Grano Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Duarte

Introduction:

Last night I took a friend of mine who came from Germany, to eat at Grano. Both of us were blown away by our dining experience for the night.

Food:

Bread with marinara sauce:

What surprised my friend and I was the bread appetizer that came with a side of marinara sauce. We dipped the bread into the marinara and upon taking the first bite, both of us were amazed: at other Italian restaurants the marinara sauce tastes bland and generic. At Grano the flavor(s) of the marinara sauce is pronounced and vibrant. Imagine as you're taking a bite of the bread with the marinara sauce and you're transported to a park in the midst of a mid-summer day all the while biting into a freshly-picked tomato that's juicy and tender. This is the image that was in my mind the whole time as I was eating the appetizer.

Oxtail stew with pappardelle:

Personally I have a grave weakness when it comes to oxtails; therefore, whenever I see it on a menu, I will order it without fail. The oxtail with pappardelle was excellent: two large pieces of oxtails on top of mashed potatoes, two delicious sauces with al-dente pappardelle and kale along the side.

The oxtails had the right ratio of tender meat and fat. At other restaurants I've been to sometimes the oxtails were over-cooked and dry; at Grano they don't have that problem.

The pappadelle pasta was al-dente in texture and when eaten with the kale, minced garlic sauce, and oxtail meat, it was a delightful culinary experience with every bite.

Grass-fed beef tenderloin wrapped with Italian sausage:

The beef tenderloin was tender and juicy but what impressed me the most was how packed with flavor the beef was. As I was chewing it, I was savoring the tenderness of the beef, yes, but I was more so savoring the rich inherent flavor(s) of the beef. To say the beef tenderloin was delectable would not do that wonderful cut of meat justice.

The Italian sausage wrapped inside beef tenderloin complemented the beef's savoriness and added a layer of spiced kick to it; the sausage accentuated the dish and perked everything up. This was one of the specials of the day: I hope it would eventually end up as an official entree on the menu. I would definitely order it.

Service:

The service at Grano is impeccable. The staff is professional, warm, and amiable. Our waiter for the evening, Antonio, was a true gentleman. Throughout the meal he made me and my friend felt welcomed and he took good care of us while we enjoyed our meal.

Ambiance:

I had been to many one-star Michelin, two-star Michelin restaurants and none of them had Grano's atmosphere. Upon entering Grano one gets the feeling they're home: they're greeted warmly, the staff genuinely engages with the patrons in lively conversations, and all the patrons are organically enjoying themselves either in the midst of conversations or enjoying the food. This kind of atmosphere is precious and unique because it is generated by the locals of a...

I've lived in California for quite a few years now, having grown up in New York and my friend was born and raised in Italy. We have gone from place to place, looking for that Italian food we both missed from home. I swear, it got to the point where I thought my friend must be the only Italian in LA and we pretty much resigned ourselves that we would never find a place that cooks as good as his mother. It's just not going to happen. The dishes either had too much pepper, the sauce was too acidic or watery.... But then I found Grano. I immediately called my friend and told him YOU NEED TO COME HERE NOW!

Handmade pasta, cheeses imported from Italy, delectable selection of wines... I died and went to heaven!

I keep finding myself going back for more. And why not? The chef and his father greet you as if you're being welcomed into their own home. You certainly feel that way. The chef will proudly recommend dishes and adjust to your tastes or dietary concerns if needed. The staff are always on point - orders are taken and delivered promptly, glasses are always full, dishes cleared away and of course, the friendly smiles and small talk are most welcome to relax with a glass of wine on the patio after a long day.

As for the food, I highly recommend the Alla Zia Clara with the meatballs that are oh, so moist and scrumptious. Veal Marsala is another favorite, with the first bite that has a slight crisp, but then the tenderness of the meat blended in with the marsala nearly forces you to pause and savor the moment. I would write about the Allo Scoglio, but my 9-year old confiscated all the mussels and clams off my plate for herself. The pasta that I did manage to have was a perfect al dente and the sauce so delicate and delicious. My daughter's also a huge fan of the octopus, in which the chef takes the time to remove all the suckers for her before serving. So tender, you can cut it with a butter knife. Once I've had the pizza here, I feel as if I am cheating if I dare think about having it anywhere else. Still undecided what to order? Ask about the special and you will not be disappointed.

I have recommended Grano to anyone that will listen and have been told they had in fact gone back several times. Do...

This was my first time at Grano Italian Restaurant and I can assure you it won’t be my last.

My friend and I made reservations and arrived on time. We were greeted at the door by the owner and a server. We were quickly seated at a table.

They brought us complimentary bread with marinara sauce for dipping. It was very good. They even refilled our bread.

We ordered the zucchini fritte as an app. The vegetable vinaigrette dipping sauce was really good to compliment the perfectly fried zucchini.

We shared a beet salad before our mains. We said we were going to split the salad and they brought it in two bowls without charge. The salad was great. Amazingly sweet beets. Perfectly dressed. Every component was super fresh. Loved it.

I had the cheese ravioli with sage butter sauce for my main. I could drink the sauce. The pasta tastes freshly made (which it is). My friend had the genovese sauce with fresh fettuccine. I loved and inhaled my ravioli. She enjoyed hers while having plenty to take as leftovers. They brought her a to-go container without her having to ask for it.

We then ordered two desserts…the tiramisu and the ricotta and pear. Both were amazing. I’m not normally a tiramisu person…I am now at Grano! They even brought us each a glass of complimentary chocolate port wine to drink with our meal. So thoughtful.

The service was great. The servers were present enough to ensure we were well taken care of and yet absent enough so you didn’t feel like they were constantly pestering you. Perfect blend. Fine dining style. I was impressed how they continually anticipated our needs throughout the meal.

I can’t recommend this restaurant enough. I haven’t found an Italian restaurant in the SGV that tastes as good as the food does in Italy until now. Amazing food. Amazing service. And don’t let the prices deter you…it’s well worth it. I wouldn’t have blinked if the prices were 50% higher. This is a local gem. Let’s...