Drago Centro Reviews

3 things stood out at Drago Centro: the canneloni stuffed with rabbit and topped with crusty cheese & bechamel was fabulous. Really unusual dish, very, very tasty. There is an excellent selection of Italian wines by the glass - much, much better than a typical Italian restaurant. And the waiter was great at steering me to an excellent set of food choices (for me), plus a wine that paired perfectly with my meal - ask for Carlos.

I visited this restaurant for business dinners. The foods were beautiful and tastes good.

There are few restaurants in downtown Los Angeles that would inspire a special trip: Drago Centro is an exception. I have dragged friends from Orange County to dine or lunch here and have never been disappointed (but this is NOT the source of the restaurant's name). The mood is fresh and modern, the space well-appointed, the glass wine cellar an inspiration and the food classically Northern Italian. You may want to have the staff help you with selections in both wine and dishes -- but there is simply no better rendition of parpadelle with pheasant in the State. Benissimo!

I came after a charity event. The risotto with confit duck was incredibly delicious. This risotto is second only to what my mother makes.

The restaurant was recommended by the folks with whom I was having a business meeting. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the outside seating area near the firepit. I immediately thought that this is a good place for folks to come get a drink after work to unwind before going home. I had the handkerchief which was a sheet of pasta with crabmeat drizzled with pesto. The plate was delicious albeit a small portion for the price I paid. Everyone in the party enjoyed their selections - cesare salad and linguine.

The vibe downtown, even on a Sat night is clearly picking up steam. The place was crowded, not slammed, and just the right amount of energy. The food was solid, not off the charts, but worth the return visit and probably a 3rd visit after sampling a few more establishments for comparision purposes. Great Italian wine selection to accompany the food.

Beautiful restaurant with a lot of seating including outdoor seating. Food was tasty but not overdone like many higher end restaurants. Pasta is freshly made on-site...delicious. One of the most impressive italian wine lists I have seen at a restuarant - every corner of Italy is represented with interesting smaller producers represented next to the usual big names. Would highly recommend

Nice lunchtime choice. Pleasant outdoor-type patio. Had the lunch special. Appetizer main course and dessert for 25. Very reasonable and very tasty. Friendly staff-helpful and attentive. Will try for dinner soon.

This was a pleasant surprise. We dined here because it was close to our hotel. After our experience I would drive a long time to eat here. The food was outstanding. The ingredients were creative and fresh. Our waiter was outstanding. He recommended perfect pairings of courses and wine. It was a true dining experience. We will definitely be back

Really enjoyed both the ambience and food of this restaurant. Highly recommended. I ordered a pesto handkerchief pasta with crab and it was delicious.

Every so often my husband and I like to make the drive to downtown L.A. from Thousand Oaks to Drago. Joyful, classy , yummy and a city treat. The menu wonderful. The taste even better. The service tops and the setting so inviting. What more can we say? Oh, we Love it. Enjoy !!!

A large group of us had what I would call a very nice meal with good food but not exceptional or memorable. Very good burrata, a great wine list , friendly staff in a pretty setting

We expected to have a high end delicious Italian meal. While the servers were excellent, the food was not. The ahi tuna appetizer was limp and somewhat smelly and while we did not send it back we did not finish the very small portion. I had steak, my spouse pork. The steak was served with a sparse presentation of almost uncooked cherry tomatoes and olives. The pork came with tasteless gnocci in a fairly good tomato and eggplant sauce. The bread was the best part of the meal. The olive oil used in the dishes seemed quite heavy and overpowering, which possibly contributed to our dislike of the dishes.

What a fantastic restaurant! We got all dressed up for a night and went on a date with another couple. We were seated immediately at our reservation time. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable in regards to the menu. Friend had a four course meal that he said was delicious. I had the fish and it was amazing! Of course a little pricey, but nothing unreasonable for a nice, fancy place like this. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for quality food at an upscale restaurant.

Chef Drago needs a lesson in presentation of food... the crab arugula pesto dish looks like baby doodoo... the risotto with squash looks like a bowl of oatmeal... the food tastes good ...but a "chef" of this caliber should know better...

Located in the heart of the downtown financial district, Drago Centro is a good choice for good food and exceptionally good coffee. I ate there many times and I usually go for their exceptionally good burrata, followed by salmon and then coffee. They are one of the few Italian restaurants in Los Angeles that can prepare for you a genuine and absolutely delicious affogato, which is not to be missed. Service is spotty: sometimes you get a fish knife, sometimes you don't, sometimes the waiter is pleasant and helpful, sometimes his attitude borders arrogance...

Had a superb dinner in a room that was formerly a Bank of America vault. Service was excellent, food cooked in the room and room was quiet enough for conversation.

First time at this restaurant. Party of 2 for dinner on a Tuesday. Décor of restaurant is quite attractive and inviting. Outdoor as well as glass-enclosed seating is available as well an indoors. Reservation acknowledged immediately. Waiter was very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. He was able to offer suggestions for wine pairing that worked out well. All wait staff were attentive throughout the meal. This is an upscale Italian restaurant that for us had good to excellent food, nicely presented, fresh, and well prepared. Portions were appropriately sized. Wine selections by the glass were varied while prices were on the high side. We shared the charcuterie plate which was more than enough for 2 as an appetizer, served with incredible olive oil rolls; it was excellent!. Two types of bread are put on the table with virgin olive oil: an olive bread and a sour dough; both were good. The Pappardelle was good; it could have used a bit more seasoning while the pasta itself was properly cooked al dente. The Garganelli pasta was excellent, well seasoned and flavorful. Two desserts we had were a Terrina and Bomboloni. Both were very good. We had a total of 2 cocktails, 2 glasses of wine, one appetizer, 2 pastas, and 2 desserts. With tax and tip, the total bill was $200. Considering that all dishes we had were not excellent, I found the bill to be high for what we had. With so many choices of upscale restaurants in downtown L.A., this will not be one I will be returning to soon. I will return to give it another try, sometime.

We arrived at about 1pm without a reservation. The restaurant was full but the wait was only 5 minutes. The restaurant week lunch menu had a nice variety of entrees. My salmon and my colleagues' steak salad and risotto were delicious. Our food was delivered timely. The service was attentive. We may even go back there again today.

One of several pluses is that if you park in the building below the restaurant, the parking is free. Of course, that is minor in comparison to the overall cost and experience. The restaurant has a wonderful outdoor area that is very quiet which is a real treat nowadays. Generally tasty food. My husband had the lasagna Bolognese which he said was not as good as a small local restaurant we go to. My Salmon was excellent. I finished the whole dish. Not a big eater. So that means not large portions. So be prepared for fashionable portions. Excellent well-trained wait staff.

Eight of us gathered for a spectacular dinner at Drago Centro! We're all wine geeks and we were doing a 1990 vintage Wowsa horizontal, from Champanyo to Loire Valley to Alsace to white & red Burgs to to Cali to Bordeaux to Rhone to Sauternes, and had cleared with the restaurant that we would be bringing and having (and sharing with staff) 16 bottles. Chef created a multi-course extravaganza, pairing spectacularly with each 2-bottle flight! It was a totally fantastic evening that ended with Chef, Som, and a couple of other staff joining us for the last couple of flights! Super THANKS to Drago Centro and the whole team for making our evening sooooo special and sooooo memorable!

Got a really nice table due to booking far in advance. Service was great, really friendly staff and the food was fantastic too.

Second time at this restaurant. Front desk managers are bit pretentious, but it's LA. Service is good, decent wine list. Food was good, but not outrageous. Plating is very appetizing with very light sauce. Ok flavor, but some dishes may need bit for seasoning. Good portion. I would go back for business, but not sure if I would bring my family.

The food at Drago Centro is good. The service is even better! Our waiter was fabulous and patient, even though we were there for over 2 hours (on a not so busy lunch day). Drago is definitely on my "go to" list for business lunches in downtown L.A.

Our group of 17 people was pleasantly surprised how well the waitstaff handled a group of this size. Out of 17, no one had a single complaint about their meal, and there were raves about the roasted corn soup, the salads and the entrées. Getting especially high compliments were the pappardelle with roasted pheasant and morel mushrooms, the lasagna, the branzino, the boneless pork chop, and the garganelli with pork sausage, parmesan, fennel seeds. The combination of great food and exceptional service made this an evening to remember.

I dined here with business colleagues but think this is a great contender for a family/friend get-together. It is a little loud and group-focused for a date night. The lighting, overall ambience, service and food quality all make it a good choice. I had the beet carpacio (delicious) and le pappardelle al fagiano which is wonderful: pappardelle pasta, roasted pheasant and morel mushrooms. It was an easy walk from the Omni where we stayed. If you're in town for business, check it out!

We booked the large private dining room for a group dinner for about 25 people. With this large of a group, the service frequently suffers; however, the Drago Centro staff knew how to efficiently serve the group without extended delays. We were delighted to have the chef in the room plating the meals, with cameras and screens to capture the art of his presentation. This is an excellent venue for a private group dinner.

First of all, there is nowhere in downtown LA where you can get a real cocktail for under $15 except here! The bar menu had appetizers for $5-7 and top shelf liquor was featured. The pasta is homemade and portion sizes are generous. I am embarrassed that other reviewers felt that steak should be comparable to national chain quality. That, this is not. The menu was creative and featured many authentic Italian items. We had the octopus and burrata starters, which all of us liked. The pasta was delightful: fresh and flavorful. We had the fettuccine with pepper, spaghetti with marinara and burrata (so rich), and handkerchief pasta with crab and pesto (a favorite choice) The main courses, if you had room, were good. Dessert was all very rich and delicious. Service was solid, and corkage was free on the day we went. Valet was convenient, and elevator ride away. We have paid much more for a fancy meal of this quality, and we would definitely go back to this treasure of a spot!!!

Consistently excellent food and service. Everything is good here and many dishes are great. One small quibble is that some dishes are slightly under seasoned, so if that happens, don't hesitate to ask for salt and pepper. At least it is not overly salty for those who are sensitive to such things. Very good wine list and great sommelier service, though if you are hoping for a deep selection of aged reds, you might want to call ahead and ask to speak with Mark about your options.

Drago was a short walk from the California Club and we had a splendid dinner. Although it was a busy Saturday night, the place is very well run and service and food was tip top. A little loud, but energy really good and the clientele is good and spirited. It is often difficult to make fresh pasta taste like fresh pasta but Drago does it. I like the modern architecture and it has a modern feel. I have also had an event in the large glass walled special event space which is equally impressive.

As part of our evening entertainment to the Disney Concert Hall, we went for dinner in this nearby restaurant. the hour of our dinner was a bit earlier than usual because of the concert. so we sort of expect only a quick meal. But to our surprise, this turned out to be one of the best meal in LA during this visit. I can still remember the main course I order which was the scallop and found it to be one of the best I have tasted. The restaurant looked a bit empty when we first arrived which gave us the opportunity to see the nice interior design. As we started to enjoy our meal the restaurant became lively as more customers began to fill the space. It was quite full when we left the restaurant. I will certainly come back again.

An amazing restaurant. Right in the heart of the financial district. Everything was perfect. The ambiance, the service and the food. The wine list was amazing and could be paired perfectly to the menu items. The true flavor of Sicilian cuisine can be experienced here. Our server was absolutely fantastic. We got the Caesar salad and the octopus for our starters. Both fantastic, but the true star were the mains. We will make a habit of visiting every time we are back in LA. Despite the restaurant being fully booked, nobody and nothing missed a beat… absolutely superb!

I came here for a business dinner. This is what i would expect for the price in downtown los angeles for an Italian restaurant. Nothing special, nothing negative. Good dinner spot. Though a little pricey.

This was a phenomenal food and wine experience. 50 bucks for food and 50 bucks for wine--worth every penny. You can give them some guidelines--gluten free for instance, and they will accomodate you. Let them pick. Enjoy. This will be a must visit everytime I'm in LA.

We arrived at 9 o'clock and found mostly business professionals having their dinner. They have a large wine selection and a few specialty cocktail selections however there full bar can make anything. Overall it is clean, classy, and catering mostly to the upscale proud. I would give the ambiance 4 stars. From the appetizer to the main course each plate is a single serving. This makes it difficult to share among your friends. There were several flavorful dishes we enjoyed however the quantity they provided was not enough to satisfy someone for dinner. For the amount we paid for each dish they could've added at least 30% more food on the plate. The first dish we enjoyed was the spaghetti with garlic however if you like garlic ask for an extra amount on the side. It made my dish more flavorful. Next was the green pesto pasta and finally the mushroom risotto. There was not much appetizers for us to choose as vegetarian so we only could eat the mozzarella. Overall we found all the food to be bland. The food would have received a 3 star rating however because they had eggless pasta we chose to give it a four star. If you have an egg allergy they have two alternatives to the pasta noodle which are the linguine and farfalle as a substitute. Parking is underground by 5th and Figueroa St. Look for the elevator marked Drago. Remember to get your ticket validated before you leave by the restaurant for free parking. Vehicles over 6 feet high or not allowed to enter the underground parking lot.

Drago Centro can be romantic or business-like of child-friendly, depending on where you are seated. I love this place. Service is attentive and wait staff is knowledgeable about the food and the wines. I had the Polpo (grilled octopus) appetizer and loved it. Pastas are inventive and delicious, like my Hankerchief Pasta with lump crab and arugula pesto, yet include some standbys like Lasagna Bolognese (which hubby has ordered both times we were there.) The Branzino was also very good. For dessert, the table shared a lovely, complex Chocolate Terrine - we were too full to each order a dessert, but too curious after all those wonderful main courses to forget about dessert. Of course I'll go again!

One of my favorite restaurants. The Garganelli pasta is wonderful. So is the parpadelle. Actually it's all great. Let the wine steward recommend the wine for you. There are many choices you have never heard of that are better than the big names.

My wife and I ate here last Saturday evening. We were very excited to try it since it was included in Jonathan Gold's 101 best LA restaurants. Nice location. We were seated easily before our reservation time. I was a bit confused over who was our waiter throughout the evening. It felt like we had a bit too many and it confused them. I will explain. One waiter took our wine order and another took our food order. We started with a Caesar salad which I can only describe as dry and awful. It would have been nice if one of the waiters offered some fresh crushed black pepper to flavor it. We got our entrees, my wife a pasta dish and I had a meat dish. Both were shockingly underseasoned. Almost blah. So far, not one person asked how our meal was. I flagged down another waiter and asked for some salt. Once salt was on the food, it tasted much better. After not wanting to chance dessert, we had to flag down yet a different waiter for our bill. Still another waiter took the bill away with the credit card. He returned it at the same exact time the person whom I believe to be our main waiter, dropped off our bill. I had to explain to him that we already paid! Not once during our entire visit did anyone ask us how our meal is or was. Even walking out, the hostess just said "bye." This meal was such a disappointment that my wife who never complains about food was ready to give some feedback. But nobody asked. I am shocked this restaurant was included in the top 101!

I think this was the best duck I have ever eaten, medium rare, juicy, with a slight grilled flavor and joined with little potatoes on the side. We met another couple there at 7:30 our table was ready and we did not leave till 11:30 PM. Enjoying a couple of bottles of good wine, martinis and the food. The Branzino fish was grilled to perfection and it is flown in twice a week from Italy. The pastas our friends had were made there and filled with flavor. The octopus appetizer was tender and also grilled. The homemade ice cream was better than a little fruit pastry I ordered. We brought 1 bottle to the restaurant and our server decanted it for us and let it breath as we enjoyed our drinks. A truly special place.

Even though the portions are tiny, the quality of the food was great - as well as the ambiance. Must visit by anyone looking for out of the ordinary experiences. We will be visiting this great restaurant each time we are in Los Angeles. Only suggestion to the restaurant - treat any celebrating their birthday with a real cake!

With Piero Salvaggio at the helm, this has to be good and it goes way beyond that with a very reasonably priced menu that offers nice choices for just about any palate preference. The servers are well trained and well versed re the menu selections and wine service. It casual and classy.

I was fortunate enough to dine here on my last night in LA. It was by far the best meal I had all week, and quite honestly one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The atmosphere, service, and food was absolutely amazing. The flavors & variety are so great that I'm already anticipating my next business trip to LA just so I can dine here. I definitely recommend Drago Centro if you're in the area and want to eat something that is truly unique and delicious.

This is a white tablecloth, fine dining establishment, so plan to spend a couple of hours and a decent amount of $$$ for a really delicious meal. Portions are amusingly small; my husband and I ordered 3 entrees between us in addition to his appetizer and my salad. The kitchen seems to be obsessed with making dots of sauce on the plates; a pool of sauce to arrange the food on would be much appreciated. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available. Be sure to make a reservation and let them know about dietary needs in advance. The service is attentive and impeccable, the food superb. Our waiter advised a truly wonderful wine to accompany the meal. If you are a fan of happy hours, the bar snacks and house wines are quite good. Try the flatbread pizza - it's great, according to my friend. It looked really pretty. All the seating is comfortable. My husband and I sat in the glass enclosed patio and it was so pretty with the plants and twinkle lights.

My seared octopus starter was flavorful and nice and tender. My main was Banzino with polenta, clams and a black garlic aioli was excellent. My wife had a paste special which was a truffled linguini. This was most likely the best pasta dish I had ever tasted.

I've been to restaurants downtown before and there are so many hIdden gems. But Drago Centro is one I want to be a regular thing. I met with friends for lunch in the heart of the financial district. La Burrata to start was epic - so full of flavor and freshness. Le Linguine (white wine clams) was cooked perfectly and right-sized portion for lunch. The Prosecco was light and the right amount of dry. But the highlight had to be La Panna Cotta which forever changed my mind vs Creme Brûlée. When something has the power to do that, you better pay attention! Silky, slightly sweet, with seasonal fruit and carmelized sugar was just stellar. My new favorite dessert by far. This is a special place and can add up on the bill, but you won't regret it. LA has its epic places and I think this is one of them!

In downtown LA, near the library. We were there with a group. Very visually appealing with glass walls and doors. However, given the other really excellent restaurants in the area, the food at Drago was surprisingly bad. We all had salad to start; it was very salty. My entree was two sirloin medallions, two pearl onions and (I think) two potato medallions. The presentation was attractive. The onions were too strong, the potato had an odd taste and the sirloin, which was the only thing I ended up eating, was just okay. For dessert I had biscuits and fruit. The two biscuits were about the size of my pinky finger and the fruit was a blackberry, a blueberry, a strawberry.... Another friend who dined there that evening said his wife had scallops that were good, but that his meal was also very average. I won't be back.

Excellent fresh pastas and main courses as well as salads/antipasto. Wine selection was great. Very attentive wait staff. Nice place.

I have long been a fan of the Drago restaurants, with Celestino so close to home in Pasadena. I had always wanted to try their Flagship, and Celestino Drago was the chef that night, so I was pleased. I was early to meet my friends and had an Aperol Spritz and found that these were affordable ($8). I loved the seafood, including the octopus appetizer and the linguini with clams. We also ordered a charcuterie plate for the table, which had quite enough to share. The sommelier was very knowledgable. Service was excellent. The valet parking was a difficult situation because the clearance is only about six feet, so we had trouble finding someplace to park our large truck (we ended up parking in front of the Westin Bonaventure). It would have been nice if the restaurant could have helped us suggest a better option for parking, but otherwise everything was wonderful.

We dined here on New Year's Eve and had the choice to order off the menu or a tasting menu. Food was delicious and the wine steward was knowledgeable.

Our second dinner experience at Drago after a few years and it is still very good and we would recommend to anyone who enjoys personable, attentive service as well as nice execution and presentation of exquisite cuisine. You can't go wrong here.

One of the best 'museum ' food spots. Home made pasta with a wide variety of options. Salads are fresh. Portions generous.

Good menu, food quite good but ambience a bit noisy. Most dishes outstanding, but one was returned as the lobster was overdone. They were very accommodating. Interesting bar selections.

This restaurant was so good that we visited it twice during our visit to L.A. The service was excellent and the food was just as good. There's pasta like you haven't had before.

Went twice. Minutes from the Westin Bonaventure. Glassed in area, very nice upscale inside. Menu is inviting, and Risotta is gluten free. Pasta is very good. Wine selection good. Serving staff very knowledgeable and helpful. Make a reservation. We went twice because it was that favorable. One night we had 20 there and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience

My friend and I went for dinner and ordered a couple of pasta dishes , wine and cocktails and desert since we just wanted to check out the place. We were both extremely satisfied with the quality and freshness of the ingredients and the perfection of the final product. Eduardo was our waiter and he was most attentive yet not hovering. He was very pleasant and even responded cordially to our light chat. He brought us a second basket of bread which my friend loved and regularly came by to check on our dinner. Drago is my favorite restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles. Thank you very much for a great experience.

Every course here was impressive. The tuna starter was very rare, but it was a lovely piece of tuna and a generous amount. Imagine the best piece of tuna you've had in a sushi restaurant - but you have 5 times as much and lots of other flavours and textures alongside. The pappardelle with roasted pheasant had perfect pasta. Plenty of bit. It must have been freshly made, as well as being cooked just right. The sauce as rich, but with the ingredients - the meat and the mushrooms - still distinguishable. The chocolate tart had much more to it than the name implies. It was very chocolatey and I loved every mouthful. The Centre of Effort pinot noir was also delicious and went with everything. It was a Sunday evening and there was a rarefied atmosphere in the restaurant - it's quite formal and I wished I'd dressed up a little - but it was still busy. The service is very polished.

A very, very good Italian restaurant. Easy access from the 110, comped valet in the parking lot below and a few blocks to get back on said Hwy 110, I came here a few times for lunch with a client, and mostly concerned with business, paid little attention to the food and thus didn't think to return. Then one Saturday night my girlfriend drove us here and bought me dinner. Pumpkin soup? Velvet. The shortrib ravioli? Lovely, firm pasta, tender braised shortrib and perfectly crispy shoestring potatoes that add a texture to it that brings it up a level. I really enjoyed the mushroom risotto and my only critique is the charcuterie is below par. One item I enjoyed was the value. Where the likes of Chi Spacca must have a sense of humor in how they price their wine - here, even with the rent they must pay - the wine list is good and rather fairly priced, with a nice carafe of Piedmonte Barolo setting you back $30 or so. We enjoyed a 3 course meal, two Aperol Spritz and a bottle of wine yet still went home with change from $200. Next time I come for lunch with a client, I will pay attention.

8 of us went for Dinner and all if us had nothing but great reviews for this place. I had truffle chicken that is one the best meals I've ever had! You have to try this.

My galpal treated me to a wonderful dinner at Drago Centro. Our food was fresh and had excellent presentation. The wait staff was attentive and the gentleman who served us as a host was very professional, yet we experienced his warmth. I have advised my colleagues as well as family that it is truly a must-try when downtown. I will be back. The roasted butternut squash dish (gli agnolotti) was delightful with bountiful flavor, and my il pollo was very satisfying.

Went there for dinner a couple of days ago. Food quality is high and food tastes well. Service was pretty slow even it was mid week and the restaurant was not full. Portions are pretty small and you have to order starter, entree and dessert to not go home hungry. For the portion size it was pretty expensive.

Good food, nice atmosphere and attentive staff. Well located with nice outdoor area. Overall, a great choice!

In LA to work WonderCon. We all agreed on Italian and decided to try Drago. Mind you we are a group of fine diners and wine lovers, but we were in our logo'd work wear and looking very casual. We were welcomed and couldn't have been more pleased with our experience. Meredith at the bar was a revelation. If more people could be like her, the world would be a lovelier place. Oscar, the GM, was fabulous. I am truly bummed that I do not make the return trip with my colleagues next month. They're already booked! Please delight in the bread and olive oil with your starters. And dessert is a must. La terrina and the torta...divine. Grazie mille!

My sister and i had a wonderful time at this restaurant , everyone their was amazing and very attentive to our needs. You know that a restaurant is wonderful when they always keep your water glass full. Nice atmosphere also very relaxing!Would highly recommend.

Group of 15ish. Seated promptly with reservation - immediate and continuous attention from servers. Wide variety in menu plus specials.

We loved our food, wine selection and service. Everything we had was fantastic. The chef/owner came to our table to check on our experience and took a picture with us. The outdoor fire pit was a nice elegant touch for a beautiful spring night.

I returned to Drago Centro for dinner and took my brother, who is a world traveler and foodie. Just as I love this place he loved it. It feels like a quick trip to an excellent Italian restaurant in Manhattan. I had the octopus for an appetizer. This dish seems to be either great or mediocre. It was great. I ordered the scallops for a main dish. Not only were they delicious but they were plentiful. The wine was amazing. Who does't like Kosta Brown Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir? We have never been disappointed by the food. The service was excellent as well. We look forward to the next meal at Drago Centro.

This started with a phone call to make a reservation and a very nice host helping to get us in at a time close to what our desires were. We arrived and were thrilled at the beauty of this restaurant. We were excited to be here. Ordered cocktails, which were quite good, but definitely expensive. Waiter brought us “still” water, which he never said there would be a charge for. We were not in Europe so never expected a $14 charge for two waters. This should have been told to us. Our server messed up our order and brought two of the wrong items, so we had to get our server and get the mistake corrected. Well, he first didn’t acknowledge their mistake. Then he tried to get us to switch dishes with one another although a couple bites had been taken already. So, my friend had to wait for her meal as I ate mine, which was a very small portion for the price. P.S. one of us ordered the handkerchief dish as was recommended to us. Sounds better than it tasted. The crab tasted fishy and not sweet like crab does. Disappointed in that dish. My friends’ plates got to them fairly quickly, maybe about 7 minutes later. But no apology. And I felt that either there should have been some compensation or free dessert. Took a long long time for our bill. That was when I noticed the price for water. They upcharged our wine as we were told $20 for a glass and they charged $25. Brought that to their attention and his comment was that he told us the wrong price. So, charge us what you told us. They also charged us for an extra entree. But instead of apologizing they made it seem like our fault and I had to push to get our bill corrected. They never asked us how our food was. Also, bathroom needed cleaning. I will usually tell the host/hostess when I notice as such. But we were so disappointed in the service that we just wanted to leave. Some of our table left only 10% tip because that caliber of a restaurant should treat you as a welcomed guest and not make you feel like their mistakes are yours. My son lives in LA and was shocked at all that occurred, which was even more. But wanted to highlight the main concerns.

Excellent Italian restaurant! Real Italian, unlike most of the other "Italian" restaurants in Los Angeles. Great swordfish appetizer. Delicious arancini. Excellent pasta al dente, but not too much. Fantastic pear dessert. Good attentive service. Good lighting, not too little, not too much.

Two of my friends went here since we were downtown already. The first thing is the place is very elegant. The menu had a lot of. Options and we each picked a different type of spaghetti meal and then split up the dishes. The sauces were really good and nice portions as well. We got a cannula for dessert. Glad we stopped here. They have outdoor seating as well.

I have supported Drago Centro from the day they opened, even as much as possible during the economic recession that began 2008-09, during which time I had an unexpected, painful period of unemployment. Last Christmas Eve, we were disappointed at our "special table" being given away, but Mark S., the wine steward, did his best to make up for the error. He graciousness was hard to resist. Here it was again, Christmas Eve 2015. This time, we were not only "absolutely" guaranteed the table we wanted, when they reconfirmed earlier in the day, they, not we, specifically mentioned that we would get the table we requested. We arrived on time for our reservation, a few minutes early, in fact, and were told that they were sorry but another party had been seated at the table we requested. Yes, they could see that we had asked for that table, and yes, they knew we had reconfirmed only a few hours ago, and no, they could not explain why this happened yet again. Mark was not there to save the experience this time. The host was extremely gracious, and offered us virtually our choice of available tables. We were seated, and asked for the wine list. The waiter kept coming to the table every one or two minutes to ask if we were ready to order. We hadn't yet decided on the wine, much less even looked at the menu to make food choices. When we were ready to order, our waiter was nowhere to be found. Eventually, we had to ask the bus staff to find him. Once our order was placed, it was as if we were at a fast-food restaurant. Having arrived at 7:00, by 8:30, we had been served starters, main courses, dessert, cheese platter, and a bottle of wine. Picture a video on fast-forward. The food was mediocre. It arrived so quickly, it was obvious that much of it had been pre-cooked, which is often the good news with a sauce, but not such good news for pasta. No melding of the flavors at all. The pappardelle tasted of the boiling water, while the ragu was just plopped on top of the noodles - not tossed. It was like you would expect a short-order cook at a diner to do. At their prices, that's unacceptable. The cioppino was unpleasant, with a wine that tasted suspiciously like marsala, which would never go into a cioppino, not Italian, or even Portugese. The branzino was ordered rare and came way overcooked. All that and out the door in less than an hour-and-a-half, including starters, main courses, dessert, cheese plate, and a bottle of wine. No more. I'm done with Drago Centro, this time for good.

Drago Centro may be one of the best restaurants in the city. The service is great, the atmosphere is very Hollywood sheik but the primary reason to visit this place is the food! Everything is freshly made with amazing flavors as the chef combine traditional Italian classics with modern, pulsating tastes! The Short Rib Ravioli is amazingly delicious as it is packed with shredded short ribs as oppose to other places that pack them with pasty substances that has no meat consistency. Not at Drago, the Ravioli is firm yet tender and the sage sauce is not overly creamy but very flavorful. The house special steals the show as the pasta is hand made and the pheasant is filled with flavor in a brown sauce that is heavenly. Follow the meal with great desserts as the Tiramisu never fails to please and the Panna Cotta is glorious. This is our second time visiting and we plan for many more dining experiences here at Drago Centro!

I ate dinner at the bar, while waiting to go to the airport after a long business convention. I had a glass of Sangiovese with a satisfying and fragrant pasta dish recommended by the bartender. It was nice and quiet; kitchen staff were efficient; everything was perfect.

We joined another couple for dinner here, taking the Expo Metro line from the Westside to the Seventh Street (last) stop, and the restaurant is just 1½ blocks away. The wine selection is huge and mostly Italian, but there were also some great California wines. The sommelier was incredibly knowledgeable and every wine he paired was perfect for our dishes. The charcuterie meat plate was excellent. The antipasti pasta with parmesan and truffles was fantastic. The salads were fresh, as were the sashimi-style appetizers. Service was excellent. I would highly recommend the restaurant.

This rather large restaurant in downtown offers very good Mediterranean style cuisine. I had a very well-prepared salmon signature main course that was moist and flavorfully seasoned. The staff was friendly. In the evening, the lighting makes for a stylish ambience. I'd return if in the area.

A little taste of Italy in downtown LA. Dress to impress since it appears to be inhabited by bankers in suits from nearby offices. The wine list is pretty good and the gargenilli is tasty!

Went to Drago Centro for dinner in April and returned for lunch today. It's consistently good. I highly recommend the fish entrees. The swordfish entree is excellent. Desserts are also good. I'm a sucker for the Afogado: vanilla ice cream with expresso poured over the top. Service is good - as is the wine selection and martinis. Make reservations as it attracts quite a big lunch and dinner crowd.

I can’t find words to describe it. Perfect is not enough. Service, environment, food, wine... an everlasting experience!!

I was in downtown LA and went looking for a place to eat near the our hotel, with the hope of avoiding prices and we came across Drago (which was cool since my last name is Dragone), and we went in. The place is well appointed and I was happy to actually be greeted by an Italian host, and while that is no guarantee of a good meal, and in most cases makes me a more critical reviewer, it was still a nice start. White table clothes set the tone, with a cool vibe. We were immediately greeted by our server and his assistant, we were given menus and asked what we wanted to drink. I ordered sparkling water and a JW Black. My guest ordered a local beer. When they arrived, they brought her the bottle and an appropriate beer glass and proceeded to pour it in front of us. For me, they brought out a full glass of scotch, not just an ounce, and brought me the bottle of water, which they poured for me and left the rest of the bottle on the table, with a steel coaster to keep it cold. All of this was done in a formal fashion and you knew that the service was going to be excellent for the rest of the meal, and it was! We ordered the Buretta and the Pate for our appetizer. the Buratta was excellent, creamy and flavorful. the Pate was a bit different then I have had before. It was cooked and served warm and while it was very good, it was not what i was expecting and hence, did not hit the spot for me. We opted for the fish and octopus for dinner, and both were excellent. Lots of great flavor and perfectly cooked. We did not opt for coffee of desert, but I am sure it would be fantastic if i did. All and all, it was great food at a very good price. The service was great and food was very good. I would come back for the pasta next time I am in town.

Day after Christmas there was standing room only; glad we made reservations. The 4 of us enjoyed the fetticine, polpo, Branzino and duck. The wine list is pricey, especially for the California wines.

It's not always easy to find a restaurant with it all. But this place had superb meals for our party of six; an extensive wine list; ambience; and wait staff who knew how to dress, conduct themselves and serve meals and drinks. I would go back again without hesitation.

First let me start with something excellent at Drago, the entire wine list. It is impressive, and fairly priced. One could have an education just going over it slowly. Fine choices. For years we have been going to Drago Centro on Christmas Eve, as well as other times during the year. We began during the recession, and were once the only customers in the restaurant. The next Christmas, when we were to be in LA, when making our reservation, we asked for the same booth, where we had sat the prior time; and were told it would not be available. We were seated at a most acceptable table. We recorded that location, and when we were going to be in LA a few years later, we made reservations more than 2 months in advance, and asked for the location we had liked, and were told it was ours. About a day or two before our reservation, I called to confirm and was assured all was in order. When we arrived, the hostess made no apology, and said that the table we requested had been given away. We were seated in a different location, which was acceptable. I again recorded the table number, and asked for this table, when making our reservation this year. Having learned my lesson, I called more than once, including twice the day of the reservation, to confirm, and was assured all was in order. History repeated itself, the hostess, upon our arrival told us that table was not available. Here's the point: the various hostesses, if customer service service means anything to Drago, hostess should be trained to at least feign regret. Each year, the manager, who often is near the reception desk, expresses great regret, assures us, this will never happen again etc. But, the point is, it has. We have never made a big deal of it, more than one table is just fine. But this year, we admitted to one another that the decline in customer service is equalled by the decline in the quality of the cooking. It was for years quite spectacular. Of course, during the years, there were off nights, that can happen anywhere. Here, this year, even if we did not have the memory of prior superior cooking, the food was nothing about which praise could be given. So in conclusion, the wine list spectacular, the food mediocre, and the receptionist badly trained in customer service. All of which,although I hate to sound like Scrooge, leads to a conclusion of Bah Humbug. This repeat customer will be going elsewhere.

Love the food from Drago Centro absolutely the best! Recommend for taking someone special on a date. Best Italian cuisine from Chef Celestino Drago

Crisp linens, a tailored ambiance, delicate and artful presentations and fish deboned tableside remind us of dining in a fine French restaurant. More refined twists on Italian classics are on offer. We had a show to catch and had wished we had more time to soak in the open environment, but we enjoyed the veal carpaccio, although it was not a large portion. The risotto with sausage was tasty and more filling. I recommend sticking with the menu if at all possible. The steamed vegetables my wife ordered were pretty pathetic. Service is decent, although we had to ask several times for bread. The wine list is nothing short of incredible. We had a very nice Frank Family Vineyards at a decent price. If you are in downtown Los Angeles it would be worth taking in for a business dinner or romantic dress up night.

Professional colleagues ate there twice in late February. Both meals were exquisitely prepared and served by attentive but unobtrusive waiters. Good wine selections but one is not pressed to have wine. Vegetarian and Vegan dishes, both top of the line. Cuisine is Italian as presented in good restaurants in Italy. Atmosphere pleasant. A place for adults, older children. Worth the price which is in line with the quality

Appalled by service. We went to front door which was locked. Went to another door and were scolded for entering there . Air conditioning wasn't working. Menu was completely lackluster and the Maitre d was pissy and rude . Neeeeexxxttt!

Superb service from waiters and management. Beautiful place. Excellent variety of food in not a very long menu. Enough to satisfy every one.

For an office building restaurant the space is beautiful. The food was very good, especially my Garganelli with pork sausage. Homemade pasta plus a hearty broth makes this a winner. I was not as happy with the Caesar Salad, which lacked taste (part of that was there seemed to be very little dressing). The wait staff seemed to be phoning it in a bit and that was a problem. In particular the bartender was just not very friendly. But overall I would recommend trying Drago.

Nothing really to criticize, but nothing to extol. This is a very warm and attractive place with a modern Italian feel to it, rather than traditional. However, the menu is very traditional (read not inventive). The pasta dishes we chose were ample, tasty, but not memorable. Service was mixed; nice young man, but hard to gain his attention when needed.

Food was outstanding - their pasta is homemade and fresh. Others had the branzino, steak - everything great. Service was attentive but waiter disappeared on us a couple of times and the table staff should have been sharper given the caliber of restaurant. But overall, the experience was very nice. You cannot go wrong dining there.

I came here with my colleagues for a business meal and it turned out really well. The decor is pretty fancy and the service, although a bit slow, brought out delicious Italian food that I had to rate. The appetizers were enjoyed by all, namely the wagyu carpaccio, burrata and ahi tuna crudo. Personally I had a spaghetti alle vongole ($30)for my entree that was made with green pasta noodles and decked with nice pieces of clam and mussels, the sauce drenching them was first rate. Others enjoyed the pappardelle $29 (roasted pheasant with pasta), dover sole special $75 (expertly removal of bones by the waiter table side), shrimp salad $24. Spumoni was the dessert of choice and cappuccinos. All in all, good meal in downtown LA though the prices can be on the higher side.

Lovely decor. A bit noisy. Very attentive staff but waiter sometimes hard to find. Hostesses were disorganized and made us wait unnecessarily even though the place was half empty. Varied, creative menu. Extensive wine list but a bit expensive. The food was superbly prepared. One of the best meals I have had anywhere in the world.

If you want a first-class experience dining out, this is the place. First, even though it was late at night, the host assured us we could order a bolognese that was not on the menu, for my daughter. The pastas were prepared perfectly and the sauces were deep and flavorful Our server, Fabio, was literally the best. He turned our rough day around and brought my daughter dessert. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Drago Centro.

I’m excited to share this next place with you because I absolutely love their happy hour. They have a really decent list of options, anywhere from pizza to oysters. I went here for my bff’s birthday and we all had a really nice time, ordered up a storm of food and drinks. The atmosphere is upscale, and decor modern. You can find ample seating at the bar, and comfy couches by the fire pit outside. I think this place is great for many occasions, date night, out with friends, clients, celebrations, etc. I hear amazing things about their food off the happy hour menu and I cannot WAIT to try it for myself. They have free valet parking in the basement below from 5 pm to 3 am with validation, awesome for DTLA because we all know how hard it can be to find parking

We went twice; first for happy hour, then for dinner the next night. The bar had a very nice house cocktail selection and several choices for small plate. It was so good, we went back the next night for dinner.They have a good assortment of wines by the glass and nice pasta selections

We came here for an early Sunday dinner after LA Phil Concert. We shared an appetizer- grilled octopus- perfectly cooked tender and sweet with nice potato purée/ cubes, and scallions. Black peppery pasta was a Dante very flavorful. For entrees we had bramzino and seared scallops - delicious. For dessert we had cheese plate with five wonderful Italian cheeses, dried apricot, and candied whole walnuts. Together with two glasses of wine made a terrific meal. By the time we finished about 7:00 restaurant was at least 2/3 full with sophisticated crowd. Beautiful restaurant with outdoor heated seating too which we promised to try next time.

The food, the service, the cocktails , the wine and the atmosphere were all excellent! The owner/chef stopped by our table and we had a picture taken with him. Beautiful restaurant!

We were looking for a special place to have a special dinner during the Christmas holidays and some friends recommended Drago Centro. We were not disappointed. Fine dining, excellent pasta, great pumpkin soup. We will be coming back soon

Food was really good. The service was good but a little slow considering that we told them that we needed to get to the theater for an 8 pm start.

We decided to come celebrate my husband's birthday here after reading the thousand's of awesome reviews, those reviews were accurate. We ordered their dry meat appetizers, octopus, and burrata as appetizers. Flavio was kind enough to even repair an eyeglass of one of our friend (can you believe that)!!! Ben our server was on top of all the specialty of the house. It was the best experience. Ambience with the view of downtown L A, food selection and service all top of the line. I highly recommend this restaurant!!!

I had lamb tenderloin at Drago Centro during a business trip last week. Food was exceptional and the service was great. I had a great experience and would return. We were here early so avoided the crowds. Its pricy so be prepared.

Burrata and pasta were among the best I have ever enjoyed anywhere. Service was professional, friendly and efficient.

Dragon presents itself as an quality Italian restaurant. The portions are European style, just enough, but the taste is very basic. For the price they charge, I would expect a better kitchen and not average quality.

We were in LA for a convention. Drago was recommended and we are glad we had a business dinner there. Although we noticed there were many couples on dates. The service and food exceeded our expectations. Drago has an extensive wine list and many Italian dishes. Two of us had the Polo and it was the best I ever had. The spicing was very good and the meat moist...cooked to perfection. The seafood was also excellent. Our business associates enjoyed the dinner.

When we made our Christmas Eve reservation, we asked for a specific table that we like, and were assured that we'd be seated as requested. We ran into unexpected traffic, so phoned ahead to say we would be fifteen minutes late, which we were. Upon arrival, we were told that the table we requested had been given away. We were not super-angry, but certainly disappointed that they were so quick to give away the table. As time passed with no table in sight, we did become irritated and pointed out that we were the people who still came to Drago Centro during the recession, and that the more we thought about it, the more certain we felt that, not only we were being kept too long waiting to be seated, they really shouldn't have given away the table we requested in the first place, and we said so. The hostess then made a grave error. She told us that we were NEVER going to get that table even if we had arrived on time, because that table was reserved for "VIP guests of Celestino Drago." Well, apparently that really is one of the best tables in the house!! Needless to say, we were now steamed. How insulting to tell a guest that they are not important enough to warrant getting the table they requested, and had been bumped in favor of VIPs. The General Manager of the restaurant, Akili, took over from there, and handled us adroitly and with charm, but the damage was already done. He secured us a lovely table, and within moments we were seated. Still seething over the slight, we were delighted when, after ordering the wine, the wine steward, Mark, appeared to open the bottle and pour. He is ALWAYS a delight, so our ruffled feathers were quickly soothed, but I won't forget what happened so easily. We had a lovely evening, despite the rocky beginning. The food and service were excellent. Though my salmon was overcooked, it was delicious as were the accompanying shaved vegetables. I may have to lick my wounds before going back there.

Great business lunch location with so many buildings surrounding this location. Very open feel even though it is squeezed between some skyscrapers. Certainly make reservations to make sure. It is possible to go without, but you may wait a long time. Plenty of Italian dishes to choose from including fresh examples of everything you would expect. I went with the large Italian salad Tritata I believe it was called. Huge salad of different lettuce, turkey, bacon, cheese, etc. I shoveled continuously and was still the last one to call it quits and stop eating - just could not finish all of it, so for a $19 salad, it certainly could have been boxed up for another meal. They are a little particular - I saw a woman at another table ask for salt and pepper and get rebuked fairly strongly. The server did end up bringing little bowls that I assume held some special salt. I will return when in the area.

This is not your red sauce Italian... Come here for the finest, freshest, non-gimmicky entrees and pastas. We shared the butternut squash agnolotti... How sweet those little pillows of pasta and that tiny dice of squash! Perfectly prepared scallops and a delectable branzino were memorable main courses. This is tablecloth fine dining with just a bit of din, not stuffy and not too loud. It's a special place for a special meal.

We went here for a family reunion dinner and were very happy. Great prompt service and delicious food. Immaculately presented.

Went there to celebrate several graduations. Lovely restaurant. Food was excellent and the waitstaff was helpful. We're headed back there again next week for another graduation celebration.

best italian restaurant in downtown. fresh pasta great wines excellent service. if you like trendy atmosphere and excellent service with great food, this is it.

Having spent the day with my family at Universal Studios I didn't expect to go out for a fancy dinner but we were all starving & keen for a great bowl of pasta. From the moment that I called Drago & spoke to Mark I knew that I was onto a winner. My kids wanted Spaghetti Bolognese which wasn't usually on the menu but nothing was too much trouble for them. We arrived and were seated quickly. They knew we were hungry! The Bolognese was SO delicious that my kids asked for another portion which they shared. The portions weren't small either!! My roast salmon was perfectly cooked & my husband loved his truffle chicken dish. The waitstaff were all incredibly friendly and efficient. A big thank you to chef both for coming to have a chat but also for the most yummy mint chocolates. It was the perfect meal in every way and our kids especially loved their candy canes they got to take home. Would highly recommend Drago Centro & hope to get back again soon.

Food was wonderful: from the firsts of burrata and octopus salad with fingerling potato; to a delicious split of cacio e pepe for a second; steak and lamb chops mains. Panna Cotta for dessert equally wonderful. Wine by the glass was pricier than expected, but still no reason to complain. This is a large restaurant with every meter of space accounted for and heavy wait staff presence, so it is a bit of a struggle to lose oneself in an intimate dining experience but, again, not enough reason to complaint. However, after advising the waiter that we are coming after a play and have no reason to rush (lots and lots of people are dining here pre-show), we were still served quickly, course after course without giving us a chance to savor the experience, and this is my reason to complain. My pet peeve is being rushed through a meal for the benefit of flipping the table. So, unless one is dining early to make it to a play, make sure the wait staff clearly understands and follows through with the guest's wishes.

Even if the food were not sophisticated and delicious, the knowledgable sommelier is a reason to go. What a pleasure to be so cared for by someone so simultaneously informed, enthusiastic, pleasant and unpretentious. The wine list is thoughtful. While the large room can be noisy, the quality of the food is the main story. Go have a good time.Go with someone you love, but understand that my average grade for romance is because of the noise.

The experience of dining at Drago was well worth the two hours we spent this evening. The wine list covered the world and the sommelier was helpful in finding a wine we wanted without overspending our limit. We had several people attending to our needs, bringing us food, refilling wine and water glasses...without hovering. We had fresh salads, bread wth olive oil, wonderfully prepared risotto, and for dessert, a lemon tart artfully presented, and were able to sample digestifs before choosing one. The overall experience at Drago was a fabulous evening that we will remember in LA. We would go back the next visit to LA.

The food and service were both excellent; reasonably priced. Sat by window; pretty view of front courtyard and of Central Library. Good location for access to Music Center.

We were in LA to attend the Rose Bowl. For NYE had researched a few options and called Drago Centro and inquired if we could eat at the bar. The hostess inquired how many, we said 2, she replied it should not be a problem. We walked over and shared we had spoken with her 15 minutes earlier. She actually held a table for us. Apologies do not have her name regardless this is called SERVICE. Very nice wine list. We opted for a Grenache whim was excellent. We shared the Salumi which had various options and was delicious. I had the Parpadelle with roast Pheasant and morels, wife had the Fazzoletto with seafood. Both dishes were excellent. The food and service were both excellent. We felt right at home and given the evening and full restaurant was impressive.

This is a modern and stylish place. I had Burrata and truffle risotto and both dishes were wonderful. The service was ok and the noise level was relatively high at lunch time. I will come back.

We had a 8pm reservation for 3 on a Sat night. We arrived right at 8pm and they said it would be about 15 min. We were ok with that- a little behind on a Sat night isn't too bad. We waited in the bar and around 8:20 someone came over and asked if we wanted anything from the bar. At that point we said no thinking our table would be ready any minute. Around 8:30 I went to check on our reservation and was told there were still 4 other parties of 3 waiting to be seated before us. Seriously??? 30 min after our reservation there were still 4 parties before us. Why do they even bother with a reservation? I was told they normally seat 250 in a night and had booked 400 reservations that night. And I fail to see how that is our issue as patrons! They were unapologetic and truly seemed that couldn't have cared less. We left at that point, went elsewhere and were seated before I imagine we would've been seated here - and the service was FAR better. Kind and friendly. Can't say how the food would be at Drago, but the service was so bad I wouldn't give them a second chance.

Didn't think interior was anything special, although there was a nice fire pit in the outside seating area. Steaks have a lovely golden caramelized crust, pasta is homemade and perfectly cooked. Mascarpone cheesecake is delightful. Great service!

With the exception of the service, everything about Drago Centro is top notch. It's beautifully decorated, classy, and has an upbeat vibe. We enjoyed the octopus appetizer which was tender and cooked to perfection. For the main course we ordered the scallops -- the best we've ever tasted -- and the salmon, which was very good. We dined around 2:15 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon -- a time when there were not many diners in the restaurant. While the busboy was extremely attentive, warm and friendly, our waiter Claudio was apathetic, unfriendly, and not very welcoming. Given that the cost of lunch for the two of us was over $90 you'd think the wait staff would be more pleasant, welcoming, and upbeat. There's an old adage that says great service can make up for bad food, but never the other way around. However, because we found the food to be so spectacular, we're willing to return for another meal . . . but would definitely ask for a different waiter should we experience this again.

Took my wife to Drago Centro for out anniversary, as is tradition. We both love this place, it always reminds us of our first date. This is the same place we went out to dinner on our first, so we like to come back here on our anniversary and order the same meal: bone-in ribeye for two! Drago Centro is fine dining at its finest. Not only do you get excellent food, you also get the ambience and server that you expect from a fine dining establishment. They even have our favorite wine La Crema Pinot Noir.

Doentown and very convenient. The surroundings are very comportable and the pasta and salads very good. Service is poor and not attentive. It took two requests and quite a few minutes to get a bill even though it was apparent that we were finished when one guest left.

Very inviting and upscale atmosphere...fine dining feel for sure. Service was outanding! Ben was great. Always on point, great recommendations and very professional. We also enjoyed the interaction with him. Food was excellent. We really enjoyed the ceasar salad which had a nice eggy dressing. Octupus was also very well prepared with a delicious celery root to enhance the dish. The risotto frutto di mare was excellent which included saffron.....perfectly cooked. The tagliatelle with black ink squid and lobster was probably the highlight....soooo good!. We also had the lamb which very flavorful and perfectly cooked. Really everything was outstanding. The Tiramisu dessert was the only let down. It was served in a cup and too much marscapone cheese relative to the cake/ladyfingers. Will definitely return!

Impeccable service and innovative menu. The wild mushroom risotto was in a league of its own--stellar burst of mushroom flavor and creamy texture. Some mushrooms taste earthy because after all they are from the ground. These wild mushrooms were unearthly, like they were farmed in the heavens. The burrata (a creamy mozzarella cheese, I think) was melt-in-your-mouth fabulous. Delicious paired wines, grilled fresh salmon and the best chocolate cake were there as well. There was more, but I must restrain myself. I was a guest, so I have no idea what all this engorgement cost.

On two occasions during a recent business trip I visited this restaurant. The basil pasta was delicious as was the cauliflower soup. Save room for a cannoli - delicious.

I attended a large group dinner, with a pared-down menu that offered several choices. Service was efficient and friendly. I didn't see a separate private room, but our party had enough privacy (perhaps because it was a weeknight and the restaurant was relatively empty).

The drive from Encino to downtown L.A. to eat at Drago Centro was worth every stop and go moment. Valet parking in the building was a snap and the elevator takes you directly to the restaurant. As we walk in, Chef Drago was at the bar and we stopped to say hello. Open and embracing, he spent quite a few minutes with us, and the rest of the very knowledgeable staff echoed his warmth and hospitality. Satisfied and satiated, our meal was filling and fulfilling. My wife had the four course tasting menu with the optional wine pairing, and for the price it was clearly the deal of the moment. While every dish was fabulous, what really stood out for us was the wild mushroom spaghetti with truffle butter and parmesan. Wow. Savory and spectacular. If I only lived closer.......!

Had planned to eat in the dining room, but arrived when Happy Hour was happening so we elected to sit in the bar area so that we could enjoy small plates and a drink. The menu gives a good selection of items and cocktails and wine at a very reasonable prices especially for downtown. Started with a Manhattan, moved onto short ribs, a garlic flatbread and calamari, and oh yes great breadsticks! Everything was very nice and ample in size so that was plenty for the two of us. The environment is very nice with several destinations to choose from. An outdoor seating area, high top tables in the bar as well as a long marble table that seats many so if you come alone you can meet folks. There is also a bar area. Very nicely decorated. The dinning room is also very well decorated with white table clothes and nicely spaced tables. Everyone mentioned the great service and they are right on, the service was friendly and attentive. I will be coming back lured in by the great food, prices and staff!

Dec. 23rd, It was an important first meeting of the parents of our son's girlfriend. The weather was stormy with downpour rain so we allowed an extra 1/2 an hour and arrived at 7:15 pm for the 7:30 dinner. We checked in with the host, Francesco. And were asked to wait at the bar which was right next to the check in station. We had a glass of wine and waited. Francesco came over and asked me to spell my last name for him which I did and we joked about how I always address my son with his full first name but he is referred to among his friends with the shorter version. Francesco mentioned it has been the same with his mother, We waited for 30 minutes untill a text from my son asking for our ETA. We replied that we have been waiting for them at the bar. He came out and told us that they have been seated at the table for 30 minutes. They had checked in and were seated by the hostess who never marked or noted their presence in their system. I was simply livid and forgot all about taking a group picture to mark the occasion. The food fortunately was very delicious but I highly recommend that the sophisticated restaurant need to send their staffs for training to not make this kind of poor mistake again.

Loved the experience, setting and environment. Pasta was fresh. Great wine list and cocktails were not served in small glasses. Bar area is somewhat small and they need to invest in a much larger TV. But I digress.

Nice place, delicious meals and only few minutes walk from Intercontinental hotel. We order Apple Salad, Margherita Pizza, Chicken, Bistecca and Salmon. Recommended for dining in downtown LA.

Decor was quite fashionable as was the food. Although the appetizers were on the small size, they were prepared well, such as the grilled octopus. The salads were good size portions. The best deals were the pasta dishes and my meal was so flavorful, pappardelle with pheasant and morels. My friends enjoyed the branzino, sea bass, and the duck breast which were cooked to perfection. I would definitely go back to try the rest of the menu.

I met an LA friend here while visiting from San Diego with my 3 kids. We didn't want a full meal, but something more casual and the bar area was perfect. There is a big tv (UCLA playing in a bowl game during our meal). We ordered sliders & flatbread pizzas, which were great and reasonably priced. One of my children just likes plain cheese pizzas, and they happily accommodated us. Our server was friendly, and we would definitely return.

Great place to impress, everything from Pasta to Twin Quail breast. Although they were totally busy the service remained consistent which is important.

Has both outdoors and indoors seating. Food was excellent for its price; pasta was delicious and dessert was a thumbs-up. A great choice to dine if you like Italian cuisine and are staying at a nearby hotel.

If you want a truly awesome meal, this is the place to go. This would be a great restaurant for that special occasion. The menu is diverse with wonderful options for whatever you want to try. All of the food was wonderful! We had a large group so I was able to see a number of their entrees and all were very impressive and tasty. I do recommend this for you to try.

I am a big fan of all of the Drago restaurants (Il Pastaio, Via Allora, Piccolo Paradiso, etc), but this one is a cut above in terms of elegant and unique dishes offered. The asparagus soup was divine and the seared halibut with zucchini ravioli was absolutely delicious. Plus, the evening valet parking with free shuttle to the Music Center cannot be beat for ease.

We made our reservations on New Year’s Eve at 2pm and Oscar made room for us. Thanks Oscar. The restaurant is well decorated and the entire restaurant is surrounded by a glass curtain wall opening up wonderful views of the plaza and water feature. Our server was great meaning beyond reproach and thanks for comping our wine corkage. The Sommelier loved our wine so much he came over to our table and shared a toast with us welcoming in the New Year. The food was great and our overall experience well exceeded our expectations.

We went to dinner at Drago Centro on a Tuesday night. The restaurant is very large, and is located at the bottom floor of an office building. All of the food we had was outstanding, from the appetizer to the main course (I had delicious lasagna) to the great dessert (I had three scoops of different flavors of gelato). The wine list was very nice, and the service was really good. I also thought that the prices were very reasonable for a nice Italian dinner. Overall, this is a great choice for Italian food.

Found this restaurant because it was close to Our hotel. I am very happy with the whole experience. The food and wine were excellent. Service was also very good

Went here on a business trip and quite impressed. They were definitely able to accommodate a gluten allergy. I had the freshest most delicious salad followed by risotto, and then a ny steak with yummy sides, and then s panna cotta. Great service!

Located in the heart of downtown. Lively ambiance. The bar menu is really extensive. Bar service was good. However, main course service was lacking. Food was decent and portions were average - not that large. Pricey too.

Our party sampled several items and got a good overview of the menu (charcuterie plate, burrata, crab pasta, pancetta risotto, spaghetti with guanciale/bacon, salmon) All these items ranged from very good to really delicious. The best item was the risotto, perfectly done with a strong parmesan flavor and aroma. The special spaghetti was good, but the guanciale was not flavorful nor that noticeable in the red sauce. Service was attentive by everyone from the busboys keeping the water glasses filled, to the waiter checking in at the right moments after each round. Note, that portions are more medium sized than large. The setting was sophisticated, with white tablecloths, contemporary lighting & decor with a clear see-thru wine cellar at the front of the room. Overall we were all very happy to have landed here for our Saturday night dinner.

We arrived on time, and were seated in the outdoor area, with heaters running so we were not cold. While prices are high for Italian comfort food, they certainly make up for the comfort with a notch higher. The burrata was fantastic. The insalata di Mele was an interesting combination of pink lady apples, mixed greens, arugula, candied walnuts, with a champagne vinaigrette, but alas the bacon was left in, which contaminated the flavor for me, but at least it looked pretty. The waiter was most apologetic, but we didn't want to wait for another round. It was made up for with the Fettuccine al Tartufo, in which they had fettuccine, wild mushrooms, truffle butter, Parmesan, and then a very generous shavings of summer black truffle! What a treat. Corkage is $25, reasonable in Los Angeles.

Last week marked my 5th time visiting the restaurant. Every time I go, I try something new from the menu or the special. I never get disappointed. I absolutely love their le lasagne alla bolognese and my new favorite il risotto ai funghi. They are simple dishes but soooo tastey. The other times I had a special of the day or ordered from the tasting menu. I remember one pasta dish with truffles on it, it was amazing! If you love Italian food, you cannot miss this place!

If you're a food and wine lover, Drago is the place to be. Superb wine selection paired with great Italian/American dishes. I am a big fan of Italian and French wines - they got them all!

I tend to do a lot of research through TripAdvisor before I take my girlfriend places. I have read lots of good things about this restaurant. However, the service lacked, the food was just okay, and it was really expensive. We ordered appetizers short rib raviolis, butternut squash raviolis and drinks. Mediocre and not good if you're trying to impress a date.

Was here on a business dinner during a conference. Outside and general setting was nice, outdoor fire, lots of glass, rather cool. BUT that was the problem, everything in the Resturant was hard surface, making any conversation other than with the person beside you Impossible. Food wise, was also not impressed. Basically an Italian fare, but on the higher end cost wise. And for this the food should have simply been divine. Unfortunately it was Ho him to my taste. Caesar salad was near tasteless, and pasta was a curious taste, unlike what I've experienced in good Italian restaurants in the States and in Italy itself. I suspect this might the Californian flare applied to Italian, but on a general scale, was only average at best to my taste.

This is a pricey restaurant but totally worth it. I went with my cousin and we had wine and a 2-course meal. I don't remember exactly the meal we had because the menu was in Italian but it was amazing! The service and ambience was great too

Probably have dined here more than 20 times over past five years. Last couple of visits, entree portions have decidedly shrunk. It's one thing if you're doing the tasting menu, but when you're ordering an appetizer or salad and an entree and the portions come out tasting-menu sized, it's a bit disappointing given the prices. I had the papparadelle with pheasant which was as good as always but quite a small portion for an entree, and fellow diner also had a pasta dish with lump crab which he felt was also puny though tasty. We're both thin people - I'm 5'9" and weigh 145, so it's not like our body's require huge portions to satisfy. Hopefully, this review will encourage the restaurant to re-think their cost to quantity ratio on entrees. Dessert sizes were fine. The quality is still commendable.

I'm a little conflicted about my review. I went here with a group of girlfriends. Its very large and open and airy, good for friends. The food was all delicious. The drinks were ok, wine was good. The part I'm conflicted about was the service, especially at the bar. We sat at the bar ordering drinks while we waited for everyone to arrive, and again after dinner, and the service was not good at all. There was one waiter who was really friendly who came by our table a few times, but the other wait staff seemed to be in a bad mood. Overall, it was a nice dinner out, but it could have been better if the service was better.

I ate dinner here with a friend last weekend before attending an event downtown, and was very disappointed with the food. The environment inside the restaurant is fine, and the service was good, but my steak was not worth the $34 I paid. I honestly think Outback and Longhorn do much better. Maybe other items on the menu are better, but I won't be coming back.

I love that we ordered a lot of different things. This trip we had anti pasti including the Italian meats and cheeses. They have fresh bread that is worth the calories. The olive oil served has a balanced acidity that would be great on salads at home. It was great on the breads. You need to try their savory beignets. They are pillows of goodness that are worth the caloric splurge. I had the insulate Mele which has pink lady apples, candied walnuts, crispy prosciutto and a light dressing. I loved it. I also had the salmon which was cooked perfectly. The bed of veges weren't that flavorful, but they were an accompaniment. We ordered several different desserts to share. I loved the profiteroles. They were soft and pillowy like the beignets. We also had a chocolate mousse with a mango filling on a chocolate crust, which I liked also. The pistachio raspberry tart was also worth mentioning. I would definitely come back when in downtown LA

Restaurant has good italian food. Plenty of fish, steak and pasta. Atmosphere is very nice. Plenty of outdoor seating. Waiters are very professional. Dont be afraid to order an appetizer as portions are on the lighter side...but well prepared.

A beautifully appointed Italian restaurant in downtown LA, with some of the best fresh pasta we have ever had, as well as superb Italian cuisine of all kinds. A great wine list, complete with some excellent choices that do not break the bank. We went back twice in one week! Great service makes it complete.

I've taken business clients here on several occasions and have had a good experience on each visit. They offer quality Italian fare and have a good wine list. Service is good as well. My only hesitation in not giving an A+ recommendation is that the portions can be small at times and it isn't cheap. Cheers!

Drago has great roots as the owners are from Sicily and have brought good food that has substance and value to the downtown LA scene. The reception at the front was warm and we were seated on a nice table with beautiful settings. The waiters, (2), were attentive and very fast. Drinks came quickly and were great! We explained the we had a show at the Ahmanson and wanted to be there by 7:30 PM. The waiters were thoughtful and placed our orders immediately. This gave us time to relax and enjoy our conversation and meal. The food was presented beautifully and was excellent. We were very excited to share with each other and found each plate to be an adventure. A value in downtown LA and certainly a place to enjoy a nice evening.

Drago Centro could be one of the best Italian restaurants in LA. The service is excellent and they take care of you, the environment may be a bit noisy and could in the evening (wind blows professionally there) but the food is great. You may find a fusion of Italian food with US food. The result is a modern taste worth to try.

This was my second visit to Drago for a business lunch. The wine list is quite extensive and easy to locate a proper pairing. The menu looks great but execution leaves room for improvement. I ordered the lasagne which was soupy and bland.

I attended a private dinner at the Drago that was held in a separate room with its own serving -prep area. The food and service was absolutely superb. We had the roasted salmon and the new york steak - both expertly prepared. I had the pistachio tart with raspberry sorbet. It was beautifully presented and incredibly delicious - one of the best desserts ever. If you are in the area, this place will not disappoint. Buon Appetito!

I had a business lunch yesterday (3 people) and fortunately didn't have to pick up the tab. Our host was very generous and we ordered wine, appetizers, entrees, a cheese plate, and after lunch cordials (in that order). The mushroom risotto was absolutely delicious, as was his halibut, the wine, and really everything was made to perfection. It was very expensive (over $125 per person) and I'll just dream of returning some day.

Group of 10 of us went to dinner here. Great service, nice location, good atmosphere. Really liked that they waived the corkage limit of 2 bottles, allowing us to open 5 bottles. We all loved the food and raved about this place.

We went there because of the reviews and because it said "vegetarian friendly". It looks like there is a lot of polish on the surface (which is good), but what really matters (the food), was not that great. Also the "vegetarian friendly" statement is exagerated (grilled vegetables is not exactly the best in class). On the bright side, they did have Fernet... :)

Went for lunch during a conference nearby and had an amazing lunch! I had pasta with sausage and fennel pollen and it was incredible. The service was great and had some of the best pasta I have ever had!

Situated in the downtown of Los Angeles. Chef and owner is famous Celestino Drago (that’s where the name of the place comes from). Since he’s from Sicily, no wonder that it’s traditional Italian cuisine but featuring modern culinary technique. The names of the dishes in the menu are in Italian, trendy, with all the explanations in English of course. We started with “il Polpo” which was seared octopus, very tender. It was mixed with potato gnocchi, peppers and kale. I would put more octopus in there and less of gnocchi. “Carpaccio di vitello” was rich and that was an interesting combination with the figs and little onions. They also offer few typical salads and traditional burrata as starters. As “Primi piatti” - different pasta dishes, featuring fresh egg pasta, hard durum pasta, ravioli, lasagna and risotto of course. I personally was looking for a seafood risotto, but they don’t offer that. Only linguine with manila clams or pasta with crab. Next time I’m going to try pappardelle with roasted pheasant and morel mushrooms, sounds intriguing to me. Typical selection of fish: branzino (which is just seabass, but branzino sounds more delicious and exquisite), salmon, and scallops. Meat sounded more interesting to us so we chose a duck breast and “il cervo”, which is roasted venison loin. The duck was not the top notch, very hard and rough, almost unchewable, it came with sweet potato puree and squash. The venison on reverse was great: soft, gentle and tender red meat with a marvelous heirloom risotto cake and red pepper puree which was a bit spicy, but slightly and that is good. For dessert they have the usual panna cotta, tiramisu, etc. Try their cheesecake or chef’s selection of cheese may be? All was beautifully decorated and presented. Tasting menu is offered too which is 5 course dinner for 75$, there is optional wine paring for 55$. We didn’t choose this one, because it’s a ready set, they don’t give you options to choose from as in some restaurants. The wine list is divided into 4 sections: Vini Italiani, Wines of the United States, wines of France and wines from around the World. It’s not hard to guess which section is the largest. One of the most extensive and interesting offer of Italian wines, divided by regions, including not hackneyed Sardegna, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria etc. Several pages for Barolo only. Prices are quite reasonable, a lot of decent wines in the range of $ 40, for $ 80 you can choose a very decent bottle. And for fans to flaunt or make impression, there are offers for $ 500, and even for $ 2400. Corkage fee $ 25, the waiter immediately offered to decant our bottle. Service was attentive and fast, no time waiting. Our server spilled some wine on the tablecloth, but he borough us half a glass of Barbaresco as substitution and excuse for the mistake. Free valet parking pleasantly surprised me.

The service was good and the food very tasty. I found it a little loud, but that may have been because of a large party seated right behind us. The scallop entree was very good. The tuna appetizer was also good, but the portion was quite small (5 pieces not much bigger than a quarter).