Giovanni's Trattoria

I usually order take out or delivery from Giovanni's. The usual, is an order of garlic bread, their caprese salad, and a pizza or a pasta. I've never gone wrong with Giovanni's. Great friendly neighborhood place with a lot of charm. Pros: Friendly, Eager to Please service Cons: small parking lot more

Fall under the charm of this cute and very romantic Italian restaurant and dine amid a dimly lit setting, dominated by subtle brown and beige tones. This eatery creates a fabulous spot for dates, however it Pros: Food, service, ambience more

My husband and I have dined at this restaurant 4 times and we absolutely love it. We are especially fond of the chicken parmigiana which comes with roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables. My husband also liked the lasagna and we are anxious to try the raviolis. They have many specials each day. The food is very fresh and large portions. It is a small restaurant and parking in a mini mall but don't let that stop you. This restaurant is a real gem. The servers are friendly and helpful. We are anxious to try more of their wonderful dishes! I only wish we would have known of this restaurant earlier. We signed up for their daily e-mails that give you a list of specials for the day. It makes us hungry just looking at each days list. Pros: Great fresh food, good service, many specials Cons: small restaurant, small parking area more

I found this place by googling ""best restaurants Culver City,"" and it lives up to that reputation. Don't be put off by the strip-mall location; this small neighborhood restaurant serves up delicious, unpretentious, reasonably-priced Italian. Their seafood pastas are to die for and the homemade ravioli is also good. Their tomato sauces are perfectly seasoned and just a little spicy. Since there are only about 10 tables, you might have to wait a little during peak hours. Pros: great food Cons: ""wonder""-style bread, waiting during peak hours more

I've been here many times and always get the same thing -- it is so good. I think it's called the Pasta Fagioli or something like that. It's bowtie pasta with peas and mushrooms in a cream sauce. Delicious. We can walk here from our apartment, but the little parking lot does fill up fast I've noticed. You can bring your own wine. It's a small restaurant and does fill up. I think going earlier is best -- then we never have to wait to be seated. Pros: Excellent food. Cons: Limited parking. more

I love this place! The food is fresh, delicous and affordable. You know it's great when you see the same people there all the time. Service it prompt and freindly even when the are really busy, which is nearly all the time. Try the lobster ravioli or the gnocchi (both are specials so they don't have them all the time), homemade and amazingly wonderful. Keep up the good work! Pros: Food too good to imagine Cons: small parking lot more

Fantastic Italian food! Friendly staff, very local feel, yummy food. Their garlic bread is awesome. One of my faves. I highly recommend saving room for the dessert called ""Torta de la Nona."" Without overhyping it, it's seriously one of the best and unique desserts I've had. Pros: great atmosphere, food, staff Cons: small parking lot, but you make it work somehow more

This is our favorite, local italian restaurant. Be warned, though, it is very small and getting a table for more than 2 on a friday or saturday night will require a wait. Also, it is bring your own wine, but many people do this. The food is FABULOUS and the value is great. Pros: Food, Service Cons: No reservations, BYOW more

The food is good, nice to be able to take your own wine bottle (only option if you want to drink wine!), was definitely cozy, romantic, and had a real neighborhood feel. At first i really enjoyed the service, especially since my husband and i were first time diners, but as the evening got busier and more familiar faces came in to dine, we were definitely forgotten and service blummeted! We didnt even get a water refill the whole evening and the glass was right on the edge of the table. Pros: cozy, authentic food, casual dining Cons: , alcohol not served, parking more

Tucked away in an unattractive shopping center, I lived nearby for over a year before finding this hidden gem. Great service! more

This is a wonderful restaurant. The food is great--try their ravioli and their delicious eggplant appetizer, the name of which escapes me. The atmosphere is warm, friendly, romantic and cozy. And, the service is fantastic. And, as others have mentioned, it's actually quite nice that you have the opportunity to bring your own wine to enjoy with dinner and without a corkage fee. It's somehow more festive and fun that way! The restaurant is small, but wait if you have to. You'll forget you had to wait once you sit down and start to enjoy the food, the hospitality, and dinner-at-a-friend's house pace of this restaurant. more