Zio Fraedo's Italian Continental Pleasant Hill

We ate here years ago, and thought it was old school fun. Twenty years later, now, it is just old.

We had a party of seven and everyone commented on what a great place this was. The ambience was waonderful, food delicious and service great.

Service rated as fair because during the course of the evening we were waited on by at least three different people. We were told that they were short-staffed which resulted in some confusion. And the salad we ordered was delivered after we'd finished the entres. Perhaps they're adhering to the Italian custom of salad being the last course, but I've been here several times and that was never the case. We sent the salad back and they removed it from the bill. We were in no rush so the service issues were not a problem for us, but it was odd.

I went to this restaurant for the first time because it was chosen by my date. I thought the food was good. But overall I would not go back again. For what I would consider a mall restaurant, their prices were very high, the service was mediocre, and I would not call it a romantic place to take a date. The waiters were pleasant, but they had to be asked repeatedly for things. We had to ask sometime 2 to 4 times for simple things like more water, sauce for one of our dishes, plus new forks and knives to replace the ones that were taken away after being used for previous dishes. My date had to eventually get up and get her own knive before her food got cold. Based on the cost of their dishes, one would expect better service. Then to add insult to injury when I get the rather substantial bill, there is a $5.30 service charge because I paid by credit card. No staff member advised me that there would be this charge, and I did not notice any disclosure that if the bill is paid by credit card there would be an additional charge. I 'm so incensed by my overall experience, I am taking the time to express to others what occurred. My intention is not to damage the restaurant 's reputation, but to give them feedback that they need to do a better job.

We would appreciate it if the prices of specials were mentioned to avoid unexpected surprises on the bill. Other than that, everything else was excellent.