80013 Wed Mar 22 19:25:09 -0800 2006 2 2 Los Angeles Area 0 442335 Hadn't been here for a few years & I admit I have very fond memories of our early dating days here, so my review may be a bit skewed! Place was packed & they'd set up a special table for the 9 of us. Only area I would not recommend is the patio off back, as it has a perfect view into the ladies restroom & it's lines! They seem to put families with small children back there. We had brought a special bottle of Barbaresco & no corkage was charged. For the white drinkers, the waiter recommended this Pinot Grigio I'd never heard of that was so smooth & not biting like most - in a sleekly graduated bottle & I'll try to find out the name. A couple nice Chianti Riservas were also brought. Will go dish by dish... Caesar tableside - one of the best ever - generous, plenty of parmesan Caprese - ripe tomatoes & huge slices of fresh mozzarella & basil with olive oil. Requested some balsamic vinegar to pep it up. Spaghetii alle Casa - Wonderful as always (we always request capers be added) in a tomato cream shrimp cognac sauce. God, I love this stuff! Linguine Vongole - perfectly cooked pasta, delicious broth & tons of meaty clams - full of flavor & not watery like some Special pork chop with proscuitto & a sweetish sauce - I didn't like this very much - not on the regular menu Vitello Portofino (or was it Positano??) - first time I've ever ordered - in a proscuitto mushroom cream cognac sauce & very delicious. Not a whole lot, but tender & obviously very rich! Others had some other dishes & obviously loved them as they were gone before I could get a taste. No dessert as birthday cake at home, but they have a large rolling cart of yummy looking stuff. The back room has been redecorated since we've been there - all in all, a wonderful evening - one of those 'la familia' passing the wine & dishes around the table scenes. (The fact my dad has Martin Scorsese glasses helped...) We have their 30% off card, I thought prices had gone way up, but dinner for 9 with 3 bottles of nice wine came to about $350, which was a whole lot less expensive than the limo we needed to cart our wine & martini soaked selves home... It's nice when a restaurant is just as wonderful as you remember and Vito's fills that bill perfectly. Wed Mar 22 19:25:09 -0800 2006 0 tort 1 442467 Couldn't agree more. For that style Italian nothing comes close. Puts the overpriced Peppone to shame and Guidos can't touch it. Thu Mar 23 02:42:09 -0800 2006 442335 0 Jon 2 442622 Their VIP card not only gives you a discount on the food but on the booze as well. A great, inexpensive dining experience. We go nowhere else for Italian cuisine on the Westside. Thu Mar 23 17:47:49 -0800 2006 442467 0 nakni