This place deserves all of the positive reviews. The food and servers met all of our expectations. The only issue some may have is that there is an outside dining area that is under a big tent that makes it feel like you're at a wedding.
Kerry
Our waiter was the best! He really brought our Italian dining experience to a new level. Professional and authentic ❤️❤️
Alicia Bollesen
Everything was great the food and service so nice. We sat in the back booth near the kitchen. it was not the best spot. That's the only complaint!
Nicolas
The food was fine but not quite worth a Michelin star. The extras were also overpriced - eg. a water bottle for $9 and uninspired deserts (plain caramel cream and Affogato) for $16 each.
Michael
Outstanding! Best food and experience my family had while staying in Laguna Beach. Will definitely be dining here when we come back.
Shab
We were celebrating my husband's birthday, we had great waiter and food was excellent as always so was the service,
Peter
Great food as always. The owners are great and the service is also exceptional. the key is their great menu and options. Very authentic.
Lisa
I'm not interested in eating in a tent, being cold. I kept asking for the heaters to be moved which the waiters did. The service was fantastic and the waitstaff very attentive and kind but the food wasn't as good as the service. I would not go back.
Martin Roberts
Some very nice Italian food. Everything I had was to a high standard and the Tiramasu was one of the best I've eaten.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Shayna Mordue
One of the worst Italian restaurants I have ever been to. Our waiter was extremely rude and combative. The food was bland and ugly. If you’re looking to spend a hideous amount of money and be very disappointed, you’ve found your spot. A bit more detail… when I asked the waiter if the eggplant was breaded he said no, but then said it was coated in flour. I said, oh, so it is breaded, to which he replied, no. They were out of everything with artichokes, for which he offered no apology. We ordered a salad to start that was essentially cut up cucumber and tomato with nothing on it. The branzino was tasteless. The potatoes were over cooked. The spinach was limp and bitter. My husband got the steak. When it arrived “medium rare” is was gray and lifeless. Again, no seasoning, served on top of dry arugula. Truly horrific. The waiter was perfectly nice to the couple next to us, likely because they were ordering lots of cocktails. Truly, find a better place to spend your money.
We started with the meatballs and were not expecting there to be cheese inside but it was a delicious surprise. We had the asparagus ravioli that my wife said grew on her more and more as she ate it. The lasagna was wonderful and authentic as it was not made with ricotta. The Bolognese was meaty but not overpowering the dish. We also had the scallops special from the black truffle menu. These were by far the best scallops I've eaten. The scallops were not fishy tasting and they came served on a bed of sauteed spinach with a sauce consisting of mushrooms, cheese, and truffle. There was just enough truffle to taste it but still allow the flavor of the scallops to shine through. The truffle complimented the dish rather than dominated it. As for drinks, there is a full bar and a great selection of wines. The chef happened to be our waiter which was nice for other diners because it seemed like we were the only table that ordered from the menu. Everyone else asked for custom items and the chef would usually reply with, "Yes, I can make that." The setting was not the fanciest restaurant I've been to but it still allowed for an intimate night out with amazing food. We would definitely return when we are in town again.
Jean
I've always loved the warm atmosphere and food here, but my recent visit left me concerned. The restaurant was filled with bar flies, and I spent most of the evening swatting them away from my food, drinks, and face. When I mentioned it to the waiter, he said they've tried addressing the issue, but it clearly persists. Having managed a large bar, I know bar flies are often a sign of cleanliness issues. It's disappointing, and I hope they take more serious measures.
Jennifer
Excellent pasta and ragu/sauces. Ate there two nights in a row! A truly Italian restaurant with extensive wine list, great menu, chic/casual ambiance. Shout out to our waiter, who updated us on how the waves were breaking this week. In Italian.
Xavier
This restaurant is a gem. Casual elegance with world class Michelin level food. Menu is spectacular, and bar delivers a great pour. Let's hope it doesn't get too discovered a crowded.
Todd
Exceptional Italian food with amazing service, one dish was better than the next. Just don't order a Caesar Salad (invented in Tijuana). Oliver's series authentic high quality Italian dishes from North Central Italy - homemade pasta, insane sauces, freshest fish and perfectly grilled meats. Always ask about the incredible specials, there is something for everyone. The wine, dessert and cocktail lists are awesome and don't forget a digestif, they have some fun ones.
This place deserves all of the positive reviews. The food and servers met all of our expectations. The only issue some may have is that there is an outside dining area that is under a big tent that makes it feel like you're at a wedding.
Our waiter was the best! He really brought our Italian dining experience to a new level. Professional and authentic ❤️❤️
Everything was great the food and service so nice. We sat in the back booth near the kitchen. it was not the best spot. That's the only complaint!
The food was fine but not quite worth a Michelin star. The extras were also overpriced - eg. a water bottle for $9 and uninspired deserts (plain caramel cream and Affogato) for $16 each.
Outstanding! Best food and experience my family had while staying in Laguna Beach. Will definitely be dining here when we come back.
We were celebrating my husband's birthday, we had great waiter and food was excellent as always so was the service,
Great food as always. The owners are great and the service is also exceptional. the key is their great menu and options. Very authentic.
I'm not interested in eating in a tent, being cold. I kept asking for the heaters to be moved which the waiters did. The service was fantastic and the waitstaff very attentive and kind but the food wasn't as good as the service. I would not go back.
Some very nice Italian food. Everything I had was to a high standard and the Tiramasu was one of the best I've eaten.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
One of the worst Italian restaurants I have ever been to. Our waiter was extremely rude and combative. The food was bland and ugly. If you’re looking to spend a hideous amount of money and be very disappointed, you’ve found your spot. A bit more detail… when I asked the waiter if the eggplant was breaded he said no, but then said it was coated in flour. I said, oh, so it is breaded, to which he replied, no. They were out of everything with artichokes, for which he offered no apology. We ordered a salad to start that was essentially cut up cucumber and tomato with nothing on it. The branzino was tasteless. The potatoes were over cooked. The spinach was limp and bitter. My husband got the steak. When it arrived “medium rare” is was gray and lifeless. Again, no seasoning, served on top of dry arugula. Truly horrific. The waiter was perfectly nice to the couple next to us, likely because they were ordering lots of cocktails. Truly, find a better place to spend your money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
We started with the meatballs and were not expecting there to be cheese inside but it was a delicious surprise. We had the asparagus ravioli that my wife said grew on her more and more as she ate it. The lasagna was wonderful and authentic as it was not made with ricotta. The Bolognese was meaty but not overpowering the dish. We also had the scallops special from the black truffle menu. These were by far the best scallops I've eaten. The scallops were not fishy tasting and they came served on a bed of sauteed spinach with a sauce consisting of mushrooms, cheese, and truffle. There was just enough truffle to taste it but still allow the flavor of the scallops to shine through. The truffle complimented the dish rather than dominated it. As for drinks, there is a full bar and a great selection of wines. The chef happened to be our waiter which was nice for other diners because it seemed like we were the only table that ordered from the menu. Everyone else asked for custom items and the chef would usually reply with, "Yes, I can make that." The setting was not the fanciest restaurant I've been to but it still allowed for an intimate night out with amazing food. We would definitely return when we are in town again.
I've always loved the warm atmosphere and food here, but my recent visit left me concerned. The restaurant was filled with bar flies, and I spent most of the evening swatting them away from my food, drinks, and face. When I mentioned it to the waiter, he said they've tried addressing the issue, but it clearly persists. Having managed a large bar, I know bar flies are often a sign of cleanliness issues. It's disappointing, and I hope they take more serious measures.
Excellent pasta and ragu/sauces. Ate there two nights in a row! A truly Italian restaurant with extensive wine list, great menu, chic/casual ambiance. Shout out to our waiter, who updated us on how the waves were breaking this week. In Italian.
This restaurant is a gem. Casual elegance with world class Michelin level food. Menu is spectacular, and bar delivers a great pour. Let's hope it doesn't get too discovered a crowded.
Exceptional Italian food with amazing service, one dish was better than the next. Just don't order a Caesar Salad (invented in Tijuana). Oliver's series authentic high quality Italian dishes from North Central Italy - homemade pasta, insane sauces, freshest fish and perfectly grilled meats. Always ask about the incredible specials, there is something for everyone. The wine, dessert and cocktail lists are awesome and don't forget a digestif, they have some fun ones.
Loading...