One of our absolute favorite restaurants -- we honestly look forward to coming to LA just to eat at…read moreMaccheroni Republic. The Ravioli Di Zucca and Rigatoni Pom'Amore are phenomenal -- easily some of the best pasta we've ever had. The Lasagna di Carne is delicious too, although the rich meat sauce is so generous that you don't get to appreciate their incredible pasta quite as much. Small, quaint indoor dining + a cute patio that somehow doesn't feel like you're in the heart of LA. The restaurant is first come, first served, and there's often a wait. Come early or grab a cocktail across the street at Grayson while you wait. It's worth the wait. Every. Single. Time.

I've been so busy since we came back from LA that I'm just now getting around to leaving a…read morereview... Our annual visit to Maccheroni Republic. We always seem to end up ordering the same dishes and we've never been disappointed. Everything tasted great as usual. They also had the Italian Custard on the dessert menu this time. We had tried it once before and absolutely loved it, especially the caramel sauce that comes with it. We practically had to fight over the caramel sauce. LOL. It's that good! If you ever see it on the dessert menu, I highly recommend trying it. We enjoyed everything but the overall atmosphere felt a little different this time. We actually wondered if something had changed with the management or the restaurant itself. We used to have to wait quite a while for a table but this time we went on a Friday night and there was no line at all. The crowd also seemed very different from what we remembered. We also felt a little rushed by our server which was disappointing. One of the things we always liked about Maccheroni Republic was the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere and we had never felt rushed during our previous visits. I can't quite put my finger on it but something just felt different this time. Still, the food was great and overall, we had a good time.

My friends and I went here for a girls night dinner and it was genuinely such a cute place to eat…read moregood food, great vibes, and cute pictures! The service is so sweet here and we felt very taken care of the entire night. The parking situation is either street parking if you're lucky or valet parking ($12 cash/$15 card). We ordered the Spicy Pomodoro and the Carbonara and I will say, the Spicy Pomodoro was so yummy and creamy and we really enjoyed it! The Carbonara was a bit salty for my taste but it was still very yummy. Overall, 10/10 experience!

Came here for Sunday dinner and honestly, the INTERIOR??? Worth coming just to see the space. It…read morehas this super unique underwater/H2O/mermaid vibe -- IFYKYK. They have indoor seating, a bar, and an outdoor patio. -PARKING: Valet is $12 cash or $14 card/Apple Pay. I also saw street parking available on a Sunday evening. -RESERVATION: Made a reservation online the day before. We waited about 10 minutes after arriving before getting seated, which wasn't too bad. -SERVICE: Everyone was SO attentive. Our server, the manager, and even other servers would check on us throughout the meal. We never had to flag anyone down -- water was constantly being refilled and someone was always making sure we were good. -FOOD -Hamachi Crudo: You really can't go wrong with crudo. DELICIOUS. Beautifully plated, perfectly acidic, and I actually liked that the pieces were thicker than what I've had at other places because the texture was better. Only downside is that you get about 4-6 pieces since it's priced by weight/market price. -Steak Tartare: The tartare itself was good and well-seasoned, but nothing super memorable. The sourdough though... The ends were SO burnt. It didn't look that bad from the top, but when we flipped the bread over, the sides were literally black. We just ate the middle. -Gem Caesar: Really good Caesar -- well dressed and COVERED in Parmesan. We had six people, so everyone just took a bite, but it was a solid salad. -Spicy Pomodoro: This was probably my favorite pasta. It tasted like nothing I've had recently! Rigatoni + ricotta, a tiny kick of spice, basil oil, and a subtle earthy flavor. I couldn't really taste the truffle, but honestly I didn't miss it. SO GOOD. -Carbonara: creamy, well-seasoned (can be salty for some people) and delicious. Classic and done well. -Cavatelli: Good, but tasted pretty similar to the carbonara to me -- just noticeably saltier. DESSERT -Banana Pudding Tiramisu: MUST GET. If you like tiramisu, you need to try this. The banana flavor was actually very noticeable, it wasn't overly sweet, and the portion was perfect for one person or to share between two. -Panna Cotta: Not really my cup of tea. It tasted a little too eggy for me, and I think the flavor could be a lot for someone with a sensitive stomach. -Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée: This was a limited-time dessert when we went, and I really liked it! The portion was a little bigger than what I usually see at restaurants, and the passion fruit flavor was subtle but delicious. Not overly sweet either. OVERALL Definitely enjoyed coming here! The interior + service were the highlights for me, and there were several dishes I'd order again. If you're coming, I'd especially keep an eye out for the Spicy Pomodoro and Banana Pudding Tiramisu.

My siblings and I came to visit my cousin and her husband from Chicago, and decided to dine in at…read moreBestia on Saturday night, September 6th! For all of us it was our first time at Bestia, they picked the restaurant and glad to say it was a great pick! Everyone enjoyed our time here together for the first time. The experience was amazing from the welcoming of our waitress and the detailed menu descriptions she gave to fun fact about the name of the restaurant! The restaurant was well lit and sounded like everyone was having a great time, laughing and catching up with one another! As well as the staff helping each other out and making sure everyone was satisfied! Angelica, our waitress, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, as well as the rest of the staff! She helped us pick our entrees and appetizers as well. Angelica made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal from making sure our drinks were refilled or bringing another round of drinks, to bringing clean plates for every entree we received! The bone marrow and branzino was definitely a 100/10, my brother who hates fish actually tried it and loved it! The bone marrow left everyone at the table speechless! Thank you to everyone at Bestia, especially our waitress, Angelica, for a wonderful dinner!

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Bestia... it's one of the top Italian restaurants in…read moreLos Angeles, HANDS DOWN. Every time I eat here, I am already thinking of my next time back. I love their pastas to the moon and back, they are al dente but not too firm, the sauces are so good and flavorful, and each bite just makes me want to take the next bite. My favorite pastas: 1. Squid Ink Spaghetti - lobster. serrano. meyer lemon. micro shiso 2. Cavatelli alla Norcina - ricotta dumplings. pork sausage fresh thyme. shaved truffles Their appetizers are also really great, the grilled prawns are SO good, you can taste the sweetness of the prawn and the sauce doesn't overwhelm it. For entrees, their ribeye and porkchop are our favorites. The ribeye is so tender and cooked to perfection. The pork chops are juicy and not dry at all. SERVICE // is usually good, although our last time our server wasn't really around much and didn't even introduce any dishes to us. We thought hopefully that it was a fluke. AMBIANCE // romantic and beautiful interior, Bestia is in the arts district of Downtown Los Angeles. PARKING // Valet parking is available for $15, otherwise you can look for street parking nearby. If you haven't made your way to Bestia yet, you must!! It's not the cheapest meal in town but well worth the $$$.

My first time here and the reviews are right…read more Service is immediate. As soon as I sat at the bar I was offered water and asked what I wanted to drink. As soon as spots cleared they were wiped down and set up. Tony was behind the bar. He was the right amount of attentive, offering suggestions, a generous pour of wine and appreciative of my visit. I started with a classic Negroni. I asked what would pair well with carpaccio and then tasted and was given a generous pour of Chianti. I had a girl dinner of bread and EVOO and carpaccio. Both arrived quickly. The bread was like an airy crispy pizza bread served with olive oil. The carpaccio had the expected parm and arugula but had a creamy aioli that worked really well. There was enough bread to takeaway and I was offered olive oil to go with it, a nice touch. While many of the restaurants along this stretch of Third Street aren't busy this was a vibrant and energetic spot for a Tuesday night. The patio space, indoor seating and limited bar area were all filled. As the bar spots emptied others filled the spots right away. The person next to me at the bar said it was one of his favorite restaurants and where he brings out of town guests. I barely touched the surface of their menu but what I had and the level of service will bring me back again to try more. I think I've found a new regular spot.

Really good italian food. We came here to meet with some friends and saw that this place was highly…read morerated for italian food so we made a reservation here. First of all, the parking situation is pretty dire. You have to either park on the street with meter parking (2 hour limit) or find some side street to park on. Just to note, you can't park in the neighborhood in the back without a permit. Make sure to check the parking signs! If you can find parking on S Crescent Heights Blvd, I would take it instantly. Service was top tier, they would keep checking on you, clear plates, fill water. All the staff were wonderful. We decided to order the Quattro Formaggi pinsa and the Tortellini Di Carne. Both were great! The pinsa had a nice chew to it and is not like a traditional pizza. Also, the tortellini was delicious. The meat is slightly dry, but the flavor was wonderful and the pasta was cooked perfectly. The restaurant interior was beautiful and had great lighting. It was a hot day, so we opted to sit inside and we loved the natural lighting. The prices of this place is slightly high for the amount of food you get, but you are in Beverly Grove. I do wish the parking situation can be easier, but overall, this place is worth a visit.

omg best meal EVERRRR! Thank you specifically to Maddy for your amazing energy and dedication we…read morehad a blast MWAH

The service and food were 10 out of 10. Maggie was amazing throughout the whole process. Highly…read morerecommend for good vibes and yummy tapas

Love the pasta there! The restaurant was wonderful and they have great options of pasta. The menu…read morewas excellent and so many great quality of food to choose from. The Mentai Pasta and Squid Ink pasta were really good and so delicious. It was so creamy and nice quality of noodles. I really enjoyed the pasta with wines, it taste so fantastic. Lovely place with great ambiance.

I can't believe that there is such a nice little Japanese style pasta place like this in little…read moreTokyo. Situated in Honda Plaza, just across the street from the typical village. This restaurant is definitely a treat for anyone who want to try the Japanese style pasta. I had Japanese style pasta back in Japan before. And this little restaurant tastes exactly the same (if not better!!) We tried the uni pasta, mentai cream pasta and a tomato based pasta. All delicious. You cannot choose your own pasta style and cooking tenderness though. Portion is big and they come with salad and bread too. Price is reasonable. And our servers was super nice and make us felt so welcome all the time!

I'm from Italy and it was a fantastic experience! The pasta was incredible -- in my opinion, the…read morepasta menu is the absolute highlight. It was freshly made (you could definitely tell!) and served in great portions. The Fettuccine alla Nerano were amazing, with incredible flavor and texture. Back in Italy, pasta with clams is my favorite dish, so I was super excited to order it since it's not easy to find in the US. It was done just right -- really great! The seafood was fresh and high quality. The only minor detail is that the clams were fresh and local, likely Pacific clams, which have a less intense, briny flavor compared to the Mediterranean vongole veraci that give off that rich sea aroma. But hey, we're in Los Angeles, so you naturally adapt to local ingredients. The Caprese appetizer was good, though I wished the portion had been a bit larger. Dessert was delicious, especially the zuppa inglese gelato -- the flavor took me straight back to Italy! Exceptional staff, too: I was pregnant and needed a shaded or air-conditioned spot, and the hostess went out of her way to find a table that suited my needs. The waiter who served us was equally wonderful! We left full and super happy. Thank you!

The food was fantastic as was the service. The wait staff, Dalton, made a recommendation upon…read morerequest, and he was spot on which was the pomodoro entree & one other. The recommendation was a hit. I also ordered the prosciutto e melone as an appetizer, it was a magnificent meal. Dalton provided professional, courteous, and swift service without rushing; he made the experience all that much more enchanting. Dalton was an absolute delight! I highly recommend this restaurant, whether with your crew or date night!!

We went last night for the first time to celebrate my birthday as it's around the corner from our…read morefavorite pizza place Quartersheets. What a great small restaurant with a fantastic buzz. No detail is overlooked. Beautiful design -- reminds me of what your Italian grandma's dining room would look like if she had great taste. We took a Lyft since the parking situation is tough (but there is a paid lot down the street) and we were running late.I called and left message that we were running 15 minutes late and they got my voicemail and they were great about. Table was available right away. Cocktails were impressive - and we started with a dirty martini and a Negroni blanco. The garlic bread made with Bub & Grandma's bread is a clear winner. Our server Emerson was top notch and steered us through the menu and drinks and was informative and friendly as very professional. When he'd walk through dining room, he was scanning to see if anyone was trying to catch his eye. And when I did he came right over. None of this look straight ahead stuff I sometimes see when it's a busy night. You can get out of Donna's for a reasonable price if you stick to garlic bread, salad and one of their excellent pasta dishes (5 of the dishes are in the $25-$28 range). We splurged and got the scampi (from France) what a sauce, truffle gnocchi, amazing chicken Marsala with amazing mushroom sauce $32) and the Cesar salad was delicious and not mailed in. We ordered 1 dessert (panna cotta with pistachio brittle and fresh figs) and they brought a tiramisu and tiny glasses of their own limoncello out on the house. We also tried 1 glass of their special vermouth since we are vermouth lovers. A++++ experience all round and it was a high level of ingredients and food -- chef and his team are top notch. I now need to find out who's the chef in that kitchen because they've built an excellent team. Donna's slyly calls itself just a "red sauce Italian restaurant" but I'd say that's a real understatement...and I think it's a great date night or small group place because it's intimate and you can hear your table partners talk. I don't recall any music playing - just the warm brown background noise of fun conversation. We ate early (my preference these days) and if you don't see any openings for reservations, ask Resy to give you an alert -- you'll get notified when reservations open up. Emerson said they always hold some tables for walk ins. PS -- I normally don't leave such long reviews, but I have some friends who are chefs and who own restaurants - and when I see other Yelp reviews where someone leaves a one star because the hostess was allegedly rude when everything else is great -- I just hate to see how it can affect a restaurant. I have no relationship with this restaurant at all. I don't know any anyone who works in it or owns any part of it, but I just don't like to see people abuse the reviews -- the restaurant business is tough as it is. And as someone who has worked downtown and driven through Echo Park for 30 years - I think Donna's is a great addition to Echo Park.

So good !! And worth the waiting time. It gets busy so try…read moreto make a reservation. They do take walk ins. We went during a dodger game pre dinner / cocktail hour so that's also something to look at prior to going. Loved the restaurants look and design inside. staff was amazing and pleasant through out the whole dinner experience. Food: started with the garlic bread so flavorful. Tried the meatball dish and FUSILLI ALLA VODKA!! My favorite for the night. Everything had amazing taste and paired well!! There were 2 of us and sharing these plates was the perfect portion size for reference. Thank you Donna's !!

I went with my sons recently and there was a different vibe…read more Couldn't get seated in the courtyard but got a spot near the front door. They had a dj this time which made it a little loud for conversations. They had a fun drink and bite special which was good. The pizza was disappointing. The crust was soggy and advertised toppings were noticeably sparce. It may have been on off night. ‍

The pizza here (for me at least) is everything I ever dreamed of and more. It really does remind me…read moreof the Naples pizzeria. Obviously the decor here is very different, very L.A., awesome style! I love their outdoor seating and really love how the trees in the patio look. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of that! The food never disappoints; their in-house-made pasta is delicious and we love their Diavola pizza; it's our favorite, though the Marguerita is a close second lol. The ambiance and the food make for a great time whether with friends or on a date. Definitely a must-try!

This was our second time at Mother Wolf and it was just as good. Not as hungry, we ordered from…read morethe appetizer menu which was more than enough. Ruchetta is a simple but refreshing arugula salad. The oxtail meatballs are flavorful and can be a little heavy. The prawns are very flavorful and the salsa verde is great for dipping the Sfincione. Parking can be a hassle but street parking nearby is possible. Inside, the decor is grandiose and fitting for a Roman banquet (I assume). Service is friendly and just attentive enough. I wonder how the one in Las Vegas is next time!

Phenomenal service and every dish is a creation in of its own!!…read more The octopus salad was positively delectable! I didn't dare ask for bread, but it would've been sumptuous to drink the last of the dressing with a baguette!! The oxtail ragu was phenomenal! Thanks to my server James, we were all warned that they serve each dish as it is freshly prepared, family style! So, dine with friends who enjoy the process!! The atmosphere reminds me of London, but the food is truly a culinary masterpiece!!