I have been to this place many times for drinks. This weekend I finally had dinner and I was not impressed. We arrived at 8:30 and were promptly seated. The restaurants was not too busy. It had a very relaxed atmosphere, no need to dress up. On paper, the meals sounded DELICIOUS, the offered an array of choices.I opted for the rissotto with scallops and my friend ordered the three cheesse ravioli. Our dinner took about 30 minutes to get served. I was a bit hungry so I was a little imptient. The bread and marinara sauce was just not cutting it for me and I wanted my FOOD NOW. At last our food makes it our table, I taste my rissotto and was very dissapointed. Where is the flavor?! The food was very bland! Eventhough I was hungry, I didn't finish the food. In my view, the food is overpriced. My friend's ravioli was not good either. I do not plan on wasting my dinner dollars at Cafe Fiore. The mojitos and the live music is the only good reason to visit Cafe Fiore.
Review Source:I have been to Cafe Fiore several times. The first few were quite on the up and made me return. I don't know what what has happend but the cheese has slid from the cracker. My last couple visits have been less than stellar.
 My recent visit was on a Friday night, the wife and I were surprised too get seating in the dining room with no wait without a reservation. The bar tenders here are awesome I recommend the Mojito. The serving staff are very professional and spot on. To me, the food  is so hit and miss I don't know if I'll return. On my recent visit I ordered the gnocchi and added an Italian sausage for a meat presence. The dish tasted good but came out way over coooked in a mushy blob with a red sauce trenched around it, that had a very familiar flavor.
 The gnocchi and red sauce did not pair well together at all. What is this red sauce flavor....I know it but can't put a finger on it. I send back the gnocchi dish with no argument or questioning from our server. Out of sheer starvation I order the spaghetti with veal meat balls. Which comes out a good looking plate but needed some garnish. The veal meatballs were tasy but pale in color. The pasta was cooked a perfect al dente like I asked. Then the flavor of the sauce hit me.....as I was whisked back to childhood in remembrance of feeding myself when I was 5. It was my good friend Chef Boyardee!
Cafe Fiore, fix that sauce please. I understand that handmade gnocchi is soft, but mush in it's own gravy it should not be. There are not alot of upscale dining options in Ventura and with that new restaurant down the street that is cranking out superb seafood, your walking a thin line.
We had a nice meal here when my father in law was in town helping us to get settled in Venture, our new home town. Â The food was pretty good, the ambiance was terrific. We were a little disappointed in the service, as after waiting a really long time after ordering appetizers and entrees, everything showed up at once. There was no room for it all on the table, plus, a place like this knows that appetizers come out first or why bring them at all? Prices were pretty good. I would give it another try. Â They did comp us the appetizer for the trouble, which was nice.
Review Source:Oh so good as it gets for Italian goodies...I wish I had the $ to eat here more often...Food prices are in line with the quality of what the kitchen puts out...Alcohol, wine prices are through-the-roof...So sad that restaurants mark their booze up so much that you wince at the fact that the bottle of wine that you get at Vons for 9 bucks costs 30 bucks at a restaurant...
Location is welcoming and romantic...pillows on the seat backs are kinda annoying though...very loud, but buck up since you're in a restaurant that wants to be a nite club too...
Everything I have ever eaten  at this restaurant  is the best of the best...
Oh darn, but I'm loathe to write this review, having firstly, been to Cafe Fiore several times in the past and loved it, and secondly, given the fact that Ventura is sorely in need of nice, upscale fine dining establishments, and I hate to see one of them go downhill. Â Fiore is usually a place we are proud to take our most discriminating foodies from even the San Francisco Bay Area. Â And tonight we had once again, brought our out of town guests, but from the moment I stepped inside Fiore, all I wanted to do was get out! Â Okay, the food was terrific, and so was our lovely server. Â But beyond that, it was awful! Â And I have NEVER written such a negative review of any place. Â Why? Â The horrible, loud teenage rock music which was so obnoxious we asked for a outside table immediately, and even then had to ask for the door to the restaurant be shut so we could try to carry a conversation. Â We still had to yell much of the time. Â It was so annoying and stressful I wanted to get the meal over with as soon as possible and get the heck out of there. Â It would be different if this were just a bar, dance club or rock & roll venue. Â That would be appropriate. But this was 7:30 pm dinner time. Â Fiore, what do you want to be? Â If you want to be both a nice dining establishment and also a Twenty something rock club, fine, start the dancing venue at 9:30. Â But please, let your diners be able to enjoy your fine food in peace until then. Â I personally will not return under any circumstances without first checking to see what's going on in the way of sound effects! Â Really a big disappointment tonight!
Review Source:After several visits over the last 9 months, Will not go again. Bartenders are not friendly. Wait staff service is spotty at best. Ordered Cioppino for dinner once, and it was sent out with bad mussels that weren't even open. That means the chef is not on the ball and they really don't care what comes out of their kitchen. They've gotten too big for their britches me thinks. Â Go to Lure next door or the Sportsman across the street.
Review Source:This was our second time at Cafe Fiore. And, while the first time was utterly lovely, this second time has rendered me incapable of ever breaching its doorway again.
Saturday nights are very busy, as is to be expected, and so we, without resies, were flung out onto the enclosed patio....which I frankly had no idea existed. Which was fine. Thank you for finding us a table, and we shall be patient.
fBut while other tables ate and left, and were resat, we had nothing more than a round of beverages. 55 minutes before the salad arrived for my husband, and that was after we asked. On one hand, I'd no idea how much time had passed, because my little family was enjoying being together. But it was becoming  unpleasant. one hour and 10 minutes....no other food. When I went to talk to the manager, she said all the right things. "I'm so sorry. That should have never happened." But there was absolutely NO sincerity behind it, and, frankly, she needed to be a bit more apologetic after 70 minutes without a meal. I"m not sure what their trigger was, and why we weren't served. I couldn't figure it if you paid me a million to do it. But it was horrid. Exceptionally unpleasant. And how dare they feign that they give a damn. Will never ever go back. I"m sure they won't miss me, and will make a mint. But if you care about kindess and fairness, don't go back. Find another local spot that has lovely food and lovely people.
A solid 6 stars if it hypothetically was possible. With 239 reviews we had to take a visit. Without sugar coating anything, I would genuinely would like to say that i'm impressed. From '02-'04 i've had the pleasure of living in the beautiful country of Italy, and sure enough this place brought back the nostalgia of the country side.
Atmosphere: was culturally identical to your common Italian/Sicilian Restaurant. There are wine bottles everywhere, wood beams and rafters on the walls and ceilings, tile on the floor, to the wide big bar sitting in the front as you walk in.
Bathrooms: are up to par on cleanliness. There was ice in the mens urinals to assist with odor, and trash was taking out.
Food: There are three separate menus. One for lunch, dinner, and dessert (Dolci). There isn't much of a difference between the menus with exception to portion size and price. While you order promptly you will receive your waters along with a basket of fresh bread and little bowl of tomato sauce that is wonderfully mixed and seemed made from scratch.
We ordered Salsiccia E Funghi (Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pork sausage & fresh sauteed mushrooms) which was very very tasty. The ground pork sausage really brings out a lot of flavor. It was flat and very similar to how pizza really is in Italy. We also ordered the Tortellacci Di Zucca (Butternut squash tortellacci with Parmesan sage cream sauce) which was filling with the hint of parmesan from the sauce and what tasted like sweet pumpkin pie (Sweet Butternut Squash). Off the Dessert (Dolci) menu ordered the Tiramasù and holy molly I was trying to stop my wife from rubbing it all over her body (YES it was that good).
No question you need to go and experience the magnifico food of Cafe Fiore. Olive Garden DOESN'T HAVE SHIT on this place. In fact I'd pay you to go visit. lol.
Stooped here on the way to Santa Barbara on a referral. Really nice place with xlnt staff, very attentive and friendly. Waitress knew the food and wine very well. We had a great salad with arugula, fennel, a different cheese that we had not heard of and orangee slices etc.. Very Tasty. Gnocci was xlnt and Osso Bucco was good. I would definitely go back.
Review Source:I have been to Cafe Fiore at least 15 times in the last two years, including twice in the last 10 days. Â They have the BEST food, hands down, in Ventura. Â The braised lamb and gnocchi is my favorite, which I highly recommend to anyone that would like a hearty meal! Â They're butternut squash, risottos, and bruschetta are also tops. Â Include a great meal with some White or Red Sangria and you're all set!
The service has always been great and they even have a fun, active crowd on weekend evenings having cocktails and socializing. Â I can't say enough good things about Cafe Fiore. Â It's pricey, which is a deterrent on occasion, but altogether it's an excellent place for dinner!
Two sidenotes: Â I found out the last time I went for lunch that they dumb down their lunch menu so be warned; I had a hankering for the lamb and it was NOT on their lunch menu. Â Secondly, make sure you get a reservation, weekend evenings in particular because the wait is killer.
I have heard nothing but good things about this place! I am very happy that I finally got to try it.
I came here for lunch, the menu is quite different and there are definitely not as many options. The place is not busy at all, which i suggest to make reservations if you come for dinner.
I ended up trying:
Panino al Pollo
Marinated and grilled chicken breast topped with roasted tomatoes, grilled onions, arugola and melted provolone cheese with a garlic aioli spread ($12.00)
I thought the sandwich was good overall, but lacked a bit of something I was not sure of. However, even though i think the sandwich was okay, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff.
We were originally seated where there was dust everywhere, but we asked to move and they accommodated us.
Overall, I enjoyed my lunch and would definitely come back here to try many more dishes.
Tonight we went in, I'm overweight, not a thousand pounds over, but not thin. My husband is 160. We were seated in a booth where he couldn't fit. When I slid in the velcro on the back of this cushion could be heard for 5 blocks. As if I was farting.
Look, I'm never going to the place again, and we left. If you can't seat people and make an experience better than that then-forget it. We ended up eating down the street at a nice place.
I'll NEVER go to another place recommended by a former friend-they always are truly lousy.
Cafe Fiore's Birthday Penalty...
I'm rating this solely based off the staff's poor training and my "surprise" charge that pissed me off due to staff .
So I took my own cake for my BFs surprise birthday dinner. I called Cafe Fiore asking if this was Ok and the girl said "yes, just give it to your waitress and we'll put it in the fridge for you until it's ready to serve." And that's that . No btw there is a charge for this. So dinner goes well, our waitress brings out the cake, cuts it and serves everyone. I get the bill and there's a $ 2.50 cake cutting slice PER person. Uh what?! I ask the waitress and she said "it's pretty customary for restaurants to charge when you bring your own cake" I said "ok I can understand that but PER person?" She apologizes and she said it wasn't her policy but the restaurants. I said "well that's good to know NOW because I wasn't told about this when I called." She apologized but honestly she didnt seem all that sympathetic. maybe she was upset that 4 of our party members did not show up last minute. I almost asked for the manager but we had to rush out to make it to a show. Either way its pretty ridiculous! I was originally expecting 10 people so I would have had to pay $22.50 on TOP of what I already paid for the cake just to bring it into the restaurant?! Wow! That is definitely something Cafe Fiore needs to let anyone who is bringing their own dessert know! And no it's not customary for most restaurants because the last time I took a cake to BUCCA I was NOT charged! So boo on you Cafe Fiore. I am never taking a dessert there again! Â The staff needs to be trained to give this information over the phone as well. Â I plan to call the manager later today. Thanks for giving the surpriser a surprise of her own!
We loved this cute eatery in Ventura. Â I ordered an Avocado Martini right. Â That Martini was so refreshing and smooth. Â A must try for any Martini lover. Â For dinner the hubby and I ordered two of the specials. Â I tried the Prosciutto wrapped chicken stuffed with squash ravioli over risotto. Â Excellent. Â I couldn't keep my husband away from it. Â My hubby ordered the t-bone with scalloped potatoes and Green beans. Â He enjoyed every bite and was happy that it was cooked just as he had ordered. Â For dessert....a mixed fruit cobbler that was Delicious. Â Service was excellent all the way through...We will definitely come back when we are in the area.
Review Source:Not much to say that hasn't already been said.
In general, excellent food. Nice, upscale dining area. Usually good service with a few exceptions. The floorplan is interesting with the bar area and dining areas sort of semi-integrated.
Don't go just for drinks unless it is in the afternoon. It is impossible to get a drink or a seat once the cougars and silverbacks are on the scene.
It can get quite loud once it starts filling up.
I have not eaten outside of the main dining room since they put a bunch of work into closing in the patio. I hear there is another bar and a firepit or something, as well as music occasionally.
I just don't get the poor services at this Fiore. This was our first visit to Ventura and every local, and the ladies at the visitors center highly recommended Fiore. We were excited to have dinner here.
We stared at the bar. To get service and drinks was challenging. Ordering food and exploring the happy hour menu - ugh - root canal.
The happy hour prices, the pizza and the drinks were all good. But after watching the hostesses with customers and seeing the servers stand at the bar chatting and eating bar snacks for 15 minutes while the restaurant had customers - sent us looking for another place to dine.
Wouldn't be hard to step your game up Fiore!
Great food. Great atmosphere. Poor service!!!
My fiancee and I decided to try something new. So, Cafe Fiore it was. The pictures on line were really inviting as well as the menu. Â I guess if it a picture is worth a thousand words, and it lived up to that.
We arrived at about 5:20 on Sunday evening (11/4). Â The hostess was friendly and provided us the option of sitting next to the chef's or at a high top table. We opted for the birds eye view of the kitchen. Â You would think with such seats, there would be now way a server could not wait on you?? After all, you are right next to the food they must pick up. Â After about 15 minutes, no one came by. No one acknowledged us. So, I did the only logical thing which was to ask the hostess to move us as we certainly were not getting service where we were.
She obliged and allowed us to sit at one of the high top tables. Perfect! NOT!!! We sat in the section were there are only three tables. The other two tables already had patrons who were in varied stages of their dining experience. It took about 10 more minutes before our waitress waited on us. By this time we already knew what we wanted to eat. So, we started giving her our order when half way through she said,, "Oh! I guess I should write this down". Â
Later our meals came and were absolutely fantastic!! We enjoyed it so much we were eager to try one of the many deserts. However, the waitress shocked us by coming to our table and saying "I guess you won't want desert, just the bill". Â It wasn't even a question. She made a statement. We were both dumb founded. Â I have never dinned at any establishment where they weren't happy to ask if you wanted deserts or even another drink. After all, it's more revenue for them.
We did order our deserts. They too, were delicious but after the poor service and our waitress's attitude towards desert, we both had a sour taste in our mouth.
Again, great food just really bad service!!!!!!!
Great food! A little loud, great ambience, good service. We stopped in for a quick late evening dinner and were seated promptly, served quickly...a little too quickly...dude, I'm not done mopping up the sauce with my bread...
We are not in Ventura often but will definitely stop in again on a road trip!
I love Fiore! I've gone to this place a few different times and every time I go, the food and ambiance is always fab! I've taken quite a few friends and family members here (from out of town), to celebrate birthdays etc and they've all loved it! As far as food and drink choices go, I've never had a bad meal or drink (cocktail) at Fiore! The bread and tapenade that they bring you is like crack, it's soooooo yummy! I'd also recommend a glass of the white sangria ;)
It's a HOT downtown Ventura spot, and the one in Woodland Hills is just as fun and classy!
It's a great date spot as well, i was just there for a date! We sat outside in one of the cabana's in the Treehouse Lounge and it's very romantic. They have all the little white lights hung up, nice candles, comfy cushioned couches/booth's to sit on and it's just a very chill spot, overall!
Highly recommended to all ;)
Last week, we were THOSE people. Those people who show up with a party of 6, and then gradually become a party of 9, and then a party of 14. Those people who say they are there for happy hour, and then (2 hours later) decide to stay for dinner. Those people who seem like nice professionals when they arrive, and then get louder and more demanding. Also, those people who want to be able to pay in a mix of cash and 8 separate credit cards.
And, the staff of Cafe Fiore handled it all with impeccable professionalism, graciousness, and good humor. They really rocked in making us feel welcome, and like we weren't the most annoying group that night (which we had to have been vying for).
Happy hour is a slammin' deal for the area. Drinks are delicious and strong. Happy hour bites were also good. The food and drinks were generally a solid 4-stars, with the caipirinhas and the avocado martinis being 5 stars. the ambiance is lovely -- we sat in the Treehouse Lounge and it was perfect. As other reviews have noted, it can be a little slow to get served, but we found them staff to be exceptional in dealing with our giant group.
Great place!
Where am I? lol
When we first walked in to the place we were greeted by a jazz band to our left, a huge center bar area in front and the friendly hostess to the right.
I had an excellent time yesterday night celebrating one of my best friends birthday!
Finally arriving after an hour drive I ordered a bottle of the "La Terre" Cab. Not bad at all, and not expensive.
This venue is pretty big, a patio area, back bar with outside sitting areas and plenty of area inside.
The ambiance is fun and friendly.
*We didn't order anything for dinner, just drinks...but omg I smelled the different plates fly by... Everything I could smelled, smelled Delicious
*Next time I'm in town or around the Woodland HIlls location I wanna try the Zuppa di Aragosta AKA Lobster and Congac bisque
*Service was great
Slow. Slow slow. Sloooooowwww.
We reserved space for a party of 15, and were seated in the outside portion at adjacent tables, rather than in a private room. It make conversation rather difficult, but we persevered.
A few minutes after some of us sat down, our server introduced herself and said she'd be "taking care of us" that evening. Funnily enough, she proceeded to be absent for 85% of the night. We're pretty easy-going folks, but a simple dinner should NOT take 3 hours because of slow service. It took 45 minutes for some members of our party to get their drinks (water, glass of wine, soda).
The food was fine. The burrata salad was fine, but the majority was just mixed greens. No amazing flavors. The martinis from the bar were tasty.
We ended up receiving a discount on the tab, after a member of our party talked to the manager. The server had missed out on rounds of drinks, desserts, etc. After the discount was granted, the server popped by our table to say 'Hey, so you weren't satisfied with my service?' Super-duper tacky, and unnecessary.
Yum.
Had the osso bucco, substituted spinach for the starch. And the salad with the egg on top. Both fabulous. Sat in the Tree House with a party of six on a busy Saturday night. Service was outstanding. star of the night was some tres yummy cocktail  made with tequila and basil and lavender. No idea what it was called but it has me wanting to return for more.
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