We love coming here for lunch. The staff are very attentive and very kind. Nice, cozy, booths & cute front patio. This time I had the chicken piccata, which was extremely moist and flavorful and cooked to perfection. And the broccoli had such a wonderful mesquite flavor from the grill. I think it’s the best broccoli I’ve ever eaten. He had the chicken marsala and it was excellent as well. He really loves this bread. It’s like focaccia with fresh herbs on it. Melanie was our server and she was perfect. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Margaret B.
Very good food and very good customer service ! Fast service and good ambience! I just wish the parking is better!
Joyce K.
Excellent pizza on delivery! Fast lots of cheese hot and repeatedly good. Small portions but excellent.
Jo S.
I have dined to Maria's in Studio City but never at their Encino location. The decor is nice and warm, very inviting. Service is decent. The menu is rich in options. Their garlic knots are pretty good. We also enjoyed their rigatoni bolognese and the eggplant Parmigiano, can't go wrong with either. Their prices are pretty high though so that will keep my from dining here again any time soon. So beware! Otherwise, nice Italian restaurant in Encino!
J L.
Let me state this upfront: in my opinion, Maria's is not where one goes for ambiance. It's pleasant to go here, however. Ambience aside, other qualities, especially at this location, commend going to this Maria's. In our experience, the food here has always been excellent. Perhaps it's not exactly on par with family-owned or more traditional Italian restaurants. However, that notwithstanding, this location deserves commendation and your consideration. We went last night and sat on the patio, which is not that popular at this time of the year. The inside of the restaurant was crowded. Even so, we never felt neglected by the staff, who constantly followed up to make sure that we had what we needed. The manager and server were extremely attentive. The food was prepared well and very tasty. The patio has efficient heaters, which made us comfortable, despite no wind blocks. Also, there is ample free parking behind the restaurant, which is a rarity along the entire length of Ventura Boulevard. We definitely will return.
Declined Name
Excellent food with friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taylor C.
They've messed up several of our delivery orders and offered a meal on them every time and when that time comes they do not stand by their word. Staff used to be more friendly back in the day as well some of these people that work there have some bad attitudes.
Damian Z.
So we were driving around on Ventura on a Friday night looking for a place to eat dinner and we decided to try this place, and unfortunately it wasn't what we hoped for- I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and a small pizza because we heard their pizza was good and a seafood soup. Well the amount of salt they used in all our meals was enough to send anyone to the emergency room with high blood pressure!! The soup looked like it they just threw whatever they had and poured a gallon of salt into it, as well as the spaghetti. The sauce tasted like it was one of those Paul Newman jars from any grocery store, the pizza tasted like you were just biting into a crusty bread with marinara sauce and cheese!! Spoke with my friend the day after and she said she kept waking up all night from being so thirsty for water she must've finished at least a gallon that night from the amount of salt she must've consumed. The service wasn't that bad, our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable but also very busy, we had to wave her down to get her attention to come to our table for service.
Roman Geiko
I came in at 11:29am while they open at 11:30. I pointed at a lunch menu and the register guys said that the lunch menu works only before 2:30. I thought I am out of my mind. For $21 (with tips) I got a plate of angels hair pasta with cheap cheese and chopped pork sausage. That was basically one agglomerated blob. No soup or salad for that money. Also, they served my order for dine out without asking. I “enjoyed” my lunch in plastic plate using plastic fork.PS I figured out they didn’t add the promised garlic bread. Anyway, Papa’s plate has nothing to do with the picture on their website.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Vero N.
Glad we stopped. This place is amazing. It has a classic Italian feel inside with outstanding service felt at home. The food was spectacular and the wine was perfect Thank you!!!
REALLY GOOD FOOD & SERVICE!Maria's Italian on Ventura Blvd in Encino is a happy surprise, with wonderfully tasty food, a large and varied menu, pleasing ambiance, and the best kind of friendly service. Servers Isabella and Sammy make us feel like family, checking in frequently with helpful questions and suggestions throughout our visits. Big servings of hearty, satisfying food give us plenty for lunch plus leftovers for later. The entire staff is welcoming, and they seem sincerely happy to be there. We were surprised to learn there are several other Maria's restaurants, as this one feels like a nice mom-and-pop diner being run by a close-knit family that loves food and people. A meal at Maria's always brightens our day -- highest recommendation!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan Wilder
Good food and portions. Glad I went there. Very nice staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Momomambo Chan
Parking: 3 normal spots, 1 handicap. It's really sketchy parking in the lot. Very tight
We love coming here for lunch. The staff are very attentive and very kind. Nice, cozy, booths & cute front patio. This time I had the chicken piccata, which was extremely moist and flavorful and cooked to perfection. And the broccoli had such a wonderful mesquite flavor from the grill. I think it’s the best broccoli I’ve ever eaten. He had the chicken marsala and it was excellent as well. He really loves this bread. It’s like focaccia with fresh herbs on it. Melanie was our server and she was perfect. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good food and very good customer service ! Fast service and good ambience! I just wish the parking is better!
Excellent pizza on delivery! Fast lots of cheese hot and repeatedly good. Small portions but excellent.
I have dined to Maria's in Studio City but never at their Encino location. The decor is nice and warm, very inviting. Service is decent. The menu is rich in options. Their garlic knots are pretty good. We also enjoyed their rigatoni bolognese and the eggplant Parmigiano, can't go wrong with either. Their prices are pretty high though so that will keep my from dining here again any time soon. So beware! Otherwise, nice Italian restaurant in Encino!
Let me state this upfront: in my opinion, Maria's is not where one goes for ambiance. It's pleasant to go here, however. Ambience aside, other qualities, especially at this location, commend going to this Maria's. In our experience, the food here has always been excellent. Perhaps it's not exactly on par with family-owned or more traditional Italian restaurants. However, that notwithstanding, this location deserves commendation and your consideration. We went last night and sat on the patio, which is not that popular at this time of the year. The inside of the restaurant was crowded. Even so, we never felt neglected by the staff, who constantly followed up to make sure that we had what we needed. The manager and server were extremely attentive. The food was prepared well and very tasty. The patio has efficient heaters, which made us comfortable, despite no wind blocks. Also, there is ample free parking behind the restaurant, which is a rarity along the entire length of Ventura Boulevard. We definitely will return.
Excellent food with friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They've messed up several of our delivery orders and offered a meal on them every time and when that time comes they do not stand by their word. Staff used to be more friendly back in the day as well some of these people that work there have some bad attitudes.
So we were driving around on Ventura on a Friday night looking for a place to eat dinner and we decided to try this place, and unfortunately it wasn't what we hoped for- I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and a small pizza because we heard their pizza was good and a seafood soup. Well the amount of salt they used in all our meals was enough to send anyone to the emergency room with high blood pressure!! The soup looked like it they just threw whatever they had and poured a gallon of salt into it, as well as the spaghetti. The sauce tasted like it was one of those Paul Newman jars from any grocery store, the pizza tasted like you were just biting into a crusty bread with marinara sauce and cheese!! Spoke with my friend the day after and she said she kept waking up all night from being so thirsty for water she must've finished at least a gallon that night from the amount of salt she must've consumed. The service wasn't that bad, our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable but also very busy, we had to wave her down to get her attention to come to our table for service.
I came in at 11:29am while they open at 11:30. I pointed at a lunch menu and the register guys said that the lunch menu works only before 2:30. I thought I am out of my mind. For $21 (with tips) I got a plate of angels hair pasta with cheap cheese and chopped pork sausage. That was basically one agglomerated blob. No soup or salad for that money. Also, they served my order for dine out without asking. I “enjoyed” my lunch in plastic plate using plastic fork.PS I figured out they didn’t add the promised garlic bread. Anyway, Papa’s plate has nothing to do with the picture on their website.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Glad we stopped. This place is amazing. It has a classic Italian feel inside with outstanding service felt at home. The food was spectacular and the wine was perfect Thank you!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food great service!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
REALLY GOOD FOOD & SERVICE!Maria's Italian on Ventura Blvd in Encino is a happy surprise, with wonderfully tasty food, a large and varied menu, pleasing ambiance, and the best kind of friendly service. Servers Isabella and Sammy make us feel like family, checking in frequently with helpful questions and suggestions throughout our visits. Big servings of hearty, satisfying food give us plenty for lunch plus leftovers for later. The entire staff is welcoming, and they seem sincerely happy to be there. We were surprised to learn there are several other Maria's restaurants, as this one feels like a nice mom-and-pop diner being run by a close-knit family that loves food and people. A meal at Maria's always brightens our day -- highest recommendation!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food and portions. Glad I went there. Very nice staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parking: 3 normal spots, 1 handicap. It's really sketchy parking in the lot. Very tight
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food and atmosphere! Friendly service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5