Unbelievably authentic Italian food with impeccable service!Ambience is great. Cool vibe would definitely go back again!

The question we always ask ourselves after trying a new restaurant (at least new to us) is... 'would we go back?' - At the moment the answer is 'maybe'. Why? We dined there with another couple this past Saturday night. The place was humming! Honestly it was too loud to have a decent conversation, but can't fault the establishment for that (except maybe installing some sound absorbing panels in the ceilings). We felt rushed from the start. Our server announced right when we sat down, that we must get our appetizer and entree orders in right away because 'the kitchen is slow tonight'. Fortunately we had all viewed the menu on line prior so we ordered while he was standing over us (somewhat impatiently). We ordered: Lasagne, 2 fruiti de mare pastas, pasta vongole, calamari & artichoke heart appetizer. We had only just poured the wine and bam the appetizer came and slightly before it was done the entrees arrived. So much for the 'slow kitchen'. As the dinner progressed, it became clear that the slow kitchen line was really to try and turn the table so as to get additional customers in. Having worked literally every job in higher-end restaurants when I was growing up, I knew how important it was to keep tables turning - but there's a balance between doing so overtly versus just providing prompt, but paced service. I hope Stecca reads this and makes the appropriate adjustments. The food? Appetizer was good, lasagne was excellent, seafood pasta good, vongole below average (dry, little-to-no sauce, 3 small clams). Afterwards, I felt bad that we really didn't have the opportunity to chat with our friends due to the rushed service and deafening loudness of the interior. IF we go back, we might choose a less busy weeknight, we'll see.... read more

I wish I could share with you we enjoyed the food at Stecca . Our reservation was for 6pm tonight . Requested and confirmed we had indoor seatings . Great! Looking forward to it until we received a text just now ( mind you without identifying who this message was from ) . I was informed rather rudely my reservation had been moved to 5pm due to the rain. What ? I texted back and asked who the text was from . No response . Perhaps whoever was texting should have identified himself / herself . Clearly I made the reservation for indoor seating . Would it not make sense you might wish to request politely to a customer who took the time to reserve an indoor table ? Obviously I am disappointed and rather surprised by the service. Well . I am sure the food is good . But again guess my date and I wouldn't know now would we ? read more

Have been regulars to Sosta for years and were worrying if this place could even come close to how special it was. We were surprised and happy at how great a dinner we enjoyed last night. Amazing specials great menu. Service was perfect and attentive. Will definitely be back read more

We visited this place first time after the best Italian restaurant in South Bay, "Sosta," closed. We were quite excited to try new restaurants. Unfortunately, we had terrible experiences. I never had. Really shocked. The only positive aspects were the receptionists, bass boy, bread, and olive oil. The menu's font and color are difficult to read at night. And what waiter doesn't know the wine list from the menu? I can't pronounce well because Italian, and I pointed, but he responded, "Oh, I can't read." We waited for drinks quite awhile, and two appetizers and a salad arrived all at once before brinks !!. We haven't had our drinks yet so I was watching the waiter to see if he noticed our drink, but he didn't, so I tried calling him, and he said, "Oh, it was white, right?" He forgot red wine. So we mentioned it. he definitely forgot our drinks. About foods , I can't believe they serviced this horrible foods with this price. The appetizers were pretty bad for the expensive price. Its boring taste, Fish is sooooo fishy and No fresh at all. I can make better to go to the farmers market. A pasta! Wow, it is also bad. I like al dente, but just so much al dente. The couples at the next table talked about the same thing. I can't believe who put the 5 stars. Don't waist your money and time. I recommend my friend "Sosta"before but new restaurant ( even can't remember the name ) I won't recommend anyone. I really miss a Sosta , amazing the Chef Luca Manderino and very knowledgeable waiter which sommelier. read more

I rarely write negative reviews, but this experience was so unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I made a legitimate 8:30 PM reservation through Resy, which the restaurant itself offered. About an hour before the reservation, I got multiple calls and texts from the restaurant pressuring me to arrive early, claiming they had "no more reservations" and repeatedly emphasizing that I needed to be on time or the kitchen would close. At first I assumed this was an automated message, but when I replied that I could come early, I received a casual "Super thank you" response with an emoji, which already set a strange and unprofessional tone. When my wife and I arrived, the restaurant was maybe 80% full, hardly on the brink of shutting down. In any case, the service was rushed and we felt it. We were clearly not holding anything up: food was still being delivered to tables that were seated after us, so there was no justification for the pressure we were feeling. The food itself was not good, but what made the experience truly unpleasant was the behavior of the staff. Bussers repeatedly cleared items from our table prematurely, including asking my wife if she was finished while her plate was half eaten and her fork was literally in her mouth mid-bite. Every attempt to clear the table was accompanied by "no rush, no rush," yet everything about the service communicated the exact opposite. Towards the tail end of our meal, staff began bringing out cleaning supplies and actively cleaning the area behind us (not tables, common areas and hallways leading to restrooms), filling the air with the smell of bleach while we were still seated and eating. This is completely unacceptable in any restaurant, let alone one that is still serving guests. We weren't even the last party there. On our way out, with only one or two other tables remaining, I was genuinely shocked that the hostess - who was standing right there - didn't acknowledge us at all. No goodbye. No thank you. Nothing. Overall, this was an awful, rushed, and deeply unprofessional experience from start to finish. I will never return, and I will absolutely advise anyone I know to avoid this place. A reservation should mean something, and diners should never be made to feel like an inconvenience for showing up when they were invited to. read more

We came in on a weekday night, and were greeted by welcoming staff. The menu sounded incredible and reminded me of things i loved from a recent trip to Italy. It did not dissapoint. Ambience is a great vibe and the food is AMAZING!! read more

The food was delicious and Andrey, our server, was great. He was helpful and very efficient. We will be returning soon.

Absolutely the best restaurant in the South Bay!!!! There is no other like it.... Felt like we were back in Italy (wish we were but having this in Hermosa Beach helps a lot). Everything is delicious. read more

Stecca Taverna is a wonderful addition to the South Bay food scene. It has cozy, neighborhood vibe that's warm and inviting. The staff are kind, helpful, and attentive. The wine list is outstanding and I was served a fantastic Aperol Spritz. But the food is the show here. We did not have a bad bite all night. The filet was perfectly medium rare, the truffle mashed potatoes lived up to their name, the cheeseboard was filled with variety and several outstanding choices, the pasta was not only al dente but bright and full of flavor. And the dessert! The perfect tiramisu, and I'm not positive but I detected a subtle cheesy note-perhaps mascarpone in the whipped cream? Overall, we foresee ourselves being regulars here as there is so much more the menu has to offer including many nightly specials! Everyone who calls them a foodie should visit this new Hermosa Beach gem. read more

Stecca Taverna - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

FABULOUS! It has the greatest lasagna I have ever tasted. It's a great space and a spectacular menu!

I will not be returning here. The staff clearly need better training. The young woman at the register with dyed blonde hair, platinum blonde eyebrows, and tattoos on her upper arm, was extremely unprofessional and unpleasant from the moment we walked in. She falsely claimed they didn't accept cash, which turned out to be untrue, because she was in a hurry to leave. She rushed through making my drink, served a cold latte, and then abruptly left during her shift, to pick up a beverage for herself nearby. The staff were also confused where she went in the middle of her shift When she returned, she remade the latte, but once again it was cold. It took three attempts to get a simple latte made correctly. It's concerning that a barista would struggle with such a basic drink. At no point was an apology offered by her, nor was any gesture made to acknowledge the inconvenience. Throughout the visit, she appeared more focused on stepping outside for walks or chatting with male customers than doing her job. The entire experience was uncomfortable and unprofessional. Her unpleasant demeanor and lack of any skill both as a cashier and barista significantly detracted from the atmosphere and overall quality of the establishment. I strongly urge management to reconsider staffing choices to avoid experiences like this in the future. Good service is a large part of cultivating a dining experience, and unfortunately it significantly lacks here read more

I was already enjoying the Italian wine, service and company when they brought the eggplant parmigiana appetizer. The first to taste it made a face and exclaimed, "OMG you have to try this." We plan to go back next week. read more

All I can say is amazing ! The atmosphere is very modern and authentic. Chef Giorgio puts his heart into every dish. Highly recommend!

The restaurant has outstanding menu. tagliatele with ragu was amazing, feeling the Italian flair 100%. But the most important thing is the little details coming from our marvelous waiter Gianfranco, who shared his NY love and his happiness working and living in South Bay, California! Bravissimo. read more

The food itself was decent--nothing mind-blowing, but flavorful and well-prepared. Unfortunately, any enjoyment from the meal was completely overshadowed by the terrible service. From the moment we walked in, it took over 20 minutes to order a glass of wine. Our server barely checked in, which made us not want to order another glass of wine. He messed up part of our order, and was constantly too busy with another larger table. In the end, the food just wasn't good enough to make up for how poorly we were treated. Dining out is about the overall experience, and this one unfortunately missed the mark. read more

My wife and I were joined by two other couples for our first dining experience at this restaurant. Before we had a chance to eat or drink anything, we asked the server, who turned out to be one of the owners, if we could have separate checks because we're not drinkers and the other couples were. He refused to comply saying that it was a computer issue which was total BS. The service was less than efficient the rest of the evening. We enjoyed our respective meals but the portions were very small and didn't equate with the prices. Lastly, when you patronize an upscale restaurant such as this, you would expect the servers to know who ordered each of the dishes. Not here. They placed the wrong order in front of each of us. It was rather amateurish. Not sure if we're going to return. read more

Food, service, staff and vibe. Was all delicious and authentic high end Italian. Perfection.

Great Italian food, so fresh and incredible ingredients. It tasted like you eating in Rome. Service is excellent and very reasonable price. We have such good food and drinks, definitely going back. Highly recommend read more

Food tastes great. Owner had an attitude that I didn't like. I was trying to be friendly and welcoming of this newer business and he was not friendly. Olive oil tastes good but serving very small. read more

Incredible service and really amazing food--try the sausage and potatoes, and also the lemon fettuccini!! Overall warm and welcoming vibes; my favorite Italian place in the South Bay for sure! read more

I love going to the south bay and I'm happy that Hermosa Beach kept outside seating. I just tried Stecca and was really happy to find true italians doing a great job in a very nice setting. Great service and ambiance and chef Giorgio producing delicious focaccia bread and great dishes. Highly recommend. read more

Wow! They are absolutely stunning!! From the hostess, to the waiter, the owner and EVEN THE CHEF CAME OUT TO SAY HELLO! I took my wife here to celebrate LIFE and everything was so good! Bottle of wine, cheeseboard, meat and shrimp, we had over 5 different plates. It was delicious. We sat outside so it wasn't as loud inside. They have heaters if you get cold, did I mention the service! Everything was great! Welcome to Hermosa Beach! Make sure to read through the whole Menu! read more

Great vibe, amazing service and the pasta.. perfection! We happened to stumble upon this place on our way to neighboring Hook & Plow, and thought- "What a cute place! Let's try it out" I'm so glad we did because the food was outstanding. The place had a sexy trendy vibe without feeling pretentious. This will definitely be in our regular rotation for Italian food. Highly recommended! read more

Stecca Taverna - Frutti di Mare - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Been here several times and the food is constantly amazing. Filet mignon with peppercorns is amazing and always cooked to perfection. Attentive service and although they are very busy they don't rush you out. Affogato is like in Italy. Good job. We needed in Hermosa!! read more

Amazing food and amazing service. The crudo was incredible. Best Italian food in the South Bay!

Stecca is fabulous, we came in with no reservations and were met with warmth, we were seated at the bar immediately! The ambiance & energy is perfection. It's candle lit, romantic, and full of life. we ordered the arugula salad, crudo, lobster ravioli, & tuna steak, let me just say we have no notes about any of the dishes, we finished everything entirely. The Dessert was Divine, a bite of heaven! The Owners are so Italian, and so welcoming. This restaurant will become the gem of the south bay no doubt. We will be coming back! Thank you Stecca!! read more

The food, the atmosphere, the service.....all A+! This spot is a gem! Everything about this spot has been well curated and it shows! The pasta is so fresh and spot on! The fillet is not to be missed! Really, you cannot go wrong at Stecca! read more

It is a fabulous space and the food is spectacular. We were thinking it would be more expensive than it turned out to be.

Wow what can I say! Easily the best restaurant in Hermosa. Unbelievable quality and service. The pasta was to die for. I am so happy that this place opened up. The steak is easily the best in the South Bay area. read more

Stecca Taverna - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

We went for lunch and the food was amazing. It is easy to see that it is made not only with the freshest ingredients but also with love and attention to detail. The service was incredible. The wait staff are attentive and kind. The decor is beautiful and comfortable. I highly recommend that you visit Stecca! read more

Enjoyed our meal this is probably the best Italian in South Bay. Service was ok. disappointing part was that they keep raising their corkage fees . Big reason many stopped going to the previous tenant in this space . They had no corkage . I don't like being forced to buy their wines at huge mark ups . This is a neighborhood restaurant incentivize the local community to visit . They also forgot to celebrate a birthday read more

I don't usually leave reviews but I had to for my experience here. Not only was the food amazing and the wait staff impeccable, the owner was also so kind and authentic, it felt like I was visiting Italy again, dining at one of their finest restaurants. The ambience is relaxed and airy and all things inviting. I recommended this new gem to anyone who wants an authentic experience combined with warmth, good wine, and incredible food. Five stars! I forget his name, but if you get a chance to meet the owner, you'll for sure have the best night. He goes above and beyond to fulfill all your requests! read more

Decent food, really hard working bussing team but the wait staff was just brutal. After our glass of wine was served we literally didn't see our waiter for the rest of the evening. The buss staff had to double up as the waiter for our table. Worst service I've experienced in a long time. Won't be returning and will share this experience with our friends. read more

Food service and atmosphere is great. Been there 2x and will return. Chef and owner are great too!

I brought ten ladies to lunch here today at noon - we are members of a lunch meetup who dine regularly at local establishments in the South Bay. The service was very good and the ambience was delightful. I have no comment to make about the food as everyone seemed happy enough with their selections - although I did think the portion of pasta my neighbor ordered was extremely small. She was a little upset that no greens were offered with it, and finished off what was on my plate! I have one gripe with this restaurant which I only noticed after I got home and looked closely at the bill. Nine ladies ordered water. Tap water. I ordered sparkling water and was brought a bottle. I was not asked if I wanted a second bottle, it was just brought to the table, as were bottles of tap water. When I checked the bill I had been charged $40 for all the waters. Ladies of a certain age who dine out frequently as a group tend to be economical and only order water - not water disguised as something special in a bottle that they are charged for. I think $40 for water (I paid for everyone) was exhorbitant and very cheeky on the part of the owner. The bill should have reflected ONE bottle of sparkling water - which is all that was asked for. Now I have reservations about returning. read more

Delicious food and great service. Definitely will be coming back. The ambience was nice and cozy.

We went to Stecca Taverna last Sunday evening for my husband's birthday. The restaurant is pleasantly decorated. When we arrived at 6 pm, we received decent service and the sound level was fine. By 7 pm, service dropped off to almost zero and the sound level was such that we could not talk with one another. That is a Sunday night. The food was very good. When they asked if we wanted dessert, I reminded them that we were there for my husband's birthday. They brought a small piece of tiramisu with a candle for him. When we asked for the check, I saw that they charged us $15 for the birthday cake. That is bad form and I told the waiter so! The food is good, the ambiance is nice, sound level is horrible, service is inattentive, and they really fell down on the birthday cake. Not sure we will return. read more

Food was good but not as good as other Italian restaurants nearby. Service is terrible. As another reviewer posted, we were barely able to ask any questions as the waiter's attention was elsewhere and he made us feel very rushed when ordering. No one comes back to check on the table and the whole experience felt very frenetic. Also it is very loud read more

EVERY SINGLE DISH WAS AMAZING! If you're a foodie this is the spot, if you're someone who truly loves Italian food, this is a must go! everything was perfect, very elevated, not overwhelming, just perfect. Will be back read more