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  • Vincenzo Ristorante

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Vincenzo Ristorante
Vincenzo Ristorante

Vincenzo Ristorante Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.ristorantevincenzo.com
  • Phone: (310) 395-6619
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Vincenzo Nicoletta
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Beer, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: Coming Soon.
  • Private Party Contact: vincenzo (310) 395-6619

Getting there

  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: on the rear, access from 7th street south east of montana
A word from Vincenzo Ristorante
Welcome to Vincenzo Ristorante Chef Vincenzo Nicoletta has done it again! He has been quietly turning out some of the most refined Italian dishes on the Westside for twenty years, combining his native Italian sensibilities with a good deal of contemporary flair. His former restaurant on Montana,… Casa Monica, was a standard for fine Italian cuisine for years. Now, step inside the new Montana restaurant and serenity reigns in the spare yet stylish interior. It is remarkably comfortable. The emphasis is on the food. The cuisine"s strength lies in the use of local ingredients with minimal fuss, stressing the seasonal flavors. The menu features salads and pasta, as well as pesce del giorno; specialties are offered daily. The bread is freshly baked daily on the premises. Wine lovers will feel right at home with the featured wine list of Italian and California varietals. Indulgent homemade desserts and espresso drinks are offered as the perfect ending to a special meal.Continued
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Diner Reviews
  • "The food was unique and absolutely delicious. The service impeccable. Highly recommend."
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "Owner of this restaurant was outrageously horrible. He charged us $25 corkage fee (after quoting $20), then actually yelled at us for bringing in French wine (versus Italian, since he claims French restaurants do not serve Italian wine; we had never heard of such a thing but apologized for our "mistake"), and then he slammed down the check angrily at the end. After charging us $19 for a Cucumber Tomato Salad...Really?!? All we wanted to do was leave this wretched, bizarre place quietly. (We'd come to for a special date night & realized that was a bad idea.) But he would not stop yelling at us over a dish we sent back that tasted horrible. The waiter cautioned us the owner does this often. Huge mistake ever setting foot into this madhouse."
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "las vegas loved your restaurant, outstanding authentic Italian food"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Not California Cuisine, this is real Italian food. Small place, great service, delicious meal."
    Dined on 5/31/2014
  • "We've been eating at this restaurant for many years. I always enjoy what I order. We were there on Mother's Day. I had a wonderful piece of fish cooked to perfection."
    Dined on 5/11/2014
  • "Vincenzo's is our 'go to' place for reliable, quiet dining. The food and service are excellent and the noise level allows for real conversation. Vincenzo himself is a real character and makes guests feel welcome. "
    Dined on 5/7/2014
  • "Amazing food, terrific service and wonderful atmosphere. This is my new favorite restaurant! "
    Dined on 4/24/2014
  • "Helpful staff and some great menu chouces available. Food was excellent and we were able to gake our time over the meal despite being the last ones there. Authrntic Italian food. Food however a little pricey."
    Dined on 4/22/2014
  • "everything was great--not crazy about the bread, but then people in LA don't eat bread"
    Dined on 4/22/2014
  • "I wish I could walk to it - I would eat there more often. First the food is great. Secondly, it is small and not noisy and therefore a good place to talk. I like to talk. Going out, even to great food, and coming home hoarse from shouting over a crowd is no longer something I will put up with. The owner and his wife are there, cooking and working and they make the place feel homey and safe. I appreciate the feeling that the people who work with my food care about the quality of it. A large place with absentee owners, or worse, an absentee corporation, is not the kind of place I feel comfortable in.European no pressure to leave if no one is waiting attitude."
    Dined on 4/4/2014
  • "Make sure to make reservations because it is quite small. The menu has a great variety. I had the veal milanese with a side of pasta that was outstanding. It was probably the best tasting, freshest pasta I have had in years. My son had the meatball special and they were fantastic. Great meal and friendly service."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Very good food. Waiter was a bit distracted and didnt communicate clearly. Space is a littke cramped so dont expect any privacy."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Vincenzo's has been a lovely experience since our very first visit, especially because "Vincenzo" is always there to greet us and give the evening his personal attention. The food is outstanding and service terrific. We had the veal with porcini mushrooms and the seafood salad...so delicious and the mozzarella and tomato salad with the white fish special....wonderful."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "Vincenzo catered our wedding 22 years ago, and his remains one of only a few "best places for Italian food" in the world...and we travel it well. His penne vodka, and rack of lamb, are sublime. Simple, quiet, informal, and just great."
    Dined on 1/5/2014
  • "Everything is right about this place. The food is prepared to perfection, the ambiance is gentle, the surroundings crisp but warm, and the owner/host Vincenzo Nicoletta will treat you like an old friend...even if it is your first visit (as it was in our case)."
    Dined on 1/3/2014
  • "Best overall Italian food experience in Santa Monica... the food is better than it is at Valentino, and the smaller, more intimate setting is charming. Put yourself in Vincenzo's hands and trust him!"
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "We enjoyed our Evening immensely, we were received by Vincenzo and his very charming wife.The small restaurant is so cozy it felt like we were guests in a home. We ordered tri. - color salad and a marinated fresh seafood salad.......both were delicious and the homemade bread must be the best in the city. We then had Vincenzo pasta and a pork special. The pork was perfectly prepared , tender and tasted how I remember pork used to aste like. The pasta was done perfectly and I would like to return and have this again, it was spaghetti, with a light vodka sauce, Succulent shrimps and capers. We hesitated to write the review because it is a special little restaurant we would like to keep it to ourselves."
    Dined on 12/6/2013
  • "Invited our friends from SF to dinner, who also recently dined with us at La Folie in SF. Concensus agreement. Absolutely wonderful lamb, any my wife raved about the pork chop. This is a neighborhood gem not to be overlooked."
    Dined on 11/24/2013
  • "A small restaurant that serves tasty food in a homey manner."
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "A lovely evening in every respect! Relatively small space but the tables weren't too close together, so you didn't feel crowded (I really dislike restaurants like that) - very warm and intimate but private too. The servers all were excellent - very attentive and knowledgeable. The Chef came out twice to ask how we liked everything, a genuine, delightful man. All the food was delicious from start to finish. Creative, savoury - just so tasty. We all got something different, to sample as many dishes as possible, and all of our dishes (4 of us) were 5 star. We will definitely return when we next visit. We have dined at a number of what I think are the best restaurants in the Santa Monica area, and this one deserves to be right at the top."
    Dined on 10/26/2013
  • "Vincenzo's offers the best Italian food in Los Angeles, bar none. The pasta dishes are exquisite and cooked to perfection. The sauces and gravies are authentic and delicious. My only desire is that they would offer a few other protein options in their specials as they are heavily reliant on veal, which I don't eat but have heard it's marvelous! Run don't walk to this gem on Montana."
    Dined on 9/7/2013
  • "Montana Ave. has several excellent dining places , this one is our favorite. We've come in for years and are never disappointed. We've brought friends or small groups and they too have been happy."
    Dined on 9/6/2013
  • "in every way, Vincenzo was perfection. From chef V describing the specials, to the presentation of outstanding food, and especially the quiet."
    Dined on 8/20/2013
  • "A small old style restaurant with unbelievable food! From the buffalo mozzarella with arugula to the porcini risotto to the grilled shrimp. Everything was delicious and service was outstanding. But make sure you make a reservation. Seating is limited and you will be turned away. And you will not want to miss this dining experience!!"
    Dined on 8/3/2013
  • "vincenzo's is one of the few small, chef-run restaurants in santa monica that is notable for its food and charm - not any of-the-moment glitz-factor. it's been there for years, has a quiet, low-key atmosphere, and vincenzo is always present, overseeing the food and service. the food is a california nuanced version of italian: no heavy red sauces or thick layers of cheese. instead, dishes are a combination of flavors - each individually discernable and the whole is as good as the parts. the restaurant is most like the small, well-appointed and well-run neighborhood-favorites with excellent food that dot NYC's good neighborhoods."
    Dined on 7/20/2013
  • "Have dined here several times and never had a bad meal or experience. Relax and enjoy....."
    Dined on 6/29/2013
  • "Vincenzo's was the perfect place to celebrate my husband's birthday. The food was outstanding and reminded us of the meals we had in Venice. The special burrata appetizer was complemented with prosciutto and perfectly-dressed wild arugula. My husband ordered the Orecchiette con Salsiccie, a homemade ear-shaped pasta with Italian sausage in a red sauce that was slightly spicy and extremely delicious as well as being a great fit with our Italian red wine. I ordered the Branzino, the house-special, which was boneless, delicate and seasoned perfectly with olive oil and lemon. For dessert, we had a creamy, flavorful chocolate mousse. This is a first-rate family-run dining experience. Needless to say, we will be going back to Vincenzo."
    Dined on 6/27/2013
  • "We were very disappointed with the food, very bland and very expensive. Definitely not worth it, lots of better options in the area. Very poor wine list and also very expensive. Will definitely not darken their door again."
    Dined on 5/24/2013
  • "Vincenzo always hits his marks when it comes to his food, his service, his hospitality and his selection of wines. In my estimation, dinner here cannot be beat anywhere in LA. Always pure delight to dine here!"
    Dined on 5/15/2013
  • "Food and service was great. Meatballs were perfect."
    Dined on 5/4/2013
  • "I can't remember the last time I had lamb this good. I will definitely return."
    Dined on 4/24/2013
  • "This is a nice yet unassuming tablecloth restaurant with personalized service and excellent linguini ala vongole, just like in Italy. It's not the most economical place in the world, but Montana Avenue is a high-rent district, so one must expect these things."
    Dined on 4/17/2013
  • "One of our favorite spots to dine on our own and also bring out of town guests. The pasta is wonderful and the atmosphere is very warm welcoming. Looking forward to our next visit...."
    Dined on 3/24/2013
  • "We love Vincenzo's! We dine out frequently (high end, low end, foodie, traditional, etc.) and this place is in our top ten. It is intimate, the staff are wonderful -friendly and attentive, and the food is fresh, and consistantly fabulous. Our most recent dinner was, once again, fantastic! Appetizers included the clam and mussel soup in a wonderful rich tomato-based broth, with homemade toasted crostini to break up and soak in the soup, beef carpaccio with arugula amd shaved parmesan (great flavor), and white beans with grilled shrimp and lemon. Entrees were the thinly sliced, perfectly seasoned, grilled rib steak on delicate fresh greens, orecchiette (perfection) and flavorful and tender grilled rack of lamb. Homemade lemon tiramisu!"
    Dined on 3/23/2013
  • "Nice neighborhood italian. Had decent salads and pasta's. The Meatballs were wonderful, everything else was good, not great. Pasta would've been better al dente"
    Dined on 3/2/2013
  • "This is one of the better Italian restaurants in Santa Monica. The owner is very visible and engaged with the patrons. The restaurant is small but in a cozy way. Parking could be a problem if you visit on a Friday or Saturday night."
    Dined on 3/2/2013
  • "Very well prepared food with lovely flavors. More fish options would be welcomed."
    Dined on 2/23/2013
  • "Consistant quality Italian food. One of my favorite spots. Warm and homey and elegant yet relaxed and cozy. The food and service are outstanding and you can relax and really enjoy your meal here. Quiet enough for a conversation, with just the right amount of energy. Plus, you might spot a celebrity dining with the kids or picking up a meal to go. It's the kind of place you have to live in the neighborhood to know about and the 'hood likes it that way. Vincenzo is adorable and is there every minute --he takes pride in this, his only restaurant."
    Dined on 2/19/2013
  • "Wonderful food in a small neighborhood setting. The decor is simple. Vincenzo hosts himself and usually is friendly and outgoing tho occasionally can be cranky. Service is generally very good. This is an excellent choice for most situations tho I might not call it 'romantic' or necessarily good for children. The food is pricey but rarely disappoints."
    Dined on 2/14/2013
  • "This was a surprise to us it was a small place, We thought it was a pizza place but when we went in the food was wonderful. Bronzino was great. Service was vey good. They only serve wine, so if you want byob."
    Dined on 1/30/2013
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