Locanda Del Lago

I made a reservation for Valentine's Day and called the restaurant to ask if they would be offering anything off of their regular menu, or if you had to eat the prix fixe menu. I was assured on the phone that limited items would be available, by request, off of the regular menu. Completely different story when I arrived. The hostess couldn't even figure out what my name was (it's not that hard) and had a difficult time finding the reservation. She then looked at me blankly when I asked about the regular menu. When the waiter came to the table, I once again mentioned the regular menu and was rudely told that only the Valentine's menu was available. When I asked to speak with the manager, the waiter left our table, came back with regular menus and snottily told us that ""this is not usually allowed"" I told him that I did not like being treated like I was lying and was told that ""It's not my job to believe you or not believe you"". As someone who works in sales and customer service, where it is your job to believe your customers, this was an ultimate insult. After he left the table, I stood up, went to the hostess and told them that, if this is how they treat their customers, I would not eat there and would make sure to let everyone I know about their terrible service. Instead, we went up the street to Trastaverde and had a lovely evening with a pleasant hostess, amazing food and a very knowledgeable and friendly waiter. Cons: rude waiters, uncomfortable chairs, untruthful hostesses more

When it comes to great, fresh Italian. This restaurant always comes to mind. I enjoy the atmosphere, the location, and the food is great. I have eaten at this restaurant plenty of times, and I always walk out feeling satisfied. They have a great cheese plate, and the wines are great. They have an entree that is very interesting. It's a rock salt fish....and they debone it for you right there for you. It's an interesting restaurant, and I recommend this place highly. Pros: Cheese plate, romantic more

The boyfriend and I didn't even mean to come here but we stumbled upon it after a hard afternoon of shopping. Food was really good and the prices extremely reasonable for the quality!!! The clam and linguini pasta was one of the best I've ever had and the sandwhiches are also definitely worth a taste!! Service left something to be desired however. Overall wonderful food and a convenient place to stop off and eat. Pros: great pasta more

This is sometimes an excellent place but it all depends on the waiter and they vary from arrogant, unhelpful and absent to really good. Its not an issue of being busy--sometimes the busiest times are best. The place has gotten smug feeding off of nearby hotels and has gotten ""GM itis."" Its food is generally very good but sometimes no matter what you ask for they pay no attention. You get fish lathered in oil or steak that is inexcusable undercooked. They need to tighten up on staff and the cooks. I still go there but less frequently now. Its a shame because it used to be very reliable. Pros: food can be good Cons: staff spotty: some fabulous; some are from hell more

to begin, the space was extremely cramped and the servers kept bumping into my unstable, not to mention tremendously uncomfortable chair. 15 minutes later, the waitress had knocked over my water and soaked the entire left side of my body-my pants, my leather pumps, and as i stood there dripping, i realized not only was i NOT offered any kind of attention to actually dry myself off, i was barraged with a strand of excuses (everyone was handing me their menus, this has never happened before, etc). i resisted the urge to say to her that in all my years of fine-dining, i've never encountered anything like this, at a so-called ""upscale"" restaurant. accidents happen, but in the rare chance it does, it's treated with much more professionalism. the manager only made matters worse when he, in the most cold manner, forced an insincere 'i'm sorry, more napkins?' Pros: none, nothing Cons: ill-mannered manager, dreadful service more

I've been here a few times and its pretty good. I really like the food, but the service is really really slow. It's great if you are a really slow eater. I also see lots of random celebrities. Pros: Food Cons: Slow service more

Looking to go during a slow time of evening so that service would not be an issue, since this restaurant always looks so busy (5pm on a Sunday). The place was empty and the service was terrible. Frankly, it takes a lot for a meal to impress us. A good meal is what gets restaurants off the bench and on to the field. Good service, on the other hand, is what sets them apart from being below average to shining like professionals. You will be made to feel that you aren't spending enough if the server's PPA is below $25. Also, the servers (waiters/food runners) serve across the table putting their elbows in people's faces and auctioning off food. Pros: location Cons: service, food more

This restaurant is hands down one of my absolute favorites. Will it be yours? Answer this. Do you crave Risotto with Saffron or Osso Buco? How about incredible seafood? Do you love a picturesque and romantic setting? Do you like to know it's a special place you can spend a holiday (Christmas, New Year) with a feast featuring paired wines and incredible desserts? Do you love being waited on by traditional Italian 'camerieri' where the service is courteous, knowledgeable and professional? Do you like to dine at your pace, with the knowledge YOUR table belongs to YOU as long as you like? Answered yes to any? Then this restaurant is for you. There are many good Italian restaurants in Los Angeles and elsewhere in California. This restaurant is worthy of a visit - It's a destination and experience that should be savored just like a visit to Italy. Pros: Cuisine, Setting, Host/Staff more

I made a reservation for sunday noon brunch with my wife and two teenage children. We were seated outdoors, which was very pleasant, and have nothing but raves. Certainly, this restaurant brought back memories of recent trips to Italy, with the fresh food and friendly waiters. My proscuitto/sausage and cheese plate was exquisite; as was my wife's panini. My son ordered one of their ravioli's, which was indeed sublime. We had a movie to catch on the promenade, and had no problems with time. All in all, by far our best dining in Santa Monica during our vacation. Pros: fresh food, outdoor ambience, service more

I have a huge rant I would like to post somewhere, but there is no space. Bottom line: 3 HOUR MEAL. Saw the server exactly 4 times in that 3 hours. Food arrived cold. Server had a huge attitude because we ordered glasses of wine instead of a bottle (I wanted red and my wife wanted white). The chardonnay was bad, he wouldn't replace it without charging an additional $9. Dessert was too buttery. Stay away if you have any after-dinner plans on the Promenade, everything will be closed by then. Pros: ambience Cons: expensive, snobby, inattentive more

I love bolognese. This is the ABSOLUTE best I've had in LA and I've been to a number of good italian restaurants. The people watching is great outside and the brunch is highly recommended as well! more

I received excellent service at this fine dining establishment. The food selection and quality was above average and the wine selection was decent. Pros: Atmosphere, Great Food, Service more

I'm italian and I recommend this restaurant because the food is great and original from Italy. Situated on 3rd street promenade, Santa Monica, is a good place to have both lunch and dinner. Pros: Original Italian food, Good selection, Location Cons: Little expensive more