Il Tiramisu Ristorante & Bar

I LOVE this restaurant!! One of many fine options within walking distance, Il Tiramisu is always my top vote. I've found the food to be consistently delicious, but beyond that, the hosts are so gracious! They always treat me, and anyone with whom I dine, as special welcome guests. That's how it's been starting with my first visit about ten years ago, and that's how this has become my very favorite place. One of my favorite dishes is the Ravioli Maria: homemade pasta with spinach, ricotta cheese, and a light pink sauce that is out of this world. Once, I brought someone on a very specific veggie diet; neither the waiter nor the chef knew we had been there before, so we received the same treatment anyone would have, I believe: they put together several custom dishes for us, and they made sauteed spinach look and taste like the world's greatest treat. The dishes are beautifully presented... the deserts are works of art. This is also a great spot for lunch... very reasonable prices with the same white tablecloths and great service. For a special treat, try one of the monthly wine tasting dinners. Peter is passionate about pairing delicious wine with great food, and he's always a good person to ask if you're looking for the right wine to go with a dish, so I was thrilled when he added these events a few years ago... truly ""following his bliss"". The wine dinners feature five courses of spectacular dishes not found on the regular menu, each invented for the featured wine of each course. It makes a really fun and full evening... feels like dinner and a show... nicely paced so you enjoy each dish and don't end up under the table, although you might want to plan to take a cab home! I do recommend reservations for Il Tiramisu, although I wouldn't let it stop me from going if I hadn't called ahead. They get busy, and deservedly so. I've watched many places in this neighborhood come an go over the years, but this is one eatery that I expect to go on and on. Pros: Great food, ambience, hosts, value Cons: voices resonate, so go early if you're bothered by a somewhat loud atmosphere more

This is the best Italian restaurant in Los Angeles! From the moment you walk in you feel like you are family. Then of coarse the food is excelent. I have never had anything less than excellent and I have been going there for 5 years now. Truly the best atmosphere and food around! Pros: AMBIENCE, SERVICE, FOOD PARKING more

I am a California Native and lived in the SanFernando Valley all my life. Just love it, and I have been blessed to be able to wine and dine myself or with friends in many beautiful places. I had great experience dining at II Tiramisu also enjoyed the excellent selection of red wines. The food presentation was excellent and very tasty. Salud to the owner and staff for their great job. Cheers! more

Knowing this place gets busy, we made a reservation for 8:30 on a Saturday night. We arrived on time and the place was insanely crowded. We were not greeted by the host, we had to seek him out. Once he graced us with his presence, we informed him we had arrived, only to have him tell us we would have to wait an additional 30 minutes for our table - and we had a reservation! He was really rude about it too - no apologies or anything. It's like he could care less if we were happy or not! There is hardly anywhere to sit in the so-called bar area (the bar seats 6-8 people and has a tiny little bench for those waiting for a table), so we were forced to stand for a half an hour waiting for our table we should have gotten right when we arrived! I understand places get busy, but asking someone with a reservation to wait 30 minutes for their table is no way to treat a customer. When we finally did sit down, we were so crammed in with the other patrons that our neighbor kept kicking my husband. The waiters had to climb over people to get to their tables. The service would have been better, but, it was so crowded that our server was stretched way too thin. The restaurant was so noisy I couldn't hear a word my husband was saying - and he was sitting a foot away from me! I ended up with the worst headache! There were way too many people in there! The food was good, but not great - I really don't know why it was voted ""best of"" on Citysearch. A busboy practically threw our caesar salads at us and ran off - no offer of fresh pepper. Our entrees came out right after we got our salads and they insisted on putting them in front of us and moving the salads to the side, so I had to eat my salad from across the table! When I went to eat my entree, it was cold! I will never go back there again. I can think of 3 or 4 other Italian restaurants in the Valley that are way better than this place - better food, same prices, and much better service. Don't waste your time or money here! Cons: too crowded, very noisy, lacking service, really long wait for a table, average food more

You get a good amount of food for the money. Prices are very affordable for an Italian restaurant. They have really good desserts here - try the chocolate torte or the signature tiramisu. Bring your own bottle of wine- they have a corkage fee of only $5! Pros: good corkage fee, good portions more

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! What a great little place. I can not wait to go back. The food was great as was the service! Everyone was so nice and attentive. \r \r We were greeted with a smile and seated fairly quickly on a Saturday night. We were lucky to get a table, so I recommend reservations. I had the special that night -veal w/risotto and my friend had this pasta stuffed w/butternut squash. Both were amazing.\r \r This is a very nice and nicely priced place for friends, family and for a special date. \r \r Give it a try, you'll enjoy it. Pros: Service, food, ambience Cons: I wish it was closer to my place :-( more

My husband and I went here for our anniversary once. It was excellent, but not terribly memorable. Very... more

My husband and I went here for our anniversary once. It was excellent, but not terribly memorable. Very... more

My husband and I went here for our anniversary once. It was excellent, but not terribly memorable. Very quiet and dark, which was nice. more

For an enchanting evening of sophisticated Italian fare, exceptional service and genuinely friendly ambience, il Tiramisu is it! It's a great place to enjoy a cozy dinner with a great wine selection. Try it...you'll like...no, love it! more

Great, very attentive, but not too attentive, service. Excellent, authentic food, the Osso Bucco was sublime, as were the desserts. I'm soooo glad we found this place. Without question one of the best date spots in the Valley.\r more

I trust the reviews of my comrades on citysearch, that is why I was confident when I started out on my trek from LA to Sherman Oaks for dinner at Il Tiramisu Ristorante & Bar. \r \r I am on a meal plan so on a ""cheat day"" when I can have a meal of my choice, I really look forward to it. Today I was craving Italian. After baked chicken and rationed salad dressing, to be honest most anything is good. However.....\r \r The starter bread was good. \r \r The meal was bland, average. \r \r Further, you KNOW when you can make the meal better at home that the drive and the $15.00 for the plate were VERY disappointing. \r \r I ordered the Penne. Ingredients: Penne, Broccoli, Sun dried tomatoes and olive oil. A simple classic. Never in my life did I think any one would be able to make this plate poorly. Even California Pizza Kitchen has a similar dish, difference is theirs is good! \r \r My hubby-ette had the ravioli w/ lobster. She liked her dinner and said that it was a light version of the dish. \r \r We eat out quite often, and we would not return to Il Tiramisu Ristorante & Bar. \r \r On a different note, should you want to check it out. Parking was ok, we parked about a block away as we did not see valet parking. \r Pros: Good Service Cons: Bad Food more

My wife and I make the trek to L.A. from San Diego once a month or so. In addition to the mandatory visit to see mom, the only other mandatory visit we make is to visit Ivo and Peter and have a meal at Il Tiramisu. The food is always so fresh. We love the gnocci! The ambience, wine selection, food prepared to perfection, fresh salads, mouth-watering bread, attentive yet relaxed service, and luscious desserts -- all adds up to an incredible night out in itself. \r \r In fact, my step-daughter visited us in San Diego from Kansas for her 23rd birthday over Memorial Day weekend. The only request for birthday activities she had was to visit Peter and have her birthday dinner at Il Tiramisu. And dinner at Il Tiramisu (not my step-daughter's request) is the only reason we have for braving L.A. traffic during the mass hysteria of a three-day weekend starting the freeway parking lot fest also known as the summer season. It's that good. \r \r Thanks Peter and Ivo. And cheers to Il Tiramisu!\r \r Lee and Alex Pros: close to everything, easy access. Cons: not-a-one more

How many places in L.A. have superb Italian food and truly make you feel welcome whether you come every week or every 6 months? Very few. If you were lucky to find such a place, how many make you feel at home and fuss over you throughout your meal bringing you surprise after dinner drinks or a small pastry just to say they care a lot that you chose their place to dine? That is Tiramisu. The heart of soul of true restauranteurs lives in this beautiful dining spot.\r \r If you have ever wanted that ""sure thing"" place to take an important date, client or make a important family event always that always makes you look like you have ""an in"" with owners of a ""great little Italian place"" go see Peter and Ivo at Tiramisu. Every dish is prepared with great care and flair! And the decor is very upscale yet relaxed to impress even the fussiest person in the ""business"" or not. Pros: Great food, never routine. Service is consistently very attentive and friendly Cons: Bar is small but still adequate for a drink or for waqiting for a table more

The best Italian restaurant for awesome service, a great wine selection and an ever evolving array of unique appetizers and desserts. Pros: Outstanding in all respects. more

I am from Los Angeles and return several times a year to visit family and friends. A nonnegitiable part of my trip is dinner at Il Tiramisu. The food is consistantly fabulous. The specials are creative and modern with old european style. The atmosphere is romantic and comfortable. The attention to detail reguarding the cleanliness and decor is impeccable. Above and beyond at Tiramisu is the hands on approach to customer service by owners Peter and Ivo Kastelan and is without equal anywhere in L.A. I especially enjoy that I am treated just like a guest in their home! My expectations are exceeded with every visit. I recommend Il Tiramisu without hesitation to business associates family and friends. more

Father-and-son owners Ivo and Peter Kastelan - at least one of whom is always about doing everything from welcoming guests to reciting the specials- ensure that your meal includes not only delicious food and drink, but impeccable hospitality as well. I can give you any number of reasons to go: the food is tasty and ranges from the traditional to the inventive; the wine list is smart and proudly showcases local producers alongside prestigious Italian names; and everything is priced more than reasonably (even the valet parking costs less than a gallon of gas!). Peter and Ivo treat every customer as if he or she were the most important person they will ever serve, and mean it. The monthly wine dinners are a great deal. Best of all, the staff is friendly and loyal and seems to have an amazingly low turnover rate; it's nice to be greeted with a wave and a smile by everyone from the busboys to the owners. And no, I don't work for Il Tiramisu in any way - just a devoted customer! Pros: Friendly service; delicious food; great prices. Cons: Crowded on weekends and on wine dinner nights. Book ahead. more

There's a song, ""I would walk 500 miles,"" that sums up my feelings about Il Tiramisu. I know I have driven three hours just to eat dinner there! I live in the San Diego area and will drive up to LA just to eat at Il Tiramisu. My daughter lives in Kansas and recently came to visit, I asked where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner, and without missing a beat she said ""Il Tiramisu."" I guess you could say she has me beat as far as traveling distance to eat at the best Italian restaurant around. But enough about my obsession and more about WHY I'm so obsessed. The experience begins the moment you walk in the door and are greeted by either Peter or Ivo (or better yet both!). A warm embrace, hand shake, and you're being welcomed home. Led to your table and seated, waiters promptly bringing menus, water, and the delicious bread basket... drink orders taken and you're off! I highly recommend the fried calimari - it is the best I have ever had, light and crispy - melts in your mouth - I swear. Everytime I dine at Il Tiramisu I order the fish special knowing my tastebuds will be delighted. My husband is a big fan of the Osso Buco, always done to perfection. My daughter loves the pasta in any shape or form but especially with the pink sauce. Though I'm a fan of the restaurant's namesake for dessert, I die for the creme brulee. So, the friendly, prompt service, the delicious food.... the atmosphere. It's very easy to forget you're on one of the busiest streets in downtown LA. The ambiance wisks you away to a quaint little Italian village. If you're looking for the ultimate dining experience - make reservations at Il Tiramisu. You will be delighted you did. Pros: Peter, Ivo, the calimari and creme brulee Cons: Eventually you have to leave. more

As you enter Il Tiramisu, you are greeted by warm candlelight and warmer aromas from the semi-open kitchen. We had the pleasure of meeting Ivo and Peter, the father-son heart of this business, and it shows. By the soup course, we felt like part of the family. Peter is the epitome of the consummate host, ensuring that your experience is nothing short of genuinely enjoyable. \r \r The individual attention paid to each of the courses was evident in the presentation, and the flavor was far from ordinary. By dessert, we were unable to resist and were treated to hand-made desserts, so skillfully prepared one would swear that a chocolatier was on site. In case you were curious, the name does not lie; you must not leave without trying the tiramisu.\r \r With a supple wine list and selection to last dozens of visits adding to the marvelous service and culinary delights, Il Tiramisu provided us an experience to remember. I exuberantly recommend this restaurant; whether a special date or receiving out-of-town guests, this is a place that will not disappoint. Cheers! Pros: Please read my recommendation, the pros are very palatable. Cons: It is difficult to resist trying all of the desserts. more

I love this place, the staff is gracious and helpful. Everything on the menu is great. I make it a point to try it all, Although I have to say the chicken parmesan is my favorite. The staff teats you like a star and it's very romantic. more