IL Bambino — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I don't like doing this to a hard working business but they did something wrong to me and they were not reasonable and they did not attempt to help me out, so here it goes.........

My first time here because I was driving home a different way from my job and I never knew about Bambinos.

I ordered Spaghetti Carbonaro. Then the waiter and chef suggested a salad so I looked at the menu and noticed the salads were over $20, so I said no because in my mind, $20 for salad for one customer is not reasonable.

After turning down the salad, the chef said "How bout special white truffle soup". I asked what that was, I never had it. Chef stated, "It's wonderful, wild mushrooms, very delicious". I looked on menu before I responded and under "Zupa" it said $10.50. So I said, "ok, if you reccomending it I'll try it".

Soup comes out, it's brown thick creamy soup with thin slices of mushrooms on top. Then my spaghetti came and then the bill.

Spaghetti carbonaro $23....not bad Bottle of water $4.... not bad White truffle bowl of soup $36.50. 😩 Total spaghetti lunch :$69.50 🫢

I calmly explained that the price of this soup ($36.50) should be on the menu or atleast posted on the board or tell your customer how much before you lay this "sneaky tactic" on your customer.

They would not compromise and only told me that white truffle mushrooms are $2,000 or more per pound. (I'd never buy those 🤐)

I still have no ideas what white truffle mushrooms are, never seen one and my italian mother never cooked these ridiculous priced foreign objects 🫣.

Just BE CAREFUL and don't get sucked into their $36.50...

While staying in LA for a long weekend, we wanted Italian food. A quick Google search found Il Bambino. It had good reviews and was only about ten minutes from our hotel. The restaurant is located in a run down area and you probably wouldn’t stop there if you were passing by. However, you have to remember, you’re in LA. If you can get past what the neighborhood looks like, you will find a gem of a place. Initially, we were the only people dining there. By the time we left, 4-5 more people arrived to dine. The place is small, but cute. Linen table cloths and just a few tables inside and outside. The menu had a good selection of appetizers, salads, main courses, pasta dishes, and desserts. We ordered calamari. It was fried, but not greasy. Fried strips of zucchini were included with the calamari. Served with lemon and a sauce that had just the right amount of spice. So good! We ordered lasagna and tagliatelle alla florentina. Both dishes were absolutely delicious! Portions were very generous too. I really wanted to try their flan as I heard it was delicious too, but we were too full from what we’d already eaten. The service was very good. The young woman who waited on us was very knowledgeable about the dishes. We will definitely be back next time we’re...

By far, one of the best hidden gems in Los Angeles. And you know how I discovered (I use that term loosely)? Google Maps. A friend of mine and I make plans once a month to have dinner and catch up and it was my turn. And I was, hmm, where do we go? I was about to suggest Bestia, but she had already been. And when I found IL Bambino and read the reviews and saw the food, I told her we have to try it.

First off, it's this cozy little restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Customer service and attentiveness is spot on (but we also went on a weekenight). My friend and both had their specials, but started off with their zucchini souffle - OMG - you must try THAT. The white sauce and truffles are heavenly. I had a crab linguine, which was splendid! My friend hadna pasta too, something with Zucchini and squid ink. I tasted it, it too was spectacular. And the portion is so hearty, we had to take a doggy bag each. But that didn't stop us from having dessert. From start to finish, everything was tasty.

We both arrived a little after 7pm on a Wednesday. Found plenty of parking on 14th street, as the restaurant sits on the corner od 14th and Hooper. Very quiet area.

Go. Go and try. You won't be...