Service is top-notch. Very watchful of what the table needs. Nice inside but noisy because it is always crowded. As for the food, they have a huge choice of Italian stuff from the usual to the exotic, & all of it is very good, except I made the error of choosing a carpaccio of octopus + salmon. The slices were few & far between & so thin, they were tasteless, but everything else was excellent from the pizza to the cioppino to the meatballs & calamari, etc. Nice wine selection especially the Italian Vinos. Portion size is large & enough for at least 2 meals, except of course if you have 2 growing 20-year-old boys/men who would eat the plates if they were soft enough. All in all, Mother's day brunch was enjoyable. One addition is they are more expensive than Yelp would leave you to expect. read more

03/2026 If you're ever in the Laguna Beach area and looking for Italian food for lunch or dinner, this is the place to stop. My wife and I came here last year (2025) for dinner and were blown away by how good the food was. Everything is made fresh, and they use their own homemade pasta in their dishes. So when we came back in 2026, we made sure to bring my mom--her first time on the West Coast--and planned a stop here before heading to Santa Monica. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, and they also have bags of their homemade pasta available for purchase. We sat inside this time due to construction outside. Our server was excellent. She took our drink orders--my wife and mom had tea, and I had an Old Fashioned, which was made very well. She also brought us an appetizer of deep-fried olives stuffed with cheese. I'm not usually an olive fan, but these were surprisingly good and didn't have a strong olive taste, also ask for a side of tomato sauce makes them even better! My wife wanted a fish dish with pasta and a lemon sauce that she had twice before on our last visit. Although they didn't have the exact same fish, the kitchen was able to prepare it with a different one, and it tasted just as good as she remembered. My mom ordered the meatball sub, and I had the Bolognese with homemade pappardelle pasta. The meat sauce was excellent. My mom said the meatballs were the best she's ever had--she barely touched the bread because she just wanted to enjoy the meatballs themselves. We also picked up some of their fresh pasta to take home. It's incredibly easy to prepare--just drop it in hot water for 2-3 minutes depending on how you like it, much quicker than store-bought pasta. We'll definitely keep stopping here whenever we're in the area. Give it a try--you won't be disappointed. read more

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If you're looking for one of the best meals in Laguna Beach, Alessa Laguna Beach should absolutely be on your list. This place nails that sweet spot between authentic Italian and a fresh California twist. Everything tastes incredibly high quality, from the fish and meats to the cheese and vegetables they use to build each dish. You can tell they actually care about what's going on the plate. I've been here four times now and tried a variety of pastas and pizzas, and it's been consistently great every single time. At this point, it's easily become my go-to spot in the area. On top of the food, the service is genuinely impressive. It's a smaller, more intimate dining space, which means you're taken care of quickly and attentively without feeling rushed. What really makes it stand out is how much value you get. The pricing is surprisingly reasonable for the quality, and they've got a great wine selection to go with your meal. There's also a bar with stools if you want something more casual, plus a TV if you're trying to catch a game. Right in the heart of Laguna Beach, it's honestly hard to compare this place to others nearby once you've experienced it. read more

Alessa - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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We came here by accident .Loved the dishes. Ordered dishes to snd meatball huge sizes full of flavor . Then We ordered Calzone which was huge . loved mushroom pizza . Linguine with mussels and shrimp white wine sauce too good . White wine was good too . read more

Alessa - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

We needed a last minute dinner reservation for a group of 9 and options were pretty limited. Even though some of the recent reviews made us hesitate, we decided to give Alessa a try. Our experience was completely different from what we had read. Jesus, our waiter, was fantastic. Super attentive, quick, and made everything easy for our group. The food came out surprisingly fast for a table our size and everything was hot, flavorful, and generous in portion. No complaints there at all. Corkage is $25: we didn't bring a bottle this time, but we definitely will next time. read more

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I have so many mixed feelings about this place. We used to come here 10 years ago on an almost weekly cadence. We would sit at the bar and the food was really good. We just moved back to town, and we were excited to go back, but like many places, the little touches we loved have changed. I will start by saying the food is still pretty good. The menu is nice and big, but the presentation just falls flat. They have made sitting at the bar a little weird and uncomfortable. They added some items for decor on the end. Ostensibly to get more seating inside. But it makes it feel a bit awkward. We would sit there because we would always get good service. My biggest issue, and the reason for less stars is the service. We are very patient and since we like the place, even more so. But, we had to flag our server down for everything and even then it would take a long time to get attention. It just gets exhausting to have a conversation with friends while trying to keep flagging someone over and over. Our server was just too busy with too big of a section. We always have loved the cheese board. The selections are great, and the presentation used to be phenomenal. They would put little extras of peppers and fruit. Now it comes on a bed of lettuce. Nothing more. We also got some other dishes, and I forgot to get pics. I was probably too busy trying to flag our sever down. ;) The were all yummy, but the plates looked messy. The presentation wasn't great. The ambience is tight tables and can get noisy. But it feels cozy. I would give this place 3.75 stars if that was an option. We will be back. But, we will be longing for the days when they seemed to care a little bit more about the details. read more

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10/10 service. Incredible food. Lovely new hostess at the front the are very accommodating feels like a night out in Italy.

This restaurant was fantastic! Fresh basil with the bread to start, homemade pasta and delicious wine. Prices were surprisingly good considering the location and quality. I would definitely return! read more

Honestly I'm so conflicted about this place. First, I'll start with the good. The food was pretty tasty. I had lobster ravioli and my wife and daughter split a gnocchi. Both dishes were tasty but I will say my lobster ravioli was super tiny, with only 5 raviolis and a sole shrimp in the middle. The bread and pesto /olive oil they start you with was also pretty good, so they've got that going for them. Now the not so good. I'm not so sure they wanted our business. We showed up at the podium and had to wait for someone to greet us. When they did it was a waitress and not a hostess. She seemed unaware or maybe just had things on her mind, or maybe we were a burden, no smile or anything. After leaving and then coming back she brought us to an outside table. The waiter was nice but again things seemed odd. We had no menus and he didn't seem bothered by that. So we just looked on our phones, no big deal. It took a bit to order but we were in no rush so again, no big deal. I think he stopped by once towards the end of the meal and saw my empty water. He then asked if I wanted it filled. Not annoying but I just ate at a different place the night before where your water was always topped off. It's just an interesting contrast in service. Overall I'd say the food is good and the service is only fair. I'm hoping it was just a one-off and will try again later to see if it was just my unlucky day. Laguna Beach is full of great places to eat and this could be one if it gets tightened up a bit. read more

Alessa - My lobster ravioli. Tiny but tasty. - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Love the environment, very cozy smaller restaurant. Food was and service was great. Love the free bread appetizer with Pesti, delicious. read more

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I would definitely rate 5 stars after being a loyal customer since the Pomodoro days way before it turned into Alessa today. I went there last night to place a takeout order in-person. When I first arrived, Daniel was assisting other tables that were dining in, which was totally fine so I patiently waited. He finally checks in with me which I said "I'm here to place a takeout order" and he told me to continue to wait as he's assisting his other 2 tables. It was not busy at all lol... and had several vacant tables, but I continued to stay patient and looked through the menu. Mind you, Daniel didn't one time offer the menu to browse through while I waited. I just assumed he was new because I've never seen him there plus I just assumed his 2 tables were a lot for him to assist. He didn't seem like he was going to assist me anytime soon so I decided to call the restaurant from outside and a friendly woman answered. I placed my order with her and told me it'll be ready in 20 min. I came back after 25 min and Daniel was in the back chatting with his coworkers, go figure. He asked me what I needed but the look on his face looked disgusted and just not welcoming whatsoever. I repeated twice I'm here for a pickup. And he brings me the check to pay which I did and he told me the food will be ready and I quote "1 minute." He didn't tell me to wait in a certain area while waiting for my order and I felt like an idiot just standing there while he was rudely walking back & fourth in front of me. I was just thinking the whole time like get me out of here, why is this employee being unhelpful and not welcoming. So 12 minutes pass by, and I ask another employee "is there something wrong with my order why is it taking so long after being told 1 minute" that employee was no help and just walked back to the kitchen. Daniel was just talking to the employees and kitchen staff laughing and not a care in the world. From what turned into 1 minute, turned into 20 minutes so I walked off. My husband ended up picking up the order from Daniel himself. I've been to this location when it was still Pomodoro and even had amazing interactions with the Chef himself. The food was amazing as always, but this interaction with Daniel was extremely uncomfortable. I can tell he didn't want anything to do with me the moment I arrived. read more

I didn't like it--this isn't Italian pizza! There was hardly any cheese--in fact, there wasn't any at all--and the dough wasn't cooked through on the inside. read more

Alessa - Pizza Margherita - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

We go out for family dinner every Friday night and we stumbled upon this place. We all got different dishes but all of them were yummy! The service was also great as our waitress was quick and super friendly! The ambiance is so cute inside and they have a small patio on the front. We would definitely come here again! read more

Always great to come back! Zuca, new scampi liking ravioli, bolognese, fried crispy risotto arancini, brewed with pesto and some wonderful wine. Luis served us well both visits ! Chef never disappoints in this beautiful little spot in Laguna, steps from the beach. And his own pasta made locally as well! read more

Alessa - Dry pasta made by Chef Pirozzi - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

our server Daniel was professional and friendly We had the best time here The food was amazing Best Italian Restaurant Dessert was delicious I would 100% recommend to anyone who like Italian food Thanks Daniel and Alessa for the excellent service read more

If I could rate this place 0 stars, I would. My friend and I went here for dinner and we agree that it was such an awful experience. The service was terrible. Our server barely checked on us, and we waited almost an hour for our food to come out. When it finally did, the pasta was extremely undercooked. The noodles were so tough it was hard to even eat. The table next to us ordered the same thing and said theirs was just as bad. We sent our food back, but even the new plates were still undercooked, just slightly less hard. Overall, it was really frustrating and disappointing. I would not recommend dining here. read more

Service was terrible... I wanted to give it a chance after them being rude the moment we arrived! Overcharged us for a meal, which We didn't even want to deal with anymore! The food is okay but overpriced with little amount! I won't recommend this restaurant as there are plenty around for less expensive or even better taste and better service!!! The ambiance was ok read more

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Outstanding place to get homemade feel like you're at grandma's Italian breakfast in our lunch table ambience outside in Laguna Beach you can't beat that servers were the best in town read more

Alessa - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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We were seated at a reasonable amount of time. Our server was attentive, the seats were comfortable. Love the bread and dip, it was the best part before our appetizer or starters of zucchini ravioli arrived. Our different pasta platters were great & tasted delicious, and the fillet mignon was perfect! We were stuffed and it was our second time here. Will definitely come back and recommend this place! read more

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Do not order a delivery !!!!! Door dash has been waiting for 1.5 hours for the food. It's only 1 pizza and a salad! Will not take any responsibility! read more

The grand daughter said we just had to try this place. She said the desserts were the best.part. so we trecked over there and were we ever impressed. Best darn Italian food i ever had. The caesar salad with added anchovy was incredible. The ravioli were spectacular. In fact i was too full for dessert but i would highly recommend this place. read more

Came for drinks, got the Positano Sunset! Very strong. Good views (not of the ocean, sadly) and seating was fast. Edit: we also got a meatball. Just one! Apparently you can get as many number as you want. It was great!! Highly recommend. read more

Alessa - Positano sunsets - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Happened to be in Laguna beach spur of the moment with family and decided to dine at this place; a place we used to go to all the time but hadn't eaten at since before Covid. Luckily it was a Sunday night and not too crowded so we got in right away. We started off with Caesar salads which were in a light dressing and good but pretty standard. I had the limoncello pasta with salmon that was incredibly tasty although a bit more of a cream sauce than I expected, and the salmon was cooked perfectly. Other meals that were enjoyed at the table were the baked ziti, the lamb pappardelle, and pasta with mixed seafood. Everyone said their dishes were delicious and generously proportioned. Glad to see that this place hadn't changed much, and I will definitely be back- read more

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The food is wonderful and so is the service! We've come here a few times and have enjoyed everything we've had. Even on a very busy night, the server was very attentive read more

You know those places that seem to have everything going for them? Great bones. Killer location. A patio kissed by the ocean air and haunted by the ghosts of pandemic-era outdoor dining. Alessa is one of those places. Half a block from the boardwalk in Laguna, it should be printing money and dishing out joy. It should be packed with locals clinking glasses and tourists discovering their new favorite Italian haunt. And maybe it is. But on the night I was there, it was something else entirely. We were welcomed with a warmth that felt real--the kind of smile and spark from the hostess that gives you hope. She seated us with grace, fired up the outdoor heater like a pro, and for a brief moment, it felt like we were in good hands. The menu reads like a love letter to Italian comfort food. Caesar salad, cioppino, pizzas with names like "Meat Lovers" that beckon you with the subtlety of a Vegas marquee. The Caesar arrived first and, to be fair, was damn near perfect. Crisp romaine, house-made croutons that crunched with confidence, and a dressing that actually dared to include anchovy flavor. A strong start. But then our server showed up--or rather, didn't show up. A man of few words, and even fewer expressions. Questions were met with vague gestures, thumbs-ups, and the blank stare of someone mentally clocked out. It became a running joke at the table. Communication was not his love language. The cioppino looked promising, brimming with seafood and possibility--but it was oversalted to the point of distraction. Less "rustic seaside stew," more "ocean's revenge." The bread, however? Sublime. Warm, soft, perfect for mopping up the memories of better meals. My pizza arrived looking like a magazine ad: golden crust, generous toppings, meatball halves perched proudly like sentries on a Neapolitan battlefield. And then I took a bite. Lukewarm. Not cold. Not hot. The kind of temperature that makes you wonder if the kitchen lost a bet. A culinary near-miss that stung, because the flavor was there. And then came the moment that sealed it: a busser, in full view of the entire deck, stacked a pile of dirty dishes three inches from my wife's head. Just set them on the railing like it was a dish pit and not the front of a restaurant. We exchanged a look--half disbelief, half surrender. We left with a thank-you from the same wonderful hostess who greeted us, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. Because this place could be so much more. It has the location, the bones, even flashes of talent in the kitchen. But it's weighed down by apathy, missed chances, and a front-of-house that needs a jolt of life. Alessa, you could've been a contender. But in the end, you're just a pretty face with nothing much to say. read more

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Put it this way , I'm fine with subway and jersey mikes (13) for a good sandwich. But today I discovered this little restaurant by accident. On the lunch menu they offer different paninis, I chose the smoked turkey, WOW!! It's amazing , the bread is baked here in the morning , vegetables are fresh and the salad was perfect. $18.00....it is in Laguna beach but honestly the price in my opinion was very fair and priced right. The staff were on point and I'm leaving very satisfied. read more

Alessa - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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I always like to plan before visiting a restaurant by checking out their menu on their website or Yelp. I noticed they had a lunch menu and found something I wanted to order. When I visited the restaurant, the server only gave us the dinner and drink menus, so I asked for the lunch menu. Our group enjoyed outdoor dining at the restaurant because the weather was nice and sunny. What we ordered: WILD TURKEY PANINI (Smoked turkey breast, Gouda, crispy bacon, organic Roma tomato, basil mayo, lettuce) - Available on the Lunch Menu. Advertised as the Best Italian Sandwich in Laguna Beach. Personally, I didn't think it was the best I've tried, but the portion was reasonably GENEROUS. CALAMARI FRITTI (Crispy fried calamari, Arrabbiata sauce) - A good shareable plate for the group. The portion was also GENEROUS, and the sauce complemented the calamari well. PESCATORE RISOTTO (Tiger shrimp, calamari, Manila clams, heirloom tomato, white wine reduction) - The size of the seafood was IMPRESIVE. They were big, and the collection of seafood almost covered the plate. However, I found the overall taste of this dish to be oversaucy. I believe it would be much better with half the amount of sauce. read more

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We went here for dinner after enjoying the summer art festivals. It was a beautiful night to enjoy dinner on the outside patio and the service was excellent. The food was excellent and the portions were large. I enjoyed a glass of wine to start. They serve very fresh bread and a pesto dipping sauce that was very good. I ordered the Pollo Limoncello on the waiter's recommendation. It did not disappoint. My friend had the Pasta Shells with Pesto and Shrimp and really enjoyed it. We both had at least half left over to take home. I look forward to returning to try another dish. read more

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The location is nice and near the beach. The food was good. The service was not fantastic. The server greeted us twice- I guess he didn't remember coming to the table the first time? I don't like giving bad reviews for service unless it is due to rude behavior, but it really made the experience sub par for our first visit. We would go again because the calzone was yummy. read more

Alessa - Pizza & Pasta - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Very much the real deal . This Italian place is as authentic as it gets, in every way. Pizza to start, excellent dough and crust. Every dish at our table was notable, the meatballs....giant....and you'd think at first they must be dry....but the moistest you will ever eat ...and subtle flavors....not overly anything. The Italian wines by the glass are well chosen and perfect. If I lived near here I'd be a regular. The sausage also, not overly anything but very tasty. Bravo, very nice day here. read more

This place had a cool ambience. I liked how it was near the beach but a few things I will say is the service wasn't that good to be honest I waited like maybe 20 minutes before I got asked what I wanted to drink and the restaurant wasn't that busy. and then after ordering our drinks, it took another 10 to 15 minutes to get. And our food took about 30 minutes to get usually my dining experiences are pretty fast, but I found that at this place. It took a lot longer than usual. I was at the restaurant for at least an hour and a half. I would only come back if the service was a lot better if I'm ever back in the area. read more

Alessa - Cacio PIZZA - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Food was good the alfredo and other dishes were a little under seasoned. However it was fine. Now with the service they wouldn't let us pay for our own meals individually or even split it more than 3 ways. On top of that it was clear they just didn't want to go back and split the checks with the receipts. They were just being lazy and didn't want to accommodate to our needs. It is a basic thing that a restaurant should have the ability to split checks. They were also disrespectful. Not a great experience. read more

The food was okay, but I was pretty put off that the server brought me burnt bread. I love the bread and butter at Italian restaurants, so I just cut off the burnt part and ate the rest, but honestly it felt a bit insulting. I don't think I'll be going back. read more

Alessa - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I've been a loyal patron of Alessa Italian Restaurant in Laguna Beach for multiple visits, consistently enjoying their authentic Italian flavors, fresh pasta, and welcoming coastal ambiance it's one of the few spots that truly feels like a hidden gem in the area. The cozy setting and attentive service on prior occasions made it a reliable choice for date nights or casual dinners with friends. However, my most recent visit turned into a deeply upsetting ordeal that has completely soured my view of the place. When I informed the staff about my dairy allergy a standard request I've made successfully at countless other restaurants they abruptly refused to accommodate me, citing their "small kitchen" as the reason. This excuse rang hollow, as every eatery claims limited space yet manages dietary restrictions with simple modifications like separate prep areas or substitutions. What truly crossed the line was their rude delivery: the tone was dismissive and condescending, as if my legitimate health concern was an inconvenience or imposition rather than a basic customer need. For the first time at any Laguna Beach restaurant, I felt singled out, uncomfortable, and genuinely unwelcome simply for prioritizing my safety. No effort was made to suggest alternatives, check with the kitchen, or even apologize, it was an outright rejection that left me standing there stunned after driving over specifically for their renowned dishes. This lack of empathy and poor training on allergies isn't just disappointing; it's a red flag for anyone with dietary restrictions in a town full of inclusive dining options. Alessa has the potential to shine with its menu and vibe, but until they improve staff sensitivity and accommodation policies, I won't be returning or recommending it. Diners deserve better than rudeness disguised as logistics. Thank you for your response and for acknowledging my experience. Unfortunately, due to how my allergy was handled, I will not be returning to your restaurant. I understand that many kitchens face space or operational limitations, but in my 30+ years of living with a dairy allergy, your restaurant is the first that has been unable to accommodate it. That was both surprising and uncomfortable. This experience has made me realize I now need to ask restaurants directly whether they feel comfortable serving me something I've never felt the need to do before. As a longtime Laguna Beach local, I find that deeply disappointing, and I'll be sure to share my experience so others with allergies can be aware. I've learned that you should be ashamed of yourself for what your staff said to me that night, and I would not keep them as workers or staff at your restaurant, utterly embarrassing, and I will make sure everybody that used to come to your restaurant no longer' comes I've shared with local restaurants around the area and they are blown away. They said they said alessa I said yup... so your not a scrapped kitchen you pre-make things is what you're telling me read more

Used to be one of our favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, they significantly changed our favorite item on the menu (and not for the better). Please..please bring back spaghetti verde.....the new version is not great. read more

Outstanding food and even better service!!! Most delicious Limoncello Pasta with Shrimp!

I'm not really one to ever leave a review, let alone a bad one, but I had to say-- I don't think I've ever experienced service this bad. Our server had us waiting over an hour for our food. He asked us 15 mins after we put in our order what appetizer we ordered and then waited another 20 for the appetizer to come. Didn't get the free bread and pesto until 30 minutes of being seated. Waited so long for our napkins that by the time we got them, the oil was already seeped into our fingers. After maybe 45 mins of waiting, he asked if we had gotten our food and looked scared and then got hour food over an hour of being seated. All for the food to be pretty mediocre. At the end of it all, he gave us free ice cream which was nice, but that just confirmed that he completely forgot about us and probably forgot to put our order in! Such a bummer, because this was our valentines celebration and had higher expectations of this place. read more

I was in the Laguna area and had two friends tell me to try Alessa, so I did! My husband and I went for lunch on a Sunday and got sat right away on their patio. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive the entire service! They start you off with some bread and fresh pesto dip. Pesto was very tasty but kinda wish they did a rustic sourdough or focaccia bread. We decided to order pasta. I had fettuccini and my husband ordered osso bucco ravioli. The fettuccini was very tasty 10/10 they make the sauce fresh everyday and noodles tasted handmade too. Osso bucco was tender and delicious with plenty of mushrooms 10/10. We peeked at their dessert menu but seemed a bit pricey for dessert so we passed. Overall it was a good meal with quality pastas! read more

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The pescatore risotto is delicious. Rice cooked a nice al dente and the seafood was fresh especially the clams. Prices are not bad either compared to what I'm used to paying for seafood at a restaurant. Forgot my servers name but he was great bartending for me and working the restaurant. Restaurant gets a little hot inside though when sitting at the bar and it did take about 10 minutes before someone came to serve me, but great after! read more

Alessa - Pescatore risotto - Italian Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Definitely a busy night, but the service was really slow for us. I think it may have been because we were in a weird area that was covered by the bartender instead of a regular waiter. Took a really long time for us to order and get drinks. The guy was really nice, but obviously just way too busy. We had some hits and some misses. The pesto for the bread was good, but the bread was really too soft. The gnocchi with chicken was decent, I liked the pesto sauce, but it was a little light on the seasoning for the chicken. I probably could have done without the chicken completely. The orecchiette was pretty good and the scampi ravioli was squarely in the ok column as well. We thought the calamari was nicely fried, but just needed some seasoning. Again, right in the ok area for us, not terrible and not amazing. Might have been better on a slower night. read more

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