Locanda Portofino

Since Locanda Portofino opened its doors in the cozy indoor-outdoor space on Montana Avenue in 1995, it has been a local favorite, serving up a fusion of Northern and Southern Italian dishes that keep people coming back for more. With the later addition of the private dining room and wine cellar (which holds over 600 varieties of Italian and California wines), the restaurant draws in-the-know Hollywood celebrities as well as tourists who have heard tell of their famous sea urchin pasta or the spectacular veal meatballs that owners Alberto Ferrari and Florestano Caracciolo di Nicastro offer up each night. Using locally grown and organic ingredients, the duo mixes traditional and modern Italian flavors into a menu that is incredibly satisfying.