
5

"A Santa Monica white-tablecloth Italian restaurant opened in 1980 that presents a formal, somewhat European dining room (table-side Caesar salads, framed nature paintings, tan booths) and a remarkably delicate veal parmigiana that’s pounded as thin as possible so a single diner can comfortably finish it. The kitchen emphasizes top-quality ingredients—San Marzano and northern tomatoes used seasonally for the sauce and high-grade mozzarella—yielding creamy melted cheese over supremely tender milk-fed veal with a light, schnitzel-like crust that envelops rather than overwhelms; pricing is about $29.95 for dinner ($24.95 at lunch)." - Alejandro Benes