Cafe Fiore
This is an outstanding upscale Italian restaurant. The crowds are huge, and reservations are a must almost any night. A real worthwhile addition to this area.    [30 Jan 2004 16:11:06]

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     ­Clay Duke, Ventura   

Bad Lunch Experience
Ordered the salmon salad. Dressing tasted like straight lemon juice. The greens too sour to eat. Waitress not helpful, snottily brought oversized bottles of vinegar & oil (I guess so I could make my own salad dressing!). How can a place with some 15 salad dishes on the menu not have any decent salad dressing to offer people? The greens were an old package baby green mix also. The coffee was also poor, surprising for an Italian restaurant.    [24 Mar 2004 03:46:42]

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     ­Anonymous   

Cafe Fiore-ambiance and not much else.
I've tried Cafe Fiore twice now and I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone who wants more than a drink. It is a lovely little place with a great bar-dark and cozy-great service the second time. Having been to culinary school and owning my own restaurant, I have some basic idea on how food, good food, should taste. The bread was cold and the main entree salad was lifeless. The cost was too high for that quality-my husband ordered raviolis-he got 5 for $17.95 and did little to impress. I ordered wine and shrimp scampi with spinach for again $17.95. I got 4 jumbo shrimp in the shell that were so over cooked that they became salad shrimp and the sauteed spinach was tasteless and cold. The waiter forgot to bring more bread and even though I put my empty wine glass on the outside of the table he ran off not offering a second. My husband had to go up to the bar to get another. Of course there was no offer of dessert or coffee. It's all looks and maybe that's what Ventura is used to. This place would be closed in L.A.    [26 Sep 2004 14:06:13]

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     ­Roxyred   ritemycomputer at msn dot com

Cafe Fiore in Ventura Awesome
We have been there many times, with and without friends. Each time the food/service has been as great and service is as could be expected for a place that is soooo busy. The martinis are great. My husband has ordered the de-boned chicken many times and I see it coming out of the kitchen a lot. Reservations are a must!    [26 Apr 2005 18:21:43]

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Recommended Dishes: De-boned chicken (It comes still sizzling in a cast iron frying pan!

     ­Denise   

Horrible service ...three times in a row
The first time we waited two hours to be seated for dinner. The second time our second glass of wine was much less full than our first glasses and we were told they were filled "too full" the first time, instead of solving the problem. The third time a "computer error" erased our appetizers, the kitchen closed in the meantime, and we were out of luck, "not my problem" (actual quote) according to the bartender. Unbelievable we even gave them a third chance. No way we will be back. Inconsiderate service even after we helped them track down the people responsible for a $125 bar tab. The manager wanted us to come back again, to "make up for it" you're kidding me...right?
It’s too bad the front of the house staff are so horrible; the food is actually pretty good.    [07 May 2005 11:41:48]

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     ­Anonymous   

Heard about Cafe Fiore...Finally Tried It!
I travel to Ventura for business. I heard about the restaurant through a business associate. I had dinner there last Tuesday evening early enough not to make reservations. The menu looked tempting. I ordered the Fettucine Bolognese. Great atmosphere. A welcome greeting from the owner as I walked in and out. However one minus--the service was way below the level of what it should be in that establishment. This restaurant should only hire seasoned servers that pay attention to detail. He did not mention if Care Fiore offered any specials or I wanted a cocktail (hint I was viewing a wine list!). What's worse--he failed ask how my meal was or bother to offer to refill my drink. I will go back there and dine since I will be staying at Bella Maggiore on my next trip but I cross my fingers I don't get the same server.    [18 Jun 2005 02:25:39]

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Recommended Dishes: Fettucine

     ­angelica2020@aol.com   

Believe it, This Place Needs Serious Work.
Even with reservations, we were seated an hour after our reservation time. Even then we had to settle at a "bar seat" by the kitchen. Sitting on a bar stool but paying upscale restaurant prices does not make for a great dining experience. Don't expect free refills on your sodas either.    [11 Jul 2006 21:51:51]

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Recommended Dishes: none

     ­Anonymous   

Good Food in Ventura
I have been to the restaurant 3 times, and have throughly enjoyed myself on all occasions.
It is pricey, but you get what you have paid for.
Always crowded, and the service is very pleasant and quick.    [05 Jun 2007 21:36:22]

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     ­Anonymous