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C'era Una Volta Restaurant Reviews, Alameda

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C'era Una Volta

1332 Park St on Redwood Square, Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-4828
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Ranked #11 of 112 restaurants in Alameda
4.0 of 5 stars 12 Reviews
Price range: $20 - $41
Cuisines: Italian
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Restaurant details
Dining style: Casual Elegant
Cross street: Alameda Avenue
Transit: C'era Una Volta Italian Restaurant in Alameda, one block from AC Transit Bus lines O, OX, 20, 21, 51A. BART connections available for each bus line. Bus 51A from Berkeley to Alameda via Downtown Oakland. Bus 20 & 21 from Fruitvale BART Station to Downtown Alameda in 10 min. Transbay Buses O & OX from San Francisco bus terminal.
Description: C'era Una Volta - Italian Restaurant This sun-splashed location is a hidden treasure on a quiet tree-lined cobblestone promenade. Our Italian restaurant brings a Taste of Italy to the Island of Alameda with delicious Tuscan, regional Italian dishes and an extensive Italian wine list. From the day we opened our doors in 2004 we have received numerous awards for our food, ambiance, service, and wine selection. Chef Rudy Duran is one of only a handful of Bay Area chefs recognized by the Academia Italiana della Cucina for his authentic Italian cuisine. C'era Una Volta, voted Best Italian Restaurant in Alameda 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011. C'era Una Volta Italian Restaurant special events include wine tastings and wine dinners. Chef Rudy is available to schedule your own customized wine dinner. With semi-annual Flamenco dinners, live entertainment, and regular guest musicians throughout the year. Please visit our website for more information and events http://www.ceraunavolta.us
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12 reviews from our community

83% Recommend
    6
    4
    0
    0
    2
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Midlothian, Virginia
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
33 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Very Good Italian in Alameda”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 March 2013

I hosted a business group of 8 at C’era Una Volta on a Saturday night. We had a comfortable table on the second floor and the service and management attention was friendly. We probably got the last of their 1996 Sangiovese which was very good, even though management had to discard one bottle that had turned. Many of us had... More

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See 3 more reviews by Captrdjr for Alameda
Cincinnati, Ohio
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Nice lunch”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 November 2012

I went there for a lunch. It was reasonable and tasty. Came with nice salad and bread. I would go there again!

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Sudbury, Massachusetts
Top Contributor
90 reviews 90 reviews
58 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
“A Bit of Italy in California”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 October 2012

The warm beet salad was so good and their cheese platter and prociutto, mozzarella etc was and of course the main dishes of gnocchi, chicken with penne, steak, fish etc. were outstanding. Definitely we'll go there again.

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Belém, Para, Brazil
1 review
“Best restaurants”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 October 2012

Best restaurant in Alameda, California. If you're lucky enough to know Chef Rudi, you know what I'm talking about. Excellent service, friendly atmosphere and the food... superb!

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SF Bay Area
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
“Excellent lunch”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 July 2012

Maximo offered excellent service, what a pro! Each of our lunches was delicious (penne con pollo, hanger steak, grilled chicken sandwich) and interior decor is nice too. We had 3-course prix fixe "box" lunch for $15. We sat in a booth and everyone knows that dining is better in a booth, haha.

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Honolulu, Hawaii
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
44 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“A taste of Italy”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

Mushroom Gnocchi stuffed w/ truffle oil was fantastic. Papardelle w/ ragu just as good. Like I was back in Firenze!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by Kimo B for Alameda
San Diego, California
Top Contributor
142 reviews 142 reviews
81 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 62 cities Reviews in 62 cities
77 helpful votes 77 helpful votes
“Once Upon a Time...”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 February 2012

I stumbled on this place looking to kill a few hours before a flight out of Oakland. It's as authentic an Italian restaurant as you can find, short of Sorrento. It's on a quiet pedestrian alley. And the food and the service is delightful. I highly recommend it.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Columbus, Ohio
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“We really liked it!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 September 2011

We really liked this place. There were 5 of us and it was later in the evening so it wasn't real busy. The food tasted great. We really liked the option of 'small plate' portions. This was plenty of food for one person. AND it left room for the great desserts. The staff was attentive but not hovering over your... More

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SF Bay Area
1 review
“Don't go--save yourself (and your $$)”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 May 2009

I truly wished I had read lillybella77's review before trying this place--she nailed it!! I, wholeheartedly, agree with her assessment and comments. This place is totally make believe--It looks good and when you're there, you want to like it. On the surface, it feels genuine. BUT it is not what it seems. They pretend to be Italian, our waiter spoke... More

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bay area
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“not so good”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2008

so "once upon a time" (c'era una volta) usually starts off a good story with a happy ending, not so much here. This place looks the part, charming, rustic, italian restaurant, friendly staff that greets you with italian phrases, but the most important thing in a restaurant should be the food and that is what was absolutely terrrible. I knew... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2

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C'era Una Volta
1332 Park St on Redwood Square
Alameda, CA 94501
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