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Il Gatto

4.3 (225 reviews)
ModerateItalian
Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 weeks ago

Order Il Gatto Takeout or Delivery

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IL GATTO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Intimate
Romantic
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Il Gatto

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Diamond A.

I love this place! the gnocchi was so soft and delicious and for dessert i order bread pudding which was as usual, amazing.

Christopher M.

Had a nice relaxing night last week at Il Gatto. Located at the former Cat & The Custard Cup in La Habra (Orange County). Il Gatto is known for their tasty Italian food. Last time I was in this very building, back when it was The Cat & The Custard Cup, it was in 2018. Great time!!! For dinner, all for myself.... I've ordered the following. App: House Made Meatballs Entree: Lasagna Dessert: Tiramisu Drink: This one is the interesting one..... Goose Hunting in Vermont, which I never did before, or even went to Vermont. LOL All the food item I ordered was delicious. Meatballs was amazing. Lasagna looks great, tasty, delightful, you name it. Tiramisu was heavenly good. Everything Italian in an Italian restaurant is a winning combination. The drink I ordered is highly recommended by me and some actual goose hunters. Pretty unique and tasty drink I've had. Service: Excellent service I've received from the bartender. I didn't get his name, but he did tell me that he was one of the former Cat employees. Added bonus: I actually got a chance to chit chat with some other customers near me who actually have knowledge of great Italian restaurants, especially in Italy. Great people. Overall: If you haven't been there yet.... go here for some tasty Italian food while I go visit Vermont for goose hunting.

Delicious pork chop
Christy L.

What a true hidden gem in La habra! This restaurant is truly one of those places that needs to be on everyone's radar because it's the perfect place for romantic dinners, girls night out, birthday parties and just because I don't want cook kinda nights. They serve delicious pastas and appetizers with well made cocktails with exceptional service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I enjoyed their beautiful charcuterie board with wine while listening to live piano playing in the background.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the ambience and overall experience that's unforgettable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 10/10 recommend!

Mushroom Risotto
Nare M.

What a WONDERFUL little gem of La Habra! We came here for the first time tonight as a surprise for my birthday. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The area it's in is just so unassuming, it's as if someone took a little chunk of Italy and dropped it in this plaza.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outdoor area is adorable and has flowers a'bloomin'.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was attentive from start to finish. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was a piano man playing some lovely jazz tunes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered prosecco and enjoyed while we waited for food. For apps, we got the calamari & bruschetta--both wonderful, especially the bruschetta! For entrees, I got the mushroom risotto with scallops. It was a *touch* on the salty side according to my husband, but it was perfect for me! My husband got the short rib pappardelle which was phenomenal. On par with Parkway Grill's short rib pasta in my opinion, which is a huge compliment! We also got the tiramisu for dessert and it was the perfect finish to a lovely night. I ended up getting the rest of my risotto to go... and then left it there! We don't live far, so I called to see if they might have saved it--not only did they save it, but they kept it warm in the oven for us. This is the type of service that is lacking in this day and age, but Il Gatto absolutely delivers. Can not wait to come back & try more food!

Charcuterie
Casi A.

Everything was absolutely delicious. Theresa was our server who was wonderful! She was sociable, sweet, and on top of it. The food was absolutely amazing. Everything we ate was delicious and the portions are large! Definitely will be back.

Rho L.

Il Gatto is a reboot of the custard cup. What really drew me in was the cat shaped charcuterie board. I know. I know. Service was a bit slow during our visit and it seemed they only had one server running the show. They had a live band playing which was a nice treat. The area we were situated was really tight though. We started with the charcuterie board which was not only a visual highlight but rang well with our taste buds as well. Their aperol spritz was delicious too. I ordered the lasagna and im so glad I did because it was heavenly. We also ordered a clam linguine, pizza and chicken parmigiana with bolognese. I believe my hubby was not impressed with the latter. Overall, it was a grand experience but I am not craving a comeback. Starter bread was nothing to write home about

Complimentary dessert: panna cotta
Jennifer S.

Celebrated my bf's birthday here! We had a reservation and for a Wednesday night it was a bit full. Our server checked on us plenty of times to give us water or ask if we needed anything. The food-- was sooo delicious and filling. My bf dessert was panna cotta which was absolutely amazing!! Would come back

Seafood Linguini
Nicole B.

Wow, this place exceeded my expectations. I'm usually picky with Italian restaurants but this place was incredible. The seafood linguine was the best I've ever had. It was loaded with seafood and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Love this place!

The spread
Pat C.

Formerly the cat and the custard cup, my vote for the best tavern/ steakhouse in north OC (IMO was better than summit house) from what I understand same operators are now running this place, now named the cat, minus the custard cup. Ok, on to the experience - Service, excellent, nice outdoor seating looking out to whittier blvd, not exactly Rome but it's nice nevertheless. Updated bar area and interior overall, it's brighter, modern. The Italian sparkling water branded umbrellas are a nice touch, warm, gas fire pits outside for a nice, high end touch. The goods - lasagne: very interesting, pre Columbus style, tomato-free w an almost, bechamel like gravy. I liked it. Cacio e pepe - well done but a bit underwhelming, just needed a touch of textured salt. The portions were large, as expected at an above $25 price point. The dessert menu was excellent, the entire dining experience was pleasant, we shall be back for round 2. 4.5 stars.

Dinner with my husband.
Vanessa G.

This continues to be one of my favorite places for an upscale happy hour. The food is fantastic as well as the bar area. I love the pizza and the salads. The green salad has anchovies, which I surpringly love. It adds a nice salty flavor. The meatballs are wonderful. The live music is fantastic. The bartenders are always friendly and I will continue to enjoy my date nights here.

Menu 1
Charlyann M.

I eat next door at El Cholo quite often. I always see the cute black cat logo and the adorable patio. We finally decided to try it. The interior decor is rustic elegance. Wood beams on the ceiling and leather tufted stools make it moody cabin/ library feels. I am a fan of the style! The service was pretty good. It was friendly and easy going. They have really good happy hour deals on food and cocktails! The warm bread basket was yummy. We ordered 2 different salads, Margherita pizza, lasagne and spaghetti bolognese. Everything was a large serving size. We liked it all. The lasagne had a good bechamel. Definitely date night vibes.

Bruschetta
Anthony P.

For our second visit to Il Gatto, I decided to surprise my wife for her birthday. It was mid-week on a Thursday evening, but it was a bit crowded. Luckily, I had the forethought to book a reservation. We had to park in back, but there was plenty of parking with a short walk around the side of the restaurant to the entrance. It was a chilly evening, but we noticed an outdoor patio/sitting area with a fire pit that we mused must be crowded during the warmer months. When we entered, the jazz quartet was setting up. The last time we were here, which was much later in the evening, there was no live music. The whole vibe reminded me of restaurants I used to frequent on Union Street in SF. We were seated, thankfully, not near the restrooms. When I asked our server, Teresa, about the main dining room seating, she told me that they open it up during the weekends when there is more of a crowd. Teresa, by the way, was excellent! She was from Naples and she absolutely loves her job. My wife and I got to know her as she got to know us and I must say, we were enamored with her love of Italy, food and Il Gatto. This evening's fare consisted of bruschetta, pesto risotto with seared scallops, and an off menu chicken piccata. And of course, the panettone bread pudding. We also had, as Teresa had playfully coined, La Habra's finest (still water) and my customary Peroni beer. If you've read my other reviews, you know that we love caprese salad. However, wanting to sample more of the menu, we opted for the bruschetta. It's like a caprese salad but with burrata cheese instead of mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar over toasted Italian bread, like a crostini. The three pieces were absolutely delicious, with a distinct crunch when bitten and no sogginess. The burrata was so creamy and was perfectly complemented by the balsamic, the tomatoes and basil. Since our reservation was early (6:30pm) my wife asked Teresa if we could have something off menu: one of her fav's, chicken piccata. Teresa went to the head chef, Yessica, and was told since it wasn't that busy yet, that she could prepare it! (Mind you, don't expect off menu items if they're busy, we just lucked out...) If you haven't had this dish before, it's pounded and tenderized chicken breast, sauteed in a white wine reduction with lemon and capers. It was served with pasta primavera, but I thought, given the lightness of the dish, that pasta olio e aglio would have been a better pairing. Teresa, being from Naples, agreed, especially since Naples is known for this type of pasta. (I later found out from Paula, the GM that this type of pasta was featured in the summer). My previous review praised the risotto, as being creamy, but not mushy and not overly al dente. The pesto risotto with scallops was heavenly. The scallops, unlike the ones at Hell's Kitchen (read my review on that one...) were seared just right. They were tender and not rubbery. Where our first experience was a bit on the salty side, this time around, everything was seasoned perfectly. Our go-to dessert, the panettone bread pudding, was spot on. In fact, they brought it out with a candle and happy birthday written in chocolate sauce on the rim of the plate. I had to go to thank the chef and on the way, I pleasantly ran into Paula, the GM. I thanked her for the wonderful meal and praised Teresa for the wonderful service and engaging conversation. She told me she was a manager at the Cannery in NB and was promoted here recently. She then introduced me to Chef Yessica. I thought it was still chef Antonio (as my previous review noted the chef in the blue hat guiding his female sous chef). Boy, did I get that wrong. It turns out that Yessica was a chef at Louie's By the Bay and was promoted to head chef here. She specializes in traditional Italian recipes but brings a flair all her own. In fact, Teresa told us that she had gone to the kitchen and that Chef Yessica was experimenting with barramundi. I thought it appropriate given lent and those that abstain from meat on Fridays. She told me, it would be one of the specials on the Friday menu. The owners of El Cholo own all 4 restaurants, El Cholo, Louie's By the Bay, The Cannery and Il Gatto. I've been to both El Cholo and the Cannery years ago. However, the culinary team at Il Gatto is just amazing. From the service to the food to the ambiance, it's a welcome delight to La Habra and LA and OC in general. Andate e divertitevi!

Lasagna was delicious. I shared this with my husband because my lobster ravioli wasn't exactly what I expected.
John E.

I'm giving this place 5 only because the food was pretty good. Our waitress little wacky didn't really know what was going on. We had to ask for bread and butter. everyone loved their food. I'm gonna say my lobster raviolis were a little overpriced. Got like six lobster ravioli and some tomato sauce then I'm going to say it was not up to par. I don't really think it's a romantic spot. The ambience is pretty much family.

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Review Insights

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Paula J.

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Paula J.

Thank you for the kind words! We hope to see you again soon!

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Paula J.

Thank you Christy!

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IL Gatto never disappoints. Friendly staff and delicious food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great place all the way around.

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Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - Il Gatto

Is there a Happy Hour?

Yes we do! Happy Hour is from 4:30-6:00 every day and all night Wednesday.

I'm interested in knowing more about the dress code. Is it jeans and a nice top place? Or a bit more upscale?

I've seen a range of casual to a dressed up casual. Jeans and nice top will certainly work.

I also want to know if you can bring your dog to the outside patio seating area! Please someone answer?

Service dogs are allowed on our patio.

Love a good Happy Hour. I see they have some wines but how about cocktails and/or small plates?

Yes, they also have specialty cocktails on their menu or pretty much make any drink you want. I ordered a Paloma last time, which wasn't on their menu. For small plates, you can order appetizers like calamari and meatballs.

Can you request outdoor seating without a reservation?

Yes

What days do they have live music in the bar?

Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 6-9 pm

Can you make reservations? I can't find a number to contact them?

Yes they take reservations and you can do it online: here… 

View All 13 Questions

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I don't often give 5-star reviews but when I do it's well deserved. Had this restaurant saved in my…read morecollection 4-ever and finally went for a birthday celebration. Could not have been happier. From the moment we walked through the heavy wooden door (fancy!) until we left- the host, the waitress, server, manager and even the owner were amazingly attentive and welcoming. When it's your birthday they put a nice sign at your table and everyone stops by to wish you an amazing bday. They also check in to make sure you're having a good time and enjoying your delicious meal. Now for the food: fresh, al dente and tasty. All adjectives you want running through your mind after the first bitesss. We ordered stuffed mushroom- hot and nicely seasoned. Mushrooms not overcooked and stuffing not overly cheesy. The shrimp linguine another hit with fresh tomatoes and jumbo shrimp with a nice snap. The light seasoning with lots of garlic was just perfect. We also ordered the beef short ribs. My friend said it melted on her mouth and the fresh mash potatoes- just right. Did I mention the portions were huge! Lots of goodies to take with us. To add to the dining experience we watched as patrons steadily came and went throughout the evening. You can tell this is a favorite for many. There were High-5s, handshakes and lots of "Welcome back friends!" Just an overall beautifully decked out neighborhood restaurant with so much heart and soul. I heard that the restaurant has been handed down from their grandparents... I'm sure they would be very proud. Highly recommend.

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Inside upon walking in
Inside upon walking in
Caprese salad
Caprese salad
French toast

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Roman Cucina

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Had a great meal!! Our waiter was super friendly, welcoming, and very informative about the menu…read moreand customization options. We loved being able to get a combo of the sausage and meatball mozzarella appetizer to try both. The mix of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta paired nicely with the meats. The Rosa pasta was creamy and flavorful, though the pasta was slightly overcooked for our preference. The Pasta Gianni had a well-balanced oil-based sauce, and the shrimp and mushrooms added great flavor. Generous portions, great service, and plenty of menu options. We'll definitely be back to try more dishes.

This place is a hidden gem of the city. It's a small hole in the way that opens at 5 pm daily and…read morecan have a wait-list. Here are the cons of this place: 1. Small spacing Pros: 1. It's very intimate, great for a date 2. The menu has a little of everything. 3. The staff is knowledgeable and can tell you what they recommend as in if anything you usually gets changes from ingredients to how it's made. 4. They got a killer offer on week days. **Tuesdays: Half off pasta on the second order! Look try this place out. Impress your partner. Pro move: leave your card with the server without them knowing so the bill is paid before they try to fight you to pay the bill. I always getting the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken but my wife won't budge from their lasagna.

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Interior
Interior
Shrimp Scampi7t
Shrimp Scampi7t
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Four Bricks By La Crosta

Four Bricks By La Crosta

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This is a great local Italian restaurant with amazingly great taste and service…read more Sit outside in the patio on a nice sunny afternoon.

I've eyeballed this beautifully nestled restaurant several times over the last few months…read more Time and time again I said "I've really got to check that place out". Well, that time FINALLY came! My sister and I were hanging out reminiscing over our late mother together, on her birthday and decided to get Italian food (her favorite). We both agreed Four Bricks would be THE SPOT! Needless to say, we were so right! We were greeted and sat with no reservation at around 4:30pm, thankfully there was no wait at that time. However, the restaurant quickly filled up. Our server was very attentive but not over bearing. For our appetizer, we chose bruschetta. 12/10 The perfectly dressed tomatoes and basil sat on a pillowy burrata cloud and melted in your mouth. YUMMMM!! I opted for the penne ala vodka, while she chose the bolognese. 10/10 The penne w/vodka sauce had a surprising hint of spice that was decadent and savory. The bolognese had a slightly creamier taste without the spice and was equally as flavorful. Finally, we ordered the lemon butter cake. 10/10 When I tell you this cake was delicious ... woahhh!! It was a nice crisp butter cake but the lemon zest paired with the coulis and fruit gave the perfect balance. We were told the restaurant would be closing and that it was the final day of service. Made us both bummed to hear since the hospitality and true Italian food with homemade pasta was such a delight. Impeccable place overall! Side note: There's a fast food style concept this place operates at also in Whittier, I hope they remain in business so I can get my pizza and panini fix there!

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Bar area.
Bar area.
48 hour sous vide short rib.
48 hour sous vide short rib.
Interior seating.

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Interior seating.
Lascari's Italian Cucina

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Lunch visit First observation- This place needs better…read moresignage inside. Maybe a sign that says "order here" or a large menu sign. When you walk in (for first timers), you don't know if you should wait to be seated or go to the counter to order. There is a menu taped to a table next to the door. You can see, there is a place to walk along the wall and stacks of pizza boxes and a confusing looking counter. The ordering spot is past a guy making sandwiches etc. Order your food then find a table. Place had a good crowd. Food- Spaghetti Aglio e' Olio $14.00 (basically garlic, tomato and sauce with angel hair pasta). It had good flavor but was very watery. Side Salad ($1.50 xtra) was small and weak. Cheese Ravioli w/ meat sauce was average. $16.00 for senior discount. Pizza looked great but we didn't order one.. Service was ok, but they really don't want to be there and you can tell. Especially the girls working the counter and serving. Kind of an awkward feeling. I know Lascari's has a few locations and is good but this place needs some work and an identity.

Prices are fair, but nothing really stands out. Customer service is a bit lacking, and the whole…read morerestaurant was stuffy the whole time we were there (on a high 60s, /low 70s day). However, it got busy around lunch time, so I think they have loyal customers who love the place for the food. Would we be back? Maybe. Ambiance (2/5): A little outdated. What really bothered me was how stuffy the place was. They didn't blast any AC until a third and shortly, fourth party rolled in, and even then, it remained pretty warm in there. This is around 1 PM on a Saturday. If you are baking endlessly and also serving as a sit-down, you better turn on the AC and keep it on for the sake of the workers and customers. Food (3/5): Lasagna was standard in flavor but fairly sized. It came out bubbling hot. We also ordered a meatball and mozzarella sandwich and I have to say, I really loved the crispy bread they used. The large size was a good size to split with two adults. Kids also loved their side bread so much, they barely ate their kids penne meat sauce pasta. The bread is the winner---it's like a crispy, fluffy roll that reminds me of a pizza crust, but in all the best ways. Service (2/5): It's not great. We came in and we had to help ourselves to get seated, pull over two high chairs and then QR scan the menu at the front to decide what to order. When I went up to the front to order, all the people ignored me for some time even though I was right there waiting for someone to make eye contact and acknowledge me. They did this when I ordered and when I went to get takeout boxes. It runs like a family restaurant where everyone doesn't really care about customer service because people will come for their food, perhaps. I don't know; the experience was really weird. Just be aware. Maybe it was an off day. I'll still give a 3 overall since the food itself wasn't bad, just not a great experience overall.

Photos
Lascari's Italian Cucina
Close up of the clams
Close up of the clams
Lascari's Italian Cucina

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Il Gatto - italian - Updated July 2026

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