From The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica Best Nearby Italian (Restaurants) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Los Angeles, CA Caffe Delfini (Restaurants - Italian) 147 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica  CA  90402 • 310-459-8823 Distance: ~1.29 mi User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: SANTA MONICA. Cozy and simple, this Mediterranean-Italian restaurant knows how to take care of patrons. Its care is evident in tasty dishes and expert service. Start with an appetizer sampler that features prosciutto, arugula, melon, tomato, and mozzarella. Then, indulge in a pasta or seafood creation (gnocchi comes highly recommended). End with a serving of tiramisu, and you'll be 100% satisfied! There's a large and varied wine list too. Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi (Restaurants - Italian) 114 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica  CA  90402 • 310-573-1660 Distance: ~1.30 mi User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: SANTA MONICA. At this engaging restaurant, the owner cooks while his daughter seats customers – and they rarely meet strangers. Tuscan cuisine is the attraction, as illustrated by pasta e fagioli soup, veal Milanese, and a variety of raviolis and gnocchis. Daily specials are always a good choice, and the wine list is extensive and variable in price. A favorite with celebrities and other Hollywood types. Via Veneto (Restaurants - Italian) 3009 Main St, Santa Monica  CA  90405 • 310-399-1843 Distance: ~1.76 mi         Description: SANTA MONICA. This dimly lit, cozy restaurant offers delectable Italian fare and plenty of atmosphere. Wall sconces and candelabras illuminate steaming plates of lobster ravioli, perfectly cooked risottos, langostini, and filet mignon with porcini mushrooms. Fresh fish specials are also particularly good. Due to the small space, noise levels rise quickly, but that doesn't stop patrons from deeming the place great for a date or a romantic dinner. N.B. Rock guitarist Warren Cuccurullo is a part-owner, so don't be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two. Piccolo (Restaurants - Italian) 5 Dudley Ave, Venice  CA  90291 • 310-314-3222 Distance: ~2.00 mi         Description: VENICE. "Intimate" is an understated way to describe this postage stamp-sized restaurant just a few steps away from the beach. Taking cues from the other Venice, this tiny spot serves authentic Italian dishes, rich in flavor and exactingly prepared. Diners enjoy candlelit tables and black-and-white photographs of Venezia while savoring entrees like roasted breast of duck in aged balsamic vinegar sauce and pistachio-crusted lamb loin. A five-course seasonal tasting menu can also be had. Valentino (Restaurants - Italian) 3115 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica  CA  90405 • 310-829-4313 • 310-829-0144 Distance: ~2.57 mi User Rating: 9.25 / 10         Description: SANTA MONICA. For years, award-winning Valentino has provided not only excellent Italian cuisine but impeccable service and a vast wine list as well. Antipasti include carpaccio and Italian bread salad, while pasta and risotto options are perfect in their simplicity – try potato and spinach gnocchi or garlic-infused spaghetti with clams. Representative entrees include swordfish with onion and olive caponata, grilled squab in honey-fig-red wine sauce, and osso buco. The wine list has over 1000 choices, including vintage ports; several grappas are also available. Tasting menu is $55 without wine; $95 with wine pairings. Abbot's Pizza (Restaurants - Italian) 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice  CA  90291 • 310-396-7334 Distance: ~2.72 mi         Description: VENICE. There aren't a lot of frills at this pizza place, which locals declare serves up some of the best pizza they've ever eaten. Enjoy oven-fresh pies topped with classic toppings or more interesting pizzas with pesto sauce and an assortment of mushrooms or tequila-marinated chicken. Although toppings get their due, the bagel-like crust is what really puts these pizzas over the edge on the tastiness scale. Casual dress and friendly atmosphere. Pizzicotto (Restaurants - Italian) 11758 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood  CA  90049 • 310-442-7188 Distance: ~3.16 mi User Rating: 10 / 10         Description: BRENTWOOD. Superb pizzas reign at this noisy Italian restaurant in tony Brentwood, a casual, fun place that attacts Brentwood locals and visiting celebrities. In addition to pizzas, the pastas are homemade – try the gnocchi, which is rumored to be the best in town. This little (the emphasis is on little) place with the big servings is always busy so don't go without a reservation. Casual dress is fine. Il Pastaio (Restaurants - Italian) 400 N Cañon Dr, Beverly Hills  CA  90210 • 310-205-5444 Distance: ~6.82 mi         Description: BEVERLY HILLS. At Il Pastaio, brothers Celestino and Giacomino Drago spin the sort of culinary magic that's made their whole family famous in Southern California. Working with the freshest pastas and produce, the chefs prepare antipasti, duck ragout, and penne with swordfish to please even the most discerning palates. Risottos are abundant and always unique, and truffle-cheese fondue is an excellent choice for polishing off the evening. Il Buco (Restaurants - Italian) 107 N Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills  CA  90211 • 310-657-1345 Distance: ~7.55 mi         Description: BEVERLY HILLS. Another Drago establishment, Il Buco impresses diners with its rustic Italian authenticity – from the black and white pictures of the "homeland" adorning the walls to the various Italian tenors playing on the sound system. The menu is as authentic, with sweet, pumpkin-filled ravioli, thin-crusted Neapolitan pizzas, and osso buco complemented by an exalted wine list. Madeo (Restaurants - Italian) 8897 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood  CA  90048 • 310-859-0242 • 310-859-4903 Distance: ~7.80 mi User Rating: 9.5 / 10         Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. Being situated below street level gives this upscale, old-fashioned Northern Italian restaurant a special ambience that attracts both stars and star-gazers. Famous for its veal and carpaccio dishes, the establishment also serves first-rate Tuscan soup, eggplant parmigiana, and ravioli stuffed with Italian sea bass. A favorite for power lunches and special dinners, the restaurant is often quite packed, so expect a bit of a wait. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.