Casa Modena

Hidden away on the 2nd floor of the mall on Wilshire at Barrington, this restaurant escaped our notice for 6 years! It's an amusing setting cluttered with Italian collectibles from the 1960's and wonderful freshly prepared food. The pasta made in-house. My husband had tortellini, I had squid ink pasta and both were delicious and the hostess/server/chef was a delight.

I will never not come here on a trip to LA. My favorite restaurant on the planet. Such a hidden gem! Umberto and Galasy have truly continued something so special and I'm so grateful to get this little slice of authentic Italian pasta in the middle of LA.

We used to eat here when it was in Culver City and it is just as good. Hard to understand why there aren't lines out the door.

Casa Modena is a gem tucked into a small shopping area in Brentwood on Wilshire where you'll get amazing food (the home made thin layers of pasta in the lasagne is the stuff of DREAMS) wonderful service from Umberto, and the feeling of local neighborhood spot from the moment you walk in the door. After living in Italy for 5 years, this makes me miss true Italian food, culture, and language so much!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Porcini Risotto with Truffle, Ricotta \u0026 Pistachio Cake, Salmon with Veggies, Minestrone Alla Genovese, Truffle Pasta, Stuffed Mushrooms

Located on the 2nd floor of a Brentwood mini mall, Casa Modena has a charming, homey interior. Seating is at reclaimed mid-century Italian kitchen tables, and Italian restaurant plates adorn the walls. Lots of pasta, olive oil, and other decorative knick knacks are scattered about; and some are also for sale. (We bought a bottle of the pepperoncini-spiced olive oil we enjoyed dipping our bread in.)

We shared GREAT tortellini with truffles, branzino, a buffalo mozzarella appetizer, a salad, and 1 glass each of reasonably-priced Sauvignon Blanc and Barbaresco.

We had a very friendly, experienced server/maitre d', who made excellent food and wine recommendations, and made our dinner memorable and fun.
We plan to return with friends.

Amazing pastas- feels just like you’re dining in Italy. Some of the best Italian food in the Brentwood area.

Probably the most authentic best Italian I’ve had in LA. My wife is from Bologna so is the chef. Extremely tasty worth the price.

This place is great. Very authentic in feel and you feel like family when you go in. Check it out!

Very cute Italian restaurant.

I like the portion sizes but it is expensive for what you get.

They’ll ask you if you want sparkling or still water. I thought still was tap but it’s just non-sparkling bottled water. So if you don’t wanna pay 5$ for imported Italian bottled water, ask for tap. That being said it was pretty good water lol.

We got the bruschetta, penne arrabiata (meat free, spicy ?), fussiloni alls salsiccia tallegio and salmon.

I felt the salmon was a little over cooked/chewy however the sauce it came in was very good. It came w mashed potatoes but photos online showed veggies. I would have preferred the veggies but the potatoes were good. Some ppl might’ve preferred it more smooth but I liked it how it was.

I didn’t try the fussiloni dish but my husband said it tasted “musky.” He knows that sounds “bad” but he really enjoyed it but didn’t have another word to describe it.

Bruschetta (4 slices of bread) was good but bc we also got free bread after our appetizer , I wish they would’ve just added more bruschetta topping to the free bread slices (4) since the price for 4 small bruschetta slices was a lot (13$)

Really enjoyed the ambience. Very cute and eclectic inside.

Reviews kept saying the restaurant is always empty but when we went, there was one other family there and during our dinner, two more parties arrived. The restaurant isn’t huge so 4 parties seemed like a lot !

Vegetarian options: A few meatless dishes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Salmon with Veggies

Delicious food, friendly service and cozy atmosphere!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We ate very good green tagliatelle with meat sauce, the best espresso we drank in 18 days in America

Fantastic food. Mediocre service. Slow!!! But such a nice environment it was OK!!
We got the Black Truffle Prix Fixe. I'll definitely return to try more.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Porcini Risotto with Truffle, Filetto Branzino Con Limone, Panna Cotta

I've seen Casa Modena a few times in my searches for new spots to try. My wife and I made an 830pm reservation. We arrived and literally thought they were closed. We went in and sat down in a beautifully decorated dining area. Italian plates on the walls, authentic dining tables from Italian homes, pictures, and books of Italy all over. Our meals were phenomenal. Why is this place not packed? There was not one thing for me to complain about, which is rare. We will be eating here a lot more, and you should too...

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious homemade pasta!!! Ok we came in later in the evening and it was empty! I was ready to walk out and am so glad we didn't!!! The food is so fresh and delicious! I've been to Italy many times and truly feel like I was transported there! The decor is beautiful and so unique!! I've been to tons of restaurants and this one is a winner!! Unique plates, no two are alike! Beautiful utensils, art deco 60s/70s tables from Italy!! At the end of the meal, my husband and I were already thinking about what we wanted to try the next time!!! This restaurant is truly AUTHENTIC and that is difficult to find!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This isn't the same food I remember from the original first location. I came during weekday lunch and ordered the black truffle pasta. I received the pasta dish with white truffle. I didn't complain tho. The pasta was simply flavorless no truffle cream sauce just olive oil with cuts up pieces of truffle that lost its flavors when being cooked and shaved white truffle on the top. I love truffle have been craving truffle but this wasn't it. I never Had such a bland pasta dish and this isn't usual for casa Modena. Total waste of money. Ive had more flavorful truffles dishes at other restaurants. Just a disappointment this was my favorite spot at one time but not sure if the cook was knew or it just went downhill.