La Dolce Vita

09/02/2008 Posted by CHWG

What a treat to sit in a restaurant that was a second home to Sinatra and other Hollywood legends. While most of the historic LA restaurants have closed or reinvented themselves, kudos to the owners and staff for maintaining the quality of service and food that made La Dolce Vita famous in the first place. The fried clams and veal Milanese were absolutely wonderful and paired perfectly with the sommelier's wine recommendation. An experience I look forward to having again soon with friends. And please don't change a thing! The semi-circular burgundy booths are more comfortable than a Philippe Starck chair any day...

08/25/2008 Posted by Premier55

What do I love about this place? It is real! I would expect Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin to walk in any moment- and I heard they have in the past! Fantastic Italian food and cocktails in a very intimate, yet exciting place. Dark enough to hide, bright enough to be seen. Real booths, real waiters and really good food. Of course, having an real Italian owner is almost not fair!

06/25/2008 Posted by sjwtexas

I will start out by saying I do not write reviews however I felt the need to with La Dolce Vita. As soon as you walk in the atmosphere speaks for itself. It's definitely warm, welcoming, elegant and classy. As for the service I will say the same with the addition of personable. If you know the saying "You get what you pay for" well... Ruben surpasses this. He is not only talented but also gifted and this shines as soon as you walk in the door. I studied hospitality-culinary-hotel management here in the states as well as Europe. I have even catered the President. I am very familiar with fine dinning and had yet to have a true "fine dining' experience here in the states until now. Ruben and I discussed Tiramisu. Every place always states it is the real thing however I have had yet to have the "real thing" here in the states. Well.. this changed after eating at La Dolce Vita.. Ruben nailed it! I have the original receipt from Italy and make this myself. I highly recommend La Dolce Vita to anyone regardless of the occasion. Ruben is truly one of a kind!

06/18/2008 Posted by avalilyrocks

I was visiting friends, and they suggested to dine here. Let me tell you that the setting reminded me of Old Hollywood. It is a very elegant and classy place. It is packed on weekends, you really have to make reservations beforehand. The wait staff is superfriendly, great customer service. The food is excellent. For my next trip to California, I will definitely stop by!

02/06/2008 Posted by schmenge

I just left a review for another restaurant and then I got to thinking, "Did I leave a review on that great place I was at last year? I and others tend to give a shout-out to the bad places and neglect to give one to the good ones. I didn't leave a review when I had a fantastic meal there at La Dolce Vita, ast year. I went back the next evening again and had just as good dining experience. There are previous posts stating bad service and quality at LDV. You can have a bad meal anywhere from time to time. I was in LA last month. The person I was visiting insisted on going to Mr. Chow's and it was horrible on so many levels, I'm never going back there again. I’m sticking with what I know. I’m going back to LDV the next time in L.A. Anyway, from the bulk of the eviews of La Dolce Vita it seems like this place is still fantastic. It's not a see and be seen kind of place and that's an added thing I like about it. When I was there the food, service and value was extraordinary & I made a point of making a note of it in my PDA. The Maitre D' Ruben who has been there for 35 years treated me like a super somebody when I’m just a schnook from Chicago. I also noted the bartender Trisha was fabulous as I waited to be seated. Some posters have referred to the place as a retirement home. How shallow and petty. One thing I remember that still brings a smile to my face was the couple sitting in the booth across from me when I was there last year. They had to be in their late seventies. They were dressed to the nines, hair perfectly coiffed. What I noted at the time and what was so endearing was that this was obviously their regular place; sitting in their regular booth, and they were chatting with each other with an energy and fondness for one another that I thought at the time you don't even see in young people these days. It was a great thing to experience. Give this place a try.

Pros: Great Food; Great Service; Great Value; Great Atmosphere

Cons: I don't live close enough to go there more.

12/24/2007 Posted by tknechtges

We visited LA for the first time and booked reservations at some of the top restaurants - Cut, Saddle Peak Lodge, and La Dolce Vita, among others. We were very disappointed with La Dolce Vita. We received a cool welcome, were seated next to the kitchen in a cramped booth and tried to talk above a table of 6, with two bratty kids. (Granted - that's not the restaurant's fault - but they did seat us there - and it only added to the disappointment of the entire meal). Appetizers were quickly served, the Caprese salad had more basil than anyone could possibly eat - and the meals were served immediately after we finished. We were only offered coffee at the end - no dessert - and given our check right away. We felt really rushed and finished and were out of there in less than 1 hour - After dining at the incredible Cut, and the outstanding Saddle Peak Lodge - maybe it was just too much to ask to have another outstanding meal. But - we both left disappointed that we had chosen that restaurant - instead of the many other outstanding restaurants we could have picked.

Pros: Quick Service (if that is what you are looking for...)

Cons: Quick service, value, loud wait staff; tight seating

10/03/2007 Posted by pinkypalmer

La Dolce Vita has some amazing Italian food. Its a great place to meet for an intimate drink, the bar is great and so is the wine list. I've tried just about every dish on the menu and was impressed by all of them. The staff and service is friendly in this classic Beverly Hills establishment.

Pros: Service, Parking, ambience

09/10/2007 Posted by cshin65

This is place is nice and quiet. Very old school - which I LOVED, but the food and service could have been better. The food was just average to me. I had ordered the seafood risotto, which was salty and grainy. The Linguine with calamari, was yet another average rating in my opnion. Too watery and not enought flavor! If you want to see some old school stars, you're in the right place. Other than that, food is blah and I wanted to throw a peice of bread at our waiter.

Pros: it's quiet

Cons: bad food and service

08/21/2007 Posted by knoll1st

I have had the pleasure of dining at this restuarant on several occassions. The Maitre' D Ruben makes the dining experience an absolute pleasure and that is before even tasting what is hands down the best Italian food in all of LA. The wait staff is top notch and you will not be disappointed. Definitely put this down as one of those "must go" restaurants in LA.

08/18/2007 Posted by laurenklib

As you drive down the many streets of Beverly Hills, there are a lot of different restaurants but the most exquisite of them all is La Dolce Vita.The most noticeable distinguishing character is the atmosphere. Walking into this restaurant makes you feel as though you were literally in Italy yourself- the décor with redbrick walls produce a smooth yet flowing look. Another distinguishing factor of the restaurant is the service. Each and every employee has a comforting smile on his or her face and always seats you promptly. However, even if there were to be a wait, the waiters make it worthwhile by having you sit at the bar where you are served calamari if you’d like to start off with an appetizer. Once seated you are asked what type of drink you will be having and your order is quickly taken and served to you at your table. Considering its not a huge restaurant, they have a good amount of waiters and busboys that constantly check on water and drink refills making sure that you are satisfied. They are attentive, quick and bring out the food as soon as possible. Lastly, what I love most about this restaurant is their food. The menu is delicious, light, unpretentious and full of adventure. I have to say, I’ve been to Italy and the food here is the closest to being authentic. It’s flavorful and “soprendente” (Italian for amazing). From the taste of their raviolis with ricotta and spinach to their tiramisu, this is the place to dine. Forget the reviews that say this is a retirement home, you don’t go their for the other customers but the food. And for those who say you have to wait a long time…maybe you should try making a reservation. Have some patience!!!

Pros: Food, parking, staff, service, everything!