Patiently waiting for this place to open again because it's one of the greats. I've been here solo…read more I've been here with a group. The vibes are great every time. The food is incredible but I've only tried three items, and they're all goated: - paccheri pasta - creste de gallo pasta - brown sugar pudding for dessert Will be trying everything else as soon as they reopen.

Olivetta is a restaurant I loved dining at and will absolutely be back to. One of the most…read morebeautiful restaurants in the city for sure, it's being added to my collection. However, no photos allowed and I respected the rules of the restaurant. So let me have my words do the photographic build up for Olivetta. We were headed to valet ($20) and somehow lucked into getting one of the very few parking spots right out front, score. We were warmly greeted and walked to our reservation immediately, walking by a rowdy gen x party at the bar adorned in cowboy hats & wanna-be influencers at nearly every table. It's so pretty inside, each room a little different but equally awe inspiring. I loved the vibe and my seat was perfectly placed in front of a giant mirror. My avoidant self did not have to view my reflection, but rather it was like a TV showing me all the hustle and bustle of the restaurant as diners shuffled back and forth to their seats. Watching the crowd was fun. Classy, range of ages, range of demographics but everyone is LA cool. You can be who you want here and Olivetta exemplifies that under their beautiful exterior. We had a perfect server by the way, very friendly and gave just the right level of service, not too much, not too little, just what I like, like I'm Goldilocks of Yelp LA Dining. We started with the squash blossoms, maybe regrettably so, as we had a hard time choosing an app. I'll try something else next time as they underwhelmed me. A nice crisp on the flowers but the stems were a bit much and I just found this dish to be aiight. Now the pastas I absolutely loved. We tried two and just adored them both. I was actually surprised at how good the portions were for such a classy, cute place. The Creste di Gallo was a sensation for the eyes and mouth, with a fun tableside creation of this dish. There's a generous shaving of cheese and delectable bone marrow in the dish, really great flavor and consistency. The Agnolotti was equally, if not even more, creamy and delicious. I was so full but could not stop eating this rich sauce over sage cream sauce and dried sage leaves. The roasted carrots were a nice accompaniment with our meal over a puffed feta bed sprinkled generously with pistachio and dill. Despite being full, we were still able to get through about half of the Chocolate Olive Oil Cake which was fluffy and soft with a chocolate ganache to pour over the top. I wouldn't have minded if this came with gelato or ice cream, just a tad but it was still a solid dessert. I do wish they had some non-alcoholic items like hot tea or coffee or espresso to go with dessert, they only had alcoholic offerings. Prior to beginning dinner, we did order some drinks. They had 3 Mocktails on their menu and were out of 1, so my friend and I ordered the only 2 mocktails ($16 a pop) options on offer. We found them okay - just fine, but wished they were excellent or more NA options were available & more care was intended for those of us who are Cali sober. Other than drinks though, I absolutely loved Olivetta. I'll absolutely be back to try more on the menu and I'm sitting here craving the Agnolotti, omggggggg it was so bomb. I def will be copping that dish again.

It was a wonderful lunch! A very pleasant atmosphere and great servers. The dishes were superb and…read moredelicious! I'll be back.

Came here with my wife to watch a World Cup game and have dinner, and it turned out to be a really…read morenice evening. The atmosphere was lively, but still comfortable enough to enjoy the food and actually talk. Service was friendly and kept everything moving at a good pace, even with the game on. Food was tasty, the staff were attentive, and the whole night had a fun energy without feeling chaotic. Great spot if you want dinner with a bit of World Cup atmosphere.

There are few things that make me happier than a beautiful upscale venue with exquisite brunch food…read moreand easy parking. So, that pretty much defines Culina. My photographs, their extensive number, will convey the beauty aspect better than any of my descriptions could. It's gorgeous everywhere. You feel as if you are in a tropical resort in the Maldives. While Culina for dinner is largely Italianesque, brunch is pure California here and perfectly so. Again, see what we chose from the well rounded menu, in my pictures. All of it was flawlessly done and elegantly plated as well. There was pretty music playing in the background, audible even over the shouts of patrons on one end of the room. Wait, what??? We were there during the FIFA final and it took all my courage not to look at the screens in the bar. I had taped the final and did not want to see it in bits and pieces a priori. (That worked, miraculously and my fave, Spain won, yay!) If I were to stay in a hotel in Los Angeles for some reason, this Four Seasons would be my top choice. It is well laid out and done in such a way as to offer surprises around every corner. Lush, green, floral, Versailles-like in its use of costly materials and mirrors, there is not one thing I would change. I love this place. Caroline, our server, was lovely. She seemed to know exactly what we needed when we needed it. She went out of her way to make us feel welcome and even special. She brought us a surprise plate of biscotti as we sipped our coffee at the end. Valet parking was effortless and part of the cost was defrayed by validation from the hotel (Caroline reminded us!). What more could I want? The banquette we were on was so comfortable I could have stretched out and taken a nap. :-D We hated to leave.

CULINA RISTORANTE If…read moreyou're looking for a spot that delivers on both vibe and standout dishes, Culina is absolutely worth the reservation. THE FOOD: Let's start strong--the Focaccia della Casa was a total crowd-pleaser, warm, fluffy, and gone in seconds. The real star, though? The Crudo Ricciola. It was so fresh and flavorful we ended up ordering three rounds... no regrets. The Little Gem Caesar Salad tasted beautifully authentic--simple, crisp, and perfectly balanced. And the Pollo Primavera? WOW. The Brussel Sprouts- double wow'n Easily two of the best dishes of the night. Only miss for me was the Handkerchiefs alla Carbonara. It just didn't hit the same mark--lacked depth and that rich, indulgent flavor you expect from a great carbonara. THE SERVICE: Service felt polished and well-paced--everything arrived right on time, and the team handled the table effortlessly. THE AMBIANCE: Elegant yet relaxed. It strikes that perfect balance where you can dress up a bit but still feel comfortable lingering over good food and conversation. Overall, Culina nails the experience with a few truly standout dishes. I'd come back in a heartbeat--especially for that crudo.

The new place to be seen or be part of the scene. But, you're gonna need a fat Piggy Bank full of…read moresomeone else's money. The first impression is rich, posh, sophistication, and fine elegance defined. A warm greeting by the Hostess sets the tone for dropping this month's Mortgage money on food and wine that measures up to the decor. Baldi sprang from Georgio's in Santa Monica. Who knew slingin' noodles could generate the bucks poured into creating this magnificent space. Everything about Baldi says "You've arrived" as soon as you arrive. Pass by the Long Bar which is a nesting ground for singles who've abandoned their perch at Catch LA. It's a great spot to meet an Indie Film Producer or a chatty Real Estate Agent with his shirt open to his navel and a fist sized Egyptian Onk dangling. Maybe rename the place Balding? Never mind. Luxuriate in the lap of luxury or someone's luxurious lap. The place is huge with at least two large dining rooms all under the watchful eyes of Randy the Manager who could Captain the Enterprise with ease. I say try for a booth in the rear dining area that lines the glass window into the buzzin' Kitchen where the magic is non-stop. Settle in, peruse the Signature Cocktails and Wine options or hail Loris the Somm who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Wine List which is large than the rough draft of War and Peace. Loris is full of surprises for you, the poster child for charming and very entertaining into the bargain. Who're you dining with? The glamorous, the amorous, Plastic projects on parade along with Private Security shooing away anyone not delivering a dish of food to an A-Lister Celeb. Want a Drink? The Bar is full literally and figuratively. My Sangue Morlacco Liqueur Sour was delish, capeesh? Luxardo Cherry Gin, Sangue Morlacco Liqueur, Vino Chinato, Honey, Lemon, Peychard Bitters and frothy Egg Whites. Impossible to leave that alone. The Staff: Eager, efficient, and helpful to the point of serving you just like they do in Assisted Living. A nice touch and mostly a good idea. The Food: There is wonderful food on this ambitious menu. Most of the dishes soar to the Heavens and are prepared well enough to please Massimo Bottura. A Basket of warm House Baked Bread (Rustic and Seeded Sour Dough) immediately appears and likely will be gone in seconds. A perfect start to a magnificent dinner. Sweet Corn Tortellini with Mascarpone Cheese and Truffle Butter elevated Pasta to new heights. Re-read the ingredients and savor what it must taste like because it tastes exactly as it reads. Tagliatelle with slices of woodsy Porcini Mushrooms and an airy Tomato Sauce. This too was heavenly. Chicken Meatballs In Umido (wet or braised) were the size of Ping Pong Balls and as fluffy as fine Falafel. Them balls was moist, and Chicken-y and featured a delicate Cream Sauce laced with a healthy handful of micro pitted Nicoise Olives. Balance half a ball on the Bread from the second or third Bread Basket. The only leftovers of this delicious dish will be the remnants of Sauce on your sleeve. Fritto Misto was a large mound of Fried Calamari, Shrimp and Cod Bites. It comes with a cup of Spicy Marinara and though ubiquitous around town this version is what Fritto Misto could and should be. Crunchy for as long as there is one bite left. Shaved Artichoke Salad was inventive and terrific in addition to a Bibb Lettuce Salad hiding a diced Avocado underneath the stack of leaves. Both Salads were crisp and a refreshing palate cleanser in preparation for what was coming. Bad News first. The Dover Sole was one click past "Hey, plate the Sole Fabrizio, it was cooked two minutes ago". Should you have to use a serrated Steak Knife to grind off a fork full of fish? As they say in Italian..."no". We'll chalk that misstep up to a frantic slammed Kitchen and dining rooms fully committed. Good News. The 8 oz Southern Range Filet Mignon from Australia was magisterial. The best Beef I can remember. Medium rare, perfectly pink and Marshmallow tender. Beautiful char on the outside while juicy and truly tasty on the inside. Not a speck of mystery chew, fat , gristle, just simply the most gorgeous Beef you can imagine. Good enough to encourage a devout Vegan to leap off the wagon. This dish should be on every table. In summation, there was fresh Peach Pie in a flaky crust Ala Mode and A Chocolate Lava Cake oozing prime Chocolate with a scoop of Chocolate Gelato. I'll say no more and just sense the juices flowing. Bottom line (as opposed to your waistline) book some Baldi Dates now. I plan to.

The food and service at Baldi were excellent. The ribeye was amazing, the hamachi was incredibly…read morefresh, and the sweet corn tagliatelle was bursting with flavor. And the cheesecake was one of the best desserts I have ever had. I am still dreaming about it. I would absolutely come back for the food. Our server was kind and attentive. We were very happy with the service. Unfortunately, the billing practices left a really bad taste in our mouths. We were given individual checks, but each check included a suggested tip calculated on the total bill for the entire table, rather than the amount of the individual check. Because we each paid our own check and followed the suggested tip, we essentially tipped three times on the same total bill without realizing it. What is particularly disappointing is that I have emailed and called Baldi multiple times to address this and have received absolutely no response. No one answers the phone, and no one has responded to my email. For a restaurant of this caliber, this is really unacceptable. The food was genuinely fantastic and the service during dinner was great, which makes it even more frustrating that something so easily correctable has been completely ignored. I would strongly recommend that anyone splitting the check carefully review the suggested gratuity before paying.

Beautiful restaurant with an amazing patio The food was…read moreabsolutely delicious, service was attentive and professional, and the atmosphere felt elegant yet relaxed at the same time. Recommended for their pasta !! Definitely a place worth coming back to

First time here after walking by hundreds of times. It felt a bit stuffy and I think it's…read moreoverrated. Service was ok but the waiter was not overly friendly. Setting is nice as we sat outside. No shrimp pasta dishes on the menu. Caesar salad was fair.. nothing special. Their other restaurant Piccolo Paradiso is significantly better.

This is the restaurant that charged a family $110. to cut a Birthday Cake, without telling them…read moreahead of time. They ended up doing the right thing and refunded the family. Their cake cutting fee was lowered to $5.

We made a reservation for a party of seven, but when we arrived, the only tables available were for…read morefive people. The frustrating part was that the restaurant had plenty of space, and they had just seated a party of two at the only table that could have been combined to accommodate our group. When I expressed my disappointment, I was told that tables are "first come, first serve" even for guests with reservations. That completely defeats the purpose of making a reservation. The only reason we were eventually able to sit together was because the pair at the combinable table graciously offered to move after seeing the seven of us trying to squeeze into seating for five. Their kindness saved the situation, but it shouldn't have been necessary. If reservations don't guarantee appropriate seating for the size of your party, it's important for the restaurant to be upfront about that. Otherwise, the reservation system is misleading.

Everything is good here. There is no bolognese in the world…read morebetter than the one they serve. But you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

Madeo Ristorante is one of those rare Los Angeles institutions that has truly stood the test of…read moretime. It has been part of the LA dining scene for over 40 years, moving through different locations while maintaining its identity and loyal following. That longevity makes sense the moment you walk in. It feels established, confident, and rooted in tradition. The restaurant is run by the Vietina family, and that presence is a big part of what makes Madeo special. You will often see owner Alfio Vietina's sons greeting guests at the door and working the room, creating that personal, hands on hospitality you see at places like Craig's or Spago. It adds a layer of warmth that balances out the otherwise upscale, polished atmosphere. The vibe is upscale without feeling overly showy. It is tucked into a part of West Hollywood that is not the most glamorous, but being right next to the One Hotel makes it easy to locate. Parking is paid, and reservations are still done the old school way by phone only. The drinks are consistently excellent. I have made my way through most of the cocktail menu, and they are always on point. The La Contessa and the Madeo Margarita are my go to orders, both incredibly well balanced and reliable every time. Food wise, the menu changes daily, which keeps things fresh and seasonal. It is definitely expensive compared to your average restaurant, but that is part of the expectation here. Once the food arrives, it makes sense. The actual pasta dishes are some of the best I have had anywhere. There is a simplicity and precision to them that really stands out. I always start with the melanzane alla parmigiana, which is hands down the best I have ever had. It is a classic Italian dish made with thin slices of eggplant that are lightly fried until tender, then layered with rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and parmesan cheese before being baked. At Madeo, it comes out perfectly balanced. The eggplant is soft but not soggy, the sauce is bright and flavorful, and the cheese ties everything together without feeling too heavy. It is comforting, rich, and a perfect way to start the meal. For mains, I usually lean toward lighter dishes like the penne Madeo or the ravioli ricotta e spinaci, both consistently excellent. The rigatoni mozzarella e pomodoro is another favorite, especially if you are in the mood for something comforting but still refined. Dessert is its own experience with their well known dessert tray. Nothing overly flashy, but everything is solid and a great way to end the night. That said, on my most recent visit, the service was a noticeable miss. It felt less attentive and not quite at the level you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. Still, even with that hiccup, Madeo remains a great restaurant and a staple in LA. Between the family driven hospitality, standout pasta, and classic atmosphere, it is the kind of place that keeps you coming back. Parking: Valet Only Reservations: Phone

We had such a great night at Azur last night. We were greeted by all the staff with welcoming…read moresmiles. The decor is really nice. The drinks were perfection! Loved the espresso martini (best I ever had) and the signature Azur cocktail. The food so delicious, everything we ordered was so tasty and fresh. Our waiter was so attentive, as well as the rest of the staff. The live DJ was so fun and brought great energy. The bar filled up with a lively crowd of beautiful people having a fun Saturday night out. We will come back for sure. Thank you Azur!

My mom and I had the most amazing experience at Azur! All of the staff were very attentive as well…read moreas knowledgable about the menu. We took our servers recommendation to order their stuffed squash blossoms and OMG were we glad we did. They were the best bites of food either of us had had in a long time. So flavorful and perfectly fried. The breading was light and crisp, not at all soggy or oily. The olive oil that is served with the bread is top tier, just amazing. The fish and ratatouille were delicious as well. Ambiance and setting was very fitting for the French Mediterranean cuisine being served and it was an overall great experience.