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    Alba

    4.2 (184 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian
    Closed 5:30 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Alba Photos

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    ALBA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Alba

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gattuso
    Ania N.

    Alba is definitely one of LA's hottest spots right now, and I really wanted to love it but overall, I was a bit disappointed. (Worth reading if your planning to go) First, the space itself is beautiful. The décor, arches, lighting, and indoor/outdoor setup all create a super cozy, aesthetic vibe. It's clearly designed to be a trendy, visually appealing restaurant. But a major issue for me was the restrooms. For a place at this level, it honestly made no sense. There are only two shared (unisex) stalls and one sink, and both times I tried to go, there was a line. One time someone had just used it and the smell was... BAD, especially since it's such a small space and right near where people are dining. For a high-end, trendy restaurant, this felt like a huge miss. Food-wise, it was just okay. We ordered a mix of popular and recommended dishes: - Zucchini blossoms: stuffed with a potato filling with a hint of coconut flavor. Interesting, not bad, but nothing I'd order again. Came with a garlic aioli-type sauce which I did like. - Focaccia with whipped ricotta: the bread had a nice crunch, but the ricotta was sweeter than expected and more like a thicker cream. Again, just okay. (4 pieces of bread) - Accanto salad: surprisingly one of my favorites. Simple, refreshing, and well balanced. - Agnolotti with black truffle: Flavorful, but you have to eat it hot..once it cools, the butter separates and it gets oily. I would recommend this one. - Table-side orecchiette with burrata: huge portion, but honestly very basic. It reminded me of something like elevated SpaghettiOs or even a Hot Pocket filling... not what I expected for a "signature" dish. Drinks were good..we tried the Negroni and the Gattuso, both on the sweeter side but well made. Service was great overall, and the bartenders were friendly and fun. There's valet parking, which is convenient. Overall, I'd rate it around a 3.5. The ambiance is beautiful and staff are great, but the restroom situation and underwhelming food make it hard to fully recommend. I might come back to try other dishes, but I'm definitely not rushing back. Thank you for the experience.

    Sandra C.

    To be more accurate, I would rate this experience a 4.5, but rounded up since I'll probably want to come back here many times. I booked a reservation here for date night a couple weeks ago, so I was very excited to try out this spot. I heard a lot of good things about this place, and after looking at pictures of the food, I already had an idea what I wanted to order. When we arrived at the restaurant (Saturday evening), it was fairly easy to find metered parking across the street ($4 for 2 hours vs. $20 valet parking), and we just crossed the street. Walking in, the decor was cute, very trendy and posh-looking. Very pink. It was busy, and looking around, there were a range of customers from like...teenagers to older folks, so a nice array of guests. Everyone was dressed to go out on Saturday night. We were seated pretty quickly, but I asked to sit at another table. The both they sat me at was actually in between two seats, which created a gap in the middle. Pretty awkward. The women next to me noticed I asked to move, and they said they were initially seated there too, but also asked to move. The servers were really nice and seated us at another table, which was more comfortable for us. We ordered: Foccacia with ricotta, zucchini blossoms, agnolotti, branzino, the filet mignon, broccolini, a decaf coffee, and the white tiramisu for dessert. We also ordered an old-fashioned and an espresso martini. I was a fan of everything!!! We ate everything too, and I left feeling so full. The only issue was that we waited a long time for our second round of drinks. They actually forgot it, and we had to order it again. And we waited still, even longer after the second order. The drinks didn't come until we were through with dessert. By that time, we just wanted to cancel it, but couldn't even flag down a server to do that since they were busy. Aside from that -- all was really good. It was a successful date night. I'm likely gonna come back with a few girlfriends next time.

    Capri spritz
    Isabella S.

    This place was so amazing!!! I instantly loved it when I walked in. The outside is all open which was so nice and we sat at the bar while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. The vibe of the restaurant was SO cute. I loved the colors and design of everything + it was poppin for a Tuesday. Our waiter was so great! I had the capri spritz to start which was so refreshing - it had yuzu + lemon drop. We ordered some appetizers - the focaccia Della casa (this was so amazing I esp loved the whipped ricotta), the shrimp trapanese, accanto salad (one of the best salads I've ever had. I loved how there were pomegranates in it). The squash blossoms were also one of my fav things - the sauce was so good. I got the agnolotti which had black truffle and was so delicious. Other people got the steak and branzino which was delish too! We also got a dessert and I don't remember what it was called but it was the cake one w pineapples on top and was also so good! Definitely gives a summer vibe too which I loved!

    Cocktail menu
    Corie D.

    I've been wanting to try Alba for a while and it didn't disappoint! The restaurant is super cute with the decor and all of the pinks and whites. Our waitress was amazing at suggesting drinks and helping everyone at our table get exactly what they were looking for. She went above and beyond and even made up a new drink for a couple of the girls at the table which they loved. All of the pasta dishes we tried were super tasty. We had the pappardelle, agnolotti, and lasagne. We also loved the focaccia and eggplant parmigiana! The only things that were good but not great in my opinion were the chicken alla diavolo and the apple custard dessert. These were both still good but not as much of standouts as everything else. Will definitely come back!

    Maddy T.

    Dimly lit, small menu, valet parking Alba has both valet and street metered parking. The inside was absolutely gorgeous. It takes you away from the busy melrose life and provides a calm vibe. We ordered a few things: - focaccia: toasted to perfection but still super fluffy and chewy - squash blossoms: toasted die for. The filling for me beat oste and mother wolf - lasagna: great base sauce but I feel like the noodles got lost in it - chicken: omg the seasoning? - Brussels sprouts: super tender and sauced up. I prefer a crispy sprout and these were more mushy Love love loved everything. The banger though were the squash blossoms.

    Lilly K.

    Ambiance: Dressy with the feel of a modern Italian summer day/night. Alba has an elevated, celebratory atmosphere that's perfect for date nights and special occasions. The space feels polished and lively, and they also offer a private room for events and celebrations. There is a bar area, but it's more ideal for waiting on a reservation or a quick pre-dinner drink rather than a large group meetup--though it works well for a two-three person upscale, last-minute dinner plan. Food: Overall, delicious and thoughtfully executed, with several standout staples and strong seasonal dishes. Must-orders: Focaccia Della Casa: Bread and whipped spread, need I say more? Orecchiette: A staple item on the menu and absolutely worth ordering every time. Delicious, shareable, and consistently excellent. Toto & Hamachi crudo: Fresh, clean flavors with beautiful notes--great starters. Summer Corn Salad (seasonal): A must-get in the summer. A refreshing twist on corn with hazelnut tones, almonds, and bright seasonal flavor. Filet Toscano (chef's choice temp): Incredible--tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Chicken Diavola: A reliable standout--well-seasoned and consistently cooked right. Skip (personal preference): The squash blossoms weren't my favorite here. Alba prepares them with potatoes rather than the more classic ricotta filling. If you prefer the traditional ricotta style, you may want to pass--but potato lovers may enjoy them. Service: Fantastic across the board. The team is fun, welcoming, and really knows the menu. A special shoutout to Sofia, who is an MVP--she keeps everything running smoothly and is amazing at guiding guests through the menu. From valet to hosts to bartenders, the staff feels carefully chosen and adds to the overall experience. Parking: Valet and street parking available. Overall: Alba is a top-tier choice for celebrations, date nights, and elevated dinners out. Great food, vibrant ambiance, and a standout team make it a place I highly recommend and happily return to.

    Nicole R.

    Honestly shocked this place has a 4.2. The enviornment was cute, the wait staff was attentive, but the food is lackluster. Considering what you pay, it's mid tier Italian food. There is little to no flavor in the majority of the dishes... the chef just throws basil on everything. Cute, but won't be back. However, highly recommend the whipped ricotta.

    Michael S.

    Came here with high expectations and left feeling a bit mixed. Our waiter was great! Very friendly, attentive, and honestly the highlight of the experience. Ambience was also really nice. Unfortunately, the hostess wasn't very welcoming, which set the tone a bit off from the start. Water refills were oddly difficult to get, which shouldn't really be an issue at this level. Food was hit or miss. The rigatoni dish was good and probably the best thing we ordered. The taglionlini Dungeness crab, on the other hand, was disappointing and barely had any crab in it. The focaccia tasted amazing, but a lot of the pieces were basically just crust and empty in the middle, which was a letdown. We also tried two desserts, and the tiramisu was a definite pass. Overall, not terrible, but not somewhere I'm rushing back to.

    Two couples, great vibes, and great food!  "Oh, what a night..."
    Chris G.

    Valet is available out front for $20, but street parking is doable if you're patient. From the moment you arrive, the entrance sets a mood, cool door, neon glow, and a long hallway that carried the unmistakable aroma of fresh espresso. It immediately feels intentional and cinematic. You pass through a lively main dining room that oddly reminded me of a polished, grown-up Blue Bayou (think classy Disney), dim, romantic, and buzzing, but no fake fireflies. We were seated in a smaller side room. This space felt more intimate: warm lighting, tight tables, conversation hum instead of roar... the kind of room where you actually hear your friends and settle in for the night, which was great as my group was there to catch up. Service was a major highlight. Alanna and A.C. were attentive without hovering, and Alanna's recommendations were spot-on all evening. The move here is absolutely to order everything for the table, SHAREABLES. I considered everything we had to be a standout: * Lamb Scottadito -- perfectly cooked and deeply flavorful (3 shanks per order) * Squash blossoms -- delicate and addictive * Focaccia della casa -- dangerous start because you won't stop * Shrimp Veneziana -- bright and balanced (like the sauce they were served in) * Orecchiette Arrabbiata -- real heat, real flavor * Chicken Diavola -- juicy with great char, it was a nice portion * Eggplant Parmigiana -- comforting but refined (my favorite!!) * Agnolotti with truffle fonduta -- probably the table favorite (it was so rich and delicious) Add a couple martinis and a Napa cab and suddenly you realize you've eaten far more than intended, but happily so. Side note, the hand stuffed blue cheese olives were the best EVER! We left around 10pm just as the place transformed into a full scene, packed, energetic, and alive. This dinner was actually the payoff of a lost annual bet, but in the end, everyone wins when the result is discovering a restaurant this good. A complete delight of a night.

    Eggplant Parmagana
    Matthew R.

    Welcome to LA's best modern Italian restaurant. Our table of 3 was just blown away at how delicious every aspect of our meal came out. The shrimp and romesco appetizer, layered EGGPLANT PARM (think lasagne style), caramelized onion agnolotti, spicy chicken, and NY Steak were mind blowing. It's really hard to focus on what was best since everything was simply fantastic. Forget Funke or Mother Wolf. Alba is so much better The vibe is super down to earth and although upscale it was casual - zero pretense. They were playing a late 50's/60's Motown playlist that added an extra layer of fun to the evening. Special shoutout to our server Shannon (clearly a pro) and Jesse who helped us with the wine. It's nice to have a professional staff who are able to actually manage a table and their guests with perfection. (We were in a slight rush but were able to get through what seemed like ordering the entire menu in 90 minutes). We had cocktails and a $125 bottle of wine and all shared a dessert and the final bill was just over $200 per person (without tax/tip). Venite! Venite! Venite!

    Mexican mule
    Anna T.

    Loved the beautiful restaurant and its retro vibe. The ambiance is really pretty. The food was good but nothing special enough to make me want to come back. Other reviews don't mention how ridiculously tiny the portions are for the price. We ordered a bunch of things, from appetizers to desserts and honestly, most plates felt like a joke like they were designed for someone on a strict calorie deficit. The only items that felt like regular portions were the sashimi and desserts. For example... the truffle pasta had maybe ten pieces total in it for around $30. Seriously? And what they call a "shared size for the table" is what you'd get as a normal entrée anywhere else. Expect to drop about $125+ per person. Cocktails are around $25+, and they charge $10 per glass for still or sparkling water like it's some bottomless water service. Who does that?! I died laughing. Service was good. Food came out quickly and we didn't have to wait for our table. Drinks were a bit on the weaker side. Valet parking is $20 but you can try your luck with street parking as there were some parking available. Kept going back and forth on how many stars to rate Alba despite the small portions and but overall we had a great time.

    Zuchinni Blossoms
    Razmik G.

    First time in a long time I had a flawless and excellent experience! Beginning from the service all the way to the food! We were greeted by Kevin, one of the managers, upon walking in, and he confirmed our reservation and immediately took us to our seats, no waiting around what so ever. After getting to our seats, our server Joshua greeted us, and was super helpful when it came to drinks and the food. My wife has a few dietary restrictions, and he was super accommodating by informing us what she can and can't have, and what they can put on the side on each dish so she can have those as well. I'm not one to drink alcohol and am not a fan if alcohol normally, but we were celebrating, so I asked Joshua to surprise me with a drink that I won't taste the alcohol in but will enjoy. I ended up getting three of those drinks, that's how amazing it was. He even brought out extra shots for me since he found out we're celebrating. He even brought out desserts for us in the end! He was excellent and I recommend trying to get seated with him. Overall the atmosphere was amazing, and Alba is officially added on my list of restaurants I will happily return to and take other guests with me to impress. Very highly recommend!!

    Lusine M.

    I absolutely loved this restaurant. The ambiance feels very European - like stepping into Italy in the summertime. We ordered almost everything from the appetizers and shared the orecchiette, which was easily one of the best pasta dishes I've had. The margarita came highly recommended, but it wasn't my personal favorite (though I'm not a big margarita person to begin with). What truly stood out was the exceptional service- so kind, attentive, and genuinely focused on making sure we had the best possible experience. And we did! This place is a must-try. We'll definitely be back many times.

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    Ask the Community - Alba

    Is there valet?

    Yes!

    What time does the reservation open for 7days in advance?

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    LAVO

    LAVO

    3.9(809 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    I enjoyed one more happy hour and one more early dinner before they closed for good…read more During the HH, I had the truffle french fries and the pepperoni pizza. Fries were good this time, but I would go without the pizza in the future. On their final opening night I arrived too early; forgetting that dinner didn't start for an hour so I had the fries (again) while waiting for dinner. Thankfully, the order was put in a little earlier and I was able to enjoy the Penne alla Vodka. I was on the fence about the 20-Layer Cake but I ended up caving in, getting it to go for later. Unlike the first time I got this, they now had a perfect, custom box for the slice to fit whereas before they had to cut the cake in half to fit it into the box they had at the time. I know the New York location has delivery/to-go only, but there is still the Las Vegas one. Sad to see this place close down, as the location seems to be a curse for so many places (Hamburger Hamlet, Rivabella, Roku, now Lavo...).

    During my foodie relatives' Thanksgiving week visit to Honolulu, we were discussing making…read morerestaurant reservations for our upcoming Christmas/New Year visit to Los Angeles. However, after we raved about our multiple dining experiences at LAVO Las Vegas, we were surprised to learn that none of our relatives had ever dined at the restaurant's Los Angeles location. So, when the opportunity arose, I made an after-Christmas dinner reservation through OpenTable and excitedly waited. We knew exactly where LAVO Los Angeles was located, as we had frequently driven past the Sunset Medical Tower on Sunset Boulevard and had eaten at the same restaurant space before it changed hands several times over the past decade or so. They offer valet service, which only accepts credit card payments, and because of the restaurant's location, you might as well use the service, because you'd be hard-pressed to find street parking. Our group of six arrived at the restaurant about 30 minutes before our reservation and were greeted by a friendly hostess who asked whether we were ready to be seated or preferred to wait in the bar. We chose to be seated, and she escorted us into the quiet, warm, yet festively decorated dining room. The busser approached us, took our water service request, and informed us about who our server would be. Our server, Addison, came to our table while the busser refilled our water glasses and offered assorted citrus slices to flavor them. After my brother-in-law showed Addison the magnum of wine he brought and asked if the sommelier could uncork the bottle, since it was not only a 2006 vintage but also had a long, possibly fragile cork, even though they kept the bottle in their personal wine storage. Unfortunately, they didn't have a sommelier on duty, and Addison informed us of the restaurant's impending end-of-year closure and confidently said she could uncork it with her trusty corkscrew. However, my brother-in-law decided to give it the "ol' college try" and successfully uncorked the bottle. FOOD: -Fritto Misto: a platter of lightly battered and fried zucchini, shrimp, calamari, and vinegary peppers with marinara was delivered to our table and was quickly shared and devoured. Everyone felt the fritto misto was light, delicious, and perfectly cooked. $28 -The Meatball: We've often seen this appetizer ordered at the Las Vegas site, but we never ordered it because we felt it was too much food to share between us. However, now that we had our family surrounding us, we ordered it. The 16-oz meatball is made with fresh-ground imperial Wagyu, Italian sausage, and veal. It is served with whipped ricotta and marinara. We shared the tender, toothsome meatball among us and sopped up the sauce with garlic bread. $34 -Semolina Sesame Garlic Bread: Addison highly recommended this garlic bread to pair with The Meatball and sipping on our Cabernet blend wine. The lightly grilled-toasted loaf was served with three dipping sauces (marinara, basil pesto, & Gorgonzola dolce). $18 -Zitoni Genovese: braised short rib, sweet onions, pecorino Romano. I received a generous portion of Neapolitan or Sicilian zitoni pasta (larger ziti tubes) and an intensely flavorful, tomato-wine-based, fall-apart tender, slow-braised short ribs ragù. This comfort-food pasta dish was so rich and filling that I could barely eat half the portion and ended up bringing home leftovers. $33 -Faroe Island Salmon Oreganato: My husband cut into the salmon filet, which had a light crisp coating of breadcrumbs and revealed the fillet's tender medium-rare doneness. The rich, buttery-tasting salmon filet sat atop a melange of sautéed vegetables and was dressed with a lemon, white wine, and garlic butter sauce. My husband jokingly said he could feel his heart health improving with each bite. $39 The rest of my family ordered their own entrees, and when we were nearly finished with our meals, we decided to share a dessert. We ordered the luscious 20 Layer Chocolate Cake ($29), and each of us commented on the "decadence" of chocolate, peanut butter, and mascarpone. During our dining experience, Addison informed us that LAVO Los Angeles would sadly be closing at the end of the year. We were happy to have supported this restaurant, and it was great to see so many others show their support during the Holidays.

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    OSTE - Mortadella Pinsa

    OSTE

    4.6(1.4k reviews)
    0.9 miBeverly Grove

    Ambiance, service and food was amazing ! We cannot wait to…read morego back to the more items on the menu. Started off with a Caesar salad which was delicious as it was made with baby gem lettuce, and then we had the mushroom pizza, packed with so much flavor and the crust was airy and crispy! Then we split the seafood did ink pasta, the portions were perfect and so flavorful! Ended with the lemon olive oil cake. We enjoyed our meal and will definitely we making our way back here.

    Amazing meal! Glad we had a reservation on a Saturday night as they were super busy. The menu had…read moreso many different options but we knew we wanted to try pasta and a pizza. Going in we were going over order with the intent to bring food home just so we could taste more items on the menu. Started with FIORI DI ZUCCA which are squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta deep fried in a batter. Each bite was so delicious, a good amount of ricotta, and each bite was still super crispy. We also got XXTRA PEPPERONI LOVERS Pinsa. Crust was doughy yet crisp, not greasy at all I would just the right amount of cheese and sauce. So we knew that we would be full, but we wanted to try a couple pastas one red sauce, and one white sauce. The CACIO E PEPE I just the right amount of pepper and creamy sauce, noodles cooked perfectly. PAPPARDELLE ALLA VACCINARA was definitely my favorite, noodles in a braised oxtail ragu. Service was on point, checked on his frequently, but didn't rush us, even though the restaurant was super busy, and just overall very friendly. We would definitely go back to try more entrées and even get the pallardelle again with the squash blossoms. You have to pay for valet in the front but I would rather do that than to worry about parking.

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    OSTE - Interior

    Interior

    OSTE - Caesar salad slaps so hard

    Caesar salad slaps so hard

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    Jones - Apple Pie!!!

    Jones

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Jones was such a cool find--I was just looking for somewhere local after moving out here and had no…read moreidea this place had so much character. If you love older architecture and vintage-style spots, they've kept it feeling really original and classic. It's perfect for an intimate date night, a night out with friends, or even just taking yourself out. The bar is great, and even the bathroom stands out with all the photos covering the walls--it adds to the experience. The food was amazing with a good variety to choose from, and we really enjoyed everything we ordered. The servers were great as well, but honestly, the ambience is what really makes this place special.

    the restaurant has some of the worst humans imaginable working there. i came in after ordering a…read morepizza to-go, and the way that EVERYONE dismissed me because i wasn't going to be staying there, they just wanted me out as soon as possible. there was no comfortable place to stand inside and wait for my food (it was RAINING, by the way, so i didn't want to wait outside), and I was left to stand - painfully awkward - near the restrooms and the kitchen, until some woman (beautiful) but a total 'c u next tuesday' with long wavy brown hair allowed me to take my food and sign my receipt. I WILL NEVER BE COMING BACK AGAIN. How do you expect take-out business if you make customers ordering take-out feel like the most unwanted humans on the planet in your establishment? Grow up, get a life and stop doing cocaine. I just want my f*cking pizza.

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    Jones - Another side of the dining room from above the bar.

    Another side of the dining room from above the bar.

    Jones - BBQ Chicken Pizza

    BBQ Chicken Pizza

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    Cento Pasta Bar - Carbonara

    Cento Pasta Bar

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    3.8 miWest Adams
    $$$

    I had a great dining experience at Cento Pasta Bar. The food was coursed out properly, and was…read moredelicious. I can definitely recommend the grilled octopus, rigatoni pasta, and hamachi crudo. Service was also amazing! Parking is tough; I recommend you valet. Overall, they had a great cocktail menu. Definitely worth the drive out there.

    Cute Italian spot with outdoor patio & indoor counter areas! Perfect for girls night out & date…read morevibes! My sister and I came in without reservations around 8pm and they sat us inside on the counter after 10 minutes of waiting. They were pretty full for table dining. We ordered: Steak Tartare (4/5) - Bread was perfectly oiled & crispy on the outside and chewy in the inside. The tonnato was very umami and made the dish but the steak itself was alright. Spicy Pomodoro (3.5/5) - This didn't hit as hard for me; I wished it was more spicy and I didn't taste any truffle. Pasta itself was perfectly al dente. Sweet Corn Agnolotti (5/5) - This was delish! Make sure to get equal parts of the pasta, sauce, corn, and crème fraiche (like a light sour cream) to get that flavor explosion. Creme was a little sour, corn was sweet, and the agnolotti was salty; perfect bite fr. My only negative is that this dish was too small for $28 :(. Blood Orange Pavlova (4/5) - A truly layered dessert because if you ate the sorbet by itself, it would be too sour but otherwise, another flavor explosion. The pavlova was thick and you really have to jam your spoon in to break the pieces apart. Service was friendly and fast! Overall, I'd come back!

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    Cento Pasta Bar - The kitchen view from our seats

    The kitchen view from our seats

    Cento Pasta Bar - Spicy Pomodoro

    Spicy Pomodoro

    Cento Pasta Bar - Beef Tartare

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    Beef Tartare

    Osteria La Buca - Spaghetti pomodoro was definitely SAUCED.

    Osteria La Buca

    4.1(2.5k reviews)
    3.5 miLarchmont
    $$

    Shout out to Matthew, the manager! A man with excellent manners, lots of professionalism, great…read moretaste in music, and a genuine passion for hospitality. I never feel like a customer at Osteria La Buca -- I always feel like a guest, and that means a lot. I've been going there for quite some time, and I've tried a large portion of the menu, probably a good 90% of it. Everything has been exceptional. Their Carbonara for example, is made properly, without cream, peas, or the other abominations that many restaurants add. "Other restaurants = Take lessons. The ricotta with agave is a lovely Italian Mexican wedding, the pizzas are tasty and so many other dishes are consistently fantastic. They also have a super solid wine selection, and the ambiance is wonderful both on the main floor and in the private dining room. The staff is always super friendly, and you can tell they are well trained and genuinely enjoy working there. That positive energy trickles down to the guests, and it shows by how packed the restaurant always is. Go there on a Monday at 8pm and you'll see what I'm taking about. (Make a rezzy before going is what I am trying to say, otherwise, you might end up waiting for a bit, but it's worth it anyway) I'm getting hungry just writing this review, so I better go "destroy" that Carbonara with a nice glass of Soave Classico (or really, any good Garganega) and enjoy a great chat with the bartenders at Osteria La Buca. Grazie, Osteria La Buca. Cheers!

    We were seated on the first floor near the back and the host was super friendly, which made a great…read morefirst impression. The atmosphere leans more toward a lively bar with an Italian twist, which I actually enjoyed. The food overall was decent and comforting, with some highlights. The short rib ravioli really stood out, the meat was tender and full of flavor, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. It ended up being a nice, relaxed dining experience, especially if you're looking for something casual with a fun vibe.

    Photos
    Osteria La Buca - Downstair view from upstair dinning next ro the glass window

    Downstair view from upstair dinning next ro the glass window

    Osteria La Buca - Spaghetti and Meatballs on Sundays! So delicious.

    Spaghetti and Meatballs on Sundays! So delicious.

    Osteria La Buca - Brussel sprouts. Might be the best thing on the menu.

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    Brussel sprouts. Might be the best thing on the menu.

    Angelini Osteria - Tagliolini Limone

    Angelini Osteria

    4.2(2.3k reviews)
    1.5 miFairfax
    $$$

    Incredible! $12 valet, cash or venmo. Indoor and outdoor dining - I recommend outdoor!! Great for…read moregroups, let you stay as long as you want, service is SUPERB!!!! Staff were so friendly and incredibly attentive to the smallest details. Music was poppin 80s and 90s tunes around the start of the night. Bonus points for being kid friendly - they even had a high chair! We had a big group of 8 so we ordered family style. Zucchini flowers - This was good!! Stuffed with ricotta and some veggies with this BEAUTIFUL vibrant orange tomato sauce Sausage and mushroom pizza - Yummy pizza but not necessary to order, other spots probably have better! Osteria Chopped Salad - also not super memorable but not bad! Balanced the meal Polipo (octopus salad) - I really liked this!!! Had a nice chargrilled flavor, tasted kinda like chicken! Generous portion Tagliolini Limone - MUST HAVE!!!!!!!!! Incredible!!!! GET THIS! Creamy and almost reminiscent of a comfort mac n cheese or a cacio e pepe but light and lemony! It's why we ordered two! Tagliatelle Bolognese - I only tried a bit of this and probably waited too long since it was a little cold when I tried it, but nice. Not as memorable and kind of bland but the pasta was definitely fresh and al dente Lasagna Verde - Also yummy and fresh but liked the lemon pasta way more Bistecca Fiorentina - HUGE porterhouse steak cut right at the table into two plates worth of meat as well as potatoes and greens. The flaky salt did it all for me!! We ordered this steak medium to appease everyone in the group. Carrot cake - Weird take! Had a chocolate hazelnut filling and didn't taste much carrot, but that doesn't mean it wasn't good Bread pudding - The ice cream was the best part, nice comforting and warm Tiramisu - didn't try but looked delish Wine - great! Listen to whatever the staff recommends They also provide complimentary "bread" but it's more like crispy chips with olive oil and a vegetable couscous kind of dip. Not really my style. This meal was great but if this place had actual bread and butter it would've been even better. Overall great place for a celebration!!! Service is probably the best part of this dining experience and the food is good too. Be prepared to spend over $100pp if you're ordering this much. Would definitely come back!!!

    This place is always bustling, and after eating here I understand why!…read more We were hoping to try the sea urchin linguini, but didn't see it on the menu - we asked our server who informed us that in fact we would be able to order it! Apparently they don't put it on their printed menu if there isn't enough uni, but they happened to have some that they could make us, what a lucky break! This dish was the highlight of the night - perfect mix of salty, creamy, and slightly spicy deliciousness. Our other dishes were also good (the octopus salad is especially good if you are a fan of octopus). I also really enjoyed the ambiance. It is busy and bustling, with high ceilings so it does not feel so cramped. Our server was helpful, and our plates were refreshed between courses. Really nice place for an elevated weeknight meal or for a special occasion!

    Photos
    Angelini Osteria - Where they sat us. I don't even understand why they have tables on an incline. Very uncomfortable.

    Where they sat us. I don't even understand why they have tables on an incline. Very uncomfortable.

    Angelini Osteria - Octopus salad

    Octopus salad

    Angelini Osteria - Penne all' Arrabbiata

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    Penne all' Arrabbiata

    Il Pastaio - My favorite

    Il Pastaio

    3.9(2.5k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    There are restaurants in all the big cities in which I have lived that represent longevity,…read moreimage-power, popularity, and tradition. And, there is usually a good reason for their stardom. While I am a big fan of evolved dishes that are novel and fresh, I have always loved old fashioned, genuine (as in the way they are made in the Old Country) Italian food. Il Pastaio does not disappoint in that respect. I have spent enough time all over Italy, and am part Italian myself, to judge this place a must-try in Los Angeles. We rarely venture into Beverly Hills given what used to be a difficult parking situation. Not with Il Pastaio -- there is free public garage parking almost across the street. If you visit on a Sunday afternoon, you will find a spot effortlessly and you will avoid the crowds. That said, when we arrived around 1:30, Il Pastaio was packed, inside and out. Thankfully we had a reservation and they ushered us to the perfect table, inside (where I preferred to be on a sunny, cool but windy day), next to a bright (and spotless) window. I think there are people who prefer to be on the sidewalk in BH, so they can look for the cognoscenti and affluenti, LOL, but, I don't need to do that -- seen and been seen enough in my long life! Our table was perfect. View my photos. I love the vibe inside. Again, I can happily report, Il Pastaio reminds me of all the fine, small, and exquisite restaurants I frequented in Rome, Florence, and Milan, to name the biggies. The menu is extensive, and even though I had studied it beforehand on their website, it took me at least ten minutes to narrow down all the wonderful vegetarian dishes from which to choose. My photos show which were the lucky winners. There are meat dishes in abundance but, here's the open secret, Italians themselves are not avid meat eaters and all the portions abroad are small, hence multiple courses and few people eat too much at a meal. Lunch and dinner are also leisurely over there because Europeans see a meal as an event, not a blip in their day. The service was flawless, with our Italian waiter, Filippo, treating us as if we were Re Umberto and Regina Margherita. The table was very pretty and there was bespoke olive oil and vinegar ready for dipping the homemade bread that is served steaming in a napkined basket. I could smell it through the entire meal. Even the water came from Italy. Each course we chose came to the table at the perfect temperature, beautifully plated, and the previous were whisked away efficiently as soon as we were finished, as if by magic. All in all, this is a superb Italian restaurant. Fresh and new but traditional and comforting in its familiarity. I know we will return. Molto ben fatto, Signore Drago!

    The food here is excellent; quality Italian food with good portions and great flavor. The ambiance…read moreis nice even the outdoors is pretty and they have heat lamps to take out the chill. My reason for the three stars was the service. We did choose a later reservation time but I wish they just didn't have the reservation if they don't want to be there late. It took 25 minutes after us sitting for a server to ask what we wanted to drink. It was not busy maybe three other tables outdoor only the inside was closed. When our waiter was at the table he was annoyed at our questions regarding the tasting menu. It really made us feel awkward and dampered our whole experience which was really unfortunate because we loved the food and it was our last night in LA. I'd say make an earlier reservation maybe to receive better service. Also the espresso martini was disappointing it had ice and was very watered down. I'll end on a positive note that the Branzino was amazing. Everything on the dish tasted fresh. The burrata was also a hit for the whole table

    Photos
    Il Pastaio - Upscale but not pretentious

    Upscale but not pretentious

    Il Pastaio - Risotto Nero: Carnaroli Rice with Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops and Squid Ink Sauce. Comes totally black.

    Risotto Nero: Carnaroli Rice with Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops and Squid Ink Sauce. Comes totally black.

    Il Pastaio - Expansive and impressively stocked bar

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    Expansive and impressively stocked bar

    Alba - italian - Updated May 2026

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