Paesano Ristorante Italiano

- 350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110

For California residents seeking an authentic taste of Southern Italy, **Paesano Ristorante Italiano** in San Jose offers a truly remarkable fine dining experience. Nestled in the heart of San Jose's developing Little Italy district, this establishment is highly regarded not only as an **Italian restaurant** but as a **Fine dining restaurant** that specializes in traditional Italian and distinctive Sicilian cuisine. The owner and chef, Giuseppe “Pino” Spatola, a native of Sicily, ensures that the menu reflects the rich culinary traditions of his homeland, bringing a genuine, homemade quality to every dish.

Paesano Ristorante Italiano successfully blends an **Upscale** yet **Cozy** and **Romantic** atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for both intimate date nights and significant family gatherings. The warm ambiance is further enhanced by its setting in a converted small house, giving it an intimate, **Historic** charm. Patrons consistently praise the friendly, polite, and very nice staffing, confirming the commitment to providing excellent service that matches the quality of the food.

The menu is extensive and features classics alongside Sicilian specialties, prepared from scratch. The appetizer selection, or Antipasti, is particularly noteworthy, with one customer review highlighting that the two appetizers they ordered were "outstanding." Main courses, known as Secondi Piatti, offer premium options such as the **Salmone Alla Siciliana** ($34.95), **Veal Parmigiana** ($35.95), and the sumptuous **Agnello Aromatico - Lamb** ($43.95).

The pasta dishes are a major draw, featuring both traditional staples and house specialties. Fan favorites include **Lasagna Rustica** ($26.95), **Spaghetti Bolognese** ($26.95), and unique options like the **Farfalle Vulcano** ($26.95) with Italian sausage and a dash of hot pepper. A dish that has garnered particularly enthusiastic praise from a recent customer is the **Pappardelle Alexandra** ($33.95), which was described as "AMAZING 10/10" and worth returning for alone. This focus on high-quality, memorable dishes solidifies Paesano Ristorante Italiano's status as a culinary gem in the Bay Area.

Finally, for those who appreciate a full dining experience, the restaurant is a recognized highlight for its complete beverage program, boasting a **Great cocktails** selection, an impressive **Great wine list**, and tempting **Great dessert** offerings like the authentic **Tiramisù** and **Cannolo Siciliano** (both $11.95).

Location and Accessibility

Paesano Ristorante Italiano is conveniently situated in downtown San Jose, a mere block from the SAP Center, making it an excellent pre- or post-event dining choice for California locals. It is a cornerstone of the developing Little Italy San Jose neighborhood.

The restaurant’s physical location is:

350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

The restaurant is committed to full accessibility, providing ease of access for all patrons:

• **Wheelchair accessible entrance**
• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**
• **Wheelchair accessible restroom**
• **Wheelchair accessible seating**

Parking in this downtown area is managed with a combination of options for visitor convenience:

• **Free street parking** is available.
• **Paid street parking** is also an option nearby.

Services Offered

Paesano Ristorante Italiano offers comprehensive dining services tailored to both a celebratory atmosphere and everyday convenience for California patrons.

• **Dining Options:** Available for **Lunch** and **Dinner**, including **Dessert** service.
• **Seating:** Offers traditional indoor **Seating** with **Table service**, as well as charming **Outdoor seating** for a comfortable al fresco experience.
• **Reservation Policy:** The restaurant **Accepts reservations**, with **Lunch reservations recommended** and **Dinner reservations recommended** due to its popularity, often having a **Usually a wait** for walk-ins.
• **Service Modes:** Provides **Dine-in**, **Takeout**, and **Delivery** options.
• **Beverages:** Features a full **Bar onsite** with **Alcohol**, diverse **Beer** selections, an excellent **Wine** list, **Hard liquor**, and signature **Cocktails**, as well as **Coffee**.
• **Payment Methods:** Accepts major **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and modern **NFC mobile payments**.
• **Child-Friendly:** Considered **Good for kids** and provides **High chairs**.

Features / Highlights

The defining characteristics of Paesano Ristorante Italiano make it a premier choice for Italian cuisine in the San Jose area.

• **Authentic Sicilian Focus:** Specializes in authentic Italian and Sicilian cuisine, setting it apart from standard Italian-American fare, with many dishes inspired by the owner's home city of Palermo.
• **Exceptional Beverage Program:** Highly praised for its **Great cocktails** and one of the Bay Area's most impressive **Great wine list** selections.
• **Ambiance:** Features a unique blend of **Cozy**, **Romantic**, **Historic**, and **Upscale** atmospheres, making it ideal for special occasions or a fine dining date night.
• **Highly Recommended Dishes:** Patrons rave about the appetizers and specific house-made pasta dishes, particularly the "AMAZING" **Pappardelle Alexandra** and other classics like the **Lasagna Rustica**.
• **Popularity:** The restaurant is a popular spot for **Lunch**, **Dinner**, and **Solo dining**, and attracts both **Locals** and large **Groups**.
• **Accessibility:** Provides full **Wheelchair accessible** features, including seating, entrance, restroom, and parking lot access.
• **Dessert Quality:** Recognized for **Great dessert** options, with classics like **Tiramisù** and **Cannolo Siciliano**.

Contact Information

To enjoy the authentic flavors of Paesano Ristorante Italiano, reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner and on weekends. You can reach the restaurant using the details below:

Address: 350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA

Phone: (408) 217-9327

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Paesano Ristorante Italiano is a decision to prioritize authentic, high-quality, and experience-focused dining in San Jose, CA. For California locals looking for a true Fine Dining experience, Paesano delivers on multiple fronts. The foundation is its dedication to genuine Italian and **Sicilian cuisine**, offering a menu that includes both familiar **Comfort food** like the hearty **Veal Parmigiana** and unique regional pasta dishes like **Penne Santa Rosalia** or the highly acclaimed **Pappardelle Alexandra**.

The atmosphere is a key component of its appeal. The ability to dine in a setting that is simultaneously **Romantic**, **Cozy**, and **Upscale** makes it ideal for a memorable evening. The availability of **Outdoor seating** further enhances its charm, especially on pleasant Bay Area evenings. The complete beverage menu, featuring a stellar **Great wine list** and expertly made **Cocktails**, provides the perfect complement to the rich flavors of the food.

Furthermore, the establishment is built on excellent hospitality, demonstrated by the "nice, friendly and polite" staffing and its accommodation of **Groups** and **Family-friendly** needs, complete with **High chairs**. The strong recommendation for reservations for both **Lunch** and **Dinner** underscores its popularity, confirming that this is a highly sought-after culinary destination that is worth the planning.

Paesano Ristorante Italiano

350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA