Emilio's Trattoria

03/25/09

Best restaurant in the Valley

by GGeist at Citysearch

The ambience is charming and you can count on an excellent meal whether you're eating light and having a chopped salad or eating hearty and having the chicken milanese! Four of us ate out last night and ALL of us had fantastic dinners. Oh, and the service is outstanding. We ALWAYS enjoy eating at Emilio's...

even in the summer out on the airconditioned patio.

It's like being in Europe.

• Pros: Food is consistently good
• Cons: none

02/01/09

NO PORK?

by MrStomach at Citysearch

I've been eating at Emelio's for years. I began eating there when Emilio opened the La Scala Presto Trattoria branches for La Scala owner Jean Leone. After all of the La Scala Presto branches were opened Emilio became the manager and host of the Encino La Scala Presto. He was a very affable and attentive host, and he and head chef Juan had a wonderful menu of Northern Italian dishes. Emilio eventually bought the restaurant from Mr. Leone and re-named it Emilio's Presto Trattoria. About three years ago Emilio decided to retire. He sold the restaurant, and in my opinion a slow deterioration of the service and the quality of the food began. The last two or three times I've been to Emelio's I've come away with the opinion that the deterioration is now almost complete. If you feel you must go to Emilio's avoid going on any evening when there is a Laker's game on T.V. The host and the wait people are very ardent Lakers fans and the service and food quality suffers most while they try to catch-up on the game score and replays. Another point, I believe the new owner has modified many of the recipes. He mentioned to me that the meatballs no longer have pork in them. Why would anyone reformulate a successful meatball recipe by removing the pork?

• Cons: Deterioration almost complete

06/24/08

Simple and Simply Delicious Italian

by janaschreiber8 at Citysearch

This is my go-to place when I am not sure what kind of food I crave or where I want to eat. Their simple italian dishes can appeal to anyones tastebuds and their fresh salads are light yet satisfying. The chopped Turkey or Salami is great for those who are watching themselves for the summer and their Chicken Parmesean is a substantial, flavorful staple. They've got great pasta, great pizza and all the fixings to make a great Italian restaurant.

• Pros: Simple and Delicious

11/25/07

Superb Neighborhood Trattoria

by misterstarre at Citysearch

I have lived around the corner from this welcoming and long lived Ventura Boulevard Italian spot for over 20 years through two owners. The light and fresh menu keeps me coming back time and again with consistently well dressed and fresh chopped salads, body warming and slightly peppery zuppa alla ortolana (a pureed vegetable soup), parpadella angela with peas and prosciutto, or perfectly cooked chicken classics, such as piccata, cacciatore, milanese. The specials often include some sort of shell fish pasta, fresh fish, or risotto.

Emilio's also features exceptional service. The waitstaff and bussers are attentive and friendly. But I must admit that I go there often enough to know their first names, so I can't say whether a non-regular could expect the same.

The place is a classic neighborhood Italian restaurant, that has a slightly bistro-ey feel, with its enclosed outdoor patio, interior featuring red leather booths, light woods, and wall-hung caricatures of silver-age Hollywood personalities. The new owner, Mike, is as welcoming as Emilio and his brother ever were, and more importantly, he hasn't changed a thing in since they left some time ago.

If you are a bread hound, they have a house crusty bread great for sopping up olive oil, and a pizza bread they serve upon request that you won't find on the menu.

• Pros: Friendly Service, Consistently Good Food, Valet Parking, Cozy-Family Vibe
• Cons: Not romantic, older crowd

07/31/07

Great restaurant

by erickorpie at Citysearch

Love the food. The service is always prompt and very friendly. They have great bread that you can dip in oil and balsamic vinigrette. Calamari is a great starter dish and the Chopped Salami salad is fantastic as a side salad or a main course -- I'd suggest getting something different everytime you come though, the menu has a huge selection.

Did not know the old owners but the new ownership is doing a great job in my opinion.

• Pros: Fast seating, Nice Patio, Friendly Service, Free Valet
• Cons: Can get busy

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

Family-friendly eatery offers outdoor seating, expansive menu of classics like linguini with pesto, baked eggplant parmesan, pizzas, more.

01/15/05

My favorite Italian Resturant

by hyperspak at Citysearch

Been going here for 10yrs. My (future)husband introduced it to me when we started dating. His sister was a waitress here. Emilio and his brother recently sold the restaurant. So far the menu is the same. They have awesome bread. Love garlic? Get chopped garlic in oil for dipping. Try a chopped salad w/salami.(I crave these salads)Awesome pesto, checcha, lasagna ...all there pastas are great. Great cappuccinos, and coffee ice cream. Most of the servers have been there for a # of years. The most underrated restaurant I have been to. I love this place.

• Pros: Reasonable Price, Awesome Food, Awesome Staff
• Cons: , Street Park or Valet, New Owner

04/17/04

Yummy Italian

by lostinthecity at Citysearch

The staff is very friendly and the food is great, at a really great value. The crowd is a lot older, but the atmosphere was still comfortable despite the fact that the other clients could easily be my parents or grandparents. I recommend the calzone or the chopped salad. It was pretty empty when we arrived at 9pm (on a friday) but that's fine, everything was very prompt. Delicious!

• Pros: Value, Staff

07/13/02

Dine Al Fresco

by Teena at Citysearch

With the beautiful patio and an old fashioned comfortable booth style inside, you can't help but to enjoy this fine Italian dining experiance. (Check out the drawings inside) The food is excellent, the sevice great and the owner Emilio and his brother are as friendly and welcoming to each patron as if you were being greeted into their own home.

• Pros: valet parking, daily specials, authentic Italian
• Cons: can get crowed