We have been enjoying Pane e Vino for several years now, and I can't believe I have never written a review of the place! This place is family in the truest sense. The hostess, Natalee, has been there for years, and she always remembers us and the table we like. The owner is there every night, along with bartenders and servers that we have also been seeing for years. You don't find that kind of warmth and loyalty in many places, especially in LA. \r
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The food is always dependable (pizza margherita for the kids) and sometimes spectacular (shrimp with honey, curry, and brandy; the Linguine & shellfish cooked w/a pizza crust over the top). Really good place to find something for everyone from picky eaters (they always make a little pasta with just butter and parmesan cheese for my son) to more grown-up fare ( Seabass & ribeye steak). \r
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Admittedly, the garden gets packed sometimes; it's a bistro, not a velvet-rope kind of place . Don't look for a quiet table for 2 in the garden at 8:00 on a Saturday night though; it doesn't exist. But what you will get is an energetic, bustling spot that is great for people watching (we've seen Halle Berry, Craig Ferguson, Cheri Oteri, Billy D Williams). If that is not your thing, the dining room inside is quieter. Or, we usually have the patio to ourselves when we go at 5:00 or 6:00 on a weeknight. \r
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This is a place you stumble onto and it's full of guests that have been coming here for years. We've actually made a few friends simply from being at Pane e Vino. We've met couples that married here, seen families grow, careers develop; that kind of atmosphere can't be forced, it just happens. \r
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Pane e Vino is a warm and welcoming place, not a cold and calculated fine-dining experience. I highly reccommend Pane e Vino to anyone who is looking for a break from the LA ""scene.""
Pros: atmosphere, staff, garden
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