UGO Culver City - going downhill

[bicoastalfoodie]

I just moved to CC this year and discovered this place. Finally, a good, cheap Italian place in LA, plus I am now walking distance from it. And the wine bar next door is great, too! But lately, the quality of the food is really lacking. The sauces are bland. The pizzas are undercooked. Maybe they are over-reaching with the new place they opened next door? I haven't tried that because my neighbors gave it a bad review. Please, Ugo, get back on track!

[rantsnravesnreviews]

Is this related to the Ugo's that opened recently in Sierra Madre?

[NAspy]

We are enjoying the newly opened Brunello Trattoria, quite a bit east of Ugo, but still part of Culver City. Very friendly staff and after three visits, we've been quite pleased with all that we've had,

Brunello Trattoria
6001 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
[phone]

[deadre]

I highly recommend Giovanni. It's just wonderful and should be supported now that it's not in the favorable section of cc...

[bicoastalfoodie]

I've tried it and don't see why everyone raves - it's ok but not great.

[CulverJack]

I find Ugo fine for what it is, but not much above just "good" IMO. I have had some great bar drinks from the Italian Bar next door, and great gelato. Their wine bar is doing really well, too, and it's fun.

But better food can indeed be found at Novecento and Giovanni's, and much better still at Cucina Paradiso. Atmosphere at Ugo is nice and clean - but none of the spots is the complete package for me. I still think CC is looking for the perfect Italian spot which matches food quality with the right room. Maybe Angelini Osteria CC?? I can hope. It's LA, for Pete's sake - there HAS to be another Italian coming soon!

[compucook]

I agree that it was never great, just fair. DH had lunch there yesterday, someone else's choice. He said his lasagna was really mediocre.

[Dommy]

Go a few block over to Giovannis. You'll be glad you did...

--Dommy!

[NumeroUnoEat]

GIOVANNIS no more,
isn't that the new,
"opening soon" AKASHAS?

[Adsvino]

No, where Akasha is was San Gennaro's.

[Adsvino]

Was never good.

[writergirl]

I agree..when was it ever going uphill?

[Obessed]

ditto - it was never good.

[gretcheng]

Tried Ugo 3x and have had 3 aweful meals. Once the table bread was uncooked on inside...seriously, raw dough!! Now that my fellow Chowhouders and HRHboo have steered me to Giovanni's I'm hooked too! I do however love Vinum Popli which is next door.

[hrhboo]

Hey G! Vinum Populi is now called Ugo Wine Bar, following the buy-out. They're now serving the Ugo menu, the Vinum menu is sadly no longer.

[Dommy]

They are also serving it BADLY. P. went there last week and they served him COLD pizza! Grr...

--Dommy!

[hrhboo]

The owner Miguel sold his half of it to Ugo (who owned the other half). He took the name and menu with him, along with most of the staff.

[New Trial]

Well, there, Ugo.