A refreshing reminder that great Italian food doesn't need to be complicated. An A+ dining experience and a true neighborhood gem you wish you had around the corner from home. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Spina delivers delicious Italian food in a bright, airy space with a clean design and an open kitchen that adds to the welcoming atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was attentive, and the menu felt thoughtfully curated. We came for a group dinner and shared several dishes across the menu. Service was attentive and friendly. Everything we ordered was excellent. What impressed me most was how the kitchen balances creativity without overcomplicating the flavors. The basil panna cotta, for example, was elegant and refreshing, with just the right hint of basil that elevated the dessert without overpowering it. My favorite dish of the night was the crudo. The combination of fresh fish and bright lemon flavors made it incredibly refreshing and satisfying. The Polpette al Tartufo was another standout- the truffle sauce was rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful. It's the kind of dish that demands extra bread for scarpetta. The pastas were all beautifully executed and cooked to the perfect texture. The pesto gnocchi was soft and pillowy, soaking up every bit of the vibrant green sauce. The squid ink spaghetti was perfectly al dente and packed with flavor. From the bread to the appetizers, pasta, and dessert, every course was well executed. Food arrived promptly throughout the meal, and the pacing never felt rushed or slow. They also have an excellent wine selection for anyone looking to pair a bottle with their meal. A no-brainer return for me. I'd happily come back for either lunch or dinner whenever I'm craving quality Italian food. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]This clean, airy, spartan Italian restaurant is small but manages to pack a serious wallop![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A counter surrounds the open air kitchen where a not so Italian chef churns out incredible dishes, fast and with nary a mistake. Nothing was off on this my first night at Spina. Started with wine and a huge beet salad with crumbled goat cheese that did not disappoint: fresh leafage, appropriately dressed w a quality Italian dressing of balsamic and EVOO that lightly coated everything, worked because the beets were just one condiment within and not the star of the show. Went well with my supertuscan red. The pastas were served al dente and the lamb ragu papparadelle had a healthy amount of cubed chunks of meat swimming in the savory red tomato sauce. Loved it! My date's tonnarelli spaghetti w homemade Italian sausage and truffles was also tasty though I preferred the papparadelle by a hair. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service is punctual in a no frills room that feels like you stumbled into a solid NYC eatery of a hip neighborhood.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will return again soon! Delicious!! read more

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Spina! More like Fina come back! Came here in a Wednesday with my friend. She has a shell fish allergy but everything on the menu was pretty much safe for her ! We split a bottle of prosecco and the vibes were great outside! Service was meh, our waitress seemed a little slammed and wasn't very warm but wasn't that big of a deal. As a huge prosciutto fanatic this one was pretty bomb!! No complaints!! Rich, salty and melted in my mouth especially with the burrata combo The ravioli was yummyyy not the best Ive had, but worth trying! The sauce was kind of forgettable to be honest. The patate frite was mid definitely could've gone without it. The lemon was a nice complimentary touch though. Overall great choice if you're in the mood for some decent Italian food and are in the area ! read more

Spina - Ravioli Verdi, Prosciutto & Burrata, Patate Frite - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Another must-add to your Italian food rotation. Super tasty pasta and one of the best tiramisus I've had. You can't go wrong here - just order what you're feeling. No reservations, so drop in at a not-busy time or be ready to wait a bit. read more

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Went to Spina on a Wednesday night with some friends and it was delicious! They don't take reservations so we tried to do a walk in at 7pm. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was plenty of seating outside but it can get very cold since the side of the street they're on is completely shaded. Bring a jacket![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The standouts for me were the pappardelle & the cacio e pepe. We also got the tri colored salad which wasn't as bright as I was expecting, the radicchio definitely made it land on the bitter side. Four different pastas paired with a bottle of wine, the perfect night! read more

Spina - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Spina great Italian restaurant local and perfect for any weekend or weekday night. We started with Gnocchi Al Pesto. Delicious. Melting in your mouth and so satisfying. Then we had Tonnarelli Salsiccia e Tartufo ( you can see the shaved truffles) and peppardele all"Agnello both very delicious. They have one of the best Tiramisu I have tried. Definitely a A+. read more

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We had a great dinner at Spina! Fun note - Dakota Johnson was eating at the table across from us. So it's good enough for the celebrities! Spina is very small, with limited seating inside, but a nice patio set up out front with heat lamps. Thankfully it was pretty empty for us and we had no wait, but I've heard the line can get pretty crazy here since they don't accept reservations. (I will say towards the end, a group sat next to us and it made it pretty hard to hear each other. It is close quarters if other people are in the restaurant as well). The food was solid! It is no wonder they are known for their pasta. We started with the Insalata di Beet, Caprino e Pistacchi which was a delicious salad! Both red and yellow beets with great pistachios and goat cheese topped with balsamic. 8/10 We shared the Tonnarelli al Tartufo e Salsiccia, Pappardelle al ragu di Agnello, and a special risotto with squash blossom and burrata. The Pappardelle: the pasta itself was divine. Probably one of, if not the best pasta noodle I have ever had. My brother and I agreed the pasta itself was our actual favorite bite of the night. The sauce has great flavor, lots of lamb, but a lamb ragu pappardelle is my go-to dish at any Italian restaurant and I will say, I've had better lambs ragus before. It was still a very solid dish! 8/10 The Tonnarelli al Tartufo e Salsiccia was also very solid. It was not spicy at all, but you could smell the truffles when they brought the dish over. Again, very solid dish 8/10 The risotto with squash blossom and burrata was probably my favorite dish as a whole! Very simple, but really well done. Excellent mouth feel with the perfect amount of toothiness. 8.5/10 We finished with a tiramisu which was great except the cocoa powder kept hitting the back of our throats haha. 8/10 They don't have a liquor license, but they do have beer and wine and they make cocktails with less alcohol. I had the livewire rum drink, it was ok, not a ton of flavor to it. 7/10 The service was great. Our waitress made us feel at home. I believe her name was Kelly. She really seemed like an easy going person who just wanted to make your night a little better. read more

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First time coming to Spina. My sister and i drove from San Diego to Los Angeles just for Italian food and it was 10/10 and more. Each bite was so flavorful and tasty. If you are in the area please stop by for the best Italian food in Glendale. read more

Spina - Spaghetti Cacio i Pepe 10/10 so delicious, al dente spaghetti made to perfection - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I went for dinner and sat outside, it was a busy night. Service was attentive and helpful. The capesante scottate were pan seared jumbo fresh scallops with black truffle on top. These scallops were a delicious, beautiful dish and I would order this again. The risotto algi scampi had fresh water prawns- the risotto was a smooth consistency and the prawns were large. The cavatelli alla campidanese is a red sauce dish with Italian sausage and cherry tomatoes. The pappardelle al ragu d'Agnello is made with lamb ragu- i love this meaty pasta. All of these pastas are filling and easily shareable. Parking- street parking read more

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One word: raviolis! They are so delicious creamy and decadent. Love the beet salad and I always trust the servers to recommend the best wine. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dog friendly with outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This restaurant has the best ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Pretty solid Italian food! We dined on a Friday night and had to wait about 1.5 hours for a table. To be expected and it wasn't a hassle at all. Every table was full so plan accordingly if visiting on a weekend! The staff were overall friendly. I wish our waiter was a bit more attentive, but it was a Friday night. We started with the grilled peach + burrata salad for appetizers and their meatballs. The grilled peach salad is a seasonal item - overall, really light, refreshing and balanced. I wish the peaches were a tad sweeter as they kind of taste underripe in my opinion. The meatballs were solid - great sauce, nice chew. You'll definitely want to order some bread to get the sauce. For mains, we tried the papperdelle, amatriciana, and lobster linguini (seasonal). All dishes had great flavor and were a good sized portion. The pasta itself had a nice chew. Definitely a great spot to come with friends or a date night. Be prepared to wait, but you'll be glad you did! read more

Spina - Grilled peaches and burrata, meatballs - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I love that small neighborhood restaurants are making a comeback! There is bar seating with a full view of the kitchen inside and maybe enough space to fit 8-ish people on the low tops in the window. I love going with a group so we can all get a taste of things. Here's what we tasted: Insalata di Beet, Caprino e Pistacchi- mixed green, yellow and red beet, goat cheese, pistachio, balsamic - GOOD salad if you like beets. I loved it. Pistachios are the new go to nut on salads this year. They bring a good crunch and a mild sweetness. I know beets are often served with goat cheese, I would be ok if they left it off of this one, there are a lot of competing flavors and the perfume of the goat cheese was distracting for me. Poplette al Sugo - Beef meatballs, tomato sauce, Parmigiano, basil, crostino - it was a decent meatball, nothing outstanding, just solid. Patate Fritte - smashed fried potatoes. Well seasoned, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Pappardelle al ragu di Agnello - pappardelle, slow cooked lamb rags, Pecorino, parsley - good ragu, for all those that think lamb is too gamey, the lamb didn't even taste like lamb. It was delicious. Ravioli Verdi di Spinaci e Ricotta - ravioli with spinach and ricotta filling, Parmigiano, butter and sage - I'm a sucker for ravioli, if it's on the menu, I'm ordering it. It was good, the sauce was a little thicker than expected but it was a heavy buttery cheesy goo. Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe - spaghetti, Parmigiano, Pecorino, black pepper - super simple, super good. Parking is horrible, come early, avoid the rush and the wait. read more

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The food was really good. The service was terrible. I ordered the bread and butter, never got it. Then I ordered that branzino with a side of asparagus. Never got my asparagus. I saw the server walking and I mentioned to him that I never got my side and he said he was going to go look into it. I then saw him placing the order. I asked him and he never put my order in. I told him to cancel it as I was almost done with my food. Then when the bill comes they are charging $9 for the bread and butter that I never got. The waiter said "it's not my fault, we work as a team" but he never checked in on me to see how the food was and if we had everything. Terrible service. read more

Our first time here and the food and service was great. The handled my wife's allergies without issue. The food was very good as was the service. read more

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I've been coming to Spina since they first opened and used to go every week. The food and service were always outstanding. A few weeks ago, I returned and was surprised to learn that the chef and cofounder, along with much of the staff, were no longer there. Unfortunately, the experience just wasn't the same. The food and service were still decent, but compared to what Spina used to be, I left disappointed. I really miss the old Spina. read more

I thought this was a pleasant dining experience. Our servers were helpful, hard working and attentive. We didn't have to wait for our food for long at all. The portion size of your meals will not be as large as some commercial establishments, BUT that's not the point-- the pasta and sauce are quite good here. My close-friend who is Italian, mentioned this pasta is the closest representation to actual Italian pasta. I am inclined to agree. The pasta is very good here! The ambiance is a tight fit of seating on the inside to the street seating. They clearly are trying to be as accommodating as possible. They do speak Italian here. - No reservations unfortunately. Worth the wait though, it's a step above and pretty affordable! I would come by if you are craving authentic Italian pasta! This is a place I would definitely recommend! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is soo cute I love the cozy ambience where you sit close to people and have tables on the sidewalk.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was just as good! The meatballs were tender. The pastas were good I love how Al dente the Cacio e pepe was although it lacked a bit of flavor. The sauce on the ravioli was pretty good I just wish it had a bit of a thicker consistency it was more of a watery sauce. The salad was very refreshing I love lemon dressings. The vanilla gelato was SO good it had such a rich vanilla flavor. The chocolate tart was also very good. The service was good but kinda slow. Overall would come back! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]I didnt want to eat inside because it was so hot and so small in the restaurant[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], so I got it togo, and it was like a kids meal size. I paid about $25+tax i think, WOW~~its crazy how much they charge for pasta with tomato sauce (no meat) barley any cheese. Plus they put it in a black plastic container, ugh~dont order for take out here, its a disappointment. Just sit, eat, and sweat. Taste is not bad tho and service is ok. Maybe I'll come back in winter and update my review. But for now is a no go read more

Spina - $25+tax for this pasta w/tomato sauce. This is how it came, did not touch it. Comes in black plastic container and so little. - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

After driving by countless times, we finally made time to try this place on a Sunday afternoon right before they closed for dinner. We added our name to the waitlist, including our phone number, around 2:05 pm and were sitting by 2:20 pm. We could fit in an errand across the street, which was perfect. They called us when a table opened up. They have an open kitchen with a dining counter space where we sat. It was spacious, and we were able to enjoy our meal comfortably. We ordered Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe, Tonnarelli al Tartufo, Spiedino di Funghi, and bread. The bread was good and had a nice chew to it. The grilled mushrooms were tasty. They were prepared perfectly, and the char gave them a meaty flavor. The appetizers were a great start. The cacio e pepe was delicious! I put black pepper in everything, and there was a generous amount. The salinity did not overpower the dish, and the butter sauce wasn't too rich, which I appreciated. I had a bite of the tonnarelli, and the tomato sauce was flavorful. Our total for all four items was $97.45 without tip. Service was efficient and welcoming. No complaints. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and will be bringing our friends! read more

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Cute neighborhood spot that I wanted to be a standby, but just a little better than OK - 3.5 stars. Love that you can see the kitchen and host staff were so quick and accommodating even for a busy Saturday evening dinner. We sat at the bar and were met by what I assume could a new waitress? I'm very clear when ordering and if we need more time, but she just could not understand me and needed reassurance of what I said multiple times. There's plenty to choose from on the menu and there were abundant specials. Prices are high and you do get a show if you're at the bar. We ordered all specials - paccheri with bottarga and squid, pappardelle with short rib ragu and the seabass cooked in parchment with mediterranean ingredients (olives, tomatoes, onions). I think we were seated next to an owner or otherwise as they were aware that our food was slow and they helped with the service (and were speaking to each other in Italian!). Pasta all cooked perfectly along with the squid, but it didn't really showcase bottarga though it was tasty. Seabass cooked perfectly as well, beautiful texture and moist when it can sometimes be too meaty. Pappardelle was disappointing as the ragu tasted strongly of red wine and the meat was scorched. Sauce should have been cooked out more for my preference. Cool vibe, very pricy, al dente pasta though the sauces weren't blow your mind. Like that it's walk-in only, maybe just get different dishes and hope you'll get a better server. read more

There's been so much hype regarding this place. I was eager to try it. Luckily got in and there was plenty of seating. Inside looked great. Host was great. But that quickly devolved. I ordered the steak, which was 60 something dollars. I'm totally fine with that. What I was not fine with was I ordered it medium. What came to me was Rare. Then I called it out to the chef. He said it is medium rare. I said yeah, I ordered medium. He said it is medium. He wouldn't budge. Finally he took it back and they regrilled it front of me. No apology or admitting they were wrong. The gaslighting left little to be desired. Steak came back and it was good, but can't let the gaslighting pass especially if you're paying 60 plus dollars for a steak. I did tip, but brought it down to 18%. I read more

The food was fantastic! Cane here in a business lunch and truly wished in could have sampled everyone's dishes.

Overpriced! Spina is overcharging - $9.00 for bread and $24 for a simple green salad is ridiculous! Be prepared to spend $250 for a dinner for 2. Will not return at these prices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Outside seating was also uncomfortable - seated at a table up against a metal post.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is NOT a $250 fine dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

My friend and I split 4 dishes and 1 dessert at Spina on a very busy and cold Saturday night. Here they are in order from best to worst: Octopus/polpo, pork chop, grilled bread, parpardelle verdi and panna cotta. I love octopus and I order it whenever I see it on a menu. The octopus at spina is delicious and large enough to share. It also comes with a refreshing salad with a great lemony dressing that also works well with the grilled bread. The bone in pork chop was solid and very well seasoned but there were so much fat in the chop. Grilled bread was good but it was 4 pieces for $10 that were the size of biscotti.... I would not order this again. The ragu on the parpardelle was far from good. I don't know if the meat sauce was too thin or too oily or lacking in meat. I regret ordering this pasta and I wish I was able to eat shellfish because the clam spaghetti sounded really good. Panna cotta was a little grainy. Service was friendly but the kitchen was busy so there was a long gap between apprtizers and entrees. Our dinner took nearly 2 hours. I personally didn't mind because I was with one of my best friends whom I hadn't seen in awhile so it gave us plenty of time to catch up. But if you're in a hurry or don't enjoy drawn out meals, you may want to go elsewhere. read more

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This is a place for rich folks to bring their children. Basic pasta dishes that cost a bit too much and nothing above average. Service was good, [[HIGHLIGHT]]atmosphere was very child heavy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Honestly, a little underwhelmed. Not one dish wowed us. We really like the fact that there is a local spot trying to do some bold cuisine... but I really feel like they can focus more on the food and less on the "vibe". [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was ok and nice, but the setting outside is uncomfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Happy to see it is always packed and busy, but not rushing to try this again.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We have only been there once, so take this review with a grain of salt. For us, that one time, the hype did not match the goods. read more

This was my second visit to Spina, and it was just as great as the first time. I had no idea they were open for lunch though, which is a game changer for me! There is indoor and outdoor seating, it's a smaller space but outside there are some umbrellas and heaters available, they're also dog friendly! Lots of street parking is available nearby too, and it's worth walking for. The calamari was super crisp, but the Lobster Linguine and the Lamb Ragu were the stars of the show. Both were super rich and flavorful without being overfly heavy, and were a good size for sharing. Service is efficient and friendly, and even though they don't take reservations, I wouldn't let that deter you from visiting! read more

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Been to SPINA twice now, and it's always a treat. We've finally figured out how we like to order here: start with a pasta plate, follow it with a protein plate, and finish with dessert. The portions are perfect for sharing (which I think is why some people complain about the prices--they're not meant to be massive). Service has always been super friendly with us. The only minor downside is when they switch shifts and you lose the server you clicked with--it can feel like you've been left hanging for a bit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We've never sat at a regular table; the counter is our spot. You get to watch the cooking, be part of the energy, and it's fun to give props to the chef while they work.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We've never had a bad meal here. Once, a couple next to us complained their pasta was "too salty," but honestly, it felt like they were just looking for something to gripe about. We always leave full, happy, and already planning the next visit. read more

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TL;DR: in my top 3 best pasta of all time. Go now and get any pasta that's made in house. Stumbled upon this gem in Atwater village that used to be a pho place, and was excited to see it as an Italian spot now. Somehow this place is both casual and classy at the same. I believe the owner was there, not sure but speaking Italian and he welcomed me. The menu was full of pastas and sauces I'm not normally familiar with, but one of their specials caught my eye as the pasta said made in house and a wild boar ragu sauce. 12/10 best pasta. It is in my top 3 of all time. Complimentary bruschetta was served before and it was perfectly balanced with the tomatoes oil on a slice of baguette. They have a small wine selection as well. read more

Spina - This wild boar sauces is to DIE for - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This Italian gem in LA strikes that perfect balance between casual charm and culinary chops. We grabbed a seat al fresco -- great people-watching, even better pasta. Started with the beef tartare, which was fresh, clean, and plated with intention. The lightly poached egg on top was absolutely delicious -- watching the golden yolk run through that well-seasoned stack of beef was an elixir moment, elevating every bite with richness and depth. A standout starter, no question. I opened with an Aperol Spritz (because some classics are classics for a reason) -- cold, crisp, and perfectly balanced. Now let's talk pasta -- made in-house, and the texture proves it. I had the Tonnarelli al Tartufo e Salsiccia: spicy sausage, Pecorino, and fresh black truffle. Saucy, spicy, earthy, and indulgent in the best way. I was tempted to guard it with my fork. My husband ordered the Pappardelle al Ragu di Agnello, which came layered in flavor. The lamb was slow-cooked and tender, the ragu was rich but well-rounded, and the Pecorino brought everything together beautifully. Service was attentive without hovering, and the vibe was easygoing yet thoughtful -- no pretense, just great food done right. If you're craving handmade pasta and bold Italian flavors, this spot delivers. Simple, low key but cooked from the heart. read more

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I visited Spina tonight after a friend recommended it to me. [[HIGHLIGHT]]My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the food and the atmosphere!!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was so nice and helpful. We met the owner and he was an absolute gem. I ordered the branzino 10/10...amazing!!! My husband had the Lamb Pappardelle pasta which he looooved! Our friend had the shrimp risotto... which I tasted & it was soooo good!!! The bread and apps were also amazing!! I can't wait to visit again!!! read more

Spina - Branzino - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here for a quick bite and drink for early dinner with my girlfriends and fell in love with this place! The aperol spritz were so refreshing! We also shared a cesar salad, and pasta! All items came our fresh, clean, and delicious. Our server was great! He was attentive and we all had nice conversation with him! I loved how clean the environment, as well as the open kitchen. I definitely plan on coming back, and I do believe that the price point was fair for the food, and service! read more

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Spina was a favorite of ours ever since it opened. Unfortunately the entire cook staff was very recently fired or left en mass. The replacement crew are not good at all. We saw fish dishes being undercooked and falling apart on the plate being put back on the stove, others (my salmon limone) overcooked, and everything way over-salted including on the salad! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We used to love sitting at the counter to watch the cook staff do their thing in a well orchestrated and tightly knit dance of food preparation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The new chef and his staff were clearly in way over their head. Such a disappointment as we always looked forward to dining there. But no more. read more

Pappardelle al ragu di Agnello - FANTASTIC! * Not one to overhype a pasta sauce but the complexity of this sauce and the pasta texture / freshness was simply unmatched. I've been to Italy and would rather go back to Spina... Loved watching the prep happen in the open kitchen. The couple sitting next to use were practically f***ing but I didn't even care because the food was so damn good The waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about every item on the extensive menu and put up with my millions questions. So many items on the menu that I'm now dying to try. Will be running back here. 10/10 read more

Spina - Pappardelle al ragu - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I write this with mixed emotions. I have been longing for a great Italian restaurant to open in my area so I was delighted when Spina showed up out of nowhere boasting great Italian food and handmade pasta. Every time we walked by, there were always large groups of people waiting outside as they don't take reservations. We were told the wait would be around an hour so we always passed and went elsewhere. Finally, only an especially chilly night, we were told that the wait was 20 minutes or less if we were willing to sit outdoors. We decided to go for it, especially since there were portable heaters near the tables. As we waited near the entrance, the host popped out with an amuse bouche for us. It was two arancini-like fried morsels that were delicious and served to whet our appetite for what was to come. After 10 minutes or so, we were seated at a small table outside the front window. We were greeted warmly and after a couple of questions decided to order a salad and two pasta dishes. We were thankful for the heater though the cold wind easily pierced through it. The salad arrived promptly. We chose the Beet salad which came with mixed greens, red & yellow beets, goat cheese and pistachios with a balsamic vinaigrette. It was outstanding! Next up came the two pastas, their Pappardelle with Lamb Rags and Linguini with Clams. And this is where things started to go downhill a bit. The Linguini was undercooked and being that it was a fresh pasta, it was chewy and gummy all at the same time and there was grit and sand throughout the sauce. Clams are notoriously difficult to clean as most of the debris is inside and not released until cooked and the shells open. I'm not sure where they sourced those clams, but I've never had this much grit in a clam dish. Combined with the undercooked pasta, it was a complete miss for me. The Pappardelle on the other hand was quite good. The pasta was nice and silky and the ragu was quite pleasant though it didn't pack the slow braised punch I am used to. Both pastas, though, quickly went from warm to cold in the breezy cold night air. The server was friendly but obviously overwhelmed as they never came back to check on us during the entire meal until we were finished. They also didn't bother to inquire about the partially eaten Linguini. Granted I didn't bring it up either because we were both quite cold and ready to leave. The whole meal was a combination of delight and disappointment. And we learned a couple of valuable pieces of information. Don't eat outdoors there on a cold night and avoid their Linguini with Clams unless you need more grit and sand in your diet! read more

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This was a disappointing experience and I hope they can improve from guest feedback. As a New Yorker, I might be biased and spoiled for great Italian restaurant experiences, but with Italian restaurants there's a level of hospitality and passion you come to expect - this was nonexistent at Spina. We waited around 30 minutes for a table which was great and were seated outside, it took over 10 minutes to get acknowledged and another 5+ to get some water, fine, no problem, we decided it might be a nice slower dinner. We ordered the bone marrow risotto, pappardelle, and truffle potatoes all to share and made it clear we intended to share. The potatoes came out first as an appetizer we thought which was great. Then 3 minutes later our pasta dishes came out - we had no room for them we had to put the water on the sidewalk. We ordered the pasta dishes to share but had no room for share plates and had to give them to the runner. It was hard to share our food across the cramped table - we would've ordered differently if we knew sharing would be a problem. The runner who brought out food even said "I don't know if you guys wanted these dishes to come out right now but here you go." She knew it wasn't ideal and our meal was rushed because of it, I noticed other reviews with this same feedback. Our server didn't check on us after the food came - we easily would've ordered another round of drinks and dessert had anyone cared to come by. We also really wanted the heater on. What bothered us and what prompted me to even write this review is the owner seemed more focused on drinking and chatting than guest experience. The manager/owner should be checking on tables, ensuring guests are happy, not standing around drinking wine. There are thousands of restaurants in LA but people are choosing to spend their money and time at yours, be grateful for them. Food: Pappardelle - was advertised with a lamb ragu, I couldn't taste any lamb in this dish, more ground beef. Bone marrow risotto - small marrow bones, hint of truffle, had to eat it quickly before the sauce curdled - very, very salty. Truffle potatoes - very tasty, would recommend, better delivered in a bowl due to the tiny table size. We said from the start, dining on the sidewalk on a December night is probably not the best showing of a restaurant, we'll give it another chance and come back but at the end of the meal we decided not to return - we were in and out in 40 minutes, great if they're just counting covers, not great for the guests. I think you need more than a neon sign to build a great local spot. read more

After reading all of the reviews and pictures, I was excited to dine here. This is not the restaurants fault, but parking can be very difficult in this area. It's all street meters and if you are lucky, parking in the neighborhood streets. Since there's no reservation system, we put our name down and was told it was an hour wait. Luckily, there are bars and stores around here that can keep you busy while you wait. About 40 minutes later, I received a call that our table was ready and it was outdoors on the sidewalk. There was 3 of us and we were seated at a table that was definitely meant for 2. They have a regular menu and daily specials menu. We ordered the octopus, burrata & proscuitto and truffle potatoes to start. I ordered their NY steak special and the other 2 ordered the risotto and black ink pasta. While waiting, they brought out arancini balls for each of us. I ate it and didn't think much of it. It was a little bland and dry to be honest. After eating this, I was worried about how the food was going to taste. The burrata & prosciutto came out with the octopus. The octopus was very tender and braised in a tomato sauce with potatoes. I thought the flavor was ok. The burrata was a bit on the thicker side and didn't really have that creamy taste that I'm used to. The proscuitto was good and salty. My NY steak came out and it looked really good with the grill marks on it. Though, it was a pretty thin cut about 1/2" thick. I asked for it to be medium rare, but it came out on the medium to medium well. Not surprising since the steak was cut thin and very easy to be overcooked. I decided to just eat it and not notify our server about it. It wasn't seasoned as well as I would have liked. There's no salt or pepper on the table, I should have asked for it, but I didn't want to bother. The dish came with arugula salad and potatoes. The risotto that my wife ordered came out looking very good and creamy. But once I tasted it, all of that went out the window. The risotto was undercooked for sure. Though it was creamy, flavor wise, it wasn't the best I've had. Our friend that ordered the black ink was not impressed with his food either. Overall, I can't recommend this restaurant as the food was just ok. Nothing about it really blew me away. The table condition was big negative. How do they expect 3 people to sit at such a small table meant for 2 and order all of the food we ordered. It made us have to rush our food just to make room for the dishes that were coming out. We would have been ok waiting a little longer for a proper table. Also, why do they make the font on the menu and especially the wine so damn small. With such poor lighting, it's hard to be able to make out any of the words without having to use a flashlight. I hope management reads this and is able to address some of my concerns to make the dining experience better. read more

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Spina is hands-down one of the best Italian spots we've tried in a long time. Everything from the handmade pastas to the attentive service felt elevated but completely welcoming. You can tell the kitchen is run with serious passion. We ordered a mix of classics and house specialties, and every single dish was phenomenal: * Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe - A minimalist masterpiece. Creamy, peppery, and perfectly al dente. Proof that simple ingredients, when done right, don't need anything else. * Ravioli Verdi di Spinaci e Ricotta - Delicate green ravioli filled with smooth ricotta and spinach, bathed in a sage butter sauce. Comforting and elegant at the same time. * Linguine al Nero di Seppia Alla Pescatora - Rich squid ink pasta with tender lobster and personally my all time fave. * Tonnarelli al Tartufo e Salsiccia - Pure decadence. The sausage added savory depth, and the truffle? Earthy, aromatic, and not overpowering just enough to make you close your eyes with every bite. * Prosciutto & Burrata - Creamy, fresh burrata paired with paper thin slices of prosciutto. Simple, high quality ingredients that spoke for themselves. The pastas tasted like someone's Italian nonna hand rolled them minutes before they hit the table, and the flavors were layered, thoughtful, and totally transportive. The service was warm, knowledgeable, and never rushed us despite how busy the place got. It's the kind of restaurant you want to gatekeep, but also want everyone to experience. 10/10, zero notes. Make a reservation and go hungry. You'll want to order everything because we sure did! read more

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Service is lacking. Went in for drinks and a pasta around 3pm on a Sunday. Were able to walk right in (hours on Yelp may need updating). Were asked if we wanted sparkling or still water but water was never brought to us. Ordered rigatoni w fresh buratta and it came without. These lil mistakes were never accounted for unfortunately. Street parking was fine on a Sunday. read more

Absolutely loved this restaurant. The pasta was delicious and and sauce was exquisite. The food is also beautifully presented. There was no wait and food came out quickly. The tables inside are a little close together, but the outdoor seating looked nice too read more

Spina - Short rib Papardelle - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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