Los Angeles' Best Italian Food 2008

Old-school romance and charm are still alive at this storied Italian eatery.

Reviews:

• “Fantastic atmosphere, service and food. Los Angeles dining history at its finest.”
• “This place is real Italian!”
• “Exceptional Dinning”
• “The highlight of my visit!”
• “Give It A Try”

Tips: Utilize the $5 valet to bypass the near-impossible search for street parking.

La Dolce Vita or email La Dolce Vita

Top Italian classics and one of L.A.’s best wine cellars brings amore to the Westside.

Reviews:

• “Bleh.”
• “VALENTINO & WINE ‘the best I ever had’…!!!”
• “Tired, And it Shows. Skip It.”
• " A Christmas Eve dining experience"
• “Food is amazing! Great wine list!”

Tips: Selvaggio’s wine cellar is one of the best in L.A., with over 2,500 selections, ranging from reasonable to outrageous. Rare Italian vintages are a specialty, and wine pairings are offered with meals.

Valentino

A friendly staff delivers powerhouse Northern Italian fare in a serene setting.

Reviews:

• “Il Moro”
• “THE Authentic Italian”
• “SOIREE CENTRAL”
• “Never organize a group event here. NEVER. Managed by FEMA?”
• “excellent italian restaurant in a beautiful setting”

Tips: If you’re short on time, stop by Il Moro’s bakery—at the restaurant’s entrance—for fresh bread and other homemade Italian specialties.

Il Moro or email Il Moro

Northern Italian cuisine served in compact, white-walled setting. Specialties include osso bucco, grilled branzino, homemade pastas and desserts.

Reviews:

• “Love this place”
• “Dining Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This!”
• “Great Experience!!!!!!!”
• “Best Family Restaurant”
• “Best Italian in the Valley and best service in LA”

Tips: Monthly wine dinners pair various wines with a special tasting menu.

Il Tiramisu Ristorante & Bar

Gino Angelini’s Orlando Hotel-adjacent eatery specializes in wood-fired meat and romance-inspired dining.

Reviews:

• “totally pleased”
• “Once is Enough”
• “Ok food, horrible service”
• “Fan of La Terza”
• “Good food, Horrendous customer service”

Tips: Utilize the $4.50 valet to avoid challenging street parking in the area.

La Terza or email La Terza

Beloved Italian chef dishes out sublime food at this neighborhood favorite.

Reviews:

• “Disappointing and over-rated! "
• “Good, Not great, A tad overrated”
• “Good food. Very popular. Very crowded.”
• “Great Service and Food”
• “Can’t speak to the food, but…”

Tips: Different specials in the $14 to $24 range are offered every day. Highlights include Sunday’s lamb stew, Thursday’s braised short ribs and Friday’s roasted veal shank.

Angelini Osteria

Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s stylish Melrose restaurant highlights a dynamic mozzarella bar and ravishing Italian cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Rudest, stupidest staff ever”
• “Overrated and Disappointing, There Are Way Better Italian Restaurants In L.A.”
• “big fan of mario batali !!”
• “Terrible food, top notch service”
• “Month’s wait was certainly not worth it…”

Tips: Reservations are taken one calendar month out starting at 10am, but seats at the mozzarella bar and the regular bar are reserved for walk-ins.

Osteria Mozza

Restaurateurs behind Venice’s Piccolo head slightly inland to launch this stately Promenade-adjacent eatery.

Reviews:

• “Wonderfull experience……”
• “suprisingly amazing”
• “Incredible”
• “Where in LA”
• “Okay for specail occasion”

Tips: The wine list is almost exclusively Italian, save for a handful of French and Californian selections. Ask your server for pairing suggestions.

La Botte Ristorante

Organic produce enhances nuanced Italian cuisine at this upscale West L.A. eatery.

Reviews:

• “I had expected so much more”
• “One of the best Italian spots in LA”
• “Best Italian in LA!!! The tasting menu is a MUST”
• “This is the worst Italian restaurant I have ever been to. "
• “Great Italian Seafood!”

Tips: A five-course tasting menu showcases the day’s freshest flavors, and is priced at $75 per person or $50 for vegetarians.

Il Grano

Venice Beach via Venice, Italy is the setting for this welcoming neighborhood spot with impeccable pedigree and superb food.

Reviews:

• “avoid this place”
• “BETTER SPEND A LOT OF $$$ – BECAUSE THE STAFF WILL BERATE IF YOU DON’T”
• “Great food, but watch those "comps""
• “For THAT money??”
• “Best Italian in Los Anglels”

Tips: Arrive early; reservations aren’t accepted and the place is typically packed by 7pm.

Piccolo Ristorante

A casual trattoria catering to discriminating foodies and their kids.

Reviews:

• “Great food, great for families, always a pleasant night”
• “Carb Lover’s Dream!”
• “spazzatura or rifiuti either way it means garbage”
• “Extremely Disappointing – from a discerning foodie”
• “Awesome Alfredo”

Tips: Every Thursday night is family-style night. For $35 per person (plus tip and alcohol), a family-style dinner is served to anyone who wants to join. Menu can be anything, from Italian to Turkish to Canadian; the chef plans by the week.

Angeli Caffe

Hill-dwelling locals support this earthy and organic Italian spot in a cozy canyon nook.

Reviews:

• “Super Lame in the Canyon, not Peace.”
• “My new Love”
• “pretty good”
• “Perfect Ambience, delicious food! Perfect for romantic date!!!”
• “Never go!”

Tips: Valet is available on the north side of the restaurant for $4.

Pace

Rustic Mediterranean bistro gives a relaxed, elegant touch to downtown Culver City’s culinary revival.

Reviews:

• “Great outdoor patio”
• “Can’t survive on Food Alone”
• “Yummy Food!”
• “Fraice Restaurant”
• “Horrible service, food just OK”

Tips: Sit near the open kitchen, and the red bandana-clad chefs will gladly chat you up about the cuisine. Those seeking more intimacy should head outside to the garden patio. Bar menu served until 12am

Fraiche

Reviews:

• “best of the best, you have to try it.”
• “Not Good”
• “Best Tagliolini”

Il Carpaccio

Hiply stylish neighborhood cafe focused around Italian specialties, artisan cheese and charcuterie.

Reviews:

• “A Charming, Flavor-Focused Experience…BYOB”
• “Amazing Cheeses!!! "
• “Cheese… YUMMY”
• “favorite casual restaurant”
• “Worst Pasta Ever!”

Cube at divine pasta Co. or email Cube at divine pasta Co.

Neighborhood eatery and wine bar offers authentic Italian cuisine and atmosphere in-between beach cities.

Reviews:

• “Good food but quite expensive”
• “Fantastic experience”
• “Best Italian food in the South Bay”
• “How Rude for the owner to insist you pay for a dinner you didn’t eat!”
• ""Micro" Food"

Tips: The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations for groups of four or less, so arrive early or simply opt for eating at the bar.

La Sosta Enoteca

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Outstanding, just outstanding..”
• “Palo Alto Buca needs a NEW Manager”
• “Best Italian food”
• “Don’t waste your time”
• “A new low in consumer reviews…”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “A hearty restaurant”
• “Sensory Overload”
• “Great for big groups and kids”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “What a dissapointment.”
• “tastiest lemon chicken ever”
• “The customer is always right.”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo