Il Tramezzino

07/23/09

Uh...it'll do.

by BBELA at Citysearch

I took today off work to recoup after my rafting trip. My friend N.R. (the bread guy) still wanted to do lunch. Aargh. I wanted to be lazy. But I groaned and replied a reluctant “yes”.

I’ve been to this chain lunch spot a few times before. It’s solid. It’s not pants wetting good. But, it gets the job done.

I ordered the South Beach Tostada. Chicken, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, mozzarella on top of a small, thin, crispy disc of cheese.

Would it be my last meal on death row? Hell no. However, it was the perfect antidote to my prior foray into full-bodied beers, fried things and grease.

My friend loved his panini, and ordered the basket of bread that his father’s bakery delivers, to show off what real bread tastes like. It comes with this tasty pesto mayo.

Keep on moving folks, nothing to see here. Nothing funny happened, the place is nondescript, nothing really to make fun of or gush over. It’s just an upscale lunch joint filled with spoiled Beverly Hills’ brats talking to their phones instead of each other and boring businessmen.

I still sort of kind of dig the place, though.

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• Pros: Great Panini's

01/19/09

Like Dining in the Third World -- Without the Charm

by EZredDOG at Citysearch

I will always remember Il Tramezzino for the overpriced lousy food, amateur waiter and careless service, loud radio blaring over cheap speakers, and enough cigarette smoke to gag a Frenchman.

The so-called Grilled Breast of Chicken sandwich is cardboard-like flatbread with some kind of green mush inside. I suspect they put all the ingredients in a food processor and then spatula it onto the bread. The $11 sandwich comes a la carte, with no option for a side order unless you want to pay at least $5 extra.

Service was slow, bordering on hostile. I was only given the bare minimum of attention and basically forgotten once the food arrived.

The "atmosphere" is an obnoxious blend of loud radio and grey clouds of cigarette smoke. I felt like I was dining somewhere in the third world.

12/17/08

the best lunch in the valley

by prinnyprinprin at Citysearch

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The chicken special sandwich, the salads, the pasta...there has never been anything I've tried and disliked. The service is amazing, the waiters all know me by name and are always friendly. Its really an amazing place to catch up with friends over some food and coffee...the fact that it is one of the few places where you can smoke makes it even better

• Pros: the pesto sauce
• Cons: parking

12/13/08

Overpriced and Sub-Par

by westsidefoto at Citysearch

I was not impressed with anything at Il Tramezzino in Studio City. Service, food, and atmosphere were sub-par.

My waiter answered my questions with either one word answers, or a grunt. I told him I had never been there before, yet he made no menu suggestions, he just gave me a blank stare. When I asked about the chicken breast sandwich, he simply said, "Good". He never checked back with me after dropping off my sandwich. After eating, I waited for at least 20 minutes for my bill -- which only came after I flagged down the waiter and asked for it. He finally delivered my bill, without a word -- not even a "Thank you" -- and without slowing down, as he rushed to another table.

The chicken breast sandwich was mostly hard, dry, tasteless bread with very little chicken or anything else inside. It comes with no sides, just the sandwich for $10.95.

Both inside and outside, customers are forced to listen to the radio station playing over Il Tramezzino's loudspeakers. It's pretty annoying to have to hear all the commercials, news broadcasts, stupid DJ comments, and traffic alerts when you're trying to enjoy a peaceful meal. Can't they afford satellite music service, like most restaurants? Or, even pleasant music from an IPod?

Il Tramezzino also allows cigarette smoking at the outdoor tables. Someone lit up near me, and forced me to move inside halfway through my meal. I'm sorry, but smoking at a restaurant (even outdoors) is just plain rude.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Careless service, overpriced and lousy food, annoying radio instead of music, allows smoking

09/30/08

Great lunch spot

by Luxforsoul at Citysearch

I frequent this restaurant on a weekly basis. It's usually not too crowded, but can get PACKED some days. I'd recommend a Pasta dish; Pasta Tramezzino is superb. By far the best hot dish on the menu, it consists of Pasta Penne, cheese, mushrooms, and a light marinara.

If you're looking for something light, I go through subconscious diets off their Pasta Salad (ask for a side of shaved parmesan).

I do wish they had a bread appetizer, but it does the job. Just cold ciabatta bread with a basil dip-- mediocre.

Overall the service is incredibly speedy, parking is fine, and the menu makes for a great lunch.

• Pros: Service, Cost, Food
• Cons: Not good for Dinner

08/21/08

Great place for food with friends

by Socialitex0 at Citysearch

This place is known for its sandwiches and, trust me, they are gooood. It's a small hidden location on Ventura but it's pretty cute and has a comfortable vibe to it. Classic Italian food is served here with a pinch of American touches. The staff is friendly. This place can get packed on Friday and Saturday nights. It has become somewhat of a "hot spot" or a place to go with a group of friends for a not too big meal that will leave you satisfied :)

And YES the rumors are true, they do charge and extra fee per person. I think it's 50 cents, I'm not sure why I didn't care to ask because... well it's just 50 cents.. but you can ask next time you go there =)

• Pros: Yummy food
• Cons: Parking is a little bit tough

08/06/08

Sneaky, Check your bill carefully

by ACSRK at Citysearch

We just went to the new Tarzana location. The food and service were o.k. When the check arrived I noticed an extra $1.00 charge. I asked the waiter what that was, and he informed me that they are adding a $.50 per person surcharge to offset the high fuel prices. With lunch entrees starting at $10, this is highway robbery. My bill for 2 people was $30, there is no excuse for an additional charge. We will not be returning to this restaurant at any of their locations!

• Pros: extensive menu
• Cons: $.50 per person surcharge

08/04/08

Sneaky Owners!

by Benjac at Citysearch

Great Food, but owners sneak a per person sur-charge onto your bill. They say that they do that so they don't have to raise prices on the menu (that doesn't make sense to me either). I thought it was very deceitful and I dislike the fact that most people probably pay it without realizing what's going on. The owners are raising the prices by adding this sur-charge, but are being dishonest about it. In speaking to the waiters (who take all the flack for this) they say most customers dislike this decision also. I've never heard of a restaurant sneaking charges onto all thier customers bills. I love the food, but will not return to an establishment that does not respect it's customers.

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Hidden per person sur-charge on all meals

07/02/08

sandwiches are the choice dish here

by janaschreiber8 at Citysearch

I've been to this places twice- and the first time I fell in love with the pesto chicken sandwich on a panini- it was absolutely delicious! When I went yesterday- to the new Tarzana location- I had a chicken chopped salad ( because I am trying to keep it light & healthy for the summer) and it just could not compare to the sandwich- it was a decent salad, but I could have made it myself easily and it wouldn't have cost me $10. So, when you go to this place- don't be afraid to splurge on the sandwiches because those are worth the cash and the calories!

• Pros: Yummy sandwiches
• Cons: salads are just OK- not worth the money

Local school kids, families and business folk keep this informal Italian panini stop bustling from morning till night.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
This Tuscan-style cafe is bright and relaxed, its faux finished walls reflecting light from rustic chandeliers. A few tables are available inside, but the spacious patio is more popular, shaded with trees and green market umbrellas. A small breakfast menu features ham and egg croissants and jam-slathered baguettes. Lunch offerings include numerous salads and a litany of gourmet grilled sandwiches. Pastas come topped with traditional Italian sauces; dessert tarts and tiramisu are imported from Milan.