Di Pilla's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Rosemead

My sister has always raved about Di Pilla's ever since they started catering for her choreo dance camps. I've driven by it many times, but it doesn't look as inviting from the outside as it is on the inside! Because it closes early and with the dark windows, I always thought the hours were pretty short, but they aren't! My family gave it a try after my sister's graduation, and even though they were closing in about 15 minutes, the waiter was happy to sit us at a booth and give us time to order off the menu. I thought that was great because I always feel anxious when a restaurant reaches closing time and I'm one of the few tables left; however, the atmosphere of Di Pilla's as it reaches closing time is still relaxed and friendly, which I think is great. And I believe it is family owned, which is also nice.

The complimentary bread that they served us was pretty good. I believe it is garlic bread, but I really tasted only white bread that had been toasted in an oven along with a plate of olive oil. My parents really liked the bread, but I thought it was just okay. The waiter was nice to bring us seconds when we didn't even ask him to! Every dish also had a side of soup or salad, so by the time our food arrived, we were already pretty stuffed!

As for the dishes, we ordered WAY too much. My dad ordered a small pizza which was big enough to feed all of us if we wanted to. It was well made and had lots of toppings loaded on top. My sister stuck with her pink sauce bowtie pasta without any of the peas or ham (she's strange), which I really liked. The pasta was nice and soft and the sauce wasn't too salty and had just the right amount of flavoring. I asked for our server's recommendation for my dish and he said lasagna because they handmake it - and it really was good! But so ginormous and so heavy. I think I ate maybe 1/4 of it? The cheese and the meatsauce as well as the pasta layers ... really good. Having that for leftovers was great. And my mom ordered a combination plate that was okay, but probably not something we'd order again.

If I could go back and reorder, I would possibly only order a pizza and a pasta because that was enough to feed my family and still have leftovers! The portions are big at Di Pilla's! They also have dessert, but we were too full to even contemplate ordering more! Ambiance is pretty cozy and homey, but the lighting is dim, which makes sitting at a booth a bit uncomfortable because I'm a germ freak. I can see why this would make a good date restaurant or family dinner location.

tl;dr: Service is great and the food is also tasty! Some dishes weren't standouts in my opinion and tasted a little funny (like the combination plate), but overall I was happy with the meal! Will definitely come back and get that pink pasta my sister loves!...

First, there are 2 doors: Left for Dine-in, Right for Take-out. This is an Ol' Skool Italian restaurant that's been around for decades! Years ago when I first came, my companion remarked, "Why are there nothing but old people?" 🤷🏻‍♂️ Don't know, but I trust the seniors when it comes to good food! I was impressed back then, and I'm just as impressed every time I've been visiting since. The next time, there were still old people, but there were also a lot of business folks out for lunch, and then the last time was an entire family. Really good choice! I've had the Lasagna, while my friend, and I've tried a bit of the Linguine alle Vongole with the white sauce. Then, when I came with my girlfriend, she got the Spaghetti & Sausage, and I got the Rigatone Bolognese for myself, with the giant mozzarella to share. I forgot the portions are BIG! They didn't skimp on the bread too, and came by to check on our cups of water often so we didn't die of thirst. Let me say, that bread is so addictive! So fluffy, and full of flavor! I mean, it was all great! Best of all, I didn't take pictures, but the decor is really nice, trying to go for that sort of Vineyard emotion. Love it! Nice restaurant, nice folks,...

I've been coming to this place for at least twenty years and I'm very sorry to say but COVID completely ruined this place. Not only is the food not as good as it used to be but they seem to be changing the hours every few months. They don't update their Google page and their website is updated weeks after their hours. I've attempted to eat here a dozen times in the last year and only been successful once. Either they don't pick up their phone, their randomly closed, the staff inside is to stressed out to seat new customers, or they are take out only. How can one know dine in is closed if they don't pick up the phone to let you know or their Google page doesn't say so?

Tonight was the final straw. I tried taking my kids to dinner there at 6:15pm and they stated dine in is weekend nights only or weekdays between 11-2. All while they had four women staff members sitting inside doing nothing. If the hour/dining changes were due to staff shortage then how come there is four serving staff sitting there?

Our family will no longer go there or recommend any of our friends go there. We recommend going to bollenis in Monterey Park. Their actually open and want to serve...