Guido's Restaurant

Service was lacking - although the dining room is huge, there were times when my girlfriend and I would look around and see only busboys, and no waiters or waitresses. We did not see our waiter often. I think they are probably understaffed.

Ambiance was great - Dark decor, a fireplace, old furniture and lamps, etc. How a classic Italian restaurant should be.

I had the Linguine Vongole, my girlfriend had the Veal Saltimboca. Mine was average Italian fare, hers was above average. The accompanying mashed potatoes were a bit too salty. All in all, it was a little expensive for standard Italian food.

Pros: Ambiance, Decent food

Cons: Service, Cost

Guido's is a classic Italian eatery. This place is old school of the finest quality. Italian music, fine wine, a large fireplace, decorative bar, and alot of dark reds complete the atmosphere. My family and I have patronized Guido's for a dozen years or more. The cuisine is consistently excellent. Furthermore, the overall service from the valet to the matridi to the wait staff is exceptional. The food is of the finest quality, the well drinks are generous, and the atmosphere is like home. The staff actually bothers to learn your name, they know what you like, and they know how you like your food prepared. Our children are always welcome, even when they were toddlers. Business clients are always impressed by the food and the service. The wine list is also wonderful. I am partial to the Guido's salad (chopped), the mozzarella marinara, the veal chops and on the dessert cart, of course, the cheesecake or windmill cake. The chocolate tartuffo is pretty darn good also. With respect to the wait staff, Rubin is my favorite, but all the servers and bus staff are attentive and polite. I would even throw my 50th birthday party at Guido's, even though I chose not to celebrate my 40th. This place has gravitas. KUDOS. KUDOS. KUDOS.

Pros: Excellent wait staff.

Cons: Menu should be expanded.

A review such as the one from Westhollywoodgirl requires another side of the story to be told. The first thing that needs to be addressed is the shouting that this woman stresses she was the recipient of. As she was complaining to the owner, she claimed a waiter called her father names, and then referred to the owner as ?deaf? when he did not understand what she was saying. It is not a stretch to think that in order to be spoken to with respect, one must speak respectfully, which this fiery woman did not. In regard to the $5.50 salads, the first thing the owner did was take it off the bill, but this woman could not be appeased. Here, the customer got what she wanted, but was still not satisfied.

Later in the week, we received a letter stating that: ?the incident will cost us; our website has been attacked; this is only the beginning, the pen is mightier than the sword; and watch your back you fat piece of s***!? Her letter speaks for itself.

Pros: Good food, ambiance, decor, and service

Authentic Italian in LA. Reminds me of the restaurants back home. Good food, great service. Keep up the good work.

Pros: Food, Service

My friends and I go to Guido's all the time 3-4 times a month. The service and the food are great. There is no attitude here and they do not rush you thru a meal. The staff treat you like family. The ceaser salad prepared tableside is amazing and I love the chicken parm ( not on the menu) but they will make it for you. We go here for special occassions like valentines day or just for a mellow Friday night dinner....it works for us for all occassions.

Pros: service, food, reasonable balet, seat you on time, old school ambiance, fireplace, tableside ceaser salad

GREAT service and very good food. The decor is warm and relaxing. Dress is "casual-dress". Men should consider slacks. No jeans. (If Frank were in the back booth, would you want him to see you in jeans or shorts?) Old school and charming. Valet parking $3. I am setting up Mom's 80th there for the family. I was impressed.

Pros: Service. Food. Ambience.

Cons: ??

Excellent food and ambience! I had driven by guidos for years but never thought to try it, that is until my boyfriend suggested we go. So we tried it and we were blown away. First, it's the environment that makes it. I swear we were sitting next to either a mob guy or an actor from the Soprano's. The waiter was an old school Italian as was the the decor. We tried Guido's Salad and the Chicken Vesuvio. Absolutely yummy. Why would anyone go to Peppones and get a less kitchy ambience and higher prices.

Pros: Kitschy Decor and Ambience

Cons: Entrance to the restaurant is slightly complicated

The service is not good.
No bread after the ordering and nobody to fill the water.
Have to wave, wave and wave to get the waiters' attention.

I stumbled upon Guido's last week. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Little Italy's on the east coast. Dark wooden walls and cozy booths.
The service is great and the barkeep is jovial. The selection of wine is outstanding!
I am very particular about my Veal Saltimbocca. Lots of places ruin it. This one was moderately priced at $20 and was a large serving garnished with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. It was as authentic tasting a dish as I have ever had.
Oh, and ask for the bartender's homemade hot sauce... it's D-licious!

Guido's reminded me what Italian restaurants are supposed to be like: great food and a wonderful atmosphere!
I will definitely return next week to sample other dishes!

I love the atmosphere. Old school style service, you feel like you are in New York or Italy. note: this is not a bad thing. The food is amazing... the tableside caesar is to die for. The pesto... I could go on and on. The dessert- try the chocolate marshmallow sensation.. yummy!! I have never had a bad meal here.

The mood of the place is decent and the service excellent. The food is below average. Don't expect Drago based on the rating, more like a home version of Olive Garden.

Pros: Nice mood, Good Service

Cons: Below Average food

The food is really good -- quite possibly the best Italian place I've eaten at in Los Angeles. The ambience is old school and all the wait staff are in tuxedos. It's dark inside and, at times, can seem a bit too dark. Also, it takes some time getting used to the weird smell from inside the restaurant. But the food makes up for it all! Try the lobster ravioli!

Pros: Delicious Food, Ambience, Service

Cons: Smell, Too dark, Little Pricey

I've recommended this restaurant to many and never had anyone not enjoy themselves. If you're in the mood for a relaxing evening, the service is great and never rushed. Think old-school (waiters in tuxes), Frank Sinatra music and dark booths. My husband and I have been going here for years and know most of the waiters on a first name basis. The caesar salad is a MUST and made fresh table-side. We have yet to find one that even compares. This is truly one of our favorite restaurants in L.A. with a friendly staff and consistently good food.

Our last visit to Guido's was really our last: half an hour before the waiter took our order (which got garbled), another half an hour to get our food, air conditioning blasting onto our table (no apology, no move, no attempt to turn down the a/c), rude valets. No food (and Guido's is good, though not stellar) is worth putting up with such incompetent service.