Locanda del Lago

Frommer's Review

In a sea of mediocre restaurants along Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is this corner trattoria that reminds you that Italians are the world's best cooks. Locanda del Lago (Trattoria of the Lake) specializes in cuisine from Northern Italy's Lombardy region. On sunny days there's no better place in L.A. to people-watch than at the trattoria's outdoor patio, savoring a glass of chianti while tucking into the house specialty -- osso buco alla Milanese, a veal shank slow-cooked in white wine and vegetables, topped with traditional gremolata (a parsley, garlic, and lemon zest mixture) and served with saffron risotto. Other outstanding dishes include the butternut squash risotto with seared scallops, and tagliatelle Lago, house-made tagliolini tossed with pink trout and escarole in a thyme-infused white-wine sauce. Although it's usually a special, the house-made whole-wheat pappardelle tossed in a duck ragout is one of the best pasta dishes we ever tasted.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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