Avenue Italy Cucina Italiana -west Rancho Palos Verdes

The food was good, but the service was disappointing. When we arrived, the waiter attempted to seat us outside without even asking for our preference, and considering it was quite windy and cold that day, we weren't pleased. We noticed there were seven tables available inside, so we requested to be seated there, but the waiter refused, stating that all those tables were reserved. However, I had made a reservation through OpenTable. I couldn't understand why other patrons were seated inside while we were still being directed outdoors. Eventually, after some insistence, he allowed us to sit inside. When we finished our meal, I noticed that six tables remained empty throughout our dinner. This suggests that he wasn't truthful and simply did not want to accommodate us indoors.

While some servers were polite and provided good service, the manager on duty was grumpy and only mildly courteous, passing by without acknowledging us several times. We ordered a good amount (two bottles of wine, several appetizers, desserts, and coffee), and when the bill arrived, it included a line for a 20% tip. However, it wasn’t clearly labeled as a service fee, and I wasn't informed about it beforehand. In my experience, a preset service fee is typically applied for parties of eight or more and is communicated when presenting the bill. Though the food here is decent, it’s not outstanding, and this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced subpar service—this occasion was particularly disappointing. Despite living nearby, I won’t be returning after this experience. Based on how my family and I were treated, it seems they don’t value our patronage anyway.

Great night smart staff food delicious as was the wine. One of our favorite places

Ernesto made perfect choices for us and we had a delightful time!

Fun and quaint local find. Generous portions! Dog friendly patio