You gotta hand it to the owners of this iconic eatery... thru all the ups and downs of the economy over the past 50 years, this stalwart old-school Italian restaurant (there's two - one in Hollywood just east of the super-touristy stretch of Hollywood Blvd, and one just past the intersection of Ventura and Lankershim, just south of Universal Studios Hollywood)...

They've managed to consistently turn out reliable American Italian dishes while also maintaining their 'schtick' in high-form: the servers who just poured your Chianti or dished out your lasagna will suddenly take 'center stage' near the live pianist, and belt out everything from Aretha Franklin to Beyonce... Broadway to Opera...and without missing a beat will then humbly resume serving duties.

This is borrowed from a few off-Broadway Italian joints in New York, and it's just as awesome and entertaining on this coast. (Actually - probably more so - you expect your servers a few blocks off the Great White Way to be working as a server 'in between' paying singing gigs, paying their dues... but you definitely don't expect this calibre of performance in Tinseltown!)

The reasons to book a reservation or make this your next 'good meal out' are many - excellent pasta dishes and authentic sauces, terrific chicken and shrimp entrees, great salads and antipasti and minestrone... and WOW - the desserts!

All while surrounded by the American version of a quaint Italian restaurant that in one's imagination is nestled somewhere in cozy little village of Naples... or Florence... or... (it doesn't matter - because it actually is pure Hollywood back-lot scenic-designer stuff from the 1950's =) The Corleone family certainly wouldn't be found here. But in La La Land it's just perfect - and you'll probably find yourself feeling nicely relieved of 'real life worries' the same way you do when you pass thru Disneyland's main gate. It's pure entertainment, in its own reality.

The wine list is not going to impress a 5-star sommelier, but it's perfect for this style of throw-back yum; the pricing is high for what you get ($15 a dessert; $15-$25 for various salads; pasta dishes will set you back at least $26 and that's for the simple spaghetti and marinara)- but the portions are decent, and this is hearty, definitely walk away full kind of dishes- flavorful and fun.

The cons (besides the pricing) are the lack of good parking - definitely a problem. We didn't see a valet when we went, but we managed to luck out at a meter about 2 blocks up. It's VERY loud - be prepared on a weekend night to be speaking in your 'outside' voice and to strain to hear your server. And the service CAN be a bit on the slow side; we waited about 20 minutes for our appetizer and then another 5 minutes for the wine, which we ordered along with the appetizers. But at least it's an enjoyable long wait =)

The restaurant was VERY busy and full with plenty of to-go orders also flying out their little secret side entrance for pick-up- when we were there there was not one but two rather large birthday celebrations, as well as several full tables all the way to the very back - and most seemed to be regulars (vs tourists just coming off a day of trams, sharks, stunt shows and the World of Wizarding just up the street =)

DEFINITELY worth a visit or two for a special celebration, or just a cozy dinner for two, or a fun family dinner of 5.

Thank you, MIcelli's, for staying a part of Los Angeles.