05/12/09

NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE

by mvioli

This place was once a delightful, quaint, top quality place, however, since new management came it has really went down hill.

The food was once upon a time very, very good but as of my last two experiences I have found that it lacks the quality, freshness and taste of what it once had...

The service staff have changed (and not for the better) as they are quite eager to sell you bottled water but not as eager to keep your glass filled...They seem more interested in the final bill than the diners experience..

Used to be a favorite but no more...

• Pros: location
• Cons: food, management, new chef

08/21/08

Good service,excellent Italian cusinie!

by klliuc

We had dinner days ago in Locanda, they got 2 busboy and 2 waiters, serving for about 6 tables of patron, they were so attentive and prompt, our water never ran half. So I really can't any clue about the bad service that mentioned in the previous write-up.

We had their ravioli with white truffles and mushrooms sauce, that's exceptional! I would highly recommend anyone to try this.

• Pros: excellent food

05/09/08

INCREDIBLE! The Best Staff in Town!

by lafilmguy

Not only is the food at Locanda unbelievable, but the wait staff and the manager make the dining experience an absolute pleasure. Everyone there goes out of their way to make the diner feel like they are royalty. The menu has wonderful staples like the spaghetti with lentils and the roasted chicken, both of which are delicious. The nightly specials, which are written on a chalkboard include the most amazing filet of sole that I have ever had and a zucchini "flowers" appetizer that leave you wanting more. As a regular dinner here, the most impressive thing is the consistency of the food, my favorite dishes are as good as they were the day I first ordered them.

The waiters and bust-boys are respectful and kind. The manager is one of a kind, he is personable and he goes out of his way to make each guest's dining experience the best it can be. I look forward to many more years of great meals at Locanda Veneta.

• Pros: the food, the staff, and the manager!
• Cons: can't think of one

04/30/08

awful service full restaurant only one waiter!!

by stevewebber

Went to Locanda a few days ago and had awful service..

There was only one waiter and a busboy that seemed to be doing everything.

We had to ask 5 times for our water to be refilled.

Manager stood at the front ordering the busboy around while the waiter ran around like a chicken with his head cut off.

The busboy was too busy taking out the food and bartending to get his attention for more bread and water.

When spending $300 plus on dinner this is just unacceptable. With a full restaurant one waiter and 1/3 busboy is just ridiculous.

• Pros: food is very good if you get it hot
• Cons: customer service

01/24/08

New Management is awful

by dinewine

Former Guests!! Locanda Veneta has traded a knowlegable, professional and caring manger for an egotistical, unknowledgable used car salesman.

Fortunately the food is still great!!

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Manager

08/18/07

Better service at McDonalds...

by sundevilmike

After hearing great things about this restaurant, I decided to take my girlfriend here for a nice little romantic date. The place was in Entourage, so how bad could it be, right? I called ahead, set a reservation for 7:30PM on a Friday night, and off we went. Within minutes, I realized our romantic date was destined to be anything but...

Upon being seated and having the waiter take our order for soda and carpaccio, he soon disappeared. We then had to ask a busboy for bread, another waiter to take our order and explain to us what the specials were, and yet another waiter for refills. Having to ask to be served three times in the first 15 minutes of dining isn't exactly what I'd call top notch service...

The carpaccio was bland and the main course (steak and pasta with filet mignon) took 30 minutes to arrive. By the end of the night the waiter finally caught on that we weren't exactly thrilled but it was too late.

Avoid at all costs unless you want to pay a premium for average Italian fare (our bill was $111 with no alcohol) and atrocious service.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Horrible Service, Average Food

06/27/07

Great Italian Food & Service

by martinikitty13

It has been a while since I came to this restaurant but I am pleased to report that the food and service remain consistently good. The food is authentic Italian and reminds me of my trip to Italy a few years back - fresh ingredients, simple preparation. This time, we had a lovely seafood salad appetizer, the whole fish (roasted with garlic, olive oil, salt) - absolutely delicious, mushroom pasta (again, simple but delectable) - accompanied by some lovely cakebread sauvignon. The service was attentive without being intrusive. This is not a trendy place, but is a lovely gem of a restaurant that does not disappoint.

• Pros: Delicious Italian Food; Consistent Service

06/21/07

Delicious

by gks

We got there early, but the place filled up pretty quickly - so reservations would definitely be a good idea. The food was delicious, and the service was great. I ordered the lamb, but a friend ordered a steak with white truffle cream sauce that was AMAZING. I'm not sure if that's always on the menu, or if was a special, but we haven't stopped talking about that sauce. Definitely recommend.

03/26/07

Best Pasta

by btan11

The food was awesome as both my girlfriend and I had Pasta dishes. Is one of the best tasting Italian food we have had. We have been to few other well-known Italian restaurants around L.A. and O.C. but this is one of the best. Resturant is small & seating is very tight. I would definitely recommend making reservations if you are going for Friday or Saturday.

The portion, in my opinion, is small but if you are a light eater it might be enough. Half portion, which they do offer, is definitely not meant to fill your apetite. Is more like a kid's poriton.

The restaurant does not have parking so park next door or find a meter-parking on the street.

• Pros: Great tasting Italian food. Very flavorful and good selection of wine
• Cons: seating can be tight during busy time due to size of the restaurant.

01/09/07

Always Great!! Not for penny pinchers

by loweryj

I was introduced to Locanda by a friend about a year ago, since then it has now become one of my favorite places. (also Little door,.A.O.C,Campanile)

It is hip and cozy with always a nice mix of celebrities, Hollywood power players,doctors from across the street and (people In the know), yet doesn't come with the attitude of many other places I can think of.The servers are always on top of things and never pushy, some of them are pretty good looking too. It isn't the biggest restaurant so I would definately recommend reservations and try to sit in one of the corners if you can.

They have a great wine and dinner menu and always have lot's of specials.

While the food is always great, the Branzino seabass is to die for!!!!!!

My only recommendation is that they update there website, as it is not current.

Not the cheapest, so penny pinchers beware!!!

• Pros: Ambience,Crowd,Great Food