Ospi Venice Reviews

The location of this place is wonderful, and the food and service are equally impressive. It's a perfect spot for brunch. While the menu is simple, the dishes are tasty. Although I wasn't particularly fond of the breakfast pizza, the crust was excellent. I'm certain that other options on the menu are even better. On the other hand, the rigatoni was absolutely delicious and left me wanting more.

Met another couple fordinner. We enjoyed the delicious kale salad, Vodka pizza, and spaghetti with tomato sauce. We tasted our friends' 5 oz crab cake and the spicy rigatoni - both were delicious. Good service, beer and lemon drop martinis.

Nice atmosphere and location not far from Venice Beach "boardwalk." Food was very good, but expensive. It was also creative and we could watch them making/rolling the pasta. The brownie sundae was excellent. The service was also good. We arrived in early evening, so we had no wait. But as we left, there was a line. I would recommend reservations if coming after 6PM. I would go again for a special occasion as it is expensive.

I've made two trips to Italy this year and can simply say that Ospi is the real deal. Each dish shared by the three of us last night was terrific. The pine nuts in the meatball appetizer provided a wonderful crunch and spiced beautifully. The cheese and breadcrumbs on the eggplant appetizer created a scrumptious dish that still made the eggplant, the star. Ospi did not skimp on portion size which we appreciated when sharing among the three of us. The lemon lobster pasta, and the beef cheek pasta, were perfectly cooked and incredibly fresh. A shout out to Shelby, our “server” who was thoroughly knowledgeable about the menu and she perfectly paced our meal.

Last night we went to the Great White across the street. Tonight was Orsi. Staff is FANTASTIC! The place is cute. The food was good, the Aporol Pritz was perfectly made. My only comment is that it was a bit pricey. Must try the Nutella mousse.

Amazing good food, supernice service - don't miss out this place when I go to Venice. Great cocktails, super good food, the Negroni is just amazing

One of the most affordable addresses in Venice Beach that allows you to eat something other than junk food. Very nice.

Had a fantastic meal with family & friends. But the tables are too close together and it is very noisy, so hard to have a conversation. Also, be aware that they add a gratuity to the bill, so check before you pay.

Ordered the modified Hawaiian pizza and the pasta with blue crab. Superb. The smoky cocktail, based on a Manhattan, is a must. Dining room a bit loud. Bar centrally located and attractive.

We stopped by here after a long day walking along Venice Beach and the canals. We were exhausted having arrived in LA earlier in the day after 24 hours travelling from NZ. We were in need of drinks and rest. The staff were so helpful and friendly we immediately felt valued as customers and people. And the best of all the team was Tom. Who knew anyone could make two cokes and a mocktail taste so absolutely perfect that you just wanted him to serve you every drink you will ever have forever. His service was outstanding. Ospi should be immensely proud of him.

We had a very pleasant meal here meeting friends and we asked to sit in the outside area this clement afternoon. There is plenty of space inside, but outside dining is generally preferable I think, if the environment and weather works for that. However, there is nothing in the way of views from this space, since the location doesn't overlook the beach or anything especially picturesque. We made a reservation here, but judging by the light dining traffic this Saturday lunchtime, we probably didn't need to do so - it is quite a larger establishment and the inside dining room looks like a convivial atmosphere to partake of a meal too. our party did not all arrive together, with two of our six diners arriving around 20 minutes late. This sometimes phases restaurants but Ospi took it in stride and brought our drinks etc. for those of us already there and then didn't pester us, but monitored the arrival of our final guests and then went from there. This is a small thing but many establishments don't do it well in my experience. The menu is relatively small but varied. Our table ran the gamut from pizza to sandwiches to salads to "healthy bowls" and the generous portions were enjoyed by all and again, supplemented by excellent and timely service from our wait staff. They also pull off the trick of delivering the correct dishes to the diner who ordered it without asking, even the the server delivering said items wasn't our main contact. Again, this is an ostensibly small thing but it shows a restaurant on top of their game, efficient, process driven and professional. It is not common to see this and I love it when it happens. They also allow the table to finish eating before descending on you to remove plates the second one diner has finished. This, again, is very professional and shows they know what they are doing. Being an elitist snob, I recognize these things, even though it's probably of little import to most. How's that for condescension? haha Not cheap, but $200 for a party of 6 for an unhurried meal is what I expect in LA, frankly. No alcohol though which would certainly cause more financial damage. Lunch was very relaxed and that is what we were looking for. I would like to visit in the evening to see what service is like then, I imagine in to be more intense. Recommended. I'd eat here again for sure. Couple of things to be aware of. Service is included and I applaud this, more restaurants should do it. I didn't pay for this meal so I didn't see the bill - I hope it wasn't an open check, or the fact that 20% was already added was made clear. Restaurants who nonchalantly hand you an open check when service is included and don't refer to that, is a pet peeve of mine so be aware. Also, they follow the European custom of providing coke in a smallish bottle when you order, rather than fountain style. I suspect this means that you don't get free refills although we didn't need to reorder beverages this meal but again, be aware.

Terrific food every time. It's pricey but we always come away feeling like we had a delicious meal. Any of the pastas for dinner are great. Kale salad is surprisingly delicious. For brunch try the crab cake Benedict. Great addition to the neighborhood!!

We had a reso at another restaurant but at the last minute swapped it for Ospi and thank god. It was one of the best meals of our trip. The food was amazing. The beef tartare and the fried mozzarella were wonderful ways to start our meal. Followed by out of this world pastas. A delightful staff was a welcome addition to an awesome night.

Reservation was set for 8:15, but we didn’t get seated until 8:40. We had to wait in a very crowded entryway with no real indication of when we would be seated. What is the point of making a reservation then? Otherwise, the wait staff was excellent and attentive, and the food was very good if a bit heavy. Highly recommend the spicy rigatoni.

We had a very nice dinner, daughter and I, last night. We went around 6 pm, we had lots of space around us (it was too cold to sit out) and the only major noise was the music, a bit louder than we would want. By 7:30 pm we had to leave as the place got so busy and crowded and we didn't feel safe given Covid19 still out and about. No social distancing by that time. We had Branzino and the Italian pasta along with the butter lettuce salad. Great wine. Everything was delicious. However, I told the waiter that I did not want any dairy in my food, though I was not allergic, but asked no dairy specifically in the pasta. The pasta was delicious but he mentioned later that there was butter in the sauce. It seemed so. I think that Ospi must be very clear about dairy in any of the foods they prepare. Allergies or not.

We were last here two years ago. The food is just as impressive. The kale salad is really good. The pasta is made fresh each day and it's quite mesmerising watching the pasta being rolled, stretched and cut. Both pasta dishes were delicious. Would highly recommend Ospi. Maria was a great server too. A small footnote - when we arrived we saw someone trying to clean off a swastika from a mural of Charlie Chaplin outside the restaurant. . By the time we left it had been scrubbed away. Well done to that member of staff . And to the person who drew the highly offensive swastika, you know what you can do .

Very good affordable Italian restaurant in Venice. Very fine Italian cuisine, from antipasti, to main courses and desserts. The antipasti are delicious and plentiful. The service is very pleasant; a terrace is furnished with tables giving off a romantic atmosphere; it is sheltered from the wind, which is important in Los Angeles where the Pacific air is generally cool in the evening.

We came to eat at this establishment in the middle of the afternoon. The service is excellent with very kind and helpful staff. The dishes are very well presented with quality products. The kitchen is excellent. Thank you.

Food was very overpriced for what it was. This restaurant has delusions of grandeur as food was ok but required seasoning however trying to get that was an issue, 3 servers asked and 6 minutes of my food going cold before i eventually got this. Not asked if i required parmesan or pepper for pasta, surely a staple question with pasta. Pasta also al dente which may or may not be to your taste. Food wasnt bad but it wasnt the quality expected for the pricepoint. Was a nice escape from venice which itself was not a great experience. Wouldnt go back although best place in venice area would drive the short distance to santa monica

Sleek Italian spot with shareable small plates. Came here on a Friday evening at 7:30 and made a reservation for 3 online beforehand. It was pretty busy, so I would recommend having a reservation. Street parking is extremely limited but I got lucky and found a close spot. Indoor and outdoor dining available. Credit cards accepted. It’s a good spot for a date night or a small group dinner. Food-wise, fellow Elite Yelper Blair T had recommended the crispy provolone, so we got an order of that - it’s essentially grown up mozzarella sticks in a disc form. The spicy rigatoni is a must- get. The lamb cannelloni was alright, and the copione pizza was a bit dry but a pizza is a good call if you’re splitting among 3-4 people.

Shortened from ospitante, “host” in Italian, Ospi opened mid-pandemic in Venice, Jame Enoteca owners Melissa Saka and Jackson Kalb hoping to catch lightning in a bottle once again with Southern Italian cooking in the form of a casual beachside Trattoria. Decidedly different from duo’s El Segundo hotspot, premium real estate and an expansive buildout a near-polar opposite to Jame’s close quarters in a stripmall, guests are invited to dine inside or out, vaccine cards checked before choosing a seat along the Restaurant’s rear wall. Supporting exorbitant prices with High-quality ingredients, or perhaps using Felix as a yardstick for what Angelinos will accept, Lunchers will find a lengthy menu featuring Vegetables, Sandwiches, Pizza and Pasta, the former highlighted by Cauliflower in vibrant Sauce with bits of Seeds and Fruit adding complexity to each bite. Honoring Rome’s Roscioli with Cracker-Crust Pizzas, Kalb’s technique yielding a sort of laminated texture that bends a bit before breaking, Vodka Sauce is exemplary both with gobs of Stracciatella and heavily applied to handmade Rigatoni better than one will find at Carbone. $21 to $29 for three Pastas, before SoCal sales tax, 4% Employee Benefits and Tip, Mezze Maniche is Ospi’s heavy-handed attempt at Cacio e Pepe, the overall flavor decent but far less interesting than Raschiatelli with Spicy Meat Sauce, creamy Cheese and Breadcrumbs for contrast. Reciting Desserts from memory, Cannoli and two Puddings not nearly so inspiring as Jame Enoteca’s Pie, Cake or Pavlova, Meyer Lemon Budino nonetheless channels Kalb’s signature sweet in terms of taste while Chocolate Pudding is stick-a-spoon-up-straight thick but not “heavy.”

Dishonest billing practices and hidden fees — beware. I was shocked to find that Ospi Venice added an unauthorized additional tip to my bill after I had already written in and signed the original tip amount. That is absolutely unethical. On top of that, they tacked on a 4% “employee benefit support” fee that was not disclosed anywhere on the happy hour menu. This fee is supposedly optional, but it’s added automatically and feels deliberately hidden. In California, that kind of undisclosed charge can be considered illegal. Restaurants should be transparent, especially when it comes to billing. Between the unauthorized tip and the surprise fee, this felt less like dining out and more like getting scammed. I won’t be returning, and I suggest others check their receipts closely.

Nice food although it could be more authentic Italian. Reasonable wines at high prices, special wines at extreme prices (Barolo for USD 450). Atmosphere is lively , good if you like it , less if you want a conversation. Servants are good , manager is a bit out of his league.

Very nice atmosphere. Good service.however,that’s as far as it goes. The dishes would only fool an american who has never been to europe. Cauliflower antipasti american size big portion taste like Nothing you can eat in Italy . Pasta too salty and no charm. Sorry, but a disappointment.

Average. We had high hopes for this place. My partner really enjoyed his pasta but the pizza was dry and cold. They had no diet soda available. That said it was full and had a great atmosphere, might be that we got unlucky