Il Forno - Santa Monica

What a delightful surprise it was to discover this charming little restaurant! We arrived just as it opened at 5 PM and were greeted by its cozy atmosphere. We ordered two pasta dishes, both of which were quite delicious. We requested one to have a bit of spice, and they customized it just for us. We also enjoyed a bottle of wine and couldn't resist trying the most incredible cheesecake we’ve ever had. I can’t wait to return and sample more items from their menu!

This is the best Italian restaurant my husband and I have ever visited. The Caesar salad is absolutely incredible, and the Mira Monte is delicious. We always enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, which is beautiful! Joseph and Michael are both wonderful. It's a fantastic neighborhood spot.

I wasn't thrilled that they don't accept reservations. The restaurant is always quite busy, and we ended up waiting about 45 minutes for a table for four. While it was a bit noisy, the food was quite good, and the modern decor was impressive. It was on the pricier side, but the prices were reasonable, with pizzas around $22 that could easily be shared by two people.

So beyond impressed by this lovely place. The host fit us in for dinner without a reservation on an obviously very busy night. No smoke and mirrors. This place is classic and wholesome, not trendy. The food is excellent with fresh tasting ingredients We had the Caesar, bruschetta, truffle pesto mushroom squid ink pasta dish, and cacio e pepe. The servers were knowledgeable and support staff (bussers runners etc) were quick and so on top of anything we needed. We felt like we were treated like family there. We will make a reservation next time but are so grateful we got to eat here.

One of the best restaurants in LA. For almost 20 years I have been eating there an average of 3 times a week. Great service and great food. Il Forno is a Santa Monica institution.