Italian Restaurants

Don't be surprised if you see the ever-present owner Robert Simon welcoming you to his restaurant. The cozy atmosphere is paired wonderfully with the classic, luxurious appearance of the restaurant. Some tasty bistro classics like baked brie and apples and maple leaf farm duck two ways are great dishes to try. Don’t leave without trying their chocolate soup, a chocolate soufflé served with vanilla bean ice cream. While the restaurant does offer great bistro classics, a majority of the food is a fusion of French and California tastes and cooking styles. With creative and delicious dishes, you will want to … Learn More »

Simplicity and authenticy are two words that describe this traditional Osteria. A tiny place, yet a busy room where guests rave about the great food and ambience. A special in olives, polenta and scallops are among the wonderful eats at this great place! Learn More »

Another great restaurant from the Amici folks that has the great authentic Italian ambience and cuisine we all expect. The menu is filled with classics such as thin crust pizzas, many pastas, artichoke and hearts of palm salad, and the traditional osso buco. Learn More »

Adopting the iconic canary-colored building familiar to many Venice locals is Ado Ristorante, the brainchild of Co-owner Paulo Cesaro and Chef Antonio Mure’. This rustic Italian cuisine eatery marries the understated sophistication of its earthy décor of exposed wood beams and simple wood seating with a welcoming menu of unpretentious authentic fare. The Taagliolini Rossi is a rich dish of homemade red beets pasta in a Marsala quail egg ragu, and the Tagliata di Cinghiale is a savory delight of grilled wild boar tenderloin served with a white port and raspberry sauce. Learn More »

Satisfy that craving for classic Italian cuisine at Gino’s Italian Restaurant in Palmdale. Home of the Big Baron Pizza Sandwich, Gino’s has garnered a reputation for offering tasty offerings at reasonable prices. In addition to serving tried favorites like Eggplant Parmigiana and Lasagna al Forno, Gino’s also prides itself on featuring such specialties as Osso Buco and Veal Milanese. Of course, pizza has its rightful place on the menu with 17+ variations of the beloved pie offered daily, and steak sandwiches and submarines round out the menu nicely. Learn More »

A hop, skip, and a jump down from the main thoroughfare of Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica, you'll find La Botte. Meaning “wine bottle” in Italian, La Botte is owner Stefano de Lorenzo’s upgraded version of his popular, postage-stamp-sized Piccolo Ristorante in neighboring Venice. The wine concept glows in a warmly elegant décor of variegated wine stained wood flooring and wine cask wainscoting. A “vino paradiso” exists in La Botte’s 1,600 bottles of wine. Chef Luigi Fineo creatively infuses contemporary freshness into the Northern Italian appetizers, pasta, and entrees for an authentic Italian dining experience that will have you … Learn More »

A very traditional Italian trattoria, Da Pasquale has been around since 1989. This comfortable restaurant features outdoor dining warmed by heat lamps and also indoor settings with the tastefulness of home. Italian dishes range from pastas to pizza and every serving made by the family-run business is full of dedication and flavor. Almost everything is handcrafted and made from scratch so one can feel that they have just stepped out from home to another ‘home dining’ setting. De Pasquale also offers an extensive list of Italian wines that can accommodate any taste. Learn More »

La Traviata is opulent and ornate, a place where guests can lavishly celebrate the grandest of occasions. The restaurant’s décor pays homage to the style of the nineteenth-century opera house, with crystal chandeliers, sweeping silk drapes, high ceilings, and ornate inlaid wood. The opera theme continues to the entertainment, with live piano nightly, and piano-accompanied vocalists on Fridays and Saturdays. But where homage to the past permeates the ambiance, the menu is refreshingly modern, an inspired blend of unique, novel creations such as Kumquat Coco Prawns and house-made smoked Duck Ravioli, peppered with fresh takes on Italian classics such as … Learn More »

Since opening in 1956, La Scala has been popular with locals and entertainment industry types alike, with its comfortable red booths and drawings of Hollywood figures lining the walls. Traditional Italian fare is complimented by an exceptional wine list supplied by Owner Jean Leon’s personal vineyard, Chateau Leon, in Spain. The restaurant is revered for its Chopped Salad, but other menu highlights include the Steamed Mussles served in a broth of garlic, white wine, and tomato sauce, and the Tiramisu served with fresh whipped cream and berries. The quality of ingredients has never faltered in the restaurant’s long history, and … Learn More »

With a blend of Old World styles and a healthy European flair, the Panini Café only serves the finest quality ingredients. Combining the best of both the New and Old World, the café has extraordinarily fresh and healthy food, and upholds the tradition of authentic European cuisine. With a commitment to quality and creativity, the Panini Café is one of the places to dine for those in search of flavorful European food. With a passion for fine cuisine at excellent prices, the Panini Café offers diners a way to take a culinary holiday while never leaving the comfort of Los … Learn More »

Via Alloro is the brainchild of brothers Giacomino and Tanino Drago. The restaurant, named after the street that they grew up on in the town of Galati Mamertino in Sicily’s Messina region, boasts an authentic family oriented atmosphere. The menu features a range of dishes from Italy, including soups, salads, pasta, pizza, risotto, as well as appetizers and entrées based on fish, chicken, beef, lamb, and sausage. Maintaining fine dining aspects with a heated patio and formal location, Via Alloro is a great place to host a party or sit down for some authentic Italian cuisine. Learn More »

Old world Tuscan dishes are the specialty at Ago Restaurant located on Melrose Avenue and Clinton Street in the heart of West Hollywood. Guests can be reassured that they will dine on great Italian food at a restaurant that is co-owned by the Godfather himself, Robert Di Nero. The Chef and co-owner, Agostino Sciandri, grew up in the lush countryside of Tuscany where he learned to perfect his Northern Italian culinary style. At Ago, guests can experience the full progression of an Italian dinner, starting with an Antipasti of Buffalo Mozzarella Caprese, or the Polipo e Patate, grilled octopus in … Learn More »

The Lemon Leaf Café in historic downtown Lancaster offers a fusion of Greek, Italian, and American cuisine. Regarded as a local hidden gem, this quaint restaurant is bright and airy with a European café aesthetic. Menu selections include salads, pastas, pizzas, wraps, and baguettes. In addition to a full coffee bar, the café also offers a wide variety of international beers and wines. Two noteworthy dishes include the Portabello Mushroom Triangoli with sautéed arugula and applewood smoked bacon in a gorgonzola cheese sauce, and the Gamberetti Rucola Pizza with grilled shrimp, arugula, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese. … Learn More »

Ristorante Mamma Gina has been serving authentic Florentine cuisine in Italy since 1956 and in California since 1986. Located in Palm Desert, this restaurant offers a wine bar with an exceptional happy hour menu that runs from opening until closing. The lunch and dinner menu is comprised of soups, salads, appetizers, Paninis, pastas, and entrees. The Brodetto Di Pesce Fresco is a specialty: Cioppino style fish stew with fresh catch of the day, calamari, mussels, clams, scallops, and shrimp in a light saffron and tomato sauce. Another favorite is the Gnocchi Al Gorgonzola: Homemade potato dumplings with a gorgonzola cheese … Learn More »

Chef-owner Sal Marino, has delighted Los Angelenos for the past decade with his contemporary, market-driven approach to traditional Italian cuisine. Centrally located near the intersection of the 10 and 405 freeways, Il Grano draws a steady crowd of well-heeled Westsiders craving pristine crudo, house-made pastas, and unpretentious entrees. He writes a new menu every month, to capitalize on “whatever swims in the ocean and grows on Mother Earth.” Noted sommelier Peter Birmingham keeps pace with inspired wine pairings and pastry chef Corinne Sidelsrud’s desserts share Marino's seasonal approach, minus the swimming ingredients. Learn More »

Sor Tino in Brentwood is a casual Italian hotspot that serves variations of traditional Florintine cuisine, in the form of Chef Agostino Sciandri’s signature homemade pastas, risottos, and brick oven pizzas. The ochre-colored dining room features a wood-burning oven turns out thin-crusted pizzas, while entrees from the open kitchen such as sea bass with tomatoes and rosemary-grilled chicken, provide substantial fare for guests looking for a hearty meal. Guests rave about the Gnocchi, Lobster Ravioli, and Parpadelle with Wild Boar Ragu. For a taste of good Norther Italy cuisine in the heart of Brentwood, Sor Tino is a fine option. Learn More »

One of Brentwood’s premier Italian restaurants, Osteria Latini offers an expertly executed and eclectic array of Northern Italian cuisine. Head chef and owner Paolo Pasio brings his extensive knowledge from years as a restaurateur to this, his grandest achievement. The bistro-style of the restaurant, with it’s pine walls and dark wood floors, sets an intimate setting perfect for a quiet dinner with the family, or a romantic dinner with that special someone. A wide range of daily specials such as the Suckling Pig, Homemade black and white linguini with Lanostinos, and Osso buco with saffron risotto assures that regular diners … Learn More »

Inspired by the hospitable aspects of traditional Italian dining, Nonna of Italy offers a variety of delicious pastas, salads, soups, and deserts for both lunch and dinner. Enjoy Chef Kieth Silverton's innovative take on classic Italian dishes. The restaurant allows for people watching from the patio in the historic Sunset Strip area of West Hollywood. From the wood-fired pizzas, fine seafood, and crispy calamari, to the Apple Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Fondant and the other ever-popular desserts, Nonna of Italy prides itself on its traditional hospitality and traditional Hollywood style. Learn More »

A slice of Old Hollywood, Dan Tana’s is still a place to grab a hearty bite to eat while gazing at the stars of the big screen. For more than 45 years, this Hollywood institution has served patrons heaping portions of Italian fare. The staff at Dan Tana’s is nearly as renowned as the client list, Mike the bartender, regarded by many patrons as a Los Angeles treasure, still serves up stiff drinks to those looking to whet their whistles while waiting for a table. Reservations are mandatory, as the restaurant is on the small side, and demand always outstrips … Learn More »

Sparkling lights line the welcoming patio at Il Piccolino Trattoria where the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. The menu offers a range of both casual and exquisite Italian fare, and the service is some of the most gracious around. The kitchen utilizes organic, local, and sustainable produce when possible. The house bread is vegan and the only cooking oil used is extra virgin olive oil, be it for dressing, cooking or frying. Other fine attentions to detail include Balsamic vinegar aged at least a decade, natural gray sea salt, daily fresh seafood, and house made salad dressings. With an eye … Learn More »