The Best Italian Restaurants in Los Angeles | Eater LA

"Caffe Pinguini is emblematic of its home in Playa Del Rey, a beachside community so laidback one might mistake it for “sleepy.” But there is a lot of life in Pinguini, an Italian restaurant that has been slinging pastas to locals and tourists by the beach since 1998. Regulars know to not leave without the tortellini in brodo on colder nights — tri-colored cheese tortellini pooled with vegetables and ground pork sausage in a richly rendered chicken broth. Pastas range from the classic penne alla vodka to orecchiette with porcini mushrooms and sausage. Pizzas, salads, and secondi dishes like veal or chicken Parmigiana round out the menu; the well-heated patio is a nice place to sit if the warm, homey dining room is full." - Matthew Kang