Sfixio

5/24/2016

Thursday: We had tickets to the Wallis & wanted a nice meal before the show. It was my second time and my in-laws first time. Everything was amazing. We started with two apps veggie platter and calamari- so tender! Everyone ordered pasta which is made to order, seriously it's not pre-made, it melt is your mouth delicious.

Friday: I pickup my in-laws for a day in Santa Monica...what request do I receive? "Can we go back to the restaurant for dinner again?  It was so delicious. And let's get dessert too"

5/16/2016

Went there last night and had a fabulous experience.
We started with fried calamari cooked to perfection  and eggplant parmigiana with melted burrata on top..mouthwatering ..
As main dish  my gf had the tagliolini with truffle caviar all the way from Alba ,the world capital of truffles, simply astonishing..
I ordered grilled salmon with caponata ..excellent..
We proceeded with tiramisu' & pannacotta with orange zest & limoncello...both superb.
Chef Massimo is by far the most talented Italian chef in LA county..
Real 100%  authentic Italian food..
If you are looking for spaghetti meatballs, Caesar salad  or other fake Italian food this place might not be for you..

5/4/2016

As I have a lot of travel for work planned this month, I already knew I was not going to be in town this Mother's Day to take mom out.  The solution?  Duh.  Take her out before!

Of course, coming up with the solution was easy but the devil's in the details.  Enter Yelp, Open Table, and a frantic search on google to narrow down restaurants with the right type of cuisine, location, and ambiance before I settled on Sfixio.  However, having spent the majority of my time in Pasadena the last 5+ years and Sfixio having been open about the time I stopped being a "Westsider", I hadn't heard of this place.

I took a chance and made a reservation for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.  What the heck, it's only the once-a-year meal for honoring the woman who carried me around for 9 months and then worried about me from the time I left her womb, right?  Pssh.  Piece. O'. Cake.

Well, walking up and into the restaurant I was a little unsure because Sfixio's decor is more along the lines of modern Italian--think white leather chairs, black metal table with concrete tabletops, and textured walls with red accent, versus "classy" Italian renaissance and Michelangelo (NO, not TMNT Michelangelo).  This would be more of a place I would take a leggy Italian supermodel on a date* than a family member.  Luckily, Mara (yes, I read the other reviews to find out that Mara and her husband Mossimo run the place) greeted us at the door her welcoming demeanor put my fears aside.

We had the Insalata di Granchio Fresco (fresh Crab meat, mixed baby salad, hearts of palm, baby artichokes and black peppers); Branzino e Verdurine (fresh wild sea bass with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes); Salmone (salmon with ratatouille vegetables); and Ravioloni di Pesce (homemade giant ravioli stuffed with white fish served with tomato sauce, white wine and thyme).  True to the menu, which states that nothing is frozen, everything tasted fresh.  Better yet, portions were pretty fair (I disagree with another reviewer that stated portions were overpriced).  Even the Tiramisu was good, although the lady fingers could have been completely soaked in coffee.

Apparently, my restaurant selection was well received because the guest of honor said "dinner was pretty good and we can come back here again."  Mom can be a pretty hard grader, and Buddha help those who choose a bad restaurant because you'll be hearing about it for a few months (okay, a few weeks, tops; she's not a monster).  On top of all that, Open Table ressie netted me a 1,000 points.  Mom would be so proud.

Wait.  She was.

* Fine, this date may not be Italian... or super... or a model.  Come to think of it, she may not even be MY date.  Creepy much?

6/23/2016

Sfixio was FANTASTIC!!! And when I say it was that amazing, I mean it! As someone who has lived my life eating my way through Los Angeles, hands down Sfixio has the best truffle pasta in town. Not only was the truffle pasta the star of the show, but their veal chop and bone in rib eye were off the charts. Mara also made the dining experience so so good! I felt like I was at home with my Italian family, drinking good wine and eating great food. Thanks for having us, Mara!

• 

  The best veal chop I've ever had

  The best veal chop I've ever had
• 

  The famous and most delicious truffle pasta

  The famous and most delicious truffle pasta

2/8/2016

• 1 check-in

I have to admit, I expected a little more based on what I saw on Yelp! My old roommate and I had a reservation at 7pm on a week night, but I got caught in LA traffic on my way there. I was worried that we would not be seated being that I was a good 45 minutes late. But when I got there, there was only 1 or 2 other parties dining so we were seated pronto. Not sure if that was a good or bad thing being that was dinner time.

The prices for their pastas are a bit up there and the portion sizes are SMALL. They're known for their Truffle Caviar Pasta, which I couldn't justify paying $38 for.. up until I was caught in that nasty traffic so then I thought I might as well make the best of the dinner. It's not really caviar that's in the pasta. I read other reviews that said it's truffle that looks like caviar. Despite that fact, it didn't really have much of a truffle taste to it.. think more like alfredo sauce. The noodles were really fresh and tender as though they made it in-house (very good chance that they did). The Truffle Caviar Pasta was good but not $38 good.

• 

  Calamari was good!

  Calamari was good!
• 

  $38 Truffle Caviar Pasta

  $38 Truffle Caviar Pasta

5/23/2016

Came to this restaurant to celebrate my birthday and it was an incredible experience! Immediately upon entering we were greeted by the host who somehow knew who we were and gave me a hug and wished me a happy birthday. Although only a party of 2 they allowed us to sit at a 4 top, which I very much appreciated. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and I loved everything from the music, to the lighting, to the decor. Very clean and modern and elegant. The food was fantastic and the wait staff was attentive but not to the point of interrupting. I highly recommend the truffle and caviar pasta and the beef tartare with caviar. Could not have asked for a better birthday celebration or dining experience!!

• 

  Branzino, incredibly fresh & they present it to you before deboning and returning it to you.

  Branzino, incredibly fresh & they present it to you before deboning and returning it to you.
• 

  Amazingly delicious truffle & caviar pasta!

  Amazingly delicious truffle & caviar pasta!

4/20/2016

• 1 check-in

I wasn't too fond of the decor and the smell. There was a water fountain next to where I was sitting and it smelled like a pond. A clean pond, but a pond none the less. Also had a different incense smell which I wasn't fond of while eating dinner. The lady who served us was really nice. The random pics playing on a projector along the side wall was really random.  The calamari was spot on. The rest of the meal wasn't bad either. The surrounding g was just not comfortable.  It seemed a little club, a little bar, a little sauna, but not restaurant atmosphere.  I ordered fish to take home. It was huge and very well prepared.

12/2/2015

• 1 check-in

My bf took me here for our anniversary since it was one of the first restaurants we had our first memorable date. I loved it the first time we came here because of their signature truffle caviar dish.

Before our reservation my bf called the restaurant multiple times to make sure that they were serving the truffle caviar dish since it's considered their "special". I was so excited to eat here since we haven't been back in over four years. When we got there, the restaurant was surprisingly empty especially compared to the Italian restaurant next door. There were only two other tables taken.

When it came time for us to order, the owner said that they just ran out of the truffle caviar dish! I was pretty disappointed especially because my bf had called ahead of time for it. Minutes later, they served the last truffle caviar dish to the table next to us!! I watched them take their first bite and I was saddened...that could've been us but you failed us Sfixio!

We ended up ordering the truffle lasagna and beef gnocchi instead, both dishes were mediocre.

4/2/2016

We were very hesitant to dine here what with the bad reviews however we had a very good meal and would go back. The calamari was the best we 've had and my lasagna was excellent . The Bronzino was a bit dry. The prices are very reasonable . The interiors are very very well done.
By the way the sour dough was made in-house and sooo good

10/17/2015

• 1 check-in

Owner was fantastic. Servers were a bit busy when mistakes were made, yet all
N all enjoyed the location. Awesome authentic italian freshly made w/o butter

3/19/2016

Ok, the food was about average but worse was the fact that the portions were very small and prices high.  Very overpriced for average Italian food.
Prior to this visit, I honestly can't remember the last time I left an Italian restaurant still hungry!
I definitely would not go back.  Too many other choices in the area.

8/15/2015

• 1 check-in

Maybe it's just me.

Somehow, I didn't see much Italian about this establishment.  The decor is very stylish and modern, but not a typical Italian restaurant.

Service was very friendly and attentive, especially the hostess, Mara.  She is like the most gracious and cordial hostess you have ever met.  She also makes the most delicious drinks, too.

As for their foods, I was very thrilled to try their truffle caviar pasta ever since I saw the pictures of it on Yelp.  However, unfortunately my expectation was too high, it wasn't at the level of what I hoped it to be...

The pasta came with reconstituted truffles which were shaped into caviar look-alike and its texture reminds me of mini-boba.  From pictures I have seen, I thought they use the real caviar...  I know, I know, it's impossible for the price tag of $38, perhaps for $83 :p  It was an interesting concept, and the sauce was delicious, not heavy, but sadly pasta was not cooked to be firm to the bite, it wasn't al dente.  

Beef carpaccio came out some what lukewarm, and I wished meats were little more thinly cut.  

Anyhow, I really feel bad giving this place a 3 stars since Mara was super nice and after finding out her husband being a chef of this place.   So don't mind this review : /

Maybe it is just me...

• 

  Their famous truffle special pasta.

  Their famous truffle special pasta.
• 

  Beef carpaccio and crab salad.

  Beef carpaccio and crab salad.

4/23/2016

• 1 check-in

Yes, this place was a success. I brought a VIF (very important foodie) here to for a business meeting and to my relief, he loved it. The owner who sat us did a very good job introducing the restaurant. She said her husband cooked all the food fresh and that nothing was ever frozen, and that he was from Florence.

We started with the shaved artichoke salad which in my opinion, we could have skipped. It wasn't very filling, or anything special. Pretty tough as well, I believe the artichoke were raw.
Then we had calamari. It was great, one of the best batters and it also came with other vegetable and shrimp.
We shared the pasta with clams and you could really tell from the texture and shape of the pasta that it was made fresh. I have a soft spot for fresh pasta and I would order this again in a heartbeat. Really recommend this dish, it was phenomenal and reasonably priced. Everything here was especially considering the fact that it is in Beverly Hills.
We also shared the branzino, grilled chicken, veal shank and the panna cotta for dinner.
Note that this was only for three people. We had to order three proteins, a pasta, and two appetizers and I felt like at the end of the night, I could still eat more. And I am a small girl, I wonder how the men at the table felt. Anyway, I highly recommend the veal shank, it is one of the dishes they are known for and it came perfectly cooked. Branzino and chicken were good but I think the panna cotta was one of the dishes that we could have skipped out on.

The VIF mentioned he thought the food was much better than some of the "usual" places around Beverly Hills to eat and he loved that it was something atypical than where everyone suggests for dinner most of the time.
The setting is very business appropriate and to be honest, one of the reasons why I chose this place. If you're looking for a chill place to have some great food and really be tended to, I suggest sfixio.

7/2/2016

This wonderful restaurant is a true gem! We absolutely loved it! The food was so delicious, all organic, fresh, and farm to table! We had such a lovely experience; the owner is an absolute doll, so sweet! The eggplant Parmesan is an absolute must, the Branzino was so delicate and delicious, and the duck was cooked to perfection. The best! Nothing on the menu disappointed, we had one great dish after another! We can't wait to come back! True Italian at its finest, delicious!!!

4/18/2016

• 1 check-in

It was so nice to find an Italian fine dining that does it right! My boyfriend is from Florence, and Sfixio is the only place we've been to that has fresh pasta and does everything from farm to table. Much like its done in Italy. Love the owners and cant wait to go back again.

6/23/2016

The truffle pasta with light cream sauce here was sooooo yummy. The pasta is made there and just melted in your mouth. It's not on the menu so you have to ask for it. Totally worth it. I also have to say the service was incredible and felt right at home. Mara took care of us so sweetly. Thank you for making my our experience wonderful!!!

12/21/2015

Literally a ponzi SCHEME for tourists. I, a local, was shocked that didn't know of this place and it had such great reviews. It is an absolute lie. 99% of these reviews are FAKE.
Prices are so jacked up because they're targeting tourists and don't plan on trying to make you come back.
Food is so subpar and nothing is special whatsoever. You can make the exact same thing for the same price in your kitchen, BUT you'll have 10x the amount of food
Their portions are tiny so they can act all "cool" and make you spend more money and order more food
They don't even have a drink menu. Nobody is a real bartender. They did not know how to make ANY drink. My gin and tonic was served to me warm, no ice.

Place is a joke. They'll be closing soon. dont waste your time.

1/5/2016

Sfixio is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Beverly Hills!  We tried the truffle pasta last time and I'm craving it right now. The food is so fresh and wonderful!  The decor is modern, warm and inviting!

We love the beautiful owner Mara and her talented husband Mossimo. We've had friends suggest other restaurants in Beverly Hills, but I can't bring myself to try any other restaurant when we visit because the food and evening are always so perfect at Sfixio!  Mara makes us feel like family when we're there.  It's just a wonderful experience.  Everything is perfect!

Happy New Year Mara and Mossimo. I certainly hope we see you in 2016!  ~ Debie & Tom

3/18/2015 Updated review

So to your response:
It was not 10:00 pm it was about 9:25pm because the picture was taken at 9:29 and we had been seated for a few minutes when I took the photo.

Furthermore it was more than 2 minutes because my next photo was at 9:50 at the restaurant next door where we were seated immediately, waited on, served and left by 10:30, and that restaurant was packed to the gills.

1/27/2015

• 1 check-in

This restaurant serves one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. Hands down. I don't believe it's on the menu. It's called the Truffle Pasta. Spectacular! Real truffles imported from Italy with white cream sauce. Sounds heavy but it's a  light dish. I've had other dishes as well but this pasta has no equal.

Run by a married couple from Italy, this place has that mom-n-pop feel but on a higher scale. The chef is the owner and the only cook in the place. The wife is the hostess and she's very charming. They apparently do not have a freezer (from what I hear) because all the food items are fresh and made to order.

Being in BH don't expect average prices. Be ready to spend! Highly recommend this cute place.