Any Good Italian Restaurants in So Cal?

[dsm]

Could anybody please recommend an Italian Restaurant to die for in approximately the Los Angeles or Orange County areas? I do quite a bit of driving so it can range anywhere from Santa Barbara all the way down to Oceanside.

My favorite Italian restaurant moved out of state about a year ago, so I haven't had decent plate of lasagna since then! I must have spent over $300 testing other places, but I haven't been back to any place twice. I swear I'd strangle my mother-in-law for a decent meatball sandwich. Just kidding,...I'd do that for nothin' [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

Thanks

[GeorgeF]

http://www.chowhound.com/california/...osangeles.html

[andyfox]

Alto Palato in West Hollywood.

Valentino in Santa Monica.

Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills.

This is no good food in Orange County.

[Oski]

I live in SoCal. and I would also like to reap the benefits of this thread. Unfortunately, I don't have any real "great ones" to add to the list.

I do like "Bella Sera" in Monrovia, its not too pricey or upscale; but it is certainly not the checkered tablecloth type either.

One hint. I am of the understanding that there are some nice, authentic Italian restaurants in San Pedro. Not only have I heard such by word of mouth, but I have seen some featured on Cooking Channel (I think it was called, America's best..something or other).

Anyway, maybe some others have been there.

Best Italian food in U.S.? Let's hear from you.
I have seen a few sources say Boston; I have heard many say Cleveland. The best I had domestically, was in San Francisco (I have not been to Boston or Cleveland).

Best, overall was in Sienna, with Cinque Terre and Venice a close second (they were in the photo-finish). Of course, to further the debate, one should distinquish between Northen, Southern, and Coastal Italian foods.

[andyfox]

Best Italian food in the U.S.?

New York, and it's not close.

[Zeno]

The North Beach area in San Francisco has some good Italian Restaurants. One called Caesars, I think.


Best Italian dinner ever - in Verona, about 25 years ago. I have no Idea what the name of the restaurant is or even if it still exists. I was walking around the city with my girlfriend, we were hungry, and we just sauntered into some hole in the wall place. I had ravioli with delicious spicy meat and a sauce that was the best I ever tasted. I think they picked the tomatoes off the vine out back, along with all the herbs, when you ordered and then made up the sauce right then. I have never had anything that comes close to it since. I also had many meals in Florence but I have forgotten them. The meal in Verona stands out in my memory like a brand.

-Zeno

[ QUOTE ]
Best Italian food in the U.S.?
New York, and it's not close.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't really great Italian Cooks ever leave
New York to live "and work" in any other state? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

The poster who started this thread said he'd happily strangle somebody for a good "Meatball Sandwich." I checked out the menu for all three restaurants you recommend (online), and I didn't notice any meatball sandwiches (bye the way, those are really beautiful restaurants). Do you (or anybody else) know where to get a great meatball sandwich in the Los Angeles area? I sure don't.

-iL douchébag

[andyfox]

Why would anyone leave a wonderful place like New York to live in Newport Beach? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

We have a place down the street called Pasta Roma that makes a mean meatball sandwich. You can taste it a week or so after you eat it, but what the hey.