Fabiolus Cafe

The food was excellent. I had the lasagna and it was very well prepared, home made style and was a good sized portion. The calamari was light, crispy and non-fishy, and the misto salad was large and fresh. The bread and pesto were tasty and plentiful. The chocolate no-flour cake was a great chocolate rush, even from a non- cake or chocolate loving person like me. The service was friendly and did all we asked of them quickly and with a smile. Don't miss out on this place.

Pros: The fresh pasta dishes, quick and friendly service, No-flour chocolate cake and a short walk from the theatre are all pros

Cons: We had reservations which are a must if it's bad weather, thank goodness we had them that afternoon, and no Italian ice cream.

Posted 02/15/09

Myself, four other adults and two six-year-olds went here (2/8/09) before going to see "Phantom" at the Pantages. This was the second time two of us had been here. The food was superb, the spaghetti con vongole the best I've ever had anywhere, the ravioli was light and obviously homemade, the pappedelle with pears and mushrooms was divine, and the chocolate no-flour cake was to die for!!!!! The calamari appetizer was crispy and not oily, and the salads (misto and the one with the arrugla and radiccio) were all that one could ask for. The bread and pesto were equally good. In fact, everything was great, including the service and our wine. I honestly can't think of anything that could have improved our meal. I tend to be critical of restaurants. If they don't measure up I have no qualms about saying so. But honestly this was as about as perfect a meal as you can have!!! We would have been happy to give six stars were it possible!!!

Pros: fresh pasta, good service, damn good italian food. Wonderful dessert (No-flour chocolate)

Cons: none

Posted 02/07/09

I work across the street so we dialed in a takeout order. I love that the takeout prices are lower than the regular lunch prices. Not only did they deliver the food, but they gave us extra bread. I like a real piece of bread over bread sticks any day. Plus they come with delicious dipping sauce.

I got the burrata antipasti. It was delicious and a larger portion than I expected. I love the caprese salad at Pizzeria Mozza and this one was almost as good. The Pizzeria Mozza one roasts cherry tomatoes and seasons them with sea salt. Fabiolus uses a standard tomato. They included black olives, which was a nice touch.

My workmates swear by the Fusilli ai funghi e spinaci.

Now I want to get the full dining experience. I will definitely go back again. How lucky am I to have such great food so close by.

Pros: delicious bread and dipping sauce

Posted 01/22/09

Go anywhere else ! ---Food was very average. The prices for the entrees were way overpriced for what you received. I ordered the lamb chops (recommended). They were very "gamy". If not for a heavy sauce, they would have been left after one bite. Others at the table were nice about the quality and said it was ok. The service was fine, but at the end, the owner came out and was so rude and out of line that we had to get up and leave.: Not because we had done any thing wrong or were bothering other patrons, but because the owner was so wrong that I needed to "get away" before I said something I didnt want to say. For what it cost toeat here with a bottle of wine, you could go blindfolded and be better off !!!

Pros: Nice waiter

Cons: The owner needs therapy

Posted 09/23/08

After reading the great reviews I was very excited to eat here. The appetizer I had, the caprese, was pretty good, but that was the extent of the good food. When the entrees came we were all very disappointed (there were 4 of us). I had the chicken parmesan, which was dry, over cooked and the breading was very coarse with no flavor, and which the server strongly recommended. Then my husband, upon the server's recommendation, ordered the lasagna, which was probably the worst we have ever had. Completely flavorless and totally bland. All in all I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone I like.

Pros: great burrata cheese for their caprese

Cons: everything else

Posted 07/07/08

Fabiolus is my absolute favorite place to eat in LA. Parking on Sunset in sometimes a challenge. Vallet in the back is really rude. Past is wonderful and the desserts are wonderful. I could eat here everday and be happy. I have been known to schedule more than one lunch here a week. I cried when the location across from Paramount closed, but am happy that the Sunset location is not that far. Love the fact that they have carry out. Kiana, the owner, is always a delight - as so is my favorite waiter Gabriel. I highly recommend this place

Pros: Food is the best in LA

Cons: valet is rude

Posted 05/05/08

Every time my boyfriend and I have gone here we have had a wonderful experience. The food is so good we don't understand why it isn't always busy. There are so many selections on their menu to suit anyone and the prices are very reasonable. The service is friendly and attentive. The overall appearance of the restaurant is so cute, and there is also outside dining. Definitely recommend this place.

Pros: Free parking in back, service, food

Posted 04/21/08

the food was below mediocre. its like a bad italian restaurant you would find in the midwest where there are none. just because your italian doesnt mean you can cook italian food.

Cons: the food

Posted 03/04/08

If Fabulous Cafe asked me to marry it, I would say 'yes' with tears of joys streaming down my face. From the waiter holding the door open and pushing our seats in for us to the AMAZING food (especially for the price), I definitely would drive all the way out to Hollywood for this place. We got the house special where it's Freshly Made pasta with mushrooms and apples and a light and creamy sauce. When they bring their amazing bread and the waiter asks if you want the balsamic vinaigrette, Say Yes. I personally vow to dress up and spend a whole evening there the next time I go, just to do the place justice.

Posted 11/05/07

The service was very good. The calimari need a little more kick, but stll good. Nice first date location.

Posted 08/26/07

I'd made reservations there for dinner through Open Table because of its close proximity to the Pantages. The day before the show (May 3rd) I just happened to drive by there only to find out that they are CLOSED. The day of the show I received a phone call from their Melrose location notifying me of this. Better off going to Off Vine if you're catching the show.

Posted 05/05/07

I stopped by here based on the great reviews from fellow CitySearch-ers beacuse I was looking for good pasta that was East of Fairfax. When we arrived we were greated by a great ambiance and were hopeful about the meal that lay ahead. The Iced Tea, Coke and Bresoala appetizer were all great. However, that was where the pleasantries ended. Both of our pastas (one Bolognese pasta and one penne pasta with smoked mozzarella and eggplant) were horribly over cooked and the sauces left more than a lot to be desired. Needless to say we didn't have desert so I can't comment on that. Perhaps it was because we stopped in on a Sunday and the usual chef's and owner weren't there to help out, either way, we won't be back to find out.

Pros: Great Ambience!

Cons: Pasta we had

Posted 04/22/07

On a whim, decided to drop in at 9 pm on a Wednesday night. The food was WONDERFUL, portions were generous, atmosphere was inviting, relaxing, pleasant. The service was so lightening fast - we were shocked and amazed. We literally ordered a chicken pasta dish and a calamari salad and 5 minutes later it was on the table, the pasta steaming hot and delicious. This was really a wonderful surprise as I have been really disappointed by Hollywood restaurants - all hype, no substance, usually overpriced, too crowded, indifferent waitstaff. But this was not my experience at Fabiolus at all! Very refreshing alternative to the normal local cuisine. You can't leave without having the Tiramisu - seriously, it's the best around and plenty for 2.

Pros: Everything was really very good - there is even free parking!

Cons: N/A

Posted 04/12/07

i went for lunch and it was good, but the dinner i had there was fantastic! the atmosphere in the evening is so much better (maybe it's the darker lighting or the bigger crowd?). the food was fantastic and the ricotta cheese cake is OUT OF THIS WORLD. i can't wait to go back for some more! the waiter we had made our dinner that much nicer. (wait staff can make or break an evening out) overall wonderful experience for a wonderful price!

Pros: ricotta cheese cake

Posted 04/04/07

The food is fantastic. Very fresh and authentic. Wonderful friendly service. They have an arribiatta to die for. Their ravioli is my all time favorite

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Pros: everything

Cons: Can get a little busy on the weekends, but worth it

Posted 10/22/06

this place has a great outdoor patio with a low-key atmosphere. the prices are very reasonalbe and the portions are huge. a risotto dish is big enough for two to share. there is a free parking lot in the back of the restaurant. convenient location, friendly service and good food!

Pros: great prices, big portions, nice outdoor patio

Cons: service was a little slow but still friendly

Posted 09/05/06

Great food, great patio, just hope you don't run into the Stalin-esque Owner. Even after this incident I filed a claim with the "Triple B".

Had a party of 4 on the patio, food took approx. 30 minutes. Unacceptable, right? When I approached the owner about this he openly berrated me in front of other customers on the patio and yelled, "You chose to eat here, you'll wait for your order" all the while becoming increasingly more physical with his exclamations. I was appauled at his actions and was not sure what entitled him to such an outrage. Each and every business owner should be grateful for the money we hand over to them as clientele.

That was 3.5 years ago, haven't been there since. I hope that other clients boycott establishments such as this and choose to hand over his/her money to those establishments that deserve to be supported.

Pros: Food

Cons: Careful you don't cross the Owner on a bad day.

Posted 08/17/06

Easy for last minute reservations, friendly staff, inexpensive delicious dishes! I think the patio is pretty quaint. Nice for a date. Also, my friend and I were able to have dinner with her baby and they were very accomodating. Yummy food!

Pros: Inexpensive, atmosphere, good food

Posted 05/16/06

Fabiolus is consistently good - the food is the lighter style Italian (not the heavy sauced, over-cheesed stuff), and it's never bad.

The lunch menu is mostly sandwiches, which are tasty, but the pasta is the real star here - tasty, cooked perfectly, not over garnished or fussy.

Highly recommended.

They have a decent list of wines, and the owner's a great guy.

Pros: Good food, friendly staff, parking in back

Posted 02/20/06

Though it's a little pricier then I'd usually spend, the food is lovely and full of flavor! The ingredients are fresh and I love the bread that comes to the table with the garlic oil. That in itself makes the trip to Fabiolus worth it. Try the chicken and spinach salad.

Posted 11/22/05

We went to this restaurant for the first time last night and we thought the atmosphere was really great. The food was definitely not up to par for the pricing. The bread and service was excellent. We will give this restaurant a second try and order something different. If you are going to eat here ask for recommendations from your server.

Pros: atmosphere, parking, service

Cons: food

Posted 04/29/05

I've been coming to this location for a few years now (for lunch and dinner) -and the food has always been consistent. The wait staff is suberb, and the owner comes by himself to help you out and check in on you. The dishes are average portions but are filling. Some of the best calimari you can get in L.A., and the Fusilli e Fungii Spinaci dish is really good. It's located on Sunset, right outside of the Palladium and down the street from the Pantages, so be aware of theatre crowds. But get your sweet fix elsewhere, since the desserts don't live up to the entrees and seem pre-packaged.

Pros: good food, ambience, friendly staff

Cons: busy area, separated restrooms, small parking lot

Posted 03/26/05

This restauarant was a pretty good deal - we happened upon it by accident while heading out to a nearby nightclub. The outdoor seating terrace is fantastic and i could see it as a good romantic spot. I had the calamari, which was good, but my risotto was only OK. The bread was yummy though. the portions are huge so getting just an appetizer and splitting a main course would be a good idea.

Pros: Bread, Calamari, Atmosphere

Posted 09/25/04

We tried this restaurant because we had a meeting close by and found it on Citysearch. We loved it. The service was very good, and genuine. Definitely non-Hollywood despite its location. Food was excellet, and we even made an out-of-area return trip just because we enjoyed it so much. Almost like a warm, Italian bistro.

Pros: food, service, warm

Posted 03/18/04

i like this place best in the afternoon. nice patio. good salads and antis. the pastas i've had have all been very good. friendly staff. good wine.

Pros: patio

Posted 01/01/04

My husband and I went to Fabiolus for the first time before our show at the Pantages. We were happy with the environment and were seated promptly since we made a reservation. However, we were very disappointed at the food and service.

We ordered the specials and soup of the day. The esparagus and leek soup was nothing but boiled vegetable with tons of oil. The temperature of the soup was way too hot! I ordered a baked chicken dish and it was way too salty. My husband ordered a rib-eye steak. The steak was so bitter that he had to ask for a side of sauce to dip the steak in. It took the waiter 15 minutes to bring him a side of marinara sauce!

We felt very uncomfortable because the waiters are constantly "running" around us and they were rushing us out so we hardly enjoyed our meal.

Posted 07/12/03

Stuck in the middle of the Birds - Mayfair bit, this place, though well-hidden, really stands out. I swear, every time I try to find it, I pass it and have to go back. The entrees are great, the staff is very attentive, and though cramped, the outside space is very comfortable.

Pros: food, service, ambience

Cons: cramped space

Posted 04/16/03

We had a pre-theater dinner here at 6:30pm on a Friday. While there seemed to be several hostesses on duty, it took us about 10 minutes to be seated. Once we were seated it took another 10 minutes before we saw a waiter. The food did arrive quickly. Unfortunately, we did not see our waiter again until one of us flagged him down in the kitchen to get the check. The decor is basic but clean. The food was also good but not great. The prices were very low. If you are in a rush before the theater, beware the crowds. I think that they were overwhelmed with a number of large parties after we arrived; however, they do tout themselves as the theater restaurant, so they should be prepared for such influxes. Overall, a recommendation - but give yourself ample time to be seated, order and get the check!

Pros: Value, Convenience

Cons: Service, Parking

Posted 12/20/02

great food, ambience, good prices. The service was attentive. Enjoyed a delicious pasta dish with shrimp, tomato, basil and olive oil.

Posted 08/25/02

dropped into this place for a drink pre-show at the Palladium across the street. ended up sampling their calamari and their generous and affordable wine cellar too. what a charming ambience, professional and courteous staff (authentic Italian too i believe) and overall warm and enjoyable experience. Definitely have to get back to this gem for a full blown meal.

Pros: freshness, flavorful, charming

Posted 07/17/02

Fabiolus is a fantanstic place for a great dinner. The back patio has a great feel, the service has never disappointed me and food is always delicious.

Posted 05/20/02

This is a great place to lunch. Quick and efficient with all the sit down amenities. The pesto starter set at the table is so addictive. The seafood ravioli is amazing with tender, stuffed pasta and chunky marinara smothering it all. A great dish if you're really hungry. The outdoor patio is a relaxing area and makes you forget your on the less scenic side of Sunset.

Pros: efficient waitstaff

Posted 05/19/02

I love this restaurant. The waiters are quick and efficient. The patio is lovely and the calamari ceasar salad is out of this world. Once you've had it--you will crave it all the time. Go early, when tables are plentiful and parking is great.

Pros: Terrific calamari, Easy parking

Posted 05/14/02