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- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
130 reviews for Pace
Review Highlights
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One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
Probably my favorite restaurant in LA. Request the little patio. It's so romantic. Oh and the food is delightful too.
Oh Pace, you bring me peace.
I went to you on a Saturday night...
And was served a bounty of good food.
Nestled in Laurel Canyon you sit --
Like a diamond in the rough
Waiting to be discovered.
I enjoyed your patio seating
Heatlamps burning bright...
Booths provide comfort and coziness.
Mussels in Butter Sauce. Delicious.
Salmon on Cedar Wood. Imaginative.
Tiramisu. Decadent.
P.S. The aquarium in your back room was better than the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach :P
I almost didn't write a review because I don't want this place overrun with Blind Date contestants and the like... However, its amazing. I've been many times, but the most recent was also the most excellent.
do it.
Dude wtf!!!! What a waste of a really cool spot. I actually left fearing I was going to be sick.
I ordered the lasagna not realizing Ragu = meat sauce. Either way it tasted like hamburger helper as my lovely gf said. They meat was oddly textured and the flavor was BAD.
So being the diva I am I returned for a "safe:" item. How badly can you screw up pizza.. right?
Wrong.
The pizza tasted like it was unwrapped in a fridge filled with other unwrapped stuff. It had a rotten flavor too. My gf and I were both scared we were gonna get food poisoning because it tasted that rotten.
I had already reached my exchange limit so we just didnt eat the rest and got dessert. Which was actually really good but a Complete rip off at 13 bucks for 7 bites of cake.
We never got sick which is good , but they may what to clean out that fridge.
Ehhh... Came here on a triple date and waited for our table for one hour (with reservations)! We sat out on the heated balcony on a cold 50 degree night with Hasselhoff at our 12 o' clock view.
After we ordered our drinks, it took them 30 minutes to take our food order. The appetizers were average and for the main course: $48 Rib Eye, Lobster Penne, Salmon on Cedar and Caprese... The best meal was the Rib Eye.
Dessert was GREAT! My 3rd star of this review! Baked to order Chocolate Souffle is to die for! I would only come back for the dessert!
Okay...I REALLY wanted to love this place. It's so cute, charming, and I love the dim lighting (I have a thing for dim lighting). However, I must have come on an off night. The food was VERY mediocre, and for the price it was not worth it at all. I paid like $40 for pizza and dessert. I exchanged the lasagna I ordered because it was just too gross to eat. Now--I know people love this so I'm not sure what happend. It tasted like hamburger helper lasagna. The pizza we got was also gross. I think it may have been the tomatoes that night. They tasted so rotten that I was worried to eat the pizza. Since I had already returned one dish, I just took a few bites and didn't say anything. The dessert was super delicious, but over priced.
The real kicker was when we were looking for a parking spot we pulled around and noticed an empty lot. Then, we realized that was the Valet area. So we parked along side Laurel Canyon, and literally risked our lives exiting the car because we were waaaay up there, and couldn't see. Then, when making the long trek back to Pace, we saw two valet guys getting cars from along Laurel Canyon. They were taking all the decent spots, so you would be forced to Valet! That just rubbed me the wrong way.
It's like Hyde, but with food!!! I recently went here for a friend's birthday, and always wanted to check it out. I like that it's up Laurel Canyon, so you feel like you're outside of the city. The crowd felt very sceney to me, but the restaurant itself was very cool and modern on the inside. It gets very crowded and they really pack people in. The food is good, but to me a bit overpriced for what you get and nothing too special. I'd say you go here more for the scene than the food, not saying it's not worth a visit though, I was happy.
Hercules Pie - A meatlover's dream. Good square pizza covered in assorted meats.
Mussels - My favorite item. Technically an appetizer, but a generous portion and great broth. Great for dipping their awesome foccacia bread in...
Baby Back Ribs - My buddy ordered, looked good but nothing too different/special about them.
I have driven by there so many times and didn't know it was there at all. Great find. The food, the wine list and the atmosphere were good. There is only a tiny little bar for maybe 4 people if you table is not ready - so make a reservation. We didn't and it worked out fine, but we will next time.
We did really like the pizza as an appetizer with the wine. Very nice, not heavy at all. There were all types of folks there - some dressed up but most dressed for a nice, casual dinner.
Pace is a dream come true in Los Angeles. Situated in a cozy outlet within Laurel Canyon, this Italian restaurant offers some of the finest Italian cuisine in all of Los Angeles. The setting is perfect with elegant lighting, cozy seating, and a friendly staff and atmosphere.
As for the food, it is fantastic. I have had a few things on the menu that I would recommend. For starters, The Mussels are out of this world. To really take advantage of the taste in the broth, I would recommend asking for some extra Focaccia bread to dip in your broth....It's excellent. For entrees, I would recommend The pasta with lobster and grilled zucchini in a white wine cream sauce is AMAZING! I would also recommend the seared Tuna and roasted root vegetables. It is so tasty!
I really don't think you can go wrong at Pace when ordering off the menu. They have a great Wine List in addition to yummy desserts as well. I would recommend this place for an after work dinner or even to take clients, dates, or have a small celebration. They will accommodate your needs if you call in advance.
Yay for Pace!
Pace is one of the most consistently wonderful restaurants I've frequented. I've had three different entrees and each were of stellar quality. The wine list is seemingly unending. The atmosphere on the patio is cozy and romantic, and inside is a little more hustle-bustle. The whole thing has a bit of a European vibe.
They sometimes have a vase of tuberose on the right (from entrance) side of the patio that smells heavenly. I always have to check whether it's there when they ask where we'd like to sit.
This was the restaurant my boyfriend took me to our first date. He said he was looking for a "hip" place. I was very impressed with the service and the food. He got the wood plank salmon and enjoyed every bite. I got the clam linguine. The shellfish was delicious and did not taste of saltwater at all, and the pasta itself was delightful. Overall, I had a fantastic time and will definitely go back again.
Minus one star for being a bit cramped inside, no bread before the meal, and being a little pretentious as far as the atmosphere and other clientele went.
Even though on a map you will notice this place is just a mile or so from the hustle and insanity of Sunset Blvd. when you sit down at Pace you can mistake your current location for anywhere peaceful in the world other than Los Angeles.
We opted for some outdoor dining on the cozy patio. A very romantic atmosphere just feels to be tied to the place but you could easily attend this place for some casual wine drinking and not feel out of place.
The service was excellent, the wine selection is larger than you will ever need, my lasagna and the heated up chocolate souffle put me over the top with this place. The only thing that is going to get you out of your mood here is the slight headache and walk with valet parking and trying to pull back out onto Laurel Canyon once your done. Sadly the reality of Los Angeles is close by but it's worth disappearing for an hour or two here.
Wow -what a gem! My vote for best place for a romantic dinner.
This is a fantastic restaurant. Great ambience, decoration. Good service.
But overall, really really damn good food.
Start with the fresh bread and vegetable dip.
I had an incredible mixed greens salad with walnuts, currants, and apples.
For dinner, I had the lamb shank, perfectly cooked and tender meat, with a really flavorful sauce.
My wife had the homemade lasagna, which was the best sauce she's ever had, so tasty she could drink more of it.
To top it off, chocolate souffle which was warm spongy choco goodness. And super wine - I had a shiraz from Australia.
Small place - make reservs in advance. And you pretty much have to valet it.
I reserved this place for my dining partner's birthday since he liked the menu and the reviews were mostly favorable. Also, it looked like a very charming place to dine.
The location is up in the hills from LA. and is a very peaceful and quiet location.
The aroma of wood burning oven greeted us as we walked to the entrance.
We were seated quickly by very friendly hostess and offered the option to sit outside or dine inside.
We were immediately served a small bowl of roasted almonds and excellent big green olives. Then came a basket of very good focaccia style bread.
The menu focused on Italian cuisine.
For starters I had the daily soup special of Vegan lentil. It was very clean and pure tasting. Seasoned well and very satisfying soup. It tasted very healthy to say the least.
For entrees my dining partner had a pasta bolognese dish which he said was excellent. I tasted a bit of it and found it to be a very good version of the dish. All ingredients tasted fresh and lively. Pasta was cooked perfectly.
I ordered the pizza with mushrooms and argula. The pizza was very flavorful with fresh tasting sauce and cheese. The crust was medium thickness and had a good chew.
For dessert we had the chocolate souffle which was outstanding version of this venerable french dessert. It was very attractively presented for my dining partner's birthday.
Our bill came to 74 dollars which included a glass a wine. It is a good value considering the charming atmoshere,cozy location and well-prepared food of this restaurant.
Its a great spot for a romantic date or away from the fast pace of LA.
I want to love this place, but each time I've gone, I've been disappointed by the food. The ambiance, though, is amazing--it's good enough that we keep going back, all the while forgetting the food just doesn't light it up for us. Each time we return, we draw the same conclusion. We've been there 3 or 4 times, and have tried 3 or 4 of the pastas (but not the lasagna), several salads, and pizza. I have not tried any of the non-pasta entrees, and can't vouch for them.
Side note: they don't have a full bar, but do have an extensive wine list to accompany the Italian inspired food.
If you're looking for the star of the night to be the food, you might want to choose another place. But if you want an all-around solid package (good-enough food, great ambiance, friendly service--the waitstaff is great), definitely consider it. I'll probably go back, but just not on a night where Food is supposed to reign King.
I, too, really want to like Pacé. The ambiance and location are great for a drive to have a bite. The service was also really great along with the wine list. Our calamari and polenta appetizer was really delicious...I think it was a special.
However, I have been craving butternut squash pasta for months and theirs didn't come close to filling that craving. I had the butternut squash tortellini with spinach and a white wine sauce. Each bite tasted really strange and not food-like, but was obviously not a chemical. I think it was the sauce? Maybe the spinach altered the white wine taste.
We also had the lobster pappardelle. There was very little lobster and although I love parsley, I think there could have been less.
This is a pretty good restaurant, I just wish that for the price the food was good enough for me to want to go again.
boy o boy just the kinda food i was looking for no whater what even if i am not hungry as much I could walk in and the atmospher gives me an appetite..They're really good about substitutions too. Which works for a guy like me who doesn't want his fish and vegetables with bowtie, but fettuccine instead.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2009
boy o boy just the kinda food i was looking for no whater what even if i am not hungry as much I… Read more »
The food here is rather good, the using organic produce was great. The service was fine, a little slow but our table had plenty to talk about. We ordered a not too cheap bottle of wine and the waiter came to the table and brought the wrong vintage then I was told that this was the last bottle. We took it. When speaking to the management later about how they were going to deal with the issue he looked at me like I had 3 heads and proceeded to tell me they had never had the 05. Then why was it on the main wine list? Needless to say he treated me like an idiot when he was in the wrong and I don't think he understood that you don't charge the same for every vintage of wine. Not going back, which is a shame because I enjoyed the food, but I am spending that much money and being polite you don't get to make me the problem.
Charming, charming, charming! Located in the foothills of Laurel Canyon, this little gem of a restaurant is hidden past a market, down some stairs and around a corner. The atmosphere is cozy, and the service is very european; slow and leisurely. It's the type of restaurant you go to with a few friends to chat the night away or a romantic evening for two filled with intimate conversation. I sat on the patio and the only con was that there was a lot of noise coming from the lot next door. I'm not sure if there was construction going on, or a car was being towed or what, but someone blared their horn like three times and scared the shit out of all the diners. Once it stopped, we all kind of laughed and continued our conversations.
The meal started out with a small plate of almonds and olives, then soon after comes the bread. I ordered a classic caesar salad, which was whole leaf romaine hearts, perfectly dressed and flavorful and topped with a light sprinkling of parmesan. It is also served with a whole anchovy, so if you don't like them I suggest you ask for it to be omitted.
For my entree, I initially requested the homemade pappardelle with lobster and asparagus, but was disappointed to discover that they were out of lobster, so I ordered the pappardelle with mushrooms and leeks instead. I have never had pappardelle before, so I didn't know what to expect. It arrived unseasoned (no salt), and being that I graduated from culinary school, we were taught that good food should arrive perfectly seasoned. However, I did notice a little dish of kosher salt at the table, so I suspect it was meant to be added yourself. Once I sprinkled a bit on the dish, the flavors blossomed and were intoxicatingly delicious.
Overall a wonderful experience in this delightful restaurant.
The outdoor patio is romantic. The food was 4 stars. The service was 5 stars.
I like this place because I have special memories here.
Atmosphere: cozy, casual and chic. Reminds me of Chelsea district in Manhattan.
Food: I favor the lasagna and salmon, but it's too salty for my taste. The olives they serve before the meal are tasty.
Will I go again? Sure. It's only a walking distance.
Just steps from the love nest Jim Morrison and Pamela Courson occupied on Rothdell Trail, Pace is all about love. Owner and executive chef, Sandy Gendel, welcomes epicureans with open arms reminiscent of Italian warmth. The wait staff is attentive and unpretentious, despite the industry personalities (I seat among two Time/Warner stars, a producer, and a real estate magnate to boot) that visit. The scampi and insalate were as sublime as the Saronic Islands themselves. The lamb special could not have been prepared better even if the owner of Kokkari Estiatorio (San Francisco) himself did it. The lentil soup made me as grateful as the vegetarian patron at Greens Restaurant (San Francisco).
The best thing about Pace, though, is the drive or ride leading up to it. Proximity to the Morrison/Courson love nest aside, Pace is the midpoint of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, which any Eudaemonist would regard as an end-in-itself for good reason: windy but well-maintained mountain roads treacherous enough for a thrill ride... the roar of superengines echoing after each bend, the sight of tasteful LA architecture emerging around each turn... stretching from Studio City to BH/WeHo, the Boulevard even skirts consistently distasteful 101 traffic... Valet is available, but why bother if you pull up on a crotchrocket or the LG superleggera?
Minus half-star for the steep markup for wine: $85 for a half bottle of 2005 Chimney Rock Cab (Stags Leap) (a $60-65 bottle). One caveat: my bitterness was obviously complicated by the fact that -- you've likely guessed -- Yours Drunkenly insisted on 2 half bottles instead of 1 because this girl refuses to tolerate anything less than full.
A little overpriced but always delicious. The food always tastes fresh and the specials are amazing.
I was there last night and the service was fantastic.
I will always recommend Pace.
This food is average, and waaaaayyyyyyy over priced. The portions are small and insulting. They are the GM of Hollywood restaurants, overpriced for an average product.
They also do the political pandering deal, they use the peace sign as part of their logo/identity. Does that mean they are sending meals to the Afghans who are being killed by Barack Obama.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! If you don't need to drive there, all the better!
This place is nestled moderately deep within Laurel Canyon (it's that place you make the u-turn at if there is way too much traffic on the street and you change your mind about going to the Valley).
Their chicken is amazingly tender, as are their waitresses (just kidding). Service is friendly and prompt, the table bread comes with a savory puree of something-or-another for dipping.
Their Tiramisu is to all other tiramisu what LeBron James is to Sam Bowie (who? . . . exactly). It is amazing, for lack of a better word. It looks like it's about to collapse, which is apparently how authentic tiramisu is supposed to come.
The atmosphere is cozy . . . a bit TOO cozy if you're out on a casual dinner with an unattractive friend of the opposite sex and don't want him or her to get the wrong idea. But it's nice, soothing, and just dark enough render little hairs, bugs, etc. in your food unnoticeable. Perfect score from me.
Happy eating!
Sixteen words: Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon Seasoned With Shallots, Fresh Herbs, Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It's melt in your mouth good. Mischa Barton was sitting at the table next to mine and I couldn't take my eyes off my plate. Also, Pace boasts an awesome Laurel Canyon location and is all nice and romanticky inside. If they had a full bar as opposed to just beer and wine, I'd easily give them 5 Mischa Bartons.
To live in Laurel Canyon in the 60s was to feel part of something special. A rock and roll outpost that proudly embraced both its hippie-shack counter culture and the glamour of its oftentimes absurdly famous denizens, the canyon has always toed the line between art and commerce, between the avant garde and its wealthy patrons. Sort of the Jackson Pollock of canyons: at once filthy rich and disgustingly creative, and not unaware of the disconnect between the two.
It's in this rare middle-ground where Pace thrives; an Italian restaurant both rustic and refined, both casual and expensive. It serves food that, like the rock and roll that once filled its neighborhood, will reach you on a visceral, emotional level, even if it does not tantalize the cerebral mind in quite the same way. No matter - Pace is about sinking low into your chair after you've drank enough wine to feel comfortable leaving your own personal Jackson Pollock behind on the brown-paper tablecloth (crayons are provided, and not just for children). And that's not a cerebral experience, is it?
It's small and cozy inside, with flickering candles and hushed voices to set the mood. Seating is also available on the covered patio, if you don't mind a little cigarette smoke. Jim Morrison (whose old house is within spitting distance) certainly didn't.
Olives and almonds are provided to prepare the tongue for the Freddo Taglio for two: cuts of myriad cured meats and a bit of cheese laid out on a large platter like an offering to the gods. If you're more timid of heart, or on a date, or simply a vegetarian (and you have my pity if the later is true) then you may get by with a simple salad of mixed baby greens, apple, currants, walnuts, and goat cheese.
The pastas are not overwhelming in volume, perhaps so as to leave room for more cured meat. The lamb and fresh pappardelle with English peas is rustic indeed; more intense perhaps is the Penne Arrabbiata which kicks like a mule. Hopefully you were aware that arrabbiata means "angry" before you ordered. It is arguably the best dish on the menu.
The pizzas manage to be modern and pastoral at the same time. By that, I mean that the crust is puffier and more filling than Mozza, though not as puffy as, say, Pizza Hut. They're named (seemingly arbitrarily) after ancient gods and - in the case of Galileo - astronomers. The Ganesh pie comes loaded with smoked salmon, capers, and is held together with a chive craime fraiche so good that you won't need to summon Ganesh (the Hindu remover of obstacles) to make it all the way through your pie.
There is a reasonable assortment of proteins available to be prepared as entrees; the standout is the cedar-wood grilled salmon which is seasoned well enough to awaken the taste buds and yet the salmon itself isn't overwhelmed. You may be tempted to lick the cedar block; do not do so. A splinter could result in a bad dinner, in the worst case scenario.
The server will push the warm chocolate cake which takes a half hour to prepare; feel free to indulge yourself if you find it necessary, but wouldn't you rather spend the money (and time) on a second bottle of wine? Afterall, the lights are low, you're settling in to the plump cushions, a Bob Dylan tune that you know most of the words to is playing quietly through the restaurant, and those crayons are just begging you to grab them. This meal will not come cheap, but you are feeling just as creative as you ever have before.
And Los Angeles seems miles away from up here.
Big fan of Pace since it opened. It will always be my special place in the hills. But since Daly passed away (the locals know who I'm talking about) and the manager and frequent host, Che, has left, there is a bit of a different vibe going on there. Just a little less heart and soul. Che's brother does his best to make up for it, but it takes more than one person.
The owner showcases various pieces of artwork for sale, the proceeds of which go to a handful of great causes. Living in SF now I have one piece I adore that follows me everywhere.
On the dining side of things, the food is always top notch. Go for the chop, and the beet salad. And if they still have it, check out the Hawley Pinot Noir. Divine.
Great for birthdays (I must have celebrated three or four of my own there!)
For years I have driven by this charming italian restaurant in the hills... I have gone to the market above it many times... I just have not stopped at Pace. I regret that decision. The food is great. The menu is organic, the veggies and seasonings are all locally bought at farmers markets, the meats have no hormones in them...
Each table has paper and crayons for those of you who are in an artistic mood. Stained glass lines the patio, along with peace signs.
I had the chicken, while the hubby had the swordfish.. we completely devoured our food... and then we had the chocolate cake... wonderful.
Go for a nice evening out... yet a relaxing evening. Its a fun place, go with a small group... just make reservations on the weeekends as it gets crowded...
oh and def. plan on valet since its on Laurel Canyon... and pretty dangerous to walk those curvy canyon roads.
Gross food. Undercooked food. Slow service. Bad math skills.
I felt like vomiting, literally, after my salmon dinner. My friend got the rigatoni, which had raw pasty. It was hard and chewy. I spoke up and had the waitress take it back. I never do that, but it was that awful.
I had to wait a long time for my water refills. Also, it was difficult getting the waitress's attention, because I was seated in a corner, so she rarely came my way.
I had already wrote the tip and finalized my receipt, when the waitress came back to re-do the check. Apparently, she miscalculated check, and much to my dismay, the new check was more expensive. Damn.
The atmosphere in Pace really makes this place special. It feels like your are in your artsy aunt's morrocan inspired house nestled with hidden surprises in every corner. I also enjoy the crayons and butcher paper equipped on every table. The food is yummy, in a organic not so traditionally Italian kind of way. The pizza is what really shines here. Come for romantic date, if you be so lucky ;)
Pace (pa-che) was near empty when we stepped in at 7:30pm but quickly filled up. This hole-in-the-hills is cool and cute in its way but in my heart, it's just another Italian place (charge a lot for something you can make at home)
The food came out really quickly - almost too quickly. We hadn't had a chance to eat all of the complimentary olives, almonds and foccacia. Thank goodness the $19 tagliatelle with asparagus and prosciutto and the $24 pappardelle with lobster and zucchini came in big portions, else i would have felt bad and more robbed than usual.
both plates came out the same. all the ingredients are chopped bite-sized except for the pasta. for some reason, it kind of reminds me of Pastagina - made to order yet commercial/ process-driven with little love from the chef.
we chose the off-menu soufflé as the birthday dessert. It came ala mode (surcharge) at $15. my heart sank - dude, we could have had another pasta for the same amount of money. even Mastro's give out triple layer chocolate cake for free!
if you continue up laurel canyon and follow your GPS to the 101, you will encounter a very very long single lane road which steals your breath with stunning views of Hollywood/LA and from fear of some bonehead speeding up the hill. If you have huevos gigante, you can bust a U from the restaurant and head back the way you came from Hollywood/Western.
Overall - OK restaurant but not Must Eat / Must Try
see pics
Love, love, love. I'm soon to be a regular
Pace is my favorite spot to eat in Los Angeles! The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic, almost dreamy in a way, the food is extremely delicious, and it is worth every penny. The food is organic and the special changes daily. If you are looking for a bargain this is not the place.. The service is very euro style- slow and savoring. Come prepared for a full evening. I looove noshing on olives and drinking a good bottle of cab and gossiping with friends or talking with my husband for hours at Pace. I cannot say enough good things.
When in L.A. a few weeks back, I decided to convince a friend to try this place with me. It's up in the twisty hills of Laurel Canyon Blvd, somewhere between Sunset Blvd and the SF Valley.
"Pace" means "Peace" in Italian. That definitely describes the vibe. Laurel Canyon always seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of L.A. for starters. Inside, the place was very unassuming. This restaurant offers organic Italian cuisine. The atmosphere itself is very dark, romantic, mellow and unpretentious.
I decided to try their Neapolitan style pizza, which was outstanding. Coming off my recent pizza revelation with Coalfire in Chicago, it seemed to me (although I'm uncertain) they were using coal fired ovens. I could taste that smokey flavor in the dough. The dough was slightly chewy, yet crisp on the outside...which was perfect. I saw other entrees whisk past me that looked and smelled great. I'll have to try another dish next time. On top of the great pizza experience, I had another one: they served souffle for dessert (which you need to order at the time of your entree, because it takes 30 minutes to prepare). I ordered the chocolate souffle, which is in the same league of where my favorite is, which is La Sardine in Chicago. I couldn't believe how sinfully incredible it was! All in all this was a great meal. This is my Italian "go to" place for now on when I'm in L.A.!
My meal here was hands down the best meal I had during my trip to L.A. What a great restaurant. The restaurant is quite charming, it seems like it is a house converted into a restaurant. We were in the main dining room, however there was a converted patio towards the front that looked pleasant and we noticed people being led to a back room (where the celebrities dine, perhaps?). The room was very dimly lit (we had to ask for flashlights to read our menu), and I liked it. They brought out olives & spicy almonds to start. Then some fantastic foccacia bread that we dipped in a red pepper aioli type sauce.
We ordered a margarita pizza for the table.. wow! I had to be careful because I wanted to save room for my entree. Pete and I shared a beet salad and let me just say this is the BEST salad I have had EVER (oops, except for my mom's fabulous crab salad), seriously.... super fresh ingredients, with succulent beets & a nutty crunch. I ordered an appetizer for my main meal which was a smoked salmon dish served with crispy risotto cakes and boiled spinach. The dish was covered with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. What was surprising about this dish is that it was served hot & cold -- hot spinach, warm risotto cakes & cool salmon. Surprisingly it worked! Pete raved about his lasagne and Ayelet and her mom & sister raved about the spaghetti bolognese.
We ordered the chocolate souffle for dessert (gotta place that order with your meal, cuz it takes 1/2 hour or so). It was fantastic. We did ask that they leave off any berries (allergies) but unfortunately the dish arrived with berries. I would take off a star, but I can't deny the restaurant where I had best meal in L.A!
Finally, some real advertising! As promised, Peace is exactly what I find at this canyon getaway. I can't really imagine a better evening than wine and light fare (it's more californian-meets-italian... the food is not real heavy) in such a pleasant, low key setting.
Inside, it's dark and intimate, a little echoey, while the outdoor patio feels more casual and open. One of my friends called it "hippy trippy," which basically sums it up. Moving light patterns pass gently over Moroccan-looking curtains... somehow, this doesn't feel kitschy. It works. Pace is elegant, casual, and surprisingly unpretentious.
I've only ever been really late for my reservations here thanks to Hollywood traffic (30 min+) but have still been seated within 20 minutes of arrival. The service is always pleasant and attentive, without being annoying. Also, they don't rush you at all... have I mentioned how peaceful it is?
My one criticism is that the entrees are definitely overpriced, especially the specials at around $45. The halibut special and seared tuna are good but definitely not spectacular or worth the price. You can easily spend less with the pizzas and salads, which are actually better. The pastas are also quite reasonable. Next time I go, I have to investigate the home-made pasta.
The wine list is fantastic, of course. It's almost a wine bar. If you're a lightweight like me, plan for someone else to drive your car down the dangerously steep canyon side.
I had the rib eye. Probably wasn't the smartest move to go to an Italian restaurant and order a steak but for $43 I was certain it would be great. I mean seriously... $43 for a rib eye... come on now.
Lets just say it didn't meet my expectations... I cant even think of much to say about it. It was just a steak... that cost way more that it should..
Everything else was good and fairly priced but the rib eye ought to be taken off their menu..
This was a real treat on a gorgeous Saturday night. The restaurant is charming, once you do a wild left turn in the midst of traffic to the valet ... pretty scary stuff and go past the grocery store. It is intimate with a great atmosphere. Everything about it is great.
We shared a pizza, which was fantastic. The crust was thicker than I expected but it was absolutely delicious. My friends raved about the beet salad saying that it was the best they've ever had. The service was amazing and very attentive.
I had the spaghetti bolognese and just loved it. The sauce was great and I couldn't leave any on my plate.
Simply fantastic. The food is great and the ambiance is even better. Ask to sit outside. Very romantic date spot. Make sure to order the chocolate souffle


