Restaurants

Big Tuna is one of many sushi places within 5 miles of my mom’s house. Seriously, there is like 5 or 6 in a 5 mile radius and there really isn’t anything around so they stand out.

My mom and I headed to Big Tuna for dinner after our daily hospital visit. We’re there for 7-9, sometimes more, hours a day. By the time we leave we are starving and searching for the closest place to go.
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Los Angeles used to be a wasteland in terms of great restaurants. Mile upon mile of junky fast food joints littering the boulevards, malls with their generic food courts, and frustrated foodies weeping into their napkins.  Well, there’s still some of that, but Los Angeles has come a long way. The 1990s were a flush time in the City of Angels, and many famous chefs (Wolfgang Puck, Nobu Matsuhisa, etc) opened up shop. Add to this the constant stream of hungry tourists passing through, and you’ve got yourself a pretty great city for dining out. Here, then, are the top 10 best upscale restaurants in Los Angeles, California.

Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica - I had my last wedding anniversary dinner here, and for good reason: I do my “best restaurants” research, after all. Melisse is rated as the best American-French restaurant in Los Angeles by Zagat’s, and has been awarded 2 stars by the prestigious and picky Michelin Guide. Like most best upscale restaurants, Melisse is pricey but worth it – it’s also fantastically romantic, with a subdued and sophisticated atmosphere.The seared foie gras is the best I’ve had outside of France

Spago, 9430 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills - Can’t have a Top 10 foodie list without Spago. Wolfgang Puck’s

Spago in Beverly Hills

flagship restaurant is a mainstay in Los Angeles, and for good reason; Spago Beverly Hills led to several others (in Boston, Las Vegas…) but the LA location was first. I love the coordination of the waitstaff — for larger parties (even just groups of four) the entrees all arrive at once via several waiters and waitresses.  The meals, of course, are just as impressive, and the atmosphere more boisterous than at Melisse.

Urasawa, 218 N Rodeo Dr Beverly Hills - There are more than three outstanding sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, but to be fair I needed to narrow it down to three. Urasawa is in a smaller space than Katsuya or Nobu (see below) and this fosters a more intimate ambience. Try to request the sashimi platter served on a block of ice, but all the options here are impeccably prepared and served. The name of the game here, though, is omakase. This means, the chef decides what you get. Don’t be afraid to make requests (I’ve always asked for no sea urchins, for example), and the meal will be full of great surprises.

Katsuya, 11777 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood - There are a few Katsuya locations in Los Angeles, but I like

Katsuya in Brentwood

the scene here better than the one in Hollywood (and I haven’t been to the ones on Olympic or in Glendale). Exceedingly hip and modern, with funky giant photos of women’s eyes and lips, Katsuya doesn’t make for a quiet romantic night out. I’ve never NOT had a “star sighting” here, though, and that has its appeal for tourists. Unlike Urasawa, diners can order a la carte as well as omakase. There are all the traditional favorites here, like spicy tuna rolls and tempura, but the more interesting menu items are really memorable. It’s expensive for a family restaurant, but this is the one Japanese spot on the list I’ve taken my kids to. They’re never the only children there.

Nobu, 903 N. La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood - Nobu is a famous name for foodies, and certainly Nobu Matsushita has many great eponymous restaurants across the globe. I prefer this Nobu to the ones in NYC and Malibu, but all have the same trendy atmosphere. Yes, Nobu is a fashionable place to see and be seen in Los Angeles, but the chef’s modern and unique takes on Japanese standards really are worth the (as usual, pricey) night out. There are plenty of noteworthy non-sushi options here; I recommend the Kobe steak.

Cut, 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills - Cut opened in 2006 and became instantly popular – some said overhyped – but its ongoing high ratings and popularity are testament to its quality and standards of both fare and service. With chef Wolfgang Puck at the helm, the same organized choreography of service is seen here as at Spago.  When I’ve eaten there, I’ve noticed invariably that the trendiness of Cut means a beautiful young crowd – but the entrees are wonderful, and the wine list as good as any. Try not to fill up on the artisanal bead before the main courses arrive!

Valentino, 3115 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica - This is an old-school Italian restaurant near the 10 freeway, and one of my favorite fancy Italian joints in Southern California. It’s a restaurant I return to often. The dinners here are serious affairs that last several hours, so plan to make a reservation here as the activity of the evening.  My current favorite dish is the risotto with white truffles, but this may be only seasonally available.

Water Grill, 544 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles - There are a lot of great seafood options in Los Angeles, but this is considered by many (including the Zagat Guide) to be the “best seafood in Southern California.” It also has been awarded a Michelin star. It’s the only downtown LA restaurant on this Top 10 list; a night at Disney Concert Hall – also on Grand Ave – and dinner here would make for a wonderfully cultural and culinary experience.  I enjoy the Art Deco decor and the sophistication of the clientele. The seafood is as fresh and well-prepared as it gets, needless to say. The raw bar, tuna tartare, and Scottish King Salmon are all recommended.

Giorgio Baldi, 114 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica - The food here is tremendous, and the space relatively small, so there’s 1) a tight fit 2) a good chance you’ll end up rubbing shoulders with some Hollywood luminary. I’ve never tasted fresher, more impeccably prepared pasta in my life, and the branzino is top-notch. However, because of the small size, table turnover is important for Giorgio Baldi to make a profit. As a result, there is no leisurely 3-hour dinner here. Even purchasers of $400 bottles of wine can feel rushed. That being said, you know the food is amazing when the restaurant stays so busy despite the service.

Osteria Mozza,  6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles – Mario Batali is ony one of two famous chefs associated with this restaurant. Nancy Silverton, of Napa Valley fame, is the pasta chef of great renown among Italian food lovers. Melrose Ave is a hopping area in LA, and Osteria Mozza is likewise fun and lively. It’s Italian, but with an equal emphasis emphasis on southern pasta dishes, and more delicate fare of Northern Italy.  The Guinea hen crostone, the quail  wrapped in pancetta and the soft shell crab are my recommendations.

I am not an adventurous eater. I was raised on Pepsi, Kraft macaroni and cheese, and McDonald’s, so sugar, salt, and starch were the foods of life for me. I didn’t willingly eat broccoli until well after college. My favorite restaurants growing up (besides McDonald’s, which, now I will admit, is not a restaurant) were pizza places or burger joints. I didn’t branch out much. I never ventured far outside the exotic fare of Irish or Italian cuisine.

Even as an adult married to a Cajun who loves tentacles and hot sauce, I have not been very brave about trying new things. I’ve hated seafood, which is odd for a woman who grew up in a coastal New England town. I turned away from ethnic foods besides the ubiquitous Mexican and Chinese dishes that one cannot avoid living in Southern California, as I have done for almost 14 years. I disdain meatless dishes, and have turned my nose up at vegan food. How is that even food? I wondered.

This year, however, I got a new day job, and I didn’t know anyone at this new company. It was like the first day of school, and like a 10-year-old, I worried that nobody would talk to me or sit with me at lunch. Luckily, my coworkers didn’t smell my fear. They invited me to lunch on the very first day, and the day after that, and the day after that, and so on. They had a ritual: a trip to the market on Mondays to load up on items to eat at the office during the week, and then a special outing on Fridays. The destination was always, with very few exceptions, Vinh Loi Tofu in Reseda, CA.

Let me point out that not only did this establishment have an ethnic name, but it was also entirely vegan. Vietnamese vegan.

My desperation to fit in pushed me over the edge into culinary exploration. My coworkers urged me to join them, swearing that the restaurant had noodles! Which are starchy and plain! And I would like them! And meat! Everything they make is tofu but it all tastes like meat! I remained skeptical, but I went along for the ride. After all, someone else was driving.

Vinh Loi Tofu is a little storefront restaurant in one of those ubiquitous corner shopping centers with 18 businesses and only four parking spaces. It blends right in with the many other ethnic establishments in the area, and it doesn’t face the street, so it’s easy to drive right by. Inside, it’s small, with less than a dozen tables, so patrons waiting for their food just stand around looking at you while you eat.

The menu is a tri-folded flyer, and the list of dishes is also up on the wall in a sensory-overload barrage of too many words. I looked for something recognizable and I ordered the chow mein. My coworkers, already savvy in the way of Vinh Loi, snatched a shrink-wrapped pre-made set of ham rolls from the counter and set about splitting them up among the five of us.

The ham rolls (listed on the menu as “Spring Rools”) consist of tofu ham, greens, and dried rice noodles, wrapped in a skin-like substance they call “rice sheet.” I wasn’t convinced, but I dipped the assembly in peanut sauce, took a bite, and…

…I was forever changed. The not-ham tasted just like ham! The greens were fresh and crunchy! And there are too many exclamation points in this post but hold onto your hat because more are coming!

Because! Because then I got my chow mein, which not only was not scary or gooey or too spicy or any of the things I had feared about ethnic food, but was actually delicious. Made with wheat noodles stir-fried with cabbage, “vegetable,” and vegan chicken and beef (both formed from tofu, I just can’t imagine how), the chow mein is served with a light sauce on the side. The portion is perfect – I could eat the whole dish in one sitting and be satisfied but not full, or if I had too many ham rolls I could bring the leftovers home for my omnivore husband.

I returned to Vinh Loi for lunch several times. On one occasion I branched out to try “the number 5,” a dry noodle salad favored by my companions, but mostly I ordered the same dish over and over, prompting Kevin, the owner, to nickname me “Chief Chow Mein.” The restaurant serves everything a traditional Vietnamese eatery does, but everything is made with this alarmingly delicious and realistic faux-meat.

A coworker and his #5

Sigh. I’m sitting here sighing just thinking about it. It’s true love. As a devotee of the #2 meal at McDonald’s drive-thru for so many years, I just never thought it could happen. I would like to thank my coworkers and Kevin of Vinh Loi for making me a believer.

Vinh Loi owner Kevin Tran

I still haven’t been brave enough to try the soy pudding or the fermented mushroom tea available in the refrigerator case or the Black Fungus in the little grocery section, but hey, this is quite a start.

Now who wants to join me?

This post is my winning entry in the contest: UpTake Most Memorable Restaurant Experience. and originally appeared at House of Prince.

There are a lot of upscale, swanky restaurants in Los Angeles, as befits a popular travel destination. But

Papa Cristo's

when families and groups are in the mood for a super-casual atmosphere and a big honkin’ platter of great comfort food (at an independently owned restaurant rather than a chain like Cheesecake Factory), you can’t do much better than Papa Cristo’s. This is an authentic Greek restaurant run by an authentic Greek guy – yes, that’s Papa Cristo there, gruffly ensuring his employees keep up a moderate pace and preparing pan after pan of Mediterranean goodies – and when I say casual, I mean it.

Spanakopita!

The tables are covered with those blue-checked plastic tablecloths that I think of as only somewhat reusable. There is no table service here; customers place their orders at the counter, sit down, and wait for their plates of spanikopita, lamb kabobs, and hummus to arrive. It sounds something like a cafeteria – and it’s also a market, so that half the people there are waiting to buy Greek yogurt and such. But there is almost always a line, and a fairly large crowd. Why? Clearly, Papa Cristo’s is one of the best Greek restaurants in town, and Los Angeles is a pretty big town.

The decor on the walls is also classic Greek American (very

Gyro! Kabob!

different from classic Greek!) with posters of the Acropolis and Delphi, as well as a movie poster of My Big Fat Greek Wedding signed by Nia Vardalos herself. In fact, Thursdays have “Big Fat Greek Thursday Night Dinners,” a huge prix fix meal experience that will leave you stuffed. The moussaka, falafel, hummus and kabobs are really, really great here.  There is often a guy sitting playing guitar, but quietly enough so as to not be distracting. The casual atmosphere fosters a sort of laissez-faire approach to dining, with people reaching past their friends to help themselves to whatever entree they want a taste of. There’s laughter, joviality, and a mix of several languages in the air.

Not every meal out can be at a top-rated, classy restaurant. Los Angelenos in the know, know that there is a great meal, and a great time, at Papa Cristo’s.

Papa Cristo’s
2771 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA

We’re moving soon out of state soon and I wanted to meet up with friends one last time. I headed to Burbank for a Tweet-Up, we were supposed to meet at a place called Octopus. Never heard of it, but I knew it was sushi. That was enough to get me excited, because Whit does not like sushi, so I feel like I can’t ever get enough of it.

The parking garage is right behind the restaurant, which I almost missed. It’s on the corner of a little shopping center in Burbank and with all the pedestrians, it’s hard enough to pay attention to the road, without trying to look for a restaurant. After a little creative driving, I parked the car, remembered to take note of where I was parked and headed upstairs to Octopus.

Beautiful

My group was already there, with their beer, edamame and appetizer sushi. Right after I sat down the server was there to get my drink order. Yay! I hate being a joiner, you often get overlooked or missed altogether. I received my Asahi (when in Rome and all that) and took a gander at the menu.

I like when sushi places have pictures in their menus, because to me, it’s so hard to pick put what I want to order without being able to visualize the sushi. I’m a firm believer in “presentation is half the flavor”. I decided on the Tiger Roll, with some chili sauce on the side please, I like it spicy, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was scrumptious.

The restaurant has more than sushi to offer, they have combos of shrimp,chicken,beef and tempura vegetables, if you have a non sushi lover in your group. The service was good, if they forgot something they were quick to bring it out and we had more than just one individual check up on us. Though, they probably tag teamed us because we were so loud. Loud, but fun.

Octopus Japanese Restaurant

(818) 556-6622
227 E Palm Ave
Burbank, CA 91502

Santa Monica has many great restaurants, as it’s a popular part of the Los Angeles area. Tourists seeking

The Fig at Fairmont Miramar

high-end vacations like to stay at one of several luxury hotels along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, as these offer knock-out views of the Pacific. One such luxury hotel, the Fairmont Miramar, is lucky enough to house The Fig, a restaurant in the hotel that has my favorite area Happy Hour.

This restaurant is named for the iconic fig tree in the Fairmont Miramar’s rounded driveway. The Fig is a fantastic restaurant with a creative, innovative chef. Ray Garcia uses as many fresh, organic ingredients from the local Santa Monica farmers’ market as he can (it’s in walking distance from the Fairmont Miramar), so The Fig easily fall under the 100 Miles Diet rubric.

Happy Hour at the Miramar, Santa Monica

The Fig at Five, which is (obviously) at 5:00PM, offers charcuterie (you know, high-end prosciutto and other fine preserved meats) and the best cheese variety I’ve had outside France and Scotland. The staff is well very versed in suggesting wines to complement the artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and fruits offered at the bar. I enjoyed a fantastic Pinot Noir, and later some Merlot. I didn’t try any of the cocktails (I was driving ,after all), but a companion mentioned the fig mojito as being unique and interesting.

The Fig is California casual, as befits this Southern California hotel right across the street from the Pacific Ocean. The fresh, terrific food and the amazing Fig at Five menu would fit right in a snootier, jackets-required restaurant – I’m so glad it’s at the Fairmont Miramar instead! This Happy Hour lives up to its name, and more.

The Fig
at Fairmont Miramar

The Fig at Five Happy Hour Spread

101 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Omelette Parlor is on Main Street, in Santa Monica. It’s one of the most popular breakfast and brunch restaurants in Santa Monica, and there is almost always a big line waiting for their fix on the weekends.

Omelette Parlor in Santa Monica

There are a few main areas of Santa Monica, which is a distinct city from Los Angeles (despite being surrounded on three sides by LA, with the Pacific Ocean marking the end of the fourth side). The Omelette Parlor is on Main Street in the Ocean Park area, a neighborhood that is closer to Venice in both geography and feel. My family has brunch at the Omelette Parlor once every couple of months, and we’ve never been disappointed yet.

There is quite a bustle here during weekend brunch, and there have honestly been a few times wherein our orders have been mixed up with another table’s. Things usually get straightened out pretty quickly at The Omelette parlor, though, and it’s not a big disaster to have to wait a few extra minutes for your brunch. The outside dining area in the back is sunny (with umbrellas) and relaxing, while the interior’s booths and barstool seating can (and do) feel more cramped. There are a LOT of egg dish choices here, of course (it’s called The Omelette parlor for a reason)! Some entrees are named after Hollywood

The Omelette Parlor is Popular for Brunch

luminaries, or other famous types. I’m partial to the Merlin omelette, for example, whereas my husband likes the Schwarzenegger and the lox scramble.  All omelettes come with great breakfast potatoes and a nutty buttered muffin; that muffin is so tasty that I occasionally wonder if it’s the main reason I go with the omelette options.

For brunch lovers who are interested in a meal leaning more towards the lunch end of the scale, the Gregory Hines salad is light, fresh and tasty. The entrees here are pretty large, but the Gregory Hines salad is so light that you may want to add chicken breast. The tuna melt is really satisfying, with a large serving of tuna fish and melted cheddar over sourdough. Last, I recommend the fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s not served in a 3-oz

Outdoor Dining at the Omelette Parlor

glass like it is in some pretentious, overpriced restaurants. The Omelette parlor fresh squeezes that juice and pours it in a regular-size glass the way it’s meant to be. The food is fresh at the Omelette Parlor on Main Street, Santa Monica, and the outdoor dining feels terrific. No wonder there’s always a wait to get in for weekend brunch.

The Omelette Parlor
2732 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 399-7892

The Omelette Parlor is on Main Street, in Santa Monica. It’s one of the most popular breakfast and brunch restaurants in Santa Monica, and there is almost always a big line waiting for their fix on the weekends.

Omelette Parlor in Santa Monica

There are a few main areas of Santa Monica, which is a distinct city from Los Angeles (despite being surrounded on three sides by LA, with the Pacific Ocean marking the end of the fourth side). The Omelette Parlor is on Main Street in the Ocean Park area, a neighborhood that is closer to Venice in both geography and feel. My family has brunch at the Omelette Parlor once every couple of months, and we’ve never been disappointed yet.

There is quite a bustle here during weekend brunch, and there have honestly been a few times wherein our orders have been mixed up with another table’s. Things usually get straightened out pretty quickly at The Omelette parlor, though, and it’s not a big disaster to have to wait a few extra minutes for your brunch. The outside dining area in the back is sunny (with umbrellas) and relaxing, while the interior’s booths and barstool seating can (and do) feel more cramped. There are a LOT of egg dish choices here, of course (it’s called The Omelette parlor for a reason)! Some entrees are named after Hollywood

The Omelette Parlor is Popular for Brunch

luminaries, or other famous types. I’m partial to the Merlin omelette, for example, whereas my husband likes the Schwarzenegger and the lox scramble.  All omelettes come with great breakfast potatoes and a nutty buttered muffin; that muffin is so tasty that I occasionally wonder if it’s the mail reason I go with the omelette options.

For brunch lovers who are interested in a meal leaning more towards the lunch end of the scale, The Gregory Hines salad is light, fresh and tasty. The entrees here are pretty large, but the Gregory Hines salad is so light that you may want to add chicken breast. The tuna melt is really satisfying, with a large serving of tuna fish and melted cheddar over sourdough. Last, I recommend the fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s not served in a 3-oz

Outdoor Dining at the Omelette Parlor

glass like it is in some pretentious, overpriced restaurants. The Omelette parlor fresh squeezes that juice and pours it in a regular-size glass the way it’s meant to be. The food is fresh at the Omelette Parlor on Main Street, Santa Monica, and the outdoor dining feels terrific. No wonder there’s always a wait to get in for weekend brunch.

The Omelette Parlor
2732 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 399-7892

There are lots of Cheesecake Factory restaurants across the United States, with the bulk of them being in the Northeast and California. I’ve been to a few – and the giant menu is consistent across locations. My dream Cheesecake Factory has got to be the one in Honolulu because, well, that would mean I was in Hawaii to eat there. However, despite that I’ve been to only a small proportion of the existing Cheesecake Factory spots, I feel pretty comfortable saying that one of the most swankily-located ones is also my favorite so far. This is the Cheesecake Factory on San Vicente Blvd, in Brentwood, California.

Brentwood is on the west side of Los Angeles, and is as high end as the other nearby “B’s,” namely, Bel-Air

This Counts as a Vegetable, Right?

and Beverly Hills. There’s a very good chance that a guest will see semi-famous people enjoying their lunch here, which always adds a bit of a thrill to a meal. Even if you don’t recognize that dude in the sunglasses and Hugo Boss sports jacket, listen to him; he’s making movie deals as he eats. And that too-thin woman who still manages to polish off her whole pasta carbonara and then order a lemoncello cream torte? Don’t ask how she does it – it’s L.A., baby! The energy spent being a studio exec easily burns off that lunch.

Now, I’m not a studio executive in Brentwood, California, I’m just a foodie mom who loves treating my kids to fun meals (especially when I don’t have to cook them). My kids and I really have a good time at the Cheesecake Factory: They think it’s a super-fancy eatery because the bathrooms are clean – I raise them with low standards – and I enjoy watching my picky eater polish off a spinach and artichoke dip appetizer. In our house, that TOTALLY counts as a vegetable course. My older daughter usually orders a burger of some sort (pictured is the Factory

Hooray for the Factory Burger

Burger, with her celebrating it in the background). I like the Navajo – a sandwich on fry bread – blackened chicken sandwich, Factory Meatloaf, and many other high-calorie entrees. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live in Brentwood! Even the mac-n-cheese is fried. Yes, it’s good.

There are some very good, large salads and vegetable plates at Cheesecake Factory, but I am proud to say I haven’t tried any of them yet. I’ve seen them paraded by my table quite a lot of times, though. The closest I’ve come to healthy eating at a Cheesecake factory is either the aforementioned spinach artichoke dip (cheesy and creamy) or the fire-roasted artichoke. This last appetizer is really yummy, albeit messy and a bit spicy.

Brownie Sundae Cheesecake - the best of three desserts

A lunch or dinner at the Cheesecake Factory practically demands a cheesecake dessert, of course. Who am I to say no? While there is a “low carb” cheesecake (made with Splenda), what’s been eaten already was probably fried, creamy, or both. Might as well continue with the decadence. My last venture into cheesecake heaven was the brownie sundae cheesecake, pictured. The kids love a variety called peanut butter cup fudge ripple, and for a less heavy taste, the Key Lime cheesecake is tart and light. Well, lighter, anyway. This is cheesecake we’re talking about here.

Wherever you go to Cheesecake Factory, the appetizer, entree and dessert options are vast, and by and large quite tasty. While there is no “sense of place” at these restaurants (and admittedly, this is a dining aspect that is lost whenever we eat at chains), the quality and consistency are commendable. My family always has a great time at the Cheescake Factory.

(pieroselvaggio.com/valentino)

It’s hard to find a classic restaurant in hip, ever-changing Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Valentino exudes old-world charm and authenticity, despite being located in the center of these cities of reinvention. It’s one of the best restaurants in Santa Monica, and the only one without sparking curb appeal to match the upscale interior. In fact, I’d say it’s hidden gem – except that its popularity and longevity (opened 1972, a millennium for restaurants) belie this statement.

Classic, high-end Italian fare is the name of the game at Valentino, and while some hipsters might say that

(pieroselvaggio.com/valentino)

the decor needs updating, I find it appealing. The decor sets the mood for a long, unrushed traditional Italian meal. The salad with rucola, apples and walnuts alone is worth the trip to Pico Boulevard, but the seasonal lobster appetizer is also perfectly done and fantastic. The aged prosciutto with burrata is as good as I’ve had in Florence, Italy. The pasta is all made that day, on site; it makes a difference. Corn ravioli may sound like carb overload, but this is among the lightest pasta dishes I can recall. I highly recommend it. For fish lovers, both the salmon and the branzino are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  Valentino has braised lamb shanks that are something of a favorite among those who are financially lucky enough to come here for repeat visits. According to my waiter, the osso bucco also has made something of a name for itself: I tried neither the lamb nor the osso bucco, hence can’t personally judge them.

(pieroselvaggio.com/valentino)

The waiters are perfectly professional and the sommelier delights in perfectly pairing wines with the appetizers and entrees here – trust him, he knows what he’s doing. The wine cellar is extensive, and includes some very expensive, rare Italian vintages (you can order a relatively cheaper bottle of course, but it’s nice to consider it). Now, this is a high-end restaurant, with prices to match. Ready for a splurge? Valentino is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

Despite all these culinary delights, try to save room for desert. The apple ravioli (like an apple crisp) isn’t TOO decadent, is it? If so, the cinnamon ice cream is at once creamy and light, making a perfect end to one of the best Italian meals you’ll have in Santa Monica, California.

Valentino
3115 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 829-4313