“Surprise, surprise the best Tuscan sandwich in town. Their Schiacciata is superior to Antico Vinaio's and the sandwich ingredient combinations are more balanced than Tre-Mani. The Monday-Tuesday all day pasta is another great option.“
“This was a first time dining experience in Cali…I recommend the restaurant 100%! They were a busy place indeed. The staff is so friendly, and we came in with a reservation and showed early. The hostess checked in with each person waiting to be seated multiple times-you don’t see that very much in most places. A good vibe inside and the atmosphere is nice also. Even though we were early, we still did have to wait almost 15min beyond our rez to be seated but, we were delighted when they offered to bring us an appetizer because they were sorry we had to wait so long. Awesome tasting food and they serve breakfast and lunch as well daily.“
“What a pleasant place to have lunch. The seating area was relaxing and comfortable. Of course, we came here for its pastas and weren’t disappointed. The serving size was smaller, so we ordered 4 different pastas. The lasagna was as advertised, it was excellent. All other three pastas were very good especially the agnolotti. We’ve never had it before and it was a very pleasant surprise. Highly recommended. The only downside of our lunch was that it had sold out its bread. Other than that, we enjoyed our experience here very much. And the service was excellent as well.Vegetarian options: 3 out of the 4 pastas that we had were vegetarian.Parking: It’s pretty empty on the street at around 1:30 pm on a Saturday.Kid-friendliness: Yes, kids should live it’s pastas here.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, but it’s on the tight side.“
“Everything on their menu is excellent. You're paying for quality of food and service. The staff is very friendly, professional, and attentive; they always make sure my glass of wine is never empty. Furthermore, the atmosphere is quiet and mellow; perfect, if you don't like to shout at everyone you talk to.“
“Great food, excellent wine list, wonderful and helpful staff. Very reasonable prices for excellent food -- good variety of choices on the menu as well. Options for seating -- inside or outside -- are both excellent. Outside can offer better acoustics for larger parties.“
“The food was delicious, the restaurant is beautiful, and the staff is very professional and kind! It's on the more expensive side (but delicious!) and the atmosphere was very pleasant although it was pretty empty (we went on a Sunday night). Great place to talk because the noise level isn't too high.“
“Our dinner at Uovo set a new standard for authentic Italian pasta for us. We recently visited Italy and have had pasta on our brains (and in our hearts, and in our stomachs) for months now. Visiting Uovo, despite the fact that we were in Southern California, brought all of our sensibilities back to Italy. Every dish we got was delicious. It's their main thing, but in case you're not aware, the pasta is made in Bologna, Italy and shipped to them every day...so it just doesn't get much more authentic than that.My wife and I shared the tasting menu so we could try all of the vegetarian options, including Caco e Pepe, Pomodoro, and Tagliatelle in truffle sauce. All three were perfect and were my budget and waistline to allow, I would eat any of these every day.The tasting menu came with a small arugula salad, and Tiramisu which we also shared and which were great.The place is intimate...we ended up being seated at the bar. They don't take reservations, which is, on one hand refreshing as you know you're always going to have a fair shot of getting a table as anyone else...but, of course, that means wait times could be long. (But put your name in and they'll text you so you can wander around Santa Monica while waiting.) They do have tables but it's really the luck of the draw based on when you put your name in and what comes up first.Anyone who loves authentic Italian pasta dishes (or who yes yet to realize you love them) will find the very best of those here.“
“Let me start with the food- incredible and very authentic. The appetizers I indulged in were the grilled calamari and carciofini (artichoke) salad. The salad is so flavorful and calamari grilled to perfection; the best I have had- tender and flavorful! The main course I had the fusilli nassa pasta which had little shrimps cooked in a red sauce that melts in your mouth. The Branzino with roasted potatoes and veggies were absolutely delicious. The linguine made with zucchini and topped with mouthwatering clams and porcini mushrooms was a fantastic alternative for those that cannot eat regular pasta (still an option). I recommend closing the meal out with a flavorful chocolate flourless cake or tiramisu desert! The service is impeccable as one of the Italian owner navigates through the busy tables making sure everyone's' needs are met. The Ambiance includes original artwork and perfect lighting for a night out with friends, family or a romantic interlude. It is truly a gem! A little slice of Italy nestled in Santa Monica Canyon.“
“An absolute gem for on-the-go pizza! The pizzas here are fantastic and perfect for a quick bite. What truly sets this place apart is the incredibly friendly staff who always greet you with a smile. Highly recommend for a delicious slice and excellent service!“
“Outstanding cheeses and food. Loved the burrata salad with beets, the avocado with citrus and chèvre, the mussels, and simple pasta with cheese and pepper. All served by friendly staff and fine wines. Much appreciated closing evening with a cheese selection informed by cheese sommelier.“
“Stumbled in here on a very wet afternoon, we’d just flown in on the first day of our vacation not expecting LA to be quite so wet. This place was such a gem, had a warm welcoming feel. Ordered cheese pizza, Cesar salad, minestrone and a bacon carbonara pasta to eat family style. All really good, and came out in good time too. Prices were pretty good for a prime tourist location in my opinion. Definitely kid friendly too. Forgot to take photos, sadly.“
Cocktail Bar • $$
“Came to chestnut club after going for drinks and dinner and loved the drinks they served. Our bartender took super good care of us and made sure we always got what we needed in a speedy manner. Really enjoyed the vibes and people in there as well. They are open late too so it's the perfect place to go to if you have nothing else to do after dinner! 10/10 recommended!“
“As usual Vito's did not disappoint us. We met the new owner Melissa Ahaus and she couldn't have been nicer or more welcoming, even though it was a busy Saturday . We always ask for Enrique who goes out of his way to make our dinner a great experience.“
“Absolutely a neighborhood favorite for Samo subs. Amazing ambiance, warm staff, and an impressive variety of dietary-friendly options on the menu. Highly recommended dishes include grilled octopus, mussels, chopped salad, tuna tartare, short ribs, bucatini, chicken under a brick, and grilled carrots. Despite its size, the restaurant offers ample space for lengthy conversations and boasts an excellent selection of wines.“
“I have been here multiple times. The pizza and spicy rigatoni are phenomenal. Parking is very easy. The views from the top are incredible. Highly recommend going. Went there for brunch once as well. Good drinks. Will say it gets very crowded so highly recommend planning accordingly.“
“Came here Tuesday 3/12 @ 530pm as a spontaneous idea of grabbing some Italian while in the area. Arrived, were seated immediately l, which was so cool. We usually pull up and expect a wait with no reservation. Good food, great portion, mellow atmosphere, quite enjoyable. Juan Carlos was our server, took very well care of my wife and I. We appreciated his service and his attentiveness. As a professional in the hair industry and customer service, I was always appreciate great service. Thank you sir!“
“Beautiful restaurant! The food is excellent. We have been here repeatedly over several years— consistently gourmet Italian food. Had the pumpkin ravioli. Delicious. My husband had the veal limone- best anywhere. The cacio pepe, fabulous. The desserts are authentically Italian— which means not gooey, creamy— they are true Italian desserts. This is a restaurant worth visiting. And they have valet parking too! It's worth the investment.“
“Such a pleasant surprise “finding” Massilia hiding in plain sight in Santa Monica. A wonderful blend of European flavors in a setting with a chic vibe. Very reasonable happy hour prices for delicious cocktails and bites. On the dinner menu, pasta entrees (tagliatelle and rigatoni) were both lovely but the true star was the 8-hour lamb shank over pureed potatoes with a Cabernet sauce. It was fall off the bone tender and so flavorful. Our excellent and enthusiastic server, Jonathan, recommended the chocolate mousse for dessert. Heaven in a bowl!!We will be repeat customers, for sure!“
“True Italian cuisine, excellent food, my friend the waiter (Calabrian but not too much...from Amarea) served us great.The owner waited for us as if I had been to Lecce. In short, for anyone who wants to have an Italian experience they must come here, they don't need to take a plane...“
“The Terraza restaurant at Casa Del Mar is extraordinary. Every dish that we had was delicious and the service was supreme. Dining at Terraza is truly a memorable gustatory experience in the luxurious Casa Del Mar hotel and highly recommended.“
“This is my go-to place for anything related to Italian cuisine. Any authentic Italian ingredient; they will have. Also, their lasagna might the best I've had in LA. I'm from NYC, and place makes me feel like I'm Little Italy in Manhattan.“
“I rarely leave reviews and I've been to this place a few times, always been pleased. But then I ordered over the phone with Ryan (who was wonderful) and everyone at my office couldn't get enough of their food. I tried the Principessa Salad for the first time and I now have a new favorite salad ever. Perfectly fresh ingredients but the chicken was cooked and seasoned to perfection! I couldn't have asked for a better experience and we now will be ordering from them every time our partners are in town.“
“This place is a bit far from all the traffic of people. We were the first customers for the night. Once we sat, people kept coming to look at the menu as we ate. I kept giving them thumbs up. The place got super full. The food was super incredible. Every dish we tried was absolutely delicious. If you are dining, I highly recommend the Portola fries... they are excellent. This is the second place I ordered them from. They are excellent. Your taste buds will explode. The Mediterranean salad was amazing. The Rosemary potatoes are excellent. The salami in the pizza was just ok. I think it needs a different type of salamy and a bit of salt, not too much on the dough. Otherwise, it was good. The calamari was excellent. We were so full that we did not have any dessert or tea. Next time, I hope the pizza gets improved and that the size is too small for price. The ambiance of the place was very nice. The waiter was amazing, very good and accommodating. Even our dog was happy and came with water that was served to her. Thank you Ugo...very nice addition to the area. I will definitely come back. The people around me loved their experience there. I was able to chat with a few as I left the restaurant. Thank you. Food is excellent“
“I hosted my boyfriends birthday party there recently - there were a lot of us, but the staff did everything in their power to keep us all at the same table and make sure everything was going smoothly. Zach is who took care of us and was INCREDIBLE, especially for having to handle all of us on his own. He was consistently checking in, making things easy so we could have fun and not stress. All in all a great place for a quieter dinner or for bigger groups. Highly recommend!“
“The fare is EXTRAORDINARY! Sadly, the service was disappointing. 1. Stop greeting people in this way “Hey how we doin' GUYS”, “what can I get you GUYS”. “How's everything here GUYS”. It's rude, lazy & currently amazingly tone deaf. 2. Never brought several requests, rocks glass, pepper, martini was nowhere near dirty; manager brought me extra olive brine. Grateful. The greeter/host was lovely, accommodating and helpful. 3. (Dated, cheap) EDM blaring was annoying. We requested sexier music. Clearly not on the menu. The outdoor space is PERFECT for large parties or celebrations. The extraordinary food eclipses everything! We had beautiful ciabatta bread with olives & tomato tapenade, FRESH, abundant arugula; prosciutto, & parmigiano cheese! DELECTABLE. Tagliatelle with scrumptious pulled rib tips in an amazing sauce. Enjoyed, will be back.“
“Solid pizza spot!Good pizza. Some of then only remaining affordable prices available in LA. Great, GREAT cookies!Order via app and pick up in 20 min. Parking can be a bit of a pain but worth the effort. Also occasionally have some sweet shirts!“
“Everything was sublime. How often can one really say that? The breeze coming off the beach at sunset was a bit chilly. No problem, though. The staff happily closed the windows and turned up the heaters. View remained intact. Food was thoughtfully presented by a chef who clearly loved good flavors. The tender grilled Octopus with bright citrus notes was a highlight. Even the Caesar was noteworthy in that it used a dusting of seasoned breadcrumbs rather than rough, mouth-slicing dried croutons. Our dessert, for those who would dare to order such a thing in Santa Monica, was fit for those who don’t like sweets. I’d come for brunch and dinner.Vegetarian options: Appealing vegetarian courses and sides, no settling for compromises here. But the menu does feature seafood and Italian meats as well. Our server noted my pescatarian comment in the reservation and steered me away from lentils with pork stock. Just speak up about your wishes.Parking: Easiest to valet, public garages are nearby, and plenty of metered parking on the surrounding streetsKid-friendliness: Not intended for young children, but for kids who like to sit at the grown up table, this would be a treat.“
“Immersed in the heart of authentic Italian flavors, this hidden gem captivated our taste buds. We had the pesto gnocchi bathed in a creamy indulgence and the penne vodka danced with rich flavors, creating a symphony on our palates. The ambiance exuded genuine Italian charm, and Silvie's impeccable service elevated the dining experience to new heights. A true haven for connoisseurs seeking a culinary journey.Complementing the culinary mastery, we sipped on fine Italian wines adding another layer to the already delightful atmosphere. And, oh, the chocolate torte – an unrivaled masterpiece that redefined my expectations. Hands down, bar none, the best we’ve ever had. Could not recommend this place highly enough and trust your knowledgeable waiters/waitresses. 10/10 ?“
“Pleasant atmosphere, attentive service.The prices are right. The food is delicious.Very discounted food and drinks are available during Happy Hours.The hot bread and butter served as an appetizer is wonderful.Be sure to stop by if you're in the area“
“THIS IS REAL PIZZA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️LIKE NEW YORK“FORGET ABOUT IT”THE BESTTHEY GET THE CRUSTTHE WHITE CHEESETHEY GOT IT ALLMUAH ? FINALLY PIZZA I CAN ENJOY AGAIN. PERFECT. KILLER GREAT!!!!Kid-friendliness: Child and pet friendly welcomed allWheelchair accessibility: Easy for disabledGreat location“
“Great 1st time experience. Delivery. Italian sandwich with flavor and I'm guessing love. Cause it was like I made it. Saucy, tasty filling, and just enough meat portion to cheese to veggies. Much thanks to the hard working person who made my sandwich. You are appreciated.“
“We love Spumoni. We are super fans of the Happy Hour, it is an incredible dinner for the right price. It has become my go to spot for taking my 2 teenagers to dinner. The staff is always kind and attentive. The food is on point and the environment is beautiful. The place is bustling, the staff is super efficient and the place is clean. What more can you ask for? My kids and I love this place. Bravo, Spumoni.“
“Don't appreciate a surprise 20% service charge for kitchen and a note on our bill that it doesn't include tip. Just got back from London and Paris and NEVER heard of a customer expected to pay 40% of bill to pay for services. NEVER!“
“Sabine was a star!! We are a party of 14 and an international group!!! We ordered practically everything off the menu! She did not make even one mistake!!!! And she spoke German to my German family!'n we had the best evening because of her! Thank you!!!!“
“Incredible view to pair with excellent food, cocktails, and service. Our favorite appetizer at the table was the brussel sprouts and ahi tuna crunch. I enjoyed my watermelon spritzer for a refreshing drink. I hope to come here again and try more food and drinks.“
“Good sandwich, fresh and high quality ingredients. But at 18-24 dollars per sandwich, the price is very steep for what you get. We ordered ahead and picked up and the process was very easy. The sandwiches were ready right before our pick up time so we didn't have to wait at all. So I recommend doing that.“
“Always an enjoyable experience. Greeted warmly, seated, ordered. Menu is something for everyone done right. Good runners always more than pleasant. Busy evening and our waitress was a busy lady. Management sent another more than capable body to relieve that jam, which was really appreciated. Good great, 3 of us shared appetizers, a delicious large steak, and the fish special. All left satisfied with leftover steak“