Polpo Alla Griglia ($20) 04-12-2024
Polpo alla Griglia
Classic Manhattan
Spaghetti al Pomodoro
Crostini Burrata e Guanciale
Crostini Burrata e Guanciale
Tagliolini alla Menta
Pan D'Arancio
Pan D'Arancio
Tagliolini alla Menta
Linguini di Mare
La Cucina Private Dining
Insalata di Polpo e Gamberi
Tagliolini Fumigato
Strozzapreti di Manzo
Mare Monte
Gnocchi all'Astice
Fritto Misto
Sardenara
Anything with Jack
Rocco's Room Private Dining
Ravioli ai Funghi
Nick G.
Feb 15, 2025
I had a great dining experience at Primo Italia. From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting ambiance set the tone for a fantastic meal. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and made me feel like a valued guest.I ordered the Filetto Di Manzo, which was cooked to perfection. It was tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus, both prepared with just the right balance of seasoning and texture. The combination made for a well-rounded and satisfying dish.Beyond the food, the service was impeccable. The team was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that everything was just right throughout the meal. It's clear that Primo Italia takes pride in delivering an exceptional dining experience.
Read MoreJ K.
Jan 18, 2025
One of the best Italian spots (if not the best) in the area. I've had a good amount of their pastas which are all equally delicious. The carciofi and vongole are my favorites. The branzino and lamb ossobucco are also amazing. I havent tried their pizza but they look good. The staff are all super friendly and knowledgeable. Bar staff (Decker is truly great at his craft) is fantastic and they have an extensive selection of wines and liquors. The ambiance is very beautiful and the private rooms are great as well. The live music truly makes the experience.
Read MoreLaura F.
Jan 3, 2025
We celebrated a Christmas party here, the food, staff, and owner was absolutely amazing. The drinks were great too. I would highly recommend supporting this place, as they take pride in their establishment.The only reason I lower it one star, and I don't take h this lightly, is I cringe at the thought of veal being on any menu, EVER ... in this day and age, the thought of baby cows being squeezed into tiny cages and being tortured keeps me up at night. This practice of veal and eating it needs to stop. I have a hard time supporting businesses that serve it, especially with the knowledge we have about its practices.
Read Morefrances h.
Feb 6, 2025
It's easy to drive right by this fine Italian restaurant just south of PCH on Hawthorne. Which makes it a hidden gem indeed! The atmosphere is exquisite, nice ambiance, attentive service, and oh, did I say they have excellent food to boot?! I forgot to take a pic, but the presentation is perfecto and the beef tenderloin, is, well, TENDER! Delish! Can't wait to go back and try more..def one of my new faves.
Read MoreChris G.
Sep 19, 2024
Numerous restaurants in the Palos Verdes area supported the slide recovery effort, with dining proceeds benefiting the cause. That was all the incentive we needed to visit, Primo Italia.On this Wednesday evening around 6:45 PM, the restaurant was bustling. Parking is available on the street or in the back parking lot, but street parking can be tricky--especially when it involves parallel parking on the busy Hawthorne Boulevard.Upon entering, we were greeted by the charming sound of a piano and live singing, creating a lovely ambiance. However, the lively atmosphere encouraged us to choose a quieter spot in the back room, perfect for catching up on our day. You will find a host upon entering the restaurant.The decor was warm and inviting, with an impressive display of wine bottles and glasses adding a touch of elegance. They also have a big bar with televisions in the main dining room. I saw several people enjoying themselves after a long day of work. The menu featured an enticing selection of Italian dishes, both from land and sea. We kicked off our meal with two appetizers that were simply delightful: Crostini Burrata and Gnocchi a la Romana--absolutely delicious on both fronts! The gnocchi preparation was different than I was accustomed to, see my picture. For our main courses, we each picked an entrée that spoke to us, and then we swapped plates to sample everything. We ordered four dishes, each satisfying in its own way. They handmake all the pasta elements inhouse. My personal favorites, ranked, were: 1) Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, 2) Bucatini alla Gricia, 3) Picci Toscani con Tartufo Nero, and 4) Ravioli ai Funghi.While dining in the back room meant a bit of a wait for our food, it was no issue as we enjoyed a lively family dinner. The staff was attentive, and Juan S. provided excellent recommendations and service.Overall, the experience was exceptional, and the food was truly enjoyable. We collectively rated our visit at 4.5 out of 5, but I tend to round down. Primo is sure to impress--"MANGIA, MANGIA!"
Read MoreP R.
Feb 11, 2025
It was my first time at Primo's and it did not disappoint! I was there with a larger group and everyone enjoyed their meal and drinks. After dinner we had the pleasure of staying longer since there was live music. We had a great time, great service, delicious food and great atmosphere! I will be sure to return soon with family & friends!
Read MoreTiffany S.
Dec 27, 2024
Saturday, 12/14/2024This was a night out for us to celebrate birthdays and Christmas celebrations with my girlfriends.It was the first time for all of us at this restaurant in Torrance. I made the reservations through Open Table and read the reviews several times. There were tons of great reviews.The ambience was loud and lively They had a live piano player, playing festive holidays melodies.There were 4 of us and two arrived early so we sat at the bar. While we waited for our other girlfriends We ordered calamari and their holiday Pear Martini . It was so perfect.This restaurant is a local gem. Brandon our bartender was such a cutie pie. As busy as they were he was very attentive to us.Once our table was ready, they almost sat us in a little corner by the Piano and it was going to be really loud for us, so requested another table and the hostess was very accommodating. Once seated our waiter was friendly and witty. He was attentive.Each of us ordered different pasta dishes. I ordered more of a traditional pasta dish. Linguine with clams marinated in white wine sauce delicious!Please see pictures for our other entrees.A heads up on the parking, you can park on the street or enter the parking for the shopping center area and you'll need to walk a few steps to the restaurant. It's minor,The ambience, cocktails and food definitely make up for the minor parking.I definitely recommend this Italian gem restaurant.
Read MoreLiv B.
Aug 4, 2024
I enjoyed dining at this wonderful restaurant and was thoroughly impressed. The place is very clean, with two dining rooms and a spacious bar, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.The lettuce salad was incredibly fresh and refreshing, setting the tone for a delightful meal. The Bolognese tagliatelle was seasoned to perfection, with the handmade pasta having an ideal texture. The pappardelle was equally impressive, and the orecchiette stood out with its slightly spicy kick, generous broccolini, and sausage. The bread was really soft, complementing the meal perfectly.Everything was absolutely delicious, and I'll definitely be returning soon. The service was excellent as well, making the entire dining experience top-notch.
Read MoreJennifer B.
May 29, 2024
Mom didn't want to make a big deal of her 75th birthday. She simply wanted an intimate dinner with those she loves most. Easy enough, I asked what cuisine she felt like having to celebrate the occasion: "I haven't had Italian food for awhile..." I have a few recommended go-to's for that but wanted to try something new. And that's how my party of 8 ended up here. Tucked away near Rolling Hills, it's located alongside a few other businesses. It's a couple minutes' walk from the parking lot - no biggie. We walked in and were welcomed with music. (They had a really cool piano player jammin' it up in there.) We liked it, sure, but we were glad to be seated at the back where it was quiet and that we can converse with each other. My bad for not remembering our server's name, but off the bat, he was a cool cat! He was friendly and accommodating right at the very beginning. I started off with their Tame the Dragon cocktail which was refreshing. We all decided to share whatever starters we were gonna get. And off we go: CHARCUTERIE/AFFETTATO DI SALAMI: There was little to share with everyone but I did get a taste of the prosciutto combined with a bit cheese and honey. That was enough for me to simply taste the palate. CARCIOFI ALLA ROMANA: one of Mom's favorites: she loved it so much, we ordered a 2nd. Good sour level. The artichokes were cooked tender. Seasoning was just right. POLPO ALLA GRIGLIA: Everyone knows prepping octopus is hit and miss. It's a complete hit here. The grilled finish was perfect. There was no hint of toughness at all. Fresh as the ocean, seasoned perfect. GET THIS! INSALATA CAPRESE: A must have whenever I see it on any menu. This didn't disappoint. The savory and sour of the fresh tomatoes and balsamic vinegar were tamed and balanced so well by the subtle (but impressive!) flavor of the mozzarella. This didn't last very long, I almost ordered a 2nd! INSALA DI PERE E BURRATA: Another must whenever I see it on the menu. It's prepared a little special here, though. Just three ingredients: wine poached Asian pear, reduced balsamic and the cheese. Put them all together and an explosion of flavors dancing through your taste buds. It was excellent! PICCI TOSCANI CAN TARFURO NERO: My choice of main and it did not disappoint. It wasn't even about the shaved black truffles (although it did make a difference) but the pasta was cooked a perfect al dente. The sausage added flavor and texture. Really, it's the sauce that made each bite. *Insert chef's kiss here!* I got a small tastes of the ravioli as well as the filet mignon and they, too, were amazing. The profiterol was a great way to finish and cleanse the palates FOOD: 5. Not only were they all delish, they were aesthetically pleasing as well! SERVICE: 5. Our server was excellent!!! VALUE: 5. Pricey, but worth it. Even more so for this special occasion. PARKING: Street and private lot a few minutes' worth of walk away. OVERALL: 5. Mom even got a free birthday dessert! She was really happy, and her opinion is what mattered most - at least for that night. That said, we all left pretty satisfied, so we can all say it truly was a perfect evening. It is a bit of a drive from home, but I wouldn't mind the trek for another experience! Looking forward to that next run!
Read MoreAshli A.
Jul 10, 2024
A last minute change of plans lead me here, and I was PLEASANTLY surprised!I was heading to J. Trani's, and the traffic was looking terrible. My friend and I opted to find a closer Italian restaurant, and this was the closest with great reviews! There was a lively energy in the room, from dates, to small groups, and even families with children. Long story short, the food was amazing! 5 STARS! My server was super attentive and shared his fav dishes! We started out with the calamari, which was fried to absolute perfection! The pesto for the bread felt a bit salty and overpowering. but maybe that's the authentic way to prepare it. For the entree, I got the Filetto di Manzo! I got the beef prepared medium well, and every bite was DELECTABLE! The sauce is flavorful, and I didn't need a to-go box becuase I ate it all up right then and there!My friend ordered the Branzino. I didn't care to go through the labor of eating a whole fish, but I did try a bite, and the fish was very well cooked. Perfect texture and infused with flavor, despite looking bland on the outside. For dessert, I ended with the cheesecake, which was perfect! The fruit puree on top was delectable, and I usually don't eat dessert. Glad I did!I absolutely plan on returning! Only downside is that the parking on the side of the street can be a bit dangerous. Cars were zooming by, and me having heels walking over the curb wasn't necessarily fun. Lol. But I will be back!
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