Hostaria del Piccolo

Great pizzas all around! Yuuuum-​o!
Do NOT get the pigs ears, the nutella pizza dessert or the dessert ravioli.

Modern yet cozy. Hostaria del Piccolo has a great little vibe, quality dishes, made fast and served hot, and the staff are all Italian.
From start to finish, we were all delighted by this little gem of a place.

We always have a great time here! The staff is always on point and the food is absolutely amazing!

This place has a modern design, located in downtown Santa Monica.
I came here for lunch for the the first time. It was not crowded, but i would imagine it would be for dinner.
I ordered the appetizer, Burrata, which was very tasty!
Testarossa pizza i ordered was well made and it had a very good presentation, but it was rather hot which i wasn’t expecting.
I would like to revisit this place at dinner time and try a new dish. However, i just checked and the place is closed!

I love Italian and this place is exactly it. The place itself is very nicely styled inside, have a patio and an inside seating, also a bar. We ordered the chopped champion, ravioli, penne with the white sauce, Stuffed chicken and it was absolutely delicious
for deserts the tiramisu and cream puffs are a must try
Definitely coming here again and again and again
Loved the staff and the atmosphere in general…
good job guys

They have an incredible happy hour every night until 9! Great happy hour food specials. I Love the incredibly delicious, thin crust pizzas! The penne Bolognese is to die for and a must taste! Bartender, Robbie, is the coolest who knows the menu backwards and forwards! He also whips up incredible libations!

Brought my date here based on Unilocal,not really a pasta guy but it’s her favorite. The atmosphere was nice and so was the food, definitely impressed her.
The prices were decent, especially considering how scenic the area is (5 min walk from 3^rd St, 10 min walk to the pier). My bill was $ 60 for an appetizer, 2 plates and a dessert. That’s on par with a big chain like Olive Garden but better scenery/​vibe, which was ultimately my only goal. Didn’t try drinks but next time.
The staff was interesting and not drones. Gave good suggestions for food and I think the owner was there too (he had an owner vibe to him). It seemed like he likes to mingle with customers which is cool. Definitely gonna come back, try the bar and walk to 3^rd St again.

The food is good here, and I like how they are not afraid to have some dishes that are not too mainstream in America, such as sliced beef tongue, escargots, etc. I can see that they have pride in the cuisine and confident about serving them, not sticking only to widely accepted/“normal” dishes.
Been here at least 5 times and the servers are not the best.
The worst experience with a server here was a female server who brought a wrong drink. That’s ok. No problem.
Then, she forgot what we ordered and came back after about almost 10 min to ask. Um, you didn’t put in our orders right away?
Then, surprise! We waited for a long time and the wrong dish came out.
Also, a fork was missing.
We asked for water twice since she forgot the first time.
I understand everyone has bad days, but the bad part is she did not apologize for any of her mistake, and seemed frustrated and didn’t care about the guests.
The restaurant was not even full or understaffed at the time.
Again, I understand it could be stressful at times but just sincerely apologize for the mistakes and don’t put the «This is not my day, I hate my life-​face» because it ruins the guests’ dining experience.

Really 2.5 but i’m rounding up to 3. I enjoyed the seating on the intimate little patio, the very Italian vibe, and the excellent service, but the food left much to be desired. We barely finished anything we ordered and that’s RARELY a problem for us. I was looking forward to feel-like-you’re-in-Italy level of deliciousness, but this wasn’t it. Many of the dishes we ordered were simple, so the focus should’ve been on high quality ingredients and fresh taste, but everything tasted overly salty and not very fresh.
Here’s what we had:
Frittura (2.5÷5 stars): Selection of fried calamari and shrimp. A bit dry and overly fried.
Burrata with roasted vegetables (2.5÷5 stars): I love me some burrata and can never get enough, but we committed the ultimate sin in our book and left tons of the cheese on our plate. It just wasn’t fresh enough.
Moderna pizza (³⁄₅ stars): Tomato sauce, mozzarella and parm cheese, topped with lots of arugula. Here’s the big problem I mentioned, with such a simple classic the focus should’ve been the best possible quality of ingredients. This was way too salty and just not fresh tasting. I do love that you can have it made with kamut flour though!
Penne pasta (³⁄₅ stars): Truffle oil, mushrooms, and cream sauce. How can you go wrong? A little too rich and salty for me.
Fusilli pasta (²⁄₅ stars): Watch out, salt overload! I couldn’t have more than a few bites of this. Too bad, could’ve been such a great pasta with the eggplant, tomato, and basil.
Appuntamenti salad (³⁄₅ stars): This COULD have been a star with awesome flavors like gorgonzola, grapes, and date dressing. Unfortunately, it was very soggy and again, not fresh tasting.
Bignole (⁵⁄₅ stars): This is the money right here! I’d come back just for these! I’m not usually a cream puff fan, but these are amazing with the vanilla custard inside and salted caramel outside. If gluten is a concern for you, no worries, it’s gluten free!
While there are positive aspects to this place, the food is just not good enough to bring me back again.

Again amazing!!! Leah the blonde waitress with glasses is the sweetest!!! She remembered something so important 2 us
We had great food. & a wonderful birthday!!!

This place was disappointing to say the least. Came here with a bunch of friends for lunch. We were lucky to find street parking right in front of the restaurant. Our table was ready for us and we got seated no problem even though our party wasn’t completely there.
PIOVRA (grilled octopus, roasted seasonal vegetables): We started the meal on a very good note. This appetizer was delicious. The grilled octopus was tender and flavorful and the veggies were nicely roasted. ⁴⁄₅
LINGUA (thinly sliced beef tongue: tonnata sauce): Didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. Portion was a little small IMO. ³⁄₅
TONNONERA (squid ink dough: fresh Ahi tuna, green onions, mozzarella, pizzaiola sauce): I was really looking forward to eating this but the flavors disappointed. Pizza was bland, the sauce was bland, the tuna was bland. Nothing seemed to have any seasonings. I hated the crust too. ²⁄₅
PUTTANESCA (penne, black olives, capers, anchovies, tomato sauce, garlic, olive oil, parsley): One word. SALTY. Do not other this dish. Would’ve returned it if we could but the waitress already had a little attitude since we got there. ⁰⁄₅
PORCHETTA (Very slow roasted rolled pork belly and loin): The only good entrée. Pretty decent portion of meat. It claims to be slow roasted but the meaty parts was pretty dry and tough. The fatty and skin part was delicious though. ³⁄₅
Overall, food is average at best. Service kinda sucked.

I had Hostaria in my bookmarks for Santa Monica and we tried it on a Sunday for dinner. We sat in their intimate patio and hence began our wonderful dining experience. Our waiter was a native of Florence who was knowledgeable and charming.
Grilled octopus– super tender and flavorful, including the accompanying grilled vegetables
Grilled Salmon with snow peas– perfectly cooked
Short rib with polenta-​generous portion, very good
Homemade cream puffs with sea salt caramel-​outrageous
Apple tart with crème anglaise –very good
Needless to say we loved Hostaria del Piccolo.

One of the best Italian restaurants! Great consistently good food each time I visit (ok my 2^nd) every single dish is so flavorful and close-your-eyes-don’t-talk-to-me-mmm-good. On top of that, great customer service! You’ll just have to give this place a try and trust me!
Simply amazing! Did they put magic on their dishes? I want more!
Piovra — grilled octopus, suprisingly tender
Ricottina
Neri — squid-​ink tagliolini
Rigatoni
Pappardelle
Tiramisu (decent)

Having a boyfriend who is from Rome and left me utterly spoilt as far as Italian food goes makes it really difficult to rate this place without being incredibly picky about the otherwise Americanization of Italian food.
However this place was just «OK.» We started with the Carpaccio which was decent but could have done without the sauce as that took away from the flavor of the meat. It was like a mayonnaise consistency.
Next we had the Trento pizzas which were pretty decent but I just have a personal preference for thinner pizzas. These were a little too doughy for my liking. I originally ordered the Porkeria but when it came out, it wasn’t topped with the house made porchetta described per the menu. It was shop bought ham. And I tried to explain to the waitress that this didn’t look like porchetta that I knew and she kept trying to convince me otherwise. Not sold on it so I sent it back hence the Trento substitute.
Finally we had their «Tiraminsane» (it’s just tiramisu people — nothing more and nothing insane about it). Way too much cream and not enough biscuit. The coffee in the desert just seeped through the cream.
It wasn’t the worse dining experience. But they did over charge me for the Porkeria I sent back. Didn’t realize till we even got home. Not cool.
If you want authentic Italian dining — this ain’t it.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Monica. I came with 3 friends just to meet up for a quick dinner. To our surprise, this joint feels fancy. At night, it’s very modern and trendy.
I know they have an extensive pizza menu, but we opted for some of the pasta and appetizers.
— Penne: This was laced with some serious truffle oil. My god, this was good.
— Tuna tartare: Quite good, decent portions
— Burrata: In all its glory. Loved the consistency.
— Piovra: Grilled octopus. A giant beautiful tentacle for your enjoyment. It was surprisingly tender.
— Calamari: Fresh squid, not overly fried. Enjoyed this tremendously.
My favorite item of the night was the tiramisu that came in a glass. I’m not sure if they still have this, but it was among the top 3 tiramisu I’ve ever had.

Pretty pretty pretty good.
Ordered the arugula avocado and pine nut salad, Regina pizza, octopus and the penne.
All tasted great, light, and complimented eachother
Cute location and great staff
Overall good time

Happy hour, or «social hour,» everyday from 5 PM — 9 PM at the bar is a total win. I had an internal debate as to whether Hostaria deserves 3 or 4 stars. Going with 3.
I have to say that their MAC AND CHEESE is out of this world. It’s simple, meaning none of that baked bread crumbs and bacon crap, and yet it is gourmet in all its white cheesy glory. What really makes it out of this world is the fact that the pasta is al dente to perfection. One plate is simply not enough. Their red wine was also order worthy. The quality and quantity of a mini pitcher is more than enough for two. For the fiscally responsible, the price point is also reasonable.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed with their goat cheese spinach pizza and even their salami basil pizza. I think both were on their happy hour menu. As a goat cheese and spinach lover, I found that the pizza execution was disappointingly bland and lacking in the characteristic goat cheese taste. The one with salami and basil was more of a hit, though not by regular comfort food pizza standards.
Overall, Hostaria in SanMo is a quaint and intimate restaurant to hit up for happy hour if you’re looking for a New York-​esque vibe. Hit them up for a game over some drinks and oh, MAC AND CHEESE.

The owner smells bad, this place is a cheat. They have in its menu a diet coke and when I ask for one they told me that the owner is against the sweeteners, this is bullshit. The food is bad and the service is worst. If you have another option is better than this restaurant.

Delicious and authentic Italian cuisine!
I’ve been to Hostaria on several occasions and have thoroughly enjoyed each meal to the point of foodgasm. Their pastas are cooked to a perfect al dente and the sauces are fresh and beautifully flavored. I appreciate their unique and flavorful pizzas as well and there are quite a few from which to choose. Being the foodie that I am, it’s not unusual to order multiple items on the menu in one visit. So if you see me with a pizza, a pasta, and an appetizer while enjoying the wine, try not to judge. ;-)
The best opportunity to indulge in a multi-​course feast is during happy hour at the bar. In addition to good food specials, they offer several happy hour wines. And not that cheap undrinkable stuff you get at many restaurants. This is quality wine and they even chill the reds at just the right temperature. Vino perfection. If you’re looking for more than happy hour, check out their lovely outdoor patio.
If you haven’t visited Hostaria yet, what are you waiting for? Great service, atmosphere, and food. Go now.

I’m thinking of things I don’t like about this place and there truly are none. I love everything about Hostaria; the indigo blue color scheme, the big wood tables, the nautical linen napkins, all of it. Seating can be a bit of a wait on weekends, but there’s a fantastic bar with some seating to pass the time.
Happy Hour takes the cake here, with $ 5 cocktails and $ 5 – 8 bar foods (2 pizzas to choose from) evenings and weekends. Killer deal for the budget friendly. The only set back is HH only applies to bar seating. You can, however, order regular menu items at the bar. We had the truffle mac + cheese and risotto balls to start and were tasty. I highly recommend the guava cocktail.
Regular menu items range in the $ 15+ and well worth the spend. Everything is marked with specific circles indicating: gluten free, dairy and egg free, vegetarian and popular. There truly is something for everyone, no matter how strict your diet. Asparagus pizza with an egg on top was fresh and flavorful. Rigatoni was a good one person portion with a few extra bites to share, and was delicious. Most of my plate was stolen from me, and the squid ink pasta coming in close second. The squid ink pasta was saucy and garlic-​y, just perfect. Everything came hot and very fresh — and did I mention delicious?
In addition to the awesome indoor seating, there’s a small outdoor section with garden lights, super romantic! I smell date spot!

I am sitting here as I write this and the service by this asian girl is beyond appalling today. My boyfriend and I are frequent eaters here and we eat here more than we like to admit. We LOVE Juan and a few others and they always make us feel like family.
Now this asian girl, I have never seen her before, so I am not sure if she is new or it’s her off beat day (which for her sake hope that’s what it is) but she made me feel extremely uncomfortable and not welcome.
Since we are here quite often I know the menu with my eyes closed and always come in knowing what I am craving. The only thing I request is to be told what kind of soup they have today. So she comes over asking what kind of water we want tap or sparking. So that went smoothly, she brought over the water. Great.
Next I tell her we are ready to order. She says great mutters the specials out (even though I just told her we are ready to order, a bit late for the specials) and walks away. I was in shock. I frequent many many restaurateurs and I have never encountered such service before. Especially here. Most waiters will stick around to see if a person has questions about the specials; and or stick around since I clearly stated We are ready to order.
So I tag down a bus boy and tell him that we are ready to order and the waitress just walked away. So he apologies, goes to get her and she comes back with the worst attitude as if I just disturbed something urgent she was doing, because taking my food order isn’t a part of her job requirements.
Definitely will be back here again, but will try to avoid her serving us at all costs.