Located in Santa Monica on the ever popular Montana Avenue, Loconda Portofino is one of my absolute favorite restaurants on the west side. It's a bit under the radar with a small sign, no listing in Zagat's, and a modest location in a strip mall next to a dry cleaners, but it's worth finding. The food is fantastic -- very authentic. It reminds me of my semester in Florence. Some of my favorite dishes are "Spaghetti Portofino," a pasta with a hearty sauce of shrimp, tomato and a touch of cream, "Penne Vodka" an old favorite, but Locanda's is one of the best I've had, and the the "Insalate Verdi" an amazing salad of fresh local butter lettuce and home-brewed olive oil. My husband Gordon's favorite dish is the special "Sea Urchin Pasta" a salty and sweet dish with the flavors of fresh uni. As for the setting, the room is small, the tables are close together, but somehow it's cozy. There is a small patio out front, which is good if you're a smoker, but I don't really like it because it's basically in the parking lot. The only other negative about Locanda as far as I'm concerned is the price, but it doesn't deter the regulars, of which I am faithfully one. I have heard complaints about the service, some say it's slow, while others say it's down right rude. I've only experienced the slow service, but that is not the norm. Perhaps because of my regular patron status I get special treatment...or maybe the other customer just caught the waiter on a bad day. Whatever the case may be, I still say Locanda is worth it's weight in Italian sea salt.
1110 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-394-2070
Comments