I moved here full-time a few months ago. We wanted to try an Italian restaurant we'd never been before. Ristorante Gina's popped up. I was a bit leary of the reviews saying the food lack taste but we gave it a go. Ristorante Gina's did. NOT disappoint. The service was friendly. We did not have reservations (which I highly recommend), so we got on their walk-in waitlist and were seated accordingly. I'm pleasantly surprised at the portions and pricing of their dishes. The portions were moderate and pricing was fair. Too many restaurants fill your plate and over charge. In my opinion, everything was "on-point". Thank you for a lovely Monday night evening.
James H.
Had dinner tonight with my brother in law and his wife who just moved here. He declared it his most favorite restaurant all round in the area. The food, service and ambiance provides a well balanced product that is exceptional. We are traveling to the med this year and hope to visit their location in Florence. We would highly recommend this restaurant that we find to be very consistent.
Viola F.
Watching a dog inside near table getting constantly fed from a spoon. Yuck. Food was alright.
Hazel J.
Loved the ambiance and our service was great, but the food was lackluster The complimentary bread was delicious to start Got the following: Pork chop with fontina and prosciutto: 3 stars, it was good, moist enough, just not great. The mashed potatoes weren't redeeming, but the spinach was not bitter or metallic tasting at all, so at least that was enjoyable as one of the sides Parpadelle: 3 stars, nothing stand out. It was all one note. Osso bucco: 2 stars, how can Osso bucco be dry? The polenta was watery Frutta di mare: 4 stars, this was probably the best dish out of the bunch. Would go back only if someone else really wanted to go, but not for me
Judy L.
It is always great. I love to just go to the restaurant in the bar and sit on the porch.
D L.
Went for happy hour. Must write name on a chalkboard for HH seating in the bar. 15 min wait. Great service started w focaccia bread- yum- and was there all night. HH drinks were under $10 each. Shared a bowl of mushroom soup $10. No flavor until I added salt and pepper- yum. She had lobster raviolis. Good small portion at a $15. Chicken saltimbocca w wedge potatoes for me. Added fresh parmesan to both- yum. $18. Enjoyable and tasty at a good happy hour price.
Joya E.
I've eaten here a few times now and it's a usual spot I dine at when in Palm Desert. I ate here last night and I guess they stopped doing half portions on their pasta but my waiter was nice enough to still do a half portion for me. The Mamma gina salad, caprese burrata, Fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and truffle butter, John Dory fish, Linguine Puttanesca, and Capellini Piero are all great. Salads are very good and fresh. The service is always great. The espresso martini is very good and creamy. The tiramisu is good. The prices are very reasonable. Saturdays are the busiest for dinner. It's busier during events/conferences like the BNP Paribas Open so advanced reservations are needed.
Renee R.
From the time we arrived we felt unwelcome. We were entertaining out of town guests and were excited to have them experience a dinner at Mama Gina's. We put our name on the chalkboard per usual, and we were never acknowledged or given an explanation when 2 tables of the same size were seated ahead of us. We were seated on the porch and immediately greeted by our waiter who was chewing gum and hurried and dismissive. We ordered cocktails and when the server returned to take our order, we ordered salads and a pasta to split and he said we don't split dishes We said fine we'll split ourselves, and he said what's your problem. We then said what's YOUR problem and he said he would get us another waiter. What triggered his angry response?? Our new server never greeted us and asked us for our order in the same dismissive manner. We felt soooo uncomfortable , we decided to leave, not understanding what' prompted this treatment. We then asked for our check so we could leave and the new server brought us a check for our drinks. We gave her our credit card and she brought it back with a receipt and said we could leave whenever we wanted.. The receipt didn't include a spot to sign so we tracked the server down to understand where to sign and she said she took care of the bill without any apology and again said... leave when you want. We didn't ask for the drinks to be comped. Why were the drinks comped?? We were waiting to pay the bill, seems like an apology was in order but we received nothing but attitude. We were so disappointed and embarrassed in front of our friends. There are too many other great restaurants!!
Mike G.
We tried again, with friends. NOT any better. Overpriced, flavors were bland and the service wasn't good. Many other places to go to for really good Italian food...
Aleyda M.
We stopped at this place to find a good Italian restaurant. It was our first visit and we had not made any reservations. However, everyone was very courteous and welcoming towards us. They accepted us as walk-ins and seated us without any delay. The host greeted us warmly and our server, Evans, was exceptional. He was very patient and recommended some popular dishes from the menu. The food was fresh and of great quality. The ambience great. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and we will definitely visit again at the earliest opportunity.
Best Italian food in the world recommend the ravioli and creme brûlée Come and you won't regret it.
Kieran Murry
Had our first visit tonight and totally LOVED this place. The food was delicious. And the service was fantastic. Thanks to Chris for taking care of us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coleen H.
Food excellent, ambiance old Italian comfort, service perfunctory without any heart. Perhaps a bad day? Didn't impact us but for folks who service is important, this might be a factor.,
Teresa M.
Excellent service! Food was great as well. I had the Shrimp, Bean and arugula salad that is wonderful. The dressing was so good and everything was fresh. One of the best made Hendrix dirty martini's I have ever had.
I moved here full-time a few months ago. We wanted to try an Italian restaurant we'd never been before. Ristorante Gina's popped up. I was a bit leary of the reviews saying the food lack taste but we gave it a go. Ristorante Gina's did. NOT disappoint. The service was friendly. We did not have reservations (which I highly recommend), so we got on their walk-in waitlist and were seated accordingly. I'm pleasantly surprised at the portions and pricing of their dishes. The portions were moderate and pricing was fair. Too many restaurants fill your plate and over charge. In my opinion, everything was "on-point". Thank you for a lovely Monday night evening.
Had dinner tonight with my brother in law and his wife who just moved here. He declared it his most favorite restaurant all round in the area. The food, service and ambiance provides a well balanced product that is exceptional. We are traveling to the med this year and hope to visit their location in Florence. We would highly recommend this restaurant that we find to be very consistent.
Watching a dog inside near table getting constantly fed from a spoon. Yuck. Food was alright.
Loved the ambiance and our service was great, but the food was lackluster The complimentary bread was delicious to start Got the following: Pork chop with fontina and prosciutto: 3 stars, it was good, moist enough, just not great. The mashed potatoes weren't redeeming, but the spinach was not bitter or metallic tasting at all, so at least that was enjoyable as one of the sides Parpadelle: 3 stars, nothing stand out. It was all one note. Osso bucco: 2 stars, how can Osso bucco be dry? The polenta was watery Frutta di mare: 4 stars, this was probably the best dish out of the bunch. Would go back only if someone else really wanted to go, but not for me
It is always great. I love to just go to the restaurant in the bar and sit on the porch.
Went for happy hour. Must write name on a chalkboard for HH seating in the bar. 15 min wait. Great service started w focaccia bread- yum- and was there all night. HH drinks were under $10 each. Shared a bowl of mushroom soup $10. No flavor until I added salt and pepper- yum. She had lobster raviolis. Good small portion at a $15. Chicken saltimbocca w wedge potatoes for me. Added fresh parmesan to both- yum. $18. Enjoyable and tasty at a good happy hour price.
I've eaten here a few times now and it's a usual spot I dine at when in Palm Desert. I ate here last night and I guess they stopped doing half portions on their pasta but my waiter was nice enough to still do a half portion for me. The Mamma gina salad, caprese burrata, Fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and truffle butter, John Dory fish, Linguine Puttanesca, and Capellini Piero are all great. Salads are very good and fresh. The service is always great. The espresso martini is very good and creamy. The tiramisu is good. The prices are very reasonable. Saturdays are the busiest for dinner. It's busier during events/conferences like the BNP Paribas Open so advanced reservations are needed.
From the time we arrived we felt unwelcome. We were entertaining out of town guests and were excited to have them experience a dinner at Mama Gina's. We put our name on the chalkboard per usual, and we were never acknowledged or given an explanation when 2 tables of the same size were seated ahead of us. We were seated on the porch and immediately greeted by our waiter who was chewing gum and hurried and dismissive. We ordered cocktails and when the server returned to take our order, we ordered salads and a pasta to split and he said we don't split dishes We said fine we'll split ourselves, and he said what's your problem. We then said what's YOUR problem and he said he would get us another waiter. What triggered his angry response?? Our new server never greeted us and asked us for our order in the same dismissive manner. We felt soooo uncomfortable , we decided to leave, not understanding what' prompted this treatment. We then asked for our check so we could leave and the new server brought us a check for our drinks. We gave her our credit card and she brought it back with a receipt and said we could leave whenever we wanted.. The receipt didn't include a spot to sign so we tracked the server down to understand where to sign and she said she took care of the bill without any apology and again said... leave when you want. We didn't ask for the drinks to be comped. Why were the drinks comped?? We were waiting to pay the bill, seems like an apology was in order but we received nothing but attitude. We were so disappointed and embarrassed in front of our friends. There are too many other great restaurants!!
We tried again, with friends. NOT any better. Overpriced, flavors were bland and the service wasn't good. Many other places to go to for really good Italian food...
We stopped at this place to find a good Italian restaurant. It was our first visit and we had not made any reservations. However, everyone was very courteous and welcoming towards us. They accepted us as walk-ins and seated us without any delay. The host greeted us warmly and our server, Evans, was exceptional. He was very patient and recommended some popular dishes from the menu. The food was fresh and of great quality. The ambience great. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and we will definitely visit again at the earliest opportunity.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place! Menu was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crème Brûlée, Spaghetti Bolognese
Best Italian food in the world recommend the ravioli and creme brûlée Come and you won't regret it.
Had our first visit tonight and totally LOVED this place. The food was delicious. And the service was fantastic. Thanks to Chris for taking care of us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food excellent, ambiance old Italian comfort, service perfunctory without any heart. Perhaps a bad day? Didn't impact us but for folks who service is important, this might be a factor.,
Excellent service! Food was great as well. I had the Shrimp, Bean and arugula salad that is wonderful. The dressing was so good and everything was fresh. One of the best made Hendrix dirty martini's I have ever had.