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Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina
Review Highlights
"Try the strawberry shortcake its amazing."
(in 5 reviews)
"...freshly baked bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar."
(in 4 reviews)
"Excellent wine list with some surprises."
(in 3 reviews)
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Cici E.
San Francisco, CA
8/22/2011
Absolute perfection! The atmosphere, the food, the service - all were five stars. You will need to make reservations but you will be glad you did.
I grew up in Pacific Grove but never enjoy this restaurant. I was back in town with family and we had an excellent dinner. From the bread first place on the table to the creme brulee dessert everything was superb! -
Review from Barbara M.
Pacific Grove, CA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
My very most favorite Italian restaurant in Monterey County!!! Superb service and fabulous food. Beautiful interior. GO, GO!!!
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Review from Cecelia A.
Pacific Grove, CA
12/18/2011
I've eaten here several times with my family and the food has been consistently fantastic! It's homemade Italian food at its best. The service is great and the ambiance is lovely. Even though you'll throw down some money for it, go there! It'
's worth it for sure. -
Review from John R.
Visalia, CA
12/5/2011
This place was eh.........It was definitely way too much for what you get and to be honest, you can get a better meal at macaroni grill or the olive garden. The food was good but not worth the money. The atmosphere is great and we had great wine but didn't quite meet my easy to meet expectations.
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Review from Kari D.
Carmel, CA
6/2/2011
Excellent!!! We went to this placed based on other Yelper's reviews and we couldn't be more pleased!!! It was my hubby's birthday, and we wanted something different than what we've been to before -- living up here only since December 2010.
My hubby had the special of the night, the Sole special, which was sauteed with a light batter around it, served with rizoto and asparagus. I had another special, canelloni with three cheeses, also with a sauce with a slight amount of meat -- sort of like a bolognese. It was DELICIOUS! We each had a glass of chianti -- just enough! Our starters were salad (and my hubby also had a lentil soup, which I tried, and it was yummy!), and a wonderful flat bread with a little bit of rosemary -- served with oil and balsamic vinegar. I was a little afraid of this, as I don't like rosemary -- but, it was delish!!!
No room for dessert, but, we'll be back! -
Review from Jerry P.
Santa Monica, CA
8/2/2011
Just back from a weekend up north, Joe, the owner here, has a brother who used to own a similar great restaurant in Huntington Beach- Rombi's-the HB one closed several years ago. I would travel to Rombi's HB once a month.
We had the crab ravioli which melted in your mouth, pasta puttenesca with olive oil and anchovy , and sanddabs cooked perfectly. Came with garlic bread -the side of marinara sauce that I asked for was great. All was perfect. Can't be better. 5 Stars. Open Wed-Sun, dinner only. Joe's "Casa" next door is open for lunch, same days.
Quiant place, like the ones in Italy. -
Review from J R.
Pacific Grove, CA
12/12/2011 1 photo
Didn't quite reach the level of a 5, but it was nice to finally eat here with my gf. We showed up about 5:15 Saturday without any reservations & were happy to be seated immediately by the owner. (The place wasn't exactly full.) Great ambience. We were quickly brought a couple of the best bruschetta on Planet Earth, and after finishing those, complimentary focaccia (also outstanding). Dinner salads come with all entrees, and ours were refreshingly cold & crisp and included some corn kernels and a tasty house creamy Italian dressing. Gf's Portobello Mushroom Ravioli were out of this world (described appropriately as "angel pillows with a filling of portobello mushroom, ricotta & fresh herbs"--though there wasn't much ricotta) and served in a light, delicious marinara sauce. My Pasta Puttanesca was a bit less successful. Nothing wrong with it, but I could have done with a tangier, brinier, saltier sauce with more anchovy/caper/olive and less sweet tomato. The desserts (cannoli and a slice of apple-walnut tart) were good but didn't blow me out of the water. All in all, a great experience.
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Review from dan m.
Monterey, CA
6/25/2011
Sort of a local Italian place up the hill, Not bad but the pricing is a little high for a local place. There are better choices in Monterey/Pacific Grove but this one is ok. The excellent bruschetta that is served automatically when you came in is a nice touch.
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Review from Eddie W.
8/22/2010 5 photos
Went here a few weeks ago based of a recommendation from a friend and after reading that their pizza parlor next door received second place in the Monterey Herald local pizza competition I knew this place was worth a try.
We arrived around 5 and were asked if we had a reservation. We stated we did not but they were happy enough to accommodate us and seated us immediately. Within moments of sitting down, we were served promptly by three people with water, plate, and etc. Next, came out some freshly baked bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The bread was absolutely sensational. The exterior was crunchy and gave a great bite while the interior was soft and fluffy. There was a great herb flavor to the bread and just the right balance of savoriness.
For our main course we ordered:
Tortiglioni with Sausage ($21.95) : tortiglioni pasta tossed with italian sausage, onion and red pepper in a spicy tomato sauce
Pasta Rombi ($20.95) :penne pasta tossed with eggplant, bell pepper, mozzarella, sour cream, fresh basil & tomato sauce
My tortiglioni was cooked perfectly al dente and had great texture. As for the sausage, it was cooked well and had decent herb flavor but was one note. The spicy tomato sauce was on the mild side but tasted vibrant and fresh. When paired with the onions, red peppers, and sausage it brought the dish together. I thoroughly enjoyed the dish as a whole despite some minor complaints.
For dessert, we ordered Strawberry Shortcake and Nectarine & Berry Cobbler topped with a scope of Cinnamon Gelato.
The shortcake was dense yet moist and had a great sweet buttery goodness to it. Overall, the dessert was sweet and satisfying without being overpowering. As for the cobbler, the inside was watery due to the juices released from the fruit. Was more soup like than cobbler but tasted delicious nonetheless. Paired with the gelato, it gave the dessert a great zing and cooling effect.
Overall Thoughts
Like most Italian restaurants there comes a heavy price tag, Joe Rombi's is no exception however its worth a try if you are looking for a decent Italian joint in PG -
Review from Lois M.
6/1/2011
The best ravioli in the world! Light and delicate with just a right balance of filling and al-dente pasta. We used to dine regularly at Joe's brother's place in Huntington Beach. It's closed now, but you can tell that the family recipe started here. The place is intimate, homey, and just...well, to quote a line from Twin Peaks..."Damn good (add whatever)". Whenever we travel up to Monterrey area, this is a stop we make. Even though our visits are spotty, they remember us. Excellent wine list with some surprises. When Joe has a special - get it. However, you really must have the ravioli (didn't I just say that?). It is truly heavenly. Wow, I'm hungry. Gotta get Hubby to rev up the car and take a drive...
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Review from Lew R.
Salinas, CA
3/12/2011
Wow! Like revisiting an old friend. We have been here several times but it has been awhile since our last visit. This is why I love Pacific Grove so much as opposed to Carmel...Value. For the dollar they deliver and then some.
We went with friends and the evening started with a wonderful bruschetta for all of us. Then came the warm (OK hot) rosemary/garlic bread. Very tasty. When we finished that they gladly brought a second serving. The entries come with soup and salad and tonight's soup was a brocolli puree. The soup and salad were excellent.
I had the veal marsala with mushrooms which was sweet and delectable. A four star choice. My wife's sole was a little less inspired ,begging out for a sauce or a different crust. Our companions had the lasagna and the chicken picatta and both were happy. Sadly, I was not offered a bite.
We had a bottle of white wine for three and a glass of red for the fourth member. Bottom line, $75 per couple before the gratuity. Not cheap but a true value for the dollar spent. Go to Carmel and see what $75 buys you. -
Review from Nikki L.
10/24/2010
For the rehearsal dinner we wanted someplace casual, laid back and offered family style dining. I had read mixed but mostly positive reviews of Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina from Yelp and other sources.
We were greeted at the entrance by Joe Rombi himself. He directed us to the private room upstairs which was adorned with chic European posters, had nice low lighting and music playing in the background. We got our own private server, George, who was very good to us.
For appetizers, the bruschetta with garlic, fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil was crunchy and delicious. The grilled calamari went well with the tartar sauce. The arancini (fried Italian rice balls) were filled with Italian sausage, proscuitto, onion, peas and mozzarella, wrapped with rice, and served with tomato pesto sauce. Cooked just right, so delicious!
We had a choice of house, ceasar and tomato caprese salad. Our main course consisted of tortiglioini pasta with sausage in spicy (but not too spicy) sauce. The chicken piccaata was breaded chicken breast sauteed with butter, white wine, lemon and capers. It had a wonderful buttery flavor, oh so yummy. We also had a platter of fresh vegetables. All served family style.
The wine selection was fabulous. The dessert tray was to die for, with scrumptious selections like strawberry shortcake and chocolate cake.
Overall - love the ambiance, love the service and love the food. And nothing beats family style dining here! -
Review from Daniel A.
5/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
I had the pleasure of eating here about 5 years ago and was very happy with the food. Unfortunately, my experience today wasn't the same.
Tonight, I had the Calamari appetizer, Portobello Mushroom Ravioli, and the Pasta Puttanesca. The Calamari was tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. The Portobello Mushroom Ravioli was a little bland. The portion size was large, but the taste just wasn't to par. My biggest disappointment came with the Pasta Puttanesca. The dish was so salty that I couldn't finish it (or even eat half).
I really wanted to enjoy this experience, the atmosphere is great and the owner Joe, is always there to greet guests and cook the food. I will give this place another try, but tonight just didn't work out.
Food 3
Atmosphere 4
Service 4 -
Review from elizabeth s.
Greenbrae, CA
8/26/2011
Nice place, service good, but person who seated our large party came over many times to move us along. Very rude, when we were spending large amounts of money, it's not our concern that they have booked the table after us. When confronted with this, he argued with me over and over. To top it off, a member of our party had diarrhea the next day and then again a few days later when eating their leftovers, so hard not to conclude that the food was contaminated.
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Review from Efrain g.
6/7/2010
Our first time and only time here was a bit unpleasant. So bad it was almost like a joke, or... a diabolical plot to keep certain people away :D
Seriously, though, we, a party of 5 adults, arrived with reservations and were seated promptly with no problem. Our server was very pleasant and knowledgeable. He offered the specials of the evening, and my sister ordered the special house lasagna to which we were all looking forward. So 20 minutes later, he comes out to apologize that he put in the wrong order for the lasagna, and suggested she order something else since it takes 20 minutes or so for the lasagna to bake; he didn't want her to wait while the rest of us would have already started our meals.
So my sister orders something else. We all get our food, 2 of our plates are incorrect. After a few bites of trying to figure out what was wrong with it, we ask the server, and they discover they botched the raviolis and sauces. They apologize. The manager then makes a slight mistake (to me, at least) and says that all the raviolis in the back are frozen, so sometimes the cooks get them mixed up. This probably wouldn't have been so bad if a couple of us didn't have certain food restrictions. They had to get it right.
So 2 of us had to wait for new plates. We were seated near the server's station/cashier, so it was a little weird to see our server and the manager take a couple of quick breaks for swigs of wine ;)
Now, after their embarrassment of mixing up the order, our service wasn't as attentive as when we arrived, mainly because our server was deeply embarrassed. I felt for him, really.
Then, instead of offering to comp some or all of the botched meals, the manager or host-on-duty offered complimentary "dessert and coffee". So we each ordered a dessert, and 3 of us got coffee. Unfortunately, we were still charged for the coffees (3). Oh well, we didn't complain, not a big deal. By the way, the strawberry shortcake and tiramisu were good, but the chocolate cake was dry, and the lemon cake was decent because it also came with some raspberry sorbet.
We all still had fun conversation and made the best of the evening.
In conclusion, Joe Rombi's really didn't offer great food for the price and hubbub. I've had better sauces and pasta elsewhere. The service was good, but the overall experience was a bit of a bummer, even when considering their botched orders are probably very rare.
Like I mentioned, it seemed as though the 'mistakes' were almost like a joke intended to keep us and others like us away. This is ludicrous, I know, and I have no way of proving it, but it makes for good drama, doesn't it? :)
I'd still like to try their lasagna, and go next door to their pizza place. Someday. -
Review from Ben G.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2007
The ocean was blue. It was to our backs. The wind gave way to the competing blue sky above and as a result, the aggression of the pounding waves and tide settled into a calm surface allowing the sun's reflection to dance on the mirror like plate of water. Shadows from a flock of geese crept by on the street like rain drops sliding down the glass of a phone booth door in a town thousands of miles away from home...
What a day, that last Saturday. Kids running around with the dogs in the backyard; the grandparents looking around at the foundation they are the pillars of. For them, this is a lifetime achievement to see their children and their children's children from all over the place gather in one spot for the first time in years.
This went on for a bit - this mood. This temperament. This long awaited day. It was a day full of energy. It created a significant hunger in the bellies of many. It generated images full of laughter and unique memories, but it did not last forever. The blue sky evolved into an orange landscape as the sun fell downward into the far tip of the globe, retiring itself for now. Elated faces watched the orange colors in the distance melt away and turn to purple, then into to dark.
It was time to satisfy neglected bellies. It was time to tuck away to a welcoming atmosphere and be rewarded just for taking the time to gather. This could not have been possible without the help of our good friend Joe Rombi. There is no place that could have capped off a day like this other than the side room of the La Mia Cucina. There is no human being more eccentric and full of life that could have welcomed and catered to such a group of truly happy people other than the energetic Joe Rombi. We had wine. We had appetizers and spinach and meat ravioli. We had it all, and it came with excellent service.
Make it a date for 2. Celebrate a birthday (a 2nd or an 82nd). Make a quick pit stop for a delectable pizza pie. Just make it in. Go visit Joe and show someone (or a group of someones') how much their existence means to you. -
Review from Jenny K.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2009
Nice restaurant with nice service and nice food.
This is a low key spot where locals like to dine. We went upon the recommendation of my in-laws, who love this restaurant. I had a very good experience making my reservation. I left a message and received a call back from Joe Rombi himself the next morning. When I called close to my reservation time to inform them we were running late, Mr. Rombi was extremely accommodating.
This restaurant definitely draws an older local crowd. As soon as we walked in, we were notably younger and more ethnic than the other patrons. We received some stares, which always adds to the pleasure of a dining experience but I can't blame the restaurant for that. Our server, who I believe was Australian, was very attentive and friendly but not overbearing.
We were immediately served fresh, warm foccacia bread with fruity olive oil, and a complimentary serving of bruschetta. So far, so good. For appetizers, we ordered the half moon ravioli with crab, and the arancini, which is a deep fried risotto ball containing sausage and served atop marinara sauce. The crab meat in the ravioli was fresh and very flavorful but the sauce, an alfredo, was run-of-the-mill. I was excited to try the arancini but was disappointed by how dry and rather bland it was.
Each of the entrees came with the house salad, which I though was good value. For my entree, I ordered the linguini and clams. The dish was simple and satisfying. A few of the clams did contain a tiny bit of sand.
My husband ordered one of the seafood specials, the dover sole, which was delicious. He felt the sides of orzo and a few pieces of vegetable were forgettable afterthoughts.
After our server showed us the dessert tray, we were enticed into ordering a creme brulee. It was marvelous. -
Review from Michael L.
San Jose, CA
3/20/2011 3 photos
nice restaurant if you're in the area. Seems like a neighborhood restaurant where everyone knows each other. People leaving stopped to have conversations with the people coming in. I heard the guy behind us commenting about something that our waiter did when he was a boy. lol
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Review from Christina S.
Pacific Grove, CA
3/24/2008
Aweful, aweful, aweful from the food to the service. WIll never go back!
Not suited for big parties either. -
Review from Mn M.
Minneapolis, MN
2/23/2010
Nice food, nice service. Wine list needs work.
We went to this small restaurant on the recommendation of a server at Holly's down the street. We were not disappointed. The food was straightforward and well-prepared - we both had fish. As a bit of a throw-back it comes with soup and salad. We skipped the soup, but the salad was a nice starter. The dessert tray was unexpectedly fantastic - had the Tiramisu which was the least exciting-looking, but it was just fine!
Joe met us at the door and we were seated immediately. The small room has a great cozy feel - big posters cover the white walls. Our waiter was very professional and the service was great.
The only downer was the wine list. What self-respecting restaurant steps away from a wine-growing region has a Pepperwood Savignon Blanc as their house wine? Most of the list reads like some upscale hotel list - La Crema, Duckhorn, Honig, Kendal Jackson. Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio? If you don't like oaky Chardonnay and want a local white you are out of luck.
Nothing bad, mind you, but just not a lot of care. Surprising in such a personal restaurant.
Joe - work on the wine list! Have you been to Passionfish????? -
Review from b s.
Carmel-By-the-Sea, CA
7/12/2009
Love, love, love. Then again, we are so tired of the Carmel restaurants and I had 2 glasses of wine. Seriously, when we drove to PG I was concerned. There is really no great dining there. The town is on life support.
1. Great value for the money. Soup and salad included in entree price.
2. Small, yet lively atmosphere. Older crowd but OK, this is PG....
3. Waiters that actually enjoy being there.
4. Hot, flavorful food with clean presentations; not slop on a plate like most Italian eateries around here.
5. Dishes enjoyed- eggplant, mushroom ravioli, crabcake( tops!)
This isn't Spago, but it isn't trying to be.
6. Food has a homemade taste and style. The owner's mother actually makes some of the pastas.
The only comment I have is that the desserts aren't so great. They use store-bought cakes and ice cream. I would like to see some more creativity and cleaner flavors( limoncello, zambaglione). The chocolate cake and spumoni are trite and not even made there. -
Review from Dan W.
Reno, NV
6/22/2010
Been going here for years and it's still as good as ever. Try the strawberry shortcake its amazing. Can't go wrong with Rombi's.
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Review from mark k.
Moraga, CA
7/29/2011
Great spot with wonderful service. Joe is a hoot. A great host and makes you feel at home. Dont miss the chicken soup and sausage pasta!
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Review from Dena R.
Folsom, CA
6/24/2011
We love this restaurant. I love that Joe is the one that answers the phone and takes your reservation. I love the ambience and the bruschetta that comes out complimentary to your table right when you sit. It is DELICIOUS.
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Review from Mark B.
Campbell, CA
10/5/2010
We had our wedding reception dinner here at La Mia Cucina and could not have asked for better service or hospitality. When we scheduled the private room, Mr. and Mrs. Rombi were very accomodating and friendly. They have a wonderful restaurant with exceptional service and food. We look forward to making this our special anniversary dinner every year.
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Review from Brandon M.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2006
This was a very nice place our client took us to. If you want great wine and great food this is the place. Expensive, but I'm not paying. First time I had calamari cut like steak. The story goes that Barbara Streisand comes here for the chocolate cake. We had the cake as a birthday cake, it taste like store bought, so I'm taking off a star.
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Review from Wendy B.
Monterey, CA
6/10/2010
My husband and I had an outstanding experience tonight at Joe Rombi's. From the moment we walked in, we were treated like stars! The complimentary bruchetta, the yummy pea soup, the delicious salad and heated bread were all fabulous. I enjoyed the chicken picata and my husband liked the sausage pasta dish. We saved room for the lemon cake with sorbet and coffee and everything was just delightful. George, our waiter, and Joe, were friendly and provided exemplary service. Good value, too, as the dinners included soup and salad. I am already planning many return visits. They're professionals and it shows! After twenty years of dining in this area, I think it's absolutely one of the top restaurants in Monterey County. Check it out!
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Review from Cristina A.
Santa Clara, CA
9/22/2009
Joe Rombi's is a great restaurant. It's definitely a locals restaurant, but that doesn't mean it's on not on the tourists' radar. Joe is usually working at the restaurant, answering phones or seating people, and is always a friendly face to greet customers. He usually has a nice classic car parked outside as well! The food is always excellent. I've tried a few different dishes and appetizers on the menu and everything tastes great, very flavorful!
I highly recommend the strawberry shortcake for dessert (not sure if it's seasonal or not) because it's to die for! The whipped cream alone is amazing!
we always go back to Rombi's and if it's the weekend, make sure to call ahead to see how busy it is because it's a relatively small restaurant. -
Review from Paul L.
Novato, CA
4/14/2007
What a find! This was recommended by a friend and was the highlight of our trip. Joe and his staff work together like a well-oiled machine. Wonderful setting, great food, top-notch wine list, and raviolis "like my grandma's". Can't wait to return!
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Review from Sophia M.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2009
Amazing food and service. Love the portobello mushroom ravioli! YUM. The waiter from New Zealand provided the best service I had in Monterey. I spent quite a bit of time in Monterey for work and I must say, this restaurant was my favorite by far and I tried all the top spots.
