21 Photos
About Giannfranco'S Trattoria L
Authentic Upscale Italian Cuisine. Freshly prepared when you order. Local Ingredients and Imported Italian Products used in our cooking. Amazing Italian wine List served by Professional Servers.
Amenities
- Viti Vya Juu Vinapatikana: Yes
Features
- Vito Vya Siri: Yes
- Kiti Cha Nje: Yes
- Seti: Yes
- Huduma Ya Meza: Yes
- Kuchukua: Yes
- Magurudumu Yanayopatikana: Yes
Contact & Hours
666 Linden Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013-2040
Opening Hours
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Sunday: 12:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
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Monday: 11:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
- Tuesday: Closed
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Wednesday: 11:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
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Thursday: 11:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
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Friday: 11:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
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Saturday: 12:00-15:00
17:00-21:00
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (240)
Delicious pasta with a cozy vibe
This is a wonderful spot if you are craving delicious pasta in a cozy and warm environment. The friendly and welcoming couple are authentic and make you feel at home. When we went, they were very busy but told us up front. The pasta was worth the wait!
Never Disappoints
If you want authentic Italian cuisine, you must come here. This is a family-owned restaurant, and the owners make you feel like you're there in their kitchen! We love Anna, Giovanni, Franco, and Arnold, and please ignore negative reviews you read about service - there's always 2 sides to every story! Food is delicious and one of our very favorite places to eat. We usually sit in the back patio area where we're surrounded by flowers, trees, and fountains. We always look forward to bringing guests here to eat when they come to visit, and I highly recommend you try it.
Exquisite food
The butternut ravioli was out of this world, and risotto was excellent! Enjoyed the family atmosphere
Heerlijk gegeten
Een echte traditionele Italiaans restaurant. Heerlijk gegeten en super service. Je krijgt waar voor je geld. Probeer de lobster ravioli:)
Don't count on them honoring your reservation!
Great food, but don't count on them honoring your reservation. I have never in my 62 years been treated over the phone they way I have just been treated. And not by some employee, but by the two owners, Frank and his wife. I feel I should share what happened while it's fresh, so others who might be expecting ethical behavior when booking a reservation for this restaurant can judge for themselves if it's likely to be safe for you to book a table and expect them to honor the reservation, especially if it's for a special occasion. On Saturday, June 10, 2023 I called the restaurant at 12:10, said I wanted a table for either 5 or 6 people, but wouldn't know for sure until later today, as I was waiting for some friends I texted to confirm if they wanted to join us. When asked, when I might know for sure, I said I couldn't say because I didn't know how long it would take them to respond, but I was pretty sure we'd get all 6, and I could let him know for sure around 5pm. I thought we were set. I had 4 confirmed with 15 minutes, but it took a while to get a response from the 2 extra I first had in mind, and I wanted to wait for them to respond before I offered it to the other 35 people who are in our group of friends. Once I heard from one they couldn't make it, I sent another request to the larger group. I got a phone call from Frank, who later I found out was one of the owners, at 3:01pm, telling me they were filling up, and asking if I knew if it would be 5 or 6. While on the phone with him, a friend confirmed the 5th spot, and I said I have 5 confirmed now, but it was still likely I'd get all 6, but I just sent out the text so I might now know for sure for another hour. I said I thought it was OK based on our initial call to let him know at 5. I then had a woman who was his wife (can't recall her name), who was pretty nasty in saying that if I didn't show up with 6, she would be mad. I couldn't believe how she was talking to me! I started to say I had never in my life been spoken to by a restaurant demanding something like this and she HUNG UP ON ME. I got another phone call from them at 3:06pm, where they were saying they needed to cancel my reservation. I said that I don't understand, I reserved a table for 5 and I have 5 people coming, and that if it's that big of a deal, I will just limit it to 5. But, she said she didn't want a scene - despite the fact it was her yelling at me and trying to back out of their reservation commitment that started any unpleasantness, so she was going to cancel it anyway. Then ended the call again. I got yet another call, this time from Frank, at 3:12pm, where he again said they needed to cancel my reservation. Frank seemed more reasonable, so I told him, calmly, that I felt it was unethical for him to cancel my reservation, since I had upheld my end of the deal, and had the 5 people I committed to already planning to be there at 7pm, and I was fine with keeping it to 5, so why would he cancel this once we, his customers, had made plans based on the reservation they confirmed for us earlier in the day. I asked how can you give our table to someone who was apparently trying to reserve a table after they had given it to us? But, just like his wife, he said they didn't want any trouble, and he was canceling the reservation. I told him that I felt his behavior was not ethical, and I would be reporting this incident to Yelp and any other website I could think of, as well as sharing this story with everyone I know in Santa Barbara. Who treats customers like this?
Avoid this restaurant due to rude staff
Avoid this restaurant! Rude elderly lady who owns the restaurant will ruin your meal. The staff is unprofessional lacks the ability to run a restaurant successfully. The food is NOT excellent and can be good but, ruined by the staff's negative demeanor. However, the elderly lady and young Hispanic waiter (who pretends to be Italian) are simply rude. Visit Via Vai Trattoria in Montecito where the restaurant employees greet you with a smile and cook better quality / tasting Italian food. Avoid the rude employees at this restaurant and have a positive experience elsewhere.
Best meal in town
A delightful meal on their back patio, with four parties celebrating birthdays. Caesar salad tasty, although chilled on arrival tasted better as it warmed. Pasta with meatballs was fabulous. We resisted desert. Service led by Gianfranco and wife Ann was personable and attentive. Prices reasonable.
Great Late Lunch!
We stopped by for a late afternoon lunch and enjoyed the friendly service and the delicious food. The lobster ravioli lives up to its reputation. We also enjoyed the burrata appetizer and a chopped salad that was very fresh and tasty. To be improved would be the bread- nothing to write about- and coffee mate with coffee). The very very best part was the homemade panne cotta for dessert. It was like eating a cloud. Made by the son of the family, it was remarkable - light and delicious with the fruit topping-fantastic!
Panini sanndwiches
Great variety of lunchtime sandwiches. Especially their paninis. Delicious salad to go with take out. At the present time, Take out only during pandemic crisis.
Slow-cooked-to-order Genuine Italian Food
This is NOT the place to go if you just want a quick in and out meal. Nothing is made in advance. Each pasta is cooked when you order so it really is al dente and not soggy. Sauces are fresh and savory. It was noisy the night we went here because of a raucous party from a local corporation, but once they left it was very pleasant. In better weather they have an outdoor patio and this would likely make dining quieter for the indoor patrons. We met the owner and chef and had a very nice conversation (once the party left) and we are looking forward to returning when we are in town again. This is the real deal for food, but dinner in Italy is an event and production and not just a quick stopover. Eat here because it is a real family making food the way it was made by their family in Italy.
Great food great service
Everything we ordered was delicious! The appetizers we tried were bruschetta, meatballs and roasted portabella mushrooms. For the main course the risotto special and Ciao Bella. All was made to order and delicious. The service was excellent! Can't wait to come back!
おいしいイタリア料理が食べられます
出張先の社内パーティーで利用。店の奥のオープンテラスで食べました。アメリカなのでひと皿の量は多いですが、どの料理もおいしかったです。こまめなサービスもよかったです。
Excellent food and great service
Excellent food and great service. This is a must for us when we are in the Santa Barbara area. Their food is authentic italian and very flavorful. It is a smaller place and you should call in advance to book a table.
Great food, but mixed feelings nonetheless
I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. The food was absolutely stunning. I had the butternut squash ravioli (a special that night) and it was superb. Though the serving was a little on the slow side. I hoped the dessert would be of the same quality, but that was just so-so. Not bad, but not special either. The service was friendly, but to me, it seemed a bit pushy and rushed. As if they wanted me to have my dinner and leave ASAP. This could be a cultural thing though, so I don't want to point fingers at the waiters / owners. Something to be aware of as a European.
Wonderful evening with family
We have eaten here previously and enjoyed it. We took our family, which included three children. All the food and the service were excellent. We did make a reservation as we had a group of seven. All members enjoyed their food. Excellent carpaccio. Wine was reasonably priced and paired well with our meals.
Return visit after a couple of years and still impressed
We try to stop here when in the area (actually worth a special trip), and it never fails to be impress. The owners personally attend to the customers, making sure they feel welcome and special. And the best part, the food is fabulous. Will return whenever possible.
Terrible owners and so-so food
Do not eat here, it's a joke of a restaurant. The owners act as though they are doing you a favor to serve you food. It's their place and they do things their way and treat the customers badly. We were a couple just trying to have a pleasant meal and the owner had so much attitude and dismissed any request or concerns. These people should not be in the hospitality industry. The food order took a very long time and when we asked about it they just shrugged and said to just wait.
Not a pleasant experience
This place was quite a disappointment. The food was acceptable, not great. The service was truly bad - slow, insulting. This is definitely not what I am looking for when I go out for a meal.
Arrogant service, after 20 minutes got our own menus, and the food was average
Ugh, very unpleasant experience. Reserved the back patio for our group of 14 and they had no staff so they squeezed us in the small space in the main space. They treated us like dirt and scolded us for having a child in a stroller. I would never eat here again, not worth the trouble.
Fabolous Dinner
Super italian food, very kind staff, we had a great dinner. 100% recommended... it's definitly worth a try if you are arround this area.
Nice Italian restaurant
The risotto was delicious and the salmon dinner, but the putanesca was overly spicy and uneatable. We told the waitress and instead of crediting that order she put it in a box and brought it back to the table. Why would I eat it at home if I couldn't manage to eat it at the restaurant?
AMAZING FOOD and impeccable service!
We were on a mini vacation and I heard of this restaurant. Not only was the service over the top, but the food had to be the best Italian I've ever had! We started with the wedge salad they did a twist on. They added avacado and a balsamic glaze which made it fantastic. Then my husband and I both had the shrimp scampi, which wasn't on the menu but they said they'd make for us. I had to have the gluten free pens pasta which they did perfectly and they added capers again another amazing twist. For dessert we had the flourless chocolate cake. AGAIN amazing!! It's a little pricy but way worth it!!
Authentic Italian food
My wife and I consider ourselves Italian food connoisseurs. Giannfrancos didn't disappoint. We started with a Portobello mushroom appetizer which was delicious. Then came the Wedge salad it was outstanding. My wife ordered her favorite Pollo de Parmigiana it was outstanding, I had the linguini with meatballs with marinara sauce. Visit Giannfrancos if you are nearby well worth the stop.
Delightful lunch
We stopped here while traveling through and we were so pleasantly surprised. The pasta is fresh. Absolutely delicious. My husband had the shrimp scampi and I tried the the ricotta sacchetti in brown butter with fried sage. Timely service as well. Would highly recommend.
Spectacular
I cannot begin to describe the incredible dining experience we had at Giannfranco's in Carpinteria California. The homemade pasta was sublime. Though not a true foodie I have eaten Italian food in Las Vegas, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and in Naples Italy. I can say without a doubt this was among the best food I ever had the pleasure to eat. Dining was on a private patio and the chef make sure to stop by every table and visit for a few minutes. This is probably the first time, while traveling we went back to the same restaurant two nights in a row. The restaurant is out of the way but well worth a visit.
Not good
I did not like this restaurant for a number of reasons -- here are a few: my food was cold and very salty. The restaurant was loud even though it wasn't crowded. I do not recommend this restaurant.
Very good Italian Restaurant!
We wanted Italian food and were not disappointed. A lovely atmosphere, lots of choices and delicious wine. It was a bit pricy but very much worth it!
Excellent Italian cuisine
Had an excellent dinner here. Started with the portabello Napoleon and wedge salad special which was so refreshing. Had a lovely wine recommended by our waiter. For a main course had the butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and fried sage. Finished with a decaf cappuccino and spumoni gelato. Will be back next time I'm back in Carp! Delicious! Great service!
A Long Time Coming.
Honestly, we have bypassed this place for years because about five years ago they refused to serve us on the patio because we had kids (kids were too messy they said) and they weren't very polite about it. But we (I) bit our (my) pride this year and went in for dinner (still didn't let us on the patio; they said it was closed). I have to say, as an Italian food aficionado, this place is good, very good. Two of us had the Insalata Italiana (first course for me, entree for my wife) which was outstanding (a bit difficult to eat given the un-chopped butterleaf lettuce, but worth it). I also ordered the Puttanesca which was delicious. Just the right blend of anchovy and capers paired with a wonderful Pomodoro sauce, some tomato and olives and perfectly cooked pasta. My mother-in-law had an order of meatballs and the Toscana Salad which she raved about. My two girls (6 & 4) had pasta with meat sauce and pasta with butter, respectively. They both mowed through it and candidly, the meat sauce was some of the best I've had. To top it off, they were very accommodating for my girls offering the little one a cushion to sit on because she was on her knees on a wooden chair which the owner noticed didn't look too comfortable. When my kids got up to use the restroom, they asked us if they could give the girls a treat for being so well behaved which we thought was very generous (not sure if that gets us a pass to the patio next time or not) and kind. Service was good all the way around. They don't have a bar (beer / wine only) and the wine list was nothing to write home about but all in all a great experience and we cannot wait to go back!
Great Italian Restaurant!
We go for special occasions as it is a little pricey. But, it's well worth it! Great food and service with a very nice outside seating area. One of the few places I can find carpaccio on the menu.
Skip it
Although the food is acceptable, the management is not. The lady at the front of the house is rude beyond belief, and even 86 " s people who have legitimate complaints. My complaint at lunch was about the lettuce in my salad which was all brown around the edges. her response was to say, that since it had been cut at 8:00 that morning, what did I expect? Not going there again.
5-star Gluten Free Crust
Loved their gluten free crust. I have tried at least 10 different places and this has been my favorite gluten free pizza so far. Well done!
Absolutely charming AND delicious!
You will love the owners, the Chef, and the relaxed garden setting! I live in this town and this is my favorite place within a 200 mi. or more radius. They will do take out... even on New Year's Eve, if they can. So lovely and consistently delicious 😋
Secret Garden
Don't let the modest curb appeal fool you. Inside is a cozy dining area and a wonderful patio! Food is delicious, comfort Italian and the wine menu has a lovely variety of Italian and local wines. Service was good and the owner stops by to say hello and help out. Loved!
Not an Italian restaurant to visit
We live in Carpinteria and visit Giannfranco's for a couple times: once during NY / Xmas holiday season, once for a VDay and with friends. But since we are not impressed to say the least, we don't' patronize it and I stayed away from leaving any comments on social media. Too loud, service not very attentive service. We don't think it's a restaurant for small children. And don't be surprised by the bill: nothing moderately priced here! This last time was as unsatisfying as before. The pasta dishes we ordered were so-so. Greasy, overpriced, mediocre Italian wines, terrible stale breads.
Just off the beach
We just came off the beach at Santa Claus Lane at 1:30 and made to the restaurant in time for a lunch special. $12.99 for an entree, ice tea and Spumoni. My niece had chicken parmigiana on Angel hair. I had chicken fettuccine with broccoli and peas and my nephew had tortellini with pink sauce. We added a Caesar salad to share for a start. All the meals were done with care and ingredients were a cut above. This is a fine dining place and hope to return for dinner on the patio out back. I enjoyed the slower pace as we are on vacation!
Hidden Gem
The food.. fantastic, seafood so fresh, service impeccable full bar 5 stars, outside dining friendly staff
Good Italian Food
I live in Carpinteria and have wanted to visit Giannfranco's so a friend took me there to celebrate my birthday. The pasta dishes we had were very good but the wine was much too expensive. The connotation of " house " wine at Giannfranco's is not what I expected (less expensive) so was very surprised by the price of two glasses of Malbec. I didn't think it was a restaurant for small children but one was present.
Unverschämt teuer
Das Essen ist wirklich lecker. Aber wenn ich 19 Dollar für ne Portion Pasta bezahle, erwarte ich schon, satt zu werden. Habe mir dann einmal Pasta zum mitnehmen bestellt und dazu gesagt, dass ich gerne satt werden würde. Also würden mir 50% mehr berechnet, was dann 30, 73$ gekostet hat. Ich wurde tatsächlich satt und es war auch lecker, aber das waren die teuersten Rigatoni Bolognese meines Lebens. Frechheit
Superb Italian family-owned restaurant
Excellent and authentic Italian food. My wife and I ate there on successive nights and were extremely pleased. Service was outstanding and entrees very reasonably priced. If you are in Carpinteria and haven't eaten there, you should definitely make a point to do so.
Dinner
Very good food. Very friendly. Cannot think of anything to criticize. Highly recommended. Excellent service.
Food made with love
I've been going to Giannfranco's Trattoria for years I don't know why I've never written anything about it because it truly is a gem of the west coast. The atmosphere of Giannfranco's is inviting relaxed, clean thoughfuly decorated to make it classy but not intimidating. You could deffinately bring a date for a romantic dinner just the family or a get together. Their back patio is amazing and the best place to sit on a warm evening. Now the food, the food is great the Chef / owner whos mastery of Tuscan regional Italian food is really hard to compete with, everything on his menu is incredible, well seasoned and made with love. And unlike many restaurants he is always in the restaurant and always cooking so his food is always consistent and perfect. I have never been to his restaurant and said " this isn't as good as it used to be " if anything it has gotten better. The restaurant is family owned and run, and it shows because nobody cares as much as family, the mother greets you when you walk in and takes excellent care of you the father also is there at times and the son is the chef and I believe they take good care of their employees to they all seem to be one bigaa family there. I would tell you what to order but it's too hard to pick. The salads and antipastos are great I always get the burratta or carpaccio but the portabello napoleon is amazing as well. The pastas are all amazing the Guanciale and the Fra Diavlo are my favorites and for entrees, I love the braised short rib or the Veal Pizzaiola. They always have a special risotto and some sort of meat special that is always divine. I can't recommend this restaurant enough, you can't go wrong, ever great wines and beer no full bar but plenty of places near buy to get a coctail before you go if desired. Mangia Bene Vivi Bene!
The best Italian in the area!
Had a most pleasant surprise, what a lovely setting and the food was so delicious that wonderful summer evening we spent there last June, 2017!
Anniversary meal
Wow, wish we had a restaurant in SoCal this great. Family owned and operated. Great ambiance great service great food
worst Italian meal in a long time
just finished a very greasy and expensive meal at a restaurant I have patronized a few times before. Tonight, admittedly the night after Valentines Day, with a skeleton staff and an empty restaurant was not the best night to go back for a quick meal. $ 16 for a glass of mediocre Italian cab followed by a very greasy heated lobster ravioli; stale bread and two mediocre pastas rounded off a forgettable repast. It will be a long time before I go back.
Great Food, Great Service
We came upon this lovely restaurant by chance and we were delighted that we had. The food was of a high quality and beautifully prepared. The Lobster Ravioli was really delicious. The service was very good and the staff attentive. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Carpinteria, especially if you enjoy good Italian cuisine.
" Pettinata "
Sono passato da questa cittadina, durante un lungo giro negli Stati Uniti! Vista L ora, ho deciso di fermarmi in questo ristorante italiano, che nonostante chiudesse alle ore 2100 ci ha ancora accolti alle ore 2030! Personale gentile e disponibile, la pasta per essere negli Stati Uniti era decisamente buona! Unica pecca che quando abbiamo visto il conto, quasi ribaltiamo dalla sedia in 4 adulti e due bimbi piccoli 220 $, decisamente eccessivo! Ma nell'insieme a parte il conto la qualità era discretamente buona!
Very tasty, but overpriced
Stopped for dinner. Liked the menu, a good selection of dishes. I had the special, which was a sausage risotto accompanied by a small salad. They also have a nice cart of fancy desserts which they must get from a local bakery. Can't complain about the food or service, all fine - but surprised by the bill - admit that I had two glasses of wine, but dinner for one over $75.
A little taste of Italy
Step into a family run, reasonably priced for the flavor true taste of Italy. Nothing is bad on the menu. One of the finer eateries of Carpinteria. Great ambiance in the back patio. Recommended to all who love Italian cuisine.
Delicious!
We have been here a few times and really enjoy it! We love sitting in the back courtyard, listening to the fountains and getting a reminder of how lovely the little Trattorias are in Italy. I love the chopped salad; while my husband has enjoyed the paninis. We have never been here for dinner, only lunch. The menu looks great though. I gave this a four only because the service is verryy slow. We have sat their for as long as 10 mins. without anyone even acknowledging us. That said, the food makes it worthwhile; and we just pretend that we are in Italy where the service is lazy too. So, we sip our wine and enjoy each other's company!
Great pizza in casual cali setting
Stopped with my daughter for pizza and pasta on the way to wine tasting in San Ynez. (Royal Oaks Winery). The pizza was delish! New yourk style if a bit thivker, but very tasty. Excellent pasta with meat sauce too. Friendly staff, fast service, fair prices. What's not to love?
Wonderful!
Tried it on recommendation of a friend and so glad we did. Definitely a place the locals go to have high class Italian fare. Sit on the back patio it's lovely. The wife had a delicious veal picatta (not on the menu) and I had an absolutely mouthwatering veal parmigian which has been my go to dish to judge Italian restaurants since I was a kid in the " Real " Little Italy in the Bronx, NY. They have a wide choice on the menu and we plan to return regularly. Everyone was very friendly and service was good. PS: we resisted the amazing looking desserts This but I bet we will indulge on our next visit.
Good Food with upside service potential !
Went to dinner to celebrate wife's birthday. Food was very authentic and delicious. The atmosphere and service needs improvement. The timing of appetizers and salads was very off. One salad was missed entirely and the appetizers were brought out with the salad. Need more staff or better trained staff. To be fair.. the gal servicing our table was not a waitress and was filling in. She hustled and did her best but at $75+ per plate, you expect both great food ambiance and service. Overall very nice evening that could have been improved.
Dining
We are a very enjoyable dinner on their patio with our dogs. Not only was the food good but they brought water for our golden retrievers.
It takes for ever to get your food
We used to like this place, and have eaten there a number of times. It is a decent Italian restaurant, and the owners are friendly. However, at our last visit, it took over an hour to get our food. A couple at the next table left since they could not wait any longer. It was a crowded time, but they should know what they can handle and not accept reservations if they know that this would happen. Too greedy, I guess. We are not going back any time soon.
Excellent Italian Food
This restaurant offers a limited menu of Italian specialty dishes along with traditional American fare. The pasta is fresh and the sauces are excellent. Prices are reasonable but not inexpensive. Would like to see more traditional Italian dishes like lasagna, cheese ravioli, manicotti, and eggplant parm.
Best Restaurante in Town!
Estuve de vacaciones en Carpinteria, y encontré Giannfranco's... a pocas cuadras de la playa. el lugar es elegante, con ambiente muy agradable ya que los dueños Anna y Franco siempre están atentos y son muy amables. El Chef Gio, que puedo decirles, tiene unas manos maravillosas sus platos son finamente decorados y los sabores son espectaculares! Comí varias veces, y todo me encantó... todo es hecho en casa.. no me dio tiempo de degustar todos los platillos, es una lástima. El servicio de meseros es muy bueno Arnoldo, Carlos, Evelia y..... Además tienen un patio donde se puede comer en un ambiente muy agradable.... Se me olvidaba, tienen un menu to go... Espero volver a visitarlos en un futuro cercano, para ver con que me sorprende Chef Gio.... y los vinos..... Super recomendado si estan por el área de Santa Bárbara o Ventura, etc, no dejen de ir... no se arrepentirán.
One of the most inviting and wonderful meals I've experienced
Giannfranco's was highly recommended by a local during my visit to the area. From the outside it's a very inviting space, looking like you're about to walk into someone's home. Once inside, I had just a wonderful dining experience. Being solo, I opted to sit at the bar and was so glad to have done so. To truly appreciate this restaurant you have to appreciate the kitchen, which is on full display to the right of the bar. It's a very small, yet very efficient space unlike anything I've ever seen in a restaurant of this size. I was greeted warmly by my waiter Arnold and by one of the owners, Ann. I opted for a glass of Chianti and the Spring Water. I mention the spring water because the tap water in Carpinteria does leave a lot to be desired. I would suggest getting one of the two bottled water options given. My first suggestion to any visitor is to skip the bread while you wait for your meal so you can save room for one of the many desserts at the end of the meal. I started very simply with the olive appetizer which is just a bowl of olives in oil with some basil and topped with cheese. Very simple, but a nice warm up to the meal. I also added a small house salad to go along with this. For the main course, I went with a Risotto special that included sausage, spinach, tomatoes and white truffle oil among other elements. I can honestly say it was the best risotto I've ever had. It was one of those dishes where the first bite to the last carried incredible flavor. I especially appreciated that the sausages were sliced thin so they didn't overpower everything else on your fork. For dessert I actually sought input from the hostess, Arnold and even Franco, one of the other owners. I got three different answers! In the end I went with the hostess' recommendation, a chocolate cake / mousse type of thing, cannot remember the exact name, but it did include what I think was a raspberry cream layer at the bottom. That, along with the accompanying cappuccino were delectable. Throughout the course of the meal I enjoyed conversations with Arnold, Ann and Franco about our Italian heritages and the birthplaces of our families in Italy. I honestly felt like I was among family, they were so gracious with their time and the service was top notch. Sitting at the bar it was enjoyable to watch not only the efficiency of the kitchen operation but to also appreciate how spotless the space was. That's a sign of an excellent kitchen, efficiency, good food and cleanliness. Is this restaurant a bit expensive? Yes. But when I receive excellent service, a great meal and an inviting atmosphere, I feel it's money well spent. I will definitely be back.
Must dine here each visit!
Restaurant owners insure each guest is treated with love. Staff and servers are knowledgable and helpful. This visit involved light dining. Ann ordered bruschetta, well presented with diced tomatoes, basil, oil, parmigiana reggiana - perfection. Speaking of that, I ordered my standard, the Carpaccio. Truly the best I have had, anywhere. The arugula and micro greens, capers, oil pepper all mixed in a special favor burst. We each enjoyed Caesar Salad. Coffee and Expresso mousse finished off nicely. Love everything about this place. They have a lovely outside deck, lighting plant in back. However we love sitting inside close or in tables next to front sidewalk. Either are great option.
Outstanding restaurant, friendliest owners, and best Italian food between San Francisco and LA!
Looking for fabulous food? Franco, Anna, and their son, Chef Giovanni, make this cozy restaurant and lovely lit enclosed patio the place to dine. Whether a fresh & light salad, incredible pasta specialities, or a great selection of wine & appetizers... you won't be disappointed. We dine here weekly when vacationing during the winter. Without a doubt, our favorite food & hosts in Carpinteria!
Wonderful Atmosphere and Excellent Menu
2015 and another visit to Giannfranco's in Carpinteria, CA. Their food is excellent as it always seems to be and the Giannfranco's are the perfect host and hostess. They serve Lunch and Dinner with a menu that will certainly please everyone. Carpinteria is a small beach town and this place is the best around.
Fine cucona italiana!
If your traveling up north, you must stop by this wonderful, professional upscale restaurant, I promise you will not be disappointed.. Carpenteria's is romantic.. it takes your breathe away!!
Greatest Restaurant in Carpenteria
We have been going to Giannfranco's since it opened 6 years ago and everything on their menu is superb. We have taken several of our friends there and they all agree that it is the best in Carp. We have been to Italy several times and the food here is as good or better then the best restaurants in Italy. Giovanni is a great chef and his parents, Frank and Anna are wonderful hosts that treat you like true friends when you walk through the door. Their deserts are out of this world. Tom & Carolyn Ewens
one of my fave restaurants ever!
i love giannfranco's! i've been coming here for years, whenever i'm in town. i don't go up to the area as much as i used to, but i was recently back in carpinteria meeting up with friends, and we all had dinner out on the back patio on a summer's evening. i've *never* had a bad meal here. everything i've ever ordered has been delicious, and the portion sizes are perfect. not too big, not too small, just right. the chef, giovanni, is a master at subtlety. he produces lovely, traditionally *and* innovatively prepared dishes that also have an eye to health. olive oil takes precedence over butter, and with the restaurant located in the " salad bowl " of california, fresh vegetables, greens, fruits, along with fresh seafood, are plentiful and delicious. giannfranco's is like a dress that can go from casual to evening -- it's suitable for a casual meeting, or a formal event. you can dress up, or go casual. i had an event here, and they took wonderful care of us. the menu is pricey, but in my experience, it's always been worth it -- the intimate atmosphere, the family feeling behind the counter, the devotion to deliciously and healthily prepared food -- i wish i lived closer! i would go every week! :) oh -- one thing -- being a small family restaurant with carefully, individually prepared meals, the service can take a bit longer than you might like -- but food like this is not meant to be bolted -- sit back, sip some wine or still water, and savor your evening -- it's worth it!
A hidden Jem in sleepy Carpinteria!
From the moment you walk in, staff and the owners Anna and Franco greet you with warmth and comfort, just like you'd receive coming home. Simply casual elegance with a menu full of amazing culinary masterpieces! Oh and don't forget the incredible dessert tray, OMG! Weather permitting, try going around sunset and sit on the rustic patio in back, very romantic indeed!
Nice atmosphere, fresh flavorable food and friendly staff
Loved this gem of a restaurant! So much so, we ate there twice in just 4 days, sharing our new find with more friends. YUM! Offering Innovative salads with fresh local ingredients, and tasty pasta dishes and other meat dishes. There were also several specials offered each day. Both our servers were very professional and attentive. I must highlight Marisale (sorry if spelled incorrectly) who was not only a delight, but was very knowledgable about the cuisine. She took the time to answer specific quesitons about sauces, and made suggestions according to what each of our palates were craving. Lobster ravioli, puttunesca, paella w / shrimp and scallops, Mina salad.... oh so many treat so enjoy... next time! Outdoor seating is available and provides and intimate dining experience whether for two or 12. Land nicely lit and landscaped. Heaters are next to the tables for those cooler summer nights; about 58 -60 degrees duing our visit. The desert tray... well, you'll see by the photos.. who could decide on just one! I look forward to dining here again on our next trip to the Santa Barbara area!
Bring War & Peace
I must admit I visited this restaurant with some trepidations. I had read some reviews of GiannFranco's on a local restaurant review site and most said that the service there was spotty at best. I was hoping that they were just working out the kinks of opening a new restaurant so I waited 6 months before giving it a try. The restaurant is small but very attractive with a nice outside seating area in the rear. My wife and I sat inside as the outside area was full. While it was in the mid 60's outside it was really hot inside - at least in the mid-80's. Apparently they have no AC. We ordered an appetizer of clams and mussels in a saffron sauce. It proved to be so salty as to be uneatable. In addition I have never seen such small clams and mussels in my life - about 1 1 / 2 " in diameter. The owner came by and offered us free dessert to compensate for the appetizer (which we never got). We then waited for over an hour for our entree to arrive. The good news is that my short ribs were delicious as was my wife's seafood risotto. I suggest only going to this restaurant with a good conversationalist or a long novel - because your going to be there a while. Either that or go to Zooker's Restaurant in Capinteria.
Rudest owner EVER!
My family went for a " light " meal. I found a hair in stuck in olive oil in my salad on my last forkful. Gack! I flagged a waitress down (not ours... he seem run off his feet). She told me it was just a crack in the plate! Finally our waiter returned and I pointed the problem out to him. He aplologized but returned our bill with no reduction. Wow. I then had to flag a manager over to tell him how displeased I was with the way our bill was handled. He ended up being the owner who question me like this.... " what kind of hair was it? How long was it? Weren't you pretty much finished your meal? He told me he was the owner and needed to know as his kitchen staff all wear hair nets. I was shocked and disgusted that he was questioning my integrity! Never in all my life have I been treated so rudely and by the owner to boot!
Entrees are great, but avoid the overpriced & stale Desserts
My Husband and I had a wonderful lunch in the patio. They have a nice selection of seasonal fresh entrees. Decent wine selection as well. Great coffee. Service was slow but attentive from a very experienced and charming waiter. Portions are on the small side. Everything was great until we ordered desserts, which were very stale canolis (" from Beverly Hills ", the waiter bragged). To add insult to injury, they had the nerve to charge $9.00 for each dessert. This insult took away our desire to ever visit this restaurant again. You can't take away a first impression. I wish this very nice family well, and hope that they learn to cultivate loyalty with their customers.
3 STRIKES and Your Out!
Unspoken etiquette, that most restaurants give as customer service is foreign to " Gianofranco ". Its too complicated for this place to handle more than a party of four. Every request is resisted with a NO! Every turn of event is an extra fee $$$ even at their own mishandling of orders, from not allowing 2 extra tablespoons of balsmic too the lowest serving of wine not too mention meager portions.. I have ever experience, requesting anything is followed with a NO!!! From the staff to the Chef down.. Unfortunately, trying to be a Class act Restaurant with no sense or knowledge who you are tring to please. I suggest they remmber who walks in the door and why. A customer who pays. Always remmber when your client is displeased they tell a dozen more. Never Again..
Hope you liked the food tonight, now could you please leave
Yes, the food is good, if portioned modestly, and it is known as one of the two best restaurants in town. We have friends whose pictures grace the walls, and others who frequent the place sufficiently to be greeted enthusiastically by name. But picture this scene: You have been dining there with your out-of-town guests- savoring the conversation, the appetizers, salad, and entrè, still nibbling dessert, and still enjoying the second bottle of wine, when the owner comes to your table and asks you to leave because they need the table. Seriously, this happened to us. This is more difficult to forgive than a fly in your soup- hence the single star and low service rating.
Horrible service
awesome food, horrible service! they are just plain rude!
Huge disappointment and no value
My spouse and I first visited Gianfranco's Trattoria last year. We had stopped in Carpinteria to avoid the heavy week end traffic. The dinner had been satisfactory and we planned to go back as we travel often to Santa Barbara. On Friday, Sep. 16 we just did that. We eagerly anticipated a succulent lunch. We found that: The menu was grossly misrepresented. The Ravioli plate with pine nuts was served with a bland lemon sauce and one (yes, one) pine nut. The portion served consisted of three ravioli. At $ 16.00 a plate equals to $ 5.33 per unit. My order was Gianfranco's Pasta, which is a plate of Rigatoni with meat sauce. The portion was insufficient to be considered a lunch plate. Since it was reheated (a common restaurant practice) the pasta was quite dry. The sauce was tasty. We politely inquired with our server and she stated that lunch portions are usually small. But one could see that she was uncomfortable. Since in the previous visit to this restaurant I had a pleasant chat with the owner, I felt to bring to his attention our disappointment. I did so politely and without any irritation. I mentioned the issue of the Ravioli and the size of my plate. A $ 33.00 lunch for two was a bit pricey and the amount paid gave us minimal satisfaction and value. Since I am Italian and the last time we had conversed in Italian, I just spoke Italian. The owner claimed he did not understand. I switched to English and he replied that this restaurant never had a complaint. That confirmed the lack of value of this restaurant and the failure to care for the customer. It cannot be recommended at this time.
Food= 8 / 10. Service / Hospitality= 2 / 10!
What a shame! Good food, good ambiance. Service was beyond unacceptible! Our party of six was seated for 20 minutes before anyone greeted us, and this was with a reservation. Food was served a nice 75 minutes after we had ordered, and that's after our waitress told us how tired she was from working all day. Not worth the money, the attitudes, or the hassle. Many other great places for half the price and twice the fun. BTW... as we left 3 hours after we arrived, the whole crew was eating Carl's Jr. burgers at the tables...... what does that tell you?
So So.
The food is ok but not worth the price. I suggest the next restaurant over (Slys) for something better in the same price range.
rude owners!!
Meal was overpriced. Lady owner was so rude! When we asked why we had to wait 40 mins for our appetizer we were told that this was not a fast food establishment! Will never go back there again.
Rude owners - marginal food - overpriced
I visited Gianofrancos with friends and was embarrassed that I had chosen this place to meet. The Owners mistreated their (perfectly nice) staff in front of me and I wanted to walk out even before the meal began. As I can see it there is no excuse for yelling at your staff in front of tables. I also witnessed a fight between the chef and the owner during our meal. The food is ok (just ok, but Italian food is easy) but very overpriced and took forever. The restaurant does not have a proper kitchen and since the owners are greedy they have crammed too many tables into the tiny place. As a result our food took forever to come out. The server, a kind surfer type, tried to make up for the kitchens shortcomings, but although the server was good the food, prices, and owners attitude were awful. I will never go back. Save yourself the embarrassment and do not go there.
3.5 stars - off night
I have eaten here a number of times, but usually business dinners. I finally convinced my wife to go (she prefers tre lune or sly's) and it took over a half an hour after ordering just for our appetizers, then another half an hour + for food. Our dining experience was largely waiting. They apologized, but never offered any small complementary appetizer or dessert to offset the sting. Also, the wine glass pours are very small for price. That said, on a busy night, we both enjoyed the quality of food. Not sure if I will get wife back again though.
Avoid at all costs.
My family of four recently chose this restaurant to celebrate a special occassion. Never before have I been so disappointed. The food was unexceptional, the service barely marginal, the owner extremely rude when we very politely expressed our disappointment with the entire evening. I have never before written such a negative review, but feel I should do so as a warning to others... Go elsewhere to spend this kind of $$!!!
Multi Bene
Hidden gem in Carpinteria. Chef's special bruchetta and pesto risotto were excellent. The angel hair in tomato / truffle Oil and sausage was Great. Highly recommended.
Lovely dinner!
On a very stormy Friday, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and great attention from the staff. The risotto special (my dinner) was beyond delicious, perfectly seasoned and a delight! The rest of our group was equally impressed with their choices. I will definitely return when visiting Carpinteria again.
Not worth the wait!
Too much to say on my iPhone. I will place my very first restaurant review in Yelp later this week. Waited about an hour and a half for food. Yes, we should have left, but we had three kids with us and we were trying to be optimistic. Owners were atrocious! If the place is quiet, then enjoy a nice meal. Avoid when the restaurant is busy. Seemingly, only one chef on salads and two on hot foods. Truly disappointing in all regards.
Overpriced and we left hungry
I was excited to try this Trattoria because the menu featured some regional specialties and looked more authentic than most allegged " Italian " restaurants in the States. We got there for dinner around 8.30 pm on a Monday evening, so the place was almost empty. The manager greeted us very nicely but the service was slow and inattentive. We ordered one serving each thinking that it would be sufficient. My 20$ portion of ravioli with shrimps and scallops had literally four ricotta ravioli in it. I gave one to the baby so I was left with 3 ravioli for dinner. When I said to the waiter that I would have appreciated him mentioning that portions were on the small side, so that I could have ordered more food, he argued that four is the standard serving. The ravioli, though little, were good but the charcuterie and cheese platter my husband ordered was covered with sauce, which was rather unpleasant and not mentioned in the menu according to which only the pears were supposed to have some sauce on. So overall a disappointing experience. Peccato!
Great food, terrible service
We all say " This really is the last time we'll come here " but we gave it another shot, and like clockwork, the shoddy, sometimes rude service was dolled out to our party. It's a shame because the food is quite good-a little on the expensive side, but the Italian restaurants are slim pickings in Carp. If you are willing to sit quietly, not ask for bread / oil to dip it in, silverware or even additional drinks! You may be excused the dirty looks and scathing comments from the wait staff and the owners too. Oh and don't even dare ask if they have a kids menu, or you'll be charged $14:00 for a small dish of pasta and butter and hear all about the imposition of them having to create this complex dish!
Owners are MORE THAN NASTY TO THOSE WITH SERVICE ANIMALS
Took the family there for a 'nice' dinner and we had reservations. Restaurant was very noisy. Owner was particularly nasty when she and her husband noticed my Certified and Licensed Service Dog. I informed them both that my Service Dog was protected under the Federal ADA Laws. It will be a very Long Time until I return!
Great Menu Choices All Prepared Perfectly
Have enjoyed many of the menu choices and have not yet been disappointed. Panzanella salad is perfect, lamb, beef short ribs, fish dishes all delicious. Sauces and vegetable accompaniments are great.
Divine
Our family was camping at Carpinteria State Beach (in a tent). My husband knew it would probably be nice if he took us out the first night as I was exhausted by the set up, etc. I looked on Trip Advisor for a restaurant and read about Gianfranco's. Everything that was said was true. Thanks TripAdvisor friends! The pasta, sauces and ambiance were absolutely excellent. The fare was not camping food, but fine dining. It was a little pricey but well worth it! I would go again anytime I was in town.
Picnic Lunch for the Beach
Great Paninis!! Try the Margherita, mozzarella, tomato, spinach basil and balsamic... yum. Rustico-turkey panini or Chicken avocado garlic aioli. All $10. And very filling. Perfect stop at noon to order some gourmet sandwiches to take your bikes to the beach and have a lovely picnic. Mr. giannfranco owner is always there to kindly greet and often accomodate should you arrive early looking for food to order. It's authentic great Italian flavors. Enjoy!!
a neighborhood go to place
The front of house and wait staff sometimes get flustered and out of step. The food is good if not alittle expensive for where and what it is.
A Carpinteria Special
One of the few truly good restaurants in Carpinteria. Owners onsite and involved in each diner's experience. Authentic Italian options in addition to local Californian fare. Outside dining is preferable to inside, where tables are quite close together. Exceptions are the 2 window tables - best inside choices.
Amazing, Authentic Italian Food
While on vacation, we ate dinner at this restaurant at the recommendation of a local. Authentic Italian crafted with loving care in the kitchen and simply amazing! The owners and staff were very attentive and eager to please. I had the Linguine with Olive Oil and Garlic and grilled chicken. My husband had the Shrimp Primavera and added Scallops. Both dishes were excellent! We can't wait to go back!
Good food but very slow service
Had lunch here on a Sunday right at noon. There were at most 5 tables being waited on. While the food was good the service was very slow. The two wait staff would disappear for 10 minutes at a time for no visible reason. We were seated at noon, food order not taken until 1220. Food did not arrive until 1. After dessert and the bill it was close to 2 pm. Dine here only if you have all afternoon to eat.
We rarely eat Italian out
We lived in Italy and our family all learned cooking from a " Nonna " that lived near us, so we rarely eat this type of food in restaurants, because we are usually disappointed. There were nine of us, our son had just recently moved to the area, and he had eaten here once and wanted the rest of us to experience the food. Every single dish was eaten in it's entirety. Alio and Olio, fettuccini with fresh clams, carpaccio, tortellini primavera, spaghetti with meatballs, etc. All good. Then the desserts!!!! A tray of pure heaven. Just go and taste for yourself.
Raviolis like I was in Italy
If you want a good Italian restaurant stop by Giannfrancos The pastas all fresh just made that day and the atmosphere fun and homey
superb quality of food
all the food at our table was of the highest quality and well presented and it tasted excellent. Also very kind service and luminous dining room. We'll go back
A Family Enterprise
Another trip to the Italian spot in " Carp " was worth the weight as the locals know this is the place for excellent Italian dishes. Unfortunately popularity is putting pressure on the staff to handle the business. Try lunch first during the week and sit at the counter to get to know the owners. On the other hand a dinner reservation should work but don't be late!
good food but the owner ruined the experience
This was my second time dining at this establishment, however the people I was with have been going yearly for the past several. It will be our last as the owner ruined the ambiance. The food is good but when our party of 15 was informed that only 3 charge cards would be accepted and we would have to group together for paying the bill, we were quite put off. My husband ordered a beer and was presented with a third of a glass, and then the waiter failed to bring his entree. As I said we will not return next year when we are in Carpenteria.
Good food, slow service
The food was quite good, though the restaurant itself was very warm (no AC) and the service was extremely slow (more than 1.5 hours to get our food!).
Great Find
I stumbled on this little restaurant last Saturday. We were seated by one of the owners who was very pleasant and accommodating. Service was attentive, we like to enjoy our wine for some time before ordering our meal, the waiter totally understood. I had the Ciao Bella, Rigatoni pasta with chicken in a cream sauce, very delicious and the Rigatoni was done perfectly I like my pasta al dente. My wife had the Positano, Clams, mussels, shrimp scallops and tomatoes in a white wine lemon cream sauce with hand rolled pasta. It was excellent. We shared caprese salad which is one of our favorites, this one exceeded our expectations. In addition to basil, buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes this had avocados and kalamata olives in a really good olive oil sauce. As I said we were there Saturday and I want to go back NOW. The patio is very nice for lunch and it looked like they had nice lighting for the evening, could get chilly as it is only a few blocks from the beach. Very nice interior look also.
Food is good, but small portions of pasta
Went there for lunch. Small bowl of angel hair pasta $15. Good size chopped salad $11. Nice patio, very friendly. Have been there previously for dinner and ordered a different pasta dish that was very tasty, but also arrived as a small portion. Bread given out sparingly as well. You might still be hungry if you order pasta. Now you know.
Excellent choice, interesting menu
We arrived just after they opened on Sun. and were seated on the patio. The waiter was very attentive. I had the I insalata di Anna with mango and strawberries with a citrus vinaigrette. I loved it. It was a great choice for a warm day. Two others in our group had the lunch special chicken Parmesan pannin, which was very good. The last one had the lobster ravioli and proclaimed it quite delicious. For dessert we had the spumoni ice cream, which was a delightful way to end our lunch. It was a very pleasant lunch in a quiet garden setting.
Warm and Fantastic
My wife and I visit the Carpinteria area every year to enjoy our beach house, and every visit includes a meal at Gianfranco's. We love the family ownership and the food. Franco, Anna and son, Marco (the chef), create a very enjoyable experience. They are warm, accommodating, offer good service and excellent food. Try the Lobster Ravioli - a specialty of the house, but everything else we've had over time has been superb. I've read other reviews that talk about poor service, blah, blah, blah - but we've never experienced such! To the contrary, we've always had good service and good food. Definitely worth a visit!!!!!
Awesome Jewel In Carpenteria!
Cook Giovanni and Owner Anna and Franco make this quaint trattoria a must when in this area. Decor and outside patio is well thought out and food is top notch. The Caprese is first class and the Sachetti is a hands down winner. Panini with Salad is a perfect blend and just the right portion size. Very attentive ownership and the Italian touch runs through their blood. Lets face Italian restaurants in Southern California and either a hit or miss.. this one is a bullseye!
Fresh Italian food, excellent service
I have visited Giannfranco's for both dinner and lunch when on business trips. There is a certain level of consistency in the food that is well above average. Both the menu and wine selection is broad especially for Italian wines. Watch out--portion sizes are large for most dishes so you might want to split a dish with a partner. Since the last time there is a new group of waiters that know what they are doing and provide excellent service. The actual restaurant is long and narrow and the tables are a little small for dinner. The wooden chairs are solid but uncomfortable; for a three course dinner cushions would be a welcome addition. It is still a very good place for dinner.