Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Locanda del Lago Restaurant Review

231 Arizona Ave. (3rd St.) Send to Phone
Santa MonicaCA 90401
310-451-3525 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu
Your Opinion
Add your own review
Intriguing menu featuring specialties from the Lake District of northern Italy. Locanda del Lago Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 LA Picnic Basket Restaurants |  Go behind the scenes of Locanda del Lago restaurant! Watch our exclusive interview with general manager Megan Sheehy on GAYOT.com’s Youtube channel.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sun.

Features

* Click here for rating key

Dining room at Locanda del Lago, Santa Monica, CALocated amid the hustle and bustle of Third Street Promenade (and with ringside seats to the Santa Monica Farmers' Market), Locanda del Lago has been serving specialties from the Lake District of northern Italy for more than 20 years. A lively bar scene and communal table contribute to the friendly, neighborhood feel. The kitchen adds a creative touch to classics, as in the burrata with basil sorbetto and cherry tomato "confit." Cauliflower gnocchi is dusted with squid ink breadcrumbs, while Trio di Jidori features herb-roasted chicken breast, crispy chicken leg and prosciutto-chicken terrine. End your meal with fresh gelato from sister outlet Caffe Bellagio. Meal deals include a lunchtime $14 antipasti buffet and two-course menu for $15 or $19, as well as dinner prix-fixe menus. The serious wine list expectedly shows a big Italian influence. If you have occasion to linger---particularly on the patio overlooking the crowds---consider sharing the grolla, a traditional communal after-dinner drink from the Italian Alps. Served in a hand-carved wooden bowl, it's an espresso drink infused with brandy, grappa and Sambuca, served flambé. There's also a savory caprese martini and cocktails named after Lake Como's celebrity vacationers. (Good luck resisting the charms of The Clooney.)

User Ratings & Reviews for Locanda del Lago
Average rating    1
Reviews 1 - 1 of 11
GOT FOOD Poisoning!!!!
by AP on 09/10/2011
 
We dined at Lago on September 5, 2011 and.... after spending $160 for the dinner for two... my boyfriend got FOOD POISONING, spent half a night throwing-up and had to call-in sick the following day!!!!!!

This is a very nice-looking restaurant, located along the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica. We dined there once before, went in without super expectations as place most definitely caters to tourists, not returning customers. We were actually pleasantly surprised - food and service were not awesome, but pretty decent. So, on September 5, we decided to have dinner at Lago, as were in the area. Bad decision, as food poisoning put a dumper on otherwise perfect holiday weekend.

Obviously, we will not be dining at Lago any more.
 
Reviews 1 - 1 of 11
Los Angeles Area Top 10 Restaurant Lists
Discover the best restaurants in LA

Discover the top restaurants in Los Angeles for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, pizza, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks.

Find the best restaurants in LA here!

 


RESTAURANT AWARDS
RESTAURANT AWARDS

Subscribe to receive the 2012 edition of our annual restaurant issue, and check out our current Top 40 U.S. Restaurant selections, and more!

DINING ON A BUDGET

Best Cheap EatsSplurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.