This is a Marin icon, and one of the places we return to over and over.
The food is very good to excellent, at reasonable prices. I especially like the Fettucini Carbonara, the veal and chicken dishes, the Caesar salad. There is a good wine list, a full bar (that’s a nice quiet place to drop in for an evening drink), a banquet room. Waiters are generally attentive, food arrives quickly. Decor is pleasant, with wall sconces, some interesting art work, white table cloths and napkins.
La Toscana has existed for decades, and has patrons that have been coming back for many years. It seems to be a hangout longtime Marin residents, people that have lived in Novato or San Rafael since the 1970’s. I see business folks taking clients out to lunch frequently, golfers after a hard day on the greens, and families celebrating birthdays. And couples who just want a nice night out. It’s not an incredibly quiet and intimate restaurant, but it’s generally not too noisy either.
If you want good classic Italian cuisine, at a friendly, unpretentious restaurant, this is the place.