I Cugini

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1501 Ocean Ave (at Broadway Street)
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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(310) 451-4595
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I Cugini - Santa Monica, CA
I Cugini - Santa Monica, CA
Reviews
( 17 )
( 6 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 7 )

Best

Brunch is great! Service is outstanding! When the weather is nice get the patio seating with the view. Pros: Romantic, Great food

Worst

Obviously, no one here has ever been to the East Coast. Does anyone know real seafood in California? I have yet to find a good seafood restaurant in this entire state, and I Cugin...

best italian regional cuisine, great service & ambiance 9/10/2006

I cugini has best thin crust wood oven pizza Pros: service, food more
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Best Brunch in LA 9/6/2006

Dined at I Cugini for Sunday brunch 3 times now. The overflowing Italian food is as good as you will get at any large scale brunch -t there is just too much to eat and choose from. The servers who 'tour' you through the restaurant to show you all the offerings are professional and very helpful. All this is topped off by both 'The Wave' being broadscast live at the restaurant AS WELL AS a live band playing great tunes. Pros: Great food, great service, great ambience Cons: None I can think of more
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Beachside Italian 8/24/2006

This restaurant offers delicious italian seafood at a great location. The staff is polite and helpful from the host/hostess to the servers. If you aren't sure what to order, ask your server, most are very knowledgeable about the menu. The prices are fairly average for Italian food in Santa Monica. I've enjoyed every meal at I Cugini. Pros: Great patio Cons: located near pier and promenade more
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Italian Food at its Best 6/30/2006

Great fresh italian seafood restaurant, my favorite italian since 16 years. Atmospher, food quality and service from the heart. Highly recomended. The best Brunch with a view Pros: Thumbs Up Cons: Parking more
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Not recommended 5/23/2006

I can't believe that this restaurant receives such a high rating. When I went the food was absolutely deplorable. I ordered baked mussels and when I started to eat them, I realized that the kitchen had not removed the inedible beards on every single one. I don't know if they were just in a rush or what, but this to me is just unacceptable from any restaurant, let alone one so upscale and ranked so high on citysearch. The seafood pasta consisted of about 85% octopus, I guess they were trying to get rid of it before it turned. If you are looking for an enjoyable, high end culinary experience, don't go here, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed. more
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Nightmare Brunch 12/1/2005

I clled and made a reservation for Sunday brunch a week and a half in advance. I was with my Aunt, cousin and to friend, six in total. When we arrived they made us wait for about 15 minutes befor they sat us. When they escorted us to our table it was on the patio in the direct scorching sun with now shade available. I pointed at a nice round table nearby that was being cleared, I was told that the manager was reserving that for VIP's. We where then brought inside and sat at the worst table possible, actually the worst two tables, they split my party up. They wouyld not give us any other table we asked for. Overall it was a horrible experience that I would not wish on anybody. Pros: Brunch somewhere else Cons: Management, Rudeness, Bad Ambience more
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Such a disappointment! 7/14/2005

I have walked by this restaurant many times thinking it would be a lovely romantic spot to take my boyfriend, but I was sorely disappointed. The ambiance is good indoors, but we did not get seated there. The ""patio"" is just a glorified sidewalk with some cheap glass covering. The seats themselves are so close together that it's impossible to have a private conversation. As for the food, if they can charge that much for italian, it had better be the best I've ever tasted...and it was only average. In fact, the calamari (I've had better at many other places) came unseasoned and over cooked. Don't waste your special night on this one. Pros: seaside view Cons: bad service, expensive , average food more
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Sunday Brunch 6/24/2005

Absolutely incredible...a little pricey...but I loved it. Probably the best Sunday brunch that I have had. Great assortment of the traditional Sunday bruch faire as well as dishes from northern Italy. I'm going back. Pros: Food, Assortment Cons: $ more
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Bad Service Nearly Ruined Evening 6/17/2005

Great food, Great Initial sevice. But when a more affluent group (read also more high service maintenance) moved next to us our service stopped. I asked for a check and had to wait 30 minutes before it came.. and only after I had to wave him down and ask again. I asked for our wheel chair, for my Mom and had to get it myself. I think either the waiter smelled a higher tip at the other table or got entrenced in their service and did not know how to extract himself. End result is I got mad and it ruined my dinner. I will not go back. more
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Wonderful Seafood! 5/28/2005

My boyfriend and I go here whenever we can! This is by far one of the best seafood restaurants I have been to. The location and the atmosphere of the place is wonderful, the service is great and the food is impeccable! The cod dish melts in your mouth and the sorbets are delightful! The wine list is offers some tasty wines as well. Haven't gone yet for brunch, but heard it's delicious! Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance more
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great food & service!!! 12/20/2004

my bf took me to I Cugini for my birthday last week, and we both found it amazing. both the food & service from all the staff there were excellent. my bf ordered a salmon dish, and i had this seafood broth dish, and they were so delicious. i've actually recommended this restaurant to many friends already and i will definitely return in the near future so i can try out other dishes. Pros: food, service, interior design more
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Recommended for Italian Seafood 9/27/2004

I took my girlfriend here on our first date a year ago. Neither of us are big seafood lovers but we thorougly enjoyed the dinner. .The location is great since it is right on Ocean Ave facing the ocean. The specialty here is their fish. You are given the option of choosing a type of fish you like and then choosing the method and flavor of how you would like the fish cooked. You can also choose the size of the fish you'd like. The interior decor is a nice and tastefully decorated with wood furniture prevailing. Valet parking is right up front by the restaurant which is recommended since parking can be quite difficult to find in that area. Overall, a classy restaurant and a safe bet for consistently good food, service and atmosphere. Pros: Tasty Food, Semi-casual, Location more
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Great 4/22/2003

I love their seafood risotto. It's not bland, not too oily, and the rice is soft yet has good consistency. For what they offer, the price is pretty reasonable. more
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MOLTO BENE!!!!! 1/28/2003

We truly enjoyed our brunch experience. The food was gourmet and well done. Nice view of the Pacific Ocean. They have the 94.7 THE WAVE station hosting on Sunday Brunch. Nice JAZZ music!!! The food was truly delicioso!!!! VERY EXPENSIVE BRUNCH. We go on special occassion only. Pros: GREAT AMBIANCE, great food, GREAT VIEW Cons: VERY EXPENSIVE, Parking is crowded more
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I beg to differ... 9/25/2002

I found the service to be great when I visited this restaurant back in March. Our waiter was very attentive and the dining experience as a whole was excellent. Pros: Wait staff, Menu, Outdoor seating Cons: parking more
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Menu for I Cugini


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Editorial

  • In Short
    The large dining room is accented by rustic chandeliers, exposed-beam ceilings and sounds of sizzling from the open kitchen. A huge glassed-in patio overlooks Ocean Avenue and...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm Sun 10am-3pm, 4pm-10pm
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Downtown
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