Stephen's Pasta Cafe - San Ramon, CA

Stephen's Pasta Cafe
192 Market Place
San Ramon, CA 94583
(925) 275-1266
stephenspastacafe.com

Tonight's visit would have been rated 5 stars based on the service provided by our tall, young male server and the entrees (Fettucine Abruzzi and the Salmon), but I docked a star because the female server who cashed us out told us we had to order something else because the $35 Restaurant.com minimum purchase did not include soft drinks...which was not the case the last time we dined there, nor has it ever been the case at any Restaurant.com restaurant.

She went on to say: "Things have changed because we're struggling now," and it wasn't worth my time arguing over a few dollars, so I ordered a $5.95 slice of cheesecake to go. I peeked inside the little styrofoam container and I have never seen such a tiny piece of cheesecake in my life (check out the photo below)! :)



Caesar side salad $2.50


Fettuccine Abruzzi $12.95


Salmon on a bed of pureed squash $13.95


Stephen's slice of cheesecake $5.95 - OVERPRICED!

Stephen's Pasta Cafe - San Ramon, CA

Stephen's Pasta Cafe
192 Market Place
San Ramon, CA 94583
(925) 275-1266
stephenspastacafe.com

On our latest quest of trying out the bundle of Restaurant.com $25 gift certificates we purchased earlier this month, tonight's venture was to Stephen's Pasta Cafe in San Ramon. It's located in The Marketplace at San Ramon at Bollinger Canyon Road and Alcosta Boulevard, near Coldstone Creamery.

This would have been a 5-star experience had the Calamari Fritti appetizer passed our taste test. Although the calamari itself was tender, the breading they used was so coarse and soggy it made the entire dish fail. The French bread they brought out in a basket was deceiving...it didn't look like it would be good at all, but it was warm and heavenly! Lightly extra crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and deliciously paired with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar dipping sauce we concocted ourselves at the table.

DH thoroughly enjoyed his Caesar Side Salad and my cup of Potato Leek soup was fabulous. Both entrees we ordered were excellent, the Fettuccine Abruzzi (prawns, chicken and sausage in a garlic and white wine sauce) and the Italian Sausage (Fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and a creamy meat sauce). We would definitely order both of these dishes again and appreciated the fact that all pasta is homemade at Stephen's except for the Penne and gnocchi. Next time, we're skipping the appetizer...I couldn't even finish half my meal! Well, at least I know I have a delicious leftover for lunch tomorrow. :)



Calamari $8.95


Caesar Salad $2.50, Potato Leek Soup $2.50


Fettucine Abruzzi $12.95


Italian Sausage Fettucine $9.95


Dinner for two including tax and tip: $23.88
(courtesy of a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate)