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Ado
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
796 Main StVenice, CA 90291
Neighborhood: Venice
(310) 399-9010
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
143 reviews for Ado
Review Highlights
-
"And my friend's Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Melanzane." In 4 reviews -
"GOOD GOD THEY HAVE FOIE GRAS AND SWEETBREADS AND RABBIT AND..." In 8 reviews -
"I know, at first you might think quail ragu." In 9 reviews
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143 reviews in English
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Review from Posey C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/27/2012
You just can't go wrong here.
I've been here several times and have been pleased each and every time. The foie gras appetizer is generously portioned and perfectly seared.
Truthfully, this review is so overdue I don't remember what else I got, but I do remember Ado becoming one of my West LA faves.
The atmosphere is fun, chatty, but still romantic. The servers were attentive and accommodating. Like I said, you just can't go wrong here.
My only criticism is that the seats are just a little too close together, but with everything else being so good, I can't even deduct a star. -
Review from Peedler D.
San Diego, CA
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
It took me a while to get around to reviewing Ado: I just cant think of what to write about the food. Sure the ambiance was nice and romantic, the waiter was interesting (in both good and bad ways), but the food was just so uneventful. It's fun to write catty reviews about bad food, or glowing reviews about great food. But writing about forgettable food is so unpleasant that I can barely bring myself to do it. Actually the only item that stood out was the Ricotta Tart Dessert, and from the looks of it (imagine a cold slice of cheesecake) its probably a standard dessert available everywhere.
As for non-food issues, its expensive. Too expensive. Entrees at ~36, Appetizers at ~18. For that much I better be getting a mound of complementary veggies on the side, not a bit of bread and olive oil.
Our waiter was very amusing and initially helpful, but I feel they need more staff: our waiter looked like he was so rushed near the end that I wanted to offer him my chair before he passed out from speaking too fast in his lovely Italian accent.
Yes, its quite romantic here, in the evening, with the candles and dim lights, and an Italian accent dancing in your ear about the specials that evening. Now if only the food itself was as seductive.... -
Review from Yael K.
Manhattan, NY
4/7/2012
If I could give this place more stars I would gladly do so.
Food - perfection. Particularly enjoyed the duck breast, beef ravioli and watercress salad.
Servers were great - super helpful and friendly.
Place itself is simple and lovely! Music was soft and totally complemented the romantic, candle-lit setting.
Can't wait to go back. -
Review from Makaela S.
Marina del Rey, CA
5/21/2012
Amazing ahi. Amazing roasted potatoes. Accommodating staff who was willing to make me an entree to please me even though it wasn't on the menu.
Freshly made after ordering so yeah sure it may take a little longer but it doesn't even matter because it's beyond worth it. A little pricey maybe but it makes sense as to why.
Come to Ado trust me. -
Review from Dominique D.
Van Nuys, CA
5/21/2012
beet pasta.
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Review from Gabrielle S.
Redlands, CA
5/21/2012
Worth every penny!! The rabbit raviolo was amazing, as was the prosciutto, and the chocolate mousse. we were there for a big family party, so I sampled a bit of everything. Scrumptious. Lovely staff.
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Review from Mike O.
Dallas, TX
3/12/2012
So, I need to go back and change my review here based on business practices in general as this is not so much as a negative review in terms of the food itself, but
to serve as a warning to future guests and patrons of this establishment.
I didnt mention in the below review that the waiter charged us twice for our dessert, not a big deal and didnt think too much of it until I received my credit card statement and was shocked to see that the waiter had actually given himself an extra $15 tip on the bill. I called to inquire and was passed around a few times until finally I called in and got the owner himself whom told me that he was sorry, inquired about my Italian heritage and told me someone would call me back to credit my account again. It is almost a month since I've eaten there, and over a week since I inquired about the extra charge - no call back at all. My advice here...LOOK OVER YOUR BILL AND YOUR STATEMENT WHEN YOU GET IT. $15 on a bill isn't a big deal, however, $15 on 10 bills throughout the course of the night is a nice bonus for service staff...
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----------
Ok, so Ado is definitely the most exciting thing to happen to traditional southern Italian cuisine in the past decade...and they've only been around for 3 years. This place deserves 5 stars for the food, wine and ambience, but I had to deduct one for some personal pet peeves as it relates to presentation and attitude.
The place is a house, literally. It's a converted house on Main Street in Venice and lends itself to everything resembling eating in your grandmother's kitchen as the decor is concerned. Native-born Italian sons (not Jersey Shore here guys) sweep through the dining room as servers and are extremely knowledgeable about the menu and Italian cuisine in general.
The homemade pasta is seriously so good that it makes you think you're doing something bad with your life and gives you an emotional high as something that delicious can only do. I had homemade tagliattele with a wild boar raghu after an appetizer of duck prosciutto and a salad consisting of Dungeness Crab, Valencia Oranges, and Wild Arugula tossed in Vin Cotto Dressing served on a bed of Braised Fennel, topped with Wild Salmon Caviar. It was everything you'd want in a meal, complete with a bottle of red from Abruzzi and a ricotta cheese cake to finish.
The food was amazing, it really was. It was creative in design, old-school in nature and filling without having to unbuckle anything. Cheers to all for the presentation and deliciousness that surrounded me that night.
I had to deduct a star though because I really have a problem when people tell you "how" to eat. I am no slug by any means and would never empty a bottle of A1 onto a Prime Cut of Aged meat, but sometimes, just sometimes you enjoy a touch extra of salt or some fresh ground pepper in your dipping olive oil. I get it. I really do when it comes to people embarrassing themselves and the wait staff around them when they are un-trained or unsophisticated when it comes to delicacy, but even the best olive oil in the world can get a splash of pepper in my mind and won't hurt the delicateness of the ingredients.
Not putting salt and pepper on a table is the equivalent of making someone take their shoes off in the backyard. It's a bravado move and although I expected it, just can't seem to come to terms to live with it. -
Review from Rachel S.
2/9/2012
One of the companies I worked for held our holiday dinner here in December. I knew I was in for an interesting night when I pulled in and the car immediately in front of me was a Tesla. My car may be less than a year old, but my Kia suddenly felt like a sputtering Gremlin.
That said, once I stepped inside that adorable little yellow house, I was put immediately at ease by the staff. They were lovely and welcoming, escorted me to my seat and offered me wine.
But let's get to the food. Dear God in heaven, the food. Rarely do I get teary-eyed over my meal, but on this night, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The prosciutto and burrata appetizer was so amazing, we all fought over the last bits on the plate. We each picked different entrees and shared, and if I had the room, I would have eaten everything. The red beet pasta is hands down the best thing I've EVER eaten. And then there was the special, the ricotta gnocchi in some sort of a brown sauce that I've been desperately trying to replicate ever since. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the wild boar with raspberry sauce, but that's probably because I'm not a sweet and savory-mixing kind of person.
I can't wait to bring my husband back here. He'll melt in the floor. -
Review from Cyrus P.
Venice, CA
4/29/2012
As good as it gets. Bravo Paolo
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Review from Sandra S.
Marina del Rey, CA
5/12/2012
Food:fairly good to excellent. Wine list: good, Price: too expensive for what you get. Parking: $8.00. Atmosphere: Charming. Service: excellent. Noise level: moderate.
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Review from Samm H.
Sacramento, CA
4/18/2012
Best Italian food ever! I love their beet pasta
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Review from Sujal P.
Saginaw, MI
4/13/2012
Ver accommodating - we are visiting from Michigan and went to their new restaurant which was closed - we have 3 kids who were very hungry - we did not have to wait and they accommodated us great - would definitely come back
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Review from Digital D.
Los Angeles, CA
3/23/2012
Love love this place. Best Italian food in LA. Can't wait to try his new location on Washington!! Casa Ado! :)
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Review from lindsay t.
Pacific Palisades, CA
3/26/2012
Adorably romantic little gem in the heart of Venice. The service was impeccable and the food was fantastic. I highly recommend the Red Beet Tagliolini.
I was brought here for a first date and it was the perfect setting. A new favorite spot! -
Review from Damon Y.
Torrance, CA
12/5/2011
The valet keyed my car! I went to the restaurant on a Monday night and I asked the valet guy if I could park my own car in their lot. He gave me a surly look like I was insulting him, but said "Sure, if you pay me right now." I said no problem, backed into the spot he indicated, and then paid him the $5 valet fee. After dinner I got in my car and left. The next day, in the daylight, I found three large scratches on the back of my car; my body shop says it's $1,250 to fix. To be fair, I did not actually catch the valet damaging my car, and it's theoretically possible it was scratched somewhere else that day, although it went from a secured garage to the restaurant to another secured garage. The main point for my fellow Yelpers would be to be careful using the valet at this restaurant--look your car over carefully before and after you give it to the valet, or don't valet it at all.
My rating for this restaurant does not factor in the damage to my car--it's based upon my two dining experiences. The ambience in the dining room is superbly cozy and romantic, and based on that alone it would be a fantastic date place. The service is fine as well. Where they really fall down is the quality and value of the food, and the exorbitant corkage fee. At this last meal we had the Prosciutto and Burrata appetizer and it was very tasty, but overpriced at $17. For the main course I had the Pappardelle in a White Wine Rabbit Ragu, and it was of mediocre flavor and kid's meal portion size for $19. My friend had the veal chop special, which was a decent portion size, but quite fatty and of average flavor, for $45. The food was simply not worth the cost. The $25 corkage fee charged for allowing us to drink our own bottle of wine seems ridiculous as well.
By comparison, the nearby Fritto Misto restaurant has dishes ranging from good to outstanding in flavor, decent portion sizes, reasonable prices, and they only charge a $2 per person corkage fee. I'd go there a hundred times before I gave Ado another chance.
Sorry, Ado. With the exception of the wonderful ambiance of your dining room, I cannot recommend you. -
Review from Gary M.
Venice, CA
11/4/2011
The food was very good. "Amazing?" Come on, people. "The best" Italian food you've ever had? Please, enough with the hyperbole. I would opt for the other local spots Vea Veneto or Piccolo over Ado next time, if only not to deal with the waiter Roberto, who smacks his lips every time he quotes - excuse me - sings each special. " -smack- whaad elllsa we havva toniiiighda..?-smack- "
Food: very good. Service: cocaine-fueled and annoying. Ambiance: Nice space with a total identity crisis - dim candlelight, with the Pandora station playing Creed and Bush. I almost walked out based on this alone. -
Review from Salma M.
11/17/2011
This is restaurant is the epitome of an exquisite and elegant Italian restaurant in the Los Angeles area. The food and experience was fabulous! I came here for dinner. At first I was a bit skeptical when we pulled up to a mediocre looking restaurant in a residential area. I came here on Friday night and it was quite busy. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by a cordial man named Paolo who I am presuming was the owner. He truly knows how to make his guests feel welcomed and loved by personally greeting them as they enter and leave the establishment, which is rare in the restaurant scene. Go Paolo!
The venue was cute and uncommon. The restaurant is literally in a house. It was dark and intimate. We sat upstairs. Tables were very close to eachother. I can't remember how it was downstairs, but upstairs definitely lacked air conditioning. Because of the compact space and the number of people, it became hot in there real fast.
The food was outstanding. I started off with the insalata di finochi brasati, which was a salad with crab, wild arugula, oranges and salmon caviar tossed in this sweet Italian dressing. The crab tasted fresh. The combination of ingredients worked perfectly together. I highly recommend it.
For the first time ever, I tried foie grais. This delcacy had a delicate, buttery and rich taste to it. It was served with pear, which went well with the goose liver. Even though it was interesting and fun to try, the silky taste was just not for me.
I had spaghetti with eggplant, tomato sauce and ricotta cheese. I fell in love with the pasta. The spaghetti was high quality Italian spaghetti. With every bite, I could tell the pasta was freshly made. I loved it!
My favorite part of the whole meal was the last course....dessert! I had the panna cotta with raspberries. It was by far the best panna cotta I have ever tasted .It was rich and creamy. That dessert was the perfect way to end the marvelous meal.
Overall, this it was a delightful experience with execellant service, food and ambiance--I will return! -
Review from Yasmin C.
Best best best best Italian food I've had in a LONG time! I came last weekend, last minute with a group of seven...we slipped in before the place became really crowded, and were lucky to get a table immediately. The cute little "yellow house," as it was referred to by my friends, who strongly recommended it but couldn't remember its name for the life of them, was intimate and cozy. Looked perfect for a special occasion...or for a group of rowdy, slightly sweaty, bar-hopping Venice beachgoers. Awesome either way.
All of the food has a unique spin to it, which I tend to love for Italian. To start with, my husband ordered the Prosciutto e Burrata, which was as close to PERFECT as I think those ingredients can get. It was just incredible and melt-in-your-mouth good. For my entree, I ordered the special: taglioloni with octopus ragu and sea scallops. My friends were initially a bit grossed out by my venture (I guess not everyone finds octopus good), but changed their colors upon sampling my dish. It was savory, flavorful, and completely satisfying. Good portion size too. My second choice, before the server sold me on the special, was the Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Melanzane Fritte, Pesto e Ricotta Salata (fried eggplant, ricotta, pesto, tomato sauce). My friend ordered it, so I was able to try it, and it was just amazing as well. Completely different from my dish...but both were fantastic.
We ordered a couple of desserts...one ricotta tart and one crunchy chocolate bar with two flavors of mousse. Embarrassingly, I ate about 70% of both desserts, even among seven people. Oh well. They were both so delicious, and again, very unique.
My husband and I decided that we'll absolutely be back the next time we're in LA. Ado may take the place of our long lost, beloved favorite family-owned Italian restaurant that shut down a couple of years ago and that we continue to grieve for to this day. Ado gives me hope, though! I'm already looking for excuses to make it back to LA, ASAP. This is an absolute gem.Listed in: Special Occasion, Awesome LA Eats
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Review from Jake L.
Santa Monica, CA
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Thank you to Paulo and the staff for a fantastic meal. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...the wine was great, help attentive, and the food tasted fantastic.
The setting is unique, a beautiful old house that's been re-done very tastefully. Hidden behind ficus trees on the street, I've driven by dozens of times and had never noticed it.
The beet pasta truly is all that is written about it, the rest of our group had great things to say about their choices.
Only thing holding this back from being a 5 star review was that my wife and I found ourselves hungry again by bedtime. Not necessarily the feeling you want after a pricey Saturday night meal. The portion size could likely be adjusted by a couple of ounces per plate without impacting their profitability too much.
But we all agreed that we'd return, a solid choice for a night out. -
Review from Elijah M.
Venice, CA
4/21/2012
Great atmosphere and delicious food.
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Review from Cecilia L.
Marina Del Rey, CA
3/4/2012
Mediocre food for very high prices. Shorted the change twice and ignored our remarks that the filet of sole(or something similar) we got was not the branzino we ordered which demanded $38 per serving.
Very silly of them to treat us like we are retarted! -
Review from vivian l.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
i wanted to check this place out because of all the great yelp reviews i had read. it's a very cute little restaurant, and i remember thinking it was small, even for a house... but charming all the same. the food was good, but i had jsut a few comments. i wish the bread was warm. they had foccacia and a regular crusty bread, which were ok, but had they been served warm, it would have made a huge difference. also, the wait between apps and entrees was pretty long. we had a 6:30 reservation so i can't imagine the kitchen was thaaaat slammed. lastly, the service was pleasant, but uncoordinated. we had 2 separate people ask us what type of water we wanted. then someone took our apps order. then someone else took our entree order. someone different came back and asked if we were ready to order apps. it was really confusing and messy. in the end, good food, portions not huge.
all the servers seemed authenticly italian, with their top button undone and a gold chain peeking out hahaha and the host kissed my hand as we left! so italian! -
Review from Gary W.
Santa Monica, CA
10/10/2011
Highly recommend this quaint spot for sensational Italian food. Ado is well worth the visit!
Set in a cute yellow cottage on Main St. in Venice. Excellent service - very friendly with a good choice of indoor or warm patio dining.
Food was exceptional...every dish was better than the last. Only complaint was that portions were a bit small. In particular, you must try the beet pasta...out of this world fantastic!
Excellent wine list. Fair pricing, but on the slightly high end. A definite four star! -
Review from Sylvie C.
7/1/2011
Easily my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, and I'm not even a huge fan of Italian food...but Ado changed everything. Out of my many dining experiences at Ado, I'd have to say that the first was the most enchanting. My visiting girlfriends and I walked up to the adorable yellow cottage on Main St. in Venice, where the stunning Italian model-hostess offered us free prosecco as we waited. She then led us to the perfect fourtop in the middle of the dining room, where another stunning Italian specimen of waiter, Tony, greeted us. (Later on, when I brought my parents here, even my conservative Indian father commented on the chiseled facial features of dear Tony, taking care to embarrass me as much as possible, and asking whether Tony had thought about a career in the movies.)
Anyway. About the FOOD. I usually vary my order, because everything is fabulous, but I have only one constant - the beet pasta. Beets?? Pasta?? Yes, the pasta is made out of BEETS. It gives it this incredible flavor, so instead of relying on a sauce to give the pasta a little kick, the beet pasta has it's own personality. It comes with a quail ragu, and in a steamy tableside display, Tony poured the most delectable cheese sauce over the plate. The combination is heavenly.
Other dishes I feel strongly about are the foie gras on toast with a poached pear (if you're a foie fan, eat your heart (liver?) out). Surprisingly, I'm also a fan of the tuna tartare. Although not terribly creative, they serve it with a balsamic reduction, which is rare and delicious. For dinner, I highly suggest the beef tenderloin - the wild boar is incredible as well. My boyfriend loves the combination of the boar with the cherry reduction, but I find it a tad sweet.
Guys, take your girl. Girls, take your guy. We love it as a date spot. Everyone, take your parents. They'll order the tasting and foot the bill. -
Review from Alexis A.
Inglewood, CA
11/29/2011
I heard about this place and tried it last saturday with my boyfriend. when we arrived we saw a very cute yellow house as the resturaunt. we walked in and were greeted by a very warm host. we were seated upstairs, and the service was excellent. The food was amazing! What a place! Then we found out the host was actually the owner! What a charming guy... Paolo
p.s. if you decide to come to ado you have to try the white truffle ;) -
Review from Brittany K.
Santa Monica, CA
11/28/2011
This restaurant is so damn romantic...its just too mad you have to share that wonderful romantic vibe with a full house of people :/
I took my boyfriend here for Valentines Day and this place was packed. Despite our 9 oclock reservations, we still had to wait 20m. At least this wait came with a complimentary champagne glass!
The food here is terrific, the service is cute bec the waiters are all italian and have very heavy accents, and the vibe is just super romantic.
Love this place, I just have to come back when its not Valentines Day. -
Review from food f.
Los Angeles, CA
11/26/2011
We wanted to love Ado. Making a reservation was easy and the staff friendly. Paolo greeted us at the door and we were seated right away, the waiter was attentive. We asked for wine recommendations in a price range and he immediately offered one that was more then we wanted to spend, which was annoying but not unusual. And the wine was good!
I had the beet pasta and it was as good as I expected. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the Ragu was delicious.
The reason that I gave Ado only three stars is that my friend had the John Dory special and while the sauce was good the fish was OVER COOKED. And for $38. this is inexcusable. The scallop appetizer was delicious, as was the salad and dessert.
Overall the experience was positive but i don't know that I would return. -
Review from Lucy W.
Santa Monica, CA
7/4/2011
My new favorite Italian Restaurant! The restaurant is out of the ordinary, looks and feel like "home", very charming, lively and makes you feel like you are in Italy! The service is great, and the food, the BEST!
My friend and I shared Foie Gras for appetizer (super delicious - we almost licked the plate), then we ordered 2 specials entrees (they are not on the menu). She had Langoustine and I had the Tagliolini Pasta with Scallops and Wild Mushrooms. Both were excellent. This is truly the place to go for Italian food cooked with passion and care. Our wine and dessert were also lovely, and selected for us by the host.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place and will definitely come back again and again and you should too! -
Review from J C.
Venice, CA
10/2/2011
Wonderful foods!
Cute yellow beach house in Venice!
My husband and I love the place so much that we had our private party there.
Our guests of the party loved foods and drinks too and some of them also decided to have parties at the place as well.
Very friendly owner and staff.
If you want to eat awesome Italian foods you must try the restaurant! -
Review from LeAnna C.
Los Angeles, CA
6/16/2011
Authentic Italian at it's BEST!
I once heard this restaurant described as "Giorgio Baldi without all of the attitude". Between the excellent service, delectable menu, and quaint setting (in a cute yellow house) I'd say this might be one of the best Italian restaurants that I've been to in Los Angeles.
My husband and I went on a triple date here and all of us were discovering it for the first time. Hands down, we all loved every single bite. Thumbs up from all six of us.
We had the following dishes (and shared each one):
~Capesante alla Griglia su Fonduta di Parmigiano e Tartufo Nero
(Grilled Sea Scallops served on a bed of Parmesan Cheese Fondue and topped with Shaved Black Truffles) ***"Best scallops I've ever tasted" (those words were uttered by more than one of us at the table)!
~Tartara di Tonno (Ahi Tuna Tartare served with Avocado, Capers and Balsamic Essence) and it was excellent. I don't normally order tuna tartare because it seems that everyone serves it but this was exceptional.
~Prosciutto e Burrata (18-Months Black Label Prosciutto di Parma and Burrata Cheese). Delish!
Entrees:
~Tagliolini Rossi con Ragu di Quaglia in Fonduta di Taleggio (Home-Made Red Beet Tagliolini Pasta in a Marsala Quail Ragù served on a bed of Taleggio Cheese Fondue) ***Holy moly!!! This was AWESOME. Our waiter introduced it by saying "if you don't like beets then order this beet pasta dish". Our friends who don't like beets ordered it...and LOVED everything about it.
~Pappardelle al Ragu di Coniglio con Porcini e Prugne Secche
(Home-Made Pappardelle in a White Wine Rabbit Ragu with Porcini Mushrooms and Prunes). Fantastic! It wasn't my favorite but my husband enjoyed this dish a lot.
~Filetto di Bue al Barolo Tartufato
(Pan Seared Beef Filet Mignon served with a Barolo Truffle Butter Sauce). Very good.
Overall, there was not one thing that we were served that was short of being amazing. I will return...when I do I will have the scallops, tuna tartare, and the beet pasta. For me those were the top picks of the night! -
Review from Casey T.
Los Angeles, CA
5/31/2011
If you're craving authentic italian, Ado is the place to go. We walked into this bright, cozy Venice home turned ristorante and were greeted by a chorus of "Bona sera!" from the handsome waiters (all seemed to have come straight off the boat and found each other here).
The menu is small but everything is fresh (can't go wrong with hand made pasta!), portions are just right and the dishes pack such a flavor, my mouth is turning into a waterfall just thinking of it now! I had the Insalata di Crescione to start and Spaghetti alla Chitarra as my entree... both were spectacular! Everyone at our table had clean plates! And as our meal came to a close, we were surprised with two unbelievable desserts (gratis)! Thats amore!
Another great bonus Ado offers is that they allow you to bring your own bottle of wine at a corkage fee of a mere $6.00.
Between the charm of the staff who skirt around the cozy 2nd floor dining room with "miscuzi bella", decadent desserts and perfectly portioned, tasty and authentic dishes - Ado is a big win in this girls book! -
Review from Julia B.
Chino, CA
My experience with Ado can be summed up in one word...AMAZING!!!
The restaurant is an old yellow cottage converted into a "5 star" Italian eatery. You can sit outside on the patio area downstairs, inside downstairs or upstairs or the balcony area at the top..which is where we sat. It was perfect for our date night to watch the sunset as we were finishing up our meal and sipping on our glasses of wine.
All the staff was unbelievabley nice and our waiter was very attentive to every need we had. My husband found a knat in his wine glass (we were sitting outside so I dont blame them at all for that) and the waiter got it right away and brought a new glass with no hesitation.
As far as the food...it was the best authentic Italian food I've ever had and my husband's grandma is 100% Italian so i've had a taste of good food. I ordered the red beet pasta with quail ragu, it doesn't look appealing but it was very delicious. My husband had the wild boar in raspberry sauce, the sweet taste of the sauce and the bold taste of the boar makes for a very yummy dinner. -
Review from Sean M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/16/2011
I took my wife here for Valentine's Day. We had a great time and the food was extraordinarily delicious. We arrived in the early evening, and were lucky enough to be the first couple to be seated upstairs at a candle-lit table next to a window. The homely yellow cottage provided an intimate atmosphere and was a perfect setting for the occasion.
My wife had the Filetto di Bue al Barolo Tartufato (Pan Seared Beef Filet Mignon served with a Barolo Truffle Butter Sauce) which was out of this world delicious. She declares it the best filet mignon she's ever had, and the sauce equally amazing. The portions were small, but the perfect fit for her appetite.
I had the white fish special (don't remember the exact type of fish) because there were no attractive vegetarian options, and our waiter recommended it. Being a vegetarian, I will very rarely eat a non-vegetarian dish but I must say this was a worthy exception. The fish was cooked perfectly, melted in your mouth and was served with a heavenly sauce that was on par with the Truffle Butter sauce (which I tried and which induced flavor shock).
We had the mousse for dessert which was tiny but amazingly delicious and a perfect ending to a wonderful meal.
The service throughout was excellent. Definitely on the pricey side but well worth it, particularly for special occasions. -
Review from John R.
5/12/2011
What a great place!
Small little yellow house on Main St. in Venice.
So we arrived, it was about 60'ish degrees, a bit of a breeze. We opted for the patio, surrounded with heaters. Totally comfortable and worked great.
Dungeness Crab, Valencia Oranges, and Wild Arugula
Home-Made Red Beet Tagliolini Pasta
Veal Chop Special (Medium Rare of course)
Mousse trio
Not to mention, an amazing 2006 Amarone.
And after all of the above, completely satisfied.
All in all, a definite winner. Highly recommended. Do not miss this amazing Italian place. I think I'll go back right now! -
Review from Erin O.
Los Angeles, CA
5/12/2011
Ate there last night on a romantic anniversary date with my honey. Thanks Yelpers for getting us there! I'm a pescetarian, so my options were limited but freaking delicious.
Complimentary prosecco was great, the bread was bread, then we shared the truffle scallops antipasti: Capesante alla Griglia su Fonduta di Parmigiano e Tartufo Nero for $18.00, we each got one. Pricey, but amazing.
Next I had the TO-DIE-FOR Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Melanzane Fritte, Pesto e Ricotta Salata for $16.00 (in English: Home-Made Square Spaghetti with Fried Japanese Eggplant and Tomato Sauce, topped with Ricotta Salata and Basil Pesto.) I'm still dreaming about that one -- best pasta I've ever had. Honey had the beef ravioli, which he liked a lot.
Dessert was a trio of mousses, yummy but I'm much more of a savory than sweet fan.
Great ambience, single candle on the table, amazing waiter who recommended the $16 pasta over the $32 sea bass, gotta love that.
Wish there was more food on the plates but people this ain't no Bucca di Beppo... think Giorgio Baldi without the hustle out the door.
Very memorable dining! We'll be back... -
Review from Matt L.
3/9/2011
I can't believe how many times I had past this gem not realizing the yellow house was a restaurant. My gf brought me here last week and I'm thrilled she did. We sat up stairs at a little table for two. The crowded, dark, intimate vibe of the dining room was a great change of pace. I knew we were in for a treat...
We started with Prosciutto e Burrata which is 18-Months Black Label Prosciutto di Parma and Burrata Cheese and out of this world. 17 bucks, but worth it.
Then we had two pasta dishes: Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Melanzane Fritte and the home-made ravioli filled with beef tenderloin and black kale. The pasta was fresh & delicious.
The service was great & a solid wine selection.
Its pricey, but worth it. -
Review from Ashley d.
Playa Del Rey, CA
2/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend and I went here on the Saturday before Valentines Day this year and it was absolutely the PERFECT experience. We ran a bit behind due to traffic, and called ahead to make sure they knew we would be a bit late. They told us it would be absolutely no problem. When we showed up, the valet greeted us, then a very cordial host who showed us around each seating area to give us our choice.
Seating: We chose the upstairs balcony (there are only about 3 tables up there), and it was very romantic. (Heat lamps too, which was a huge plus!) I did get a chance to see the inside and the lower patio though, and I can't wait to come back to experience those areas as well!
Service: Our waiter was SO nice and authentic Italian which totally set the mood. He explained how Ado works and how special each dish is. I inquired about their 1/2 bottle of Chianti and he gave me a wonderful description of the wine that was very thorough and exactly what I wanted to hear.
Food: First off, the bread they serve you with olive oil is UNBELIEVABLE. Melts in your mouth. We took the waiter's recommendation and ordered what they are most famous for: the Red Beet Tagliolini Pasta with the Marsala Quail Ragù served over Taleggio Cheese Fondue. I have never tasted such an unbelievable combination of flavors. I noticed other reviews mentioned the small portion size; and I too was a little concerned that it wasn't going to be enough. (Only because it was so good, I wanted to eat it forever!) Fortunately, if you really savor the meal with a good wine (I highly recommend the 1/2 bottle of Chianti, for only 29.00$), it ends up being PLENTY. You feel yourself getting more and more full on the drive home.
All I can say is, we are DEFINITELY going back. Yes it is expensive, and not the biggest place in the world, but if you want a real experience and an absolutely unforgettable dinner....this is hands down one of the best places in the area.
Thank you ADO! -
Review from shel r.
Venice, CA
11/15/2011
Romantic. Delicious. Great menu. Friendly and attentive service. Give it a try if you like truffles and/or great pasta.
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Review from Kayo N.
Brooklyn, NY
3/21/2011
I absolutely loved this place! We received fantastic service from the maitre'd (especially the complimentary prosecco during our wait for a table) which automatically earns a restaurant an extra star in my book!
Food was also stellar - I had a deliciously rich sauteed foie gras appetizer complemented by sliced poached pears. I stole a bite of a friend's burrata and Prosciutto app which was simple yet decadent. My entree was a very memorable pasta with a ground quail meat sauce with the consistency of a thick gravy. Velvety, silky and just so flavorful. It was heavenly. I don't recall desserts as I was sufficiently drunk by then. -
Review from Kiko Z.
Los Angeles, CA
2/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
all I have to say is.........OMG THIS PLACE IS SO AWESOME!
Valentine's weekend, me and the boyfriend spent the day at Venice Beach and decided to have a romantic dinner somewhere close. Found Ado on my Yelp app on my phone and called them at 4:30pm to make a reservation for 5:30pm.
We showed up at 5:30pm and fell in love with the decor!!!! The yellow walls are beautiful and the inside is so cosy yet elegant! We were seated upsairs. It was still early but about 4 other tables are seated already, some waiting for their friends.
Our waiter, tony, is great. He told us about the specials of the night (including a pasta dish tossed in black truffle and olive oil) and we ordered. On a side note, all the waiters here are Italian (or at least spkea fluent Italian) and are all great looking! :D
The food:
Appetizer: Seared scallops in a buttery sauce (I forget what sauce) with black truffle shavings. $18. Large sea scallops seared to perfection! Did not skim on the truffles either, quite a few shavings. The boyfriend was excited about having truffles for the first time. It was pricey thought, considering that there's only two scallops..
Entrees:
Mine: Pasta with White wine and Rabbit ragu. This was the first time I tried pasta with a rabbit sauce and the first time to have rabbit again after I left China at 12. the sauce was great, a little rich for Italian food but it was full of flavor and texture. Pasta was a lil undercooked in my opinion but in their defense I love soft noodles, I ask for soft noodles at Daikokuya every time when everyone else loves their ramen as they are.
Boyfriend's: Lamb chops. I didn't try any (just got braces and can't really bite) but it looked great. Lamb was from Australian (New Zealands' better!) and there were 3 chops with vegetable on the side. He thought it was the best lamb he had ever had and the portion was pretty big.
Dessert:
We shared a chocolate moussee tart thingy. By the time we got dessert, the place was filled and pretty noisy so when the dessert waiter told us about the dessert menu (they don't have a paper dessert menu it's just that one waiter) I just picked one that sounded the softest (again the braces). The dessert was decent, nothing spectacular, but it's just one restaurant you can't expect them to do everything right.
Me and the bf sat by the window and the candle on our table kept blowing out. Tony would always come by and light the candle over and over again, I thought that was very sweet of him.
Overall just a great romantic dinner and we are difinitly coming back!!!
The bill came to $93, pretty expensive, so it's not a place for the casual friday night dinner that's for sure.
