Giorgio Baldi - Santa Monica

Simply the best authentic Italian restaurant in all of Los Angeles—a true hidden gem!

Our experience at Giorgio Baldi was far from pleasant. After being seated, we waited 20 minutes just to receive drink menus, and they only provided 5 menus for our party of 6. Once we finally got our drinks after a 30-minute wait, it took another 29 minutes to get the attention of a waiter to place our dinner orders. The food was incredibly disappointing. The salads were bland and could easily be made better at home. The squash blossom special arrived cold and soggy. I could go on, but I won’t. For such an expensive restaurant, I wouldn't even give the food one star. By the end of the meal, everyone at our table felt let down. We were seated outside, and the heating didn't work. A member of our group asked four times for the heat to be fixed, but each time, our request was dismissed. My advice? Run away from this overpriced restaurant with subpar Italian food. There are plenty of better options out there.

The menu features so many delicious dishes that choosing one can be difficult, but you can't go wrong with any selection. The Carpaccio di Manzo here is the best I've had in LA and honestly ranks among the top five I've ever tried. As someone who’s half Italian and has enjoyed this dish since childhood, I have a good reference point. The truffle sauce adds a unique touch, and the meat is incredibly tender and thinly sliced. For our main courses, we ordered the Agnolotti and the Pappardelle, both of which were outstanding. The portion sizes are a little on the smaller side, but the flavors make every bite worthwhile, creating an unforgettable dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves Italian cuisine, enjoys high-quality meals, or is visiting LA and wants to experience the best the city has to offer. Since this is one of my favorite spots in all of LA, I will certainly be back soon and frequently.

The group tried several types of pasta, and I was thrilled to see a Mentai-based pasta on the menu. It was definitely the highlight of my meal, and I would return just for that dish. It had a perfect balance—not overly fishy, yet rich with Italian flavors. We were encouraged to add a truffle supplement, but honestly, it wasn't necessary for every plate. While we did add it to a few dishes, I felt it could have been skipped. Some dishes were sent back, including the shells, which simply didn’t come together; they still tasted overwhelmingly of wine. The chef recognized the issue and kindly offered to remake the dish! I'd rate it a 3.5, but it could easily go up to a 4 because of the attentive and accommodating staff.

If you are ready for the best house made Italian cuisine with impeccable service and quality at each row, then this is your goal. By far the best. Every bite or drink is spectacular from the beginning to the end you will be overjoyed that you discover Giorgio Baldi. Make your reservations early.