Vino Santo Bistro

I am a regular customer and the food and service is always fantastic.

I wanted to give this restaurant a 5-​star review as I definitely am becoming a repeat customer (suggested going there for my friend’s upcoming Birthday dinner in late January). However, I must deduct one star due to the «extremely noisy» noise level.
It is a pleasant and intimate Italian restaurant in Downtown Redwood City and there is a public parking lot literally next door, convenient yes. The first 1.5 hour is free, $ 2 each hour thereafter, FYI. Glad that we decided to come here instead after learning there was a 30 minute wait at Vesta next door. Really enjoyed our dinner as everything we selected was truly outstanding, great value (only $$), excellent service, and the Italian bottle we ordered was delicious and reasonably priced at $ 40. The only downside is the noise gets trapped inside the restaurant and could become quite unbearable. I don’t usually feel this way, but reminds me of Osha, a Thai restaurant on Mission St. in SF, where it could get super noisy. Towards the end of our meal, the noise level simmered dramatically as people left, and the dining experience was wonderful. There was no leftovers to bring home because we finished everything!

Four of us had dinner here last night. Some things were very good some were a little weak. Egg plant parmesan was very good. Flavorful and done very well. My wife had the abalone and reported is was very good. Their Cesar salad was disappointing. No garlic, no flavor. We had to ask waiter to bring us anchovy, he did not ask if we wanted anchovy. Server was very attentive but somewhat inexperienced. We were still eating our salads and here comes the main course. We held salad plates on our laps because table was cluttered and no room. We gave salad plates to a bus boy to remove. I wish I had the capability of giving them 3.5 stars. We will return and give these folks another try. Waiter thanked us for our business as though he was sincere.

Hubby and I went for my birthday dinner. Best experience I ever had. Food was delicious and enjoyed a lot. Nice quite place and good atmosphere. Manager Adan was very nice and took care of us very well. Like I said best service and food, you will hardly find all in one. Definitely taking my friends and family here again. Love this place!

Been here twice for dinner and enjoyed my meal both times. It’s a nice, quiet family-​owned restaurant in downtown RWC and the service is great. I ordered the special fish of the day (swordfish with mango salsa) and the second time here, I ordered the rock shrimp and lobster ravioli in a light creamy white vodka sauce. The swordfish was good, but the ravioli was delicious! I just wish there was more of it, but that’s how it usually goes for lobster dishes anywhere I guess. I finished my pasta before everyone else at my table. So far, this is my favorite Italian spot in Redwood City.

My daughter rated this restaurant as a 5 and I’m hard pressed not to agree with everything she said below. Fantastic food, outstanding cocktails, extensive wine list and superb service. So why 4 out of 5 instead of a solid 5? The price is a little to rich for this senior on a fixed income. It would get my full 5 star recommendation if they’d include a dinner salad or soup with the entrée rather than have everything a la carte. I’d also love a larger selection of $ 8– 10 per glass wine or the offering of a half carafe of house wine rather than $ 40 and up per bottle. I know the pricing is not high but I’d like to be able to go back more often. Perhaps they offer a senior discount?

The first time we walked into this restaurant, we didn’t expect to get a table since we were party of 10 on Friday night, but they really worked hard and seated us in 20 minutes!
We ALL loved our food, wine was excellent and the service was amazing!
We went back 3 more times and were as happy as the first time.
Keep up the good job guys!

Excellent meal! We had such a great time today at our dinner. Carpaccio the best! Great wine, my cesar was perfect and gnocchi 10 our of 10! y dad, had seafood fettuccine with cream sauce absolutely delish, bro had swordfish special again it was so good I wish I could have had more room. Cocktails were very good, bro had a dirty martini, tasted that it was perfecto. Service was incredible — friendly and professional. Live it we will be back.

Had dinner here for my 5 year anniversary with thr hubby. Celebrating almost a month late but it was worth the wait. The food was amazing and out server, Alex D., was excellent. Would highly recommend this place.

I have got to say the service was quite amazing at this restaurant. My friend and I walked in to grab some dinner.
We got a bottle of wine and then we ordered bruschetta. It wasn’t that great so I wouldn’t really get it again but may try the calamari next time.
I got the linguini alla vongole which was actually great! it’s a little heavier than the typical vongole but i appreciated the deep flavor and my friend got the chicken penne which he really liked as well.
I would definitely return! The server was great and so attentive to our needs and asking how everything was without being overbearing and I felt like a respected customer.

Bruschetta ²⁄₅ — the flavorless tomatoes really killed this dish
Carpaccio ³⁄₅ — not much flavor for meat sold by the micron
Chacras Malbec ⁵⁄₅ — Good price and we downed bottles
Ribeye Steak ⁴⁄₅ — Solid steak and glad to see a good steak in Redwood City.
We had a great waiter and he kept us happy all night.

Had the Ravioli di Aragosta — House made ravioli stuffed with rock shrimp and ricotta cheese topped with Maine lobster in vodka cream sauce. The food and restaurant ambience was a delight. I’d come here again. (Late post: 06÷23÷15)

Overpriced, in my opinion– especially for lunch. I probably should have looked at the menu and pricing before I decided to come here, but alas. Live and let learn.
I came here for lunch and ordered the Linguine Con Gamberi– a delightful, yet somewhat small dish featuring a blend of pasta, prawns, bell peppers, and sun dried tomatoes. Simple enough, and oh-​so-​tasty. I know that prawns drive a hard price bargain, but I honestly couldn’t get over the sticker shock of the $ 17 lunch.
I would recommend this place if you want to eat light and have money to burn, but otherwise– I more than likely won’t be returning. Sorry. :(

I have loved this place since I worked next door to it in high school (used to work at Young’s ice cream). They have the best bread, it has to be homemade. I used to ask for extra bread because it’s so addicting. I can’t believe someone else on here complained about it! It’s so doughy and delicious, and the olive oil mixture they serve with it is so yummy. I usually order the Fettuccine Vino Santo which always hits the spot. The lobster-​cream sauce pairs so well with the bay scallops & shrimp.
The only thing I have to complain about is the calamari. I ordered it when I was there last week, and it was so overcooked and chewy. It tasted like frozen calamari :(My boyfriend told the waiter and he gladly took the dish back and took it off our tab which was nice.
The service and food never disappoint. If you’re looking for quality italian food in RWC, I highly suggest trying VSB.
I will be back when my next carb overload craving hits!

Vino Santo Bistro is located in downtown Redwood City. The interior feels like a typical Italian restaurant with its very dim lighting. I guess this is a good place to take a romantic date out to dinner.
Dishes are not that cheap. Entrees are hovering around $ 25+ for not a lot of food.
The bread basket was interesting. The bread was extremely dense and warm. I was actually wondering if parts of the bread didn’t bake all the way (some of the center parts looked a tiny bit uncooked) but it was still good. It went well with the olive oil they brought out.
The calamari was plentiful and decent. I don’t really like calamari so I just ate some just to try it so I’m not a good judge of calamari here.
I got the sweet potato gnocchi that was doused in a black truffle sage butter. The dish smelled really good. I actually thought it could have used more salt so I did sprinkle some onto my dish. The flavors were good, but you don’t get that much gnocchi actually. I don’t even eat that much and yet I still managed to finish my gnocchi.
Service is fine, they were good about refilling water.
I think the food is decent but it’s quite expensive for not that much food.

It feels kind of weird to eat at a fancy Italian restaurant by yourself, but I was craving pasta for lunch, and Vino Santo Bistro is minutes from my workplace. This place doesn’t seem to get very crowded for lunch. I was debating between the Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli and the Cheese Stuffed Tortellini Carbonara with Mushrooms, Peas and Pancetta. Decided to try something new by going with the latter, and boy did I make the right choice. I didn’t know what pancetta was and a quick google search made me worry that it was more like ham than like bacon, but I was wrong. OMG PANCETTA IS DELICIOUS AND THE MEAT TO PASTA RATIO DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Everything in the dish worked in harmony, and I really loved the carbonara sauce.
By the way the bread and vinaigrette they give you at the beginning is also pretty good :)

Oh Vino Santo Bistro, if I could eat your PASTA (only) everyday, I would be a happy camper. It’s unfortunate that you’re too far for me to be a regular! *4 stars for the pasta and service only*
/​/​Pera con Prosciutto/​/​
Just OK. I was a bit disappointed with this dish. I wish the pear was soaked up with the Gorgonzola balsamic reduction… then it would have been ah-​may-​zing. Aside from that, the balsamic reduction was delicious. Very hearty and a superb dipping sauce for the complimentary bread which was SO FLUFFY and FRESH!
/​/​Calamari Fritti/​/​
I am always a sucker when it comes to calamari. The ones here were a HUGE disappointment. The fried calamari wasn’t crunchy at all… it had a foamy, rubbery feel… almost a staleness to the flour/​panko coating. I’d most definitely skip this.
/​/​Ravioli di Formagi & Aragosta/​/​
HOLY MOLY, this dish was absolutely divine. For $ 20, you get shrimp and ricotta stuffed ravioli (I think there were 6 – 8 of them) with a generous amount of Maine lobster bits on top. Neither too cheesy nor too heavy. Cream of the crop. The cherry on top. The hi-​light of my night. Etc. JUST GET THIS.
Other pasta dishes (ie Linguine Vongole) didn’t disappoint. The serving sizes at Vino are perfect. The sauces aren’t overboard… as in, the dishes aren’t drenched/​drowning in sauce. Very pleasant!
For dessert, we have the crème brûlée (very creamy, nothing out of the ordinary) and the Apple tart (we didn’t care much for the apple tart itself but the vanilla bean gelato was scrumpdidlyumptious).
Cred to our server Leo A. He was great. Very attentive, informative, and supplied us with an endless supply of complimentary bread!
In all, I would only come here for the pasta. Their pasta is perfection. Noodles cooked no less than al dente. Other dishes like the apps and desserts, I would look elsewhere…
P.S Vino Santo is located on a busy street so street parking can be quite problematic. I recommend parking in the parking lot across the street behind the shops that face Vino Santo!

Since today was all about supporting the small businesses via American Express, the wifey and I decided to go to a restaurant we’ve always wanted to try but had yet to do so.
First off, so glad we did. The place is cute! We were lucky to be able to get a table without a reservation and no more than 10 minutes in, the restaurant was packed! Whew.
The waiter started off letting us know what the specials were and asking us about drinks and since this place is also a wine bar, we decided to get a bottle of their house Cabernet. Not bad at all.
My wife ordered one of the specials– sole with Dungeness Crab meat– nom nom. I decided on the Linguine Vino Santo which was also super good and filling. I’m still crazy full and it’s been over 3 hours since we finished dinner.
We also tried the tiramisu since I’m the brat of the relationship and we almost always end up choosing a dessert screaming with chocolate but this time around I made the sacrifice by choosing a favorite dessert of hers. I know, total romantic right?
Overall, the wait staff was attentive, the food was to die for, and we’ll definitely go back!

Nice little Italian spot in downtown Redwood city
The place is as good inside as it looks on the outside. Sure, it’s a little on the expensive side, but it’s well worth the price. The vibe inside is cozy and classy, with a nice interior, delicious olive oil for the bread, relaxing music, nice table settings, and attentive servers who grinded pepper and cheese for our pastas (I don’t ask for much :)) All the other customers there seem to be chatting and having a good time.
The food was excellent. We got the lobster ravioli, and the shrimp fettuccine. The portions were just right – not too much, and not too little. Especially the fettuccine – it had a lot of scallops and shrimp in it, so that every bite of the pasta was filled with seafood and creamy deliciousness.
I can see why this place looked packed. Definitely a good spot to bring a date.

I don’t often dine in Redwood City and I figured nothing will be better than the frequent places I go to in SF but Vino Santo Bistro proved me wrong. The décor here is amazing. The lighting and mood really gives this place a sense of feeling that you are part of the elite, socialite, or royalty. The service is just as good if not better. My water glass was never more than half empty and they were attentive whenever we needed a replacement utensil due to clumsy fingers. The price is also very reasonable. I was surprised the bill was $ 20 cheaper than I would have imagined.
Food experienced that special day:
* Appetizer sampler for 4: Calamari, caprese, prosciutto, sausages, bruschetta. These are typical Italian appetizers that were specifically prepped for the Queen of England! Great portion size with almost immaculate detail.
* Ravioli di Formagi & aragosta special — rock shrimp ravioli with ricotta cheese topped with Maine lobster. Ravioli with seafood is always a safe bet in an Italian restaurant but they really know their ravioli. I didn’t ask if it was made in-​house but I’ll be surprised if it wasn’t since it tastes so fresh.