Mindy Knows

Last Friday Shrek and I met his mama for lunch at a great little Italian restaurant in Santa Clara’s Rivermark Plaza. Piatti’s been in the same location for quite some time now, but I think I read someplace that in more recent years it came under new ownership. If the rumors are true, kudos to the new owners because it’s MUCH better than the first time I initially tried it back when I was at SCU. Today, I’m somewhat of a regular because I regularly find myself craving their caprese salad, crab cakes, and paninis pictured below. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s one of my favorite places to dine on these dishes and Piatti’s by far better than any Pasta Pomodoro or Maggianos. (I mention these only because Piatti is a chain specializing in Italian cuisine as are Pasta Pom and Maggianos. Olive Garden isn’t even on the radar.) As for Piatti’s customer service, I have nothing but nice things to say (on point, attentive without being annoying) and the interior of the restaurant is really pleasant, too. The kitchen is open and separated from the dining space by only a long counter, pizzas are cooked in an open pizza oven over open flames, dining tables are made of substantial pieces of wood that are reminiscent of Big Sur. If given my preference, though, I like dining al fresco on their outdoor patio. We were surrounded by businessmen and women doing power lunches, but I think this would be a nice place to come back with my girlfriends after tennis one of these evenings. They’ve got a good looking wine list, too!

Calamari e verdure

Vegetable panini with Pesto

Insalata Caprese with heirloom tomatoes

Spicy crab cake panini

Spicy pepperoni pizza

Insalata di Tonno, dressing on the side

Feast!