Interesting to learn that Cafe Riace has new owners. I wonder if the sellers told them that their outside seating is in a public space? Not private.

When the owner of the property requested to exceed the height limit so he could put in an extra floor of apartments he was allowed to do so, but in return he had to provide a public benefit. The public plaza. When the city art commission choose a statue of a classical nude with a washing machine on her head as the public art component, the owner hated it and put up his two "classic" statues opposite in response!

@margaret heath:

The owners are the same; the article clearly states that they have moved back to Italy and are no longer involved in daily operations of the restaurant nor involved in managerial decisions.

I believe the courtyard is a public "park" just like the outdoor seating area at Saint Michael's Alley.

Has any tried to hold a private party in the "public space" at either Cafe Riace or Saint Michaels Alley?

/marc

Riace used to be one of our favorite places. We first discovered it about 6 years ago, and returned frequently, often with friends. Service was never real good, but the food and atmosphere outstanding. Then about 3 years ago, the food became unpredictable, and the help indifferent. They did a bait and switch twice with wine we ordered. They would be out of signature dishes at times early enough that it shouldn't have happened. The final straw was when, with my fingers crossed, I took friends from out of town there, having bragged about the place. There isn't enough room here to describe the disasterous evening, but suffice it to say, I was totally embarrassed. Out of several menu items, awful food preparation, and that wine debacle again. I wrote a scathing review, with a private note to the owners, inviting a response, in hopes that they would have been as digusted as I was. Never heard a word. While I'm happy to hear about the changes, I'm not sure I am willing to drop at least $100 per couple there again. I wish the new management the best, but it's hard to overcome a bad reputation.

We used to LOVE Cafe Riace, but we had enough bad experiences over the last two years that we finally stopped going for good!

We can verify all of Srini's experiences, but the wine debacle REALLY was the worst! Whatever wine we ordered, they were OUT! We would then order a similar one, and that was out, too! Invariably, we would end up with a bottle that was more expensive, but not always as good as the original one ordered. It grew tiresome!

Also, the indoor seating is miserable! Packed too close together, noisy, and being bumped by passing patrons and waiters was just too much-/ and made for a bad dining experience!

I'we haven't the courage to return!

Went there once - thought it was too expensive for what it was.

That aside - the courtyard you extol was supposed to be a public use concession. It was supposed to be open to the public. I guess it was until Riacce took it over for their own profit. I can't abide patronizing a business that pulls that kind of crap. (I'm not forgetting the city, they totally failed at code enforcement, which is no surprise.)

Riacce has certainly slipped far down the Italian eatery mountain in Palo Alto; and the competition is large.
I drive by several times a week during meal hours and they're significantly empty; I doubt the new team can change that.
The addition of Italico will make it even more difficult; we've been several times and found it to be great all around.

Good luck with what sounds like a very tall task: trying to improve a restaurant with a known reputation amidst heightened competition while caring for a newborn and still under the reigns of the existing owners. Hats off to your optimism, and here's hoping you find a recipe for success!

@reader: I've read the article 3 times and don't see anything about the owners retiring to Italy. Can you tell me which paragraph? Thanks.

@Ate there once @Margaret Heath: it looks like this article was updated from a Sunday article, which may have made mention of the owners going back to Italy. IDK, just a guess.

As the courtyard is a public space, I've always thought a bunch of us should go there with picnic lunches, sit at the fountain's edge and see what happens. Still annoyed that this "public benefit" was co-opted.

Yes, the column was updated. The earlier article said the family had gone back to Italy. The restaurant was started by the owner's son(s) as a small cafe with a couple of tables outside.

The plaza there is nice, a little known public space of palo alto. I have been meaning to bring a starbucks over and enjoy it with my dog and a book. Maybe I will see you all there.

@Scott van duyne - Hey You're On! I also wonder about playing bridge or maj jong in a public plaza like that. Would that be okay do you think? It is lovely. I could bring my own card table. But why are all those EZHome vans parked along the street? Does anyone know? Is that okay?