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  • La Mia Cucina

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La Mia Cucina
La Mia Cucina

La Mia Cucina Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.LaMiaCucinaRistorante.com
  • Phone: (831) 373-2416
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Michael Scanlon
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Beer, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: La Mia Cucina offers two different rooms for parties.
    The smallest is the Bacchis which holds up to 24 in the upstairs dining room.
    For large parties the restaurant can seat up to 58.
  • Private Party Contact: Michael Scanlon (831) 373-2416

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Lighthouse & Laurel
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Large, free parking lot across from restaurant.
A word from La Mia Cucina
Stroll along 17th St., between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula’s favorite spots, La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. The colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, are “originals,… not reproductions.” That phrase is accurate in describing La Mia Cucina itself. From the comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about La Mia Cucina says fresh and original. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, La Mia Cucina is known for it's fresh fish and meat specials. The desserts are made in-house by his wife Paula and daughter Michaela, and the service is personal and inviting.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "If you like a menu with Italian and fresh fish choices, this is the place to come. A locals favorite is now under new ownership, but still maintains high quality food."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "The restaurant is on a quiet side street. It is a small place. We were welcomed by the owners and seated. They brought amazing bruschetta and the best foccacia bread before our salads.. They have a nice variety of wines on their wine list and we saw one person bring their own bottle so they offer corkage as well. They offered a special salad of beets, arugala and pine nuts that was excellent. My wife had cheese ravioli which she commented was the best she had ever had. I had the lasagna special. It came out boiling hot and after I let it cool a bit was tasty and delicious. We finished our dinner with decaf Cappuccino. The wait staff and owners were attentive and so welcoming. This restaurant is a "not to miss"."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Delicious soups , salads and entrees! Super wonderful service with humor and grace!"
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "We have been coming here for years. The food was and still is very good. The crab cake is delicious. The ravioli are handmade and are very good. The veal special was a disappointment in that the veal was totally covered with marinara sauce - which defeats the purpose of paying $29 for veal scallopini. Please go back to simple sauces for the meat specials. Another disappointment was that the long-time chef/owner had sold the restaurant and was not there to make customers feel welcome."
    Dined on 5/18/2014
  • "This small, restaurant (perhaps 12 tables) just off Lighthouse Drive on 17th in Pacific Grove has a menu that sounds just like any other Italian restaurant's menu, but - these dishes are wonderfully prepared and presented with love and care. The prices are the same as elsewhere but the quality is better. Go and see for yourself."
    Dined on 5/14/2014
  • "Loved the ambience, the warmth, the portion size, the willingness to make changes - but our dishes just lacked brightness and more intense flavoring. Everything was basically bland. We should have tried the tomato sauced dishes. "
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "We always enjoyed Joe Rombies and were pleased to see virtually the same staff and same fine food."
    Dined on 5/4/2014
  • "The waiter & chef made us feel welcome. They were very accommodating to dietary restrictions. Well worth the visit!"
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "Rice ball apps, good. Minestrone very bland - no salt Eggplant Parm - terrible. Coating completely mushy ( I suspect not made fresh) Tomato sauce was ok Cannoli - filling ok, nothing special but the shell was uneatable. Hard, dry, stale Chef spent a lot of time in dining room, maybe that was part of the problem but we won't be back with so many great places in PG and Monterey"
    Dined on 4/16/2014
  • "well received and and impressed with catering to gluten allergy. my meal was at best average/not very flavorful. my wife had ordered the new York Steak which had a lot of gristle. when mentioned to the waiter he dismissed us/received no attention to that or offer to cook another steak. quite disappointing overall."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Tucked away back off of PG's restaurant row. You'll be very glad you found it. Everything is delicious and made from scratch. Hosts and staff are charming and fun. Also great options for people with food allergies."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Lovely small restaurant, good, reliable, tasty food"
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Super attentive, friendly service in a cozy dining room. Traditional Italian food is their specialty and their focaccia is made on site. Mid price range for meals served on white tablecloths. Relaxed atmosphere accommodates casual or dressy attire."
    Dined on 4/2/2014
  • "We had eaten at a highly regarded Pacific Grove restaurant the night before and wanted to match that experience with another great one. We waffled between going to Monterrey, or staying in the neighborhood of our B&B in Pacific Grove, and we made the right choice. I have come to rely on reviews in deciding on a place, not the looks of a place or the published menu. La Mia Cucina is a delightful place with a very engaged and committed owner, Paula. This little gem is hidden away on a side-street to Lighthouse Drive, and the food is out-of-sight."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "Paula and the team prepared wonderful meals and served them in a great setting. I'll definitely go back. The ravioli was especially fantastic."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "La Mia Cucina has become a new favorite. The food is delicious and the service is friendly and prompt. Paula greets everyone like family and MIke's kitchen turns out flavor to spare. Frequent Monterey visitors, we are now residents. This restaurant is tops on our list of "go back often.""
    Dined on 3/19/2014
  • "Assolutemente! We are English-speaking Americans, but this place inspires a little Italian! Can't believe it has been right under our noses for the past 18 years and we just discovered it. Keegan, our waiter, said they just went on Open Table not long ago- so that's the reason. Sand dabs prepared in unique non-oliy manner. Crab/shrimp cake also unique. Pasta putanesca was outstanding. Deserts are indescribable. Wine good and priced more than fair by the glass. Called friends and they already went here and loved it- recommend petrel and pasta dishes. Support staff and owner take as much pride as the kitchen."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "We won't be going back to this restaurant. Food serviced cold and very disappointing in taste. Atmosphere ok and service was ok but that was about it."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "We have been going to La Mia Cucina since Joe Rombi opened it many years ago. WE are pleased to say that the standards for great food with friendly service in a comfortable setting have been preserved after its sale last year. It remains one of our favorite restaurants and we WILL return. (Sunday's visit was for our 25th wedding anniversary!)"
    Dined on 2/23/2014
  • "What a fantastic night out at La Mia Cucina! Tucked away on a side street in quaint Pacific Grove, this restaurant will NOT disappoint. A fantastic offering of Italian fare that tastes just like it came from Grandma's kitchen. The service was excellent, a perfect offering of local and international wines to pair, and very reasonably priced when all is considered. We can't wait to go back!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "We have been to this restaurant and it is consistently good. Great food and friendly service."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Very good food and good, friendly, service. The place has a nice feel to it. Would definitely return."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "We make it a priority to have a meal at La Mia Cucina whenever we are in Pacific Grove. The food is great and the service and atmosphere are wonderful. The fresh sand dabs and pasta dishes are always good and the homemade desserts are excellent. Particularly the strawberry shortcake! It's a great spot to celebrate a special event too!"
    Dined on 1/30/2014
  • "We were referred to Joe Rombi's by a client of my wife. Wow, what a great find!! I was raised on homemade Italian food and this is as good or better! The lady that greeted us was very nice and helpful. Our waiter, we have had him twice now, was extremely gracious and helful. Each course took on its own flavors. The calamari, the wedge, the sole and eggplant were beyond great for us! Thank you so much for the pride you take in creating your dishes. BTW, the deli next door is also The Rombi Family..............you need to get there for lunch or morning coffee. Thank you."
    Dined on 11/2/2013
  • "I was celebrating my wedding anniversary and there were initially some confusion about my reservation but the rapid actions taken my the management helped to clarify the situation, and I spend a wonderful time."
    Dined on 10/26/2013
  • "We escaped to Pacific Grove for a romantic weekend! La Mia Cucina upped the romance level by 300%!"
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. The Arancini (italian rice balls with a filling of italian sausage, procuitto, onion, peas & mozzarella, wrapped with rice, breaded and quickly fried, served with a tomato pesto sauce) is a must try. The woman who greeted us (also the owner) was extremely welcoming. We were celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary, and when we were seated at our table, we noticed wedding/party confetti sprinkled on our table. Very cute! We ended our wonderful meal with homemade truffles, complements of the owner. Overall, a wonderful experience, enjoyable food, and outstanding service."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "My wife and I recently ate at La Mia Cucina for the first time on the advice of a friend. The food and service were both outstanding. Before we left, we made reservations for 8 of us in a few weeks."
    Dined on 9/27/2013
  • "We found La Mia Cucina a few years ago on another visit to Pacific Grove. It's a small gem with seating for no more than 40 people. The place is well taken care of by the hostess, 2 waiters & a busboy(a young man who will undoubtedly own the place some day). The food is excellent. I had the Farfalle with Bolognese & my wife had the Chicken Piccata. The service is warm & friendly. You're treated as if you're a regular, even if it's your first time there. I couldn't recommend this restaurant any more highly."
    Dined on 9/15/2013
  • "We have been to La Mia Cocina many times and always enjoy it. The transition from Joe Rombi's has been seamless & it remains our go-to restaurant whenever we get down to Pacific Grove. The fish dishes are wonderful & the pasta is delicious! And the freshly made desserts are the best! We particularly love the strawberry shortcake!"
    Dined on 9/14/2013
  • "My wife had built this restaurant up, so my expectations were high. First, let me say that the small cozy dining room is quaint and enjoyable, albeit a tad noisy when full. We normally make reservations at 8p or later and on this Friday night it appeared we were the last table seated and last to leave. The food quality was very good. The wait staff pleasent and accomodating. I ordered the veal (special of the night) and wife had the steak. My guess is that my order was scraped together with bits of veal, leftover from the night, as there were about 5 pieces the size of quarters. The wine list has quite a few European wines and at reasonable prices. We'll go back and try again, but I think there are better dining values in PG."
    Dined on 9/13/2013
  • "We had a great meal from the minestrone soup, salad, veal saltimbocca, and as my wife said, "The strawberry shortcake was the best I ever had." To top it off, a very generous couple on vacation paid for our dinner, just because they said it made them feel good! Very memorable meal in every way!"
    Dined on 7/27/2013
  • "Last night of our vacation, food was outstanding! Great value and wonderful service, will return if in area."
    Dined on 7/25/2013
  • "The food at La Mia Cucina is consistently great Italian. The service is always friendly and attentive."
    Dined on 7/25/2013
  • "We will miss Joe Rombi's greeting at the door, but the new owners welcomed us like old friends and have learned Joe's family recipes extremely well. The Sunday night spaghetti and meatballs special was wonderful as always. My veal Marsala was tender and seasoned perfectly. Try not to eat too much of the superb focaccia bread as the desserts are homemade and well worth those extra calories. All of the long time servers were there and attentive as usual, They are without a doubt the best in the area. We will definitely continue to eat at La Mia Cucina!"
    Dined on 6/16/2013
  • "We truly enjoyed friendly and attentive service in this small, clean, quiet restaurant. A crostini and bread were brought to the table during the wait for our meals. We ordered off the menu, and the food was good. But, for the prices, we were expecting more. The pasta was tender, but the sauces/fillings were very salty, and no other flavors could really be distinguished. Same with the meat entree. It was good, but not great- and very salty. Because of the overall experience we'd try it again, but perhaps ask more questions about the menu items or specials."
    Dined on 5/30/2013
  • "We had a party of six and everyone enjoyed the food. We have been there 3 or 4 times and always love it. Excellent service, too. Highly recommend Joe Rombi's."
    Dined on 5/17/2013
  • "Food quality was very poor given the price tag! I spent over $100 (inc an over-priced bottle of sub-standard italian wine) and the food tasted about as good as Johnny Corrinos or Olive Garden. The eggplant parmesan had what appeared to be canned tomato sauce in a rather thick layer, and the salad had too much of a very low grade milky dressing. I was a bit perplexed about this restaurant and why it was so popular with the locals..."
    Dined on 3/30/2013
  • "We ate at Joe Rombi's on a friend's recommendation. Food was excellent - had a cream of asparagus soup that was fresh tasting and delicious. Service was very good, desserts yummy! We will be back!"
    Dined on 3/23/2013
  • "Joe always does a superb job, have never had anything less than perfectly prepared meal."
    Dined on 3/15/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • California Central Coast Winners
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Monterey / Carmel Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Service
  • Neighborhood Gem
Learn more ›