Domenico's Belmont Shore — Restaurant in Long Beach

I probably would have Rated Domenico's 2-star if it wasn't for how fast Ivan our server took our order, the food was prepared, and delivered to our table. We are in from Atlanta visiting and just finished walking around the Waterfront Tour of Christmas Lights. I was craving Italian food for the last few days. So my wife took me to Domenico's. We were very excited to try them since they have been serving the Long Beach area since 1954. The Italian aroma inside of the restaurant was very refreshing. However we were disappointed with the lack of flavor the Rotelli pasta that came with the classic veal parmesan had and it was mushy from being over cooked. Also the veal was chewy and had a spongy texture. So my wife requested a refund for it since we barely ate 1/3 of the veal and probably no more than 1/4 of the pasta. We were thankful the manager removed the dish from our bill. The Spicy BBQ Chicken Pizza tasted pretty good. However I was disappointed that my waiter did not bring out the caddy with the parmesan cheese, crushed red peppers, and Italian seasoning like the other waitress did for her tables that ordered pizza. I had to request the crush red peppers. One last thing that threw me for a loop was they replaced the standard Italian traditional olive oil, salt, pepper, and seasoning dip for some new balsamic vinegar dip. Per my wife, the dressing was good but was the wrong combination for the fresh multi grain bread that was brought out prior to our food. However I thought it was nasty and did not...

We came here because my friend's parents had their first date there in 1963. We began with their special balsalmic dipping sauce for the bread that was truly amazing. Then fried zucchini, which was good enough. Nicely crunchy on the outside.

Given the pizza is what they're known for that's what we got. I did a half Alfredo chicken and half margarita, and my friend did their famous pepperoni.

I really loved mine - the fresh tomatoes atop the margarita. I tried my friends' and wasn't that impressed. I usually get pepperoni pizzas, so it was surprising that it wasn't feeling it. Their sauce is really good, but the pizza focuses more on the pepperoni than the other toppings. On mine, everything was good, sauce, perfect crust, great toppings.

For dessert, we got their famous tiramisu, which is something we both generally get frequently when it's an option on a menu. This was beautiful. The cream was so thick and, well, creamy. It wasn't overly whipped and filled with fluff. It was perfectly flavored with the right amount of espresso and chocolate. I think it's probably the best I've ever had, or at least in the top 3, of which two I don't even remember.

Service was great, the server was funny, kind...

Coming home after my first trip to Italy was… something. It was difficult not to crave authentic Italian food. My next best option? A restaurant in my hometown that I had always passed by but never visited — until the time was right: Domenico’s.

The moment I walked in, I sensed this place would become one of my favorite spots — a way to keep Italy close to my heart (and stomach).

The focaccia was a wonderful surprise. The first few times I had it were in Italy, so biting into that spongy, savory bread again felt like a warm “welcome back.” And that was just the start. The appetizers were divine — in taste, portion, and price. Once, when my favorite wine wasn’t in stock, the staff turned it into a mini wine tasting adventure until it was. As for the tiramisu… I wouldn’t die for it, but I’d absolutely k- 😹 for it.

Oh, and the waiters? Amazing. Friendly, fast, and genuinely cool. The place probably remembers me as the solo diner with the cool hair, always smiling — and the only one who paid with Apple Pay instead of a card.

I haven’t been back since I moved away, but the next time I’m in town, I will be stopping by. And maybe this time, I won’t keep this hidden...