Cheers!!! Came here as a walk-in as we were celebrating a special anniversary with my girlfriend!!! We came here after a change of plans but I am so glad we did!!! We parked at one of the parking lots and strolled through the little village area with little shops lined on the sides. I felt a bit weirded out because it was so quiet over here. It felt like there was no one around!!! The stores too were closed I believe and it was about 6pm in the evening. Anyways, once we walked up the steps through the string-lit patio and walked inside, we were surprised at how loud and lively it was inside!!! Definitely different from what it seemed like outside. There was a man playing the piano and singing live, and there was a lot of people relaxed and eating from their seats. We were lucky with an open table so we had no wait and the whole vibe of the place felt very classy and elegant. Big smiles from our waiter, who also was very kind in celebrating our special night. He gave a lot of helpful info on what type of wine we would like to drink and poured our glasses. His service was extremely top notch. The food too was amazing!!! The Braciola di Maiale Tomahawk (essentially a porkchop plate) came with potato, tomatoes and balsamic sauce. One of the main reasons/things I was excited for was the Calamari fritti, which had a spicy tomato sauce on the side but it wasn't too bad. I absolutely loved it!!! It was flavorful, crispy, and with plenty of squid meat. I couldn't get enough! Our server also managed all of his tables expertly and combined with the voice of the guy singing romantic songs, it was a wonderful experience. 10/10 We both agree that we'd love to bring a group of friends here one day!!! Felt very underrated and hidden, yet so intimate!!! read more

Primo Italia - Braciola di Maiale Tomahawk - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California

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The ambiance at Primo is cozy. The lights are dim & the tables are very close together, which can be both good and bad. Bad, that you can hear the conversations around you & good because it's easy to chat with a fellow patron, if you want to ask what they're having. The food is divine! This is my favorite date night or celebration restaurant. I don't think I've ever had something there that I didn't love! The antipasti I've had so far: Pollettine, Carpaccio di Manzo, Calamari Fritti, Gnocchi Alla Romana, & the Cozze in Brodo. The Cozze & the Gnocchi are my favorites. The insalatas they have are also yummy, but I've only had a few of them. The Insalata Caprese & the Insalata di Pere E Burrata. The Pere Burrata is my favorite of the two. I haven't tried the Primi or Pizza on their menu. I have eaten many of the Secondi: Apollo Alla Parmigiana, Saltimbocca Alla Romana, Filetto di Manzo, Ossobucco Di Agnello, the Branzino con Carciofi, and the Braciola Di Maiale Tomahawk. My hands down favorite is the Tomahawk. On our most recent visit, my husband and I shared the Tomahawk. As for dessert, I've only tried the Tiramisu & the Chocolate Terrine. I prefer the Chocolate Terrine. The Tiramisu is good, but I think they use too much cocoa on top. I have had it & requested a very light dusting of the cocoa, and it was much better that way, in my opinion. The service is excellent! The servers are always friendly & give excellent insight on their favorite dishes & any specials they are currently offering. read more

Food and service were top notch. Great environment and presentation. If I had to make one critique, it would be that the music was simply too loud and the sound/speaker system was too overbearing. The singer also didn't have the best voice (sorry). Almost drowned out our dinner convos. Other than that, couldn't have been more satisfied with our dinner there. read more

Ambiance: it's a neighborhood Italian restaurant, classy and comfy inside, live music performance over weekend nights, full bar service, private rooms for parties and events Service: welcoming and friendly staff, attentively refilled water and cleaned the table Food & Drink: classic Italian food with fresh ingredients Bread - **** house warm bread, served with olive sauce and butter, recommend Tagliatelle alla Bolognese - *** traditional bolognese sauce made with veal and pork, tossed with house tagliatelle pasta, great house-made pasta although sauce was too bland Braciola di Maiale Tomahawk - ***** Tomahawk Pork Chop with herb-roasted potato, roasted heirloom tomatoes, balsamic reduction, potatoes were undercooked, hard in the middle, the pork was cooked beautifully, balanced flavors, highly recommend Tiramisu - **** classic Italian dessert made with mascarpone cheese, espresso, and ladyfingers, bold flavors, recommend Scholb IPA Draft Beer - **** bitter and citrus flavored, recommend Price: decent portions, and overall great quality for all their dishes, expect about $60 per person for a satisfying dinner read more

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This place was so good! I was really impressed. Ambience is very classy and elegant. This is definitely not a place you want to wear your jeans and T-shirt to. It's a bit dim lighting, but comfortable seating and booths. This is also probably not a restaurant you bring your kids to. That said, we brought our kids to this restaurant since it was a family birthday celebration . Service: our waiter was attentive, but didn't give us much guidance or introduce himself to our table. I ended up asking him for his name and some guidance and recommendations. Maybe he's just used to a lot of regulars that know what they want to order already? They also took away some plates without asking, before we fully finished them, which I didn't love. Food: the food was pretty darn good! They were pretty flexible and were able to grill some asparagus upon our request. The pesto gnocchi was fantastic! I would say that having fresh cracked pepper on it would make it even better or at least the offering of that. The octopus I got was pretty good, but could have a little bit more flavoring. The margherita pizza was good for the kids and for the adults. Getting a side of truffle oil or olive oil was great for the crust. We got the charcuterie plate, but I wouldn't recommend it. It didn't really seem thought out and looked very minimal. Definitely not impressive. It did the job for my kids since my kids love deli meat and cheese. Because of the quality of the food and ambience, I would definitely come again! read more

Went there for weekday dinner. It was the day they had live music. I'm not a fan of very loud music during meals cause then you have to shout at the dinner table to be heard. The songs he played was a nice variety of oldies and new pop. The compliment Gary bread was nice and warm. The olive tapenade was unique. Got the eggplant parm appetizer, branzino, Strozzapreti di Manzo, ravioli. I really liked the branzino. The flavor was good. Nothing strong that overpowered the fish. The accompanying greens was a nice match. The ravioli was good too with just a hint of sweetness from the squash. read more

What a fantastic, quaint, delicious place. It's gorgeous inside and wonderfully decorated. Our server was beyond sweet and made fantastic recommendations all night. I ordered the branzino and hands down perfection. Got to try the lasagna which was delicious and the ravioli in brown butter and sage was so yummy. We were a party of nine and everybody had nothing but raving I'm reviews about this place. All of us agreed. We would definitely come back. I would definitely say this place is a must try!!! read more

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This is your go-to staple restaurant on the hill. The food is excellent and consistent. Service is professional and prompt. Ambiance is classy and elegant. Always enjoy this spot!! read more

Primo Italia is one of our favorite go-to's. The menu has a lot of delicious options, we try to order something different each time. We ordered cocktails and decided to split an appetizer, salad, and a main entree. Pear and burrata salad was nice, just a little sweet. Seemed more like a dessert than salad. The octopus appetizer was grilled to perfection, not tough or chewy at all. The lemongrass puree was a nice complement to the dish. Glad we chose the butternut squash ravioli, the brown butter and sage sauce was creamy and buttery. Great live music. Although there are private dining rooms and a bar, seating is limited, so reservations are a must. As with many Italian or European fine dining restaurants, staff is predominantly all male except hostesses (nothing wrong with it), but our server could have been a little more warmer and welcoming. The only things he said to us was "are you ready to order now " and "would you like to order dessert", and checked back with us maybe once. At the same time he was being chatty and laughing with the folks at the table behind us. As someone in the service industry for decades, I pay attention to details, and still never tip less than 20% even if service is just ok or mediocre. read more

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Primo is a very nice authentic Italian restaurant food here is amazing and the service here is great also if your in the area you should definitely check it out.. read more

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We came again to celebrate Valentine's Day with our friends and family in Primo... amazing food. Awesome service in an extremely pleasant venue, full of joy where servers are our friends and the chief and kitchen personnel artists... we love you all... don't miss this unique restaurant... you'll not regret it!!!! read more

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There was live music and excellent service. They have gluten free options but the pasta noodles they selected were meh. However everything else was good. read more

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One of the best pizzas outside of Italy or New York. Several superb traditional Italian dishes and almost always a special on the menu that will blow your mind. The service is generally good and the servers are kind and helpful. The prosciutto pizza (I like to order it a little crispy) is superb. I also love the Paparedelle with boar sauce and the Strozapretti. They have several Italian wines, although the prices run high (for the wine moreso than the food). The desserts are all great. Very nice bar with piano regularly, and usually a game on the TV. I highly recommend a pizza, wine, and dessert while sitting at the bar. It's a go to for me in the area. read more

Had a lovely dinner at Primo's last night. The atmosphere is vibrant and they were crowded on a Friday night. We sat in the back room and it was quiet and enjoyable. Bruce, our server, was very attentive and friendly. He was courteous and professional. A real pleasure. The food is outstanding. I had the most delicious butternut ravioli with pistachios and a brown sugar sauce - incredible. Others had the ragu and lasagna and everyone loved their choices. Full bar and nice choice of wines. Perfect date night, family night or girls night. read more

This place is awesome hot food and great service when I was feeling down then gave me a doll this place is great!!

Made reservations for four at 6:30 pm, and we're seated right away. A Torrance native, I was completely unaware of this hidden gem. It's swanky, with a huge window that casts a lot of natural light behind a grand piano. We happened to come when they had live music, a pianist and he played songs by the Beatles all night. They have a full bar and a good amount of booth seating and regular tables. It's not a big restaurant so I can see why some ppl complain about the wait. It seemed like a spot for business meetings and family dinners, a lot of the other patrons were in suits/business casual. Service was fast and attentive. The complimentary bread, butter, and blended olive spread was delicious. We ordered insalata trittata, which had a very nice vinaigrette dressing. Capricciosa pizza which had artichoke, mushroom, and prosciutto- the dough was divine, fluffy and not too dense. linguine vongole, which was slightly bland - I wish the garlic/white wine sauce was more overpowering (but the way they did it did seem more Italian). The butter squash ravioli was delicious and creamy. They have a huge variety of Italian wine, and we had a glass of a really lovely Cabernet Sauvignon. They also did a lemon drop martini really well, it tasted like spiked lemonade. Highly recommend the ricotta cheesecake and chocolate mousse/vanilla gelato for dessert. The cheesecake was both thick and light, with a hint of lemon. And the chocolate mousse was chocolate heaven. read more

Primo Italia - Ricotta cheesecake Chocolate mousse - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California

Best food ever and nice staff i cemetery to come here the most as I can they have free mints and Hershey

We came here two times after work and they treat us good and we eat very good meals. The lasagna was best one I have had, thank you to primo restaurant read more

Food is quite good. Service is usually spot on unless it is a very busy night. Ambiance is very pretty inside. A bit loud especially if you are seated by the piano. Nice place for date night or an evening out with friends. read more

Primo Italia in Torrance, CA is a highly-regarded Italian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, stylish ambiance, and live music, often featuring the owner's Broadway-style singing. They are known for house-made pastas and high-quality ingredients used in dishes ranging from seafood to wood-fired pizzas. I had the pasta with black truffles and it was so good. I also tried the grilled brazino and it was delicious. The fish was perfectly cooked. The grilled octopus was very soft. The beef carpaccio simply melt in your mouth. We finnished with the pana cotta! Dinner was amazing. The ambiance is warm and lively. read more

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Incredible food- service - I feel like I'm in my mother's kitchen- the quality of the food is cooked to perfection- the service and attention is amazing- I highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions or any occasion- it's our favorite restaurant- read more

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One of the best Italian restaurants in the South Bay. The absolute best Saltimboca alla Romana I've ever tasted. The owner, Lou Giovannetti, introduced himself and we shared a taste of his special Jack Daniels made in honor of Frank Sinatra. They also serve a very fine Old Fashioned from a nice high end Rye, Whistle Pig. Lou is a very nice, friendly, gentleman and host. They had a talented male pianist/singer for this visit and a very talented woman pianist/singer for my first visit. Both have great voices and play well. The ambiance was superb. Our waiter, Juan, served us for both visits and remembered what we ordered over two months ago. He's a credit to his profession. They are all credits to their professions. I will definitely be going back and will introduce Primo Italia to others as well. read more

Our large party was given a private room and had the best service. So many food choices and everything was amazing. There was no rush and we had the best time . read more

Finally made it here and got to try this place. First they bring a loaf of warm rustic artisan bread that comes with butter and an olive tapenade. It was delicious! First I tried the polpettine. It was yummy. I liked it! Althought I think the meatballs might have been a bit over worked. Just a bit. For my meal, I had the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese. It was heaven on a plate. I totally loved it. YUM! For dessert, I tried the ricotta cheesecake. I wasn't sure how this was going to be but.... WOW! It was bomb! I inhaled it! This place is small but totally ideal for a romantic date night and it is beautifully decorated for the holidays. read more

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This is based on an older dining experience. Tried the following items 1. Mary's chicken -crispy chicken, tastes good with the salty tangy flavor of the capers. A bit too oily 2. Salmon pesto -was a little bit dry. Could use more salty. Not a fan of the potatoes but the broccolini was good 3. Lasagna - Hearty and filling. Shared a plate but could've eaten the whole thing on my own. Would get this again. Parking was easier that I thought. There is a large parking lot on east side of the street Hawthorne and Via Valmonte. Easy to get into lot with the signal light whether you're coming north or southbound on Hawthorne read more

One of my top 5 in the South Bay. Consistently good food (never go wrong with the Ravioli). Great Bartenders. Great Piano music.

Mom didn't want to make a big deal of her 75th birthday. She simply wanted an intimate dinner with those she loves most. Easy enough, I asked what cuisine she felt like having to celebrate the occasion: "I haven't had Italian food for awhile..." I have a few recommended go-to's for that but wanted to try something new. And that's how my party of 8 ended up here. Tucked away near Rolling Hills, it's located alongside a few other businesses. It's a couple minutes' walk from the parking lot - no biggie. We walked in and were welcomed with music. (They had a really cool piano player jammin' it up in there.) We liked it, sure, but we were glad to be seated at the back where it was quiet and that we can converse with each other. My bad for not remembering our server's name, but off the bat, he was a cool cat! He was friendly and accommodating right at the very beginning. I started off with their Tame the Dragon cocktail which was refreshing. We all decided to share whatever starters we were gonna get. And off we go: CHARCUTERIE/AFFETTATO DI SALAMI: There was little to share with everyone but I did get a taste of the prosciutto combined with a bit cheese and honey. That was enough for me to simply taste the palate. CARCIOFI ALLA ROMANA: one of Mom's favorites: she loved it so much, we ordered a 2nd. Good sour level. The artichokes were cooked tender. Seasoning was just right. POLPO ALLA GRIGLIA: Everyone knows prepping octopus is hit and miss. It's a complete hit here. The grilled finish was perfect. There was no hint of toughness at all. Fresh as the ocean, seasoned perfect. GET THIS! INSALATA CAPRESE: A must have whenever I see it on any menu. This didn't disappoint. The savory and sour of the fresh tomatoes and balsamic vinegar were tamed and balanced so well by the subtle (but impressive!) flavor of the mozzarella. This didn't last very long, I almost ordered a 2nd! INSALA DI PERE E BURRATA: Another must whenever I see it on the menu. It's prepared a little special here, though. Just three ingredients: wine poached Asian pear, reduced balsamic and the cheese. Put them all together and an explosion of flavors dancing through your taste buds. It was excellent! PICCI TOSCANI CAN TARFURO NERO: My choice of main and it did not disappoint. It wasn't even about the shaved black truffles (although it did make a difference) but the pasta was cooked a perfect al dente. The sausage added flavor and texture. Really, it's the sauce that made each bite. *Insert chef's kiss here!* I got a small tastes of the ravioli as well as the filet mignon and they, too, were amazing. The profiterol was a great way to finish and cleanse the palates FOOD: 5. Not only were they all delish, they were aesthetically pleasing as well! SERVICE: 5. Our server was excellent!!! VALUE: 5. Pricey, but worth it. Even more so for this special occasion. PARKING: Street and private lot a few minutes' worth of walk away. OVERALL: 5. Mom even got a free birthday dessert! She was really happy, and her opinion is what mattered most - at least for that night. That said, we all left pretty satisfied, so we can all say it truly was a perfect evening. It is a bit of a drive from home, but I wouldn't mind the trek for another experience! Looking forward to that next run! read more

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We recently hosted a dinner at Primos and used Rocco's room for +-30 people and were very pleased with everything . Grace was very helpful with the details, Mauritzio was a great server , and Decker helped with picking wines . The food was great , service was spot on and they even accommodated some last minute changes (salad substitute/ gluten free / nut free options) . I would highly recommend this restaurant/ room for your next special event . My only criticism was that there was a $75 per magnum corkage with a 2 bottle limit of bringing in outside wines. I thought this corkage was a little steep , I originally thought it was $35 per bottle ... But still 100% happy with the evening. Thank you Primos! read more

Primo Italia - Long table in Rocco's room - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California

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Came by Primo Italia for dinner and had a pretty good experience overall. The place has a warm, slightly old-school feel, and the service was steady throughout the night. We tried a few things: the Gnocchi alla Romana, Branzino con Carciofi, Pollo al Mattone, Panna Cotta, and the Torta di Formaggio.The branzino and the gnocchi were definitely the highlights -- both well-cooked and had good flavor without being heavy. The other dishes were solid and made for a nice, relaxed meal. If you're looking for a comfortable spot for Italian in the area, this is a dependable option. I'd come back for the gnocchi and branzino again. read more

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Thursday, 03/27/2025 Italian Restaurant We wanted to do something extraordinary for one of our colleagues and also celebrate Women's History month, so I suggested we dine at Primo Italia. I was the only one in the group who had been to the restaurant and wanted to share my incredible experiences with them. I was overjoyed that they truly enjoyed themselves. It was a triumphant evening! Everyone savored their entrees. Each dish was a masterpiece, a delight with each bite. The ambience was lively but not too loud, with a piano playing in the background as we laughed and conversed with each other. The service was just right. It was a perfect evening with friends and colleagues, filled with joy and inspiration. Our orders (see pictures) Appetizers: -Calamari Fritti -Charcuterie / Affettato di Salami Drinks: -Pear Martinis - Glass of Chardonnay/Napa - Glass of Red (full-bodied) Entrees: -Linguine con Vongole -Tagliatelle alla Bolognese -Primo Lasagne -Filetto di Manzo -Ossobuco di Agnello (Braised Lamb Shank) -Specials / Scallops with Asparagus Desserts: -Panna Cotta -Cannoli -Tiramisu -Chocolate Terrine I definitely recommend this restaurant again read more

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Unbelievable. We haven't had authentic Italian on this level since our two months living in Florence, Italy. This is the GOLD STANDARD of honest Italian cuisine. Well worth the 100 mile drive for this gem!! What we had and highly recommend: Linguini con le Vongole Gnocchi alla Romana Polpo alla Griglia Calamari Fritti Carpaccio di Manzo Papardelle con Cinghiale Pollo alla Parmigiana Filetto di Manzo Branzino con Carciofi read more

It's easy to drive right by this fine Italian restaurant just south of PCH on Hawthorne. Which makes it a hidden gem indeed! The atmosphere is exquisite, nice ambiance, attentive service, and oh, did I say they have excellent food to boot?! I forgot to take a pic, but the presentation is perfecto and the beef tenderloin, is, well, TENDER! Delish! Can't wait to go back and try more..def one of my new faves. read more

A last minute change of plans lead me here, and I was PLEASANTLY surprised! I was heading to J. Trani's, and the traffic was looking terrible. My friend and I opted to find a closer Italian restaurant, and this was the closest with great reviews! There was a lively energy in the room, from dates, to small groups, and even families with children. Long story short, the food was amazing! 5 STARS! My server was super attentive and shared his fav dishes! We started out with the calamari, which was fried to absolute perfection! The pesto for the bread felt a bit salty and overpowering. but maybe that's the authentic way to prepare it. For the entree, I got the Filetto di Manzo! I got the beef prepared medium well, and every bite was DELECTABLE! The sauce is flavorful, and I didn't need a to-go box becuase I ate it all up right then and there! My friend ordered the Branzino. I didn't care to go through the labor of eating a whole fish, but I did try a bite, and the fish was very well cooked. Perfect texture and infused with flavor, despite looking bland on the outside. For dessert, I ended with the cheesecake, which was perfect! The fruit puree on top was delectable, and I usually don't eat dessert. Glad I did! I absolutely plan on returning! Only downside is that the parking on the side of the street can be a bit dangerous. Cars were zooming by, and me having heels walking over the curb wasn't necessarily fun. Lol. But I will be back! read more

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One of the best Italian spots (if not the best) in the area. I've had a good amount of their pastas which are all equally delicious. The carciofi and vongole are my favorites. The branzino and lamb ossobucco are also amazing. I havent tried their pizza but they look good. The staff are all super friendly and knowledgeable. Bar staff (Decker is truly great at his craft) is fantastic and they have an extensive selection of wines and liquors. The ambiance is very beautiful and the private rooms are great as well. The live music truly makes the experience. read more

I come here at least once a year every December. It's always a great time. Great atmosphere, amazing vibes, friendly staff. Plenty of seating. The food is tasty (normally I'm getting the filet mignon or the chicken). Their drink selection is very broad as well! This is a nice place for a date or just casual dinner. They even have a private room in the back for a large party if you need it. read more

Food is great and service is great. What a great choices for meat lovers, fish, lovers, and even vegetarians. Every time I've done there the waiter always makes great recommendations and I find you just can't go wrong with what they suggest. My only issue is sometimes the music is a little too loud so it's hard to have a conversation with other members in your party. read more

Numerous restaurants in the Palos Verdes area supported the slide recovery effort, with dining proceeds benefiting the cause. That was all the incentive we needed to visit, Primo Italia. On this Wednesday evening around 6:45 PM, the restaurant was bustling. Parking is available on the street or in the back parking lot, but street parking can be tricky--especially when it involves parallel parking on the busy Hawthorne Boulevard. Upon entering, we were greeted by the charming sound of a piano and live singing, creating a lovely ambiance. However, the lively atmosphere encouraged us to choose a quieter spot in the back room, perfect for catching up on our day. You will find a host upon entering the restaurant. The decor was warm and inviting, with an impressive display of wine bottles and glasses adding a touch of elegance. They also have a big bar with televisions in the main dining room. I saw several people enjoying themselves after a long day of work. The menu featured an enticing selection of Italian dishes, both from land and sea. We kicked off our meal with two appetizers that were simply delightful: Crostini Burrata and Gnocchi a la Romana--absolutely delicious on both fronts! The gnocchi preparation was different than I was accustomed to, see my picture. For our main courses, we each picked an entrée that spoke to us, and then we swapped plates to sample everything. We ordered four dishes, each satisfying in its own way. They handmake all the pasta elements inhouse. My personal favorites, ranked, were: 1) Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, 2) Bucatini alla Gricia, 3) Picci Toscani con Tartufo Nero, and 4) Ravioli ai Funghi. While dining in the back room meant a bit of a wait for our food, it was no issue as we enjoyed a lively family dinner. The staff was attentive, and Juan S. provided excellent recommendations and service. Overall, the experience was exceptional, and the food was truly enjoyable. We collectively rated our visit at 4.5 out of 5, but I tend to round down. Primo is sure to impress--"MANGIA, MANGIA!" read more

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Absolute worst service I've ever had to experience. We had a reservation for 2 at 7pm we arrived 30 mins early and was able to be seated early. Upon being seated we ordered right away 20 mins have passed and we hadn't received anything but that was to expected 2 larger parties were seated about 20 mins after we were and some how received there appetizers and meals before we were even given the complimentary bread server name Bruce told me he was wondering himself what was happening well didn't take long to figure out this establishment would rather not have African American consumers and it only takes once to be treated that way I would highly advise anyone of color to stay far away from this restaurant. read more

Authentic Italian food. Absolutely delicious and quite atmosphere. Service was exceptional thank you Maria

Owner is full of himself ... sad cause service was amazing as was the food .. bummer that he came over to our table and told us off cause we were too loud as he sang ... Sad sad sad read more