Comments on: Trattoria Lupo: Santa Rosa

By: Rena

Rena — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:14:07 +0000

Okay so after a brief discussion my two adult “kids” – daughter and son-in-law – agreed that some traditional Italian cuisine was in order for a recent family dinner.
Off to Trattoria Lupo we headed, they armed with the warning that the place looked awful but came highly recommended, me with the hope that dishes were not limited to pork-based sausage and veal – neither of which are considered morally edible in our family…
Alas and Alack – hardly anything “just beef”-ish (okay, okay so we’re not terribly sophisticated – please, keep your comments to yourself) and the fish special was probably delish but sounded boring as all get out…
We dipped the extraodinarily light warm bread into the artichoke heart – ? – paste/evoo/balsamic concoction, sipped our vino and debated whether salad would take up the space we planned to save for dessert…while we waited….and waited….and waited….for our very friendly waiter to take our order…
The salads offered only a lack luster dalliance with icy romaine slathered with a plain, completely forgettable excuse for fresh caesar dressing – what? only 3 croutons per plate? ech…no worries about salad ruining our taste for dessert…as soon as the lettuce warmed, we set the whole affair to one side…..to wait …..and wait….and wait…another interminable length of time….”Whoa – those people were here before we got here and they are JUST NOW getting their dinner?”….at last the bowls, filled to the brims and adorned with little flourishes of herb and/or tomato arrived…
Not a moment too soon and thank goddess for pasta and um, well, for my own loose morals because the kids enthusiastically tucked into their gnocchi and spaghetti – remarking over the lightness of the pillows and the flavor of the meat sauce…. and I fell off my moral high ground and fell upon the bowl of Osso Bucco as if I hadn’t been fed in months and had no idea of how veal is raised….
Both the spaghetti and gnocchi got rave reviews….as for me, I realized I was craving polenta, which was abundant and melted in my mouth, but was somewhat disappointed in the much anticipated shank, finding its flavor flat and the meat dry and stringy. Today it proved more interesting when I warmed the leftovers for lunch but honestly, I’ve had better versions of OB made with ox tail…..
Now, dessert!! Ah!! Finally – something to get excited about on a consistent basis. We ordered the three desserts that are house made: tiramisu, canoli and panne cotta and were thrilled with all three. The tiramisu was a little on the rummy side but still lovely; the panne cotta with raspberry sauce absolute creamy perfection; and the canoli – aaaaah, the canoli! Let me put it this way – next time I drive to the Bay to see the kids, I’m expected to arrive bearing a box of Roberto’s canoli…..

By: Matt B

Matt B — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:39:09 +0000

Now that Roberto is back the food is outstanding. A little slice of Italy in Sonoma County. The service is top notch. The BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN SANTA ROSA!!!!!

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:31:14 +0000

Still the best Italian restaurant in Santa Rosa. Ample portions of delicious food. A must for everyone in Sonoma County to enjoy.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:15:49 +0000

So happy to see Roberto’s back as Trattoria Lupo. It’s like having your family back, The food is very good especially the specials of the day. Everything is like being in Italy, but in Santa Rosa. Love it, love it.

By: jessica farfan

jessica farfan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:50:25 +0000

it is the closes you can get to Italy without traveling…their daily specials are to die for.
very affordable!!!!

By: Ralph Vicenti

Ralph Vicenti — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:46:40 +0000

best food, and the best service. if you live in santa rosa or passing by you got to try their veals

By: monique blankenheim

monique blankenheim — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:49:54 +0000

Loved the food! the service is great too. Very personable and relaxed atmosphere. four stars

By: Fun Foodie

Fun Foodie — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:42:35 +0000

I bought a gift certificate for Roberto’s a little while back, are they going to accept it now that is is Trattoria Lupo???

By: f d

f d — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:51:56 +0000

took my friend there had a great dinner, nice time very good service

By: shana

shana — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:49:28 +0000

Just had a great dinner here – oh, that gnocchi, soft potato pillows for Roberto’s fabulous sauces! Highly recommended – we’ll definitely be back!! But please note the cafe doesn’t open at 4pm, as this article sez. Try 5pm, a more reasonable opening hour.