Vitos Italian Restaurant

(310) 450-4999

2807 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405 34.019 -118.4558

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Neighborhoods: Sunpark, West LA

Years in business

Established in 1980

Hours:

Monday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Tuesday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Wednesday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Thursday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Friday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Saturday 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Sunday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Italian

What People Are Saying About Vitos Italian Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Old-school Italian restaurants are all about making patrons feel at home and Vito is no exception. Three dining areas are appointed in soothing muted mauves and tans, with fresh flowers and rustic landscape paintings adding small flashes of color. Spaghetti de la casa combines chopped shrimp and shallots flambéed in cognac with pasta and a creamy tomato sauce. Desserts include a light cheesecake and a subtle, cakey lemon tart.

ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. “loved the romantic ambiance.”
  2. “The valet is expensive and there's little in the way of street parking.”
  3. “The atmosphere is kitchy fun: feels like you stepped into an 1970s movie.”
  4. “Vito is one of those rare restaurants where absolutely everything is in order - the food is delicious, the atmosphere perfect, the service impeccable, and the prices not astronomical.”
  5. “Small romantic atmosphere.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “ALL of their desserts are heavenly and they have amazing deals on the Italian and California bottles and 1/2 bottles on the front page of the wine”
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. “Sometimes the host can be a bit rude, forcing you to sit at the bar even if you have reservations.”
  2. “Good wine selection.”
  3. “The food is absolutely delicious and they have a really extensive wine list.”
  4. “ALL of their desserts are heavenly and they have amazing deals on the Italian and California bottles and 1/2 bottles on the front page of the wine”
food quality
88.10000419616699% positive
  1. “They also serve really tasty bread while you wait, you end up eating so much you think you won't have room for your entrees but the food is so delicious you make room.”
  2. “They have this amazing appetizer, I think it's called posillipo, that's calimari served in a very unique way: not friend, and in an amazing tomato sauce.”
  3. “was very pleased with my order, the pasta was perfect and my order had plenty of shrimp.”
  4. “won't say any more about that except that if the food was good enough for them, well then its good enough for me.”
  5. “The shrimp appetizer was a delicious dish that tasted exactly like a dish my Italian immigrant friends in NYC make at home.”
  6. “BEST Italian food in town!”
  7. “My favorite is the mixed seafood house specialty.”
  8. “have had nothing but excellent service here and the food is just as excellent.”
  9. “My favorite is the lasagna as the sauce is the perfect color and texture, not to mention taste.”
  10. “loved the shrimp pasta and the”
  11. “The food is absolutely delicious and they have a really extensive wine list.”
  12. “hosted a party for a small group of friends and I have to say the food was mediocre and the service was”
  13. “great food, great value (get the 30% off card), great everything.”
  14. “The waiters were tuxedos and there are leather booths -- fancy old style Italian restaurant -- good food.”
  15. “The penne arribiata was decent but when I asked for chicken to be added onto it, I didn't get very much.”
  16. “The pasta is fresh.”
  17. “Vito is one of those rare restaurants where absolutely everything is in order - the food is delicious, the atmosphere perfect, the service impeccable, and the prices not astronomical.”
  18. “I've never been disappointed with their food, and recommend their salads.”
  19. “Funny staff and good to great food!”
  20. “The food is good.”
  21. “Never had a bad meal here.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “menu/book. LOVE Vito and the waiters.”
  2. “The food is absolutely delicious and they have a really extensive wine list.”
  3. “Good wine selection.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “it's a great neighborhood place.”
  2. “This restaurant is a great place to come and vis.”
service
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The service is always great and Vito will typically greet you himself and make sure your dinning experience is everything you want it to be.”
  2. “The waiters were tuxedos and there are leather booths -- fancy old style Italian restaurant -- good food.”
  3. “have had nothing but excellent service here and the food is just as excellent.”
  4. “hosted a party for a small group of friends and I have to say the food was mediocre and the service was”
  5. “The staff is the best-totally old school and being a VIP yields amazing deals.”
  6. “With its dim lighting, lush furnishings, and tux-appointed waiters who've been there forever, Vito envelopes you in old-world Italian charm.”
  7. “Best Lasagna in LA plus friendly service”
  8. “Vito is one of those rare restaurants where absolutely everything is in order - the food is delicious, the atmosphere perfect, the service impeccable, and the prices not astronomical.”
  9. “Sometimes the host can be a bit rude, forcing you to sit at the bar even if you have reservations.”
  10. “The waiters are professional and offer timely service, but are a little aloof.”
  11. “Funny staff and good to great food!”
  12. “menu/book. LOVE Vito and the waiters.”
value
80.0% positive
  1. “Vito is one of those rare restaurants where absolutely everything is in order - the food is delicious, the atmosphere perfect, the service impeccable, and the prices not astronomical.”
  2. “ALL of their desserts are heavenly and they have amazing deals on the Italian and California bottles and 1/2 bottles on the front page of the wine”
  3. “The valet is expensive and there's little in the way of street parking.”
  4. “great food, great value (get the 30% off card), great everything.”
  5. “The staff is the best-totally old school and being a VIP yields amazing deals.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/08/10

Absolutely the best!

by RonSilver

Vito's is simply my favorite restaurant in LA! I stumbled upon this Italian restaurant about 2 years ago when I moved to LA, and I haven't found a better Italian place yet. Two things make Vito's the best: 1) The food is incredible. I highly suggest giving some menu items a try that you normally wouldn't. Vito's is one of those places where you can fall in love with a dish (baked Rigatoni!), and never want to order anything else. Make sure you do though! You won't be disappointed. 2) Atmosphere. I can't stand loud restaurants that bring the noise of the kitchen into the dining area. Vito's is not like that- its quiet enough for a romantic night, and laid back enough for a dinner with friends. Can't say much more, it's one of my favorite restaurants!

1 Star Rating: Poor

08/03/08

Not A Party

by bonny2

I hosted a party for a small group of friends and I have to say the food was mediocre and the service was

on the poor side. I ordered the fish, sand dabs and it was so over salty I could barely eat it. Also the pasta was over done. Another negative... the bathroom was not clean. yuck

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/18/08

Lunch is outstanding!

by asp811

I used to work across the street and often visited Vito's for lunch. They also have a fun Happy Hour which I frequented with friends. This is an old school Italian place. The owner is Italian, and takes pride on the food an service provided. On a couple of unusual evenings, most of the guests looked like they were out of an episode of the Sopranos. I won't say any more about that except that if the food was good enough for them, well then its good enough for me. I've never been disappointed with their food, and recommend their salads. There valet is a little pricey and limited; however, I've always found parking across the street without any problem. The bar staff is very accommodating and friendly. The waiters are professional and offer timely service, but are a little aloof. But if you don't want to deal with any of it, then just place an oder for pick up. They also offer a discount card that can be used on the entire bill!

  • Pros: The food
  • Cons: The valet
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/17/08

BEST Italian food in town!

by das987

Very traditional and old fashioned Italian restaurant. I loved the romantic ambiance. The food is absolutely delicious and they have a really extensive wine list. I go there at least twice a month! I?d highly recommend it, but make sure to make reservations!

  • Pros: Food, Ambiance
  • Cons: nothing
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/07/07

amazing - amazing - amazing

by smresident

great food, great value (get the 30% off card), great everything. Friendly staff, wide selection, easy valet parking, good wine selection. Old school ambience. Great-great-great

  • Pros: nothing
  • Cons: everything

The Details on Vitos Italian Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • good italian food
  • loved shrimp pasta
  • favorite neighborhood place
  • fun atmosphere
  • always great service
  • loved romantic ambiance
  • professional waiters
  • amazing deals
  • favorite lasagna
  • delicious dish
  • bad meal
  • recommend salads
  • amazing bottles
  • good traditional style
  • expensive valet
  • perfect color
  • love vito
  • good wine
  • not clean bathroom
  • really tasty bread
  • heavenly all
  • great value
  • loved the
  • decent penne arribiata
  • lush furnishings
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