Cafe Pro Bono

A bit of a fancier Italian oriented restaurant but the food was excellent and the service on top of everything. Overall had a wonderful business meal and experience here. We will be back

Café Pro Bono - A Classic Italian Spot with a Loyal FollowingCafé Pro Bono is an older, classic Italian restaurant with a clear sense of community. The clientele seems well-established--by the time we were leaving, regulars were chatting with the owner, asking about his family as if it were a weekly tradition. It's the kind of place where everyone knows each other, which gives it a warm, familiar charm.When we asked for recommendations, we got the classic "it's all good" response. And while everything was good, nothing stood out as great.We tried Susan's Downfall, a delicious ravioli dish topped with a rich Gorgonzola-based cream sauce--easily the highlight of the meal. The Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken was also excellent, with perfectly cooked pasta and well-balanced flavors. For dessert, we had Bertucci's Favorite, a simple but satisfying vanilla gelato with a boozy berry compote that was just the right way to end the meal. Although- we were brought a delicious port after dessert. What a kind classic touch!Overall, Café Pro Bono is a solid, classic Italian joint that delivers good food in a welcoming setting. However, to stay relevant long-term, I'd love to see them modernize the experience a bit or develop a signature dish that truly sets them apart. Every great restaurant should have at least one thing it's famous for--right now, they do a lot of things well, but nothing exceptionally.

If you want exceptional service, great food and ambiance then this is your place. Came here with my friend for coffee and dessert in the middle of the afternoon. The rain was coming down hard and no one really was walking around. We wanted to catch up and be left alone to talk. I got a latte, my friend got a mocha and we shared a tiramisu. We were the only ones at the restaurant but don't let this fool you. They always have a crowd, but given the weather and the hour this wasn't peak eating hours. No one was braving the storm, except us lol. My latte was perfect. The right blend of frothiness. The tiramisu was light and so good. We felt like we were on vacation, we felt so welcomed and relaxed.

Came here for a company lunch and it was packed for being the middle of the day. They do take reservations, at least for large groups, and staff were nice enough to accommodate a space for our white elephant gift exchange (not easy, when some of the gifts were fairly large).Food-wise, they are good about accommodations for gluten allergies, peanut, etc. I ordered the squid ink pasta and it was rich and filling, with a decent amount of seafood. Their homemade strawberry lemonade was also tasty.I got to try a colleague's pasta dish and it was pretty good, with lots of flavor and just a little bit of a kick.There's a parking lot right across the street (first two hours free) so it was relatively painless to get in and out. I would recommend this restaurant for large groups wanting to enjoy a classy meal!

I had a lovely experience at Café Pro Bono in Palo Alto. I sat outdoors and thought it was neat how they have individual heaters, which made the setting cozy and comfortable. I ordered the lunch risotto, and it was wonderful--delicious with a perfect portion size. I also tried the strawberry lemonade, which had a great flavor but was much too sweet, almost like a dessert. I did not order dessert as with the drink I felt I'd already had dessert. They also offer a gluten-free pasta option, which is a great plus. I would certainly return

I love this seasoned Italian cafe in Palo Alto. I had my first meal here at least 15 years ago and the food is still amazing.While the restaurant decor is relevant and nicely designed, I personally like to sit outside along their sidewalk patio. They have created a comfortable bistro feel with sunshades and planter walls to define the space. I love it for business lunches, but frankly if I lived closer, my wife and I would dine here frequently. So food...I really love a ravioli dish that they are famous for called Susan's Downfall. The Gorgonzola cream sauce is out of this world. I don't even like Gorgonzola cheese. 15+ years ago I tried this dish, and it's as good as I remembered. Their wait staff was attentive but not intrusive. They could tell we were negotiating a few deal points and would just walk away, rather than hover over us waiting for us to stop talking. I hate when servers make their customers feel like they have to stop their conversations. These servers are well trained...and Italian, which is always a refreshing for an 'ethnic' restaurant. There are many choices for Italian restaurants mid peninsula, but no one else does Susan's Downfall. You have to try this dish. It's worth the drive and effort.

As always, dinner at Pro Bono was terrific. Great food, excellent service, lovely atmosphere for talking with table mates.

Came here for a team lunch and was very impressed with the top quality service and delicious food. The wait staff were incredibly attentive with drinks, taking our orders, and ensuring a good flow of the meal (which seems to be a lost art these days). One of my colleagues and I were accidentally served the wrong dishes, but since the others had their meals, they graciously offered us a complimentary soup so everyone could start eating. They also gave us a tiramisu after our meal, which was absolutely delectable. I got the tortiglione pasta dish, which was vegan and gluten free. It was well cooked (not mushy at all - a buckwheat pasta), and had a variety of vegetables in a light marinara sauce. It was hearty and filled me up.

New England Clam Chowder Soup 3 large juicy clam, smooth texture, not a lot of potatoes, not flavorfulCrab 3 on top of toasted bread, Dungeness crab, avocado aïoli, radish, cilantro, juicy, cold, refreshing, crunchyGrilled Salmon 3 horseradish crusted, pasta, veggie, tender, juicy, not dry, plainBranzino 3 sea bass, crusted, lemon caper sauce, saffron, carrots, asparagus, medium juicy

The Bruschetta was amazing! The flavors of the ingredients were an umami explosion. The toasted bread coupled with the more delicate ingredients made for great texture. Bolognese is one of my top go-to dishes at Italian restaurants. I had to have it. This was hearty, but not too overwhelming. The sauce tasted a bit acidic and in my opinion could been cooked down for a few extra minutes. The portion was quite small.The Veal and its accompaniments are super yummy, especially the crispy potatoes and carrots cooked in butter. The veal was a lot thinner than at other restaurants. This was a child's portion.Tiramisu and Panna Cotta were the perfect ending to an overall great meal. Not pictured, but the house red wines paired nicely with the meal. I had the Cab and my guest has the red blend. The restaurant was pretty large, but had a cozy feel. The service was attentive and personable. Overall, it was a nice dining experience; however this would not be a restaurant I could dine at daily $$$. The two entrees I had were split for two, but by the standard portions served in Italy or in the States, I feel it's dainty.