Palmeri // all around best experience, and Spritz!
I am giving Palmeri the gold star because when you add up all the items that matter most to me, this place has it. Set on a busy corner with outdoor seating and twinkle lights, a substantial menu that’s lacking a cacio e pepe pasta but one they will make for you on request and most importantly a place that will make you an aperol spritz as they have full bar! The atmosphere is lively and quite frankly the closest you will get to a trattoria on piazza vibe in this small Los Angeles enclave. Like I said, most places here are wine and beer only and won’t make you an aperol spritz which I believe is discriminatory of basic white women who’ve been to Italy once. It’s also got a soft spot in my heart since Parker had his first taste of pizza and pasta here, a memory I will obviously cherish forever!
Jon & Vinny’s // cool kid crowd, elevated kids menu
This is the second Jon & Vinny’s location, the first being in West Hollywood of course, and it shows. The design is sleek and fits the bill for its customer base which is young, understated bougie, blasting hip hop beats and serving up mouth watering eats. The staff are most likely local emerging adults whose parents insisted they get a job and make baggy jeans look tasteful, which could be a great concept for Bravo to create a show around. But all jokes aside, the food is consistently good and essentially the menu most millennials crave but can’t exactly find at more formal Italian joints. My personal favorites are the spicy fusilli, ricotta toast, mozzarella sticks, spaghetti limone and LA woman pizza. Reservations at night are hard to come by but they serve breakfast and lunch, which are still legitimate times to order pasta in my book.
Sor Tino // romantic patio, delicious food and spritz!
I love Sor Tino for many reasons but most of all because it was the first Italian restaurant I frequented in Los Angeles. Also where I learned that truffles are much more expensive in the States than in Europe when I realized my pizza was $50 and that was more than ten years ago! But it’s always been a great place for a date night or dinner with friends given the intimate ivy wrapped front patio and warm welcome from the staff. A friend of mine has become a regular and had her birthday dinner here which was a perfect place to gather over good food. And although it’s wine and beer only, they will happily make you a spritz which warms my heart. Since having Parker and my mother moving here I’ve been more apt to dine before six and this is a good place for that with family if you go earlier. All around a great spot and will remind you of the Italian restaurants you grew up going to wherever you’re from.
Amici Brentwood // al fresco for families
Located a bit farther out from the main part of town, Amici is naturally a locals spot. I’ve always been keen on trying it out since it’s on the main boulevard connecting Santa Monica and Brentwood that I would often run down and it’s also across the street from my watering hole, also known as The Brentwood Country Mart. But after having been a few times now it’s the low-key local vibe that makes it a nicer experience. I love sitting outside about an hour before sunset with family. The eggplant parmesan is amazing as is the cacio e pepe and jidori chicken. My husband ordered the gnocchi in a cream sauce and we both went to heaven! The wine list is extensive and will impress anyone who considers themselves sommelier adjacent.
Pizzana // where to take the kids
As you’d expect from the name, Pizzana is essentially your local pizza parlor, but elevated to the Brentwood standard for family dining. The pizzas are gourmet but not too fancy to deter a little one, well at least not mine. The wine selection is up to par and the adults have some great alternatives beyond just a bland side salad. It’s not anything special in terms of the design or ambiance so I mostly go for takeout but when I do dine in I always prefer to sit outside on the tiny front patio. The dough is absolutely delicious and I usually order the funghi or cacio e pepe unless I’m sharing with Arthur who loves their vegan margherita for very delicious reasons! The artichoke appetizer is always good to share and I can’t remember what desserts I’ve ordered there before but I do remember loving them!
Toscana // fancy lunchers
In an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians Kris Jenner and her longtime friend Faye Resnick filmed at Toscana for none other than a proper ladies lunch. Of course this was notable to me giving I live in the neighborhood but also because they mentioned lunching here back in the day with Nicole Brown Simpson, who apparently ordered white fish and veggies each time. I am honestly not sure what I am more sad about; the fact that she is no longer with us or the fact that she chose fish and veggies over pasta at lunch at Toscana! They have a great cacio e pepe on the lunch menu and delectable linguine with claims for dinner! However, wine only so you will need to head next door to Bar Toscana, a separate location entirely and recently featured on #RHOBH of course.
Bar Toscana // first dates and corporate happy hours
Toscana is for the grownups while Bar Toscana remains a kids table of sorts. It’s a bit more casual with a full bar and more relaxed menu. It’s a wonderful place to grab a cocktail with a friend or date where you can order something great at the bar or sit down at one of the few scattered tables. I love the mushroom pizza and they make the best spritz in town!
Vincenti // where to take your parents
Vincenti is upscale and old fashioned and it’s loyal customers reflect that. I’ve only been to the beautiful full bar in the front and perhaps one day will try it out for dinner or perhaps not because I have so many other great options nearby!
