Michael's Ristorante Italiano

Wife and I have been here a few times and enjoyed ourselves each time. The food standard is good, I especially like the fried polenta side that comes with many of the dishes, as I've never encountered it anywhere else. The wine selection is good.
It is located next to the Moraga Safeway. From outside it appears quiet and subdued; inside however there are always a couple of groups at the bar and watching the large-screen. Tables are situated behind these. The wait-staff are likeable and competent. Parking is plentiful and close by (50 metres)
Since Michael and Pennini share the same owner and kitchen, I suppose people with pizza-loving kids can go to Pennini and order Michael dishes on the same menu.

This place suffers from the same dyslexia of it's sister restaurant, Pennini's, next door.  At Pennini's, you will find the best Pizza around.  It is truly delicious.  Just stay away from the rest of the menu.  Michael's shares its kitchen and probably kitchen staff, so the same uneven handling of the food is apparent.

The ambiance is old-fashioned and nice.  The bar is lined with regulars.   Bread is good and the balsamic garlic oil is delish. Salads are plain old fashioned, out of a sysco bag variety of ice berg dominated lettuce.

Then things get a little shaky.  The table ordered a steak, a carbonara pasta and the special lamb shank.   The worst was the pasta.  I have never seen carbonara like this.  It had no sauce!!   The angel hair pasta did have some peas and some bacon (very little), but it had a bunch of sun-dried tomato and no creamy carbonara sauce. I wanted some eggy cream sauce with pancetta. The sun-dried tomato wasn't a good match. Nope.  It was dry angel hair pasta with sun-dried tomato flavoring.

The steak was tough.  It was also super thin which was weird and sinful for rib-eye.  A thin tough rib-eye - no fun at all.

The lamb shank, on the other hand, was SPECTACULAR!  The meat was falling off the bone and seasoned perfectly.  It was nestled in some amazing mushroom risotto that was easily the best risotto I have ever had.  The risotto was surrounded by flavorful meat juices from the lamb.  The plate was licked clean.

The dishes were like they came out of two different restaurants.  So odd.

The service was great, however.  Very friendly and homey.   Tempted to go back to try more Italian specialties.  Pizza.  The pizza next door is soooo good.

Experienced this restaurant a couple months ago and had a wonderful experience - service was pleasant and very professional. Linen tablecloths, booth or tables.  Can be an intimate setting.  It was busy with people also at the bar. Can't remember what we ate but we were both quite content with portion, way it was cooked, presentation and flavor.  Drinks were the best - the bartender (female) was very generous - perhaps that's why I can't remember what we ate!!!  It is located in a strip mall next to Safeway - discreetly tucked away.  Can't believe I've lived nearby for 12 yrs and never been before!  Anyhow - enjoyed so much we are hoping they have reservations for this evening!