Rao's Reviews

Really enjoyed the food and the service was great. But the real treat is the vibe and the clientele. So much glad handing and regulars. Fun to experience.

Hip Hip Hoo-RAO's to this stunning Italian eatery in Hollywood. My East Coast friends turned me on to this restaurant a few years back and after my multiple visits, this place is a WINNER! The food is excellent and the staff is always knowledgeable and attentive at the bar or at a table. The serene patio area in the back of the restaurant is a pleasant discovery. The chicken parm (off menu), linguini and clams, shrimp scampi and cod dishes are must gets. Like the dinner, the the best way to end this review is with ONE WORD-cheesecake (get it!). Cheers!

As good as the original in New York or the one at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas. Traditional Italian cuisine with helpful wait staff. A little bit pricey, which is why it gets 4 rather than 5 stars.

This is true Italian food. I had the fortune of eating at the original in East Harlem, NY and was so excited to see that one was opening in LA that I had to go on their opening week. This is already one of the Top 10 restaurants in town! My food was amazing. The ambiance is classic...like the Rat Pack could walk through the door at any moment! The bar and bartender was gracious and even gave me a free refill of wine. The owner and host came to our table to introduce herself and to assure that we were enjoying our meal and evening. There are many hosts that do this nowadays, but she genuinely took the time to converse with us and added to an already splendid evening. As I stated in my heading, this is the best Italian food in all of Los Angeles!

This Raos, while a little out of the way, is clearly the gem in the crown. Patrick tuns it with a gentle had that guarantees your feeling like a king. The good is fabulous. Steak to rival the great steakhouses, meatballs better than NY, and the best pistachio ice cream ever. To top it off, johnny Roast Beef (I think that's his Hebrew name) is there as an old fashioned "tummler", making you laugh and feel so special until your food gets there. Worth every dime.

Old time Hollywood with great ambiance and food. Place is on the small side but hey it’s Hollywood! Most of the waiters are wanna be actors waiting to be discovered! We had a great time. Hope to be back. Parking may be an issue as with most of Hollywood

Everything from the cocktails to the appetizers all the way through the pastas and the main dishes are wonderful. The staff is super friendly and the owner visits all the tables. Great for a low key special evening. Great for a date!

This place is tasty. It's in a neighborhood where you are questioning the directions the moment you exit the freeway. Trust the directions, you are heading to the right place. I would valet park. You enter the doors and you are greeted immediately with a warm face asking for the name your reservations are under. We arrived 20 minutes early and we were seated right away. The lighting is dim inside however the outside seating is more lit. We brought a bottle of wine ($30 corkage fee) and we just started ordering. There was 4 of us and when you drive to LA for dinner, you make the most of it. Appetizer - Fritto Misto - even though its fried, it wasn't greasy, it's very light and flavorful. Calamari, shirmp, cod -- so tasty Salad - Seafood Salad - yummy! The lemon dressing was a perfect fit for this dish. Pasta - Fiocchi - hands down a MUST ORDER. Ravioli, ricotta and pear filling, brown butter, sage and dried cranberries. I don't need to say anything more about this dish. Chicken Scarpariello - Not my personal favorite however the group enjoyed it. The dish is spicy and I don't care for spicy. I was told the dish had a lot of flavors and they enjoyed it. Sunday Gravy - If you dine on Sunday, you should order this for the table. Short rib, pork let, pork braciole, meatballs and hot & sweet sausage. Rigatoni and house salad. The house salad had mixed reviews....over-dressed however I personally enjoyed it. The lettuce was crisp and not soggy when you over dress a salad but it was a perfect pairing with the meal. Dessert - Tiramisu, Chocolate Cake and Cheesecake. The chocolate cake was light, moist. The cheesecake was AMAZING -- MUST ORDER. The tiramisu was basic tiramisu. Clearly we over ordered and if we did it again we would have stuck with the appetizer, lemon chicken and Sunday gravy and less tiramisu. Ladies, I'm glad I wore leggings with a sweater and fancied it up with a pair of heels. And when in Hollywood....Freddie Roach dined at the table behind us (it was his bday).

Like it’s NYC counterpart...only the weather is better! The food, waitstaff, ambience equally as good. A true Italian celebration of food!

Just had pasta - was very tasty but unenthusiastically served and expensive for what it was. $15 for valet when you can street park was a rip off IMO especially if you are only there for a quick meal.

My wife and I had dinner at Rao's this past week. We started with drinks $14 each. Then the giant meatballs that were in my opinion overrated meatballs that were $8 each. Then came dinner my wife had steak that was not very tasty and I had Rigatoni that was hard and never very pleasing. When we go to LA we expect to pay but this food and drink was way overpriced and not of good quality. We heard about RAO's in NYC but this was Hollywood style. Will never return, good luck!

Good Ambiance! Faboulous Management in the Old fashion Itialian Family tradition- the food, everything fresh hot and terrific- they accomidate your interests and needs- which helps make the place like old family and friends- I'm a pasta guy, Garlic Shrimp sauced to the Max, stack it high and I'm in heaven- can't pick wrong- and good Bar-

This restaurant was a highlight of our 6 week holiday. Staying around the corner was a bonus as we knocked back a bit more wine than we should have!!!! Great wine list!! The food......absolutely wonderful, especially the Parmesan bread. Service was impeccable and these 2 Aussies thoroughly enjoyed The heights that hospitality service can rise to.

Great experience..a number of the staff look like they have walk on parts on the Sopranos but they know their food and wine..and the offer is not one to refuse.A great experience.

Was taken here on a romantic date! Started with a great Margarita on the bar before moving to our table. Very warm place, felt like I was in a rom-com movie with the look and feel of the place! The menu isnt huge and pretty pricey but pretty normal for nice LA restaurants. Shared the Caesar salad and WOW. AMAZING. i dont know what they put in there but after 1 bite i could understand how they charged $17! This salad was the surprise and highlight of the evening!!! main meal was the Veal Picatta...was very good although it would have been nice if they offered a chicken version. Overall great restaurant, very nice ambivalence, great service and away from the Hollywood bustle. I recommend it Rao's for a nice dinner date!

I could not believe that this place was where it said it was. I know the restaurant from NYC and it is nearly impossible to get a table there. I was searching for a nice place for my friend and I to dine while our daughters were taking dance class at Edge Performing Arts Center. Was so pleasantly surprised when this came up. We walked in and though it was crowded, we were warmly welcomed and seated immediately. The staff was so friendly and so great. Food was outstanding. Will most certainly be back!

Looking for an empty restaurant that treats you with contempt and then rapes your wallet for everything you have? Have I got the place for you! We were so excited to try this NYC landmark here, but the LA creation looks more like a sad tale of children of famous restaurateurs who have lost sight of their family's ethic. Because these meatballs have fallen far from that tree. The LA location is an inauthentic, overly commercialized, ridiculous embarrassment - right down to the almost insulting faux "Italian Mobster" decor and their we-peddle-these-at-Ralph's empty Rao's sauce jars as vases. Which could have been fun in a kitschy way, had the whole disastrous meal not been so unbelievably expensive. You will not be laughing at any point from the moment you walk in and are treated like no one is happy to see you, for there is no love for the customer here. As if out of a comedy, we were literally the only people in the restaurant and one of the unpleasant owners sized us up and told us that all the other tables were reserved (they weren't) and that all the other diners would be coming in within the hour (they didn't). That attitude might work in NYC, but here it just felt ugly and pretentious. Adding insult to injury is the food itself. Only the meatballs were OK, but anyone with any shred of experience with actual Italian-American home-cooked meals has had waaaaay better. (Shout out to Mrs. Siano!) We all shared the "famous" Lemon Chicken and the adjective we agreed upon was "awful." There was almost no meat to be found, nor was it very lemony; it consisted of small strange cartilagenous chicken bits sitting in a vinegary broth. The linguini with clams was cafeteria-level: oily and flavorless. How do you ruin spinach? While the flavorless watery leaves were overcooked, the undercooked garlic chunks were brittle. The tiramisu was treacly with almost no spongecake. The cheesecake, like the meatballs, was unexceptional for anyone who has ever visited NYC. I won't tell you how much any of these dishes cost in case you're on heart medication. Also since we're embarrassed we paid for any of it. Add the $8 valet parking when there is plentiful street parking right outside, and it becomes even more likely that playing restaurateurs for these clueless heirs is an exercise in greed and pretentiousness. And as their unwitting victims, we urge you not to support their sense of entitlement. You deserve better - we all do!

Since getting into the original NY location is pretty much impossible, originally it felt like we were "settling" by having the local experience. That is totally not the case. Everything I had heard about Rao's in Harlem is here in LA -- the great service, wonderful food, and extraordinary feel to the place. And then there's the meatballs, seafood salad, and pretty much everything else on the menu. Plus maitre'd Johnny made us feel like we were "familia." Highly recommend.

This is Italian restaurant almost hidden in Hollywood. We found it and had a great time. Service was top notch. The variety on the menu is extensive and all Italian. Full bar, drinks well prepared. Table are not right on top of each other, either -- something I appreciated. Portions are generous. Their specialty is meat balls -- softball size is how Paul, our waiter, described them -- and you must try them: not only are they fun, they are flavorful and come on, when was the last time you had a softball-sized meatball? Something that topped off the evening was the executive chef, Jay Palermo, stopped by our booth to make sure all is well. When was the last time THAT happened? In LA? Very nice.

Every entree was great. Sage flavored pockets were amazing. Mark was the perfect waiter. He was so attentive. Also the manager was attentive. Loved their red sauce. The calamari, a difficult dish, was great.

I grew up in New York and never made it to the Rao's there - tried the Vegas outpost and was pretty happy but this location sold me. I I had lots of Italian friends growing up and loved getting invited over for meals. Those meatballs Nonna made! I have spent my subsequent years chasing those meatballs, trying many recipes to make them on my own, and never quite found the sweet spot. But the meatballs at Rao's are the ones of my dreams! So perfect. Rao's marinara sauce has become my bottled

Love their bottled marinara sauce and can't pretend to get into the NYC home base (fuhgeddaboudit!) Had to try it in LA. Attractive room and the greeters are a pleasant hoot. Bread service memorable, particularly with house marinara sauce for dipping. Seafood salad was best we ever had; seafood done perfectly and light lemony sauce just right. Must have. I tried their famous lemon chicken as a main and was not impressed. Sauce OK, but chicken with sauce still seemed to dry for my palate (in fairness, I am not a chicken lover). Side half order of angel hair with marinara was wonderful, as expected. Wife's main of linguine with white clam sauce was just OK; a bit dry and clams a little overdone. Go figure, given the perfection of the seafood salad. Didn't complain. Overall, our evening was more pleasant than the mild gripes above would seem to suggest. Worthwhile visit for lovers of traditional Italian-American cuisine. No clue as to how to compare with home base or Las Vegas.

Welcomed 8 members of our team so warmly. Recommended a “sharing” meal with their specialities. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere comfortable. Wonderful evening. Will certainly be back.

Tonight I had a reservation for 4 that was made on Open Table; which open table messed up and made for 2. This was no fault of the restaurant; but it completely on Open Table. The hostess and manager were excellent in trying to accommodate us. Unfortunately knowing Rao's from NY there was no room for us this evening; which is understood. I do have to say they handled the situation perfectly; all attempts were made to seat us. I will be back the next time I am in LA.

I had been to the original Raos in Harlem, N Y years ago, which is near impossible to get into, so when visiting LA and having an opportunity to return, how could I not do so. My first visit to the New York Raos left memories of a great Italian restaurant from days gone by. Naturally I had great expectations this time. The food was average at best, but very expensive. Their use of garlic, which I like in moderation, was heavy handed and masked the other natural tastes of the food. Some dishes were better than others, but nothing that was special enough to return. The wait staff was good and the manager was very personable. Just not up to what I expected for the price. Parking on the street is free, valet is $10.

Husband and I had dinner with his brother and sister-in-law here recently. Great little setting. The server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. The Sommelier suggested a nice red to go with our dinner. I had the Caesar salad. Very good. H had the Lemon Chicken and liked it very much. I had al dente' linguini with marinara. Delicious. The meat eaters said the meatballs were very good. Husband and I shared one of the best slices of Ricotta cheesecake I've ever had. Valet Parking. Not in downtown LA. More like West Hollywood. Good place. Go here.

The meatballs will tell you everything you need to know about how good an Italian restaurant is. Everything on the menu we tried is delicious but Rao's is known for and has the best meatballs. The restaurant is actually located on a side street in Hollywood, which was nice because parking was easy and it wasn't too crowded when we went. The service was great and staff was friendly. Looking forward to going back again.

Loved the food, service, ambiance and music. We had a 6:45PM reservation and were seated promptly. For starters, we ordered the fried mozarella and it was delicious. For our main course, I had the spaghetti agliolio with a side of grilled asparagus and my husband had chicken parmigiana. The portions were very generous. For dessert, my husband had the cheesecake. I’m glad I found this restaurant and can’t wait to go back. Everything from beginning to end was excellent.

This was a real treat even though expensive, it was worth it, and it was in Hollywood. A real Hollywood hangout for the stars, with year round Xmas lights gave it a real festive feel, but it was fitting for a restaurant with so much character. Food was fab..... Make sure you check it out..:-)

This restaurant tries very hard to look like somewhere the Sopranos or Sinatra would hang out in. Maybe they try a little too much. It's charming. The staff was nice. Our server Marco was right our of central casting and he was wonderful. The food was good. I can't say great, but good. The pastas were good. The bread was very good. The caprese salad was very disappointing. The “hoeoom” tomatoes were.... Frozen. Huh? I didn't get that at all. I would do back, but I would skip the tomatoes

Nice place Waiters are cool as well. When it comes to food quality is good as well as taste. Plates are big enough for 1 person. Good value for money Meatballs are very good (They will suggest you to order some do so)

We were greeted with smiles and soon after we placed our orders, delicious food. We love using Rao's sauce when making pasta or pizza at home, so it was fantastic experience actually eating here. Feels like the holidays inside, love the vibe!

Cute little restaurant in the middle of the studios. Large portions and very good. Delicious caesar salad. Chicken Milano was tasty. Great bread basket. The host was very personable, and seemed like a gangster actor. Decent service. It is an "experience" as much as a meal. Seemed like a lot of tourists were there.

The stuff of legends... so they say about the famed NYC location! It's doubtful that we will ever make it to that particular location, but we can now say that we have tried both the Las Vegas location (several years ago) and most recently, the LA location. My expectations were not high since our meal at the Vegas location was very unexceptional. We won't need to go back there. All that being said, I was not expecting much when I made resies at the LA spot. Boy were we surprised! I love it when that happens!! The location is off the beaten path, which I always love. It was small and quaint with a great atmosphere. I think we were there on a Monday night and there were not many other diners. One particular table was being doted on by the staff so we were overlooked for a while. After a while, I think the maitre d' or possibly the manager noticed that we might have been not getting the desired attention, as it was obvious the other table were either regulars or famous, not sure which, don't really care. He then made up for it by checking on us and visiting with us, which was nice of him and we appreciated it. Had he not, our opinion of the restaurant would have been a lot lower. He handled it the right way. Our waiter was really great and attentive, although we kind of thought he might have been the busboy at first. He looked very young, but he turned out to be really good. Our food was fabulous. My husband had veal marsala which he said was the best he had ever eaten, and I can also say the same for my veal piccata. We are seasoned Italian diners and try to hit all top rated Italian restaurants in any city we visit. We were really glad we gave Rao's another chance. On a side note, one thing that I remembered was that they still had the Christmas decorations up in Vegas when we dined there in late February. We thought that was really tacky and it kind of turned us off at the time. When we arrived at this location in mid May and saw the Christmas decorations still up, I asked this time! I am glad I did, because this time I got an explanation! Since 1986, when someone at the NYC location decided it was Christmas every day at Rao's, the decorations have been up year around! The tradition has continued to the newer locations. Mystery solved. Had they just told us this when we asked in Las Vegas, we would have loved it!

This place is a hidden old school Italian spot.. amazing had Sunday dinner with friends and had there Sunday gravy and veal parmesan. What can I say amazing, also had there black and blue martini with stuffed blue cheese olives . Awesome experience and the food was so good.. everything we tried was delicious.

We've been waiting for this location to open for a while, after the difficulty of getting in the New York location. Finally took my family there and we had a wonderful time. The food was great (loved the ravioli and the eggplant parm, also the caprese salad was delicious).Great wine selection too! Try the Tinazzi Dugal Cab! The service was wonderful. Most of all, loved the location and the Christmas decor! Felt like I was stepping into the middle of Goodfellas! A great place to take the family!

We are big fans of Rao's Sauce, so when we realized that there was a LA restaurant we had to go. We met an old friend that lives in town and he had never been. The restaurant is very Manhattan in style and staff. The managers are a hoot. It was a great night food, atmosphere, the staff the perfect experience. Thank you Rao's LA

This place is a must !! Of the path a bit thank god so it stays low keyed !! Best Italian food bottom line in LA !! We cant get in to the place in NY so had to head to the west coast to enjoy the food !!

L.A. gangster nostalgia big time. The food is just as classic and great, as you would hope it to be. Good service, good wine, relaxed atmosphere. Go.

One word: AMAZING.... And that's an understatement. We walked in, and a host greeted us like family. We were seated immediately in a lovely booth. The lamps at the table have your signature sauce as a base. Our waiter was Stair made fantastic recommendations regarding order, as expected, tasted like it came out of someone's nonna's kitchen! Definitely do not pass at the meatballs. The best I've ever tasted in short rib was heavenly. The Caesar dressing was not too heavy and extremely tasty. You must not forget the cheesecake. Although many think it is from Juniors in Brooklyn is far superior and made on-site. I only wish that their New York restaurant had more than a handful of tables because if it did, I would be there all of the time. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Being of Italian descent and from New York, I was excited to try Rao's as it is impossible to get into the New York original. I sure hope New York is better because I feel like the LA outpost pales in comparison to East coast Italian food. The portions are sizable so you can eat mediocre food family style. The wine choices were good and dessert was ok. The service was acceptable but not noteworthy. Our favorite was the meatball. The patio was pretty - the christmas decor was a bit off but I understand from the server that is how the New York restaurant is decorated. For the money, I would eat elsewhere.

Great drinks selection - try the espresso martini! As for the food, it was delicious. A large selection of dishes, all very tasty. Good wines to go with it. The meatballs were gone in a flash!

The interior of Rao's hollywood is very clean, and what you would like to see, indoor/outdoor seating with some nice booths and tables. The staff is very good, and seems to enjoy working at this location. I can't figure out why the food is so plain. Yes the meatball was good, but my wife's Pasta bolognese was just ok and after two attempts the eggplant parmigiana was oily and under cooked. The waiter admitted this has happended before, and was very sorry. It seems the folks at Rao's have given the name and some recipes to someone and split. If I was an investor its time to parachute in and rescue this place before its to late. Foodies like me will not come back unless you get the word out. Parking is $8, corkage is fair, booths are very comfortable.

This place is as good as good gets for restaurants. The setting alone is worth a visit as you are teleported from an industrial area of Hollywood to NYC once inside featuring a setting you'd normally find in the East Village, NYC or Mulberry Street in NYC's Little Italy. The delicious smells just smack you in the face the moment you walk in while simultaneously being made to feel welcome by the hostess and managers. The customer is treated so well here which is such a noticeable difference from most LA-based restaurants where you're often just a number. The menu is filled with RAO's favorites (which will soon be yours) and caters to all tastes and dietary needs. I always enjoy the fresh fish as they prepare it oh so good. The pasta and sauces here are all perfect in every way. Service is old school in that they actually care about you and your experience - and it shows. RAO's is my go-to Italian restaurant in LA. Patrick the manager is the best in the business and helps ensure you have a great experience every time you dine here. Easy valet parking just outside the entrance or often you can find street parking (be sure to read the crazy LA parking restrictions, however) and be sure to make a reservation. This location is a lot easier to score a seat than its NYC sister however that just means we in LA just haven't caught on yet. I understand they will be moving to a new location as the area around becomes too studio-industrialized however I know they're here for a year plus so be sure to stop by.

If you want to pretend you are in New York and hanging with the "goodfellas," this is the place for you. Red leather booths; Sinatra or Doo Wop on the juke box; knowledgable, fun waiters--- and a host named Johnny Roastbeef. Really. Best meatballs in town. Incredible bolognese sauce. Cheesecake to die. Iced martinis. Love it here.

We had had Rao's meatballs in Las Vegas and that's what brought us here. This location was even better. Really quaint and intimate inside. The staff were so sweet and helpful. Really a family atmosphere. We celebrated a child's birthday here. We called ahead to see if we could bring a cake/ no problem and no cutting fee, surprisingly. They could not have been nicer. All the food is good. But the meatballs are the best, by far. And right next to us was another kids birthday, with two famous actresses at the table. So, perfect dinner out in Hollywood!

Love this location as its very familial. The staff go out of their way including management to ensure a warm welcome to any visit. Extremely attentive and flexible servers throughout. The food is outstanding - never had a bad meal here - especially the fresh fish and vegetables. However if you are ordering any pasta dish, be prepared to fall in love. I would definitely call this a neighborhood gem as we all return time after time.

I will start by stating that I am biased towards Rao's because I grew up in Brooklyn, and eastern italian has a unique flavor. Rao's captures this taste. But, besides the food, which was excellent, the service was great and the ambiance is wonderful. The maitre'd could have just walked off the Soprano's set; he was engaging and came by several times to make sure everything was ok. All in all, Rao's was a great experience and would highly recommend it. One caveat, Rao's is not cheap, so check out the menu and the prices so you won't be surprised.

We visited on a Sunday evening and had a mist fabulous tasty meal and the atmosphere was buzzing, would definitely go back

I have eaten it all 3 of the Rao's Locations...Nothing Beats NY but this is as close as your going to get...The food here is very good....One of the best Italian places in LA....of you can't get a table in NY then while out here in LA this is a Must...

I hate to say this but it’s way better than NY. Roomy, better menu, PARKING, the whole deal. Food was fabulous.

It's really all about the meatballs and the lemon chicken for me! You can never go wrong with either dish. You shouldn't miss the peas with prosciutto or the red peppers appetizer either. If you order dessert, you can't go wrong with the cannoli, but honestly, the cheesecake is where it's at. We have been there a few times on different nights of the week and the service is always impeccable — even if they have a full house (which they often do) and even if you are with a large group.

Having eaten at Rao's NY many times, and Rao's Las Vegas w=before it closed, we were anxious to try Rao's LA. It did not disappoint. The manager, Patrick, greeted us, got our wine bottles opened, introduced us to our server, Gabby and was incredibly charming and personable. Gabby is phenomenal. She has a terrific sense of humor, and took care of our "family-style" dinner request. The food was as good as NY and Las Vegas, so kudos to the chef(s). We can't wait to go again.

My son and his wife took us here for my birthday, and it is as fine an Italian meal as I will have in a restaurant. I was raised on Italian food, and this is one of those rare restaurants that reminds me of what I knew growing up. The sauces are traditional marinara, the meatballs are huge, tender, flavorful and to die for. I had the ravioli, and it was fabulous. The waiter recommended a wine with dinner which was an excellent compliment to the meal. The staff attends to every need, and the service is prompt. This is a highly recommend.

Great atmosphere! Loved the food and the service was fabulous. Will definitely come here again and recommend it to friends. Can't believe it's been in my neighborhood for so long and I somehow missed it!

Great service and bar. The staff are wonderful. A few pasta dishes were a little overloaded with oil. Very good cheese cake.

10 Word Review: Faux Friendly Schmaltz = Downtown Disney. Chef Pal: "Just Not Good" About Us: Almost jetsetters from L.A. Couple, 30's, love Mondrian, Coachella and Festivals, going off the grid in Nicaragua and Guatemala as much as fashion weeks, film festivals, and awards shows. Allergic to tourists, crave authenticity. Fans of Major Lazer, Chainsmokers, Spotify and things we have yet to discover. Visited: Saturday night, 9 pm. Funny Takeaway: Waiter kept sitting down at the table with us. And touching my friend's shoulder who hated his dish. Has an act. Kept out trotting out stock one liners attempting to sound fresh.

We had a filling dinner - spaghetti & lemon chicken. Our waiter was Marc - loved him - funny, attentive, professional & we were privileged to hear him serenade the next table. Traditional Italian restaurant with dark wood paneling, great ambiance and celebrity photos on the walls. Upscale yet casual. Prices are a bit high, but the food is excellent. We were greeted at the door by the hostess and the owner or manager & he came by the table to say Hello. I would eat there again. (Make reservations if you can. We walked, but I noticed valet service for 10 dollars.)

I always wanted to go to Rao's in NY, which is impossible, so I was happy to find out that they have one in LA. Food was awesome, staff was super friendly and welcoming. We sat outside on a cold night but there was plenty of heat lamps, so the atmosphere was super fun. Will go back.

Dined at Rao's 1/11 for a business dinner with a party of 13. Lou the manager, worked with me on not only the menu, but also on our extremely short timeline of dining in one hour. From the moment we arrived not only only was the water and bread on the table, but they started bringing our pre-set menu selections out within 10 minutes. Lou was incredibly flexible with menu selections, last minute changes and truly had an incredibly positive attitude! Our group loved the food and talked about how the experience restored their faith in the LA Dining scene. Thanks Lou and Rao's we will be back!

We ordered delivery because we couldnt go in person. The food was delivered by a 3rd party service but was delivered quickly and hot. This is by far my favorite restaurant in LA. We ordered meatballs of course, mozzarella and Chicken Parm. Was delicious. Cant wait to come back. Wish I could get in to the one in New York since I live on the wast coast and the Vegas one is closed

We got takeout from here during our visit to LA. First off the clerk let us leave with only half our order. Thank goodness we checked it in the car and realized that most of our order was still inside, so we went back. The food was ok but the meatballs- really that is the reason to love Rao's- did lose a bit of their excellence when packaged up for takeout--- I know that's not the restaurant's fault necessarily of course. I'd recommend eating in for the full experience and the best meatballs.

The food was absolutely outstanding! Wait staff excellent as well. Wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars though because it can get a little loud. Thae patio area is beautiful and romantic.

I lived in NY for 3 years and was never able to get a table at the very famous Rao's in Harlem. When I was visiting LA and looking for a new place to dine, I saw that Rao's had opened up. I booked a table and took two of my children's friends to dinner. We had a wonderful evening, great service and loved the ambiance. I definitely has the NY vibe.We started with a fritto misto and caesar salad which we enjoyed. For our main course we each ordered a favorite Italian dish of ours and decided to share the three. We had Veal Milanese, Shrimp Scampi and Linguini with clams. Unfortunately the veal and the clams were over cooked. All in all, it was flavorful but a little disappointing. I will definitely give it a try again however.

Great service, they make you feel like part of the family... The atmosphere is very warm, with dark woods and deep red cover walls like a cabernet... Very relaxing!! Meatballs is where you start! The best I've ever had! Located in Hollywood it was very close to where I stayed. There for casting, good comfort food and friendly staff at the end of a long day made for a great trip.... Definitely will go back

Awesome service. Mediocre food. Overpriced wine. Had dinner and the food was nothing like Harlem. The pasta over-cooked. The bolognese boring. The vodka sauce not creamy and flavorless. Meatballs good. Wine list nothing under 14 a glass ...its Italian wine come on! Wouldn't go back. So many better Italian restaurants in Los Angeles.

Arrive at Rao's wondering if your got the right directions. Its a little off the beaten path, but such a jewel to find! The cozy, old-school atmosphere wraps it arms around you like an old friend, just as the staff you encounter. The best Italian food is an understatement! We had beet salad and Caesar salads that were fresh and succulent. Our entrees of veal Marseille were tender, richly flavorful and a generously portion. The veal chop was an outstanding cut, extremely delicious and satisfying. Unfortunately we had no room for desert but LoVed every minute of our meal. This is a restaurant you can not get in to in New York, now I know why! BRAVO... Rao's!

I guess this place tries to emulate Carmines in New York or other popular family style Italian restaurants The portions are large but pretty tasteless and its real expensive. t. A place to avoid in my opinion

We never thought we could even get into Rao's, but in LA you can. From the warm welcome from Mark, the manager- to the hug when we left this was a night to remember. The meatballs are better than you think they could be- tried the sweet corn ravioli- just WoW! We had our favorite wine, Vermentino- a reminder of a trip to Pienza. The cheesecake needs to become the icon it is.if you are in LA just GO!!!

Great dinner. No problem getting a reservation...seated quickly...service was solid and dinner was excellent. Nice decor and meal...definitely worth a visit.

Disappointed in the seafood salad for an appetizer mostly calamari rings with very small bits of crab and lobster- OK dressing. Good large pork meatball. Spaghetti aglio olio was al dente. Shrimp scampi was good but not much flavor in the angel hair pasta. Large servings of chicken parmesan and pork chop with garlic and cherry peppers. Pork chop was delicious. Service was OK- server placed wrong meal in front of different people in our party of four twice. Did not receive requested prosecco with appetizers and had to remind wait person again when our entrees were served.

Loved the food, the friendly service, the ambience. Would go back for their pasta, meatballs, & cheese crisps in a heartbeat. A busy, bustling restaurant catering to people who like to eat & have fun at the same time, I was treated like a celebrity which I am not!

Solid well-run and popular Italian restaurant. Good value and lovely food. Only problem is that we were recommended not to walk to the restaurant at night and couldn't get a taxi to take us home. So our waitress volunteered - service above and beyond! Much appreciated.

This reminded me like Bucca's, only on a smaller and classier place. The portions are large and meant to be shared. You MUST do the meatballs - probably the best ever and the marinara sauce is the absolute best sauce you may have ever tasted. The veal parm was good, but pounded a but too thin so was not as tender and in my opinion too thin. The rigatoni bolognese was awesome. We had the spinach which was also amazing. I will return there at every visit to LA. Make sure you make reservations.

Made reservation in advance to take my son going to recent visit to Los Angeles. Friendly staff, not pretentious, it was actually slow at 7:30 won't be there but picked up a lot. Later crowd. The food was good but my son's vegetarian so it limited the items we were going to share. I would definitely recommend doing this restaurant as a group.

Stopped in here with some friends and I was blown away by the food! Right from the time we entered, the staff was friendly, especially our bar tender that was extremely helpful and friendly. We had a very hard to get reservation because this place is the spot and has very limited hours. They are usually open 5-10 PM only. ""Johnny Roast Beef" from the movie The Good fellow's helped us out. We tried the Meatballs (which they are famous for) Sausage with Peppers, Pasta with Short Ribs, Canolis and the New York Cheesecake. Each and every thing was over the top amazing. Our waiter was tyhe bomb although we questioned his age : ) Service was impeccable. The whiskey sours and Moscatel were equally as delicious as was my guys fresh cucumber drink with mint. I really don't have a bad thing to say about Rao's except I wish they were open later as we have missed them many a night while in LA because of the limited hours. We will all be back and arrange our future evenings around Rao's schedule just to savor that food again. I hghly recommend anything we had.

We always enjoy Rao's. It's a loud, boisterous atmosphere with friendly service and large portions. It's unlike other restaurants in the Hancock Park/Larchmont area. The food is reliable and we particularly enjoy the meatball appetizer. My husband likes to go there whenever he feels like something with red sauce! And he gets a kid out of greeter Johnny Roastbeef from Goodfella's fame.

It's located in a residential area but worth a try. The atmosphere is sultry and the food good. Try the giant meatballs or the lemon chicken. Good service too.

We decided to try this out for DINE L.A. Generally the food,was very go do. The meatball in particular was outstanding. It was moist and,very tasty. The spaghetti marinara was also good and you could rally taste the basil. Their signature dish, the lemon chicken was a bit on the tart side but the chicken was charred nicely and very moist. The cannoli she'll was just right; filling was a touch heavy on the Amaretto. It was pretty loud,and noisy when it filled up but service was good and people were friendky.

Big celebration dinner with my lawyers, Booby G and Omar. We beat Charles Schwab in court. Best place for booze and meat! Say hi to Gabriel the bartender...my angel😎

Came to raos on on a Sunday night very homy it's definitely a destination joint in a commercial section of Hollywood The capo was on duty working the entire house Ordered 2 bourbon got me n the mood had veal Marsala for dinner very large portions. Had fun looking thru the restaurant. It's design is right on. We'll be back Don Roberto

This east coast establishment brought some panache to the west coast. Excellent Italian cuisine, excellent atmosphere. Highly recommended

Rao’s is a long standing staple in West Hollywood serving traditional Southern Italy food, think red sauce and pasta. You are not going to leave saying “that was the greatest meal I’ve ever had” but you are going to say “that was a good meal and a great evening”. Great friendly service, valet parking. Reservations are strongly suggested. Prices are reasonable. Food like Momma made on Sundays!

This is a fine restaurant and a worthy west coast version of the legendary New York landmark. The quality of food is good and the service is exceptional. It is impossible to get reservations for the NYC location, but we were able to use Open Table and scored a table for three on short notice. The portions are generous and no one will leave hungry. Make sure that you start with an order of meatballs as the first course.

Amazingly delicious Italian cuisine in a lovely decor - we sat inside but discovered there's an outdoor section too. Friendly and helpful staff incluging a Goodfellas Johnny Roast Beef who visited and chatted with us periodically during dinner. We enjoyed large portions of veal Marsala , veal piccata, and chicken parmigiana with grilled veggies. We choose family style to share the entrees. We split dessert tiramisu and 3 flavors of gelato. From there we walked to the Hudson Theater on Santa Monica Blvd. Make reservations for his very popular restaurant.

Excellent food, great service, old style ambience and not too noisy. Easier to get reservations than it's counterpart in New York.

Wonder twin manager duo on severe power trip - will make up rules, harass you, will threaten you, will only give you a 1/2 pour of your cocktail (but still charge you full price), will only give you a 1/2 order of your desert (but still charge you full price) & will make your dining experience so miserable that you'll consider devoting your life to telling your story so that they don't do it to someone else too. To save time and space, I'll bullet point all of their atrocities. 1. Tried to shoot me in the head with their temp gun despite me telling them not to and explaining how rude, mannerless and classless that is. 2. Seated us at our requested table but then refused to lower wind screen (like we've done 10+ times previously) due to their inability to read & comprehend health code rules. She claimed she couldn't put a screen WITH HOLES IN IT down because of needed airflow. It's a screen, that air clearly passes through but it breaks the wind. 3. Tracy the incompetent manager refused to move us out of the wind/cold 48 degrees but luckily our nice server found us a warmer table. 4. Tracy continued to stalk our table despite us asking to be left alone. 5. Tracy brings the health department document over, thinking that she's won but really she simply exposed herself. My husband is an attorney and read it and tried to politely explain to her that she's completely wrong in her interpretation & she then continued to argue with him telling him that he's wrong. Not possible. She has now engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. 6. Tracy sends tiny Patrick to our table to kick us out, claims things "aren't working out". He's correct, they weren't but not because of us, it was because of THEIR strange tyrannical behavior. We request that he call the police so that we can file a report against them. He shivers and runs away, he knows what they've done. 7. My husband's drink comes out 1/2 pour, his dessert comes out 1/2 order. We get a bill for our full meal despite the theft of food/drink & ruining our meal. 8. Tracy and Patrick stalk our table 6 times while we're sitting quietly trying to eat. Tracy even tells us that WE'RE rude and stands directly next to the exit to harass us one more time on the way out. What a hit job. Feels like someone paid them off to harass us for some unknown reason. I hope whatever they got for it was worth it because we'll never return as long as the wonder twin destructive duo is in charge.

This was a great place to end our sightseeing packed LA day! We were all hungry and weary but we got spiffed up and Uber'd it over to Rao's which is a bit out of the way... The food was divine, of course and the ambiance very nice, but not so nice that my under 10 yr old couldn't play with her Barbie at dinner... It seemed to be a place equally suited to a family as it was a business dinner or girlfriends night out or romantic date night!! We couldn't decide on all the delicious options so did family style and shared Caesar Salad, Tomato and Mozzarella Salad, Spaghetti with marinara, meatballs, veal scaloppine Milanese style and eggplant parmigiana... Yum yum yum! You can't go wrong here!

My parents wanted to take my wife somewhere special for her birthday. I grew up in New York and my parents still live there, so we love Italian food, but also have high standards. Like every New Yorker, I always wanted to go to Rao's, but it will never happen in NYC, so we figured why not give this one a shot. Now to be clear, even though my wife is not from NYC, Italian food is her favorite too - one of the main reasons I married her. From the first minute we arrived, everything was perfect. Even the fact that its on an industrial street made it feel more like New York than LA. We walked in and immediately noted that they nailed the old school, red sauce restaurant vibe. There was a Joe Namath jersey on the wall, tons of photos of people who ate there, the dark wood booths, with white tablecloths and lamps made from sauce jars. Plus it felt festive for the holidays - every detail was nailed. The real test though was obviously the food, which did not disappoint. Even the parmesan crisp in the bread basket was great. We started with the seafood salad, a house salad and the Fritto Misto. Everything was simple, delicate and perfect. For our main course we had shrimp scampi, the off menu chicken parm, a double cut pork chop, the salmon and a side of Rigatoni in red sauce just because. Portions were big, everything was cooked perfectly and the sauces were somehow way better than the jarred stuff. Drinks were also delicious and even though we were way too full to eat desert, the espresso martini was a perfect way to end the meal. I had recently read a review in the LA Times saying that Rao's missed with their decor, and that the food wasn't great but that reviewer couldn't be more wrong. It was seriously delicious and one of the best Italian dinners I've had in LA. Now, is it expensive? Yes a bit, but what would you expect from a place who sells jarred sauce for $10? But here's the thing. If it wasn't amazing people wouldn't buy the sauce, and for me if I'm going out for a nice dinner, I don't mind spending a little money for greatness and that's exactly what we got. I also wanted to give a quick thank you to our server, Lana, who gave us amazing recommendations and service. We will definitely be back to table 4.

This place is simply great. Before I go any further I apologize for not doing any reviews for a while, has been really hard to go on line since I opened the App. But am on now so hopefully I can review again Ok here goes; The original Rao's in Spanish Harlem hasn't answered their phone in over a years or so I am told! It is impossible to get in there unless you are the owner or a famous movie person (preferably with a gangster movie to your credit) however the Hollywood version answers the phone and is happy to have you as a patron. Jason, Patrick, Louie and Gabriel are really great people, they treat you like family. Sit down and talk to you share wine with you, you forget they are working there. If you are movie buff and saw Goodfellas, "Johnny Roast Beef" is the host, great person lots of stories. Food is great, had Lobster Fra Diavilo, spicy but great. Also had Braised Short Rib (not really Italian but fantastic) Cheesecake is homemade. And Gelato is the real thing. Corkage is $30 per bottle with 2 bottle maximum. Not going to elaborate on that, work out your own negotiations. Valet parking is $10 but I usually Uber. Glad to be writing again and this is a perfect place to start. A Hollywood must!!!!!

If you are looking for traditional Italian food - highly recommend going here. Great service and huge portions.

What a fabulous place and the history behind the original one in Harlem NYC. Can't recommend this restaurant highly enough from the food, the service, ambience, decor etc. A place you must try before you leave LA. We looked at the menu and couldn't decode it was all fabulous som the waiter recommended all our food. We let him choose everything for us and he didn't fail!! The cheesecake is made in house and is the best we've ever had. Even our three kids ate everything. Open 6-10pm. We're not having Italian again on our trip as nothing will be as good as this little gem!!!

We were promptly seated and shown to our 2-seater booth. It was a very tight fit in their booth, much more so if we had been weight-challenged. The seats and back of the booth had no cushioning, and it was quite uncomfortable. Next time I will opt for a table. Bread was served and it was absolutely delicious. We had the Fritto Misto as an appetizer and it had excellent, non-greasy and tender portions (the only negative was the piece of cod which was bland and totally unseasoned). One of us had Linguini Clam Sauce and it was very tasty. I had the Fiochette which were ravioli fashioned into little “purses” – a nice presentation, but quite colorless – I would suggest a bit of chopped parsley to give it color. The Fiochette had a bare hint of pear along with the ricotta filling, but overall I found the dish underwhelming. Its sage and brown butter sauce was just too bland. For dessert, we tried their cheesecake which was true New York on a dish – outstanding! Service was pleasant, although at the end of the meal the check was delivered with a plop on the table sans comment, another silent plop after my credit card had been processed. What’s with that? A nice older gentleman came around to all of the tables and bantered a bit, but it would have been nice if he had introduced himself by name and role (I asked the server who he was, and found that he was the maître d’). We will return to try other menu items.

First and foremost, the coolest thing about my recent visit to RAO's was that the maitre d is none other than Johnny "Roast-Beef" Williams from my favorite movie of all time, GoodFellas. Really? Authentic old school Italian and Johnny Roast beef stops by to say hello? WOW! The food is incredible here! I highly recommend you order family style and share. Start with the meatball and prepare to be blown away. Make sure you order the Lemon Chicken and Peas and Pancetta. There are so many great items on this menu, its hard to note all the great options. The bartenders are first class and can make you pretty much anything. You will not go wrong at RAO's Los Angeles.

We were in L.A. in mid-May and decided to try Rao's. It was truly a spur of the moment type of thing on a Monday night. Earlier we had been in the audience at the Jimmy Kimmel Show and he recommended to an audience member who was a manager in the Midwest for a chain of casual Italian dining restaurants (who shall remain nameless). He stated that if we wanted good Italian food while in L.A. to try Rao's. We immediately took him up on his recommendation and it was delicious. It really was right out of Goodfellas! Dark, small (intimate), valet parking only, and music playing. If you check out the menu online, we had the seafood salad, shrimp scampi, and ravioli. We had appetizers, salad, entree and dessert. The manager visited the table, the waiter was spot on each time but not overwhelming. This was a great little find and we are glad we didn't miss it.

As someone who's always wanted to score a table at Rao's New York, this was an excellent second choice. It also exceeds my experience in Las Vegas. The meat balls are killer and the waiters are engaging and fun. They'll gladly point you toward the good choices. It's not cheap, but a keeper.

Being in construction I was immediately struck by the decor. Looks like it's ben there for at least 50 years( 5 really). Place was empty when we walked in at 6:30. Asked if we had a reservation...I laughed. By the time we left around 8:30 the place was packed. Very friendly...Amber put up with my laugh and then showed me around. Bartender was friendly, and makes a solid Old Fashion. Food and service at the table was great. Always there when we needed it but not asking us every 2 min. if we needed something. Great wines by the glass...not cheap but tops of Types. Food was great. Can't say it was the best I ever had but I'm sure no one would be disappointing. We ate $50 worth of food and drank $100 worth of wine. We did not have desert.

Classic family Italian resturant. Old School... You won't be disapionted.. New York cheese cake to die for....love this place

I was invited here, as I was sure it won't be like it's original in New York! The inside is charming with the usual red and dark colors. We had their Living Social special, which sounded a lot (and is). After the Perseco, we had the appetizer of the meatballs, which was very good, the pasta (bolognese and olio) was good, something was missing in the olio. The chicken Parmesan and the eggplant Parmesan was nothing to write home about. The place was noisy so you have to talk loud, service was OK. I had to leave early because I had an emergency however I was told after I left the service went down I did not stay for the desert.

Rao's is located on a side street off Santa Monica Blvd. in an industry area. When we walked in the servers were welcoming. I ordered the Linguini and Clams and it was light and good. We ordered Meatballs for the table and it was soooooo very good that next time I'll just have that with a glass of red wine. My other four friends raved on how good their dishes were. I would definitely recommend this place, and I have, and I hope to go back real soon.

We first experienced Rao's in Vegas and would only be able to visit maybe once a year. LA is a bit easier for us to get to a few times a year but still not enough to enjoy Rao's as much as we would like. Chicago, the manager was so charismatic and shared stories of Frank Pellegrino Sr.. He confirmed the rumors are true... you really can't get a reservation in their New York restaurant. Now for the amazing delicious food! Our favorites are the meatballs, baked clams and now from Chicago's suggestion the Fiocchetti with Dried Cranberries and Sage which tastes like a family Christmas gathering in your mouth! The Pasta and brown butter is to die for. We miss you Rao's already. Thank you for sharing your family traditions, recipes and talents with us. We are so thankful to be able and enjoy the 4th cookbook, Rao's Classics, so we can share your Lemon Chicken and other favorites with our family and friends.

Forget trying to get into Rao's NY, the LA location has it all. Located in a cozy neighborhood south of Santa Monica Blvd between Highland and Cahuenga boulevards, its red exterior easily identifies that you have arrived at THE destination. Valet parking makes the location easy. Stepping inside, you are stepping back to a "Little Italy-type" atmosphere with the red leather banquettes creating cozy dining spaces in low-light areas. It is a bustling place with the pitch of many important conversations and fun; and, one expect Sinatra to stroll in and begin an impromptu medley of songs. Expect the prices to reflect NY. The service is excellent and the place is frequented by many famous regulars. Yet, this location is virtually unknown by the regular LA dining crowd. Food highlights: APPETIZERS -- they are famous for their meatballs, so don't miss this; two tender, tasty, softball-sized meatballs in exceptional red sauce. PASTA -- Don't miss the unique Fiocchi made with Ricotta and Bartlett Pear Filling, Brown Butter, Sage, Dried Cranberries. MAIN COURSE -- Tuscan Shrimp & Scallops. Disappointment: I so looked forward to the Lobster Fra Diavolo and even asked the waitress to be sure the sauce was only medium spicy, however the very tender 8 oz lobster tail sitting atop pasta was negated by the hottest sauce so that one could hardly know what crustacean was being consumed (and it is more pasta than lobster -- should have been double that size lobster). For $41, this is an atrocity. Obviously not their best day for this dish...one that I'll avoid in the future. The four of us were celebrating a birthday, and enjoyed the experience. Even with the specific dish hiccup; we would return again, but take some greater precautions on the heavy hand of the chef's spicing.

Simply one of the best Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. Amazing attentive service. Great wine list! The meatballs are a must!

At the suggestion of our waiter we had the Sunday Sauce dinner (two people have to order it at $40 each) which is a complete meal on its own while our friends had the restaurant week special ($50 each). The Sunday space dinner came with a salad (that was okay), delicious pasta, and the exceptional "sauce" which included meatballs, bracciole, sausage, and a moist lean chunk of pork. The pork was a huge surprise and something we enjoyed immensely. For dessert we had the NY Style Cheesecake and although we enjoyed it, we would have preferred ricotta cheesecake or some rum cake. The host made everyone feel welcome (unlike many LA restaurants) and the waiter was right on all his suggestions. The house chianti was very full and satisfying. All in all our best experience in LA.

Meatballs, people... Go there for the meatballs and you won't be disappointed. They are moist, soft and tasty. We also had the veal Milanese. Mine was parmigiana,my husband had the Milanese. Great service. Not cheap but well worth it.

For a recent family dinner, our daughters suggested Rao's in Hollywood. All of us love good Italian cooking, and Rao's offers that in abundance. Everything I tasted -- from appetizers including burrata and melon, and roasted red peppers, to main courses such as shrimp diavolo and "Uncle Vincent"'s lemon chicken -- was outstanding. Even the "New York cheesecake" -- a label that in many restaurants actually means a wedge-shaped substance with the consistency of wallpaper paste -- was one of the best cheesecakes I've had in a long time. The service was prompt, courteous, and attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Don't be fooled by the nondescript location on a Hollywood side street; Rao's is worth the trip.

One can see immediately when walking in the door that this place has a New York pedigree. Upscale yet casual, you actually feel like dressing up a bit to come here. The menu is what you would expect, but ask the waiter about their signature dishes. Our table shared the seafood salad (light and tasty), eggplant parmesan, lemon chicken (to kill for), and the swordfish with fresh vegetables (could not be better). Don't even think about leaving without a slice of their house made cheesecake. The service and hospitality are among the best in town. Suffice to say, this is one of my new favorites.

Turn off a non-descript part of Santa Monica Blvd onto a sound stage filled street takes you to Rao's. The room is dark and warm, with affable wait staff delivering top professional service. The food is excellent, with favorites such as meatballs, lemon chicken and chicken or veal parmesan. Yes, its old school like Mama would make if you were Italian. There is a smaller back room near the kitchen, not recommended, but also a nice outdoor patio that is lit and probably delightful on warm evenings. This is not fou fou Italian, but hearty and finely prepared with their knockout Marzano tomato sauce.

This location is in a residential neighborhood and worth finding. The inside decor is the same as the NYC and Vegas locations. The food is amazing just as amazing as in the other locations and yes its still family style Italian food. They have a menu and they also have nightly specials. If you have a favorite food not on the menu they will make it for you. If you have fish or nut or any kind of allergies it is not a problem for them to work with you. All of the food is melt in your mouth fantastic. The meatballs and lemon chicken are just out of this world. Enjoy!