The restaurant got rebuilt, and I don't think it was for the best - my personal opinion. It was small but quaint before - and now it seems large and cold. The bar takes up most of the room in the place, so there's NOT...a lot of seating. Maybe 4 tables that will seat 4 or 5 and 3 tables squeezed in to seat others. Nice outdoor seating, but my biggest disappointment was the food and service. For what I paid for, an individual size Margarita Pizza, it was "blah" and expensive. And our waitress couldn't get our order right. She was nice enough. Sorry, not a fan before and not a fan now.More

Found Pizza Bene on Bring Fido because we were traveling with dogs. Called the restaurant and asked about availability of outside seating for 3 plus 2 dogs and were told they only had tables for two. We drove by shortly after to see a party...of 6 seated outside. Tried again the next night, we’re told to come down, walked up with our dogs and were informed that the manager doesn’t like dogs. Also saw Pizza Bene treat another outside patron with a dog rudely. Put the dogs back in the vehicle, left it running, and tried to get seating inside to be told that they were closing in a few minutes and wouldn’t seat us. Most restaurants seat until their published closing time and serve whomever they’ve seated up until that time. Went up the street to Bricks and had a great meal. When I went out to check on the dogs, an employee wished me good evening and, when he learned I was just stepping out to check on the dogs, brought a container of water for the dogs to me when I came back in. What a difference for 1/2 block of physical distance! Avoid Pizza Bene in Placerville!More

I went to pick up a pizza that i had ordered and went inside --there were at least 30 people in there --two of whom had a mask on: one customer and the dishwasher. None of the waitstaff had a mask on, none of the...kitchen staff had a mask on --the people making the food ... they were making salads etc, with no protection. The bar had people standing around next to the full seats; the indoor seating was more than full (they had 4 at a 3-top two feet away from the packed bar). None of the bar tenders nor the owner was wearing a mask, and no one was 6-ft apart. It was unsafe and the staff was rude with the exception of the very young hostess. And i asked for parmesan cheese, and didn't get it; so, even if it were safe, their service still sucks. (As it has for years... the only reason i ever went there in the first place is it's the only game in town.) --i will NEVER give them my money again. The owner doesn't believe in COVID-19 --so if you're a denier --this is your place --if you have a brain --go somewhere else.More

We dined at Pizza Bene with some friends from out of town. Restaurant is pretty small as the beautiful bar takes up a lot of space. While the menu isn't extensive, the choices were good with large portions. Location is excellent, right on Main Street...so an after dinner stroll to window shop is easy and refreshing.More

Had a reasonable dinner here, salads are huge, garlic bread was fantastic. Fettuccine and cream sauce were delicious, but the chicken in our dish was so over-cooked it was hard and had a fridgee taste... waiter gave us a dessert to make-up for the bad...chicken. It was expensive for what we had, but it was the only sit-down place open at the time. I didn’t leave angry, but I wouldn’t rush back either. If you go - get the garlic bread!More

Beautiful new bar inside this otherwise great Italian restaurant. Appetizers and a drink make for a great evening while hanging out in pretty little downtown Placerville. Ambience is everything!

Was there with a group of 10 tonight. Found out that they don't like to book large reservations after 5pm for large groups - especially on a Friday night - but Ben the owner made and exception and we are so GLAD he did. We...had not been there before, but the rest of the group ranted and raved so we joined them. First the service was amazing! Our waitress (and I'm sorry I could not remember her name) was quick, interactive, responsive and our food arrived hot. Sometimes thing get lost with a large group. Ordered the spaghetti and meatballs - and could NOT eat the whole dish, so asked to share with my sweetheart - was charged $4 for an additional plate. My spaghetti is way better, but I was satisfied. Had the cheesey bread too, and it was good, though it's not real sourdough French. I recommend this place for good Italian food. It's not Italy - it's Placerville and for that it's pretty good. Parking - save the trouble of driving around town for a spot on the street - go to the parking garage. Bene's is SHORT walk around the corner, and it's safe at night. Looks like too you can sit out on a patio of sorts in the summer. Staff is really very friendly, and great with kids - I witnessed some of the interactions with littles.More

Oh the smell of fresh grated cheese and garlic. Great place for lunch. No Caesar salads today due to the Romaine lettuce scare from the CDC. We opted for the pizza and pasta with Bolognese sauce. The sauce is very good and pasta fresh. Way...too much to eat in one sitting. The pizza had a good crust and delicious toppings. It could have used a little more time in the oven to crisp the crust a little more. Service was great.More

Had the Chicken Picatta Pizza for lunch today, it was scrumptious! The salted Carmel chocolate truffle gelato was amazing!The service was fabulous, Gabriella was our server. Tried the house red wine and it was excellent. Will definitely be coming back here.

I like to promote our town on Facebook, so I was downtown for Octoberfest. In the past I have promoted Benes, but not anymore. He was very condescending. I stopped by for a glass of wine. I’ve eaten there often. But I was by myself...and wanted to sit on the patio. He flew up to the front counter to tell me that table was reserved in an hour, in truth, telling me not to stay very long. I smiled had my wine but who are you kidding? I’m 71 and by myself. I took pictures to put on Facebook after having a glass a wine. Walked around for a good 1 1/2 hrs. No one ever sat at that table. Oh, by the way that table only seated 1 person. Others on the patio had been there for quite some time. Benes will NEVER BE MY CHOICE AGAIN. I know he probably could care less about one older person. But I tried to promote his place from the start on this site and by word of mouth. From this day forward, I’m mute as to Benes.More

So this is the third time my wife and I have been here, The Antipasta salad is spool good and there pizza is just perfect. Also it has been two years sence last visit and stile perfect.

$22 for lasagna? Wow. I’m Italian and know what it takes to make good lasagna. It was a small plate covered in cheese.. definitely not worth $22. Locals in Placerville are shut out from local dining because of the prices. Too bad, I’d like to...support my community. But not by paying triple what it takes to make a lasagna...sad. The pizza used to be the draw here, but it too is way overpriced. Too bad.More