Caffe Pinguini

The atmosphere is very nice, but I think that is what you are paying for. Very, very expensive with the food being so-so.
Same italian food can be found at Olive Garden at 1/3 of price.

Link to This Review      Post on Facebook   Share on Twitter

We went here for a business lunch. The food was great, so was the service. We felt like we weren't in LA anymore. Really good bread and lemonade. We sat outside in a nice shaded area. The place is really close to the beach in Playa, so you could take a walk after if you wanted to. It's a pretty nice restaurant though. Parking is a little tricky.

This is a great restaurant with always excellent service. We have been coming here for years, and have never been disappointed. As Italians who eat Italian food all the time, Caffe Pinguini is excellent. Highly recommend for intimate dinners, or families - the room has a great feel and waiters are conscientious and friendly.

Talk about romantic, italian, charming, wonderful. I was so happy I stumbled into this place. Been there for both lunch and dinner great experience. Wonderful food, great wines great for dates or relaxing with friends. Highly recommend!!

I had a birthday party celebration here. The food was fabulous, the wine was superb - and the service was world class. We had the chiantiand loved it!

We had reservations as a group of 10 and a few more people showed up to join us. The owners were very accommodating for a Saturday night - as it was busy. We were treated like kings. The food was fresh and I think I tasted a bite from everyone's plate. I had the seabass and my wife had a special ravioli and we started w/the smoked mozzarella with shitake mushrooms. Good wine list. True Italian waiters. Delightful!

We had a wonderful dinner party here recently. It is a small restaurant with high-end Italian food. We had a wonderful Chianti recommended by our waiter, great appetizers, salads and a beautifully prepared main course. The people who ordered fish and seafoods were especially pleased.
If you want to have a full meal with 3-4 courses and a bottle of wine, expect to pay $100 to $150 a person.

Great Italian food. Nice patio. Friendly staff. Good wine list. Easy parking. Close walk to the beach.

6 women on a night out were greeted with an arrogant, condescending waiter who winds up being the owner. Twenty minute wait between courses, having to chase down bus-boys for water refills, dessert menu, or the check. Chicken breast w/artichokes was tough and difficult to slice with a STEAK knife accompanied by roasted potatoes, shriveled and dry. Heavy tab was not worth the 3 hours of poor food and service.

IUf you are not a regular, watch out. Rude, inefficient service with an unpleasant attitude from the owner and wait staff. There is better food and value at many other Italian restaurants.