Montesacro Walnut Creek

Would give this place a solid 2 stars for the food quality and unfortunately a bit poor service. Pizza dough was tasteless with over dried crust. Turned soggy under the stuffing. Broccoletti (Brussel sprouts) had some good flavors, however were slightly burned. Table was served with no silverware after food came out and we had to remind server to get one. Salt and pepper came in dirty containers. Complementary bread and mediterranean olive oil were outstanding though.

No umbrellas, do not sit outdoors on a sunny day! Went there for Mother's day because we really like the one in SF. Unfortunately, we baked on the patio. They don't have any shade, unlike the neighboring restaurants. The food was just OK. Buffala salad had no flavor. Eggplant rigatoni was undercooked. Margarita pizza and the salads were good. Carpaccio definitely wasn't fresh and I had to ask for more lemons because it was so dry. They were also out of orange juice for their mimosas. It's unfortunate since we like their San Francisco location very much.

Really nice vibe, food was good and came out fast. Service was friendly. Lasagna was super tasty. The good thing is that you can go and be as casual or formal as you want. For a nice dinner over wine or grab a coffee and sweet or a light pizza. The best time I'd say is lunch. It's small place and dinner would need a reservation.

We had such a great experience on 'date night' at 54 Mint Forno! My fiancé' and I had a reservation & chose to sit at the bar. Our server, Lupita, was kind, knowledgeable and overall just a sweetheart. The owner (apologies, did not get his name) was working and assisted us in choosing our wine (along with suggestions for dinner). - Wine chosen: Masseria Li Veli / Primonero (2020): Enjoyed very much! I am a Cabernet (red wine) person / after chatting, he had me try (3) types, this was the winner! - Ragu: Simple, full of flavor and just right. - Pizza Calabrese: Light spice, extremely tasty! - Desert: Cannoli, blood orange sherbet & pistachio ice cream: All fun choices and enjoyed very much (they fill the Cannoli at the bar, so you know it's fresh). Thank you to 54 Mint Forno Team! We will be sending people your way and absolutely returning! B&M

Arrived at 4:58 for our 5:00 reservation and were promptly told (from a distance) that “we’re not open yet!” This, despite the sign hanging on the door reading “aperto.” Maybe the staff doesn’t read Italian? We go inside and are offered a two-top RIGHT next to the door. I ask if we can sit away from the door and I’m told that all the other tables are booked. When I express some skepticism that people not only book a table, they book a PARTICULAR table I am assured that yes, they do. We carry on with dinner only to note that two subsequent walk-in tables are offered a seat at the tables we were assured were previously “reserved.” Why are the 54 Mint Forno hostesses so territorial?