When it comes to world class Italian dining Los Angeles is right up there with the best. From the casual trattoria to the most elegant of dining LA has it all.

Vincenti
11930 San Vicente Blvd.
Brentwood
(310) 207-0127.

For a special night out or a first date this is the perfect restaurant. . It is sophisticated and a little formal. They offer classic Italian cuisine at it's finest. You get a free show as Chef Nicola works his magic in front of a glass window.

Appetizers feature warm tuna carpaccio with roasted peaches and prociutto from Parma among the many offerings. Pasta plates include risotto with beets, lobster and calamari and lasagna with white meat ragu. The main courses offer some surprising choices with Dover sole roasted with bread crumbs and veal tripe stew and some not so surprising with Veal chops with roasted red peppers and roasted Mediterranean Sea bass with artichoke puree. The chef's tasting menu of six courses can be had for $70 and with a chef this talented is a sure winner.

Valentino
5 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica
(310) 829-4313.

With over 150,000 bottles of fine wine you can expect to find a bottle to perfectly match no matter which meal you choose. The wine list is bigger than War and Peace" with 2500 selections listed. Delicacies such as cheese, fish and truffles are flown in from Italy to insure that your experience is something quite out of the ordinary.

The Classic menu includes appetizers such as white asparagus salad with lemon dressing, seared Ahi tuna and Caprini cheese flan served warm. Pasta Courses run from the simple, spaghetti served with spicy olive oil to the divine with ravioli stuffed with braised Sonoran lamb. Main courses cover the full range from grilled whole fish to seared beef tenderloin. For a special occasion try the Chef's Tasting Menu which takes you from appetizer to dessert with many courses in between for $85 per person. Reservations are a must and are offered on line.

La Terza
8384 W. Third St.
(323) 782-8384.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner La Terza is not your Mama's Italian Restaurant. This is Contemporary Italian cuisine served in creative ways. The menu is based around what is seasonal to guarantee the quality and freshness of every dish.

Antipasti like the "SFORMATINO CALDO DI STRACCHINO E PORRI-warm stracchino and leek tortino with artichokes" and the "CARNE CRUDA ALLO ZABAIONE-beef tenderloin tartar with smoked guanciale zabaione" will tempt you

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