On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
Thank you tiramisu!! This was the perfect place to have my birthday dinner.
The owner was SO accommodating! I called around 4pm on the same day and requested a reservation for 10 people at 7:30pm. He absolutely made it happen...and when I had 2 extra people show up, he was really helpful and nice about adding in the extra chairs and made absolutely no problem of it like other places do. When we spilled our wine...on ourselves....he came over promptly with a stack of linen napkins and was apologizing profusely. I told him we did it on our own...and he said "Well, I am still sorry for that." I felt like I was one of the made in goodfellas. This place has that TRUE Italian family owned feeling. The service was impeccable and I really just wanted to hug this guy for making my night go so smoothly!
Now, onto the food.
Let's start talking about the delicious flat bread they serve first with the amazing garlic infused olive oil. Really excellent bread. Really excellent flavorful oil.
Then we had some appetizers, which were really delicious. I had the artichoke cakes, which were flavorful and tasty. We devoured those quickly. Other people had the caprese salad made with heirlooms and they all gave it big thumbs up.
For entrees, we had a big mixture of choices at the table and EVERYONE loved their dish. That says a lot. There wasn't one complaint at a table of 12 people. I had the chicken cipriani, which was the perfect portion and was very flavorful and yet not too heavy. The lasagna across from me looked AMAZING! My fiance had the ravioli Maria, which he said was so good he wished he had ordered a second plate of it.
The finale was the tiramisu. Wow. No wonder this place named their business after this dessert. They really make a delicious tiramisu. I lived in Italy while in college and I always remember my best friend's grandma's tiramisu....this was very similar to it. So light, yet dense and flavorful. The perfect hint of espresso but only through the decadence of chocolate. Yum.
Did I mention the fact that the owner came over and put about a full martini glass of vodka in my drink after my boyfriend asked for an extra shot to make me have that bday buzz?? What a generous guy....he really made my night!!!
I LOVE this place and can't wait to go back to try the lasagna, say thank you to the owner end enjoy a nice date night dinner.
Great place.
Judging by the flood of positive reviews, we must of hit this place up on an off night. We had horrible service that can only be described as negligent: our waiter never checked on us after giving us our food, so we didn't get a chance to even tell the guy he forgot to bring us our drink we ordered. When the food came out, the other waiter (they apparently have 3 people taking care of your table, yet no one can hear you/take care of you) said, "Do you want some parmesan?", my boyfriend said yes, and the guy said, "Ok then, enjoy your meal" and ran away. After waiting forever for our check, we then had to wait another 25 minutes for them to return it.
The food was ok, but by the time it got there, we were so annoyed by the $17 lasagna to even enjoy anything.
I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: Small, dark, go on a date type of place. Really small bar area.
Service: Pretty quick and nice.
Food: Good osso bucco, but some of the pasta dishes were a bit bland.
Price: Average.
Would I go back? Maybe.
Food was good....but what's the point if the service is TERRIBLE!
I don't need to be entertained...I just like normal service. I hate having to WORK for the basics when I'm out on a date with my wife. The place was packed, but there was only one waiter in out entire room. Spoke to him twice (order and pay). Had to find and BEG the manager for a glass of wine with dinner.
I guess all of the people are in there for the food, but I like to get bread in less than 20 minutes when I've waited an hour for the table. It's not the solo bus boys fault. He was literally RUNNING in the dining room. I even saw him do a spin move while I was trying to flag him down to tell him that two ends is not a basket of bread. Why don't they hire more waiters. I'm sure with the prices they charge, they can afford it.
Not only is the food and service amazing , but I would highly recommend this restaurant for special events. We had a reception for a family member a few weeks ago for 13 people. Everything was perfect and Peter came up with a great pre fixe menu that also gave people choices.
I have used this restaurant for catering, and again always perfect. They really try and work with you to make your event memorable.The food and service are always excellent.Really talented and nice owners.
Had dinner here with a friend. Nice atmosphere. Cozy. Seated promptly. Service was excellent. I had the Pappardelle con Arrosto d'Agnello e Zucca. This is pasta with a lamb ragu and butternut squash. It was EXCELLENT. Not too rich, so you can power through the whole thing and never say to yourself, "i wish i'd ordered something besides pasta." I plan to return and to re-live. :-)
Good food, nice vibe. If you want to spot your meal with someone it costs an extra $3.
Great location from where I live in Sherman Oaks. The food was great too and the service was really great!!
We enjoyed a nice bottle of wine (actually TWO) and thought the food was very good. They made me eggplant parm as an entree even though they only usually offer it as an appetizer. Very nice!
The only issues were that it was pouring raining and according to YELP, they offer valet parking but they do not (or they did not last Friday!). It was a bit noisy when we first sat down due to the tile floors but that quickly went away or we got used to it. Also, the table we were at for 4 people was a little snug.
BUT, I would defintiely recommend this place as the pluses outweigh the minuses!
I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about Il Tiramisu!
This is currently my favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. There was even a point where I couldn't go a few days without having lunch at Il Tiramisu. I went there so much, I got to know the owner, who would give me free tiramisu.
Now, don't worry... That isn't the reason that I'm giving the place 5 stars. I mean, the reason they started giving me free dessert was because I was there all the time because of how much I love the food.
I grew up around some amazing Italian restaurants in the Philippines. That may sound strange given that you wouldn't expect classic, gourmet, Italian in an Asian country... But we had a number of foreigners from all over the world, and the Filipinos LOVE food. So, we have chefs from every country coming to start serious business in Manila.
I've had such savory and fresh pastas there, that I've had such a hard time finding restaurants that can compare. Even simple Bolognese has been a task... Everyone's shoving tomatoes and meat in a pot, neglecting the secret ingredient that creates that full-bodied flavor.
But il Tiramisu's got it all. Full and savory sauces. Fresh pasta. Not TOO salty, but never bland. The freshest and highest quality of ingredients, without being out-of-control with their prices.
I've had their lamb and butternut squash ragu... Such delicate flavors, the saltiness of the lamb ragu accented with sweet chunks of butternut squash... Ohhh.... heaven...
Even their freshly made Margherita pizza... Crispy thin crust with fresh tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, flavors blending together as one...
But my favorite... Is not on the menu.
I'll often times just go in and ask for Capellini pasta with pink sauce and a side of grilled Italian sausage. Amazing. It's so simple, and yet it makes me so happy... You know the look that food critic in Ratatouille had after he tried that rat's ratatouille? Flavors that just took him to a place in his head that was comfortable and happy? Such a simple dish but so delicious that it made him cry? That's me with this dish.
No other place that I've tried has had Italian sausage like Il Tiramisu's. The owner often teases that I'm really Italian because of my specificity when it comes to their food.
And then of course, there's the Tiramisu. Which is just the perfect way to end the meal. How do they make it heavy and light at the same time? Fluffy yet so rich.
OH... and did I mention the fresh bread with fresh garlic infused olive oil that they serve in the beginning? I like to mix it up with balsamic vinegar and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Plus... Great servings and quality for the price. So worth it all.
All this talk about il Tiramisu is killing me. I might just have to go back tomorrow. :)
PS. If you don't want to pay for valet, find street parking! There's plenty to go around. But bring coins!
This place is AWESOME!!! The bread is warm and fresh. The olive oil dipping sauce is amazing. My fiance ordered the butternut squash pasta dish and it was so delicious! I got the penne with chicken, broccoli and sun dried tomatoes and I would definitely get it again. For dessert we tried the tiramisu. We knew it had to be good! It definitely met expectations. The ambience is nice. The lights are dim. The people are so friendly. The service is outstanding! I will definitely come back soon!
We went to Il Tiramisu based on overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends who went for a romantic dinner. We arrived with a reservation and the hostess had us wait in the very small bar area, which was empty. After five minutes, we were seated in a crowded, loud area. After 15 minutes, we hadn't seen a waiter but did get bread. Because we had yet to see a waiter, I was about to approach the hostess and ask (facetiously) if it was serve-yourself set-up because the kitchen is visible in the small restaurant. Finally, the manager approached us, asked if we'd been waited on and took our order. The food came as scheduled and was really good. We ordered a salad and pizza. Some time in the middle of our meal, the manager was replaced by an actual server but we never got his name or an understanding what was going on between seeing two different people. We split dessert -- figured we had to have tiramisu -- and it was a unique presentation but was rather bland. The tiramisu is a cream cake in a hard chocolate shell -- wasn't among the best I've had. When the meal was complete, we waited another 15 minutes for the check to arrive after we requested it. I usually tip 18-20%, but had to tip 14% for what was very poor service for a restaurant that is trying to be a class above. On this night, they needed to have better service -- more waiters, better trained staff, etc. -- if they expect to see return business. It's doubtful we'll return soon if at all.
Enjoyed a nice dinner here with a friend recently. My 1st impression was a good one because it had the feel of a nice family run Italian restaurant. It wasn't too loud nor too quiet. There was only 1 empty table and it was a Sunday night. The owner greeted us as we walked in and we were seated immediately.
The requisite bread basket & olive oil (with roasted garlic) was very good. I ordered the lasagne alla bolognese and my friend had the penne pasta with chicken, sun dried tomatoes & brocolli. My friend enjoyed her penne dish a lot and it was a healthy serving. I really liked the lasagna. It was delish. It didnt have too much cheese and the meat was plentiful. The wine was good. The service was very friendly. The owner went around the restaurant to check in on the patrons. That's always a nice touch... Will definitely save room for dessert on the next trip.
My friend and I had a nice dinner here. There were numerous dishes that I wanted to try.
It was quite pricey, and you have to pay for valet unless you can find a meter.
I'm such the Westside girl, so you know it's got to be something special that gets me into the 818. I'd say this cozy little Italian ristorante is well worth the trek on the 405!
My friend and I weren't very hungry so we sat at the bar and decided to stick to apps and wine. Lucky for us, the owner, Peter was there and he let us try several wines of his suggestion before choosing. He was completely present to us yet aware of greeting everyone a warm hello or goodbye. Let's face it, that makes a huge difference as most Yelper's have noted Peter's genuine friendliness. The good food without excellent service makes it just okay in my book.
We had a very un-Italian dish of Gamberi Aromatici which is shrimp sauteed in ginger, fennel and lime. Delicious. The special soup that night was a broccoli mint vegan puree with a drop of cayenne oil in the middle. They cayenne added just enough spice that was not overpowering.
I'll be back for a full meal soon...
Il Tiramisu is a very cute and cozy restaurant. You won't go wrong with this place. It has the IT.
Besides the cuteness and coziness it has very warm atmosphere. The people who own and the people who work there make the place a quite enjoyable for the customers. And I couldn't give nothing but a 5 star rating!!!!!
I had been here twice a while ago, but today I had to go to make sure that I remember well why I like this place so much.
The moment we got in, we had the warmest welcome from the owner, who was a wonderful host and very caring to all his customers.
The design of the store it's good for romantic dinners, is good for family dinners and of course with friends.
Like I have mentioned in my previous reviews, the smaller the menu, the better the quality of food. They have great wine selection from California to Italy. Their bread is great along with the olive oil dip which has some spice and garlic flavor in it, tastes very homemade, along with the bread, which is homemade as well.
I got lentil soup, mmm mmm good. My main course was crepes with ground lamb with special sauce. 3x mmm! With a glass of Napa Valley Pinot Noir.
My dessert was their special made tiramisu, which is served in a tulip shaped dark chocolate, topped with fresh strawberries and rich mascarpone cheese. 5x mmm!
We got dessert-champaign on the house with peach flavor, which was a great plus! and warm and tight hug from the owner, who insisted that we were one of the best customers they've ever had. :D
p.s. needless to mention that I have seen very few owners to help out on serving and treating nice the waiters. It says a lot about the person and the place.
Enjoy!
Another rating by mois with 4 stars!
1. It has nice design
2. the owner is such a nice man with great…
Read more »
Ate here for the first time ever recently, and i had a terrific meal. Everyone at my table really enjoyed their food and agreed that we should come back.
The service is really good and attentive. The menu has something for everyone and the ambience is good casual italian. I like restaurants that don't feel full even when they are full and that is definitely the deal here.
Its a bit pricey my salmon was 18 bucks, but it was really really good. The folks who got traditional italian dishes said they were as good as anything they've had at other italian places they like.
i think i will be back
I've been here only once, but not by choice. I would make it a point to go at least once a month if i still lived in the valley.
I went here for lunch with my bosses and co-workers for my goodbye meal i think. It was pretty empty when we got there so it was nice and quiet. I had the fish and chips salad. Sounds weird right? Best freaking salad i've ever had. They have this whole grain mustard dressing that is to DIE FOR. I dream about it at night sometimes.
Lovely spot for a Sunday dinner - good for small groups or a date. The owner was warm and friendly and his Italian charm made me smile. Though I had three different waiters throughout my meal, they each made an effort to explain the transitions and keep us comfortable.
The mixed green salad was really great as far as salads go: thinly shaved wedges of Parmesan cheese atop a large bed of verdant mixed greens, tossed in a really tasty balsamic dressing. My chicken cipriani was delicious too. Pounded chicken breast topped with artichoke hearts in a white wine sauce and accompanied with a ragout (eggplant?) and roasted potatoes. The Paso Robles syrah was spot on.
Yum! Another fantastic family owned business! Because my little stomach was full from lunch I tasted a bit of EVERYTHING.
And it was all delicious!
We had:
Insalata della Casa
Caprese
Torta di Carciofini e Peperoni Rossi Frullati (artichoke heart cakes)
Margherita Pizza
Penne alla Toscana (Pasta with broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, and chicken)
Filetto di Salmone con Avocado e Salsa al Miele
The salmon was especially tasty! But I really liked everything I tried! Everything tasted well prepared and well seasoned.
And then...desert! My brother's girlfriend fathers loves desert so we tried a little of everything!
Panna Cotta- Light vanilla bean custard, chilled with fresh strawberries. Really good! Not my favorite, but if you like panna cotta, you'll LOVE this.
Tiramisù alla Katerina- Served in a white and dark chocolate tulip shaped cup, and topped with fresh strawberries. This was my favorite! So rich and creamy....dark chocolate is my Kryptonite. There. I said it.
Crème Brûlée ai Mirtilli, with raspberries- This was delicious! I could have eaten the whole thing to my face. That is a problem.
As you can tell, I had had a great variety of food at Tiramisu, and I enjoyed every bite! This is a great date spot! You can expect warm service, a mellow setting, and wonderful food!
This place is great! The owner is so nice and the food amazing. There did seem to be a lot of veal on the menu, though it could have just been the special that night.
One of the best Italian restaurants I've found in LA/No Ho.
First off I love the owner? (or manager) guy that greets us inside the door. He's totally Italian in accent and manners and he is GREAT at flattering women. So guys, if you want to take your girlfriend out to a nice low lit Italian place that will make them feel pretty and happy, take them here!
I love their bread/flat bread basket that gets served... we eat them with a plate of olive oil, salt & pepper.
Try their scallops with cramberries for appetiser.
For main course, I personally love their seafood linguini! They bring it to the table after poaching the pasta/seafood in foil, and open the foil at the table.
I always go with their tiramisu in a chocolate tulip cup for dessert. Really rich and pretty to look at, great dessert to share with your significant other : )
I always drive by this place but never really thought to try it because it looked like 'just another Italian place on Ventura'. I always remember it because every single time i drive by i always do a double take thinking it says "IL Tramezzino" (which is a couple blocks down) and it always gets me really confused and turned around. Not to mention i always almost crash while i'm trying to read the name over and over again while driving. Haha, oops.
Last night my boyfriend and i were planning on heading over to Sunset for the night/dinner, but ended up getting uh...distracted at home and didn't end up leaving til 9ish. And by then we were starving and didn't feel like driving over the hill just for dinner. So we cruised Ventura and i suggested we give this place a try. After paying $4 and getting our car "valet" parked...in a spot literally 2 feet away from where we were standing, we headed in.
It was towards the end of the night so it was pretty slow, but we were greeted by the chef who was super nice and cheery. We sat by the window and munched on the fresh bread and garlic olive oil and started off with a caprese salad, our fave. Our waiter (the nicest and cutest little man of all time!!) came and told us about the specials, one of which was some Australian fish (i forgot the name) similar to bass and served with a lemon cream sauce, and roasted veggies and potatoes. My boyfriend ordered that and was OBSESSED with it. Now, Dylan isn't usually one to talk about how amazing his meal is. He's more of a "it's pretty good" kind of guy. But he would nottt shutup about how much he loved his meal. He practically licked the plate clean. He got it with a glass of the Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, which our waiter suggested he pair the fish with and it was delicious.
As for myself, whenever i see any kind of stuffed pasta with butternut squash on a menu, i am incapable of not ordering it. Something about it just captivates me and i just close the menu after i see that item, haha. I opted out of getting wine because i already drank too much the night before and just wasn't in the mood. My pasta was absolutely amazing. I could only finish half of it because it was so rich, but ever since i woke up this morning all i can think about is eating my leftovers hahah. We were both so full that we couldn't get dessert! Which rarely happens with us. Our bill came out to $65 which isn't a "bargain" but well worth it if you ask me.
Although i'm not a fan of tiramisu, i'll have to come back and give theirs a try to see if they live up to their name. I'm sure they do. :)
5 stars, easily. We'll be back. this might be one of my new favorite Italian places in the valley.
We love going to Il Tirmamisu with friends or family. This is a family-run business that has it's own cozy, warm style. It is a wonderful find away from the typical Italian (Mediterranean) chain places. The specials are always delightful. The menu has a good selection. The food is fresh and healthy. We especially love lunches with Ivo. He is very attentive and helpful. Dinners can be very busy and the attention can be less due to the overload. But none-the-less, it's always delicious.
came here last nite with my big sis... she doesnt come to the vallley much so she wanted me to pick somewhere. it was a toss up between here and cafe carolina... but the atmosphere here is way better than cafe carolina. everyone is so sweet, peter came by the table numerous times to see how things are. we ordered their special beet, with onions and cherries and a sprinkling of cheese.. ok presentation sucked and we coulda made better beets at home. their bread and garlic olive oil was yummy... ok fary gets the veal milanese and i get the ravioli with ricotta and spinach. i was hoping on their crepes with beef and they didnt have it :(... fary said the veal was perfect, came with green beans and mashed potatoe.. we brought our own bottle of wine and corkage was only $5.... i love this place love love love,.,,., now if only they could do hh! oh the -1 star was the beet salad special..
I can never decide which I like best about this place... the ambiance or the service. I'll flip a coin.
The ambiance is very romantic starting with the outside. They have old rustic windows and small white twinkle lights. The inside is dimly lit, roses on the table, and the mood is romantic. Definitely a great date place.
As for the service, it is ALWAYS excellent. I had dinner there last night, but it was the first time I had been back in maybe two years. I used to come a lot because the manager and staff are always so welcoming. No matter if the place is busy or not, the manager will always come by at least a couple times to make sure everything is okay. I like that.
As for the food, it's good. I usually like what I get, but I am never amazed by any dish. I wish I was 'cause I do love coming here.
Good thing to know:
-Their corkage fee is only $5!
-There is valet parking but it is in the back of the restaurant.
Date place: 5
Service: 5
Food: 3
Went here with the girlfriend and her parentals. I have to say I was impressed with what they had to offer. I ate the Insalata della Casa, Penne alla Toscana , and the Margherita Pizza. Those were all amazingly tasty. I would suggest saving room for desert which could not be more mind blowing. Lots of sugar, lots of yum, lots italian mouth orgy. I also like their beer selections, which had to be some of the better in the valley. They cater to the foodies that is for sure. So if anyone asks me if they want to go here again they can count me in, for sure!
Love this place! It's a bit pricey, so I'd recommend stopping by at lunch if you'd like to try it out, as it's a lot more reasonable that way. Our meals were incredibly tasty, and the tulip/ice cream dessert we had was pretty much friggin' unbelievable.
I think the atmosphere would be pretty romantic, but I was here with my mom, so, ya know, I could only judge so much.
If you want delicious Italian food, romantic atmosphere and a friendly staff and you're willing to spend some money, this is your place.
I happened to wander into this place in jeans and t-shirt just looking for a bite to eat. I admit, it didn't seem like much at first glance. The bar area is very small, in fact, the restaurant itself isn't very big either. The entire place is dimly lit with candles and each table is simply decorated with a tablecloth and a flower.
The first thing I noticed was their incredible service. Here I was, in this fancy eatery in my jeans and they treated me like a queen. The owner and his son make their way to every table to talk with every patron and the waiters seem to always be standing by waiting to refill a glass or offer you dessert.
I started with a fresh spinach salad topped with feta cheese and a huge portabello mushroom following it up with their Ravioli Maria: cheese ravioli served with tomato cream sauce and finished it up with their famous Tiramisu, served in a chocolate shell with strawberries. Amazing!
I've been a fan ever since. I've been there several times (usually to celebrate) and neither I nor anyone that has accompanied me has ever been disappointed. Be prepared to spend some money but I think it's worth it (at the very least, to celebrate).
Specials are always VERY well made, fresh.
Olive oil dipping sauce is the best I've ever tasted.
Owners are terrific, charming, accommodating,
They are willing to further crisp the flat bread, if you request it.
My guests and I order food with the sauces on the side. A proclivity of mine.
mfBecker
My friend Jesus took me here because he eats here all the time. He is Jesus on KFI 640 on Sunday mornings at 6 am. Check him out. I don't like the desert Tiramisu so I've avoided this place but it's really good. I had the best lasagna I've ever had, the service is top shelf, especailly if you go with Jesus.
I can't wait to try everything else. It's across from Archies Of Hollywood, in Sherman Oaks, where I get my hair cut. That's so interesting. I also had a double Captain and Diet Coke which was a total victory.
They have a rad wine dinner the last thursday of every month. They are super*s for making the wines virtually all-you-can-chug. . . I mean drink. It costs $80 including tip but it was yummy.
We sat and were immediately given the featured winery's brut along with delicious flat bread and garlic olive oil.
Two bubbly refills later our first food course arrived; grilled scallops in a mango arugula salad. Paired with a Sav Blanc. Hmm. . . .
Next up were lamb ravioli married to a pinot noir-like merlot. It turns out the merlot was 15% cab. Chocolate, leather, and tobacco ran from my tongue to my 'glotis.
Main fight were: short ribs surrounded by horseradish potatos, and mini-beans. It was cab sav harmony. The ribs melted in my mouth, not in my hands.
My sweet tooth attracted sweet bread topped with white cream, raspberries and candied confections. Tawnied port from Seppelt of Oz numbed my mind; all for me to forget the grind.
I'll Tear-a-new-meal-sir!
This is like totally in my neighborhood and we've been there 3-4 times.
Every time we've gone it's been good/decent but not enough to go back quickly and when we do go, we say to each other "why don't we come here more often" - and then we don't.
The staff is super-friendly, that's the best part. The food is good, but not great. Lately been wanting to be wowed for my hard earned bucks.
Inspite of all the raving reviews from city search website, this restaurant was nothing less than generic! It makes you wonder what kind of crowd flock this site! After trying this restaurant based on all the reviews I read from city search, I had high regards for the service and the gastronomical experience....Never again will I depend on City Search reviews...all power to the Yelpers!!!! I now believe!!!! The faux ambiance here and wanna-be San Francisco- hip crowd could not disguise the ordinary display and taste of our appetizer, main course, and dessert...but I love the grappa! ...who wouldn't! Don't even dare get a doggie bag unless you want to look like you went shopping in a garage sale...white plastic bags no different from 99cent stores...
I would not recommend this place to anyone beyond average!
-The foccacia bread served freshly hot in a basket...sooo good! Crispy on the outside but soft in the inside... I had to stop myself from eating so much of it before my meal! Among the best breads I've had at a restaurant.
-Good ambience for a restaurant. I liked the paintings of the Italian landscape on the walls.
-The staff was nice. I liked how the manager described the menu in an authentic Italian accent....unless it was an actor, haha.
-My portabello mushroom omelette was pretty good...but nothing I've never tasted before.
-Menu is on the pricey side...lunch dishes averaged $15 a plate. :-(
-Service a bit on the slow side...Took them a while to get our order and cook our food..
-Overall, Tiramisu is a nice restaurant but a little out of my price range.
Good service and the food was ok. It seemed like any other Italian restaurant to me though. Didn't really see what was so great about this place. I have to say, I've experienced better. Pricey I remember (at least for what they offered). I think its somewhere between the 20s for a plate...but the food isn't really worth that much! So skip if you can...
Went there recently with the bf and thought it was a nice place. Service was very good but wasn't impressed with the bread basket. Nice wine selection and a decent size portion. Chicken marsala was very tasty and glad I did not have left overs. Oso bucco was very good as well, meat fell of the bone like it's suppose to. Didn't order dessert so can't comment on that. Will we go back? Sure.
If you like super-authentic Italian, this is probably not your place. I myself have spent a lot of time in Italy, have pretty high standards for Italian, and refuse to eat Fettucini Alfredo as a matter of principle. However, if you are just looking for decent food and nice ambience, you will probably like Il Tiramisu. I went there with my family on 4th of July. We made a reservation through http://OpenTable.com.
Our service was definitely attentive although it felt forced. I'm not sure why Italian restaurants often try to be authentic by having their waiters be overly attentive (yes, there is such a thing) and over-prouncing words. Italian eating is (or at least, should be) all about the food. Service is there to enhance your experience not be a essential part of it. Our waiter was checking in so frequently that he often interrupted our conversation, and several bus boys kept coming by to take my dad's plate when he told one that he wasn't finished. They also brought the bill before we asked for it. I know that Americans are impatient and like everything done at a frenzied pace, but I think there's a huge difference between rushing service when the customer has clearly expressed that they're in a hurry and rushing service when the customers are clearly enjoying their sit-down meal and are interested in taking things slowly and conversing (you know, the Italian way).
Anyway, service aside, the food was decent but not anything outstanding or memorable. I do applaud the owners for not having Americanized dishes like Fettucini Alfredo on the menu, although I don't really think that Chicken Parmesan belongs on such a fancy Italian menu. The shrimp appetizer my sister and I had was fantastic, although it tasted much more Indian and Southeast Asian (with a very strong ginger flavor) than Italian. We also split the Ravioli Maria (house made ravioli with pink cream sauce), which is decent but no better than the ones at Maria's down the street and about $4 more. The Veal Marsala was definitely a highlight - perfectly cooked and with a very savory sauce. My dad's grilled sausage with marinated vegetables was surprisingly good, although the Swiss chard that accompanied it had not been cleaned properly and tasted grainy/dirty. The desserts were definitely good - I had the Panna Cotta and thought it was pretty delicious. My mom's sorbet was also enjoyable.
I didn't think Il Tiramisu offers a bad dining experience, that anything I ate was particularly awful, or that I should give the restaurant a less than 3-star rating. That being said, I really value flavorful food made with fresh ingredients and would rather pay for that than "formal" service or good ambience. I probably won't return to Il Tiramisu unless they shift the focus back to fresh ingredients, memorable flavor combinations, and effective but behind-the-scenes service - what I think Italian eating is all about.
It's a shame that I only found this place a week before I moved from Los Angeles to New York, because I would have gone back many more times. The staff was great as soon as we walked in and took great care of us. The food was really good - and I had just gotten back from a trip to Italy not too long before, so it's the real deal.
The place is small, so you may want to call ahead. It got fairly full after we sat down, so it'd be a good idea.
I ordered one of the specials, and can't for the life of me remember what it was called - but everyone at the table enjoyed their food and everything looked great.
For Italian, it was the best I had in LA, honestly. A lot of places in LA are all hype, nothing to back it up other than getting to eat at the same place that the girls from "The Hills" eat at (LiKe, OMG!), but this place is a small joint off of Ventura that you wouldn't even notice if just driving by. Next time I'm in the Valley, I'll head on over.
Great ambiance for a date. The service was very friendly and attentive and my water glass was always full. Had their special soup and dessert and they were both very good. Highly recommend the place if you like Italian.
I've been going there for a few years and love it! Peter and Pops do a great job at running a friendly, fun and clean restaurant. Carol will take care of all you beverage needs. He will even make up a drink for you and give it your name : D The food is super tasty, esp. the butternut squash soup. YUM!! Def. a place to check out.
St. Valentine's Dinner
Neighborhood: Toluca Lake
Wine Down Weekends
Neighborhood: Studio City
Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: North Hollywood
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Studio City
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Studio City
Category: French
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
My local spots, coffee-wise, grocery-wise and…
I like the bubbly. Problem is, most places have…
These places are awesome, but it didnt' make it to…
I grew up in Southern California, and my parents…
Places actually worth checking out in the SFV. No…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
