Restaurant Review and Upcoming Events
Our local restaurant reviewer Phil McDonald covers local Italian staple, Buon Appetito. But first, the Herald will be at some local events in October that you won't want to miss!
Upcoming Hayward Herald Events
The Hayward Herald is hosting a community event to discuss how local news is covered. In dialogue with attendees, we'll work together to figure out how the Hayward Herald can best serve the residents of Hayward. Shape our future with us in a way few other media outlets allow. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Hayward And You: Why Local Journalism Matters
- Wednesday October 7th
- 7:00 - 8:30pm
- 1014 B Street - Books On B
Join us at Books on B for conversation, community building, and participation in our independent, locally-grown news outlet. You might even get a sneak peek at some of our future merchandise.
South Hayward's premier market event, The Hayward Night Market, is back at St. Rose Hospital on Saturday October 17th. With food, music, artists, and more, this is an all-ages family event that you won't want to miss. The Hayward Herald will have a booth where we hope to meet attendees, discuss Hayward news, and take our first round of pre-orders for our exclusive Hayward Herald merchandise. Hope to see you there!
Hayward Night Market
- Saturday October 17th
- 3:00 - 9:00pm
- 27200 Calaroga Avenue - St. Rose Hospital
Restaurant Review: Buon Appetito
by Philip McDonald
Someone said that the best beer is the one that you are holding. My son said that “lists of ‘bests’ are best remembered for what they left off”. With this in mind I said to my wife, "The best local restaurant is Paradiso, in San Leandro.”
But then she asked, “What is local? Because Walnut Creek is a food Mecca now, and House Of Prime Rib in SF is, reportedly, superb.”
So I limited it to where we might drive on short notice, which left Paradiso at the top again. But what is the best restaurant in Hayward—I mean, since Neumanali is gone? For my money it’s Buon Appetito on A Street at Mission.
We’ve been going there since it first opened. Chef Martino is the owner and executive chef. His website claims 35 years in the business, though I’m not sure that it was all at this location. Martino chose Hayward for Buon Appetito because, at the time, it was a dining desert.
Hayward has an amazing local food scene that often flies under the radar due to its working-class roots. But the Herald is dedicated to uplifting the local food scene and giving honest reviews of local restaurants from local residents. If you appreciate this work, consider becoming a member today!
Buon Appetito started at the corner of A and Mission and over time acquired two additional store fronts that they incorporated and built an outside patio dining area during COVID lockdowns. It’s quaint inside with the various levels going up A Street. Their cuisine is Italian, though I don’t know if it comes from a specific region. They make their own pasta and cut their own steaks daily to keep them fresh.
They have a large menu and a daily specials page which is what I always order from. My routine is to order drinks and appetizers first. Maybe a calamari plate or the mushroom polenta—which is wonderful. They have a full bar but this is where they are weak. They have a few beers, but I’m a beer snob and would like to see something more than what they have, maybe a rotating tap. Their wine selection isn’t huge either, but is reasonably priced. Yesterday I had a Fume Blanc, from Ferrari Carano in Sonoma. Often Janet and I will get a bottle of Mark West Pinot. It’s a grocery store wine but I like it and they don’t soak you on the price.
Rather than listing the menu, I’d suggest that you go online and see what they have, but remember this is all handmade. Everything is fresh and the kitchen is open for all to see. This visit I had the Gnocchi con Salmone: potato dumplings—little pillows of perfection, with fresh salmon, red onion, green peas, brandy and dill in a cream sauce. Janet had Ravioli de Manzo: homemade ravioli pasta filled with beef, vegetables, and ricotta cheese, topped with mushrooms and prosciutto in a cream sauce.
Gnocchi con Salmone, steak, and Lemon Drop cocktail. Photos courtesy Phil McDonald.
We ate outside under a shade tree and took our sweet time leaving. Buon Appetito has ample parking at the actual street corner or behind it. Unfortunately, while we enjoyed the food, the place could use better maintenance. The interior needs a coat of paint, a cover on an outdoor electrical box, and new toilet paper dispensers in the restroom—which could use a bit more attention.
As for prices, most everything is in the low to mid $20s to the low $30s—the filet mignon was $39. There were three of us and we had two drinks each, two appetizers to share and then our three lunches, though Ruth’s lunch was a salad. With a 20% tip, the bill for the table was $184.13. Without, the food and drinks were in the neighborhood of $155. We were stuffed and took enough home for lunch the next day.
Before I close I want to add one more positive note. They excel at large parties. On two different occasions we hired them to serve parties of 30+ people. The food was excellent and the service superb.
So what are you doing reading this? Drop your phone and head down there. You know that you want to. Let me add, within walking distance there are two other Italian restaurants, which, to be fair, need their own review. I’ll visit one of them next month. Til’ then, Buon Appetito.
Philip McDonald is a local restaurant reviewer who has been writing on social media for a number of years. If you have a Hayward restaurant you'd like him to check out, let us know! The Herald receives no compensation for reviews and Mr. McDonald pays for all of his own meals.
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