Cetrella Inc

Wow! What a place. My wife and I have had the pleasure of dining at Cetrella several times and each time was more impressed than the last. There is not a bad choice on the menu. If you are a dessert fan, I wouldn't leave without sampling the Warm Scharffen Berger Chocolate Cake... ohhh! The cafe is a great place to have a drink after work or to enjoy the live jazz on the weekends. We would highly recommend this fine establishment. Enjoy! Pros: Warm Ambiance, Great Jazz, Amazing Menu more

My family had a surprize birthday party for me at the Sunday Brunch. We had a private room which was nice. But there was no brunch. They had a menu of items to select . We had to pay for everything. No pours of champagne included. We had to pay, pay, pay. Not a good place for kids. Most of the time they forgot about us in the private room, we had to go get them over and over again when we wanted something else. Not recommended if you don't have alot of expendable cash. We were seated promptly because hardly anyone was there. more

I have to admit I ate here on one of the busiest days of the year - Easter Sunday. It was also a fixed price menu, so I didn't have much choice of entree. Food was very good, but it was a 30 minute wait for dessert (no exaggeration). Another casualty was the couple next to us, who waited nearly as along for their check. The server was nowhere to be found, and when she did come around, she did not make eye contact, just zipping by our tables without checking on us. I understand it was very busy, but a little communication and acknowledgement (even to check that our beverages were okay while we waited) would have made the difference in the experience. I have heard from others that Citrella's service is lacking, and that was confirmed during my visit. Pros: Great food, Location, Atmosphere more

I think that Cetrella Bistro and Cafe is very creative with local ingredients--the artichokes, fava beans, local fish. They really showcase the best of the bay area with a coastal Mediterranean flair. more

It was Thanks Giving dinner (fixed menu), the price $35/head. Half way through the dinner, we hear a complaint from the next table that the food was not what was in the menu. Not knowing the traditional food and all, we just ate it but I felt cheated that we were not told that there were substitutions..... :-( Other than that, the restaurant was really nice. The service was OK, nothing fancy... more

Located in a renovated warehouse in Half Moon Bay, Cetrella brings fresh, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to the coast. With exposed beams and soaring ceilings, the restaurant features soothing Tuscan colors, a huge fireplace, and an immense exhibition kitchen. The menu features appetizers like Mussel Stew with White Beans, Alaskan Halibut Ceviche, and Cucumber/Avocado Soup, entrees including Spaghetti con Frutti di Mare, Mesquite Grilled Ribeye, and Maine Monkfish in Lobster Broth, and desserts such as Warm Scharffenberger Chocolate Cake, Seasonal Berries with Zabiglione, and Creme Brulee. The wine list includes an ample selection of wines by the glass and half bottle and includes a combination of the usual suspects as well as interesting choices from Spain, Alsace, and Provence. If not totally impeccable, service is prompt and attentive. If you cannot get to Napa, make the trek to a Wine Country bistro in Half Moon Bay (Dinner for two with wine $115). Pros: Good parking, Exhibition kitchen, Adventurous wine list Cons: Trek to Half Moon Bay more

Dining at Cetrella is always a wonderful experience for me. The wine cellar is awesome, the atmosphere is warm and inviting and the service is great. I dined on the Mixed Field Greens with Sliced Green Apples Crumbled Point Reyes Blue Cheese and Toasted Walnuts, which was an amazing blend of flavors, with the cheese and walnuts balancing off of the sweetness of the apples. I also indulged in a specialty dish, Fettuccine with Olive Oil infused with White Truffles. This was heavenly, with each bite of the pasta melting in my mouth. Dessert was Warm Scharffen Berger Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Huckleberry Sauce. It can only be described as heaven. The evening I was there it was raining on the coast, but the atmosphere and food put a warmth in me which took away the chill of the night. Pros: inventive food, wine list, live jazz Cons: prices more

After hearing the rave reviews, my husband and I decided to have Sunday Brunch at Cetrella. Before sitting-- I thought it would be the perfect place to hold private parties-- that is until I had a chance to experience the service and food. The brunch options were disappoiting-- and what I ordered was sub par in regards to taste. I would be willing to give it another go-- if it weren't for our waiter. When dining out you want the illusion that your server cares about making your experience a pleasant one. The problem was it didn't seem like he cared to be there or enjoyed his job. more

Had dinner there Saturday, November 30th. I had the sea bass and my husband had the spaghettini. As a finisher, we had a selection of cheeses and sauterne. I recommend the restaurant for the food and the ambience but not for the service (unless you want the busboy to be your waiter, as the busboy was MUCH better than our waiter!). Amazingly, we only spent $100 for two people, three courses, and 3 glasses of wine. Also, I think they screwed up the sink construction in the women's bathroom. Cool sink, but the knobs hit the mirror as you turn them, so you can't get a lot of rushing water. Pros: Great parking, Great ambience, Better than good food Cons: SERVICE more

We have been to Cetrella several times and I am amazed at the consistently wonderful service and excellent fare. Try their seafood dishes. I am a huge fan of the Cioppino style stew. Actually, all the entrees I've tried were tasty with an authentic Mediterranean flair. I also recommend the lamb sausage as an appetizer. If you find yourself in Half Moon Bay, this is a reason to stay for dinner. In fact, it's a good reason to visit Half Moon Bay! more

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Cetrella. I was a lone diner and the waiter did everything to make me feel at home. However, the food was not as good as I expected. Maybe it's just what I ordered. I ordered the zarzuela (Spanish style seafood stew), which was just OK. Could have been tastier and it's truly a messy dish (crab and shrimp in their shells are in the stew). So, don't get it on a date. I got the creme brulee for dessert and it was way too sweet. But given the great atmosphere and service, I will go back to try some other dishes. more

Have been to Cetrella many times and love it! Love the food, people and Mojitos! Pros: Paul S. more

Read about this place in San Francisco Magazine which gave it 3 stars. It didn't disappoint. Try the Mojitos in the bar! Had to wait, but got a seat next to the fireplace. I had basil pesto for an appetizer and short ribs, and my wife had an eggplant vegetarian dish. Food was outstanding. The waiter gave us some recommendations and good service. Good to see this here. Go Half Moon Bay! Pros: short ribs, fireplace, service Cons: busy more

What a lousy restaurant experience! There was nothing cozy about the cavernous space with a cold draft blowing through the restaurant.... and the cioppino - tasteless broth is more like it. And the wait staff seem to think their customers are a joke! Our questions were laughed at and went unanswered - we almost made a run for the door, but decided to give it a chance. A pure waste of money and time when there are many other great places to go... Pros: empty parking lot Cons: empty parking lot more