Where is the Best First Date Spot in Los Angeles, California?
So this month my wife and decided that we were on a mission to find the best Italian food in Los Angeles. We went to Il Pastaio last week and it was very good, but it most definitely was not the best in LA (this weeks foray to Il Grano blew it away, BTW). Still, it was very good. I’ll keep it short, since there are already many reviews.THE GOOD:Excellent pasta. The standouts are the freshly made ‘flat’ pastas like the pappardelle and tagliatelle. The raviolis (also fresh made), were little pockets of joy.The antipasti were also pretty solid. Great bresaola and salads.The prices were surprisingly reasonable for 90210.THE BAD:The Secondi were VERY average. We had both veal dishes and the branzino, and all three entrees were mediocre. The basic vegetable sides and garnishes made the plates look like something from 1985.When I asked the server for a recommendation, he constantly tried to up-sell me on the most expensive thing on the menu. I hate that. I actually gave him the
The gay boyfriend picked this restaurant for his birthday party. They squeezed the 11 of us into the corner booth with an extra chair for the 11th person. It’s a good thing a lot of us are thin because seriously there wasn’t really enough room to spread out or enjoy our food. There were black board specials which half of them seemed to be on the regular menu. Hm. I ended up ordering the pot roast ($19) which came with egg noodles and “sweet and sour cabbage.” I was envisioning lots of great sauerkraut. What came was the merest sprinkle of cabbage as garnish. Um, where’s my cabbage? The other two in the party that ordered the pot roast was confused. There was no mention this dish would come with half a peeled carrot. Um, okay? I hate carrots but I can eat it if that’s my only veggie option. I do have to say there was a lot of the pot roast and if you like tender meat, this was the dish to get.Anthony S’ pork burger looked great. He also ordered sweet potato fries which we shared. The ra
Discovered this place today when looking for a lunch spot in Hollywood for a business lunch. Very cute little Italian cafe with a small number of tables inside and nice terrace outside (on La Brea). Inside has a wine section, a giant cheese selection, and lots of italian charm. The food was delicious. We had salads to start the heirloom tomatoes were super yummy and the wild arugula very spicy and crunchy. Veal Milanese for lunch with a side of (gasp) 4 cheese mac and cheese with black truffle oil. And actually felt good afterwords. The service was nice. I also had the sparkling home-made lemonade to drink which was good not too sweet. Of the pasta dishes about half were not available for lunch which was a shame since one of them (sweet corn stuffed pasta with brown butter) looked like it could have made the day… will have to wait to next time. Pros + Great lunch spotCons – Some pasta dishes not available at lunch
This place is delicious and the carrot muffins rock! I work nearby and have been going there daily for years for my morning carrot muffin and often again for lunch the same day. While Im still half asleep the friendly staff great me by name and wish me a good day. The menu is delicious, fresh, creative and made to order . The pastires and backed goods are to die for (especially the carrot muffin right from the oven in the morning). My boss and I never order “as-is” from the menu – always “hold this” “add that” and the staff is willing to accomodate – with a smile! This place is a must! just dont take the last carrot muffin!Pros + Best pastries in town!Cons – get ’em while they last
I tried to go there once and they claimed to be all booked up, despite the 7 empty tables. I tried to go there a second time and once again, claimed they were booked up and the empty tables were reserved (even though I called ahead of time and was told I did not need reservations). Well, they finally seated us anyway, not before putting on a show of rearranging tables and so on (I guess to place the image of being busy). So, we waited a good 15 mins before any waiting approaching us (btw, not a single person walked in that door for the rest of the night…cancellations? Or the hostess was just full of it). Well, I got really excited for the ahi tuna pizza b/c I was expecting some crunchy wonton with some wasbi mayo and tuna tartar on top…and was disappointed that I got a pita with spicy mayo and sliced tuna on top. I got a pad thai and my bf got a swordfish. Swordfish actually very delic. Pad thai same, but I can get it at Natalee Thai for half the price. In end, they need
