Sal’s Place (at old Il Piccolino) — Restaurant in West Hollywood

I hate to do this. First time I write a bad review in my life. I think this restaurant deserves it, for the reasons I'll explain here: My friend and I met at this restaurant Saturday evening for dinner, we ate and dropped her home right after that. I got home, woke up in the middle of the night very sick and dizzy. Next day I called my friend, she had exactly same symptoms. She is smaller than I, so it affected her very bad, she stayed in bed all Saturday and had to cancelled all her plans for Sunday and 4th of July. I cancelled most of my plans too. Again, we did not have any other common food or drink than this restaurant. We think we got poisoned from the crab or seafood. I called the restaurant on Sunday, they were closed Sundays and the 4th so I left a message explaining and asking some to give me a call back. Nobody did so I called again on Tuesday, talk to someone and left a message for the manager to call me back, was told it was a woman. Nobody called, so I called again today Wednesday. All I wanted was an explanation and maybe an apology, and to prevent this to happen to someone else. Talked to a gentleman, he said he was the manager (!?), then he said he was the janitor. He said that I was lying, that we got poisoned somewhere else (really!). Anyway, sorry again for the bad review, after 4 days we are still feeling bad for that food. Two people already said that if the crab had MSG on it, you get the symptoms that we had. ...

Probably my most favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles... Maybe even the Western US. It's quaint. Like you're eating somewhat in a forest. It's not big, so make sure you make a reservation.

You never know who will be sitting next to you or across from you. Just don't get weird if superstars just show up randomly. But that's not why to go. You wanna go for the risotto. With braised short ribs on top. (spicy chili flakes) or even the bolognese if you wanna just go simple and hearty. Or the frito misto appetizer with the perfect crunch and crispness of the calamari and onions. The clams... I hardly eat clams. But the clams pasta dish they have is great too. The restaurant is expensive. But it's special. Or if you just want to spoil yourself for a dinner night out. It's worth it. Take a date there. It's romantic. It's not flashy from the outside like other restaurants in the area. This one feels very private and intamite once you go through the curtains.

If Kristi is working, ask if you can seat with her. Shes great....

5 stars all around. We had such a lovely evening here. Someone had mentioned in a review that the food is not the star of the show…and now I understand that comment. The food is fantastic, there is no question about that, but it’s the service that is the true star here. Thank you to our wonderful server George for taking such great care of us. I loved the red they picked for wine menu, it was dry and jammy and everything I imagined. The old fashioned was also a favorite. We got to try the caesar salad, filet mignon with mushrooms, shrimp puttanesca, tiramisu, and basque cheesecake. Every single dish was delicious and the entree portions were generous. The lighting is down to a science, a candle + table lamp + warm overhead lighting made for the perfect romantic ambiance. I loved that they were playing jazz but it was just light enough that the primary sounds were the bones and bustling of the restaurant and patrons enjoying their evening. We will absolutely be back for another meal (or...