Category: Italian

One of my favorite date spots in Los Angeles is Miceli’s – located at the corner of Las Palmas and Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood. From beginning to end, you and your date will love the unique atmosphere, absolutely delectable food, incredible fine wines, and their top notch service. I took my here girlfriend for our first anniversary, and the memory of that night will always be with me; Miceli’s is the place to make those kind of memories.

Opened in 1949, Miceli’s is a Hollywood landmark, and a must stop for many tourists. Don’t let this deter you though; the food is one of a kind. My favorite dishes are their world famous lasagna, and the to-die-for Chicken Marsala. My girlfriend prefers the Alfredo, but I think it’s safe to say that everything I’ve had has been absolutely amazing. Miceli’s also offers some of the best diner roles and house wines around (I’d go with the White Zin, but that’s just me). I will say that the only thing on the menu that leaves a little to be desired is the pizza, but I don’t usually go to Miceli’s for pizza.

Once you walk through the front door, you will immediately understand what makes Miceli’s such a great date place. The old world Italian vibe runs deep throughout the restaurant, from the empty wine bottles swinging from the roof to the piano player who entertains ever night. As a matter of fact, the majority of the waiters and waitresses are grade-A singers and grab the mike several times throughout the night, belting the standards to roaring applause.

With better food than Musso an Frank’s, and a slightly better atmosphere than the Pig and Whistle, Miceli’s really stands out as one of the more unique food landmarks of the city. One can’t help but feel the history in the place. It’s almost like walking into the Godfather movies and having dinner with the Corleone’s!

Please note there is a Miceli’s located on Cahuenga in North Hollywood, but I would not recommend stopping. Their service is not nearly as good, and it’s busy (which doesn’t make much sense, but what does?). If you’re coming from the valley, don’t be tempted, drive the extra mile. The service alone is worth it.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to bring your significant, or even your first date, Miceli’s is just the spot. So hop in the car and head to Hollywood, tonight’s your lucky night!

Bay Cities Italian Deli is a gourmet market and deli with a great selection of Italian and Mediterranean specialty foods. Located in Santa Monica along Lincoln Blvd, it has been a local favorite since 1925. Although they have a great selection of imported olive oil, fine coffee, and other Italian goodies, it’s the sandwiches that bring most people into the Deli. Using only the freshest ingredients and the finest Italian products, there are few places in Los Angeles that can match the quality and taste of a Bay Cities sandwich.

If you’ve been to Bay Cities Italian Deli in the past, you’re probably already used to the long lines. On any ordinary day, and depending on how busy it is, you should expect to wait anywhere from 10-20 minutes before you can get your hands on a sandwiches. If you’re in a hurry or want to come by on your lunch break, I would suggest placing your order ahead of time so that you can avoid the wait. You can fax in your order or submit it online, just make sure to do it about 45 minutes before you’re ready to come in.

The Sandwiches

You can create your own sandwich from a great selection of Italian meats and cheeses; alternatively, you can opt for one of their sandwich combos. If it’s your first time, I would suggest going for the latter. Their most popular sandwiches are the Poorboy (with Bologna, Cotto Salami, Swiss Cheese), the Godmother (with Genoa Salami, Mortadella Coppacola, Ham, Prosciutto, Provolone) and the Caprese (with Water Mozzarella, Onion, Tomato, Basil, Oregano, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Salt & Pepper).

The sandwiches are a little on the pricey side, so expect to pay around $8 (depending the combination and size). Once you have your sandwich, you can either take it with you or enjoy it outside on the patio.

Bordering Beverly Hills, Al Gelato is a small Italian eatery nestled along Robertson Blvd. As you may have already guessed, their specialty is homemade Italian Gelato – a thick and creamy spin on American-style Ice Cream. If you come in for the Gelato and are overwhelmed by the options (there are usually about 25 on display), they’ll be more than happy to let you sample the flavors; I would suggest sampling either the Pistachio or Coffee Crunch flavors first. But there is much more to Al Gelato than just the deserts; their food is quite good.

The Food

I love coming to Al Gelato for the pasta, but I’ll admit…the taste isn’t for everyone. The marinara sauce is thick and creamy, but what sets it apart from typical Italian fare you’ll find in Los Angeles is that it’s on the sweet side. If you’re not a fan of marinara sauce, give their pesto a shot…it’s a little extra, but worth it. Their most popular pasta dish is the Rigatoni – served in either a full or half portion. The portions are hearty and will probably fill you up, but the full is only a few dollars more and you can take it home with you.

If you’re a meatball fan, good news for you; their meatballs are huge and are complemented perfectly by the sweet marinara sauce. All of the food is accompanied by freshly baked bread that is delivered warm right to your table; it’s also great for soaking up that left over marinara sauce. If you do decide to take some food home with you, leave the bread behind – it’s not very good after a few hours

For desert, there is the Gelato of course. If you’re not in the mood for Gelato or maybe want something to accompany it, they have a variety of homemade Italian desserts, including crispy cannolis, creamy tiramisu, and a fantastic apple pie.

The Service

This is really a toss-up and it depends on what mood you catch them in. The staff has been there for years and on some days they’re absolutely great. However, on other days – they can come off as a little obnoxious or snotty. Since I’ve been eating here for years, I’ve learned to just let it go; plus, the food and desert make up for it.

NOTE: Al Gelato only accepts cash. If you forget, there’s a gas station a few blocks away and an ATM machine at the 7-Eleven on Olympic and La Cienega.

Nestled along a narrow street right off of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Piccolo Ristorante is a cozy little Italian restaurant that’s only a stones throw away from the water. With only about a dozen tables in total, 10 inside and 2 outside, the atmosphere at this neighborhood spot is awfully romantic.

Piccolo Ristorante opens its doors at 5pm and doesn’t accept reservations, so you’ll have to either come in early or be prepared for about an hour wait (depending on how busy it is of course). If you find yourself on the waiting list then you have a few options. There is a neighborhood bar right around the corner where you can enjoy some drinks and live music. You can also hang out inside the restaurant, but you’ll have to settle for sitting on the steps (with a bottle of wine of course).

All of its dishes are prepared using only the freshest ingredients and accentuate the flavors of Northern Italy. Their wine list isn’t particularly amazing, but they do have a pretty good selection of Italian wines. The food at Piccolo Ristorante has always been consistent, but I wasn’t crazy about it the last time I visited. Their signature dish – the Potatoes and Fig Tortellini was excellent, but the rest of the food came out a little too salty (something everyone in my party noticed). I’m not one of those people who complain and send the food back, so I did end up eating it all. Since this wasn’t my first time at the restaurant and I was happy in the past, I’ll just treat this as an isolated incident.

The food is not cheap; a bottle of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and dessert will run you about $150 (with tip).

Getting Here

Parking in Venice Beach can be a little tricky, so your best bet is to park at the lot on Rose Ave & Speedway for $4. After parking your car, take the Boardwalk a few blocks south and then make a left on Dudley Street; Piccolo Ristorante will be on your left.

On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.

If you’re in the mood for something a little spicy and don’t mind the carbs, try the Penne Arrabiata. It’s a very simple dish; short tube pasta covered with a spicy sauce made from tomatoes, hot chilies, and garlic. If you don’t want to go the pasta route, I suggest going for one of their Panini Sandwiches; the most popular Sandwich is the Chicken Special (the first one on the menu). If you still have room for desert, try the chocolate croissant. A generous amount of Nutella chocolate is spread on the croissant and then grilled Panini style. You can also add bananas, strawberries, and other seasonal fruits as well.

If you visit the Beverly Hills location on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll notice that it looks a little like a nightclub outside. That’s because they employ a couple of bouncers, line you up against the wall (with a portable heater nearby), and even have a purple velvet rope. Don’t be shocked…it’s not a club. Just tell them how many people are in your party and it shouldn’t take too long.

It’s a little annoying having to wait behind a velvet rope to get a sandwich, but it’s worth it. If you’re really impatient (like me), take something to-go and walk across the street; there are some steps where you can sit down and enjoy your food. Just make sure to clean up after you’re done…there are tons of shiny trash bins all over the place (after all, it’s Beverly Hills).