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La Ginestra
Review
About
Quality always wins
Features
CUISINES
Italian, Pizza
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Menu
Is this restaurant good for lunch?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 4:00 PM
Sunday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thursday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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4.2
81 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
23
Average
6
Poor
6
Terrible
3
redevvl
212 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I highly suggest reservations as this is a hot spot Italian eatery in Mill Valley, probably the best. Nothing fancy about the decor and ambiance as they have booths and tables in the main dining area. The restaurant is very clean and table settings are precise. The menu is extensive and they have daily specials. Portions are generous and your meal comes to your table in a very timely manner, and nice and hot. One of the few Italian restaurants that serves tortellini en brodo which is one of my favorites and it did not disappoint. Another uniqueness to the restaurant is their veal saltimbocca which is made involtini (rolled) style, another favorite of mine. It is served over a bed of risotto and if I were to order again, I would ask to sub spinach instead if they could. Their sauce is a creamy aurora style sauce where I prefer a demi-glace sauce. The veal was cooked to perfection with nice overtones of sage with melted cheese and prosciutto. Another specialty is the linguini tutto mare which is loaded with mussels and very large prawns. Desert menu is limited to typical Italian fare. They have a full bar with a large variety of negroni's, beers, wine and other cocktails. Service was a bit indifferent for us that night but attentive. I finally got the waiter to half smile when I spoke what little Italian I know. Overall, great food and drink that's modestly priced. Parking can be a challenge as the restaurant is right off one of the main streets downtown Mill Valley.
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mish
123 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
Solid Italian food, service was excellent. First time
here. Hostess and waitstaff were consistently friendly, courteous, and on top of things and went above and beyond. Would eat here all the time if we lived in the area. Thank you for a wonderful meal and lovely night out!
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momof9cs
Amanda10 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
The atmosphere, food and service were wonderful! The cannelloni! Everything was delicious- it was a wonderful date night!
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert2014
Caldwell256 contributions
May 2022 • none
Food was good, but nothing special. Prices were reasonable. The calamari was okay. Didn't seem fresh but store-bought. The pastas were good, but again, you can get the same meal elsewhere, sometimes better, sometimes worse. So overall, it was okay and I probably would return.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stevenf g
Fort Lauderdale26 contributions
Feb 2022 • friends
I dined here with a small group and everyone loved their meals. My cannelloni was to die for. Very friendly staff. Nice wine selection and fine desserts.
Written 11 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smp00
43 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Last night I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at La Ginestra restaurant in Mill Valley. The atmosphere is a classic old traditional Italian restaurant with warm and friendly service. We were greated immediately by the manager and seated. The crisp white table cloths, napkins and candles on the table are simple. The wait staff very attentive. They have a well balanced choice of dishes on the menu. The wine list is extensive. We started with the absolute best Caesar salad I have ever tasted! I’m so impressed. Then the bread was fresh made and a olive oil for dipping. We ordered the Veal piccata. It was delightful. The whole dinner was a treat for our tastebuds and our waiter catered to our every need. We both had a glass of Merlot that complimented our veal. The entire experience was just wonderful and I highly recommend you go to La Ginestra. They take pride on everything they do. A night to remember.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy Y
Eureka23 contributions
Sept 2019 • none
The title of my review may be slightly misleading - we ate at this restaurant as stop 1 of a 14 day road trip with friends through the western US. At the end, we were all still reminiscing about the caesar salad at this restaurant - it was truly delicious and the best any of us had ever tasted! We also love the cocktails, the antipastos, main dishes and phenomenal desserts. It was a truly memorable meal - made all the more enjoyable because of our fun waiter.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee D
San Francisco5 contributions
Sept 2019 • none
I've been here several times whenever we have a play or event to go to in Mill Valley. I highly recommend this place and look forward to going again so that I can work my way through their menu. Service is always the best.
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fireandice2041
Mill Valley10 contributions
Nov 2018 • none
A family owned and operated restaurant that is a consistent experience of great taste and hospitality.
Written 8 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kamakshi2015
Bengaluru1831 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
If you are in Mill Valley and you are looking for a good place to eat after the sight seeing this your place to have a great meal . The pastas are delicious and satisfying , salads are fresh and gives a happy feeling . The pleasant experience of eating here brings to mind the good service and and the good meal here . Prices are competitive as other place in a touristy town . Access is easy - it was walking distance from the place we stayed .
Written 5 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELDunlop
San Francisco66 contributions
Aug 2019 • family
Had the pleasure of dining here last night with my husband and my cousin for the first time. My cousin who lives in Marin, had been here several times and said she’d like to return, so we happily obliged!
To start with, we got a place to park right across the street, which I’m told at dinner time can be a challenge, but typical of Mill Valley. Our reservation, made on “Resy”, (not available on Open Table, sadly) was for 6pm. At that time on entry, the restaurant was quiet and fairly empty, which always pleases us. Too many noisy places these days and you can’t hear yourself speak!
Anyway, our waiter got us our menus and brought waters and bread. Nice fresh sourdough, but not warmed. I wish more places would provide dark bread as well, which we prefer.
My husband ordered a wonderful and hearty linguini with mixed seafood. It’s was hot and plentiful-had to bring half of it home! We shared a great crisp Caesar salad as well. All three of us shared an order of Squash Blossoms-very nice flavor, but small. I have had better and would not order these again. I ordered the scallops with risotto. Sadly, the waiter got my order confused and brought a seafood on risotto dish. I had my heart set on the scallops so he immediately reordered it. It took awhile, but was well worth the wait. It was hot, cooked properly and delicious! My cousin had the veal scallopini with steamed chard & fingerling potatoes which she had asked not be on her plate. She said it was perfect as well. We finished our meal with decaf lattes and biscotti. We were beyond full by then! It did begin to fill up with later diners and did get noisier. It was good food, good service and a nice venue. Prices are not cheap, but fine for the value of food received. They could improve the table lighting though. It gets a bit dark in the entire restaurant. They have booths and tables for larger parties as well. We will be happy to return to this tasty place again!
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole M
Ocean View23 contributions
June 2019 • none
In Mill Valley to visit family and went into La Ginestra at the recommendation of our son.. the food--salad to main course to dessert? Awesome.. delicious.. the Sole was beyond compare... thank you Tim for being a friendly and
gracious server....felt very welcomed even though we were not locals......
Written 9 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frankzle
Mill Valley4 contributions
Mar 2019 • friends
La Ginestra is Mill Valley's gem for Italian food. Quality at a great price. We have lived in Mill Valley for 29 years and it is our first choice for good and hearty food reasonably priced.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fingerlakeskris
Waterloo93 contributions
Nov 2018 • friends
We went to La Ginestra because we had heard about their famous ravioli - “pillows from heaven”. We were not disappointed! They were amazing. We will definitely return on our next visit.
Written 12 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Máire O
Cork118 contributions
Aug 2018 • friends
Visited here for dinner recently - five in all. We were greeted by the wonderful Jason at the bar. Elena took care of us for the remainder of the night. This restaurant has a superb ambience where one feels at home, great hospitality, mouthwatering food, delicious wine, a quiet peaceful surrounding, very reasonable pricing & great service - what more could one ask on a night out???? For me- nothing.
I had the. Veal, others had lasagne, cannelloni, steak etc. All were really delicious.
Tiramisu for desert yuuuuuum.
We had a reservation & were given a lovely little booth to ourselves.
Everything contributed to a fantastic dining experience.
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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