Talia's Italian Restaurant

11/23/08

fabulous, fabulous, fabulous

by designergal77

Whomever feels the food is lacking at Talia's is CRAZY! We dine there about once a month and have sampled about everything on the menu. It truly is the highest quality food and preparation, most unique flavor combinations and generous portions in the south bay. Starting with the smoked pheasant appetizer -succulant smoked pheasant (which really tastes like chicken) on top of a crisp wonton style chip with a delicious sweet yet spicy sauce and melted cheese - finished with a dollop of guacamole and fresh cilantro. Truly to die for! The beet salad has the common ingredients of beets and goat cheese, but is much more special than average. It is presented like an artistic tower of finely julienne beets, creamy goat cheese and garnished with a ragout of walnuts, dried cherries and a sweet dressing of some sort. It's like a beautiful dessert! The ceasar salad is like nothing I've ever tasted. It has all the fixings of a regular ceasar, but they add tangy green apples and top it off with large succulent blackened scallops!! Truly unique!! Now for the entrees - the potato crusted halibut is my favorite. Fresh, thick, moist halibut served on top of a creamy risotto with some sort of tomato, lemon-y glaze. The chicken marsala is paired with a to-die-for fettuccini alfredo like you've never tasted. It's apparently a very old family recipie and has been served in the restaurant for over 30 years. I could go on and on. Anyway, the service is always great - with the staff who have been there for years who treat the patrons like family. Though the place is teeny, the ambiance is lovely - beautiful blown glass light fixtures, deep woods and warm colors. Enough said?? Talia's is a gem. You should see for yourself.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: small wine list - but probably because place is so small there isn't room for a huge cellar

09/04/08

not really impressed....

by cmacred07

In town on business and had dinner with a co-worker. First, they were out of the wine we ordered, then recommended a different wine that was $12 more.. go figure! Then offered no relief on the price even though they were out of the original bottle we ordered. The eggplant/mozzarella appetizer that the server raved about was definitely over-rated....not much flavor, eggplant was rubbery....cheese was good...marinara didn't have much flavor at all. The beet salad was good, but how do you mess up a beet?? Our entrees were delivered hot, bonus! The grilled trout (special) with seafood topping was good. The scallops were good, but not the best we've ever had. We also had to ask for bread when our entrees were delivered after we saw another table with bread! Oh, then the dessert, which I believe they only offer approx. 5-6 dishes....2 with vanilla ice cream...THEY WERE OUT OF ICE CREAM....someone should tell them there's a Von's right up the street! But they did offer to give you EXTRA whipping cream...how nice! Wisely...we passed on dessert and went to Pinkberry instead. I come to Manhattan Beach about 4x a year and I can honestly say that we won't be back.

• Pros: tables were in abundance....since I've dined there I know why
• Cons: Not impressed by the quality or flavor of food

02/29/08

Love this cozy corner spot

by dcmb

My friends and I love Talia's for the great food, wine, service and ambience! The General manager is very friendly as are the waitstaff. The food is always delish! Make reservations if you want the tables with the view!

02/25/08

Friendly restaurant, average food

by funtaste

We haven't been there in almost a year and decided to go for our anniversary. The place look nice (I missed the high chairs tables...), the service was friendly and the glasses of wine were really good. However, the food was average, a little bit on the blend side. Not bad, just ok, average. It was a bit expensive for what it was to be honest. You almost could find the same meal at a good diner for half the price...

• Pros: Service & wine
• Cons: Overpriced Food

10/12/07

Worst Italian Food in the South Bay

by traveler12345

After eating at Talia's, I know the recipe to their "success", a can opener, anything from Chef Boyardee (anything from his fine line of can made pastas will do), copious amounts of dried parsley as a garnish and lastly a microwave.