The Sunset Strip's Amarone Kitchen & Wine serves up rustic Italian food. The intimate dining room is run by owner Alessandro Polastri who, with Chef Guiseppe Musso, bring their vision of Bologna, Italy to California. The extensive wine list (over 150 labels) covers the range of Italian wineries.
Caffe Mezza Luna is a sweet and charming cafe in Princeton by the Sea. Under the same ownership as the restaurant Mezza Luna, the Caffe serves a variety of of Italian treats such as gelato, pizzas and paninis. There are also fresh salads, crepes and breakfast is available all day. Caffe Mezza Luna is located near the Harbor Village mall and provides ocean views.
A favorite with Napa locals, Ristrorante Allegria offers Northern Italian cuisine that has been influenced by aspects of Californian cuisine. The menu includes such traditional Italian appetizers as calamari fritti, bruschetta al pomodoro and also some California-influenced dishes as spring rolls. Entrees include a wide choice of pasta dishes as well as meat and fish specialties. With two different size private rooms Ristorante Allegria is great for small or large groups and a number of different party menus are available. There is also a daily happy hour with food and drink specials and accordion music most Mondays and Wednesdays.
The first Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria was opened 20 years ago in North Hollywood, and now there are over 50 locations in the Los Angeles area. This is the West Hollywood locale and offers the same tasty, thin-crust pizzas as they did 20 years ago. Big Mamma's boasts that they make the world's largest pizza pies, at 36 inches wide. These big pies are perfect for school and organization fundraising drives, or even parties. They deliver and also have a great on-line deal: order 7 pizzas via their site and the 8th pizza pie is free.
Ristorante Rocca (est. 2005) is reminiscent of a villa in northern Italy. The attention and care invested in the restaurant can be seen in the opulent interior as well as the comprehensive menu, which includes a wide array of salads, soups, antipasti, pastas and meat dishes, with ingredients and preparation fully described.
The full bar features specialty cocktails; the ample wine list includes selections from California as well as Italy. Desserts and espresso are available. Mezzanine and balcony seating is available. Browse the website, online menus (listed below) and customer comments to learn more.
The Tasting Kitchen is a unique restaurant with a menu filled with items of all categories. It offers cheese, bread, meat, seafood, pasta, salads, vegetables, desserts and wines with many options to choose from. The restaurant is only open for dinner hours. A full bar is inside. It offers a subscription for its newsletter, which can be registered for online.
Steps away from Rodeo Drive, Il Fornaio offers an Italian menu, a vast wine list and an on-site bakery that also sells its ciabatta, sourdough and other loaves at local supermarkets. The restaurant caters to regulars with its passport promotion program, wherein two weeks out of every month the restaurant promotes dishes from a rotating schedule of Italy's 20 food regions with a special insert. The dining room is always bustling with activity, but the service is fast and friendly. To make a reservation, call Il Fornaio during business hours.
La Donne Cucina Italiana restaurant serves seafood and Italian entrees in an understated, elegant atmosphere. Meetings, banquets and larger events are encouraged, and the entire restaurant can be booked for private parties. Special menu selections for large group parties are available with pricing online or by private consultation. A large gourmet wine selection is stored in its wine room, containing some of the best wines from all over the world. Many choices of champagne and wines are available. La Donne Cucina Italiana has a large selection of entrees that are reasonably priced.