Birthday dinner - Italian on the Westside

[jyw402]

Looking for suggestions of an upscale Italian restaurant on the Westside (or even Beverly Hills, if that counts) for a birthday dinner for two...

Hoping for a relatively quiet, cozy/quaint place with great food - Northern Italian - (good bread a plus!)

Looking at Da Vinci in Beverly Hills and Cucina Paradiso in West LA - anyone been to either or both?? Thoughts/opinions or other suggestions would be great, thanks!! :-)

[dinami]

I am a HUGE fan of Cucina Paradiso. I recently took my date there on a Friday night at 7:30 and we were seated right away. (There were many empty tables but don't let that fool you, this place is a gem!) It's very cozy/quaint/romantic with excellent service and outstanding food. I love their pumpkin ravioli. Their polenta appetizer is also very, very good. I've had two desserts, the chocolate mousse cake which was good but very rich, and their panna cotta dessert was fabulous!

[feedthebelly]

try anna's on pico near the westside pavillion. very good homemade pasta without the beverly hills influence. hands on owners and wait staff.

[ElissaInPlaya]

Mr. No Peanuts and I really like Cucina Paradiso. Il Moro is yummy these days too, with quite a romantic patio.

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Il Moro Restaurant
11400 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Cucina Paradiso
3387 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[trishyb]

I have had some really nice dinners at Drago in Santa Monica (Wilshire at 26th.) The food, wine, and service have always been stellar.

[Frommtron]

Another good option. The thick spaghetti with sardines is wonderful and when they are serving game it's fantastic.

[Frommtron]

A recent post by Perceptor reminded me of Il Grano. If you have any affection for fish then Il Grano is the choice, without a doubt.

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Il Grano Restaurant
11359 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[Frommtron]

I'm assuming from the OP that Bevery Hills is on the easternmost edge of the Westside you're looking for. Let me know if I misunderstood.

Try these two.

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Capo
1810 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

La Botte Ristorante
620 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[bweitz]

If you want great italian on the Westside go to either Carmine's II or Osteria Latini. Both really great food and perfectly quaint for 2 people. Enjoy!

[wilafur]

vincenti is a good spot for higher brow italian. you may also want to check out bella roma spqr, very mom and pop and lower brow but good tog reat food.

there is also valentino (i've not been) that i hear is very good, albeit pricey.

angelini osteria is also good but that's in the miracle mile area.

[burumun]

Never been to either of those
but In Bev Hills I love the lobster linguine at Il Pastaio

I also like La Terza (http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com/2007/...) if only bcs i can't get reservation at Angelini Osteria ... plus Angelini is not quiet ... both places have great bread

[baloney]

Ooh, La Terza is a great suggestion. I love their ciabatta and basically everything else too!