This is a romantic and intimate restaurant where the food is really a step above. Menu items that I wouldn’t consider ordering at other restaurants because I know I could cook better, I don’t hesitate to order here. Some of our favorites are the flash fried calamari and the baked eggplant parmesan appetizers. They have gnocchi with pesto sauce that is to die for; my wife says the penne with vodka is the best in town and my personal favorite is the osso buco that is often a special.

But the food is only part of the reason we have become regulars. Locanda Portifino encapsulates the whole experience. This is one of the few restaurants in all of Los Angeles where I stop analyzing the meal and simply exist in the dining event. The waiters are welcoming and happy to discuss the menu. They suggest wine parings without the slightest hint of attitude and they never rush you from the table.

This is the place to go if you want an early meal with the kids, a romantic dinner for two or some passionate discussion with friends. No matter what your party’s desire, they always make you feel welcome.