Insider Pages Reviews for I Cugini

1 Stars: Not a good place to eat on Ocean Ave (by DenaG)

DenaG — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I went to I Cugini last Saturday night for dinner and the food was pretty awful. My date and I shared the grilled Calamari and it was gross. I've had grilled Calamari before and although nothing compares to it being fried, their version tasted bad. We then shared a Cesar salad and it was fine. We also split the Shirmp Risotto and it had like a sandy grit (sand maybe) in it. We sent it back. The manager was super friendly and felt horrible and asked if we wanted to order anything else. Since the cooked food was so bad we said no. He then sent over a delicious chocolate desert - best thing we had the entire meal. I would never go back as there are too many good restaurants in Santa Monica and our meal tasted pretty terrible. Interestingly the restaurant was packed.

1 Stars: sat. night visit (by taylordk)

taylordk — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Went there Saturday night with one of the restaurant's investor's no less. The place looked nice, then we sat down with the menus, and they looked the menu's at a ridiculous family restaurant, with illustrations and a wacky font. That's fine for Applebees, but this it seems like this is trying to be a top tier restaurant, or at least, its prices scream that. Overall, it seemed like Olive Garden quality food at 5-Star restaurant prices.

I got the whole Daurade fish grilled. There is a choice of having a whole fish prepared four different ways. The waiter told me the chefs prefer to girl it so I got it that way. Just that choice in itself is so ridiculous and awful, I knew it was going to be bad news. The fish came and I had them fillet it for me and it came back in broken chunks and looked very unappetizing. It was bland, screamed for some kind of sauce. The sides were even worse. Spinach salad that was cold like it just came out of the fridge and clumped together, with nothing on it but pickled onions. It was disgusting. Oh, and garlic mashed potoatoes that weren't well mashed and tasted like water. Another at the table had the lasagna, which was way too big a portion and also didn't seem freshly made. She thought it was okay. We got the grilled calamari appetizer too. That was way too small a portion, especially for the price.

Listen, if you like Olive Garden or Red Lobster, this is definitely a step up for you, and I hope you enjoy paying steep prices for mediocre to bad food, but you probably can't tell the difference anyway and are giving this place 5 stars.

1 Stars: I Cugini - Santa Monica = worst place to eat! (by Meerkat2008)

Meerkat2008 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

To give a star to these guys would be an extravagance..... based on today's experience. We felt ashamed to treat our guests from Italy to such a poor quality food. All was substandard ...we might as well hvae taken them to McDonald's. We all feel sick now. These guys are not seving Italian cuisine! The service was so bad with this arrogant waiter. This is not about knowing or not knowing about seafood or pizza dishes and presentation ..this is about stealing our money. I feel bad for even paying for the junk they served. Funny ..there was a Zagat survey box there .... makes me laugh!

4 Stars: Great Italian food (by Silvana T.)

Silvana T. — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:10:00 GMT

VEry good food and incredible nice ambience. many employees are native Italians and it is so nice to hear the accent all around the restaurant...food is very very good. great menu

5 Stars: Fantastic location and food (by Christine W.)

Christine W. — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:48:00 GMT

I Cugini is the perfect mixture of a great location, beautiful dcor and of course, delicious food! Though their pastas are great, I Cugini is really about the fish. They offer all different types of fish, cooked in a variety of ways, my favorite being with rock salt. The location is fantastic, literally right across the beach in the heart of SM. The atmosphere inside is great for all different kinds of occasions including romantic evenings, business dinners and even parties. I have been to I Cugini a few times now with a party of about 15 people and I Cugini always seems to be able to accommodate having a larger group. The only down side is that it is relatively expensive and parking appears to be only valet but what can you expect from a restaurant like this?

2 Stars: Not the best (by gsabean)

gsabean — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Obviously, no one here has ever been to the East Coast. Does anyone know real seafood in California? I have yet to find a good seafood restaurant in this entire state, and I Cugini continues that quest.

I went with a group of 10 last night, and the service and food really could have been better. I had the mussels (dry and bland), and the soft shell crab (definitely not the best I've ever had - and not worth $27). There's very little to choose from. That, and the waitress couldn't even pronounce the names of the dishes. Yea, real authentic Italian.

5 Stars: Italian Seafood (by Joann S.)

Joann S. — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:31:00 GMT

If you happen to like Italian seafood, you should know that i Cugini offers some of the finest fish-fare in all of California. Some of my favorites are the Breaded Calamari Steak ($16.95), Alaskan Halibut ($23.95), Risotto ($23.95) Service is friendly.

5 Stars: Best Italian Seafood restaurant in town! (by JerryESP)

JerryESP — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Brunch is great! Service is outstanding! When the weather is nice get the patio seating with the view.

5 Stars: Best regional Italian seafood around! (by kellyla8)

kellyla8 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Fantastic atmosphere, both inside and out on the patio. I first dined here for my friend?s rehearsal dinner, I had such a great time that I came back with my family. Great view of the Santa Monica pier :) We started the evening off w/ a classic? the Caprese salad: fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and basil (my fav) & the peppery mussels: this dish was great because the mussels weren?t drowning in white wine, it really showcased their true flavor. My brother had a thin crust Margherita pizza (outstanding!), I had the Mezzi Rigatoni (great for vegetarians), My dad had the Chilean salmon with a Chianti reduction sauce.... sooo delicious, and my mom had ravioli stuffed with sweet potatoes. We all LOVED our meals. Our server, Jordi was one of the best servers I've had in a long time (wish there were more servers like this around). We all had dessert, my favorite was the pumpkin cheesecake, but of course the traditional Italian dessert tiramisu was great. There need to be more restaurants around like i Cugini. Great date restaurant as well and right around the corner from the 3rd st. Promenade. I will definitely be going back to I Cugini, & they have happy hr. 7 days a week!!! What more could you ask for? honestly?!

5 Stars: Best Brunch (by aminof)

aminof — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I had the best brunch
food, quality is superb, choices are great
service, very friendly and curtious
decor, the most beautiful patio
music and the band were great
I could'nt have had a better Sunday afternoon

5 Stars: The Best Italian Food (by aboud)

aboud — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

This is our favorit Italian restaurant, it never fails us with there quality of food, service, presentation and atmoshere and specialy the fresh whole fish that they offer, the wine list is wonderfull with varieties from the new and old world. Do not miss out on the desserts and make sure to dine on Sunday's with there deliciuse brunch with lots of varieties to try from. I will always recomend I cugini to all my friends as it is the Best Italian Rerstaurant in Los Angeles.

1 Stars: I Cugini = DEATH (by sschultz60)

sschultz60 — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

We had some calamari appetizers that were ok, and we had a caprese salad which had barely any basil on it. There was no balsalmic on the table which was strange for an Italian restaurant.

I had chilean salmon with veggies and INSTANTLY when I tasted my salmon I wanted to say "I'm full". It was really awful, and I'm easy to please when it comes to fish, but it had no flavor, it was so dry, and just awful. It tasted like cardboard. PLUS: my potatoes were ice cold, and they were definitely supposed to be hot. But, of course I wanted to have a lovely dinner with my family, so I kept my mouth shut, and reluctantly chewed.

Then, my Uncle points out that all 8 clams on his seafood pasta plate were entirely closed. Not a single clam was even a smidge open for him to pry with a fork. So, we told him to tell the waiter. Less than 5 minutes later the waiter brings the plate back and says "I hope this is more to your liking" (which I found funny, because it's not a point of liking, it's a point of how's he gonna eat the clam if it's not openned or cooked!). So my Uncle looks down at his new plate and every single clam is CRACKED OPEN!!!!!

It's like they took a nutcracker and and just broke them in half right down the middle of the clam shell, not even on the joint! There were small pieces of cracked shell in his pasta!

(1) He could choke on the small chunks of shells. (2) if a clam is not openned, it means it's not fully cooked, and if it's not fully cooked it could make you seriously ill!

The waiter brings out the manager, and I have to say, him being so nonchalant about it really pushed my buttons. It's like he didn't even realize the risk involved, like he just thought we were picky eaters or something.

I've never had such a horrible and discusting experience at a restuarant, especially of that "caliber". I just wanted to write this review so that people know what they're getting into by going to this place.

5 Stars: The Sunday Brunch is the best I have been at, Jazz, the Wave and great food, uncomparable (by ssarkissian)

ssarkissian — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

this restaurant is at the top of every category
great food, friendly and professional service
longest happy hour with great cocktails and appetizers
best patio by the ocean
best sunday brunch

5 Stars: wonderful (by loridesimone)

loridesimone — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

this place is wonderful. I just love it. The srevice is great and the food is excellent too!!!!

5 Stars: I love this place! (by dalila_reyes)

dalila_reyes — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I was reading the reviews from a "taylordk" and had to roll over laughing because this person has the nerve to try to criticize food when they can't tell the difference between arugula and spinach, fennel and pickled onions??? I've had the same whole fish and it was amazing. The arugula and fennel salad is a typical delicious italian side dish. You hated Mo's as well... maybe you should dine at home only!

5 Stars: I left as a new regular. (by jarroddiaz)

jarroddiaz — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I absolutely loved i Cugini's staff! Our server was great and very informative, the manager even came by and talked to us about the restaurant. The food was great, I had a baked whole fish. ( watched them take out the bones!) We had such a calm and enjoyable meal, I know we will be back on more of a regular basis.

4 Stars: Best fish & pizza (by kchaudry)

kchaudry — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Service is the best.
Food is fresh
& freindly environment.
Great to bring freinds.
Great for parties.

2 Stars: Waste your money somewhere else... (by hushsweetsharlit)

hushsweetsharlit — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I can't think of one positive thing to say about this restaurant! The drinks we got at the bar were overpriced and tasted awful (The Peach-Tini) and the food was flavorless (blackened cod) and our waiter was never anywhere to be found! I have no idea why this place gets such a high rating. Don't waste your money here.

3 Stars: Location is great, Food is average (by nyfellow)

nyfellow — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Service was not that great and food was rather average. I dont know why it is ranked so high! Must be the location

5 Stars: Attentive service + good food = success! (by museum_flavor)

museum_flavor — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The dining room is charming in its old school elegance, perhaps that's why I assumed that i Cugini would be outrageously expensive. Or perhaps it was the fantastic location with oceanside/sunset views. So imagine my surprise when dinner consisting of appetizers, entrees and dessert did not break the bank! The food was expertly prepared and the service was just the right blend of attentive but not hovering.

5 Stars: Beautiful setting, good food (by rudette)

rudette — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Had a very nice dinner here on a recent Friday night. The outdoor patio filled with plants and an Ocean breeze, plus the minor celebs at the bar inside, make you feel like you're really going "out" for dinner. Our entrees were great and not as expensive as I feared they'd be. Our appetizer never came, which surprised me for such a fancy place, but our waiter was abundantly apologetic about this and gave us two desserts on the house! Which were incredibly delicious! Overall a really nice place, go for a special dinner or just for a treat.

4 Stars: Just above average sunday brunch for it's price. (by shinidapooh)

shinidapooh — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Two of us visit them today - Sept 10th for their so called famous "sunday brunch" with FM radio 94.7 Jazz music. The music was good with the band, but the food was not worth $49.95. I have had better with lower costs. Made to order omelete could include more item selection. They are lack of cheese selection, but they have nice smoked salmon and king crab; peel and ea shrimp. The smoked trout was just ok. The cooked seafood pasta and whole cooked salmon was a nice selection. Desserts were very nice touch with carrot cake, chocolate tart, lemon tart, raspberry tart, chocolate cake, baba rum, zupa mixed berry, canoli (pistashio with chocolate), pecan tart, tiramisu and cookies that can feed a sweet tooth - not very gourmet thou. They offer bunch of all sorts of cold salad. The patio seating was very nice. The orange juice and champion was very nice.

5 Stars: best italian regional cuisine, great service & ambiance (by savinaz)

savinaz — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I cugini has best thin crust wood oven pizza
the patio view is the best
service is curtious and friendly
they have the best Ossobuco I ever had

5 Stars: Best Brunch in LA (by jak1132)

jak1132 — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Dined at I Cugini for Sunday brunch 3 times now. The overflowing Italian food is as good as you will get at any large scale brunch -t there is just too much to eat and choose from. The servers who 'tour' you through the restaurant to show you all the offerings are professional and very helpful. All this is topped off by both 'The Wave' being broadscast live at the restaurant AS WELL AS a live band playing great tunes.
It's a must go!

4 Stars: Beachside Italian (by tiffd23)

tiffd23 — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This restaurant offers delicious italian seafood at a great location. The staff is polite and helpful from the host/hostess to the servers. If you aren't sure what to order, ask your server, most are very knowledgeable about the menu. The prices are fairly average for Italian food in Santa Monica. I've enjoyed every meal at I Cugini.

5 Stars: Italian Food at its Best (by wboustani)

wboustani — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Great fresh italian seafood restaurant, my favorite italian since 16 years. Atmospher, food quality and service from the heart. Highly recomended. The best Brunch with a view

1 Stars: Not recommended (by rikkytikky)

rikkytikky — Tue, 23 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I can't believe that this restaurant receives such a high rating. When I went the food was absolutely deplorable. I ordered baked mussels and when I started to eat them, I realized that the kitchen had not removed the inedible beards on every single one. I don't know if they were just in a rush or what, but this to me is just unacceptable from any restaurant, let alone one so upscale and ranked so high on citysearch. The seafood pasta consisted of about 85% octopus, I guess they were trying to get rid of it before it turned. If you are looking for an enjoyable, high end culinary experience, don't go here, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed.

3 Stars: Nightmare Brunch (by comeonnow)

comeonnow — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I clled and made a reservation for Sunday brunch a week and a half in advance. I was with my Aunt, cousin and to friend, six in total. When we arrived they made us wait for about 15 minutes befor they sat us. When they escorted us to our table it was on the patio in the direct scorching sun with now shade available. I pointed at a nice round table nearby that was being cleared, I was told that the manager was reserving that for VIP's. We where then brought inside and sat at the worst table possible, actually the worst two tables, they split my party up. They wouyld not give us any other table we asked for. Overall it was a horrible experience that I would not wish on anybody.

2 Stars: Such a disappointment! (by yizhoudu)

yizhoudu — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I have walked by this restaurant many times thinking it would be a lovely romantic spot to take my boyfriend, but I was sorely disappointed. The ambiance is good indoors, but we did not get seated there. The "patio" is just a glorified sidewalk with some cheap glass covering. The seats themselves are so close together that it's impossible to have a private conversation. As for the food, if they can charge that much for italian, it had better be the best I've ever tasted...and it was only average. In fact, the calamari (I've had better at many other places) came unseasoned and over cooked. Don't waste your special night on this one.

5 Stars: Sunday Brunch (by larrynease)

larrynease — Sat, 25 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Absolutely incredible...a little pricey...but I loved it. Probably the best Sunday brunch that I have had. Great assortment of the traditional Sunday bruch faire as well as dishes from northern Italy. I'm going back.

1 Stars: Bad Service Nearly Ruined Evening (by uilleann)

uilleann — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Great food, Great Initial sevice. But when a more affluent group (read also more high service maintenance) moved next to us our service stopped. I asked for a check and had to wait 30 minutes before it came.. and only after I had to wave him down and ask again. I asked for our wheel chair, for my Mom and had to get it myself. I think either the waiter smelled a higher tip at the other table or got entrenced in their service and did not know how to extract himself. End result is I got mad and it ruined my dinner. I will not go back.

5 Stars: Wonderful Seafood! (by laurenlupine)

laurenlupine — Sun, 29 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I go here whenever we can! This is by far one of the best seafood restaurants I have been to. The location and the atmosphere of the place is wonderful, the service is great and the food is impeccable! The cod dish melts in your mouth and the sorbets are delightful! The wine list is offers some tasty wines as well. Haven't gone yet for brunch, but heard it's delicious!

5 Stars: Very romantic and still chic (by Isabell T.)

Isabell T. — Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:15:00 GMT

This is a great restaurant if you want to go on a date or if you are going out with a large group. They update their menu daily and are very good at customizing your order. They have a really good variety of fish. While a lot of things are very pricey, they are unmatched in LA. Try they Osso Bucco.

5 Stars: great food & service!!! (by tofutratra)

tofutratra — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:00:00 GMT

my bf took me to I Cugini for my birthday last week, and we both found it amazing. both the food & service from all the staff there were excellent. my bf ordered a salmon dish, and i had this seafood broth dish, and they were so delicious. i've actually recommended this restaurant to many friends already and i will definitely return in the near future so i can try out other dishes.

4 Stars: Recommended for Italian Seafood (by lmt78)

lmt78 — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I took my girlfriend here on our first date a year ago. Neither of us are big seafood lovers but we thorougly enjoyed the dinner. .The location is great since it is right on Ocean Ave facing the ocean. The specialty here is their fish. You are given the option of choosing a type of fish you like and then choosing the method and flavor of how you would like the fish cooked. You can also choose the size of the fish you'd like. The interior decor is a nice and tastefully decorated with wood furniture prevailing. Valet parking is right up front by the restaurant which is recommended since parking can be quite difficult to find in that area.

Overall, a classy restaurant and a safe bet for consistently good food, service and atmosphere.

5 Stars: Great (by truetoform)

truetoform — Tue, 22 Apr 2003 09:00:00 GMT

I love their seafood risotto. It's not bland, not too oily, and the rice is soft yet has good consistency. For what they offer, the price is pretty reasonable.

5 Stars: MOLTO BENE!!!!! (by Benilda)

Benilda — Tue, 28 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

We truly enjoyed our brunch experience. The food was gourmet and well done. Nice view of the Pacific Ocean. They have the 94.7 THE WAVE station hosting on Sunday Brunch. Nice JAZZ music!!! The food was truly delicioso!!!! VERY EXPENSIVE BRUNCH. We go on special occassion only.

4 Stars: I beg to differ... (by audflash)

audflash — Wed, 25 Sep 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I found the service to be great when I visited this restaurant back in March. Our waiter was very attentive and the dining experience as a whole was excellent.