Spina — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Just returned from our second visit within a week! Spina evokes all that is great about rustic Italian cuisine, and then elevates every single incredible dish coming out of their open kitchen with almost unimaginably decadent flavors and otherworldly homemade pastas. The food and service here make it truly next level Italian in a city that prides itself on having many excellent Italian options. I’ve been to many of them, Rao’s, Spago, Jon and Vinnie’s, Angelini, Motherwolf, Little Dom’s, Osteria Mamma, and several others. I’m here to tell you this spot isn’t near the top of that class, it IS the new top of that class. Spina will soon be recognized as the BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT in the City of Los Angeles, count on it. It is from the top to bottom of the menu, a mind-blowing experience for your palate. From the Spiedino al Funghi to the Popette al Sugo, and from the Insalata Uva & Finocchio to the special Swordfish Carpacchio…before your main course or pasta even arrives, you understand this meal is already transcendent, and you can’t wait to see and taste the next dish that will be put in front of you. Then the perfectly grilled and seasoned Branzino arrives along with the Tonnarelli al Tartufo e Salsiccia. The Branzino was excellent, but to be fair, the pasta was absolutely mind-blowing! As we sat near the pick up station, we witnessed the painstaking prep of the cooks and a meticulous expediter attending to each plate. Each dish looking better than the next…though I’m praying to all that is holy that the Pappardelle with Salmon special is available on our next visit. And if you think that “Crème Brûlée” is basically the same dessert you get in any restaurant, think again, Spina will have you wondering ‘what the hell did I just put in my mouth?!’ No other way to say this, their Crème Brûlée will change your life. This is what “Food Porn” looks and tastes like in real life. Owned and managed by Andrea who made time with each and every guest in the restaurant in ways that made their patronage feel very appreciated, including those waiting outside. He treated us like gold. He has trained and set standards for his team which functions like the proverbial “well-oiled machine.” They clearly all take pride in being a part of this culinary adventure with Andrea. This review would be remiss without a serious shout-out to the delightful, charming, and responsive Addie (who is mosdef going places, like a marquee near you!). Though, like many in LA, she has dreams and aspirations beyond this incredible restaurant, she projects a sense of loyalty and caring in the many hats she wears at Spina. Just a word about their menu pricing…Spina is delivering 5⭐️ fine dining quality at prices that would be double for food even remotely close to this in other restaurants. So in addition to being an extraordinary addition to the city, it is a relative bargain! Make no mistake, Spina is rapidly leaving its mark on the LA food scene, and easily belongs on any list of the TOP TEN RESTAURANTS IN LA—not just “new” restaurants, not just Italian restaurants, but among ALL restaurants! It is a relatively small place and already extremely busy (even on weekdays), but go anyway and just be patient, it will be well worth the wait....

Throw out the stuffy tablecloth and tuxedoed waiter stereotype for a relaxed, California-cool atmosphere with a soundtrack that hums like a Frank Sinatra ballad. Here at Spina, jeans or a dress fit right in and the vibe is pure family dinner party – the kind where your nonna keeps insisting you have "just a little more" pasta.

My penchant for Spina started before I even snagged a table. While I waited, the staff surprised me with a complimentary arancini with the earthy magic of black truffle woven throughout. It was a warm welcome, an apology for the wait, and a delicious foreshadowing of the meal to come. I started with the insalata di beet salad, a medley of mixed greens, yellow and red beets, all brought together with a tangy balsamic dressing. The creamy goat cheese added a sophisticated touch, while the pistachios provided a delightful textural counterpoint.

My favorite, the ravioli! These delicate pillows of pasta, filled with a luscious spinach and ricotta mixture, bathed in a sage-infused butter sauce, were simply delectable. As a self-proclaimed ravioli enthusiast, finding one that isn’t too heavy or overly cheesy is a joy. This dish nailed it with its light, balanced flavors. The rigatoni scarpariello brought comfort and heart to center stage. The rigatoni was enveloped in a fresh tomato sauce with hints of garlic and basil, and topped with a generous sprinkle of parmigiano. It’s a comforting, homey dish that embodies the essence of Italian cooking—simple, yet profoundly satisfying. To complement the feast, I indulged in an Aperol Spritz. It was a refreshing, effervescent companion that hit the mark.

Spina is a place where the food is fresh, delicious, and made with love. It isn't fancy, but it's the kind of place that makes you feel at home. It's a celebration of fresh ingredients, passionate cooking, and an atmosphere that makes you feel like family. With a menu that reads like a pasta enthusiast's dream journal, this won't be my last visit. My quest for pasta nirvana in LA continues, and Spina is...

We were recommended this place that I had never heard before and we were not disappointed at all!

We arrived a bit late so we didn’t have to wait too much time. But, in the meantime, one of the owner (or manager I assumed) was very kind and offered us a drink. It’s a fairly small spot, but they do have dining outside, which helps. They don’t take reservations.

Inside, you have a few regular tables and a bar where you can see the kitchen.

The caprese with the buffala was really good. I wish there were a bit more of tomatoes, but overall it was good and the seasoning made it really tasty.

The cacio e pepe was recommended to me, so I had to try them. I am not an expert with this sauce BUT that was really good. You know how sometimes a sauce can be too heavy and make you full too fast. Well, it wasn’t the case. I would have maybe put a bit more sauce, but again I didn’t feel heavy after my plate, which was really enjoyable. And, the pasta themselves were really well cooked. I really loved them. The only thing was that maybe the plate had been out for a bit too long as the sauce and the outside pasta were not that hot - but, honestly it didn’t bother me at all.

The service was great. Not too much, where you feel it’s pushy. The waiter who took our order was really nice and tried to help.

So, this place was a great surprise and a very good discovery! I can only recommend for anyone to...