Stopped here for lunch on Wednesday. What a fabulous place! From flatbread pizza to crudo, and to the wine selection, it was truly perfect. We sat outside as it was a really nice day and the great service, the menu options, and the music was all chill vibe we needed after a 4 hr drive. Thank you and I will be back! Cheers! read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Crudo- YUM! - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

We enjoyed a nice lunch at Nella Kitchen & Bar on our way out of Los Olivos the Sunday before last. I made a reservation, but it didn't seem necessary, at least when we went at 11:30, right at opening. The vibe was pleasant and a little bit fancy. No lowly brunch menu here--we had raw fish, medium rare steak, and red wine. I suppose not everyone wants all that before dinner. Nella is an attractive restaurant at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. The dining room looked charming, but we opted to sit on the patio, which was comfortable and breezy. Service was great, attentive and prompt. We were in and out in an hour, as planned, but we could've lingered longer. The food was delicious, starting with the $9 bread and butter--French baguette with a bright yellow block of salted Bordier butter. The salmon crudo was fresh and silky, finished with Fresno chile, citrus, passion fruit, avocdao mousse, calamansi vinegar, and fresh basil. My favorite dish, though, was the spring salad, a vibrant assembly of Tutti Frutti Farms sugar snap peas, fava beans, kumquats, calamansi pickled red onions, arugula, pecorino, and rosé vinaigrette. I don't typically go for salads without meat, but this one was superb. For our entrées, we shared a Margherita pinsa and the filet mignon. The pinsa was an airy flatbread, topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, basil, and sea salt. The prime cut filet was flavorful and satisfying, cooked a tender medium rare and served with yu choy and green peppercorn sauce. We ordered two Italian reds by the glass, which went well with everything, but especially with the steak. The Grosjean Vallee d'Aoste, a Gamay , and the Clos Venturi Vin de Corse "1769," a Sangiovese Sciaccarellu blend. I'd been to SY Kitchen once before and plan to go to whatever restaurant the group is about to open up in Montecito. These people obviously know what they're doing. We had a lovely lunch at Nella Kitchen & Bar and would recommend it to anyone visiting Los Olivos. read more

Beautiful restaurant. It's clean and spacious. We were seated promptly. Hostess/manager had a great attitude. The hostess from across the street had given my sister a dirty look when we requested for a table. Much better vibes here. Espresso martini 8/10 strong espresso taste. Perfectly balanced. Granted I don't justify $21 for an espresso martini. Decent selection on wines. Bread (not complimentary) fresh and warm. Pizzas Margirita pizza 7/10 the tomato sauce was flavorful. Simple and light. Didn't have anything special but everything tasted fresh. Truffle pizza 9/10 was delicious had mushrooms, sausage and A LOT of truffles. Delicious. $45 which seemed a bit steep for a pizza. Granted they did put a hefty amount of truffles, so that was fair. Artichoke 7/10 simple and fresh. Artichokes w pancetta & a cabanora sauce. This didn't wow me but it wasn't bad. This was not ordered but they comp'd it. Tuna tartare 5/10 very small portion for $32 the quality was good but no flavor. All pizza came on a flatbread super crispy. Granted not entirely a fan of it. Definitely was a house made dough flatbread. Service was 8/10. Couple mishaps they forgot one of our orders and gave a pizza instead. Pizza was comp'd. Prices were a little steep for what it truly was. Prices weren't exactly posted clearly, like the $45 flatbread pizza. read more

Nella is really a delight. It was our first time trying it after hearing rave reviews (especially about their bread). I'm not one who typically would order the bread and butter since it seems like a waste, but everyone talks about it so we had to try. I can confirm the bread & butter is worth the order, sooooo good! We also were told about their ribeye, and got worried when we didn't see it on the menu. But, it was on their specials. Not sure if they have it all the time, but I highly recommend. Mushrooms on top are so tasty as well as the potatoes they come with. We also ordered the Truffle Pizza which was another special, really good as well. Even better cold the next day... One random note is the restaurant has a funky cheese smell... that was kinda annoying lol. Besides that issue, I will add that service is also great. I would return next time we're in the area. read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Ribeye - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

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Whenever I travel to the CA Central Coast, a side trip to Nella in Los Olivos is a must do. Nella offers delicious, modern, authentic Italian cuisine, great craft cocktails, friendly service and a lovely ambiance with a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options. read more

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I love Nellas. the food is always so delicious and it's a very comforting place. My one grips is tha a glass of wine is 25$!!! seriously that's just ridiculous read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - pinsa and glass of sauvignon blanc - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

We had , bread and butter ($9, but was delicious) Nona Nella meat balls, burrata salad, pinza Bianca, steak and frites and affogato. All the food was simple and very good. Just the dessert wasn't what we expected, kind of disappointed after very nice and good meal. Normal portion, fresh and quality ingredients, good taste. A little pricey but I think the place, the area , service and good food justified pay a little more. The service was excellent and efficient specially the busser and adult Mexican man. He was very nice, polite and super friendly we enjoyed talking to him. The ambience is very nice , elegant and delicate. It's a place that I will return without thinking. I hope if you are in the area , give them a chance . read more

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Classic, unpretentious, high quality restaurant. We had dinner at Nella and absolutely loved our experience. The dining room was well appointed and lively, without being too loud. The service was welcoming and friendly from start to finish. And, the food was excellent! We had the beef carpaccio and one of their classic pinsas (the four cheese) to start, the duck legs and filet mignon for entrees, and the olive oil cake for dessert. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious! I can't recommend Nella enough if you're staying in or passing through Los Olivos. read more

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Nella Kitchen offers world-class service and incredibly delicious food. We drove over an hour to get there, but we'd happily return again and again. If you're a bread lover, prepare to be amazed by their French baguette with salted Bordier butter. It's absolutely delicious and pairs perfectly with Nonna Nella Meatballs. The star of the show is their Pinsa! They're perfectly crunchy and incredibly flavorful. We devoured their Black Truffle Pinsa, but I could have easily ordered the Pinsa and been very satisfied. It makes for an amazing appetizer for 2-4 people. Other pinsas on the menu include Margherita, Bianca, Caponata, Guanciale & Squash, Carciofi, and Sausage & Rapini. For dessert, highly recommend their profiteroles! They're a very light and delicious cream puff with Chantilly and dark chocolate. read more

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This restaurant has the feel, the food and the service of a Michelin restaurant. Every single thing on their menu is absolutely amazing. You can come here by yourself, with a friend, on a date with family or even bring the kids. Everything is fresh. I asked for French baguette, and they kindly request requested that I wait a few minutes as they were going to make it fresh for me. This is an absolute treat and a must visit... An ideally a place you go to over and over again. *** bathrooms are extremely clean and well-maintained*** read more

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We were so impressed with the service and food here that we want to go to solvang just for this restaurant! Ambiance of this restaurant is great, nice date night spot or social gathering. We got their olives, Caesar salad, mussels and a pinsa. We never had a pinsa before and we were so curious about it and it was so so good! It was perfectly cooked! Mussels were a bit small but the broth was good. Overall it's a great restaurant in the area. A must go to spot! read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Olives - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

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We had a lovely dinner at Nella which is located in the Fess Parker Inn. The "pinsa", which is a Roman style pizza with a crust made with a combination of rice, wheat, and soy flour, was the standout. The crust is so light and crispy yet can withstand the weight of the sauce and toppings. The tomato, feta and mozzarella salad was also fresh and delicious. The two items are just enough to share between 2 people. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with a fireplace in the main dining area. I will definitely return next time I'm in the area. read more

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While on a daytrip in Los Olivos our friends and us came here for lunch. What a wonderful lunch we had. The food here was exceptional. Everything we ordered was so fresh and flavorful. We even had dessert and loved every bite. Great customer service specially from our waiter. He was great. The ambiance here is lovely. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Love it here. Will be back again for sure. read more

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My boyfriend and I spent 8 days on the coast and in Santa Barbara- hands down Nella was our favorite dining experience for all the reasons. We loved Los Olivos, the restaurant had so many lovely dining options inside and out, the food was exquisite (my first pinsa!) and our server, Stephanie was nothing short of amazing (as was all the staff). We wished we were staying in Los Olivos to repeat the experience! We will be back, in the meanwhile, I will dream about the perfect crust on the pinsa, the delicious bread and butter, the excellent wines. read more

Nice upscale place. But I found it a bit overpriced and the server was a bit rude. We tried the steak, lamb chops and scallop crudo. They were all okay but nothing I would come back for. read more

We went after our wine and dine at Roblar to enjoy some iced coffee and sweets. Even though they don't serve iced coffee which we realized after getting seated, the barista was nice enough to make an exception and make iced coffee for us. We got their profiteroles and affogato. Everything tasted amazing. Our serves was Stephanie and she provided an excellent service. Must try if you're in the area. read more

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Our new favorite restaurant in the area! Beautiful, cozy place! Delicious, well executed food! Located in such a cute little area! Thanks to the Red Dining Book, we decided to give this place a try to use the promotion from the book for up to $30 off an entree when purchase 2. We made reservation on Open Table, and even tho we arrived about 20mins late, they were very understanding and sat us right away. It was a weekday and surprisingly, the restaurant got filled quickly for dinner. We opted for the scallop crudo for appetizers. It was the best crudo we have had. The flavors were complex but complemented the whole dish so well. For entrees we went with the pizza, filet mignon, and the branzino. The pizza was excellent, but it was more like flatbread than pizza. The filet mignon and branzino were the best ones I have had. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly! The branzino was so fresh and well marinated at the same time. We look forward to coming back here again soon to try their specials! read more

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Tucked into the heart of Los Olivos, Nella Kitchen & Bar feels like the kind of place wine country was always meant to have: modern but warm, calm but buzzing with good energy, the sort of restaurant where you can slide in for a long lunch and accidentally start planning your next celebration before the check even hits the table. We came in for lunch and left already talking about when we'd be back. The room has this relaxed, contemporary elegance--clean lines, soft tones, an inviting openness that makes you feel like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. It's stylish without ever feeling stiff, the kind of space where a glass of wine and a deep breath seem to arrive at the same time. The food starts strong and never lets up. The burrata was the kind of simple, thoughtful dish that tells you the kitchen really cares. Creamy, lush burrata nestled into a bed of finely chopped cabbage, bright avocado, a drizzle of good olive oil, and a whisper of pepper. The cabbage brought this tight, focused crunch--more character than your standard greens--so every bite felt balanced and intentional. It wasn't just "cheese on a plate"; it was composed, layered, and quietly confident. And then there was the star: the Roman pinsa. This isn't your everyday pizza. Puffy yet delicate, it felt like biting into a cloud with structure. Ours came topped with sausage, mushrooms, and shaved black truffle--a combination that somehow managed to be both decadent and restrained. The crust had that perfect contrast: crisp on the outside, airy inside, with just enough chew to carry all that flavor without ever feeling heavy. Parmesan stitched everything together. It's the kind of dish you order "for the table" and then silently hope nobody wants too many slices. The Scotch egg brought its own charm--a crisp breadcrumb shell giving way to a tender, juicy egg, set over a light cream that tied the richness together. It was classic in spirit, but polished in execution, like a pub favorite that decided to dress up for wine country. From there, the kitchen just kept proving itself. The spinach and shallot pasta was rich without being cloying, creamy and dense in the best way, with pasta that had exactly the right amount of chew. The surprise was the sauce: a layer of tomato beneath the pesto, giving the dish both depth and clarity. Instead of a heavy, overly creamy pesto, you get this clean, direct basil note wrapped around a gentle, bright tomato base. It's the kind of detail you only notice when someone has really thought it through. The fusilli bolognese was classic comfort dialed up--a sauce that clung to every spiral, full of slow-cooked flavor, the kind of bowl that makes talking at the table pause for a few minutes. Even the bread wasn't an afterthought: served hot, with that just-baked aroma that makes you instantly glad you didn't say no to carbs. The bar holds its own alongside the kitchen. The old fashioned made with a special Elijah Craig selection felt tailored, not generic--balanced, smooth, and clearly crafted by someone who respects the classics but still puts their stamp on them. It fit the room: elegant, a little indulgent, and exactly right for the moment. What really brings Nella to life, though, is the people. Dan, the manager and host, sets the tone from the front door--warm, grounded, and genuinely welcoming, the kind of leader who makes you feel like you've been invited into his home rather than just seated at his restaurant. And then there's Forrest, our server. He's exactly the kind of person you hope to get in a place like this: knowledgeable without being showy, easygoing yet precise. He knows his wines, his spirits, and his food, but shares that knowledge like conversation, not a lecture. He reads the table well--present when you need him, giving space when you don't. There's an ease to the way he moves through the experience that makes you feel taken care of without ever feeling managed. He's the kind of server you remember by name and ask for next time. All together, Nella feels like a modern wine country living room--great food, dialed-in drinks, thoughtful design, and a team that clearly takes pride in what they do. Lunch here wasn't just a meal; it was a soft landing in the middle of the day, the kind of experience that lingers. We'll be back--probably tomorrow. read more

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What a great gem in LO! We love to go to new restaurants and try new places whenever we are in the area but Nella seems to be one we come back for regularly. Ordered their black truffle pinsa on special and it was so incredible... will always order that when it's available. Our service is always five stars, drinks are unique and a great switch up from all the win on our visits, and of course every item we've tried is delicious. Perfect ambience that fits in beautifully for that great quaint feel of Los Olivos. Always love that we can make a reservation too so we know our dinner plan at the end of a day at the wineries. read more

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Do not recommend at all. Sickly sweet cocktails, inattentive and rude server, super bad experience with the staff there and honestly the only thing we liked was the bread and butter. Go across the street for a much better atmosphere. read more

Must try the flatbread. Perfect compliment to any wine tasting in Los Olivos. We ordered two flatbreads which seemed reasonably priced. Really hit the spot after wine tasting - perfectly crunchy and salty. Service was very attentive and decor was clean and elegant. read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Interior - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

We visited Los Olivos for the first time in January. We didn't know what to expect, other than a small quaint town. Well, that's exactly what it is. In addition to the most lovely vibe and location, the main street has trendy boutique shops, wine tasting, and a few restaurants. We happen to sit down at an outdoor table at Nella Kitchen and Bar to soak up the warm sun and ambiance. Every sip and every bite was absolutely delicious. The photos shown are from our most recent trip in mid March. We're already planning the next visit. We highly recommend this lovely restaurant. Not only is the food exquisite, the staff is incredibly attentive, and the ambience feels alive and energetic. read more

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We heard so many great things about this restaurant from the locals and were super excited to try it. Our server was Forrest and he was exceptional. Very attentive and personable. Ordered the special artichoke heart appetizer and it was delicious and so unique. Ordered a bunch of pizzas. The truffle pizza was a special for the night and was great. The sausage and potato pizza was good and the Bianca was great with Carmelized onions. The carciofi pizza was super unique and was probably my favorite. Ambiance was great and staff was very friendly. Highly recommend. read more

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Great place in Los Olivos. The pizza is a must try, food was amazing. Centrally located

Our server Moses was the best. He was attentive, informative, and had a pleasant attitude. We ordered the Black Truffle Pinsa, Date Salad, Panna Cotta, and Bolognese. All the dishes were well presented and perfectly seasoned. The salad with salmon on their lunch menu was delicious as well. The day ambience is nice and more intimate/loud during dinner service. Food and drinks were great! read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Panna Cotta (Lime w/ Candied Kumquat) - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

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This was our second choice since Bell's was booked, but I'm so glad we came here. Our server was friendly and made great suggestions. We started with the Romini salad, and had the John Dory fish special and filet mignon for our mains. Everything was fantastic, including the craft cocktails. I wish they had small tables in front of the cozy fireplace, but it was still a nice ambiance. Very random crowd from cowboys to dates to families with toddlers. My only slight grievance was that the food runner tried multiple times to take our starter away before we finished, with the rationale that our mains were coming soon - if we say we're still working on it, just leave it be. Overall wonderful meal and we'll come back to try the pizzas, which looked amazing. read more

Amazing food in the quaint town of Los Olivos. Great service , a great bar and amazing Italian food read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

Everything was absolutely delicious, ambiance was great, and the staff was excellent! Definitely recommend & will be coming back! read more

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Proof that God blesses palates bold enough to wander beyond brisket. So there I was, a Texas BBQ believer, wandering the rolling hills of Los Olivos with my sharp-witted bride and a mighty appetite, when we asked a local where to eat. Now, I'm a man of faith in smoke rings and char lines, but when that local uttered "Nella Kitchen & Bar," I felt something shift in my brisket-loving soul. We strolled up to this classy little gem tucked inside the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn just before lunchtime: no reservation, no plan, just a prayer and a pocketful of optimism. And wouldn't you know it? We were seated immediately outside on their picture-perfect patio. Texans, you'll understand the gravity of this: it was June, and we were happily sitting outside. In Texas, you'd be halfway to heat stroke by then. Our server? A hospitality ninja. Friendly, fast, and more graceful than a longhorn ballerina. Wine country rules say you start with a glass, and who was I to challenge the law? I went with a red that tasted like it had been aged in oak barrels and angel wings. My wife, ever the class act, chose a crisp white that practically danced out of the glass. Now, buckle up: the special of the day was fried artichoke hearts, and I mean fried to a golden crisp like they'd just come outta heaven's air fryer. Creamy, crunchy, drizzled with something magical and shredded with enough cheese to make a cow blush. Hands down, our new favorite appetizer of all time. I didn't even think I liked artichokes and now I would fight someone for the last bite of these. And then came the bread and butter. Let me say this as clearly as I can: if you go to Nella and don't order the bread, you need to rethink your life choices. The bread was warm, fluffy, and had a crust so perfectly chewy it made me emotional. That butter? So rich and golden I almost asked it to dance. Now for the mains: my wife, adventurous as ever, ordered the Pulled Muscovy Duck Salad and folks, it looked like the cover of Fancy Lettuce Monthly. Frisée, apple, grapes, mushrooms, chile, walnuts, and a soy-lemon vinaigrette that made the whole thing sing like an Italian opera. She said it was amazing. As for me? You already know. If there's lamb on the menu, I'm ordering it before the waiter finishes saying it. The Lamb Chops Scottadito came perched over roasted potatoes, bell peppers, and earthy porcini mushrooms, all kissed with a bright, herby chimichurri. The chops were juicy, tender, and cooked so perfectly I might've teared up a little. We didn't make it to dessert. Not because we didn't want to -- but because we'd hit flavor capacity and needed a nap, a sunset, and a moment of quiet reflection. TL;DR: If you find yourself in Los Olivos with the sun shining and your stomach rumbling, Nella Kitchen & Bar isn't just a suggestion, it's a calling. From the first bite of artichoke to the last sip of wine, it's where upscale Italian meets patio-perfected relaxation. We'll be back. Heck, I'd book a flight just for those artichokes. read more

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So incredibly let down by Nella. We booked a 7:00 pm reservation for four well in advance. We arrived on time (a little early) and still weren't seated until 7:48 pm. The hostess was kind and even offered to seat us outside (it was freezing), but we were shocked by the lackadaisical response to seating us nearly 50 minutes late--no real acknowledgment or apology. The bigger issue was a birthday in our group. I discreetly confirmed with two hosts that if we ordered a dessert, they would bring it with a candle. They explained they don't do complimentary birthday desserts, which was totally fine--but they said they would absolutely add a candle if we ordered one. They even confirmed they saw the birthday note on our reservation. We weren't planning on dessert, but ordered one specifically so our friend could have that birthday moment. The dessert arrived sans candle. When I got up to ask what happened, there was no meaningful apology or effort to correct the mistake, and the dessert was not comped (again--we ordered it only because we were told it would come with a candle). Then our server came over and, in a curt, insincere tone, said: "Oh, was there a birthday I didn't know about?"--as if to shift the blame to us. Who cares about the candle. What we cared about was the complete lack of hospitality and the apathy when something went wrong. Add in mediocre food for the price, and it's an easy call: totally overhyped, not worth it, and we will NEVER return. read more

Love love this place! The service was impeccable. Forrester was our server. He gave us great cocktail recommendations. He also recommended the artichoke appetizer which was so good! We all ordered various flatbread pizzas and we shared. They were all just amazing. The ambiance is really nice. We all had a great time. Make reservations! read more

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The food is absolutely top notch! Fresh ingredients, to a lovely presentation! The service was top tier! We had Juan as our host! Very attentive! The ambiance was great as well! Very relaxing. We ordered about 7 different items, and it was enough to share! Worth every penny! read more

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Food was great but needed a few minor changes. I felt the Cara Cara salad which had citrus and pistachio was overwhelmed by how much Parmesan they put on top. It lost its beauty and the differential of the taste. I ordered branzino which was excellent but the greens needed something- maybe pine nuts or some kind of nuts. (Or something crunchy). The lentils were out of this world! The string rosemary really made the lentils stand out above all others. Carpaccio pineapple was very creative. I don't eat sugar at all so it was too sweet for me but beautifully blended with ginger and mint. Service was great. All of the staff members were really kind and hospitable. I would definitely go back again. read more

Phenomenal. Pay attention to the specials - the black truffle pizza, especially, was beyond. But I judge an Italian restaurant by its bolognese, and this was as good as it gets ... totally authentic and you can tell it simmered for hours and hours. I've eaten at plenty of 4 star places. This is 5 star, hands down. Right down to the bread. P.S. the sommelier was super approachable & found us an outstanding wine. read more

I have never had nothing BUT an incredible experience here. Every dish we get is amazing and I am a big fan of their steak specials. The service is always top notch and it's a beautiful atmosphere. I really hope they keep the Resiling Poached Asian Pear dessert on the menu because it's the best dessert I've ever had read more

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Always perfect. From the ambiance to the creative menu that delivers on all fronts to the wine list and cocktail program--special shout out to Chris who elevates it to an art form, all while making it look easy. We always feel welcome and always leave satisfied and smiling. read more

The food was fantastic! I would make the drive from LA just for the truffle pizza alone. The salmon salad was lovely and fresh. Everyone in our party of 5 loved their food. Perfect stop while wine tasting. The service was casual yet elegant and the patio was perfect on a warm February day. Will certainly be back. read more

We've been here a few times and every time we're amazed by the quality of food and the attentiveness of the wait staff. On our most recent visit I ordered the scallops Crudo, which were some of the best scallops I've ever had. While a bit pricey it's very much worth it and their wine list is excellent.. read more

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Another wonderful meals with great company. We've been here a few times and each has always been an amazing experience. Both with myself and my company. Service has always been great and each of our waiter for all visit has been amazing. I don't know how often menu changes but majority of the things we ordered was same as last visit during Christmas. The truffle pizza, is a must. That's part of the special I believe. The scallops crudo was great, perfect pair with all the topping. Of course the burrata and the calms. Starters were great and flavorful. Mains, we had the lamb which was cooked to our liking and excellent. The ciopinno, broth was great but potion wise is kind of small but still great. Bolognese, flavors were great. And the truffle pizza, one of the best dish there. We actually had room for desserts, both were excellent. Service was excellent, food was great. Each of our experiences has always been amazing with friendly staff. read more

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Food was okay that's why I gave it a 4/5 but the service was great. The Ambiance here is nice, really good spot to have dinner after wine tasting all day read more

Nella Kitchen & Bar - Pizza, bread and butter - American Near Me - Los Olivos, California

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