Great food, great service, great ambiance, and great wine. Such a special place and a great menu. read more

Trendy LA: overpriced pasta, chicken parm, caesar salad drowned in cheese mediocre service, didn't want to close the door until 8pm -- freezing cold Cento Pasta, Gjelina, Donna's, Funke, Macherroni Republic reign supreme read more

I visited Companion on a Friday morning to try their coffee. Plenty of seats around 8am. Music choice was strange, but not too loud. They source pastries and breakfast burritos from Cafe Tropical. Nice. Coffee was good - I got a latte with the orange syrup. It was very light and added a nice subtle flavor. Not sure if they have WiFi, but there were a good amount of people working on laptops. Street parking wasn't hard to find. read more

Companion - Latte and cappuccino - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been to companion for dinner twice and a few times for coffee. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about my experiences here. What a vibey and warm ambiance they have created. I love the small menu concept because everything I've tried is 10/10. Best caesar in LA! Servers, hostesses & owners are so sweet. Coffee and espresso is amazing too. read more

Companion - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Yummy food! My favorite was definitely the Rigatoni Bolognese. The crispy rice salad was also unique and I liked the texture of the rice with the arugula. We also got the Olivia Pizza. Never had a pizza with thai basil and enoki mushrooms before. It's good & worth trying, but definitely feel like I would like The Klaus better! They also had meatballs with burrata as an off menu item that I really enjoyed. The staff is friendly and helpful. The place is a little small, but still comfortable. It was easy to book a reservation online. It's mainly street parking, but there is a neighborhood near the restaurant where you can park. Overall, I would recommend this place! The interior is warm & charming. read more

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The vibe is so great inside, I loved the decor. It's vibey and clean. I celebrated my 25TH birthday here and was very satisfied!! The staff was so nice and the service was great. The food is AMAZING, I definitely recommend it. The owners' dog sat next to us too which was a fun addition! read more

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Companion is one of those spots that feels like a true neighborhood gem. Super intimate, low key, and effortlessly cool. The kind of place you go once and immediately want to come back to. Definitely go for happy hour. $12 wine and a $7 focaccia that is dangerously good and the perfect way to start the night. The food is where Companion really shines. Everything we had felt very authentic Italian, simple in the best way, and full of flavor. The pizza was delicious. Perfectly cooked, balanced, and exactly what you want when you are craving real Italian pizza. My husband ordered the vodka chicken cutlet and absolutely loved it. Comforting, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. If you are looking for a cozy Venice spot with great food, great vibes, and a happy hour that actually delivers, Companion is it. We will definitely be back. read more

Companion - Ambiance - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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First impression- corner place with big beautiful windows Parking- the little lot behind this place is reserved; don't go in there bc it is a bit hard to get out of. If you drive down that street you can find some neighborhood parking but do expect to parallel park Food- Sausage pizza- Honestly, it's been months since I came here and I compare every Italian pizza to this place! It ruined a ton of other places for me but that's great because you can truly taste and appreciate the quality here! The ingredients taste wonderful and you just don't want to stop eating; the bottom of this pizza was wonderfully crisp. Service- Our waiter was very attentive and had great conversational skills. It didn't feel overwhelming at all but rather just enough! What's wonderful is the music in the background and watching the dough being made in the back was fun Overall- I can't wait to go back and I highly recommend this place! I haven't been during lunch time but I am looking forward to coming back read more

Companion - Pizza - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This cute little restaurant has been on my list and finally make it out for a visit. Italian staples with a huge wine list. My friend and I came for dinner and opted for their Crispy Rice Salad, Chicken Cutlet, and Mushroom Pizza (special for the day). Salad: Very citrus forward and a bit over-dressed but very tasty with tangerines and guava. Feels perfect for this season Chicken Cutlet: The star of the meal; crispy but not burnt; not too much breading, great sauce that was savory but had sweet notes; so good Mushroom Pizza: White sauce with mushroom and bits of what tasted like candied bacon (or some other cured meat); liked the play with the sweetness from the bacon and still a good pizza with a good pizza dough, can be skipped Service was on point and they were very hospitable. Would recommend a visit and to leave some room for dessert, which we mistakenly didn't. read more

Companion is a nice, quiet spot. I loved the overall vibe of the restaurant. Great place for a date night. My friend and I went to celebrate our birthdays. I had seen the Caesar salad on Tik Tok and knew we had to try it! Companion had a small but great wine list for wine by the glass. I believe there was an ever bigger wine list for by the bottle. Overall, the food was really amazing. The Caesar salad was delicious. I recommend this! We split a pizza and a pasta. I really liked both but I think if I went back, I would he the pasta over the pizza for myself. Or try a different pizza. The olive oil cake for dessert was a great way to top off the dinner. read more

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I'm glad we made a reservation because it was definitely packed in there. We walked in and our waitress Sophia was super friendly. She explained the menu to us and was very present throughout our dinner. Honestly I don't remember the names of the food we ordered but they were all delicious. The most memorable was the radiatore arrabbiata; the burrata blended well with the spicy red sauce and the pasta was cooked perfectly. I love the vibe of the restaurant and would 100% come back. I definitely want to come check out what their menu during the day looks like. read more

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Focaccia bread- 3.5/5 Salad- 3.5 Olivia pizza-2/5 Pasta-2/5 Cookie- 4/5 Red wine-5/5 Everything came out super cold. Nothing was even warm or hot. We spent about $158 + tip. Parking is tough since it's Venice, so try to look in the neighborhood streets. Our waitress was sweet but the host wasn't "welcoming"... Overall it's a one time try or just skip overall. read more

My husband and I came here for dinner on a Thursday night in late October. It was around 7:30 pm when we came, and we didn't have a reservation, so at first there was no space except at a small outside table. Luckily a space opened up at the counter inside, so we took that instead. The menu here isn't huge, but they have a mix of pastas, a couple of pizza options, and some protein mains and appetizers. We didn't order much when we dined here, and decided to share just the chicken parm and the spicy vodka pasta. Both of these were very good. They were both simple and comforting classic dishes that were filled us up. Service was friendly and efficient. We'll definitely be back and are glad to have this addition in Venice. read more

Companion - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Have been wanting to try Companion for a while and had been hesitant due to the small menu, but it totally exceeded expectations. Everything we got was faultless, delicious fresh ingredients packed full of flavour and generous portions. The vibe is great, relaxed but had a 'mood' with great lightning. We started with the beans which were incredible, so flavourful, creamy, not dry whatsoever. Both salads the Caesar (incredible dressing) and the crispy rice (such an unusual combination of flavours and textures) - all must gets. Torn between the pastas we ended up doubling up on the amatriciana and rigatoni - no regrets, both incredible. Perfectly cooked al dente pasta generous sauce and meat in the bolognaise, delicious! The sausage pizza I liked, a little crisper than I prefer and would like more cheese. Then the chicken parm - wow! Great serving, perfect for sharing, juicy and crispy at the same time with juicy cheesy tomatoey sauce, big yes! Finally for dessert the cookie and ice cream, decent, not my favourite. All in all a wonderful experience with great wine and all round quality dishes, well done! read more

Always here to support a women run business! Companion has been on my list for awhile, the spots a bit on the pricier side but I do think once you look past the pricing, you'll really enjoy the meal and ambiance of this spot. Came with a girlfriend and we ordered the Caesar salad, the pasta with white sauce (forgot the name) and the bread cake. the Caesar salad was one of the best ive had and for the price you get a LOT lol. Had leftovers for the next day which was amazing. The pasta was delicious just on the pricier side so I probably would try something else next time. Dessert was a perfect ending to the meal. Music was great, place was busy, and everyone was so nice. 100% coming back to try a few of the other items on the menu. read more

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Thank you Tessa !! Love the vibes and music . don't miss their pasta and great salads . Affordable and friendly people. We enjoyed it !! read more

We have been here for breakfast. It's casual in the mornings you order at the counter. We got the breakfast burrito and coffee, burrito was good and their coffee was fantastic! read more

Companion - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is now my favorite little gem! The ambiance was great dim lighting, tables that made you engage your party and music that was not blaring in your ear. The food was the star, from the pizza to the pasta and the salad. I could not be more happy to have found this place. Our service was beyond great, my water was never empty my table was never crowded and the waiter was engaging which left us wanting to come back. Check this spot out for a date night you won't miss. read more

Staying around the corner, walked by with the dogs one of the dogs and thought it looked cute so I stopped in this little place and found delicious coffee and pastries. Very fog friendly and staff is too. Doesn't look like much from the outside but you'll find delicious food and drink inside. read more

Companion is an elegant yet welcoming spot where you'll find a limited menu (at least during lunch) done very well. Went on a Saturday for lunch and there was plenty of seating. Their menu was written on the glass by the register where there was a selection of 3 sandwiches for around $17-21. The chicken parm is highly recommended- moist, well cooked chicken with a hearty sauce and delicious cheese (wish there were a bit more). Bread was top notch as well and complemented the chicken well. Espresso had good rich flavor. Appreciate that they also accompanied it with a glass of sparking water. Service was nice and helpful. Street parking if you can find it read more

I've been wanting to go here for ages and finally got a reservation. The vibes are great - cute cafe vibes with loud music and cozy benches. The menu is small, but well done; we loved the caesar salad, the patata e porro pizza with potatoes and leeks, the focaccia, and the arrabbiata pasta. The dishes are pricey, but pretty big portions, so sharing is definitely the way to go. read more

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Wonderful service, delicious food, and amazing wine!! Companion is truly a hidden gem. The interior is very cozy and homey - it almost feels like you're dining at a friend's house. The servers know their stuff and provided us with spot on recommendations based on our party size and preferences. My favorite dishes were the Clam Pizza and Arrabiata. We also had a bottle of wine from Georgia that was divine! Will definitely be back. read more

You know when you're at your desk fresh back from your Europe trip, your mind is sifting through an excel spreadsheet, but your heart & soul are daydreaming about that one meal you had in that small family run restaurant where everything is handmade and locally sourced? Well, Companion brings a slice of that stateside. I read that article Eater LA did on this place, and knew when I was back in LA it had to be my first stop. My girlfriend, my big homie, and I entered and were immediately transported from the parking lot that is Lincoln blvd to a small family run restaurant in the Tuscan countryside: Natural light trickles in, subtly dancing off the wine glasses and glowing the rustic wooden furniture, while a vinyl record faintly plays in the background. It makes you feel like you are in someone's living room. Nick and Dakota, the husband and wife owners who double as servers, both came and greeted us like lifelong friends. They gotta be up there for cutest couples of all time. The menu consists of 6 items, 3 pizzas, and 3 dessert options. I'm a SUCKER for a small menu, as you know everything will be fresh and they can actually drill down on the attention to detail. Right as I was set to order a glass of wine, I heard my big homie quote the Drake line "Wine by the glass? Your man a cheapskate, huh?" as he asked Nick for a bottle list. Nick comes back with a handwritten wine menu, and begins pitching us on this bottle of Caleb Leisure wine that they only had 6 more bottles of. I don't know wine like that but I nodded along and threw in a "No way...Fr?" to act like I'm a Sommelier. As we sat there vibing over the bottle of Caleb, we put in our food: Panzanella, Radiatore Arrabbiata, Rigatoni Bolognese, Chicken Milanese, and a Klaus pizza. Nick, draped in a war torn Bob Marley shirt and a white apron, would come every 20 minutes to change the vinyl and describe the record he was about to spin. There is so much passion in this man it's tough to articulate in the written form. The food started to roll in, and my god. Everything is made from scratch and it SHOWS. I normally highlight one dish, but everything was so good I can't even narrow it down. You know what, I do gotta talk about this pizza though. It was perfect. It kept its shape and hang time even with Italian Sausage and a bed of Arugula on top. Hangtime was oddly reminiscent of that Steph Curry jumper over Wemby in the 2024 Olympics... I asked Nick how they even do this, and he informed me it is "Jack Style" pizza, in a nod to Chef Jack Goode, who runs the show here. It's a blending Neapolitan dough with New York-style touches and a New Haven structure, which results in NO flop on the crust. Gun to my head on picking between the Radiatore and Bolognese pastas, I'd be dead. Both were that good. For dessert we got the Olive Oil Cake and affogato, both of which blew the doors off. My only critique would be that I love pouring my espresso over the ice cream for my affogato, but that's just a personal preference. I left here so inspired. Seeing Nick and Dakota living their dream while delivering one of the best meals I've had this year makes me want to beat the Matrix more than ever. One thing we lost with putting convenience at the forefront of American culture are these types of places. Pure Soul. THANK YOU COMPANION TEAM! KEEP GOING! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews read more

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Cafe by day, wine/pasta bar by night. Full house on a Friday night so definitely make a resy! However, even though we had a reservation they were so busy that we ended up having to wait 40 minutes outside for a seat. Squash pizza was a very unique menu item so we had to try it; every bite was an explosion of flavors from sweet squash to savory garlic to kicks of hot oil. Love that it was thin crust too. Bolognese was equally as excellent, al dente, and you can taste quality in the ingredients. Everything on the menu is made from scratch! Street parking only which can be tricky. Overall worth a try for a very yummy meal. read more

We had a reservation for 8:30 PM and when we arrived, the staff were confused and reluctant to seat us. When we had come in and informed them of our res, the woman went "really???" In a tone where we felt unwelcomed. We stood around the entrance for at least 7-10 minutes while we watched them point at us and discuss among themselves. We were nearly about to leave until a staff member agreed to seat us. It was such an awkward experience, they were folding chairs and putting tables away. we felt rushed to order and eat. But, our waitress was very kind and served our wine nicely. We also enjoyed the focaccia bread and pepperoni pizza. Overall, it was somewhat unsettling, I think we'd rather gone someplace else to enjoy our time. It seems that they close their kitchen 30 minutes before their posted close time. Which is strange that they'd accept reservations so late then. read more

Hearing that Companion was founded by the same people behind Gnarwhal coffee and knowing that I love Gnarwhal certainly intrigued me to soon give it a go. They served pastries, sandwiches, and coffee from morning to early afternoon then closed their door for a couple hours before opened again for dinner. The cozy and gorgeously designed space occupied a spot on Lincoln. It gave me that pretty library/bookstore vibe and somehow just felt so homey. I actually came for the pastries but everything's sold out when I was there around 1, so sandwich it was. I was apparently tad lucky that I got the last available Porchetta Shoulder sandwich. NGL, the price was more on the higher range, but the generous stuffing and taste fully paid it off. The porchetta was so tender and flavorful, and pairing it to raspberry sauce was genius idea. I really loved how this sandwich felt light and refreshing withi lighter touch of sauce, letting the protein flavor stood out. Then obviously the coffee was a must, so I went for their latte with almond milk. Gnarwhal coffee never failed me and so did this one, bold and aromatic, just perfect wakeup call for the day. Learnt my lesson and promised myself to come earlier next time. Besides, really looking forward to spending dinner here as well! read more

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We could not have had a better meal at Companion last night! My husband and our two friends were so excited to try this place out, and it did not disappoint. Not only was the food delicious, but the owner was so incredibly kind, and his dog was totally precious throughout our entire meal. We ordered the focaccia and the Caesar to start, both pastas on the menu, the chicken parm, and a pepperoni pizza. For dessert, we ordered the olive oil cake. Everything was SO GOOD. My personal favorite was the bolognese - it was so creamy and had amazing flavor without it being too heavy. The focaccia was also incredible! The Caesar was so tasty and had anchovies, which I don't usually like, but these were delicious! Everyone was so kind and the vibes were great. I can't wait to come back! read more

This place is a vibe with loud music and a chill aesthetic. Tables are close together but not where conversations are overpowering each other Service was wonderful! Hostess was super friendly--you're seated when everyone arrives. The server was great. Checked in enough to fill wine glasses but not too much to feel rushed Salads are massive and piled high! Caesar was good. The Arrabbiata was my fav, had a kick. The Klaus was decent Chicken Parm was okay, but nothing special. Lacking salt. Decent wine list! The door stays open so dress accordingly! read more

Companion - Chicken parm - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cool spot in Venice. Great menu with fun shareable plates! Had the pizza special and a hot Sicilian. Thin cracker crust was a treat. Caesar was awesome! Split it 4 ways, it's that BIG! read more

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Loved this spot on Lincoln! Cozy vibes & delicious food. Excited to also try during the day for the pastries. read more

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I thought the service was incredibly lovely--warm, attentive and genuinely welcoming. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the team takes hospitality seriously, which really elevated the overall experience. We ordered a salad, pasta and pizza. The salad was beautifully composed--carrots and fennel were standout elements--but it was surprisingly large. As two diners, we found it a bit dense to finish and would've appreciated knowing in advance that it was easily a four-portion dish. A smaller option at a lower price point might make it more approachable. The pasta had great flavor but was a bit light on sauce, which made it feel slightly incomplete. The potato pizza had a nice crust with a lot of char-driven flavor, though we found the overall taste a bit muted. It seemed to lean more on texture than flavor. That said, a side of red sauce made a big difference--really brought the whole dish together. Across the board, we felt the seasoning was on the lighter side. As someone who usually finds restaurant food too salty, I didn't mind, but it's worth noting. Total pre-tip was around $120, which included sparkling water and a single IPA (which was excellent). They also gave us two drink tokens for their daytime café, which was a really thoughtful touch. Overall, I'd say the food didn't quite feel worth the price, but the experience still earns 5 stars from me. The service alone makes me want to return, and I think with a menu refresh, it could become a real go-to. As someone who eats out frequently in Venice, this spot fits right in--trendy with above-average prices that match the neighborhood's core demographic. I'd personally wait to come back until the menu evolves a bit, just to try something new. Competitor-wise, I think Scopa and Gjelina edge it out in terms of food, but Companion's service was far friendlier--especially compared to Gjelina. Trying to be helpfully honest! read more

Companion - Carrot salad. - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

5 stars Neighborhood gem with coffee, Italian comfort, and community vibes I absolutely love Companion in Venice- this place checks every box for me. By day, it feels like a cozy living room with a killer espresso bar (don't sleep on the cereal-milk matcha or affogato!). Come evening, it transitions into a charming Italian-inspired dining room with intimate lighting, vinyl tunes, and a menu that hits just right. Atmosphere & Service Furniture feels like it's from someone's personal home. Wood rafters, record shelves, and friendly chatter make it an ideal spot for date nights or catching up with friends. The team treats you like family- warm, attentive, and genuinely happy to have you there. Food & Drinks * Coffee & pastries: Smooth, well-crafted espresso options--perfect fuel for your morning laptop session. * Cocktails & natural wines: Curated list with California-Italian vibes. * Dinner: * Chicken Parmesan: Thick, crispy, melty, served over mashed potatoes--simple, comforting, and delicious. * Caesar salad: Shares well, with focaccia croutons and ample parmesan. * Thin-crust pizza: THE BEST PIZZA ON THE WEST SIDE. * Rigatoni Bolognese: incredible and unique to the chefs touch. Vibe Morning brings a laid-back, laptop-friendly coffee shop energy. By night, the place hums with a friendly crowd, orange-wine sipping, and millennial friend dates. No bar seating, so reservations are a good idea for dinner. Why I'll keep coming back: * That warm, welcoming atmosphere--you really feel the "companion" meaning behind the name * Super friendly, attentive service. * Comfort food done right- especially the Pizza, chicken parm and caesar salad * All-day appeal: coffee, pastries, dinner wine--this place fits every mood. Savvy tips: * Book dinner via Resy; walk‑ins fill up fast * Go for coffee mid‑morning or early afternoon to snag a seat and vibe with the record-player soundtrack. Bottom line: Companion is a delightful addition to Venice- great coffee, comforting Italian comfort food, and an atmosphere that feels just like home. Highly recommend for anyone craving a cozy spot with quality food and genuine hospitality. read more

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Such a cute little spot! The food was fantastic! I do think this place was a little over hyped but it was good and I would def recommend it to anyone! The service was exceptional as well and we felt very taken care of! read more

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Lovely little spot in Venice on a busy street, but inside it feels like a hidden Parisian cafe. Their cafe hours are 7am to 3pm, then they serve dinner after 5pm. Pastries were heated up & delish, they offered some special drink items - we tried the Dominic (shot of espresso with coconut water and syrup), and a cereal matcha. Both were good, but definitely want to come back and try more drinks. Easy enough street parking with a little walk for a Sunday morning. Will update my review when I come back for dinner! read more

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Great experience all around! From the very start, we were greeted by the host Mia who was so friendly. We quickly struck up a conversation with her as she took us to our seats and it already set the tone for the familial vibe that they're going for here. Now don't get me wrong, everything we had here was DELICIOUS, but surprisingly enough the star of the show was the focaccia. Seasoned properly and cooked to perfection with a soft doughy interior and crispy exterior. Rigatoni Bolognese was packed with flavor but the parmesan almost overpowered the mirepoix. Chicken parmesan was a heaping serving and love that they paired it uniquely with mashed potatoes, but it was just slightly overcooked/burnt. All in all had a wonderful time trying this place out and will definitely be back to try the menu again as it changes around! read more

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I stopped by one morning for coffee and a pastry with a friend. We arrived around 8am and only a few other patrons were in the restaurant. I really liked the space and it felt very welcoming, mellow, and quiet, which was perfect for a morning catch up. The coffee and pastry were both pretty standard - I got a cortado and a croissant. I'd gladly stop by again and really enjoyed starting my morning in such a laid back location. read more

Companion - Cortado and a croissant - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

10/10 refreshing crispy rice salad & quality radiatore arrabbiata, the records playing were perfect for the setting inside as well. read more

Companion - Radiatore Arrabbiata & Crispy Rice Salad - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've never been able to eat here for multiple reasons. Firstly the lunch offers a much smaller menu. Sandwiches and specials. Functions more as a coffee shop/cafe during the day. I tried coming here on a Wednesday at 6pm and was functionally turned away. Despite there being multiple open tables they said they were fully booked and offer my parents and I a table for 2 people. The table was outside and while admittedly heated they said they'd be able to fit all the food on an about 1.5 diameter foot table. I was incredulous. I politely declined and the host said suit yourself. Overall continued off putting experiences. While the food looks good I have yet to try any of it because of how the restaurant is run. read more

Companion - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was probably my favorite meal of 2024!!! The atmosphere of the restaurant is so cute and cozy. The plates, and all the little touches don't go unnoticed! They even play their vinyl records for the restaurant instead of a playlist, which I personally loved. Everything about our meal was delicious! We got the Big Salad, gnocchi & meatballs, Chicken Parm, olive oil cake, and ice cream w/ olive oil and sea salt. The flavors of everything truly blew us away. I think we said "wow" with every bite lol. The salad was so bright and delicious- we loved the dill, everything about the gnocchi was delicious, the chicken parm we had served as a "champagne party" they pair the dish with champagne-which was so lovely. But what I couldn't stop thinking about all night was the olive oil cake and ice cream we got! Do not skip out on dessert here!! I cannot wait to go back and devour more of their menu! read more

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People rave about the Caesar salad, but I didn't find anything special and it cost $26. We really didn't enjoy the pizza either. It's not very pizza like. Overall, I will not be back. It's also very loud, but I know lots of places are that way these days. Everyone was lovely. read more