when my parents went out for dinner. Veal piccata to die for and the beef carpaccio is the best you’ll find since Alexander’s closed back in the day. … My brother always gets the rigatoni and although I tell my mom hers is the best I’ve ever eaten, La Piazza takes the cake. Tomatoey, creamy, meaty, awesome. The perfect place to come before or after a movie across the street.

La Piazza is a gem in Orinda. Great pasta dishes and wonderful pizzas that do not overwhelm the dinner. The carpaccio is excellent, which is not common in Italian restaurants these days. The brick oven and the view of the theatre across give La Piazza a romantic atmosphere. The staff is – whether we are with the kids or not – superb. The owner, Charles, is a very charming man who loves his work. He makes La Piazza a 5 star experience. Lovely restaurant in Orinda!

This is my favorite italian restaurant of all time. The pizza and pasta are out of this world, the ambiance is good for a date and for a family dinner, and the waiters and chefs are nice. I am a regular, and never disappointed.

La piazza is consistently excellent. The wait staff ate wonderful and Charles greets is like family. We’ve been coming here for 20 years. Vongole is my favorite dish. My husband always orders the rigatoni. Heaven!

Best Italian in Orinda…perfect pre/post movie.