AMAZING food, people and service! Went there after Burke Williams spa and so glad that I did. Did the combo lunch with the Cal Chopped Salad with Lasagna: salad was perfect with the right amount of dressing, not so much that it soggies up your salad. Lasagna was the perfect portion with just the right amount of sauce. Service was great, people were awesome...I'm looking forward to driving back down from Santa Monica to just come to Gaetano's! Molto bene!
(5)
Ty D.
I met a couple of my friends here for dinner. Both had dined here before and liked it. All 3 of us decided on the 3 course wine pairing dinner. For this evening it was asparagus with blue cheese and bacon for the appetizer. The main course was linguini with seared scallops, asparagus and sun dried tomatoes in a tomato cream sauce. And for desert an orange sorbet. Each course paired with about a half glass of wine. The asparagus appetizer was okay. The asparagus were the thin type and you got about 4 tiny spears. The main course of scallop linguini was good. However the scallops could've been seared a bit more and one of my scallops wasn't cleaned good enough....I got a crunch of sand in once scallop. But over all a decent dish. The orange sorbet was refreshing. The meal also came with fresh Italian rolls served with Italian seasoned olive oil. For the 3 course wine pairing dinner it was $25 / person! What a deal. I'd come back and give it another try. Service was nice and friendly and plenty of parking in the shopping center.
(3)
Lisa C.
I had a unexpected nice experience lunching here this past Saturday. The restaurant is in a strip mall so I wasn't expecting much but they have done a great job disguising this with the charming decor along with a wine bar (there is also outdoor patio seating). We were greeted by the friendly manager and started off with delicious bread rolls served with rosemary infused butter. We got complimentary bruschetta for checking in with Yelp. I got the combo lunch of the pear & gorgonzola salad and eggplant parmigiana which went well together and tasted great. I especially liked the salad as it has some of my favorite things like walnuts,and avocado. My mother who was with me commented on the good service which surprised me as she usually has something negative to say when we dine out. I did appreciate the attentive manager stopping by our table to see how we liked everything. The best part was the Nutella bread pudding dessert - I was so full but ate every last crumb! The service, food, and atmosphere will definitely bring me back here again.
(4)
P J.
Gaetanos , the decor is nice it feels warm and welcoming until yOur wAiter cOmes to the tAble and iS pUshy and nOt verY nicE. You can bRinG yOuR Own BoTTle of WinE but they cHargE $ 14.00 dollArs corKinG fEe. Open it yoUrself, hehe. The foOd wAs gOod but nO mOre than thAt. Price RangE STARTERS from $8 -11 FRESH GREENS & SOUP from $ 5-15 TRADITIONAL DISHES from $ 16-17 PASTA from $ 17-23 SANDWICHES from $ 10-12 SEA from $ 20-26 PIZZA from $ 15-19 Won't be baCk .
(3)
Rachael E.
I've been going here for years. This was my Italian Grandma's favorite restaurant. It's not very big so I would recommend making reservations if you in a party of more than 2 people or if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night. It's family owned and the waiters and waitresses do a wonderful job. I have had a few company Christmas lunches here as well and the staff is very accommodating. I recommend trying their meatballs, the Butternut Squash Ravioli, the Chicken Parm, the Limoncello and the Tiramisu. The bartenders make pretty good martinis as well, they have a blueberry martini I would definitely recommend. This is a great place for a date or a family get together. This place is also great for catering. My family has used them many times for company luncheons and family celebrations. Try this place out. You won't regret it.
(5)
Ryan P.
I have been wanting to try this place for a VERY LONG TIME and then FINALLY I got the chance to try this place for A Father's Day/Birthday lunch for my parrain, (Pronounced pa-rân meaning uncle). With family in town we all wanted to get together for Father's Day. After a few rounds of, "Let's go here" and "I don't like that place" ping pong my auntie decided to take the reigns and make a unilateral decision for a place that was NICE and NOT over run with hordes of peeps being that is was a Father's Day weekend! We were able to get reservations at the last minute because I think this place is pretty hidden so even though people know about it it doesn't spring to mind when your flipping through the mental roller deck of where to go which made it EVEN more PERFECT! We arrive and there is PLENTY of parking. Our table was set and ret-to-go for us and as soon as our entire party arrived we were seated. I got there a smiggy-bit early so I could relax IN CASE I had to contended with lots of peeps. I went to the bar I decided to get a house wine while I waited for the rest of my fam to arrive. At noon sharp everyone was there and we were seated. We had a NICE long table with plenty of elbow room so we didn't feel like we were on top of each other which was NICE! Our server came right up to the table and and took our drink orders and asked we she could start us off with some appetizers. We ordered there bruschetta which was a FREE (my-fav F-word) offer when you check-in! We also got the polenta with shredded short rib on top which was laid on a bead of arugula. I'm NOT tomato fan so I can't tell you how that was but everyone seemed to think it was ok. The polenta was a bit on the dry and tasteless side but the short rib on top was YUMMY! I did have to add some salt for taste which made it MUCH better. AHHHHH-MAZING what a little seasoning can do for food! We went around an ordered food. I got the salmon and veggies which came with spaghetti and marinara sauce. Someone got the half turkey sand with spaghetti and meatball, then there was a the linguini and lobster special with a salad, lasagna and wedge salad, lasagna and spaghetti with meatball, meatball sand and something, and another meatball sand with salad. The food came filing out and we commenced to having to ask questions. Where are the meatballs for one for the spaghetti's? It was forgotten so she had to go back, then where is the cheese for the meatball sand. It was also forgotten so she had to go back again, The food over all was GOOD but NOT great! My spaghetti could have used more flavoring but I REALLY ENJOYED the salmon. It was NICE and moist and NOT cooked to death. The meatball sand has PLENTY of sauce on them and the bread seemed to be soft and not hard. The lasagna was a GI-NORMOUS slice as well and no complaints. We really got a lot of food considering it was lunch. Most everyone went home with a doggie bag. We wanted dessert but were all to full. The service was GREAT and ON POINT and all the servers had NO PROBLEM pitching in and helping out the other servers which was NICE! EVERYONE was SUPER FRIENDLY! I would go back and try something else for sure!
(4)
Patricia K.
Cute atmosphere. Sat outdoors, at night the lights make it pretty. Had linguini and clams. I really like their pasta, good texture and lots of flavor. The clams were too salty. If it weren't for the excess salt in the clams it would've been one of the best linguini and clams I've tasted. Service was good until my glass of water was left empty for 30 minutes.
(4)
Bridgette R.
Bomb.com ! Great atmosphere.. Good wine and yummy pastas! Bread is good, will be back!
(5)
Rachel A.
Had an amazing dinner on Valentine's Day. We had reservations for 8:30pm but arrived 20 minutes earlier because we figured it would be crazy packed just like any other restaurant. To my surprise it wasn't, which was great! We requested to sit in the patio area which had a great ambience and got seated on time. We ordered the following: Appetizers Calamari - good Garden salad with italian dressing - great Minestrone soup - good Main entrees Tagliatelle & chianti short ribs - homemade noodles were good but the sauce was missing something. It was a bit bland...however thumbs up on the portion of short ribs Risotto al mare - delicious! Great amount of seafood, would of loved to have this dish with pasta noodles too! Dessert - nutella bread pudding...heaven! Also, our waiter Mark was fantastic! Did a great job on checking up on us every few minutes, very professional and welcoming. The only downfall we had was they were out of lobster and veal which is what we were looking forward too ...but the overall experience was great and we'll be back again.
(4)
Greg E.
Today I had the half sandwich and soup. Got the Gaetano sandwich and minestrone soup. The bread was perfect. The meat fresh and just enough Italian dressing. The soup was very fresh. My partner had a really good looking salmon salad. Everyone raved about the food. Great place. Just go there and see.
(4)
Gary I.
I LOVE the interior of Gaetano's Ristorante. It's got the obligatory murals that depict an Italian American's idealized, romanticized view of what their grandparents' description of the old country must have been. There is the gondola & canal representing Venice, a rolling countryside which could be Toscano, Sicilia, Campagna, etc. Also centered above each mural are some angelic heads of little putti embellished with calligraphic scrolling. To top it all, at least in the early evening, the sound system was playing Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Dino Paul Crocetti, & Francis Albert Sinatra. Better known as Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, and Frank-you know who. For all I knew, I could have been in Hoboken and not in pedestrian Torrance. So perusing the thick bound, black menu, the menu is mostly rock solid Sicilian and Neapolitan Italian American, but with a few touches of Northern such as Veal Milanese and Osso Bucco from Lombardia, Brasato from Toscano (Chianti was the wine used to braise the beef). However, we came to Gaetano's for their Italian Regional dinner which is held every 4th Wednesday. Vincent the chef, who is affable and very enthusiastic about heading the cooking staff, came by our table. We found out he studied in a culinary school in Firenze, Toscano and gained more culinary expertise in order to expand the restaurant's repertoire by mastering ever more regional styles. The regional menu offered was the northern region of Liguria. 1) Antipasto: Carciofi Ripieni: Stuffed artichoke, herbed bread crumbs, Parmigiana Reggiana, mushrooms. A artichoke was steamed and cut in half vertically and stuffed with breadcrumbs. A sauce of heavy cream and Parmigiana Reggiana was drizzled around the dish so those who wanted to could apply the rich sauce to their artichoke. I paired this dish with a slightly heavy, sweet Pinot Grigio with green apple/citrus. 2) Primi: Linguini con Pesto alla Genovese: Thin noodle pasta with the classic Genovese pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiana Reggiana. whisper of garlic, olive oil. The linguine was "al dente" and the pesto was applied judiciously and tossed with the pasta. This dish was very nuanced and proved to be more of a palate cleanser than a more substantial savory. Not being a subtle person, I asked for more shavings of Parmigiana Reggiana to add more of a rich flavour. I paired this course with a Barbera d'Alba which was dark, tannic, acidic, dry with hints of tar, creosote, blackberries from the region of Piedmonte. 3) Secondi: Cioppino di Liguria: Clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp in a fresh, thick, red tomato sauce garnished with two thick pieces of toasted bread. This cioppino resembled very closely to "alla pescatore" style tomato sauce with plenty of frutti di mare. A Brunello di Montepulciano from Toscano was a good accompaniment to the seafood with dark stone fruits, touch of dark chocolate, leather but smooth and moderately sweet balanced by good acidity and tannin. 4) Dolce: Ravioli Dolci: Fried Ricotta stuffed Ravioli, powdered Cinnamon, Raspberry puree. A very simple dessert with a lightly sweet puree of very fresh looking raspberry. I was delighted that the puree was not cloyingly sweet and straight out of a can. I wanted to pair this with a very smooth, sweet, fruity, Moscato with possibly an orange bouquet, but no luck. The only sweet wine they had was a Riesling from Washington state, but this Riesling did not resonate with the dolce. Because Chef Vincent sensed I was really into cuisine, he showed me the June regional menu featuring Emilia Romagna which features food that is based on pork products such as Prosciutto di Parma, and is also home to aceto balsamico di Modena, & Parmigiana Reggiana. So next month's regional dinner seems more intriguing. 2014-11-1 Did the regular menu of Pear & Gorgonzola Salad with field greens, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, aguacate, pear vinaigrette. Also had the traditional Lasagna with meat sauce, crumbled polpette/meatballs, 3 cheeses. Very satisfying comfort food which hit the mark in terms of Italo American downhome food. It was all paired w/ Famiglia Pascua, Passimento, Veneto, Italia which was mellow, ripe black fruit, low tannins & acid. Tiramisu is rich in dairy cream flavours w/ Espresso undertone. Sweetness was subtle leaving a more refreshed palate at the end of the meal.
(4)
mike s.
First time my wife and I went there. The food was really good and great value. Took advantage of the free offer for checking in. Service was great as well.
(5)
Tony R.
Excellent. Compliments to the chef. Perfection from the hostess to the waiter to the chef to the table.
(5)
Celestine V.
Delish and authentic! Definitely coming back. Check in get free appetizer bruschetta! Clams & linguini, also eggplant parm is great. Tiramisu is fantastic
(4)
NotReal N.
Best italian in town. Love it. Not too cheesy like all American-italian places. The lunch portion is so apt. I got only 4 pieces of ravioli which was just perfect. I hate the box concept. Also their bread is the best. It's crunchy not hard.. And very soft inside.
(5)
Pink S.
Taste good but nothing special about this place. It could just be my preference though... I like more authentic Italian food.
(3)
Diva R.
One if my favorite Italian restaurants. Really cozy and intimate. Perfect for date night and even for a bff night, when you need to just catch up! NOT the right spot for groups and loudness though. I am on their mailing list which always sends cool tid bits about tastings, events and even coupons! Every dish I have tried had been spot on! Love the fried artichoke appetizers and their pink sauce.
(5)
Kimberly H.
Kids meals are generous and delicious. My kids ordered the pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and lasagna. Their lunch combo was so good too. My eggplant parmigiana and spaghetti and meatballs were piping hot and scrumptious. Signing up for their VIP Paesano loyalty club now. :)
(4)
Linh M.
Came here for their lunch special and sat in the outdoor patio. It was such a nice atmosphere and the staff was extremely nice. I got the lasagna with a side salad and it was so good. The sauce was perfect and was cooked well. Nice size for a lunch portion and I would definitely come back. Try their ice cream. It is the best!
(5)
Jim L.
Walked in on a Saturday night at 6pm,got seated in the patio straight away without a reservation. Perfect timing, cause as we were leaving the place was packed. Food was great, my wife likes her lamb very well done!! and it came out perfect. I had the chicken parma , no complaints, and we shared a tiramisu. Great service
(5)
Mia A.
One of my favorite Italian places in Torrance! Service is always great. Went last week on a Wednesday night and our server was spectacular. I used the check-in deal for the free bruschetta, and the manager was awesome as well. Everyone from including the bussers and food runners were wonderful. Wine and Beer menu is nice. I initially wanted to take advantage of the Wine Shoppe next door for free corkage but since it was closed, ordered beer and wine off the menu, both were very good. Pasta is perfect. I love the aspargi and the clam linguini. I do wish they had a little more options for the pizza, but what they have is all delicious!! The crust is on the dough-ey side, and I was surprised I liked it since I typically prefer thin crusts. We went with 4 people and shared two appetizers and pizza and pasta. Because we all had beer and wine, it was the perfect amount at the end of the night, not stuffed but just right.
(4)
Luis V.
Friendly service. Coffee is awesome!! My kids love the food. Appetizers and desserts are delicious. The menu has something amazing for everyone.
(5)
Tom M.
Not bad, but not great. Still, I enjoyed dinner there. The atmosphere is nothing special, but certainly comfortable and accessible. We ordered a light pasta dish with broccoli and a bit of pancetta, which was a bit underwhelming on flavor, but at least we didn't leave feeling stuffed. The chopped salad was also a bit lackluster, due to the less than flavorful dressing. The wine list leaves a lot to be desired (I knew the jig was up when I saw Salmon Creek in their wine racks by the bathroom). However, they have a relationship with the Wine Shoppe next door, where the first bottle is a free corkage, and the second is only $14. So overall, a pretty darn good deal for family-style Italian. One more thing--our servers was outstanding, and really made the evening enjoyable.
(3)
Madeline L.
This place was ok. Waiters were nice. Great interior, food was alright but their nutella bread pudding was to die for! Any dessert that has nutella deserves a moment in the spotlight.
(4)
Roy Q.
Good Italian restaurant in the South Bay. A bit pricey but worth it from time to time. Service was good.
(4)
Hope D.
Looked all over Yelp for a good Italian place to go for for my birthday and decided on Gaetano's--all the reviews sounded amazing. The place is on the fancy casual side, and the dishes are pretty pricey, but well in reason for the quality of good your reviece. We started with the bruschetta, which was amazing. I couldn't get enough. They also brought out complimemtary warm bread and olive oil, which was a greay appetizer by itself. For the meal (about $15-20/plate) I ordered the ravioli, which was great. Italian meals are usually very heavy, but not their ravioli. The squash filling kept it light and their white sauce added the right amount of taste. My family also ordered the gnocchi (which I didnt personally like, but they did), the chicken marsala (which was decent), and the Tuscon Chicken Pasta (?)(which personally, wasn't my cup of tea, but again, they seemed to enjoy it). When dessert came around, ordered the brioche nutella bread pudding, which I was dying to try and loved! It was soft and sweet, and pure deliciousness. I was kind of dissapointed by the serving size though. Seemed a little small for $8. On top of the bread pudding we also received complementary birthday marscapone. I wasn't expecting this, but just let them know it's your day and they'll bring it out for you. Overall my experience there was great! Can't wait to go back again!
(4)
Rick L.
Great decor, plus outside patio area. Quiet inside restaurant which also ha a small bar. Half sandwich / half salad= Italian sandwich with Italian salad. Chunks of salami, cheese, celery, cabbage, lettuce, great dressing. Delicious warm bread too! Wife had pear salad that was killer and a piece of lasagna. All top notch. We really enjoyed it! We'll be back soon as the menu has lots of good options fir us.
(5)
Michael O.
Gaetano's is one of my favorite Italian places in Torrance. Not only do they serve tasty dishes, but they frequently have dining promotions (4 course meals, wine pairing, etc.), they always participate in DineLA, and they still accept Restaurant.com gift certificates (though they're no longer available to purchase). Lunch ain't shabby here - you can get a sandwich and a small plate of pasta for around $10. Sandwiches taste awfully familiar...like Giuliano's! A-ha, the similar fonts being employed isn't just a coincidence, is it*?? * - "There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence." But really, it all boils down to the pasta. And the pasta here is like Roselyn Sanchez in Rush Hour 2 - it's the bomb. Regardless of what you choose, you really can't go wrong, but here are the dishes that stand out the most: 1. Tagliatelle and Chianti Braised Short Ribs. The short ribs are soooooo tender it's almost ridiculous. Nay, it's ludicrous! And they throw in pancetta, good god ya'll! 2. Penne Sonoma - it's the creamy marinara sauce that gets me on this one. I would order it to drink if it was available. 3. Osso buco. Braised veal shank, for those not familiar. How long is it braised for, you ask? FOUR FREAKIN HOURS!!! So so so so so so so good. And don't forget to order nutella brioche bread pudding for dessert. That's right. Brioche, bitches!
(4)
Cynthia A.
Quaint, lovely, and a romantic atmosphere. Decided to take my bestie to dinner for her birthday plus the restaurant was participating in the DineLA menu. Yelp check in offers a free bruchetta appetizer. I thought it was delicious but not as scrumptious as the bread with oil. So soft on the inside but crunchy on the outside...perfect! I had to hold back because I was starting to get full and there was so much great food still coming out. The butternut squash ravioli was by far my favorite meal that night. I enjoyed my food and I liked the vibe of the place. The staff was attentive and friendly. I love Italian food so I look forward to tasting some more dishes. Tip: Take a bottle from Wine Styles (next door) and the restaraunt waives the cork fee on the first bottle :)
(4)
Brenda C.
It's a great place to go to if you don't mind being treated poorly. I placed a take out order and discovered that the owner isn't concerned if your order is shorted and your time & money is wasted. Plenty of other places with good food; I will choose the one that treats the customer kindly and values their patronage.
(1)
Alicia P.
Delicious food in a quaint little spot. The service was completely spot on. Strongly encourage making reservations. We had a large group come in at lunch (14 of us) and they didn't make us feel rushed or like we were taking to long (even though we were). A+ on food, service, atmosphere, and having a check in offer!
(5)
Austin B.
I had a really good veal Milanese and a excellent cannoli. With the exception of a off tasting lasagna, which the manager promptly took care of, everything that everyone ordered was amazing. Service was excellent and attentive, the place was clean and neat, albeit a little dark. Excellent food, and we will be back for the next special occasion.
(4)
Vette H.
Had a celebration lunch here with two Friends. The service was professional, polite, and friendly. The food was absolutely delicious! We had the Italian chopped salad, Italian pizza, Penne Sonoma, Shrimp Mediterranean, and Bruschetta Pomodora, topping it off with the nutella bead pudding and coffee. I could go through each dish, but there aren't enough words to describe how yummy this meal was. We are definitely going back soon.
(5)
Susie C.
YUM!!!!! my husband and i went here based on the yelp reviews and we were not disappointed! we started off with the bruschetta... pretty good. And for my entree, I ordered the porcini and mushroom anolini... it was really really heavy and creamy... it was just okay. But the highlight of the meal was my husband's entree... he got the linguini alla pescatore... absolutely sublime!!!! i just couldn't help picking food off of his meal! It was so good... I can't wait to go back and try some of the other selections!
(4)
V- T.
I keep wanting to come back to try the rest of their menu! Luckily, i live nearby so i can. So far, everything I've tried is DELICIOUS! Bruschetta appetizer is my favorite. And the homemade bread pudding....I could eat everyday. Chilean sea bass is yummy too. Everything is good here. I will be back again...
(5)
Cynthia K.
This is a great place for Italian. They have the best Dipping Oil with Oregano that is so light and aromatic, you will love it!
(5)
nick g.
This little restaurant is cute. Bring your date. This little restaurant is tasty. Bring your appetite. This little restaurant is freezing. Bring a jacket.
(4)
George Z.
We (4) were going to a movie at AMC on a Thursday night. We went to Gaetano's for an early dinner ... arriving at 5:40 ... the hostess (Beth) said it would be 15 minute wait. Hmmmm, puzzling because there were 10 empty tables. I asked why would there be a wait ... since there were empty tables. Her terse response was, "It will be a 15 minute wait" as she glared at us. Then, 7 minutes later she takes us to the worst table ... right next to the kitchen ... "Go figure." We ordered ... the food was nothing special. When we left there were still empty tables ... I guess "Beth" (the manager or whoever) doesn't know about us "yelpers." For me, there's lots of restaurants in the area ... I'll pass on this "customer care!" Today, I received an email from "Dori G." ... apparently the owner. She said that she had spoken with "Beth" respecting customers.
(1)
Sean M.
Seriously this place was AMAZING!! I had the tagliatelle pasta with chianti braised short ribs and a Moretti La Rossa to drink. The pasta was excellent and the rib was cooked so tenderly and tasty that it just was deliciousness melting in your mouth. When I checked in with my Yelp app I got a free bruschetta appetizer which was also nicely prepared. The restaurant was busy but the wait was not bad and the staff was courteous and prompt and polite. I cannot wait to go back and keep sampling everything on the menu.
(5)
Jennie B.
Cute little hole in the wall in Torrance! We stopped in for lunch and were very pleased. The host was very accommodating and professional, same with the manager on duty. When we first sat down I thought to look at their reviews on yelp and I'm glad I did because we got a free bruscetta just by checking-in! It was probably the best bruscetta I've ever had. Our lunch sandwiches were also amazing (spicy chicken and italian club), but the best part was the bread (table, bruscetta, and sandwiches). It's lightly toasted and super soft. I would have given 5 stars if the service was a little better, and the salad that came with the sandwiches, it was bland and tasteless (I think it was just half a plate of lettuce.. which neither of us touched). Overall, great little italian restaurant that I would definitely return to!
(4)
Jane L.
Gotta try the braised short ribs and raviolo
(5)
Kat K.
It's probably more like 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous. The service is just okay, we were asked to wait 20 minutes only to be seated at a table that had been open since we arrived. If they were understaffed they could have seated us and given us water, and bread until they were more available - especially since I'm 6.5 months pregnant. Anyhow, the restaurant really redeemed itself in how fresh the food was. The salads were crispy and flavorful, the raviolis had good texture and were clearly fresh. I have never seen butternut squash ravioli the color of butternut squash, and that earns them a lot of credit. My mother's mushroom ravioli was also fresh and had good texture. I respect the amount of work that goes into that level of freshness, and it's what made the meal standout. I still think it's a bit expensive for what it is and I'm not a huge fan of their table bread, but all in all it was a pleasant surprise.
(4)
Linda T.
Such a quaint place!!! Have gone many times, but last time was on Valentine's Day. Such a great experience. Its hidden in the strip mall next to Winestyles and Frys. The food is authentic and the service is wonderful. Very attentive from the hosts to the waiters/waitresses and busboys. The mushroom ravioli is divine! Go to their website, they have different specials on different nights.
(4)
Kristen M.
One sunny afternoon, I revisited one of my local faves with my parentals for lunch. Gaetano's is a local fam bam owned resto which is nestled in the Torrance Towne Plaza. This charming place serves up great, authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices. (FYI = For those who love checking in on Yelp: you can get a free bruschetta appetizer). There are a couple of things that have changed since my last visit to Gaetano's, the food is STILL EXCELLENT, but the service has become a bit subpar. Upon seating and not even looking at the menu, our waitress was hustling us for drink orders. I wish she gave me and my family a minute or two to look over what was available first. I thought that was quite unreasonable on her end....... I noticed that the menu has changed since the last time I've been here. I'm not sure if it's because I went during lunch, because I usually ate here for dinner. Anyways, I opted for their 3-course special (soup or salad, entree and dessert) for $16. That was a steal! BRUSCHETTA POMODORO: the free appetizer (from my check-in perk which needs to be approved by the manager working upon order being sent through), as alluded to earlier was good for a four people. The large pieces of baguette were lightly toasted and layered with an abundant amount of bruschetta. On the side were, leaves of basil to compliment the app. I wish the size of the baguette was a bit smaller as it was difficult to cut through and not have any of the bruschetta fall over your plate (let alone yourself). The dish was tasty, but hard to handle. MINESTRONE SOUP: was delicious as I remembered it to be from my last visit. Lots of veggies and a great savory broth! I initially wanted the Lentil Bean soup. Once I requested the Lentil Bean, the waitress mentioned that they were out of the soup. *****I thought out of courtesy, once seated in a restaurant, aren't customers supposed to be informed about what has run out on the menu??!?!?!***** While the waitress was staring at me to make a decision for my order, I hesitated and opted for my usual minestrone soup. I wish she gave me more time to make that decision (but that would've been better if I was informed earlier, right?) BAKED MOSTACCIOLI: Mostaccioli is similar to the penne pasta, it's just a bit larger in size. Although, to me it just looked like another penne pasta. Not that I'm complaining! The pasta dish was cooked with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, chunks of meatball pieces and engrossed with meat sauce. If you love melted cheese on your pasta dishes, then this one you my enjoy! This dish was quite large in size, you can pretty much share this dish or save half for another meal. The pasta came piping hot and the oozing cheese was lovely. SPUMONI: Italian ice cream classic! Filled with maraschino cherries, pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate and strawberry goodness! I requested this initially when the waitress took my 3-course meal order. She came up to our cleared table and asked if we wanted dessert. I reminded her kindly and asked, "I thought my 3-course meal came with dessert?" The young, blonde waitress realized that I did order already and gushed, "I always forget about that when people order the 3-course meal!" I know she was trying to save her face so I just played along. ******(In all honestly, girl please you weren't really paying attention! You were just kissing a** to your other tables who were regular customers that you failed to cater your service equally to the tables you were responsible for)***** My father decided to order dessert and opted for the TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO (warm chocolate cake filled with chocolate sauce inside). Everyone knows that if a dish needed to be cooked for a certain amount of time, one would inform their customers about the time it would take. The waitress failed to do this. My spumoni ice cream came out first and my parents were thinking that the cake was forgotten to be served. After the spumoni ice cream was finished, we were sitting in limbo for 10 minutes. My mom flagged down the manager and requested for the chocolate cake to be canceled and for the check to come in (we needed to go somewhere and the lag of the waitress who was now MIA). Out of no-where she comes with the chocolate cake and the check and the best part - NO SPOONS. We had to flag a buss boy down for spoons because the waitress was MIA again. I honestly would've given 2 due to the ditzy waitress who wasn't giving us the time of day and not actually being a "waitress", but I've always been a fan of the restaurant and I hope they improve on service. This place deserves 4 stars, but not today. I've eaten here a several times even before I started yelping and was always a fan of the place. I don't know what happened to the service. I'm not sure if the girl was new. But homegirl needs to get her *ish together if she is going to be working here or any other restaurant in the future. FOOD IS EXCELLENT, BUT SERVICE COULD BE BETTER FROM THE BLOND WAITRESS!
(3)
Jun I.
I went here for an anniversary dinner based on the good ratings. Service was good. Food was OK. I can't remember everything we ordered, but the butternut squash ravioli was very good. I remember the caprese being a little disappointing because the mozzarella was on the dry side.
(3)
Connie S.
Our res. was for 6:30 on a Thurs., we arrived at 6:15, they weren't terribly busy but made us wait until 6:30 anyway, but they did give us a nice table. So we were seated and we waited, and waited, and waited. I FINALLY caught the eye of the host and we were taken care of, but not overwhelmingly so. The host sent us a complimentary appetizer, which was nice, but we would have been more apt to return if he'd waived our corkage instead. It's often a busy place, but to have such bad service when it was not that busy, wil certainly cause us to think twice before we return.
(3)
Adela R.
Great service! Great food! I love the atmosphere that makes us feel like we know or are part of the family.
(5)
Lana S.
I have only had takeout from this restaurant but it was delicious. I must come back and have the full experience. I am in love with the food here and the restaurant looks so cozy. It's hidden so make sure you do not miss it.
(5)
Connie P.
My mom and I go there often for lunch. Their combos are perfectly filling and yummy! We always have enjoy it and have never left unhappy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. My husband and I go to dinner there occasionally and again have always enjoyed our meals and service. Love this place
(5)
Ru C.
their bruschetta is SO GOOD! Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs is good too, the meat is pretty tender, not too fond of their cocktail though...i wish i can remember what i ordered...i think it was something strawberry but it's actually supposed to be mojito...and i hate mojitos..so i gave it to a friend who likes mojitos...but she doesnt like it as well -_-.... anyhow, friendly service and it was a good experience!
(4)
Jolly M.
"Yummy yummy to my tummy!" Just tried something different and popular at Gaetano's...their lasagna. I have to say Deee-LISH! Great balance of pasta, cheese and meat sauce. They make their own pasta and homemade marina! So comforting. I was afraid to not go with my norm of the wild mushroom raviolli. I am delighted I tried something new! YUM! : ) The service was very slow during this dinning experience, but the food was divine. Greeting was slow with a lot of open tables and no one awaiting buy my guest and I. Once we were seated the service was slow unfortunately. Yet, not an issue. Just an off night. Previous visits have not been this way. The food over rides the con.
(5)
Ryan R.
I had no idea this place existed, but thanks to Yelp I now do! I came here with my gf to have lunch. The place is very nicely decorated in traditional Italian style. We got the complimentary bruschetta appetizer using Yelp and it was delicious. Our meals were authentic and tasted great. The service was on point and exactly how it should be. We'll be back again!
(5)
Denny B.
I was looking for something better than Craparoni Grill in the area. Located Gaetano's. Turns out it is run by a former girlfriend of a buddy of mine. Cool. Did a take out. Lasagna, baked mostaccioli and garlic cheese bread. Solid stuff. Nice bar area. Need to go back and try other other dishes.
(4)
Hannah K.
Nice atmosphere and great food. I got the penne sonoma and it was delicious. I also tried some appetizers. The calamari fritti and the bruschetta pomodoro. Everything was delicious. :) I like that the calamari battter was nice and light and not too thick like some other places can be. The service and the atmosphere were great. I feel like this is a nice place to celebrate events or just go out. I would love to come back and try other dishes.
(4)
Anthony D.
Nice place, tucked in the back of a strip mall, but very good food. Appreciated the Wine Wednesday as well :)
(4)
Jack U.
I sincerely hope the owners read this as my family and I used to love Gaetano's. I am giving it two stars because the service, as always was decent. However the food is overpriced and not flavorful. We used to go here when we lived in West Torrance but hadn't for about one year. The food used to be very good a few years ago and has obviously gone down quite a bit. My son had the pasta alfredo. The alfredo sauce tasted like it came out of a Ragu jar. Very little seasoning and somewhat runny. My wife had the California Chopped which had way too much red onion, NO FETA, the salad was regular head lettuce with tons of the white crappy part, and the dressing lacked the usual flavor. We also ordered a side meatball which again, lacked a lot of flavor. The tomato sauce overwhelmed the meatball, and the ball by itself had very little flavor. Finally my "risotto". OMG. If you are going to charge $13 for risotto, PLEASE serve me real risotto...not RICE. Good grief, this plate had these huge, sliced standard mushrooms, tons of spinach, and something that appeared to be sliced sausage but had the texture of Vienna sausage. Again, very little flavor...unless you call overwhelming mushroom... flavor. I always felt their prices were more like a very good Italian restaurant and now its just overpriced, mediocre food. I honestly don't know whose these people are that are giving this place 4 and 5 stars. I know there really arent very good restaurants in West Torrance. You have to go to Hermosa/Manhattan beach or El Segundo. I hope they periodically taste their own food and make sure it has the proper seasoning. Good luck to them. The family is very nice. I hope their son improves the food. Lastly, try changing the menu once in a while. I don't think they've had much of a change in 8 years... with the exception of taking off their Lentil Soup which used to be outstanding!
(2)
Leigh H.
came here for my bday last night with my parents and my daughter. my mom and daughter ordered lamb chops and while my moms was only rare instead of medium my daughters was entirely raw! the staff just seemed to be nonchalant about it. not coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Marisol M.
Gaetano's does not disappoint! I came here for dinner once with a friend and decided I must go back with my husband. The location is slightly hidden but if you're heading north on PCH and you pass a Big 5 and Smart & Final, turn around, go in those store's lot, and look for Gaetano's. The outdoor seating area looks cute, but I've sat inside both times. It's a bit small so don't expect to get a 4-person table when you're a party of 2. Normally, I'm pretty finicky about personal place, but I didn't care at all here. My husband and I split the bruschetta wedge salad (the smaller-sized one). It looks small when it comes out, but it's just enough considering everything else you end up eating. They bring you out warm bread with dipping oil and butter. We then split the penne sonoma and gnocci. The chicken in the penne sonoma was really good. It was really tasty and had a slightly crispy crust that gave good texture to the dish. Gnocci with gorgonzola sauce is on the menu but we requested it with red sauce and they were totally okay with that. The gnocci also has mozarella...it's so good when it's at that melty, chewy stage. We were pretty full after finishing our meal but it was so good we had to have dessert. We had the nutella bread pudding. A little more nutella on it couldn't have hurt but it was still good. We were stuffed but very content leaving Gaetano's. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Izzy R.
I enjoyed this restaurant. We order dessert first, the bread pudding nutella, it was delicious. Then we ordered the pear and gorgonzola salad and the spaghetti with meatballs. Without even asking the waitress was very accommodating in splitting both dishes to share. The salad was wonderful but the spaghetti I found it a bit too salty, I didn't much care for the meatball.The basket of bread was good. Even though we shared we barely finished everything. Nice place for a date but a bit pricey.
(4)
Brian N.
Atmosphere is 4+ stars. The patio is relaxing and the staff is really friendly and attentive. Food is hit or miss though. Typical faux "real Italian" food. Lunch special at $10+ is outrageous.. And when you get the spaghetti w/meat sauce you will remember your childhood. By that I mean you will remember the taste of chef boyardee. Up charged another $1 for the meat sauce to $11+ for not just "canned" but the WORST OF THE CANNED sauces. Only saving grace was the penne I sub'd was cooked perfectly. Wife had the pork sandwich and that was good. Affogato was excellent. $50+ lunch for a sandwich and spaghetti w/only 1 cocktail? Well, give me another cocktail to ease the pain. Sorry guys you won't see me at gaetanos again any time soon.
(2)
M C.
With a reservation our party was seated right away. Service and food was excellent.
(4)
Mini G.
I went with a friend for dinner. We chose Gaetano's because it was close to both of us. We had a very nice dinner. The food and service were good. I wouldn't say the food was excellent, but the ambiance was. I am a foodie so my tastes and expectations are higher than most people. If you have a Birthday or Anniversary coming up I would suggest this restaurant. Everyone will have a good time. It is a great family restaurant.
(4)
JACK C.
nice little place in the hood,, always busy...
(4)
F D.
One of my 2 favorite Italian restaurants in the south bay. I love this place. It's a little pricey, but they have absolutely wonderful food. My favorite is their lasagna.
(4)
C N.
Wow how am I in the South Bay every weekend and did not ever go to this place. Went last night with friends...they had the wine night menu and I had a shrimp mediterranean...SOLD...will be adding this place to my list of great places to eat.....prices very reasonable, food fantastic, nice location, great atmosphere...
(4)
Gina C.
Cute place - good food. Very busy during dinner - reservations recommended. They have outside seating but it's very close to the parking lot. Servers are friendly but food takes a while to come out. My linguini & clams was a bit salty, but had a good experiece overall. :) Loved their olive oil dip for their bread.
(4)
Charles H.
Lived in the area since '02, but never tried this place. Went for the first time in May. Crowded and a little noisy in a very un-charming shopping center location next to the former Circuit City...woo hoo! Food itself was pretty good, but expensive for what it is. It's one of those seemingly "casual" places that just "adds up" on you, you know? Next thing you know, the bill for two adults is $60+. Fortunately, I had a $50 Amex gift card that I felt like blowing, but I don't plan to go back with my own money, especially with all of the good places closer to home in San Pedro. Maybe if you live super close and don't go on Friday or Saturday night it's a better deal for you?
(2)
joe j.
Love this place! A+ staff, attentive Mgt, quality control, great food, no, Fantastic food! Better than Eatalian Cafe, cheaper and quieter with much better service. Six stars if I could rate. 4 years voted best in So Bay by Daily Breeze Readers Poll. Impressive!
(5)
T N.
I'm torn if I should rate this place 3 or 4 stars, so I'll say 3.5. I've eaten here about half a dozen times and each time is different. Atmosphere: Nice, cozy, intimate yet family atmosphere. The patio is great for warmer nights, it's got an intimate feel to it. Service: The bar area is very small and the bartenders are eh. The male hsotess is always friendly, the female one I encountered last weekend was pretentious. C'mon, you're not working at a high-profile restaurant. The wait staff has always been great. This makes up for the hostess and bartenders' lack of attentiveness. Food: Zuchinni fries, bread and minestroni soup are great!!!! Gnocchi, lasagna, grilled salmon and garlic lemon herbed chicken are good, too. Avoid the pizza, it's standard and a waste to order when there are so mnay other items. Price: On the pricier end for Italian. Each dish is plentiful but not enough to eat as a meal when you take home. Usually costs around $15-$22 for a dish.
(4)
DAN S.
Service was excellent, food was great and the outdoor dining was perfect!
(5)
Andy D.
Had dinner here a few weeks back and afterwards thought to myself, "How have I NOT eaten here ever?" Being a native of the south bay, this place is as good as it gets for Italian food. We started w/ the free bread, which was freaking awesome. Fresh hot bread w/ a garlic balsamic dip. Yum. I had the Chianti Braised short rib pasta which was fantastic. I would order this again in a heartbeat. Came in a tomato cream sauce and huge portion. Leftovers were also delicious the next day! Overall, great service and food. Will definitely return again. Make sure to check in with your mobile app to get a free Bruschetta appetizer, which was also incredible!
(5)
Brittany W.
Very nice atmosphere. I loved the family feeling. I went for lunch so it wasn't crowded and we were seated right away. The service was a little slow for being some what empty. Can't remember what I ordered since I went for DineLA week but the menu had options for everyone.
(4)
Janet K.
Delicious and soul-satisfying every single time. Lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs are always winners. But the cioppino is just perfection...
(5)
Clifford P.
Although we've been here on several occasions for dinner, this was our first visit for lunch. We were able to walk right in and get a table, whereas reservations are highly recommended for dinner. We ordered the Pesto Salmon and the Stevie G (spaghetti marinara) lunch specials. The salmon was moist and succulent, I would have guessed it was poached if the menu hadn't said it was grilled, it was that moist. The spaghetti marinara was perfectly cooked and came with garlic cheese bread. Both lunch specials also came with a choice of soup. We had the minestrone which was absolutely delicious. Service was outstanding as usual, with our waiter explaining the menu options and keeping our drinks refilled without us having to ask. Also, don't forget to check-in on Yelp to get your free appetizer!
(5)
I. A.
this was our first time here and the food and service were both fabulous!! we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated on a saturday night. i ordered the lasagna and my husband ordered the Baked Mostaccioli ,, both were quite delish!!! the portions are huge !! so come hungry!!! and because i "checked in" before we arrived , we got a free appetizer, free bruschetta!! also yummy!! their bread is brought to you fresh out of the oven! yumm!! we shall be returning!!! ;0)
(5)
Peter F.
Had the spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce was just as it is suppose to be just right. But I really didn't enjoy the meatballs much. Well really I don't like anyone's meatballs accept my own or my mamas that I grew up on in New York. But this place is great. I'll dine again soon
(5)
Rhonda K.
I recently came across Gaetano's Restaurant by accident, and I am so glad I did. It was a crazy early evening and we needed something fast to feed a small army of adults and teens. From the moment we walked in, we were taken care of by Michael Sandell who was working behind the bar. We were frazzled and didn't quite know what we wanted, dealing with an autistic boy while trying to order. Michael recommended a number of entrees that he thought we'd enjoy and took our order personally. He made sure while we waiting we had cokes for the boys and cocktails for the adults. I've never had such wonderful service as Michael really takes pride in his work and the customers he serves. Every business needs about 20 just like him. It wasn't long before we had our food and were on our way. We took the food home and devoured everything. My father who is a very picky eater, can't wait to go back and dine in the restaurant. I was very impressed and can't wait to visit again. Thank You Michael and all who work at this unbelievable restaurant. I will return soon with all of my friends.
(5)
Richard C.
Perfect 5 stars for me. Great service, great atmosphere for lunch or dinner, and of course great food. I had their sundried tomatoes ravioli topped with pesto sauce that was on their special. It was delish!! I will be coming back to this place soon!
(5)
Sarah S.
I worked at an Italian restaurant for 6 years and have been to Italy three times. I know good Italian when I taste it and this place is amazing. Our server Debi was so sweet and everything was perfect!
(5)
Myron G.
Waited for a table in spite of many available Ordered veal which was undercooked Don't think well go back
(1)
Sara V.
I loved the Seafood pascatore linguine! Lots of delicious garlic and flavor. I had read that the Braised Chianti rib pasta was great on Yelp but then discovered it was lacking flavor. It is like eating a potroast on noodles. Definitely check in on Yelp for the free bruschetta.. DELICIOUS!
(4)
Kristen I.
Amazing polenta and short ribs! The patio is the perfect spot to sit because of the sun and plants around you. The service was great and I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Jazzel A.
I celebrated my birthday here with my family. Authentic Italian cuisine at its finest. Food was 5 stars. As soon as you are seated, freshly baked bread with dipping sauces butter and olive oil were served. Free bruschetta when you use yelp check-in. It was a refreshing appetizer. All of us ordered pasta, and we all loved it. Freshly grated parmesan cheese topped our pasta. I ordered the Italian orange soda. The orange and carbonated water were strong to the taste. It was a nice drink compliment to the pasta. After we were done eating, a birthday song was played. The staff provided a free ice cream. The food in here were simply delicious. One thing that I didn't like was the long wait. We waited for an hour to be seated. If I was not in a good mood that day, I might have missed the authentic Italian cuisine we were craving for.
(4)
Raquel G.
Came in yesterday with a party of 7 told the wait would be 45 mins to an hour. Waited 30 mins and was seated. Since I chkd in we got a free bruschetta appetizer. It was ok tasting. Also got the calamari appetizer which I did like. I ordered the lobster stuffed scampi which I loved but the noodles were really garlicky. The service was great in fact as we were waiting to be seated a guy was going around giving samples of their artichoke appetizer which was nice as u sit hungry waiting for your table. The warm bread with what tasted like olive oil and capers was very good. Overall I had a great dinning experience and am looking forward to go back very soon to try a new dish.
(4)
Kelly E.
Love coming to this place! The olive oil/herb mix that comes with the NICE WARM baguettes while you're deciding what to order is so delicious. I usually wind up downing the entire basket of bread + 2 of the helpings of olive oill. Onto real food though. The helpings are generous and really, pretty good for the price. I would suggest going for lunch though as the prices are a little more reasonable. The pear and walnut salad has a nice tangy dressing that I have many a times considered licking off the plate when I'm finished (don't worry, I still have some sense of pride). Pasta is nice and light (wait, pasta.. LIGHT? iknoright?). It was really delicious. If you're looking for some nice friendly service + DERICIOUS food for a fairly reasonable price. come on down.
(4)
Bob S.
Try the bruschetta, it is fantastic, covered with fresh tomato and herbs. We had the mushroom ravioli, and the flavor was fantastic, rich and creamy sauce with the wonderfully woody flavor of mushrooms throughout. We also had the Italian Riviera, which was a blend of grilled chicken slices and shrimp, also in a mushroom cream sauce that was wonderful. To my taste the only slight miss was the ravioli was slightly too cooked and soft, I prefer pasta a little more el' dante. The atmosphere and Sinatra music was very nice. I would recommended sitting outside if you like a slower pace and quitter atmosphere. We will definitely come again.
(4)
Brenda N.
I made reservations for Valentines day and I must say that although I've driven past this gem many times before I never really noticed it and perhaps this is a good thing! The outside is adorned with patio lights and once inside its dimmly lit and intimate. Just my style! Parking was easy and ample. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. We ordered the calamari appetizer and we had the linguini pescatore and italian riveria pasta. Both were delicious, I especially thought the linguini was amazing! This is my new favorite go-to italian restaurant in the Southbay. Its a must try! The best part was the music! I loved dining while listening to the mambo italiano! =)
Been coming here for 4 years. I've noticed the quality and quantity diminish drastically in the past year. Gave it another try tonight HORRIBLE at least teach your cooks how to make pasta. The pasta was way undercooked. The mushroom agnilotti I had last time I guess was replaced with the nastiest mushroom ravioli I've ever eaten the sauce was practicaly water. I would've been better off getting frozen ravioli from Albertsons! Had to get pasta from Panera Bread next door which was 10 times better! Sad to see such a good place go down the drain so quickly waited 50 minutes and was told 20 no apology nothing. C'mon now not a way to run a buisseness. Never plan on coming back and if you read this review and ignore it I guess you'll find out for yourselves. Don't go if your starving. Don't go if you are expecting amazing Italian food. I just don't suggest this to anyone seriously!
(1)
Sylvia M.
Gaetano's has been a family favorite for many years, it rarely disappoints. It's a step above a neighborhood Italian, the food is more modern without being pretentious, and there are still plenty of old favorites on the menu. The service is good, food consistent and quality, and the bar does a nice job. I love a restaurant that not only has great food, but also gets things right like sides, bread, decent house wine and soup! All signs of things going right with management and kitchen. My favorites are the sand dabs and butternut squash ravioli. Two things I rarely order other places, but Gaetano's gets them SO right, it's hard to resist ordering the same darn thing every time I come in. They also do a good job with veggies and are happy to do double veggies instead of veggie + pasta on the side.
(4)
Jorge H.
My first time here, wasn't sure what to get so I ask the waitress for some suggestions. She recommended the Lamb Chops. When I got my plate it did not look appetizing. The lamb was over cooked and the meat was as thin as carne asada. The vegetable and potatoes were ok, but I would prefer Mashed potatoes, the food was room temperature not cold but not as hot as a fresh off the grill meat. The service was just ok. They were polite, but so busy that we would have to waive down our server to get help. And it's kind of expensive. For me this would be a 1 Star but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because the rest of my family said their food was good.
(2)
Husbo D.
It was great. Pricey but you get what you pay for
(5)
Justin R.
Great music from the likes of many great crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and many of their contemporaries really set the mood here. The music in itself really deserved a 5 star by itself. Followed by the dim lights and great food makes for a real romantic atmosphere. Portions in particular are perfect for exactly two people. They start you off with bread and olive oil. I believe their olive oil had rosemary in it, which enhanced the flavor. They also had bottled Balsalmic Vinegar which really complimented the olive oil well. The bread was very warm and soft but fills you up fast. Thanks to the Yelp App, I got a free Bruschetta Appetizer for checking in. The bread was nice and crispy. The toppings were fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil. It was really flavorful and very tasty. It was a perfect portion for two people. We also had the Calamari Fritti. The calamari perfectly golden fried and crispy. It came with two dipping sauces, marinara and pesto cream. The pesto cream was rather bland. The marinara was okay but nothing special. The portion itself was great for two people and you could maybe stretch it out to three people. Otherwise, it's a small portion for a party of 4 or more. For my main entree I went with one of the pictures posted on yelp. I didn't want to go with spaghetti or lasagna. I wanted to experience something else. Nothing really caught my eye but the Chicken Sonoma and Italian Riviera and I couldn't find anything about them. I noticed the butternut squash ravioli had photos. I went with it and added grilled chicken, it tasted great. It was creamy and just melted in my mouth. If I didn't add the chicken, it' would've been a perfect dish for a vegetarian. I enjoyed the food very much. It was clean and service was okay. They didn't refill our waters without asking and there isn't free refills for soft drinks. I found out after I received the bill. It was a small restaurant and I always felt that every Italian restaurant should have no problems catering to big parties because Italian families are big. This restaurant had a more romantic vibe, perfect for a date, yet casual, they also serve wonderful choices for vegetarians.
(4)
L. S.
Delicious Italian food! I always order seafood. Fast and wonderful customer service! We always sit in the patio -- it's so nice, cozy, and romantic! We might go this weekend! ;-)
(4)
Neeraj S.
Gotta give props to yelp for this one. I was literally waiting for a table at olive garden (an hour wait) when I decided to search for other Italian alternatives in the area. This place was amazing from the moment we walked in. The ambiance, the service, and of course, the food were all top notch. I used the check in special for the free bruschetta (glorious), and the waiter, knowing it was our first visit, hooked us up with 2 desserts on the house. Needless to say, we will never be going back to olive garden again.
(5)
Jenny R.
You'd never know this gem of a restaurant could exist in a shopping center with a Kohl's, Big 5 and Jack in the Box. But it does, and I'm so glad, because I like supporting local businesses when I can, and I live 5 minutes away! The staff is always friendly and helpful. I usually get the spaghetti, but add sundried tomatoes and (fresh) veggies (at no extra charge, mind you!) There are 3 reasons you should check out Gaetano's: The food/bread is good, the prices are good, and it's not Olive Garden, so there's no frozen stuff here!
(5)
roland b.
Went here this evening walked in party of 2, hostess went to seat us and tried to put us in the smallest table they have. Asked for a bigger table or booth they said they were all reserved but no one was in there.... Not going back. Bad way to run a business!
(2)
Bruce D.
Excellent, authentic Italian food. Pleasant atmosphere that makes one feel like family. Combined with great service makes this a place you definitely must try.
(5)
Christy M.
what a great place. the eggplant parm is my favorite anywhere! and the family atmosphere and service are spectacular. my parents drive 40 minutes almost every other weekend to have dinner here (and visit us) but it's by far their favorite Italian restaurant and my dad is Italian! Girls night (on a monday i think) is also really nice. nice menu, nice prices.
(5)
Retired B.
I ordered the butternut squash ravioli. Even though it was about eight raviolis, the white sauce was so rich that I could barely finish my plate. That particular dish is on the sweet side, so I probably would try a savory red sauce pasta next time. Service is alright.
(3)
Rick T.
I am going to give this place the full 5 stars! They have it all, great food, quick service, and a great non-chain atmosphere. They are very friendly, and everything that my wife and I have ordered has been really good. I always prefer to go here over Buca, although their garlic bread rocks!
(5)
Vinele G.
this place is so great. we got the canneloni, margarita pizza, baked mostaccioli, spaghetti marinara and minestrone. everything was excellent from the bread they brought to the table, to the affogato we had for dessert (if you haven't had one, try it!). our waitress debbie was great and vince the owner totally came out and entertained my lovely but annoying father with his questions. needless to say, my parents became part of the paesano club and we'll be back. definitely try out this place, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Beth H.
WOW...all I can say is WOW.... Not really, you know me. When would WOW be all I'd say? After a fun filled evening at the Torrance Airport in BF's hangar meeting the Bonanza V-tail, he wanted to take me to Gaetano's for dinner. He's a genius BTW. Adorable little place, very cozy and homey but bustling with life. There was an hour wait for a table inside but we opted for first available on the patio. It was a cool night but there were plenty of strategically placed heaters so it was a perfect choice on a beautiful night. BF brought an amazing bottle of wine that he purchased from WineStyles next door and the cool part? Gaetano's doesn't charge a corkage fee! Right on! For appetizers we ordered the Garlic Cheese Bread (BF) and the New Zealand Mussels (me). Garlic Bread was amazingly hot and soft with a nice crispy crust, bursting with garlic and seasoning and ooey, gooey, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. The mussels came in a large bowl standing on their ends, fanned out like a beautiful flower. An amazingly huge portion and some of the best mussels I've EVER had...and I LOVE mussels!!! These beauties were sauteed in olive oil and white wine and the amazing pool of saucy goodness in the bottom of the bowl was perfect for the sopping with the garlic cheese bread and the awesome house bread. Did I mention the house bread? Light, airy puffy balls of bready goodness with a thin, shell like crust and almost a pastry lightness inside...OMG! BF ordered the Stuffed Scampi. About six large shrimp stuffed with scallops, shrimp, lobster and salmon with a smooth, tasty cream sauce. This came with a side of linguine and veggies. Again, another healthy portion and the taste? Complex and absolutely delish. My selection was off of the Fall Signature Menu. Seared Scallops with Pancetta and Spinach. This had all of my favorite things wrapped up in one. Seared scallops seasoned and cooked to perfection with a light crispy exterior and soft interior. These gorgeous little gems rested on top of a large bed of sauteed spinach, Roma tomatoes and cannellini beans. This was pure, unadulterated heaven on a plate. The beans created a chunky yet creamy little pillow with the wilted spinach leaves and chunks of tomato my eyes immediately rolled back in my head. THIS, my friends is what love is all about! Tiramisu (homemade BTW) topped off a perfect meal. Add the amazingly friendly and attentive staff to the amazing food, no corkage and WineStyles right next door and you have a 5+ winner right here. Eddie Money must have been to Gaetano's as he said it best..... youtube.com/watch?v=MJbB… Muah to my sweet BF for sharing this awesome place with me :) He and his Dad/Step-Mom are regulars here. Now I know why. I wanna be a regular too......
(5)
Jee S.
This place knows great Italian food. This place also knows great service. This place also knows great ambiance. And my favorite thing here is, their Tiramisu. It seriously is the best I've ever had.
(4)
Adri C.
Came here yesterday for dinner. I ordered the Rigatoni Milano pasta but it was not that great. The sauce was not thick enough and the dish was not too flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the Penne Sonoma and it was DELICIOUS. I ended up eating half of his plate instead of mine. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake which was decent but I wouldn't order it again.
(3)
James C.
GREAT PLACE!!!! There are a few non five star reviews on yelp and I am bit shocked. I am one of the biggest foodies out there. I cant believe that for what this restaurant is that anyone would give them anything less than five stars. Everything about this restaurant would want you to come back for. The staff... The food... The prices.... The decor. The food. However, nothing is perfect and to be fair the only things that could have made things better in my opinion..... And I am a virgo... The tables for two are not big enough for how I order... And the other is that the salad dressing(homemade yum yum) could use less oil. Both things are common at any restaurant. So, again great place don't second guess it. Just go!!
(5)
Jeremy M.
This place is pretty awesome. I've only been twice, but what I've tried was excellent. Only four stars because the wine list is lacking and the pizza was a bit dull. I had the Gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce and chicken. This dish, while not on the menu, is a few dollars more than the plan Gnocchi with red sauce. Getting the Gorgonzola sauce was clutch, but I'm not sure adding the chicken was worth it - next time I'm going to try adding Italian sausage instead. My friend created his own pizza, adding only mushrooms. They have a good sauce and good cheese, but I think it would've been better with a kick to it - red peppers and a little salt would've done wonders. Another friend had the Chicken Parmesan. This was pretty spectacular, but slightly too salty. Unfortunately, I didn't see if that was how it came out of the kitchen or if my friend added salt. The chicken was moist and the cheese had a great flavor. The wine list is marginal - they have a few good wines, but they're mostly mediocre. I would like to see some more reds from Italy.
(4)
San N.
Great food. Definitely make reservations! Service - Outstanding! Food - 1. Calamari Fritti - Average. Big cuts of calamari but I wouldn't say it was memorable. Batter was light but not flavored. Served with a pesto cream sauce and marinara. 2. New Zealand Mussels - Finally! A place which serves big mussels and not those shriveled little things. Worth the price. Sauce is light and not overpowered by too much wine or garlic. 3. Rolls and Dipping Sauce - Piping hot bread and homemade basil olive oil sauce. Great touch. 4. Fettuccini and Chianti Braised Short Ribs - Amazing! Homemade pasta in a light orange cream sauce with shredded short ribs. Meat was tender and juicy, sauce was not overpowering and pasta was perfectly cooked. 5. Taste of Italy - I've had much better chicken parmigiana and lasagna. Love love the spaghetti Stefano (olive oil, carmelized garlic, basil). Note: It wasn't a big deal but it did catch us by surprise. The restaurant does charge a cake cutting fee of $10. A bit pricey but I don't know if that was a flat charge or broken down per person.
(4)
Anita K.
Had dinner here the other night and the meal was great! We had our free bruschetta appetizer to begin with. The tomatoes were fresh and it was perfectly seasoned. I ordered the garlic pizza and my bf ordered the short rib pasta. The garlic pizza had too much garlic for my taste, but it was my mistake in ordering it. The short rib pasta was amazing! I would definitely order it the next time I'm there. My only complaint is that we waited too long for the food to arrive, but in their defense, the restaurant was packed.
(4)
Adam R.
The food was average and the portion sizes were small for the price. The wife and I ordered take out tonight. We ordered the Gorgonzola and pear salad and the pick two dinner combo with butternut squash ravioli and eggplant parmigiana. The size of the salad was decent. The dinner combo was small with 5 small ravioli and one breaded slice of egg plant. We paid $30 and expected to get about 2 nights worth of food, which is what $30 bucks usually gets you. Not here. As for the taste...average. The salad was the best thing we ordered and was on par with a salad entree you would get at other restaurants. The butternut squash ravioli was bland since it was pretty much just cheese and squash. It needed some spices. The eggplant parmigiana was OK, just not anything special.
(2)
Laurice R.
Every time I visit Burke Williams, or Panera's, or Kohl's... I smell this amazing garlic and bread as if a plate of excellent food was right in front of my face. Always wanting to try this place, but never having heard anything about it left me weary. Now I know why... anyone that goes there doesn't want anyone else to find out how fantastic this place is! It was my friend's birthday and his family owns this restaurant so we headed over. Had I known his family owned the Restaurant, I would have been there sooner. It's a small intimate environment, definitely has that family feel to it. If you don't have a reservation, you'll be waiting for awhile. The restaurant space is very nice. Updated, clean, comfortable, and romantic. It's a loud place, but it's all in good fun. They have outdoor seating, with heaters, which would seem perfect for a nice summer evening. I had the Honey Salmon Salad, it was quite tasty. I love trying different salads and this was one of the best. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the dressing was simple and light. My husband had the Stuffed Scampi and oh my was it delicious! The bread with dipping oil was very good also. The only down side, the service was a little slow, as was the food, but it was worth the wait and since we were with a large party we had plenty to talk about. We will be going back to try other dishes and experience the family style love that is so obvious in their food.
(5)
H N.
Tasty and innovatively crafted Italian dishes.This place has a great cooking style of blending the old school with the new school.haven't had anything bad here yet,but some favorites are mosticoli,lasagna or spaghetti
(5)
Robert A.
Best Italian food in the South Bay! Family owned and operated which really makes a difference in service and food quality. Keep up the good work, can't wait to go back .
(5)
Rebecca P.
my husband and i came here for a special occasion and both of us were impressed. My husband was quite impressed and that is saying something. i came back for a lunch meal and had a salad with their homemade vinaigrette and it was the best vinaigrette I have ever had.
(4)
L And T S.
What a pleasant surprise. This was the only place in South Bay we were able to find a cannoli on the dessert menu. Check-in here and get a free appetizer.
(4)
Serenity F.
While my Caprese salad was disappointing, I know everyone else loved their dishes so I cannot fault this place for their food. Their dinner rolls were always served warm, and they were very attentive to our water/drinks/dirty dishes needs. As usual, the prices were a bit steep for basic Italian dishes, but the atmosphere was friendly and the service was prompt and they handled our table of 8 very well. It should also be noted this place is pretty hard to find. It's in a shopping center tucked away behind a Panera Bread, and their signs are obscured by palm trees. Park by the Bank of America and you will find it.
(4)
Amy R.
Best BBQ Chicken Pizza EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!
(5)
Bat F.
Nice little place in a relatively busy shopping center (the Torrance Town Center) with a lot of parking. I would recommend a reservation as my party of three took about 35 minutes to seat at 5:30 PM on a Sunday night and it only got busier as we waited. I got the gnocchi alla gorgonzola, my the butternut squash ravioli and my son the cheese pizza. We also did the Yelp check in to get the free bruschetta. The best thing really was the bread (both the regular stuff and the toasted stuff with the bruschetta). My wife thought the bruschetta could have used a bit more balsalmic vinegar but I thought it was just fine, nice and garlicky. I am not normally a fan of gnocchi but this one was pretty decent as the pesto added a nice bit a flavor to what could have been a very one-dimensional dish. The butternut squash ravioli was also good (I haven't had one that I hadn't liked) and the pizza was loaded with cheese with a nice thin crust. I was too full to try the Nutella bread pudding which is a shame but I guess that is a good reason to come back.
(4)
Kelly M.
Gaetano's is something of a hidden treasure. Inside, the ambiance is pleasant, the waitstaff is helpful, and the food is delicious (lots of options in the $10-16 range, but Penne Sonoma is my go-to favorite). I've been coming here for years, and I've never been disappointed. Sometimes they'll have a pianist on weekend evenings, which is fun, and changes the atmosphere from dim/quiet/subdued to a bit louder and livelier (but not so much so that you can't have a conversation at your table at normal volume). I'd definitely recommend!
(5)
Sara J.
I can't believe Gaetano's has anything but 5 stars. The food is amazing the service is outstanding, and prices are fair.
(5)
M.J T.
Went there around 5pm when there were only still a few customers. Nice atmosphere and service. It was during happy hour so ordered house wine. House wine was normal taste as you can get in house wine, and appetizer was half price. Appetizer assortment was good. My husband ordered pepper and sausages and I ordered mushroom ravioli. His comment was huge portions, outstanding flavor, and friendly service. What I had was nice rich taste and went with my wine very well. It seems like this restaurant gets crowded at night time but it was very nice to sit down at quiet place and enjoy food and wine.
(4)
Robert and Tammy A.
I feel obligated to write a review after coming for lunch today and using my check in offer for a free bruschetta appetizer. I have been to Gaetano's a number of times and I have never been disappointed. Today was my first time coming for lunch. My dad and I weren't that hungry so we decided to get an appetizer and a salad each. We ordered their seared scallops appetizer and the bruschetta (from the offer obviously). The scallops app was amazing, the sauce is delicious and they were perfectly cooked. The bruschetta was delicious as well (thanks Gaetano's). I ordered their honey-glazed salmon salad and it was soo good. I only ordered the starter size but it was plenty of food. The salmon was seared perfectly and the dressing was good. My dad ordered the chopped salad i believe? and he really liked it. We have come for dinner a number of times as well. I recommend their scallop entree with the cannelloni beans. I love their menu and it has a lot of unique items, not your typical Italian food. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)
Red G.
If you are looking for your local Italian restaurant that knows how to make a real tasty Italian meal, Gaetano's is your place. They are yummy in everything I have ordered so far. Eggplant Parm is made to perfection, Fettucine Alfredo is fattening but great, delicious pizza with homemade meatballs and extra marinara sauce...plus, their pasta all come al dente! Even without asking! Thumbs up for Gaetano's!
(4)
Logan C.
Pretty good but a bit heavy handed with the cream, cheese, and oil. If you're in the mood for heavy american style Italian, Gaetano's is a good choice.
(3)
Edith B.
So on mother's day we decide to go for dinner..last minute. They were able to sit 6 of us. I was bit surprised especially because the food is delicious and the portions were plentiful. The calamari appetizer lacked calamari but not short on taste. I was shocked when I got the bill because I wasn't expecting it to be so expensive. It averaged about $33 per person....3 were kids. Like I said though....the food is delicious.
(5)
melinda j.
Did you know that the owner of Giuliani's also owns the place? We just celebrated a birthday here with a large party of friends this past Saturday. One of my coworkers always raves about this place being the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay, so I came here with high hopes. Overall, I concur that the food was simply average. I'm not sure if it was because the kitchen was overworked and lacked quality control or if I didn't order the right thing, but what I had wasn't great. Initially I planned on ordering the linguini with clams, but when the waitress told me they only had canned clams available, I quickly changed my mind. Instead, I ordered the Tuscan Chicken ($15), which comprised of half a chicken breast sauteed in garlic, and then covered with cheese and a few asparagus spears, and spaghetti stefano, a traditional garlic and oil spaghetti. Nothing special, really. The husband had the rigatoni with sausage, but felt that the sauce lacked flavor dimension and felt that the portion was on the small side. Bread wasn't anything to write home about. I wouldn't recommend that you go out of your way to come here.
(3)
Lan T.
So the place is tucked away near the Circuit City, I actually passed it the first time and had to come back. The outside wasn't very impressive, although because of the circuit city there was a lot of parking which was good. I went for Gaetano's Restaurant wine dinner which was a pairing of a 5 course meal and 5 wines (the 5th was actually champagne). They have this like twice a year. Wine Night Five course set menu, each course served with a taste of wine ANTIPASTO Sizzling Scallops Chateau St. Jean, CHARDONNAY ZUPPA Tomato Basil Soup Meridian, PINOT NOIR PRIMI Wild mushroom ravioli in a mushroom cream sauce Gabbiano, CHIANTI SECONDI Pepper Steak served with garlic mashed potatoes Wolf Blass, SHIRAZ DOLCE Pear Fritters The Tomato Basil soup was amazing! The scallops were very tasty. The pepper steak was very large, i was surprised at the size. The wines were good. They were not expensive but they were very good selections to the served food. The last notable thing was the staff. They were all very friendly, good good people. My friend said it was family owned and run. I had a really fun time, even though I had a humungous headache this morning! I recommend this place especially to get on the mailing list for the next wine pairing dinner!!!
(4)
Eunice N.
nutella bread pudding = heaven in your mouth !
(4)
Kylah G.
I seriously doubt if service gets better than this!!! the clientele is very diverse which i love, on any given night you'll find someone of every age, race, or sex at a table. the staff is more than amazing i can't even describe the friendliness and welcoming attitude everyone has, they're just great. this is the place to go on a date, for your birthday or with your family!! There is great Italian music playing in the background at the perfect volume, the bar is wonderful if you want to watch sports and not deal with the family setting dining area, and the whole restaurant sings happy birthday to you on your special day. No amount of questions are too many for the staff they are so happy to help and chat with your table you feel like they are a part of your whole meal, my drink is never empty and I love the water bottles. Now to the food, I'm a big Italian food fan and I love family owned and operated businesses so this place is my personal heaven! It has rich history and you can taste it in every bite of your meal, the table bread is amazing soft in the inside crusty and golden cooked on the outside, they have a wonderful herb mix they put your olive oil in for the bread and the rosemary butter is the best thing ever *in my Paula Dean voice*. I've had salad, sandwiches, and of course pasta and every time I've left with a new favorite. The risotto balls from the appetizer menu are to die for the sauce they are in is freaking awesome!! Lol man I could write about this place all day I just love it.... I also love the meat dishes that I haven't found at other places such as the Brasato and who doesn't love baked polenta? And the stuffed shrimp is pretty much my favorite thing on the menu... Try Gaetano's you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ketan M.
This was possibly the best casual italian restaurant in which I have ever eaten. From the fresh bread and spiced olive oil dipping sauce when you first sit down till the dessert at the end of the meal, everything was perfect. The bruschetta and salads were wonderful, but the eggplant parmigiana and penne asparagi were what really blew us away. The tiramisu was also light and delicious, and the service remained excellent the entire time, promptly refilling our drinks and responding to all of our individual requests. Because we went on a tuesday we were able to do the family deal, which gave us a four course meal of an appetizer, individual salads for all four of us, and two entrees all for $45, so we found it to be very reasonably priced. However if you don't get that deal the entrees seem to average about 15-16 dollars, so keep that in mind. All in all I strongly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a reasonably priced, quality meal and dining experience.
(5)
Liz R.
I thought this place was fabulous! The inside is nice and kinda fancy yet not too much, it just felt like a "nice" lunch. I went with my mother and we got the vegatable lasanga which was awesome, and some bowtie pasta (sorry it's been awhile, can't remember exactly) which was perfect. We ordered a caprese salad to start which was just perfect too. I wish I liked wine so I could have ordered that too to go with my perfect Italian meal. The nice bread they serve with the olive oil and herbs was a nice surprise. Service was prompt but I had trouble getting her attention a few times despite it not being too busy. Overall though, a great experiance and we'll be back!
(4)
Karen B.
What a wonderful restaurant! and the management is so helpful and caring. Our daughters organized a surprise 40th anniversary luncheon for us and a small group of friends/family. Even though they don't usually do such a small group with a set menu, they did for us. The service was outstanding and the owner was there and spent lots of time with us and the other customers. I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying another high quality Italian dinner. I can't say enough good things about Gaetano's.
(5)
Patti S.
When my friend, Judy comes to town from Palm Springs, we try to meet for lunch. On several occasions we have chosen to eat at a local Italian restaurant called Gaetano's. We both must have been very hungry the last time we were there because we ended up ordering 3 dishes that we split. We tried something called Arancini which was risotto tossed with parmesan, peas and mushrooms rolled and fried and served in a cream marinara sauce. That was the appetizer. We also had the Italian chopped salad and the main dish was the Chicken Cannelloni. It was way too much food and we ended taking half of it home. Our bill ended up being quite high for lunch, but then again, we were able to eat it again for lunch the next day. :) Everything was delicious and we will eat there again, I am sure. They also serve a great Sandab dish and a wonderful Osso Buco which comes with a generous serving of Polenta.
(4)
Jeff P.
Great steak with Gorgonzola, yummy strawberry salad and decent wine. Best Italian food I've had in the area.
(4)
Mel C.
One of the best Italian restaurant's I've ever eaten at and I've been all over Italy for a month. Anyway, their pasta is wonderful. I've had the gnocchi and the butternut squash ravioli, both were excellent. The molten chocolate cake is good too.
(4)
LucyO I.
Gaetano's is the best Italian food in the world!!! It has a great family atmosphere. Try the baked Mostacholi...its amazing!!! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Adam B.
The restaurant was very small and crowded. Very long wait and they will not let you make reservations after 5... The waitress seemed bored and uninterested in accommodating to us. The corking fee was through the roof, It is expensive and the clams tasted like they were caught in San Pedro. Cute place though.
(2)
K C.
This is the best Italian restaurant in the area! You have to try it. It's owned by a nice family who are friendly and are dedicated to offering authentic Italian food. The staff are great, the ambiance is great, but the food is amazing. My favorites are the Linguini and clams and Butternut ravioli.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Holy Moly....the best italian food ever! It's a pretty small place but well worth the wait. Alex always orders the Cioppino which is full of the freshest seafood, the sea in a bowl. And the tomato sauce is not bland or sour like other places. I've had the Stuffed Scampi and the Eggplant Parmigiana and loved them both. I especially love their Spaghetti Stephano, which is basically garlic spaghetti. Soooo awesome! If you're ever in the Torrance area, or even Redondo Beach area, it's worth the drive and is a must try restaurant! Oh, and order a bottle of the Francis Coppola Diamond Series Cab...great w/ dinner!
(5)
Matt V.
Delicious dinner and super friendly staff. Great ambiance for a date night! Plus, you can buy wine at the shop next store (they have a great selection) and they'll waive the corkage fee for the first bottle. All around, this is how an italian restaurant is supposed to be.
(5)
Hap P.
I appreciate Italian restaurants that aren't afraid of scaring the crap out of the Olive Garden set. The food at Gaetano's isn't going to make your lips hurt because it's too salty, so for some, that means it's bland. You can actually see slices of garlic in the food! Italian food has garlic? Who knew? In all seriousness, I don't go to Gaetano's for sauces you can buy at the megamart. I come for the braciole and the osso bucco. I came for the saltimbocca until they took it off of the menu. I want to say they had a braised lamb shank that's off the menu now. All in all, they have all the comfortable standards, as well as some "novelty" dishes that are a rarity in the South Bay. And there's live piano music some nights. Don't forget to tip him when he plays your favorite Sinatra song.
(3)
Suki K.
Catered dinner for my daughter's 21st birthday party - everything was prepared deliciously - the menu was completely vegetarian, healthy and delicious. The order was ready when we arrived and they got it right.
(5)
Kat B.
It's a hidden gem of a place. The food is great. I had the taste of Italy and it was enough for three meals. Pasta was cooked just right. Cool atmosphere with locals knowing each other. I'm not from the area so it was a really good find.
(4)
Tare P.
Gaetano's is a cute place tucked away inside a strip mall off of PCH. Never even noticed it was there until I read the reviews of it on Yelp. The spaghetti and meatballs were delicious with great marinara sauce. ALso had the clams and linguini, which was tasty but the broth was a little soupy. The pear and gorgonzola salad was pretty good too. Portions are large and the price very reasonable. They have great ambiance and fun piano-bar type feel. We are fans!
(4)
Kelly H.
I like this place for a good hearty lunch. They have good chicken pram and some great pasta lunch specials. Also- They have no cork fee and there is a reasonably priced wine shop right next door. How convenient! I have not had dinner here but its definitely a nice place for lunch.
(4)
Harold F.
A nice Italian joint in the South Bay area. You cannot go wrong with either the Cioppino or Osso Bucco, and the atmosphere is quite romantic. It makes sense that the place is family-run by folks originally from MA.
(3)
Lisa M.
The food here is pretty good, but not really anything special. They serve lots of salads and pastas, I've only ordered their pasta before and it's not bad. Their decor is nice though, very laid-back and friendly staff. As for the crowd, every time I'm there it seems to be families or older people getting together. Though I've only gone here with my family...
(4)
Avery Q.
One of the few great family owned and run places left in the So. Bay. I can't say enough great things about Gaetano's. I have been here a number of times, usually for their wine pairing dinners or featured guest menus. We were a part of 8 as we usually are enjoying a special featured 5 course dinner that they had. The courses were absolutely fantastic and Vince provided such great personal service and made sure we all enjoyed not only our food but our dining experience there. We truly felt they truly appreciate their customers. It is very hard to find such great service such as this at even the top restaurants in LA. Kudos to Gaetano's for what all restaurants should aspire to. We'll be back again soon!
(5)
Ms Piggy W.
This place is a gem! I was craving for Italian food on my birthday, well Tiramisu to be exact. I'm glad I didn't ditch this place becos of Bucca (one of my favorite Tiramisu places). The freshly baked bread here to start off is so good! Not to mention the olive oil dipping full with the aroma of herbs. As soon as I noticed, I was reaching for the 2nd one in the basket and my friend's hand was there too! I tried the Honey Salmon Salad. The Salmon was very tender and perfectly cooked. The green and the dressing matched well. Time for my main course - Tiramisu! It was so tempting that I could have had another one. The espresso and Kaluha flavor was not too strong and the creamy mascarpone cheese custard was light yet flavorsome. The Ladyfingers didn't taste soggy at all. That's a big plus! We also ordered the Spumoni and it's the best I have had so far. Why? Thanks to the strong rum flavor. BTW you get a free small spumoni for free if it's your bday. I didn't know till the last minute. My overall dining experience has been a great pleasure. That's just my side of the story though. For my friend... the sauteed clams and the baked Mostaccioli ( penne version of Lasagna) he ordered were nothing spectacular but he did give a thumbs up to the desserts. Service is considered long-drawn-out so be prepared.
(4)
Chantee Z.
This place gets a solid 4 stars from me. My group stopped in before heading over to Wine Styles and put our names on the wait list. After a nice tasting, and grabbing a bottle of wine for dinner, we headed back to Gaetano's. They seemed very busy, but we only waited about 5 minutes because we had checked in before wine tasting. The waitress was very helpful with suggestions, and was just very pleasant. You've got to love their free corkage policy if you purchase wine next door at Wine Styles. We all shared the fried risotto balls, which were tasty. I had a tenderloin layered with cheese and spinach, which was very good. There was also a guy playing keyboard and singing, and he wasn't half bad. He was playing a pretty good mix of songs, most of which I knew the words to, and my friends and I enjoyed the background music. I'll head back here for dinner sometime and see how the pasta is; and I'll be bringing my $15 bottle of wine from next door with me.
(4)
melissa r.
My husband and I really enjoy this restaurant. We eat here probably once a week. At most restaurants I tend to order the same thing every time. At Gaetano's I try something new almost every visit. Everything I've eaten has been delicious. The pork tenderloin and penne Sonoma are two all-time favorites. The wine list leaves room to be desired. However, there's a wine shop right next door (Wine Styles) and Gaetano's offers free corkage for the first bottle. When there's a wait on the weekend we spend time next door selecting the wine for dinner and wine tasting. On Friday nights there is live piano music from "the piano man."
(5)
jon s.
One of the better Italian restaurants in the South Bay, but that really is not saying too much. At very least I am willing to give Gaetano's a few more chances. The bread was good, offered with olive oil and herbs. YUM. The wine selection was adequate at best- honestly, their wine-by-the-glass would lead me to believe they don't have a lot of wine drinkers frequenting here. The linguini with clams was passable. Still, the pasta, as with many other places, was overcooked. Their pork tenderloin was indeed TENDER, but the sauce tasted a bit like teriyaki sauce from a bottle. Perhaps they purchased it from Marukai. Yikes. Overall, the service staff was quite courteous, and even cheerful. No compliants about that, especially when they seemed to be experiencing a rough and hectic night. Personally, they might want to work with the decor. Perhaps a visit from Peter Perfect would do them wonders. I was not a fan of the layout of the restaurant. Usually I don't care, but it seemed a bit cramped and disorganized. The bar area seemed tight and I didn't notice that the piano player was ALIVE AND KICKING, but stuck way back in the corner. Maybe the space overall is too tight, yet it could stand some improvements. Because the pricing was affordable AND they have STELLA ARTOIS on tap, I would recommend this place and I am willing to give it another try.
(3)
Eric M.
Same price as Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, etc... and like 100 times better. It's not spectacular. It is definitely a great value. Sometimes the service can be a LITTLE slow, not bad....just not stellar. But it is always above average. The butternut squash ravioli is great. Once again, anyone who would ever choose OG or MG over this place is a moron or just isn't aware this place exists.
(4)
Rick Jacuzzi s.
excellent food, excellent service, excellent people. the food is amazing and they have an awesome catering menu. seriously this is the place if you're catering an event or just wanna do a little italian dinner.
(5)
Raphael Aizan S.
Don't order the gnocchi.
(3)
J B.
Delicious food and great service. The pasta was insanely perfect with the perfect texture. Being a traditionalist and loving the homey feel if authentic Italian - I missed the sides like a great side salad included with the meal. For the $20 per plate it would seem like a better value.
Not great not bad. Great potential- cool family ambiance- did have a booth reserved. Manager was nice as ended up taking over for a waitress who could not keep up with her tables so we waited and waited. The Bruschetta was very good, Caesar salad was OK, pasta special was great the veal mediocre at best. But the biggest complain is the service speed and knowledge- the waitress did not know any of the wines sold by the bottle. Overall good spot for weekday dinner- do not expect great service or anything fancy but ambiance and food is good.
(3)
Nancy L.
If I'm feeling like pasta, this is my favorite spot in Torrance. Great flavors, friendly service, wonderful ambiance. You can be loud with a large group or keep it intimate with a party of two. Nothing specific in what to order because everything is good. Really, everything. Even their bread & butter. Don't forget to check-in for a free order of bruschetta. They have a daily special that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a great deal. And if you're feeling it, you can also add wine pairing. Seriously love this place!
(4)
Jeff W.
I've been here twice now and I'd say this is solid Italian fare with pretty generous portions. My real rating would be 4+. It's a great place to go if you're hungry, want good Italian but don't want to break the budget. The lasagna portion I saw coming out for another table was huge. My daughter had linguine with clams and was quite happy. I had baked mostaccioli which is oven baked mostaccioli, meat sauce, ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella. It was perfectly cooked (al dente) and the sauce was very well executed and seasoned. One thing to note is that they don't serve pasta carbonara. Given this is not a difficult dish to make and an Italian staple... I'm not sure why. Just letting you know.
(4)
Sherman W.
Mediterranean Shrimp!!! By far the best Italian meal I have had in a long time. The sun dried Tomatoes with the Pine nuts Added a smoke nut flavor to the pasta and the garlic sauce gave a deep rich Flavor to the shrimp. Well done!!!
(5)
Rudy R.
We dined at this restaurant while visiting from the Bay Area during spring break this past weekend. We were there for Easter dinner. The restaurant is somewhat small but cozy and it has a nice seating area outside. We ordered the Calamari and Polenta with short ribs for appetizers and for the main course we had Chicken Cannelloni and Chicken Parmigiana along with a side of their bruschetta. The food was excellent and the service was great. The staff was attentive, very friendly and made us feel at home and welcomed. We definitely would go back here again. I highly recommend this fine establishment.
(4)
Tony Y.
Took dad here for Father's Day dinner with the fam. Food was delicious and the lamb chop was fantastic, even for someone who's not big on that lamb taste/smell, which this chop did not have! More importantly, Sean, our waiter, was perfect and took great care of us. He was very attentive and made everything go smoothly during the night. Overall great experience. Thank you!
(5)
Doug M.
Gaetano's is a nice little Italian restaurant with good food and an excellent wine and beer list. It's very busy - calling one day ahead for a reservation gave us the option of either 5:30 or 7:45pm. For Yelp customers that check in, the manager will throw in a free bruschetta. What a deal! It's beautifully presented, but a little soggy though. I ordered the lasagna which was served splayed out on a plate rather than in serving dish. I must have really liked it because I gobbled it up quickly. I also had the pear and gorgonzola salad - excellent. It was a cold night for the poor paesanos dining outside - that would be the preferred seating area in my mind on a nice evening. Although it's located in busy shopping area, after 5pm there is plenty of parking.
(4)
Leslie M.
Found it on Yelp, is hidden but just keep on driving around and you can't miss it!! Outdoor patio beautiful, the prices of the food is good, is a big portion I couldn't finish my lasagna, btw really good lasagna!!!! Service was phenomenal, is really clean and friendly. Love the ambiance. I want to try everything in the menu!!! I really recommended if you have Italian food cravings!!!
(5)
Glen C.
It's not fancy nor a unique Italian restaurant. But I will tell you... I dream about the butternut squash ravioli all the time. The salads are fresh and fine and the calamari was decent. But I can't say enough about the ravioli... and this is from the guy who does actually like ravioli. Services is solid and if you sit outside on a nice South Bay day... it makes for a nice dinner.
(4)
Kristen H.
Gaetano's is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the south bay. I've been dining there for 5 years - about 1x per month - and have had a delicious meal and a good experience every time. PROS: Consistently good food- I have several favorites and they are delicious every time. Pleasant, cozy atmosphere. Friendly servers who are attentive enough and knowledgeable about the menu. A good wine and beer list. Easy parking in the adjacent, large lot. The bar area is festive, attractive, and has a couple televisions in case you want to watch a game. These are also not playing at such a volume that you'll be disturbed, if you don't. Attractive outdoor patio option. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to where the singing of Happy Birthday is not annoying. And I can't put my finger on why, but at Gaetano's it just kind of FITS, and other patrons almost always join in. CONS: Not really a con, but more of a wish: Gaetano's could include a few more lighter items on the menu (i.e., less caloric). Another fish dish, perhaps. Mussels or clams in tomato broth as an app maybe? TIPS: 1) Make a reservation; this place is busy because it is so good! 2) No corkage fee if you purchase a bottle of wine from this totally adorable wine shop immediately next door, which has a super-pleasant owner, good selection and inexpensively priced wines. 3) Monday nights are "Girls' Night" with really good drink specials and select items offering smaller portions. 4) If you're careful about your weight, the Honey Grilled Salmon salad is your best bet . And it's so delicious!! 5) If you're ordering with abandon ;), the stuffed artichoke appetizer and the Mushroom Anolini are so flavorful and excellently seasoned! 6) In warm weather, try sitting in the charming outdoor patio area. There are heat lamps, lovely strung lights, and it's sectioned off from the parking area with transparent tenting, so it feels cozy yet still al fresco.
(4)
Bonnie G.
We decided to finally Try Gaetanos and we had a really nice evening. They allow you to bring your own wine from The Wine Shoppe (next door) . We choose off their menu tonight and I had the pinot grigio which was perfectly dry and crisp. We shared a caprese salad appetizer and their bread was good and we asked for balsamic and EVOO for dipping. , The boyfriend had the Brassatto, very tender but extremely garlicky and super rich, He ate all of it but unfortunately it kept him up all night . I had the veal picatta no garlic and it was fantastic even the left overs were great. The veal was very tender, and not super thin like some restaurants serve. This was a good portion and it was served medium . The only reason for the 4 stars was that there was so much garlic in the Brassatto. Service was good, our server was training a new server so we received double the service, We never were left unattended nor was it helicoptory . I recommend sitting on the patio, its nice ambiance under a heater at night as the interior of the restaurant was super loud. Happy diners and we will return again. The prices and menu selection is decent too. This is much more upscale than a typical italian restaurant.
(4)
Liana L.
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful, romantic date night. New favorite!
(5)
Vicky S.
The pasta Sonoma is my favorite thing on the menu. I get it every time. I think I got a salmon dish and the gnocchi before, which were also good. My in-laws are literally obsessed with this place, so we go often. I hope to try the family style deal they have one day. It is definitely one of my fave Italian eateries in the Southbay.
(5)
Belash B.
I've been to this place a couple of times & enjoyed both the food & the atmosphere. Great service on top of that. What is there not to like ?
(4)
Sabrina I.
Great food. Good atmosphere. Wonderful staff. We started with a free bruschetta. It was really good. Huge and messy but very tasty. We shared a small Italian chopped salad. For sure the prettiest salad I've ever had. It was delicious and fresh. The chicken parmigiana was amazing. Cooked to perfection with fresh greens beans. The only down side was our calamari. She forgot to put in the order and when we did get it(in the middle of our meal) it was over cooked and extremely chewy. But being the great staff they are they removed it from our bill without us asking. Also the manager was always on the move asking how things were and filling glasses, removing empty plates. We would for sure return without a doubt.
(4)
Mort S.
Good Italian food, prices are average (not inexpensive), nice decor, very noisy at dinner, decent service.
(4)
Lauren A.
Amazing food and great device! The food was light and tasteful. I will most defiantly be dinning there again.
(5)
Moorea T.
Gaetanos is one of my favorite places to go for italian food in torrance. I enjoy going upstairs to Burke Williams for a pampering spa day and having them deliver it up to me at the spa. My favorite dish is the grilled salmon salad, or their personal pizzas.
(5)
Mike D.
Good food in general but nothing to get excited about. They have some good vegetarian options. Its worth a try but not a favorite.
(3)
Erville V.
Fancy interior but casual at the same time. I had their seafood pescatore and the broth was good. Big servings and good amount of seafood and pasta ratio.
(4)
Nadia L.
First time dinning here. Beautiful ambiance, great service, they had happy hour so I ordered a glass of wine. Had the "free bruschetta appetizer" which was very fresh and good. Had the wedge salad with spaghetti and meatballs. The wedge salad was delish. The spaghetti was good but not the best I've ever had. Their good is very simple and clean with few ingredients which I can appreciate. This is a good South Bay Italian restaurant with nice service!
(4)
Stephie D.
Excellent place for dates or small meals with friends and family. The servers are also very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The gorgonzola gnocchi is the reason we come back. Cheesy, chewy, savory, and not found in many other places. Pear and gorgonzola salad - honestly doesn't need dressing, classic sweet salty combo Brasato - tender wine braised roast, wish the portion was bigger but still very good Tagliatelle and short ribs - wide pasta smothered with a rich meaty sauce Wild mushroom risotto - not as flavorful as some of their other pastas, but full of mushrooms The calamari and garlic bread are great go to's for appetizers.
(4)
Mateo M.
Nice atmosphere. The food was not flavorful and needed sAlt. I never put salt on anything. My pizza lacked flavor snd pizazz. The cheese was bland tasting. The bread pudding looks great in pictures but is dry and is not sweet or savory. As if it is made for diabetics. Ehh, not the best Italian place. As Groucho Marx once said " I had a great time, but it was not here" Anyway, forreals, this place was just ok. Would I come back? I don't know? Does dolly pardon sleep on her back?? The answer my friends lies inside A restroom urinal of truck stop in butte California. .... Men, go look and see for yourself. Mateo out.....!
(2)
Charlie S.
Great ambiance. My fav is the calamari. My husband loved the pasta sauce. I'm dying to try the Nutella Bread Pudding. Everyone that works there are wonderful. It has such a family feel.
(5)
Alma M.
My husband dies for this place :) I think it's good & I love the vibe but we always have the bad luck of getting seated on the little tables they have so I feel like I'm all over the people next to us and I can't even move since the plates barely fit on the table :( anyway good is good I don't die for it but I still recommend this place :D
(4)
Renee J.
Excellent service. Make sure to get your free bruschetta with the yelp app. Pasta was pretty good. Recommend reservation so you don't have to wait,
(4)
Chester M.
Great place for a family get together!!! Service was great and the staff is super friendly.
(4)
Cris S.
Excellent peat and Gorgonzola salad. Eggplant parmigiana is my fave. Sangria is the best I've ever tasted
(5)
Jason K.
My wife and I ordered take out from Gaetano's. We got small pear and gorgonzola salad, and Chianti braised short rib tagliatelle (per the many Yelp reviews touting their virtues). The salad was about $8 and was pretty sizeable with lots of great ingredients, creating a nice balance of flavors and textures. The tagliatelle was about $19, small, good, but not great. Based on those two items alone, I think we may try this restaurant again, but likely wouldn't get the tagliatelle since the value wasn't very good for that dish.
(4)
Norah R.
There are restaurants that are little gems, tucked away from the boulevard with no flashy signs or advertising to attract you. When you find them, you hold onto them and when the occasion presents itself, you stop at nothing to pull put that little gem and show it off. Gaetano's is that gem. Service is super good as is the food....simple, fresh and tasty, all of it. Nothing here is drenched in sauce so you have no excuse to "forget" what you're eating half way through the meal. Pasta perfectly prepared, salads crisp with freshness, yeasty warm bread with Olive oil dipping sauce. They have a terrific wine selection, but do give The Wine Shoppe next door a try....loads of bottles under $25 and if you purchase one, there is free corkage at Gaetano's. Shrimp Mediterranean, Chicken Asparagi, Pasta Sheets with artichokes and a sauce that was so delectable, I wanted to lick the plate. We will keep Gaetano's on our go to list. Give it a try!
(4)
Warren C.
Came in for the dineLA restaurant week at lunch. A surprisingly good deal for $15. I had the pastrami sandwich. Checked in with Yelp and got a free plate of bruschetta as well ($8.95 value). The manager does request you show confirmation of the check in. We chose to sit outside and it was an overall very nice dining experience.
(5)
Jessica S.
Underwhelming. The calamari was rubbery, similar to thick rubber bands, but the dipping sauce (marinara I think) was delicious. Got the short ribs as well which was not quite what we expected, it's shredded beef on a corn cake basically. The beef was very fine though, reminded me of wet cat food...needed some salt. I got the chicken parmesan. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. Wouldn't go out of my way to go again. Best part was the outdoor seating ambiance. Cute twinkly lights and foliage.
(3)
Virgil A.
Very average Italian food. Nothing here in particular made me take mental notes to come back. The restaurant itself is very cozy and casual. Hate to sound like a snob, but if I can make better Italian food at home, you fail. The service, location, and settings are nice, but the food needs some explosive flavor or something. Their Italian soda's however, were something special!
(3)
CMH L.
I was introduced to this little gem in Torrance by my cousin a couple of years ago and ever since then, I find myself going back again, and again. First, I have to tell you that while I do enjoy Italian food, it's not an ethnic cuisine that's at the top of my list because I generally find the food too rich and heavy. However, I make exception when it comes to this place. I love the food, it's fresh and light with lots of non-pasta selections on the menu, and the service is always excellent. Pricing is medium to high, so lunch is probably your best option if you're on a budget, plus they offer a midday 1/2 portion menu (today for lunch I had the Eggplant Parmesan and California chopped salad, $14 -- both were excellent). The place is small and gets packed quickly for lunch and dinner, so calling in advance to make reservations is advised. It's definitely one of my favorite places to dine in the South Bay and I never hesitate to tell friends and family about it.
(5)
Negean V.
Great Italian food!! Friendly staff. Everything we ordered was great. Love their Bruschetta. Apps were yummy too. Definitely will be back.
(4)
George N.
For those who have followed my reviews, this will be my first time I have given full 5 star on a Italian eatery. I cant find any faults so here are the reasons. Cleanliness 5 Atmosphere 5 Service 5 ( i know this is rare but they were that attentive, polite, perfect in timing, and haven't forgotten any thing we asked for. The server after hearing out what I wanted was very honest and specific for each dish in taste and volume). Forks and knife crossed, the server almost immediately took the empty plate. 5 star restaurants failed at this and yet they did it. Food quality: Very well made not overly seasoned, and most of all el dente . There are no restaurants I have been that serves perfect el dente. Desert-pudding not too sweet and crunchy A big plus- All the dishes that we had did not have any traces of this instant lawry dried parsley or basil or thyme. All were actual herbs. This to me shows that the chef took the time to prepare it accordingly to what he wants people to taste. Wait time-6 min for menu order, time interval between dishes 3-4 min. in other words if you are a fast eater they can fo fast as well. Impeccable timing. Restroom- very beautifully clean. If I were to be overly picky, maybe the design? lol Seriously very clean and spacious. Price- Whoever wrote the portion is small should get slapped. The portion was and is about the same of as any other place. FYI ordered the special linguine that had scallops. Absolutely fresh and perfected in taste with slight more on garlic. Overall I will come back. Specials changes on a daily basis so expect something new every day.
(5)
Irene A.
The food is so so good here I am craving it as I write this review. A little pricey but all Italian is overpriced for the cost. Overall, it is worth the money though! Super convenient to do curbside ordering too--call ahead and order and they will have it ready and bring it out to you when you get there!! yum, yum, yum!
(5)
Joe M.
This place was fantastic. We really loved both the food and the atmosphere. We told them that it was our anniversary and they really made a point to be friendly and nice to us. I recommend this place.
(4)
Matthew S.
Risotto al Mare....very well prepared. ..clean fresh ingredients. ..simply GOOD food...brushes ta poor was excellent. .
(4)
Lee B.
We went to the Thursday afternoon cooking class by their new Chef Fabio, $65 per class, including the fabulous 3 course dinner freshly prepared. Love it! Gaetanos is always wonderful
(5)
Joanne C.
My aunt and cousin highly suggested we have dinner at Gaetano's during our recent visit to the Torrance area. After eating there, I can see why! The service was really good. It was a Friday evening and the place filled up very shortly after we arrived. Even with the large crowd, our server was attentive and checked in regularly. All of the staff were very pleasant. We started with the Arancini (risotto balls) and Carciofi Fritti (fried artichoke hearts), the latter of which I could not get enough of and neither could my preschooler. She's not a fan of breaded food nor ranch dressing, but loves artichokes. (Weird for a kid, I know.) I think she ate nearly half the plate herself. I had their popular Butternut Squash Ravioli, which was excellent. It was light and delicious. My husband wasn't very hungry, so he ordered the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad. it was really good - great dressing that didn't drown the salad. My cousin is a die-hard fan of their Eggplant Parmigiana. I will definitely try that on our next trip!
(5)
Joseph P.
We're PV Peninsula local, and this restaurant and the staff always deliver. Good food, reasonable prices, friendly and and attentive and energetic service. And very consistent. We've never had a bad experience here in more than 20 visits. We dine out a lot, and I can't think of anything about this restaurant that's anything but "good," with consistency that's great.
(5)
Tabby L.
My boyfriend and I love this place! The free appetizer is absolutely delicious, and every dish we've gotten here has been stellar. My favorites are the tagliatelle pasta with chiante braised short ribs and the calamari appetizer. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of the butternut squash ravioli, but everything else I've tried has been delicious. Service is always great and the appetizer bread is excellent.
(5)
Aaron W.
The lasagna was very good but a bit small for the price. I don't mind paying what it costs, but I would at least like to be properly full when I'm done. That being said, I am a big eater, and the portion size is probably good for most folks.
(4)
John O.
Nice place. We liked sitting outside with the italian music playing in the background and the strings of lights above (It was annoyingly noisy inside, even though it was only 25% full). Quite pricey. 2 people: $72 without tip; $82 with. Pasta cooked perfect. My wife's shrimp cooked perfect. BUT, my entre was small (Shredded short ribs and pasta). No veggies came with my meal. Still hungry afterward. Someone commented that they served generous proportions, I didn't see any. The waitress did not frequent the table and never asked how our meal was. The food was excellent; just not enough.
(3)
Jisun Y.
Food is okay. Pretty generic Italian. Service is so-so. The wait staff were not attentive. Not so clean utensils.
(2)
Lisa C.
Love this place! Delicious food, great service, beautiful outdoor patio and right next door to a wine bar! My husband and I come here at least twice a month for their amazing bruschetta and pasta dishes!
(5)
Tini M.
My boyfriend took me here on a Saturday night as a surprise dinner date and oh man, it was one of my favorite dinners! The only cons I have about this place is that it's a little hidden in the shopping center, and going on a Saturday night, the walk-in wait time was one hour! The good thing to counteract with that though is that we actually had a reservation time just in case this happened and unlike some places I've been to, they actually had a golden "Reserved" placard on our table and seated us right at our reservation time. AND they also send you a text message before to confirm your reservation! I love the ambience of this place; it's very warm and romantic. The staff are friendly, cheery, and totally hands-on service. I'm talking pouring your drink into your glass right in front of you, bringing you a wine bottle full of water, etc. The booths actually have their own coat rack. But of course, there's also a bar area with some TV screens showing sports games. It's definitely a little pricey but that's just the price you pay for a fancy place with delicious Italian food and great service! Ugh, I'd definitely come here again someday (P.S. I TOTALLY recommend their Blood Orange Italian Soda)!
(4)
Vanessa C.
Lovely family dinner. Enjoyed there lasagna and Gorgonzola salad while my husband got a caesar salad and butternut squash ravioli . The staff was great and the food delicious. Great homemade urial a food a a reasonable price. Plus the bread pudding was a great finish to the meal.
(5)
J W.
Amazing new spot a friend recommended. Good happy hour, $3 off wine and appetizers are fresh made and super tasty. I had the bruschetta and scallops with Hess Chardonnay. They also have specials throughout the week, a family can eat for $50 (specific day of the week). Friendly personable service, a place I'd go back to and suggest to friends as well. Classy, great ambiance, super food and of course the WINE!
(4)
C L.
Love this place! Great food, terrific service, charming ambience. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Helen C.
We had a great experience here. Came here with family bc my daughter received an award that paid for her kid's meal. Service was great! We ordered: BRUSCHETTA (free when you check ok in yelp) CALAMARI: this was good... But everything fried is good. The basil aioli was good. My husband liked the marinara sauce better. KIDS PASTA WITH BUTTER: this was plain, but my daughter loved it. KIDS CHICKEN WITH SPAGHETTINI & BROCCOLI: this was the best deal ($8) CLAM LINGUINI: my husband inhaled it. PEAR & GORGONZOLA SALAD: got this w/o Gorgonzola. This was super super good. The vinaigrette was really good...had just the right amt of acid. Sooo good! I'm not really a salad eater, but this was tasty. The salad is the reason why I'm not upset at my husband for only just giving me one bite. Very glad I made reservations for a Tuesday bc surprisingly it was busy. Mood came out pretty fast. We were in and out in less than an hour. Noise level was a tad loud, but I didn't mind at all. Really liked the vibe of this place. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Rebecca L.
Been here so many times! They have changed the menu a few times but continue to be amazing! The bruschetta is amazing as is the mushroom ravioli, butternut squash ravioli and I would pick their Nutella bread pudding over just about anything. The service is attentive and polite. They also don't have a corkage fee so we were able to enjoy our favorite wine with dinner as well. I will be back as I have been for many years.
(5)
Maria H.
Wonderful service, fantastic food. I had the chicken parmigiana. Wonderful
(4)
Wanda W.
This place is one of our favorites! It's not a huge restaurant, which adds to the charm. The tables are close together, but yet you don't feel crowded. It's a nice place for a date night or just a casual dinner out. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. Best to make reservations on the weekends - if not, you could be waiting for a while. Food prices are reasonable and the meals are substantial. We shared the lobster stuffed shrimp and the lasagne. Both were amazing and even without appetizers and salads we still ended up taking home leftovers. Dinner with a bottle of mid-priced (but wonderfully flavored) wine is less than some of the other restaurants in the area and IMHO the food and experience is much better. My only suggestion to make this incredible place any better would be for the wait staff to proactively suggest the best entree to pair with the wine chosen. I had this experience once in another Italian restaurant and was blown away. All in all - Gaetano's is well worth a visit. I know we'll be back again.
(4)
Bea M.
Located in the same plaza as kohls, Bank of America, and Burke Williams, this restaurant is absolutely delicious. Their food is always fresh. I've been to gaetanos many times for dinner and they do not disappoint. I've also come for Mother's Day brunch buffet and it was so good. Their buffet was great and the service is awesome. The owner is very friendly. The food is always good!
(5)
Gina H.
I have never had a bad meal here. The staff is nice and the ambiance is very enjoyable. They don't have a corkage fee if you bring a bottle from the wineshoppe. Enjoy!
(5)
Rebecca L.
My boyfriend and I went here because of the positive reviews on yelp. When the server finally showed up, she offered wine and we don't drink so we said no thanks. She wasn't very friendly to begin with but after asking for water it seemed like she could care less about our table any more. Maybe she figured we wouldn't tip well because we are young or maybe because we didn't order alcohol our table wouldn't make her much money. We ordered a salad and baked pasta dish which were both mediocre at best. It took her so long to even bring us the bill that I thought she forgot about us. I will never be back and do not recommend this place to anyone. Maybe if you appear wealthy they treat you with more respect. Either way, the food isn't worth the price. If I could give this restaurant zero stars, I would.
(1)
Luke L.
Came here once for the dineLA and another time for a regular lunch --- Parking: The parking lot is pretty big - shouldn't be difficult to find a parking space --- Price: January dineLA: Arancini + Penne Asparagi + Spumoni for $16 lunch Bruschetta Pomodoro: $8.95 Meatball Sandwich: $10.95 --- Environment: Both casual and fine dining environment. You don't have to RSVP if you are here for lunch during weekdays because you get less people coming here. If you just want a quick lunch, then think twice before coming here because it will be at least 45 minutes+. A great place to relax and enjoy your food. --- Food: Arancini: The risotto balls + cream marinara sauce tasted amazing! The sauce is so rich and creamy with a hint of tomato flavor. If this place ever bottle the cream marinara sauce, I will buy 10 boxes of this sauce (5/5) Penne Asparagi: It was pretty good, but Arancini just simply overshadowed this dish (4/5) Spumoni: Good presentation; not the best ice cream, but definitely above average (3.5/5) Bruschetta Pomodoro: Pretty simple dish - Choppe tomatoes + garlic + fresh basil + olive oil over baked bread. Overall a tasty dish, although I personally will not order this again because you already get free bread w/ olive oil (4/5) Meatball Sandwich: I didn't expect the sandwich to be this big - meatballs were very flavorful and bread is pretty good. (4.5/5) --- Rating: Arancini is simply unforgetable. Definitely one of the better Italian restaurant in LA County. Overall 4/5 stars.
(4)
JR M.
Solid but I expect Italian restaurants to make their own pasta.
(3)
peter b.
We went there with a reservation on New Year's eve. This was a very cold night. The only seating they had for us was outside. They had a plastic enclosed patio with lots of heaters. The host said they had a table for us in the center. This proved not to be the case. We would have left but knew it would be difficult to find another place so late. I was sitting opposite the opening (maybe 5 feet wide) in the plastic and caught gusts of really cold air. Off and on I was shivering. Also in the patio they have sort of basket chairs that are really too low for the tables. Now to the food and service. When ordering the waiter asked if we wanted bread and we assured him we did. The appetizer arrived , fried calamari that was excellent, but no bread. Our main dishes arrived after awhile and still no bread. We were again asked if we wanted bread and we said we did. It came shortly and was quite good rolls. There was a little dish with oil and spices that was good for maybe two rolls. We weren't offered anymore or asked if we wanted a refill on the bread. The only iced tea they have is a "tropical" variety. My wife had the scallops with artichoke sauce and thought it was good. I had the chicken marsala which was also good. The problem was that the dishes cooled rather quickly since we were sitting where we were being hit by cold air. The only vegetables was zucchini which is not something I like. So the entrees were good but not "special". For dessert we had a nutella bread pudding which was quite good though no raisins. I feel it was misleading to not let us know when we made a reservation that they were going to seat us outside and the description of the table by the host was not truthful. The food was OK but we won't be eating there again. If you are going and make a reservation be sure to let them know if outside seating is acceptable.
(2)
Emily L.
This is review is for take out. The service was prompt, courteous and friendly. My husband had the lasagna and I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. I must say it was the best grilled cheese ever had.
(5)
Timmy S.
Tucked away in a nice plaza on the corner of Crenshaw and PCH is this amazing Italian eatery. The reviews looked good so we took a chance and it was a far better experience than we could have ever anticipated. There is a small outside patio, which is where we sat. I never really went inside except to let the hostess know we wanted a table outdoors so I don't really recall the interior other than it was dark and smelled great. Quickly seated on the patio, the service for the entire meal was personable and efficient. Prices for entrees were good, in the $11 - $15 range. The fresh hot bread was quite wonderful and I had to decline a second basket because I could have easily eaten the whole thing and not left room for dessert. And there was just no way that was going to happen. I ordered their special - Ravioli Clemintina - ravioli stuffed with 3 cheeses (ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella) in a tangy tomato sauce and topped with sliced Italian sausage. The sauce had a wonderful rich tomato flavor and the ravioli were simply perfect. The two other people I came with ordered the margherita pizza and I had to try a slice. Tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese. As I grabbed a slice, the cheese from my chosen piece wouldn't let go from the rest of the pizza, the hot strands letting me know that this was going to be a tasty-cheesy treat. And the buttery flavorful crust - mmmmmm - no pizza bones were left. I dared to take a second slice, putting the promise of dessert in jeopardy. Fear not! I ordered the homemade tiramisu and it was most definitely right up there with the best I've tasted. Very moist and not too sweet with a coffee flavor at the exact level for maximum enjoyment. I don't live anywhere near Torrance but this will be a destination dining point for us when we are in the mood for great Italian food.
(5)
Diane M.
Great food and service! Love that there is free corkage from Wine Shoppe too!
(5)
Gary D.
Hitting a Sunday night movie and looking for a place dine with the wife. Gaetano's is right across the road from the theatre. Why not. Walk in to Sinatra on the overhead, wine flowing, and lots of laughs amongst the consumers. I was sold on the environment instantly. This place has a very nice small Italian restaurant feel. Very comfy and nice ambiance. Not the type of place where a mob hit has taken place in a small back room. The bread was a french type with Italian butter and garlic butter. I expect a better bread selection from a mom and pop Italian place. Minestrone has had better showings in its history. For entree's we ordered the Penne Asparaji and spaghetti w/ meatballs.. Average at best. I could have whipped up the same bland dish at home. Both of us were not impressed with the food overall. Nothing was bad it just didn't pop. I will give Gaetano's another chance due to the great reviews and mere fact that it was packed. Maybe we ordered two of their more mellow dishes.. But, come on, Spaghetti and meat balls should be a slam dunk.
(3)
Julia P.
My favorite restaurant in the South Bay! Amazing food, service, and ambiance. Highly recommend to those who appreciate both good food and service!
(5)
joni h.
Ate dinner there last night. Special was excellent. Service is always good. Eat here the food is very good and great friendly servers.
(5)
Amanda D.
The food is very very good! I had the penne pomodoro, my mom had the linguini with clams, and my dad had the eggplant parmesan. We all really enjoyed our meals. Big portions! The service was excellent! They're always cleaning the tables and our waitress Debbie was very nice. Definitely coming back!
(5)
Rachel C.
Gaetano's proudly shows itself off as South Bay's Best Italian Restaurant for the past 5 years, and I think these awards are rightfully deserved. My bf surprised me with a dinner date here, and I think he made a really great choice. He told me he actually googled "best restaurants to take girlfriend out in Torrance," and chose this spot. The ambience, service, food, location. Everything is perfect for a romantic date or for a fancy girl's night out or something. NIGHTLY SPECIALS: * Happy Hour. Mon-Fri, 2-6pm * Girls Night Out (Mondays) Wine for $4.50 and smaller portions and sizes * Family Night (Tuesdays) Four courses for four people for $50 SETTING I admit, this restaurant is hard to find within the plaza. I used to come to this plaza all the time, and I never even knew this place existed. But the isolated location just adds to the romantic effect of the restaurant. The outside is suuuper pretty. There is an outdoor section with very pretty lights. I would've wanted to sit outside if it weren't so cold that night. And once you go inside, the atmosphere is very cozy yet fancy. There were still Christmas decorations up, and it was gorgeous inside. I loved it. FOOD * Honey Grilled Salmon (5/5) Ugh I did not want this dish to end! It was a bunch of mixed greens with honey grilled salmon. I looooved their lemon-honey dressing. At first I was hesitant to pay so much money for a salad, but my bf convinced me that this would be good. I'm glad I listened to him, because this was my favorite dish of the night. * Bruschetta Pomodoro Appetizer (4/5) We checked in so we got this for free. We got four giant pieces of mini toasts with a ton of tomatoes+olive oil+basil on top of them. This was yummy! I'm not someone who loves tomatoes, but I really really liked this appetizer. I would definitely come back again and get this. * Spaghettini with Meatballs (3/5) My bf got the ordinary spaghetti and meatballs. It was just OK. The meatballs actually tasted like Chef Boyardee meatballs. This isn't a bad thing because it was delicious, but I don't know if it was worth it to pay $16 for spaghetti that tastes like Chef Boyardee. I will definitely be coming back for one of their nightly specials. Preferably Girls Night Out! Sounds fun.
(5)
Patricia L.
It was OKAY. Came here fore Dine LA with some friends. The server was nice enough but the food just wasn't THAT great. I ordered the braised short rib and polenta for my appetizer. They were pretty good. The polenta cakes were grilled and the beef was yummy. My friend ordered the crostini and that wasn't that great. It was topped with some creamy tomato sauce and it wasn't worth it. We also received a bruschetta appetizer from our Yelp check-in. It was pretty good, considering that I don't like tomatoes much. For the entree I ordered pesto salmon with a marinara pasta. The marinara wasn't quite to my taste. I took leftovers of it home and ended up only eating the salmon. The salmon was good and the pesto was ok. It was an almond pesto and I could tell by the nuttiness, but it wasn't the best pesto either. It really was just an okay meal. I don't think I'm particularly picky about my Italian food, but overall it wasn't a great enough meal to think to come back again.
(3)
Allie T.
Love family owned establishments and anchored in the South Bay for many years. A great place to dine for lunch or dinner. Great lunch specials. Plus join their free membership. From time-to-time, they will reward you with free appetizer and discounts off your next meal.
(4)
Nancy H.
Nice italian restaurant and one of our favorite places to eat in Torrance. Food is a tad pricey but worth it. Try the TAGLIATELLE & CHIANTI SHORT RIBS... you won't be sorry.
(5)
Ris A.
I just left the restaurant and I have to rave about the short rib & polenta appetizer. It was amazing. We also had the bruschetta which was also great, the ingredients tasted really fresh with plenty of flavor. The waiter was friendly and patient too, definitely recommend this great little Italian spot.
As first timers to Gaetano's last night, we became instant fans. Mikey the bartender treated us to excellent bruschetta, gave us an overview of the history of the restaurant, and poured a perfect cocktail. Our table service was superb and my 10 year old proclaimed the meatballs to be the best she's ever had. Thanks for a successful and memorable family night out!
(5)
David T.
My partner and I eat at Gaetano's often and are members of their VIP Paesano's Club. The food and service are excellent, except often the temperature of the dishes is not hot or warmed through when served. I had their delicious lasagna last night and the edges were hot when served, but not the center. Several of the pasta fish dishes served have appropriately hot fish atop a tepid pasta. We love the quality and service. Maybe preheating the plates and attention to the plating timeline would help! JDT/RPV
(3)
Greg P.
The real winners here are their made from scratch raviolis. The pasta is made from scratch in house and it tastes like it. Between the wife and I, we've tried both on their current menu and they are both delicious. Friends got the veal milanese and loved it. We had an incident w/ a lasagna bolognese where the tomato sauce tasted off (I had everyone in my party of 4 taste it and we all agreed something was wrong). The manager herself came over and immediately replaced it and gave us a free dessert w/o us asking again to boot! Excellent customer service! p.s. the cannoli was delicious! It was piped to order so it wasn't soggy! I wish more places did this actually. No one at our table ever waited on a refill and our server knew the menu well. Parking is very easy in the private plaza lot. If the one closest to it is full, the overflow near the bank is always open.
(4)
David W.
Best Italian food in the South Bay. We've been going here since it was a deli across the parking lot in 1993. Great food at a family owned restaurant. They serve great drinks, fresh bread and authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices. Gaetano's is great for a romantic night out, family outing or dinner at the bar.
(5)
X B.
Monday night is Ladies night with small portions and at a lower price. app... short braised rib with polenta - undercooked polenta.. blah mushroom ravioli in mushroom sauce (FORGOT the fancy name) - good if you like the mushroom taste
(3)
Stephanie B.
My first trip to Gaetano's was in 1993, soon after the restaurant opened. At that visit, the service was awful and the food was meh, so we swore off the place. So, it took 20 years and much Yelp encouragement, but we decided to give the place another try. Hilarious, I know. We came in for ladies night - dinner on Monday evening. Despite arriving before 6 PM and it being a Monday, the place was hopping. Thank goodness we had read the reviews and made reservations, because we were seated immediately. When it opened, the restaurant looked like it was in a strip mall - it was not long on decor. Now, it looks like a lovely, upscale Italian bistro. A full bar lines the south wall with a couple of flat screen televisions. There are booths around the room with free standing tables in the middle. And, most of the tables were full for most of the night. It is a decidedly older crowd here - many in the 80s plus set. But, it is a very friendly crowd. While our server left a lot to be desired - he was not all attentive, and he definitely missed out on drink refills at our table, the service is generally very good and very friendly. We saw the other servers hustling and bustling. I am not sure what our guy's deal was. We had to ask a busboy for bread, we had to ask for more water, and we never did get that second glass of wine ( because he did not return until it was time to order dessert). C'est la vie. He was two stars, but he was not reflective of what I saw in the restaurant in general, so it was merely reflected his tip. I was most pleased with the food. We split the ladies' night portion of the stuffed scampi. 13.25 is not a particularly good deal for this tiny serving of two tiny stuffed scampi when the regular entree is $21 and has five (based upon the online pictures). Plus, the scampi was way over cooked. I mean, sit was tough. That being said, the accompanying broccolini was crisp tender - veggie perfection. The linguini stefano was al dente with fired sliced garlic, great olive oil and herbs and cheese; I could have eaten a whole plate of the pasta and veggies. We also had the tagliatelle with chianti braised short ribs. Yelpers were right on here. This is one of the best dishes on the menu and a much better value at 18. The fresh, house made pasta is more like fettuccini and is cooked to al dente perfection. The semi-creamy and not all acidic tomato sauce is loaded with surprisingly lean and very tender bits of short rib. This dish could beinedibly rich, but it is perfectly balanced and well prepared at Gaetano's. The pasta here is really 5 stars. We ordered a cappuccino for dessert (5 bucks). Really good. We also ordered the cannoli (7 bucks), which is a still crisp shell filled with house made ricotta cream with little chocolate chips and sliced almonds. Yummy. But, the piece d resistance was the Nutella bread pudding (8 bucks). It is small, but it is so rich and delicious. Little cubes of brioche are soaked and baked in a buttery custard with Nutella. Each cube is soaked, and the whole thing is moist without being soggy (there are even crispy ends that stay moist). The creme anglaise that is poured on the base of the dish before the bread pudding is added is fresh and also yummy. I give Gaetano's 3.5 stars. The pasta is really delicious, but the seafood was overlooked and a rip-off. And, I don't appreciate being told that I am getting a deal on a smaller portion when I am paying more than half the price for less than half the dish. The dessert was also wonderful, but it is really expensive for what is offered. To top it all off, the service was very disappointing. I am hoping that it is generally more attentive, based upon what I saw at other tables, but that was not my experience. I will probably come back, but I won't rush back. (Plus, check-in offers don't work on the Yelp Blackberry app - sucky huh? Not Gaetano's fault, but it is what it is.)
(3)
Kristina I.
An absolutely amazing place!!!!! The food is incredable from their pastas, salads, and their to die for fried artichoke hearts and olive oil that contains an amazing combination of balsamic and spices. The music is sets a great mood that is a mixture of classic easy to listen to artists like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and often even live music. The service is some of the best I have ever experienced. A family run place that shows, but in a laid back classy way, not cheesy. Vince who I believe he is the son or grandson of the couple who opened the place, was amazingly nice and helpful, my mother has been going here since it opened and she recognized him from when he was a young kid, he was very sweet (and attractive) and even gave my mom a free dessert for sharing her memories with him!! Anyway the point is I love this family and the food they have been serving for almost 2 decades.
(5)
John I.
I generally like this place. The food was good. We went during DineLA week 2013. I paid the $10 upgrade to the halibut. We brought in a nice 100 point wine. There was a $14 corkage fee. We thought that there was no corkage fee but it turns out that only applies to wines purchased at the wine store next door. Anyway, $14 is reasonable. We had made an 8:30p reservation on Open Table. When we ordered, I stated I would be having the cannoli for dessert. However, when it was time for dessert, we were advised that the stove/oven had been turned off and that I could only have the spumoni. I would have thought that they would have cooked my cannoli before turning off the stove/oven.
(3)
Scott S.
This is a pretty good restaurant in a kind of strange location. The food is nuevo-Italian. And, it's pretty good. Their bread is very good. The locations... It is surround on two sides by a parking lot. On one side the other business are a wine shop and Panera. To the other side is a Goodwill, an electronics shop, and Kolhs. So, this isn't really the location where you would normally find an Italian restaurant. That being said, the location does not detract from the restaurant They have a nice outdoor heated patio area, which I recommend. Also, I like to drink my Chianti on the rocks with a lemon twist. When I order it this way at some places, they just don't get it. Here, they immediately got it and brought it to me just the way I ordered it. Overall this is good place to eat.
(4)
Jeanette I.
Cozy little Italian joint in Torrance. Always friendly service, and they make you feel right at home. Food isn't bad either. This last time, I had the mushroom "ravioli." It technically wasn't a ravioli, but I forgot what it was called. It was a pocket of deliciousness. Cream sauce was delightful. Husband had the butternut squash ravioli. Tasty, Daughter had the spaghetti with meatball. Wow. A huge kids portion, and the meat sauce was off the hook! My drink order was messed up though. I had ordered the blood orange soda. What I got was a blood orange mojito! Eh. Unexpected alcohol. It could have been worse.
(4)
Peggy S.
Solid food at reasonable prices in a low-key, homey environment. There are many good deals to be had here, the first of which being the free bruschetta appetizer you receive upon check-in. They don't skimp at all on the freebie, a healthy portion of fresh, tasty chopped tomatoes on crispy mini toasts. I had the three-course dinner (including salad, soup, and main course) w/ wine pairing, which was a steal at $25. The wine was forgettable but all courses (arugula/pancetta/pea salad, tomato soup, shrimp scampi w/ asparagus and beans) were good, if not spectacular. Hubby had the rich and hearty homemade tagliatelle w/ tender chunks of chianti-braised short ribs. The fresh bread is the star here at Gaetano's (slightly par-baked but still crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) and manifests itself in many equally tasty forms: by itself w/ olive oil to start, as a base in the salad, and as toasts in the appetizer and soups. By the time you get to the main course, you'll most likely be full and on carb overload. Our server was friendly and attentive, rounding out an enjoyable dining experience.
(4)
Kelly D.
Not good when someone you take says he'll pick a "good" restaurant next time. My boy says, "cream sauce overwhelming, mushroom ravioli tasty"
(3)
Kristine H.
Went there for the first time with my girlfriends after a spa treatment and Burke Williams. The food was delicious. The Nutella bread pudding was our favorite dessert
(4)
Celia B.
This is a great find! We had dinner on the patio and it couldn't have been better. Delicious, fresh bread, generous salads and delicious pasta dishes. I had the Mushroom Anolini (ravioli) which was so good I have to go back. I had a large taste of the lasagne which was scrumptious. Nice wine selection, mid range entree prices and excellent, friendly service.
(5)
Stephen C.
Nice atmosphere, clean environment. Went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't very crowded. Food was good and service was very good. Would dine there again.
(4)
Marley B.
Most consistent Italian in the south bay. Always great food and service.
(5)
Jim A.
My wife LOVES this place. Unfortunately, they couldn't get my order right in three tries. Eggplant Parm, hold the ricotta. First plate, the ricotta was right there between the eggplant. Second plate, they obviously screwed it up, put it on, then scraped it off. Third try, same thing. At least they comp'd the glass of wine I had while my wife enjoyed the fish. Man cannot live on bread and wine alone. . .
(2)
E J.
Guess I kind of expected more .. Atmosphere was nice but the place is very small so it's cramped.. So with that I was hoping the food would be amazing, because the waitress indicated they make everything fresh.. I had the penne, over all it was just ok, but the white sauce was kind of watery .. My hubby had the pizza which was just mediocre as well. But the non alcoholic sparking drinks were good!!
(3)
Zo B.
Never disappointing!
(4)
J S.
Absolutely awful. The salmon was over cooked and over priced, they were very stingy with the bread- only one slice per person and the server was rude and would rather be chit chatting to other employees than taking care of the customers drink orders. I wouldn't ever go back here
(1)
Krissa T.
Delicious! And romantic! I love how quiet and peaceful it is there. I have enjoyed sitting under the beautiful lights on the heated patio and inside in a comfortable booth; both very nice options. I recently celebrated my birthday there and liked it so much brought my husband back for our anniversary. Everything on the menu looks delicious so it's hard to choose. That is why I like the 3 course meal option! I had a fresh Cesar salad that had just the right amount of dressing and then the squash ravioli...AMAZING!! Then topped it off with a refreshing spumoni gelato, delicious! We also tried the Nutella bread pudding which was by far my ultimate new favorite dessert. Great service! Quick and freindly! Well done G's - I think you made a regular out of me!
(5)
Matt P.
If you want food poisoning and if want to pay a little more then $300.00 for it then this is the place for you. Oh yea, talk to Audreanna (the owner) about getting food poisoning and she will call you a liar. That place is great! If you like bland food and grumpy service and like throwing up in the restaurant bathroom go to Gaetanos.
(1)
Kati K.
Super yummy!! I got the garlic scampi and my boyfriend had osso bucco, both were great! Warm bread with olive oil/spices to start was delish. We also had a caprese salad that had fresh mozzarella. The only thing that was just so~so was the free brucheta with a check in, but hey you can't argue with free!! Server was friendly and helpful. Pricing was decent for quality of place $20 for garlic scampi, $27 for osso bucco, $10 martini, $6 IPA, $11 caprese. We drove up from long beach because we liked it so much last time. We will be back again. Thanks gaetano's!!!
(5)
Marty J.
Best customer service! When I had to order food Togo while the restaurant was very busy. The hostess was extremely helpful and even though very busy took the time to help me order my food. I was very impressed with how attentive she was amid being super busy. Just when you think customer service has gone in the toilet. Great family owned restaurants restore what the corporate restaurants are lacking. Super pleased!!!!
(5)
Richard H.
When I'm craving good Italian food, I always go directly to Gaetano's. Family owned since 1993, this restaurant serves up delicious Italian food inspired by the many regions of Italy. This place is good for families, lunch with friends, and/or a casual date. Service: I've always had fantastic service while at Gaetano's. The staff is knowledgeable of the menu and prompt with their service. You can be expected to be greeted by a smile upon entering and will be well taken care of throughout your dining experience. Food: I recommend... ---Gnocchi alla gorgonzola--handmade, in house, gnocchi in a delicious Parmesan cream sauce with a drizzling of pesto. This dish is very rich in taste, texture, and portion size. A great choice for those who LOVE cheese and well-made gnocchi. However, on a few occasions, to my sadness, I have visited and been informed that they were already sold out of gnocchi for the evening...limited quantities that go quickly---must be good! ---Penne Sonoma--penne pasta tossed with chicken, shallots, and sundried tomatoes in a creamy marinara; a perfect balance of cream and tomato sauce, sweet and silky. The pasta has always been cooked perfectly al dente. ---Bread--eat it and you'll see why! Their bread is served piping hot in large quantities. DELICIOUS. Major plus: sign up for their monthly newsletter! In it you'll will be special offers and information on their monthly special menu that highlights the cuisine of one of the regions of Italy. Their desserts, however, leave something to be desired. This spot earns my pick for best Italian restaurant in the South Bay, and local reader polls agree! This place is most definitely deserving of the high praise it receives.
A really great, comfy, intimate dinner spot. The ambiance and quality is what you always want to put your money towards right? For Italian food I say a big thumbs up! Of course I'm not Italian or have never been to Italy but the food tasted great, not over salted or under salted but just right. Portions control-- THANK YOU! I have a hard time eating out because I try to force myself to eat everything in front of me. But here at Gaetano's the portion size is perfect for one individual. My theory is, a lot more love goes into a smaller dish so the chef can really concentrate on making it one of a kind.
(4)
Walter S.
Just completed dinner and wanted to write while fresh in my mind. First I should say I rarely give 5 stars, so this 4 star rating is very good. Both our dishes were well prepared and tasty . However I would not rate as outstanding and therefore not a 5. Our waiter, Alex, was great. Helpfull and knowable. Attentive but not overly so. Made substitution easily. The true test is if we will return and this place gets a definite Yes !
(4)
Ron S.
Taking into account that it is a local place, it is a great place for a nice dinner. I had the linguine & clams. Very solid. The pasta dishes my friends had were well liked too. Serving size was very nice. The service was just right, there when you needed them and they were on top of things. It was my first time visit and I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Lynn R.
Love the food. Great service.
(5)
Stefanie S.
Feels like Italy. You have to try the Bruscetta! Spaghetti and meatball are awesome as well as the Lasagne and the desert. Especially the ice cream. Feels like Europe.
(5)
Kathleen T.
Gaetano's excels in every area and has become one of our favorite restaurants. From the lunches I order for my office to the dinners I have had at the restaurant, I give it all 5 stars. Their food is consistently excellent , as is their service. We especially enjoy having Debbie as our waitress. She is always so warm and welcoming! I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant!
(5)
Melody T.
I cannot believe I haven't eaten here before today! It was a beautiful day to sit outside on the patio section for lunch. The friendliness of the staff was absolutely superb! They were very attentive and were excited to find out it was our first time. Our waiter was eager to tell us about favorite dishes of most people as well as his own. I had the salmon special that was on a bed of salad with strawberries and avocado....simply delicious! My partner ordered a lunch special where he could choose two petite dishes. He chose eggplant parmesan with a chopped salad....with the salami on the side (he's vegetarian and I love salami). Both excellent choices! The manager came out to thank us for coming because she heard it was our first time and offered us a free appetizer for the next time we come and dine with them. The meal ended with a nutella bread pudding...what?! You had me at nutella! Overall experience was pure excellence! We are already planning our next visit.
(5)
Lauren M.
I absoultely LOVE this place. I try to go monthly for the regional dinner nights but I'd recommend going any night. The food is incredible & the atmosphere and service is great. Meatballs are THE BEST! They remind me of the recipe my mama nonna used to prepare for Sunday dinners. & my family agrees. When they visit from back East, this is the place they want to go. It's a taste of Boston's North End in Torrance. Highly recommend.
(5)
Ernest T.
Delicious. Great place for a casual meal with the family. I recommend wine night on Thursday. Prices are not too expensive and the food is always fresh and good
(4)
Larry L.
This is average Italian food. Sure, we'd come back if we're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. The bread was stale and the oil mix was yucky. I had the Chicken Pam. It was fine. But I didn't get that homemade sauce taste that you look for at a restaurant like this. Sauce - nothing special. My wife had a salad which was HUGE. She loved it. Plenty to bring home, which she did. Our daughter had pasta with marinara sauce which she loved. The food took forever to come out but the staff is very nice. We were too full to try desert.
(3)
Lisa S.
I would have never found this place without Yelp. It is seriously hidden away in the not-so-frequently visited plaza opposite the theater side. I've actually only been on that side a handful of times, and I never saw this restaurant. The other day I was craving spaghetti for some odd reason. Not wanting to go to the store and then make it myself (lazy...), I opted to call Vince's. Albeit salty, the meals there are filling and come with a lot of sides. Fortunately, they were closed, so I was forced to branch out and try something new. This is how I stumbled upon Gaetano's. I ordered the food for pick-up, and once again it came in reusable containers. Score! Even though the meal was pricier than Vince's, it was better in quality. The spaghetti and meatballs was simple, but delicious. I could probably eat this every day. The eggplant parmesan, though oilier, was also very good. The side order of garlic cheese rolls was more than enough for two people, and we were completely stuffed after all was said and done. I loved Gaetano's. I'm excited to try their "girls' night out" specials and their lunch specials as well!
(4)
Ginger S.
Really love it here! It is our neighborhood Italian place....always feel welcome, great food and excellent service!
(5)
Kelly G.
I really life Gaetano's. The setting is amazing, the wait staff is really nice and friendly and the service is good. We have bruschetta for appetizer. I'm not sure what the bread was, but it tasted great with the garlic butter. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs were cooked to perfection, really juicy and delicious.
(4)
Rachel R.
I was really impressed with this place. First off, the bread they bring with the olive oil/spices is delicious! The bread is perfectly toasted on the outside, yet soft on the inside. The olive oil has a little kick to it. I could not stop eating it. The pear and gorgonzola salad is soooooo good, I highly recommend it. My boyfriend and I split it. We got the gorgonzola on the side because I am recently allergic to dairy, and it was still perfect to me without the cheese. I asked them to change the veal picatta into chicken picatta instead, and they did so with no question and a smile. I thought it was the perfect amount chicken, pasta and a side of veggies. No too much of one thing. Nutella bread pudding was amazing (even though my stomach hurt after due to my food allergy). It was worth the pain for me! You must order it. Parking is easy, because it's in a shopping center. Pleasantly suprised, and I will be going back!!!
(5)
Heidi M.
Food is usually fair to good. Service is awful. Owners act like they don't care if you come back because they are too busy, bad business model.
(2)
Steve M.
Do yourself a favor and eat here because everything is always amazing as if mom made it in her kitchen!
(5)
Luke L.
I love this place! They have amazing Italian pasta dishes, and it tastes home-made. They also have friendly and knowledgeable staff. Try the bruschetta...you won't be disappointed:)
(5)
Kyle M.
Amazing I've lived 2 miles from here for 20+ years and never been here. I was feeling like some Italian so jumped on yelp and noticed a bunch of good reviews from this place so decided to give it a shot. It's located in sort of a corner but when we pulled up on Friday night the place was packed! 25 minute wait?!? I had no idea. We sat at the bar while we waited and ordered some wine and within 10 minutes a table opened up. We ordered a variety of items from a pizza to salad to the short rib tagliatelle. Everything was amazing but that short rib was really good. The fresh made bread and garlic dipping sauce is drinkable...it's that good. It took a long time to find this place but I guarantee it won't be the last
(5)
Nancy Y.
Okay, I've been here many times. so clearly I am a fan. The food here is really good. I've tried so many dishes that I can't decide which to tell you about. I will tell you that you won't be disappointed. Hubby and I have tried something different everytime. They don't have a huge menu, but they do have variety. And what they do have, is are done right. Tastes fresh, flavorful, and hot. I love salt and pepper, and even I haven't felt the need to add salt or pepper to anything. They are a small family friendly place. Parkin is plentiful and the price... Well that's nice. Not to expensive for a night out.
(4)
Michelle T.
$10 birthday certificate for dude! This was one voucher in my pile of coupons i printed for dude that we were gonna pass up on. I haven't really heard too much about this Italian joint near the Rolling Hills Plaza, but decided on the day it expired- what the heck and just use it for take out. Most of their meals cost about $13 and up, so we could try one of their dinner dishes and decide if we would come back to try more. I'm glad we decided to try this place out, cuz it was actually really good! We picked the most yelped about dish- the Butternut Squash Ravioli. It comes with about 10 good size ravioli pieces, delicious cream sauce and some grated parmesan cheese. They also packed us a big piece of their super soft and yummy bread with butter. Next time maybe i'll try out my buddy Kristen M's fave Osso Bucco!
(4)
Kevin L.
Came here with the girlfriend through a tip of her co-worker. Place is very nice and spacious, and our server was simply amazing. Super attentive, without being overly watchful like a hawk, and when we needed service, I don't think we waited more than 10-15 seconds to grab his attention, even though he was moving around helping other tables. He gave us excellent wine recommendations, and the house merlot which I got was super tasty and just right. I wasn't too impressed with their pasta, but that was just my personal preference and taste buds, but their Pizza was amazing. It's definitely the cheese !!! It made a huge different in taste, rich and flavorful! If you're looking for a nice date spot, I highly recommend this place. If you want pizza, get it here! I approve! -Goodfood.LA
(5)
Heather S.
We had lunch catered earlier today for a professional meeting. The food was hot, delicious, and it arrived on time. Great experience.
(5)
Pavan K.
Their 3 course menu is great value for money. Good service, great food and nice location
(4)
Kristina V.
Pretty good little Italian spot. Decent eggplant Parmesan, Rissoto, bruchetta, fresh bread. Small, cute, romantic place. Nice outdoor seating for a warmer night. Service was pretty good, too! I recommend you make a reservation if you're going to go during peak meal times, though.
(4)
Lynn B.
We found Gaetano's online since we are from San Diego and didn't know where to eat during our weekend in Torrance. It was easy to make a reservation through Open Table and Gaetano's very politely left a voice message confirming the reservation. Although the waiting line was out the door when we arrived, we were seated at a nice reserved booth within five minutes. We loved the ambiance of the place (not too fancy, but definitely upscale) and our server, Debbie, was very friendly. We got a bruschetta appetizer for free by by checking in on Yelp and it was quite good. We were a party of four and enjoyed everything we ordered: soup, salad, lasagna, chicken parmigiano, halibut with dijon mustard sauce, and filet mignon with mushrooms and linguini. We will definitely be coming back when we are in the area. Highly recommend.
(5)
Joseph L.
Sorry to report that Gaetano's earns 1 star. Sean, the server for our table did not even know the special of the day. He was also more attentive and nicer to the other tables. I had the Spicy Country Chicken Sandwich $10.95. The food was just OK but the service was inadequate.
(1)
Vito M.
We always wanted to try this place,but my youngest brother recommended it knowing he can't boil water I wasn't in any rush to try it. When we entered the place we were pleasantly surprised how clean and open it was. we were seated quickly. We started out with the Short ribs and Polenta. Excellent I immediately told the wife I will be craving this we are coming back. We both ordered the luncheon combo ,Me eggplant/lasagna wife lasagna/pear gorgonzola salad. The pear gorgonzola salad was great.The only thing that saved the lasagna and eggplant was the generous amount of mozzarella. The sauce was not only bland it looked and tasted like doctored tomato soup similar to what some Irish sorority girls would make in college. I'll probably be coming back just for the short ribs and polenta, but i'll stay away from any dish that is heavy in their sudo tomato sauce.
(2)
D B.
We are a regular corporate customer and we placed another large catering order for a meeting. We specifically ordered (in addition to several "regular" entrees) a vegan option (no meat, dairy, cheese, egg, fish, no animal products of any kind). We were dismayed to discover that the vegan platter was a rice asparagus dish with lots and lots of cut up chicken breast. We had to call them and explain what vegan meant. And ask them to credit us for that dish, which we did not eat. So the lesson here is to carefully check your catering order before they leave, and if you are placing a vegetarian or vegan option, you should call them the day of the delivery and double check that they understand what that means. We shouldn't HAVE to do this with an established catering company, but we apparently have to.
(2)
M G.
Food was descent. The service was a little spotty and the hostess a little slow. It wasn't a bad experience, but they didn't hit a home run.
(3)
Hunter M.
This place is great! They honor their Yelp check in offers without making a big deal about it. Food has been great each time we have been here. Best Italian food, at this price level, that I've had in the South Bay.
(5)
Terry K.
Yelp Challenge 365 # 126/365 For those of you reading this review who live in Hawaii, the closest comparison is Assagio's. For those of you reading this review who live in the Torrance area, this is the place to go....I understand owner/chef is family to Guilliano's Deli. To all of you far and wide; Please make a reservation or you may have to wait. Price right, short wine list, tasty food, excellent service; what more can I say? Well, I say try the butternut squash ravioli and the braised shortrib pasta dish. Ask your waiter to select an appetizer for you. They tend to pick the best tasting one of the evening. Here's the most important thing. USE YOUR CHECK IN Yelpers! You get an order of brusscetta on the house. AND it's delicious.
(5)
Betsy R.
My friends and I were in Rancho Palos Verdes on a sunday looking for a convient place for dinner. They live in South Orange County and we live in LA so we decided Torrance would be easy b/c we could both jump on the 405 when we were done. I called the restaurant at 5:00pm to ask if they would take a reservation for 4 adults and 1 baby (a year old). They said we didn't need a reservation b/c they had space. I told them we were leaving RPV right then. 15 minutes later we arrived and were told we would have to wait 30 minutes for a table. I asked for a booth but they said it was against fire code to put a high chair at one of the booths ? OK, we'll wait. 40 minutes later, we're still waiting and we're starving, the baby is cranky and no one was getting up anytime soon. Yet they were seating people at booths as soon as they walked in. My friend with the baby, talked to the hostess and was told it would be another few minutes b/c the table we would be seated at already paid. They were just waiting for the women to get up. At that particular table, were 2 women nursing a 1/2 glass of wine with their to-go boxes already packed and their check already paid, while the bar sat completely empty with 8-10 free chairs available. I don't know about you but I have been asked to move to the bar when a restaurant was busy and there was clearly people waiting. It's not rude if its explained properly. We had been waiting over 40 minutes by this point. 20 minutes later, they said they were clearing another table for us. Finally after 65-70 minutes we were seated - in a booth! Why didn't they just do that to begin with when there were booths available when we first walked in?! 25 minutes after being seated, those 2 women nursing the wine finally left then of the course the whole restaurant cleared out! Normally I don't bitch about service, but this was ridiculous. If the hostess had given an honest wait time of an hour, we could have and would have chosen another restaurant but after 45 minutes of waiting, we were already invested - who knew it would be another 30 minutes beyond that. And for all that waiting the food was mediocre. The bread was like supermarket French bread. The butternut squash ravioli was ok but the sauce had way too much sage in it and was too heavy. My husband's eggplant parm was good but we had to ask for extra sauce b/c they didn't put much on there. They kept putting everything in front of the kid so we had to grab it quick to keep him from grabbing it first. And when the check came they charged us for 2 wine-flights when we only ordered water. Never again. Would have preferred Olive Garden (and I can't stand Olive Garden!)
(1)
Steve N.
It's a nice little Italian spot to take your family or a significant other to. The food here is not bad, but they don't have any specialty items. I've only ordered their chicken parmigiana and pretty good. The ambiance and decor is very pleasant and their staff is very nice. They have a bar with a nice selection of cocktails, wines, and beers as well.
(4)
Ren D.
My girlfriend and I just had lunch here. We found this place on yelp. Decided to go off the reviews and very happy we did. The service was good and the food was excellent! Portions were good and very tasty. Definitely coming back. It always seems hard to find a good Italian restaurant. Glad we found this one.
(4)
Daniela B.
I absolutely love this place! You will find it all on their menu...yummy starters, the classic pasta dishes, fresh salads, along with a great variety of entrees, and of course dessert. There is a full bar so you can get a martini, wine, beer, or even a fresh specialty cocktail. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and family friendly. Gaetano's puts a fresh spin on comforting Italian food. Go now. You won't regret it!
(5)
Monty F.
Went to lunch with a fellow worker friend yesterday - first time here. Food was delicious. I had the Italian Chicken Club. Still making my mouth water . . . mmm Service was good, interior very homey and clean. A little pricey for a everyday lunch for the working man, but you get what you pay for. Portions are on the smaller side, but perfect in my opinion - unless you're a fatty looking to stuff your belly. Location and parking kind of suck. Large retail centers drive me crazy when it comes to parking and traffic. Will come back for sure!
(4)
Herman T.
Great local family owned restaurant. I come here every time I am in town. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Good bar. Clean, nice atmosphere. Reasonable prices. If you are looking for fresh, not out of a can, Italian cuisine I highly recommend Gaetanos.
(5)
Jake S.
This is hands down one of my favorite Italian restaurants! The second you walk into Gaetanos, you get the feeling that this is a great family restaurant. There are cool paintings on the wall as well as family photos from the people who run the restaurant. This type of family atmosphere finds its way to the kitchen and the service. Our server was amazing and made sure that we were taken care of at every turn. We ordered the Caprese to start, which had great tasting mozzarella on it. We had a lasagna dish and the Tagliatelle & Chianti Short Rib Pasta. Both were delicious and were dishes that seemed to have a unique twist to them. Such a good place when you factor in the ambiance, quality, service, food, drinks & dessert. Perfect for a night out with a few friends or for that special someone.
(5)
Hippo W.
Been here a few times, the last two visits the food has been too salty, the eggplant parm and lasagna. The tagliatelle short rib order was delicious. Service is good and atmosphere is nice. Unfortunately LA has fewer Italian restaurants then New York and for LA this place is good, for New York it wouldn't survive. The blood orange soda is good also.
(3)
Shokoor A.
The food is terrible greasy . Calamari for 12 us $ it was so small it felt like one dollar a piece .everything awful service crowd food ect ect don't go there please go some where different don't get fooled.
(1)
J V.
I have been here a couple times. Once with my girlfriend and the other time with my entire family. Both times the service and food were spectacular. I don't live in Torrance, so I'm not always in the neighborhood, but when I am I plan on stopping by again! The blood orange italian soda tastes a little bit more like a grapefruit. Still delicious, but doesn't taste like a blood orange to me. All in all it's still one of my favorite places to eat down here.
(5)
Tomomi S.
I've been going to Gaetano's for the last 2 years and this is my go to local Italian place. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in LA. I enjoy their food because their food quality is consistant, service is outstanding and the food is just plain delicious without being overly greasy. I also like their lunch selections where you can choose 2 things on the menu as lunch portion. Salads are great. Pastas are great. Love their dinner rolls. I've had their pizzas once, wasn't too crazy but then, I like thin crust pizzas and theirs was more thicker and doughy. They are also kid friendly, so it's a great place for a family. It's not the cheapest place (but I wouldn't consider them to be an expensive restaurant), but I think for the quality of food you get, their pricing is spot on. I hope this family owned restaurant will survive this economy and keep up the great quality and service. :)
(4)
Chop S.
I was right! I knew I'd like this place. Gaetano's is cozy--soothing colors and decor. It has an upscale feel without being pretentious; the small bar has a Cheers-type of feel; and seating is intimate. My friends and I went back on a busy Friday night. We had no reservations so we had to wait for about 30 minutes--which is understandable. While we waited, we were offered appetizers and sat beneath the heated lamps. Once we were seated, the service was excellent. Using my Yelp special, we got a free bruschetta appetizer. We brought two bottles from the wine shop next door. The first bottle has free corkage. The second was $18. Not bad considering the first one is free. We ordered the pear and Gorgonzola salad again (Again a winner!). We ordered the Osso Bucco, veal picatta, the tagliatelle with short ribs, and baked mostaccioli. Apparently the chef went to Sicily and revised the menu. Everything was good--particularly the addition of the sauteed polenta to the Osso Bucco. The crispy outside to the creamy inside was a nice texture change. We ended our evening with coffee and the NUTELLA BREAD PUDDING (see picture). I took my first bite of this light and delicately sweet perfection and my world changed. It was that good. After my first not-too-complimentary review, the owner contacted me and not only apologized but mentioned the changes in their menu and invited me back. I'm so glad I went back. I think it's a good sign when management cares about your experience.
(4)
Kd C.
Great little Italian place, foods amazing and the ambiance is indulging. Great date spot or birthday dinner restaurant, although I just like to come in and eat for no special occasion. Definitely going to cost you more than the Olive Garden, but it's well worth it for the quality. Pretty amazing service too.
(5)
LG G.
Found this place courtesy of my fellow yelpers as a family met-up between LA and San Diego. Great food. Good service. Wonderful desserts! Outside patio would be perfect because we all have dogs, but it's a "no" from management. Too bad! We'd be meeting here much more often!
This is truly the best all around Italian restaurant. Great food, great service, and affordable.
(5)
Jadelady Y.
This place would have gotten 4 stars for being one of the few places around here that serves a decent mushroom ravioli that won't charge me an arm and a leg. I haven't been here in ages and stopped by here on my search for a place that serves a mushroom ravioli to erase my last experience of it in San Pedro. I went on a Wednesday night, so it wasn't busy. Here's where it got 3 stars:service was okay and not the best. Maybe the guy was having a bad night (he had a bruise on his right temple) or he was too busy eyeing the group of young ladies that had come in that night. Either way, it took forever for him to get around to getting my order and even longer to notice that I was done with my meal and wanted my check (even though he had taken my plate away earlier and asked if I had wanted dessert). The one saving grace?? The complimentary bread was hot, toasty and oh so fresh. Yummy!! I can't fault the chef for the mushroom ravioli. It was hot, creamy sauce with that woody flavor one expects from a mushroom dish and everything I expected from it.Exactly what I wanted. Soooooo tempted to just walk out without paying since I had to flag him down to get my check. He probably wouldn't have noticed. Don't worry, I paid for my meal but the tip was almost non-existent. Parking was decent, but don't expect a big seating area. Good for groups, but the menu wasn't extensive, at least not for the pasta selection. Suffice it to say, I'll come here when I have a lot time to kill and not in a hurry, I want mushroom ravioli and don't care too much that the waiter has his attention elsewhere. I think I now remember why I didn't come back here. Service was mediocre at best
(3)
Jesse A.
I came by to try their gnocchi after reading about it in LA Weekly... and I was very unimpressed. The gnocchi is indeed very light. But it's also very very doughy. The dumplings themselves are quite large, which added to the overly doughy mouthfeel. I also felt the sauce was quite boring and overly acidic. It wasn't for me at all. It's definitely on par for what I would expect from a mall-type restaurant, but I was hoping for much much more.
(2)
Nicole C.
Where do I start? This place was definitely fantastic. The decor was a bit romantic and relaxing....or maybe I was just exhausted! LOL The bread was delish, as well as the herb olive oil. I admit it. I'm a carbaholic. I ordered the eggplant parmesan that came with olive oil pasta. I love eggplant and both parts of this dish was so good. Nom nom nom!! Bummer that one of the pieces of eggplant was slightly undercooked (crunchy a bit, but still good). I liked this place for sure.
(4)
George B.
No wonder they've won 'Best Italian Restaurant for 2008 and 2009 in the Southbay'. They should win it for 2010 as well... I've been here about 3 times and each time has always been a good experience. Service is always good but most importantly, the food is fresh as if it was homemade, not from a can (cliche). But my favorite part of this restaurant is their desert, their limoncello galeto. Mmmm... refreshing! Last but not least: Mondays - ladie's out night. smaller portions, cheaper prices Tuesdays - family night. Pre-fix menu (4 people for $45) Wednesdays - N/A Thursdays - Wine pairing Fridays - Live piano music
(5)
Russell F.
Out with a group nine, we stumbled into Gaetano's about forty-five minutes before closing. We found them on Yelp and it seemed like a good choice close to where we were staying. What a gem! Gaetano's is stuck in a shopping plaza, sort of hidden at one corner. The interior isn't much for ambience. It's not bad but no one is going to be mumbling how beautiful it was afterwards. But the food and the service, absolutely top shelf. Cole was a out waiter and did an excellent job handling out group. Service was quick, drinks were refilled, food brought out quickly. Cole and the servers were prompt and attentive in just the right amounts. This sort of effortless experience is something restaurant with much better addresses would do well to emulate. In the end our group stayed about hour after closing with no problems. It was nice to enjoy a meal without being rushed. The food was superb in all regards. From the fresh bread and herbal olive oil through the main courses to the dessert. Gaetano's was wonderful surprise. The excellent food and service and the warm family atmosphere will make it a sure stop on my next visit the area.
(5)
Eric G.
most authentic italian food i've had !!!
(5)
Rick D.
The butternut ravioli was as great as the rave's i read prior to coming here for the 1st time. Great service and i can see why it was the #1 voted in the south bay 4 yrs. running!
(5)
Mama N.
I love Italian food! LOVE IT! And Gaetano's is my go to spot, one I go to at least once a month. To start, try the Sizzling Scallops. Cooked perfectly and so yummy topped with lemon! My favorite is their Shrimp Mediterranean. My hubby loves their Linguini & Clams. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Eat outdoors on a sunny day or dine indoors for more ambiance. Food is consistently good. No complaints on service. The staff will do their best to accommodate your requests...even making a mushroom risotto without mushrooms (don't ask). They do get busy so plan accordingly. Reservations help. ENJOY!
(4)
Dave S.
Located in a large shopping mall complex, there is plenty of parking. There are about 20 tables inside and about 6 on the patio. They have one section of tables that can be formed to make a large party. Otherwise, most tables appear to be quads and deuces. There is also a full bar with about 8 seats. Nice cozy establishment. We went for a 2pm lunch on Sunday. It wasn't crowded. About 8 tables with customers. They have a lunch menu with specials as well as the normal menu. I tried the Lunch combo which is two items from a list of 15 or so items. I chose the eggplant parm and an Itialian chopped salad. It's served with garlic bread. My sister chose the Gaetano sandwich off the regular menu. My dish was something I didn't expect. The salad is really chopped fine. The largest item in the salad was a garbanzo bean. Eating this salad with a spoon was easier than a fork. The eggplant parm wasn't what I expected. It wasn't a layered lasagne type dish. It was like a chicken fried steak. One thin slice of eggplant, breaded and deep fried crispy. Topped with sauce and cheese. Tossed into an oven to melt the cheese. It was okay. Nothing I would order again. My Sister's sandwich was okay too. She gave me a bit. The best part is everything was fresh. The bread and veggies. The cold cuts were good too, but that's just something you put through the slicer. So, where looking at an okay 3 star lunch. We almost called it a meal and asked for the check, but the friendly server asked if we wanted dessert and we decided to look at the menu. We asked if the canolli is made on the premise. They said the shells are purchased, but the filling is homemade. He also said the Tiramisu is homemade. We decided to split both. This is where Gaetano's got an extra star. Not only did they cut each in half and plate separately, the presentation was beautiful. I'll post photos later. The canolli was very good. The filling was fresh and flavorfull. The tiramisu was also incredibly good. The ladyfinger type biscuits were moist and you can taste the coffee and booze (rum?) in this dessert. The desserts and presentation were top notch 5 stars. Our total bill was $40. A bit pricey, but the desserts quickly made me feel we got good value for our money. We will come back again.
(4)
Joseph G.
Great food with efficient and friendly service. Went there for their Tuesday night family night special. We will return.
(5)
Romain D.
This was my first time at gaetanos, the food was excellent, we had such a great time and the service was spectacular, Stephanie was so charming and knowledgeable of the menu. She recommended several entrees and appetizers that were her favorites ( shrimp Mediterranean and the pear and gorgonzola salad) we will be back for sure to see steph! Chao bella !!!!
(5)
fmc c.
Have been here about 5-6 more times since my last review. Its conveniently located by my house so when we feel like eating italian, its always on the list. With that being said, the menu has gotten a little boring. While the management staff is always attentive and alert as to what is going on, the same cant always be said for the wait-staff. In addition, the portions appear to have gotten smaller, and it looks like they are now starting to skimp on the bread and oil dip provided. If you are nearby, you wont be disappointed with the food, but as a regular, i really wish they would spice up the menu and add a few more specials.
(3)
Patrick S.
I took my wife here for dinner Friday. it was very good. She liked the interior, it was nicely set up with good decor. The wait was not to long, but a busy place means its good right. The bar was a little small and crowded, i did stand around for 10 minutes to get a drink, it seemed that the one bar tender was over whelmed. Once i got my wine it was good, i ordered the house merlot, not bad at all, and the price was great for a glass ( $5) But all in all the bar thing is not that big of a deal. So after about a 20 minute wait on Friday night we got seated, and to our surprise they had live music. to me this is a plus, i love live music with dinner. most places have music going over the speakers, so this place gets one more star for that alone. Plus the pianist was good, he played some modern stuff, a good selection of music. We had the calamari for a starter, it was good. not the best,, but good. could have been cooked a little more for my liking, but thats me. The also brought us some dinner roll bread. It was ok, kind of reminded me of regular rolls you get at vons. Might be a good idea to serve some garlic bread, or facocia etc. something with a little more taste/Italian to it. Or main dishes came in a timely manner, and its presentation was great. i had the Fettuccini Chicken Ranch. It was very good! not to much food, but a good portion, i had leftovers. My wife had the eggplant parm, she liked it. Her only complaint was she thought it had more breading around the chick than was needed. But the taste was good, oh and she also liked the Marinara sauce. We didnt have desert, we were to full, so next time we go we plan to have pizza and desert. All in all this place was nice, and the food was good and the service was good as well. Im sure we will go back soon.
(4)
Jessica N.
In an effort to induce my labor, I went to Gaetano looking for a dish that would do. Remembering in my childbirth class that a restaurant in Boston had an eggplant parmesan dish that induce labor, I went with the hopes that my own labor would start. I ordered the chicken parmesan at my husband's wish. Although I was not in the mood for it, the dish was amazing. My husband got the butternut squash ravioli and it was also amazing. I did not want to order that dish either because I felt butternut squash for very much a fall dish. I'm glad we ordered it. We had the chocolate cake for desert although for $7 the portion was tiny. Would not order that again. Overall, food and service was good. My only thing was dinner was too long. Being 38 weeks pregnant and sitting for 2 hours does not work, but I would come back. By the way, I was induced two days later so I guess the dish paid off.
(4)
anne e.
Finally found a tasty,, reliable restaurant that has great food my mom-in-law can enjoy too! What a relief! Crusty, delicious French bread, refreshing chopped salad and a hearty chicken cannelloni were throughly enjoyed. The Oslo bucco was also very flavorful and the polenta side dish was done perfectly - not too mushy and not too firm. our waiter was very attentive and the overall restaurant ambiance is CA casual with a touch of traditional Italian. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Jesse T.
I'd like to give this place a 5 star rating, my friend works here and I could just throw them a 5'ver just for their sake, but I do have a hang up or two so.... I've come here a couple of times. The service is fairly good. This time we had Renee serving us. She was very informative of the popular dishes. The interior is custom painted, I'd imagine this is what a Tuscan Village would look like. They have outdoor eating that would be really nice on a summers evening. Our server gave us a complimentary Bruchetta. The tomatoes were nice fresh and very flavorful. The basil really stood out. I loved this stuff. For dinner, I had the stuffed shrimp. I was fairly surprised. I expected some breaded 'something' on top of my shrimp, instead all I tasted was the crab and lobster and garlic that was put on top. It was nicely mixed with a ricotta mozzarella mix. I know that normally fish and cheese should not be mixed, that this is a culinary nono as far as Italian goes, but this worked rather well. My Gf had the Veal Picatta. She loved it, but I wasnt really to fond of it. It was bit to lemony. It was very tender, it had a great texture, I just couldn't get around how lemony it was. I suppose that is the character of this dish and why I don't normally order it. That being said, we decided to try their Lemoncello Gellato and a Lemoncello Aperitif. This was a special dessert combo only this month. Imagine the perfect essence of lemon, with an alcohol kick. That Aperitif rocked. They are clearly aware that their food needs to be fresh to survive. When I return I will have to choose from their Saltimbocca, Ossco Buco, or their Braicole. I will also have to try their Tiramisu, as they tell me its freshly made on site.
(4)
Nick S.
Authentic, very tasty Italian food and nice atmosphere. Service is pretty good, there are a variety of options, and the prices are decent. My favorite Italian restaurant in the south bay!
(5)
D K.
Tried the Dijon-crusted halibut... absolutely fantastic. First appearance is nice. One bite is all it takes to convince you.. The crust was crispy and perfect, the fish succulent, and the dijon cream sauce was the correct pair (flavorful and not too heavy). If they have the asparagus with prosciutto topped with parmesan cream sauce is killer. I've been coming here for years and was re-impressed by tonight's food. High recommendations!
(5)
Lisa D.
The food was fresh. The service was excellent. The entire staff was extremely organized. Our water glass was never empty. The manager continued to walk by to make sure every table was attended to and not waiting on something. I found a hair in my pasta and the waitress was so disgusted and apologized. The manager came by an also apologized and they quickly made another dish for me. They also removed the charge from our bill. The entire staff seemed sincere and just on top of it.
(5)
R P.
I took my old man here for his birthday and wow, we were all disappointed. Poor wine menu, the food was either too salty and had too much going on, or lack there of. The ambience wasn't half bad, good place to take a date if she has no clue on what good food taste like. Unfortunately there are not any good Italian restaurants in the south bay, unless you're the type who likes the olive garden. The only thing I noticed that was good was the service.
(2)
Adam R.
Gaetano's Restaurant in Torrance brings the flavors of homemade classical Italian food to Soutbay residents. It's a family affair at Gaetano's and for over 16 years they have been satisfying guests with traditional dishes and personable service. A cozy interior coupled with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff will prime your senses for an amazing Italian feast. Gaetano's menu is diverse and provides something for everyone. Vince Giuliano and team will make sure that all of your needs are met from first to last bite. When we visited the restaurant the night was in full swing and the restaurant was packed. We ordered a few Peroni's and soon a medley of appetizers arrived at our table withing minuites. We started with an order of Arrancini(fried risotto balls) coated in a delicious homemade marinara sauce. These mouthwatering morsels were cooked to perfection and were the perfect starter. Next we had the Pear & Gorgonzola mixed green salad with sweet and tangy dressing. The portion was large and the salad was a nice contrast to the Arrancini. Our entrees were two seasonal selections and both were perfect compliments to the cold winters night. We were served a healthy portion of Butternut Squash Ravioli in a creamy butter basil sauce and a bowl of Chianti braised Short-rib on a bed of pasta. Both dishes were complimentary of one another and showcase the diversity of the cuisine at Gaetano's. We wrapped up the evening with one of Gaetano's signature Italian Canolli's. A nice balance of flavors and textures from the creamy filling, nuts, chocolate chips and cookie like shell. The next time you get the craving for Italian food coupled with the comforts of a family run cozy atmosphere visit Gaetano's in Torrance. Come celebrate 16 years of service to the community as well as their nomination for "Restaurant of the Week" and receive a FREE APPETIZER between December 14th-20th by priniting out the official Restaurant of the Week coupon and presenting to your server. Buon Appetito!
(5)
Steph P.
The food here is fantastic! The calamari melts in your mouth! The lasagna is magnificent too, for it is stuffed with cheese and lots of meat. This place got me hooked on pear salads too. The portions here are generous, for I was stuffed when i left but still had a good amount of leftovers. I would have given this joint a 5 but the service was flawed because there were not enough waiters/waitresses in the full house. I WOULD COME AGAIN!
(4)
Robbye A.
Went here on a Monday which they have girl's night out, a special menu, smaller portions smaller prices. The bread was perfect, fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle without being too hard. We tried the arancini which was delicious and I had the butternut squash ravioli's which were also delicious. It was the perfect amount, I wasn't still hungry and I was overly stuffed either. I'm going again with my friend tonight, I will try their lasagna this time.
(5)
Jim C.
I'm sorry, I was expecting too much from the reviews. Pasta needs to be Aldente. The Caprese was OK but the Basil was too mature, it was like eating a branch. The atmosphere was Great
(2)
Randy L.
Now I understand why yelpers say such good things about Gaetano's. Not the easiest place to find, next to a Howard's in a mid-sized mall. The patio is surrounded by tall foliage that blocks out a lot of noise, and helps you to forget that you're in a mall. Heaters keep you warm on cool evenings. It's not a big place, but tables are decently spaced. A couple of areas along the walls are ideal for medium-sized parties. Waitstaff are friendly, and work hard to give you a good dining experience. On a Saturday night, there are enough waitstaff to keep things rolling smoothly, and glasses full. The place was full, with customers waiting. I recommend reservations on weekends. The complimentary rolls and herb/garlic dipping oil are as good as everyone says. Rolls are crispy and warm, with soft interior. We tried the special cream of zucchini soup, and it was delicious. I tried the Braciole, something I'd never seen on a menu. It's described on their menu as: Sliced top sirloin grilled and simmered in tomato sauce until tender. Then baked with bacon, ricotta, parmesan, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Served with red roasted rosemary potatoes and fresh vegetables Tender, complex, delicious. The carrots and broccoli were perfectly done. Potatoes are slightly crispy on the outside, with rosemary. Very nice. I would recommend it, especially as something different. My wife had the sanddabs. A generous serving of the delicate fish, that tasted fresh. I would recommend it. We're going back, and bringing friends. There is something for everyone.
(4)
Mike M.
Over priced for quality of food. The ambiance was very nice.
(2)
NJ W.
I used to go here frequently, but the quality of this restaurant is deteriorating. Service is not good. They have servers that do not have enough training. The last time I was there the server did not know the specials or the soup of the day, spilled our appetizer on the table (but just a few pieces so that the whole thing couldn't be replaced), and dropped utensils on our plates without saying sorry. Food is mediocre. The dinner rolls are magnificent, but the rest of the food is fairly ordinary. Veal is overcooked and tastes like overdone pork, lasagna has a hard layer of cheese on top, and the parmigiana is 80% breading. The worst thing is that they don't seem to realize that they are becoming more mediocre. Since there are so many big chains in Torrance, they're resting in their laurels of being a non-chain, and they're losing their customer-focused mindset. The owner is solely business-minded and doesn't care about the customer experience and as much as the margins. You have lost a repeat customer, Gaetano's. If I wanted ordinary, there are plenty more options around the neighborhood.
(1)
Carren E.
I love this place!! The last dish i ordered from this place was the Baked Mostaccioli, very tasty. Highly recommended!! Quick, friendly service. They are always really informatlve in helping me choose what to order.
(5)
C A.
Came here for dinner on a weekday. I used to come here with my family years ago and it has been consistently good.. Calamari ($11) comes with 2 dipping sauces and is lightly fried so it's not too crispy or chewy, but I feel that they could definitely increase the portion size since it's just not enough to share with several people. Of course, if you make it in during happy hour.... so worth it! The problem is that you don't notice because you're eating their bread with it's soft center and crisp, almost flaky crust dipped in the olive oil with an olive/herb mix inside. Really good. No vinegar or butter needed. The Stuffed Scampi ($18.50) is popular here. The dish isn't for me... too creamy or something, but several people I went with ordered and enjoyed it. I got the fettuccini and chianti short ribs ($16) which looks like a fettuccini with some small pieces of meat thrown in. I dumped some Parmesan on top and mix it up a bit to bring out a little more flavor. The food is consistently good, but not great. The place isn't large, but it has some outdoor seating in front and a nice relaxing atmosphere. The servers are generally attentive and come around enough to get business done, but it seems like they are in a hurry to do something else. Got extra bread and my water was refilled so I was happy with it... of course, it wasn't busy that night.
(4)
Ken B.
Very good overall, everything was good and solid. Very comforting food.
(4)
Michi M.
This was my first time here, after the hubby did some research on Yelp. We walked in on a Friday night around 7 and was told it would be about a 20min wait(which isn't too bad) but we were seated within 10. It has a great atmosphere..not too noisy and the service was excellent. We had an awesome free appetizer (thanks to the yelp check in) of Bruschetta, which was amazing. I had the chicken parm and the hubby had the Shrimp Mediterranean pasta. They were both so delicious and very generous portions. We had the Torta al Cioccolato for dessert which basically was a chocolate souffle with an amazing vanilla sauce which was to die for. We will definitely be recommending and coming to this place again very soon. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Fernando G.
Shits Weak Olive Garden!!! Shits Weak!!!! This place was absolutely phenominal! Great service, amazing meals, and comforting atmosphere. If you live in the South Bay, it is a Must Try!
(5)
Toshi I.
We must have timed it right and arrived on a Wednesday night with no wait. There were folks lined up right in front. I do like the tastefully decorated, heated patio area although we didnt sit there, it looks like a nice alternative. The place is cozy, charming, tastefully decorated, and the food is probably more on the authentic side. This would appeal to purists and those leaning towards that tendency (including myself, a Chicagoan). This is not another trendy, frou frou overpriced pasta house. I highly recommend the cioppino which is absolutely divine. The calamari, fish, mussels, clams were swimming in a delicious broth that was just the right consistency and so flavorful that you could eat that alone. I liked the extra touch of having the crouton -ike slices of bread for dipping in the broth which was nice to have even after already devouring 2 mini loaves of the bread! I will add that the bread was soft, warm and seemed to be homemade, a big plus compared to the typical hard breads usually served. The olive oil/basil dip was excellent and something I havent seen in a while besides the standard pats of butter. Service was friendly and helpful. Our server made great suggestions and we were pleased with our choices. I would definitely come here again with friends. Save room for dessert but I was already stuffed when the tiramisu arrived. I'll have the rest tonite! This is probably the best Italian restaurant in Torrance. This experience surpassed my expectations.
(5)
Eri V.
I went to this place with my clients. Nice friendly service, huge portion, and reasonably priced. It is nicer than a regular family restaurant but nothing fancy or specially tasty. It is a safe pick though.
(3)
Rick H.
This is the second time me and my family have been here and have not been disappointed. The tagliatelli & braised short rib is phenomenal.
(4)
Trinh N.
Although I'm not a huge fan of Italian cuisines, based off of the rave Yelp reviews I thought I'd give this place a try. I came here for dinner last night with my boyfriend looking forward to a nice romantic dinner. The restaurant has a very intimate and warm feel to it (I love the murals) and it was pretty busy for a Wednesday night. We waited about 5-10 minutes before we were seated which was not a big deal at all. For our appetizer, we ordered the bruschetta pomodoro. For our entrees, I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs and my boyfriend ordered the taste of Italy (which consisted of lasagna, linguini stefano and chicken parmigiana). The bruschetta and spaghetti were OK...but nothing to write home about. The taste of Italy was bad though, they definitely had it sitting under the heat lamp for way too long. By the time we got it, it was pretty cold to the touch whereas the spaghetti was piping hot. The reason why I am giving this restaurant 3 stars is because it took forever to get our food and honestly I don't think it was worth the long wait. We literally waited 40-50 minutes from the time we ordered until the time we got our appetizer and then waited another 10-15 minutes before we got our entrees. By the time we got our food, I barely ate any of my entree because I was so full off of the complimentary bread (very good) while waiting for our food. I'm bummed out because I really wanted to like this place and seeing that they are participating in Dine LA week, I really wanted to come back. Based off of the experience we had last night, I won't be coming back for seconds.
(3)
Catherine S.
Hands down the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay area. I've been coming to Gaetano's for several years now and it's always a good choice whether it's for lunch or dinner. Some of my favorite dishes: **lentil soup - absolutely amazing, I've tried to recreate this soup on numerous occasions but have never succeeded **chicken pesto Panini - good lunch option if you're not in the mood for pasta **penne asparagi - it's a sauceless pasta, tossed with olive oil and chicken and assorted veggies (my all time fave) **shrimp Mediterranean - another sauceless pasta, I love the creaminess the feta imparts on this dish **Eggplant parmigiana - I sometimes get their dinner combo with this and the penne asparigi, makes for a great meal Bottom line: Gaetano's is a no frills kind of place simply dishing up some serious Italian fare, a true gem in the South Bay area. Buon Appetito!
(4)
Nok S.
Food portion: Large Food Taste: Good, Love the oil-garlic sauce for bread. The bread was fresh, and came out warm Food Wait: Kind of slow, it was a Friday night and busy Food Price: Reasonable Ambiance: Nice, out door seating with heaters Location: Hard to find if don't know the area. Inside mall plaza. Next to a wine shop.
(4)
Aaron J.
25 minute wait but we were staring at an empty patio area, some people decided to just sit down, and eventually a waitress said that of course the patio was open! We continued to wait for tables that were sitting right in front of us, all setup, even though we told the hostess we would sit outside. Not sure the logic they have, and many on yelp have commented on the slow service. For me it really is restaurant review, not just a food review. It's the overall experience that matters. Bread like wonder bread. Oil was just oil with very little seasoning. Bruschetta was a pile of mini toast where you assemble yourself with tomatoes. The food was just ok- my Baked Mostaccioli was pretty burnt on top, and terribly dry. I wouldn't call this anything but casual Italian. I have had better around town and more reasonable prices. Service was below average - they really didn't pay much attention at all. I really can't find to much to recommend this above any other mom and pop Italian place.
(2)
Richard F.
I had given Gaetano's a 4 but cut it to a 3 based on my experience last night. This is one of our favorite restaurants and remains so. We like the food, the prices, and the casual atmosphere. However last night we had a bad experience with the wait time. While it is easy to blame the waiter, and I do, he was also probably not properly trained. After waiting for what seemed like forever for our food, and never seeing the waiter stop by, I flagged down a woman who looked like she was managing that night and asked if she could check on our food. She came back and told us it was not in the system, either human or computer error. I understand that these thing happen but I can not understand why our waiter did not check much much sooner and correct the problem. The manager was nice enough to bring something to us and comp our dessert but I was still very unhappy. Will avoid that waiter in the future.
(3)
Alex T.
This place rocks! Best customer service I have experienced yet! Debbie greeted us promptly as we were seated and said she will be right with us. We received bread and olive oil dip immediately after being seated. She helped us determine what appetizer and entrees we wanted by making suggestions. It was our first time at Gaetano's and she made us feel welcome to the restaurant. Debbie was also very attentive. She made sure we had enough utensils and condiments at our table. When we requested more marinara for the fried calamari, she got it right away for us. Debbie was also very quick at clearing soiled dishes. Her visits back to check on our table were very often and very appreciated. I felt the entrees took a while (approximately 25 minutes) to arrive. We were done with our appetizers approximately 10 minutes before the entrees (Pear Gorgonzola salad and Taglliatore pasta) arrived. Debbie is very knowledgeable about the menu. When asked about the linguine Pescatore, she was able to tell me what seafood was in the dish and the portion size. She also recommended the Tagliatorre Short Rib pasta, which was VERY good. Debbie is very professional and made us feel welcomed throughout dinner. She checked back on us very often and when we brought up the issue that one of our entrees had not arrived yet, she immediately went to the kitchen to put in the order for us and offered to comp our missing dish. This was a total surprise to us and we were very impressed at their hospitality and generosity. The Manager and Debbie both apologized. The Manager came to our table to ask how our visit was and she explained all the comped items on our bill and asked if we had any questions. The matter was resolved quickly and efficiently. All ingredients in all of our dishes tasted fresh. The seasoning was just right and the quality was excellent for all dishes. The taste of the dishes were exactly, if not more, than what we expected. The dishes all arrived at the perfect temperature and with appropriate condiments. When requested, our Server provided us with condiments and additions that we needed. The ambiance of the restaurant was very family oriented. It was also dimly lit so that dining here felt very romantic and private. The restaurant was full of life throughout the dining experience as tables are emptied and filled again within minutes. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked. Tables were immediately bussed after guests left and quickly seated as new guests arrived. All dishes were attractive and the portions were family style. We had to take home several of the dishes because it was a lot of food for two persons. DEFINITELY get the Tiramisu when you are here. It's super creamy and a great way to end your Italian dinner. I am very impressed with the customer service and quality and taste of the food here and would definitely come back for another visit.
(5)
April N.
This Italian was so good. I have no idea if this place is a chain or not, but I don't care. I'm just glad to have a place other than Olive Garden to go when I'm craving Italian. It's not super expensive either and we had good choices for wine. Love it.
(5)
Asma R.
I went here for the dineLA event and I have to say it was all around mediocre. They have stingy portions and the food was average. People who have had high quality Italian food would not give this restaurant 5 stars.
(2)
Mom O.
I think I was expecting too much when we went in. We went to Gaetano's for my husband's birthday. We went on a Sunday evening. The wait wasn' bad. I loved the environment and the people. The food was alright though for excessive price.
(4)
Lisa M.
My first time went here with my friend. The food was ok but I have tasted better from other italian restaurant in torrance. The prices are too high. The waitress especially one blond seems looking with sour face wish i had another waitress. The spagetti and meatball tasted fine has if also was kind of cold. Also be careful and look at your bill receipts it shows way off tax and gratuity not correct. Seems like they want to just add little more on the bill. Sorry but they do not fool me of how they add tax or tip. I am not going to this place again. They can smile and greet you nice but in real they do it for working only.
(2)
Figaro A.
excellent Italian ambiance & food, courteous & knowledgeable waitstaff. live jazz piano fri/sat nights. love their perfectly al dente pasta and fresh steamed clams. forget about buca di peppo, olive garden or even macaroni grill. come to gaetano's instead.
(4)
Stacy Y.
Went here the other night for dinner with the family. Pretty good food but can't say that my kids really cared for their pizza. I think that for adults it has a great atmosphere and the food is good, but for kids I think not very tasty. But would definitely go back again on maybe date night with the hubby.
(3)
Lynn F.
We've been a fan of Gaetano's for awhile. We recently discovered that they offer a free corkage fee ($10) if you purchase your wine from "Wine Styles" next door. Do a little wine tasting before dinner. Save $10.00. Check it out.
(4)
Eric S.
Ate dinner here with the family on a busy Saturday night. Service was effiicient and food was really good. I had an order of Gnocchi w/ Gorgonzola sauce and the gnocchi were perfect little pillows with a great sauce. My son had Sand-Dabs which he loved, mom had salmon, really good, and wife had pasta,can't remember which, but it was polished off with enthusiasm. Decent bottle of Clos du Bois Merlot, too full for dessert. Live Piano music was a plus. Very pleasant meal, we'll be back soon.
(4)
Emma C.
Great service, relaxed atmosphere, cute Tuscan decor....too bad the food was only average. My baked mostaccioli (I'm pretty sure I messed that word up haha) had WAY too much cheese on it and was slightly over cooked. The crumbled meatballs had no flavor and there was a lack of sauce. However the blackout cake was delicious and so is their coffee. Bring a jacket because the AC is definitely going at full blast, it was FREEZING in there!!
(3)
Glenn S.
Tasty italian food in the old school tradition. Recommended!
(4)
Cayley V.
pleasant surprise - great food & atmosphere in a strip mall. highly recommend the garlic pizza - i love tons of garlic and this doesnt dissapoint.
(4)
Lo Y.
Food was fantastic. Free bruschetta appetizer with yelp check-in. The free appetizer is huge! Can't believe it's free. I got the porcini with wild mushroom anolini. SOOO GOOD!!! Can't wait to go back and try more dishes. My sister got the Tagliatelle And Chianti Braised Short Ribs. AMAZING. Mom got chicken marsala. Dad got the cannelloni. Everything was delicious and tasted great. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the service. We sat outside because indoor seating would have an hour wait. So we sat outside and our server (I can't remember her name) was super slow and making excuses. We weren't the only ones outside getting iffy service. All of her tables were complaining about slow and sub-par service so clearly that's a bad sign. Anyways...food was awesome. Can't wait to go back. Hopefully we get a different server next time.
(4)
Hanna C.
I have dined here twice this year and both of the experiences have been good. The service here is great. They are very attentive and friendly. The restaurant is quaint and has a very cozy. The bread and the olive oil dip that they serve complimentary is simply delicious! The dip is their house special blend that they actually sell in a bottle if you want. I have tried their stuffed scampi and it was good, but it was a little bland. The shrimp was stuffed with bread crumbs and other various seafood. The portion size is very generous here. I had leftovers to take home for lunch the next day. For dessert, I tried the tiramisu and it was okay..nothing spectacular. On Monday nights they feature smaller plate portion sizes (cheaper prices), which is great when you want to share with friends and try more variety. I tried the stuffed mushrooms with sausage, scallops, and as my entree I got the eggplant parmigiana. The stuffed mushrooms were good, but it needed some type of sauce to go with it. The scallops were perfectly cooked and had a nice sear on it. It came with an olive oil/acid mixture dressing, which complimented the scallops really well. For the eggplant parmigiana, it comes with a side of pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic. Pasta is cooked al dente, which is how I prefer to eat my pasta. The eggplant parmesan wasn't anything out of this world, but was good. I would definitely bring my parents to dine here next time since they are a fan of Italian food. Quick note: They have a frequent dining rewards program where you get rewarded 1 point for $1 and can get perks like free lunch, dinner, etc...
(4)
Roz P.
Attempted to have lunch here with some coworker today to only walking out with our lunch in a bag. We sat in the middle of the restaurant for 1 hour waiting for our lunch. We had two baskets of bread and soda while one of my coworker had her salad which she received about 1/2 after we placed our order. We notice tables all around us who arrived after us was enjoying their meal and we was still waiting to get ours. We talked to the manager who was kind enough to give us 20% discount on our food but we had to eat it at our desk. This place gets 1 star as it was my first time and the experience was not a good one. I will not be returning anytime soon.
(1)
Maria K.
Make sure to check in here on yelp! I got a free plate of bruschetta. I really liked the bread that they served. It was so soft and warm. YUM! I ordered the linguine alla pescara. It was okay....but they definitely give you a lot of scallops in it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the wheat linguine. My mom had the taste of Italy, and like another reviewer said, she said the pasta was cold but she really liked the lasagna. The best part, though, was the tiramisu. I'm a sucker for tiramisu....and I was a bit hesitant to get it at $8, but it's pretty big and great for sharing. Definitely recommend getting this. I stopped halfway through my entree to save room for dessert, and I was glad I did. Cons: Kind of a small place, so waited 40 minutes on a Friday night. Food does take a while to come out. Pros: Great service. Everyone was really nice. Atmosphere is nice. Delicious tiramisu :)
(4)
Sumgirl W.
Superior service. Food was so perfect! Delicious salads, kids loved the bread and pizza, Butternut squash ravioli to come back over and over for!! My man loved his Scampi and I had a bite of good marsala chicken. The only thing I could see to improve is the wine list. I wasn't impressed but I am a wino :) Bartenders were super nice and friendly while we waited awhile. Next time we will go next door to Winestyles and buy a bottle to bring in ( free corkage If bought there) Cheers!
(5)
Aidan M.
We have been coming here for more than a decade and the food is still just as good. Not to mention they have the friendliest service out of any restaurant we have been to. Make your reservations though, they get busy!
(5)
Ellen T.
I love this restaurant. The food at Gaetano's is fantastic. The wait staff service is impeccable. A very friendly atmosphere to go and enjoy the most delicious Italian offerings. I would like to see the accoustics modified to deaden some of the sound. This is my only complaint about the building; the noise level can get pretty loud and it bounces off the hard surfaces.
(5)
Rebecca R.
First time here and I ordered the bruschetta and chicken and spinach cannelloni! They were both amazing!! Delish!!!
(5)
Vivi T.
Yum! What a gem! This is a small, family style restaurant with great food (if you've ever been to Guiliano's Deli in Gardena, you'll be happy to know it's owned by the same family). I had been here once before on a Saturday night for a birthday party and the restaurant was packed solid - they also managed to squeeze in a pianist which made the atmosphere very lively (but loud). Last week, I checked in via Yelp! and received a free Bruschetta appetizer - plenty for two people. The bread was hot, crusty, and delicious. The pasta dishes are homestyle and very tasty; portions are large and prices are decent. The service was great. Overall, a very good dinner / date place. Just be prepared to wait (or make a reservation).
(4)
Molecular G.
We have been eating at Gaetano's in Torrance for nearly 15 years. Lunch menu is great, wonderful tasting and waitstaff very friendly and know their stuff. Dinner and special occasions shine even more. If you can make a reservation, they accept them if you call b4 5pm. With one of the owners taking 3 months off last year to learn the fine details of Italian regional cooking, we are in store for more of a true Italian feast. Their new rotating menu starts this week, For dinner the yeasty, warm rolls greet you with an olive and herb dip. Don't even try to say no to them. In fact, drop a little balsamic, Parmigiano-Reggiano and red peper flakes, pinch salt n pepper in the dip, add a little more olive oil and your whole table will really go crazy. The waitstaff will be happy to bring these items to your table. Family owned and operated with recipes from loving grandparents are always available. The old world is always with you. We have had as many as 45 celebrating at Gaetanos.for lunch and 25 at dinner. Most of the time it is 2 to 6 of us and as often as we can. Be free to ask for things as you like them. Dont forget to join their "Paesano" club to earn points toward desserts, dinners and the like. Feel at home here.
(5)
Somer L.
Food was decent. Good but not great and moreover crazy expensive!! Service was lovely so I appreciated that but there was absolutely no excuse for the pathetic dinner rolls. The bf compared them to hot dog buns. I'm sorry but since this is the first thing on the table it sets the impression for the rest of the meal. We shared a calamari appetizer, ok but made better by the dipping sauces. I had a steak (overcooked) and the bf had a pasta dish with short ribs mixed in. The ambiance was nice even though it was packed the evening we had dinner here. The patio seating looked like it would be very plesant as well. All in all it seemed Gaetano's has a lot going for it, I just wasn't prepared to pay $75 for a strip mall dinner. Drop the price point and find a decent bakery and this place would be excellent.
(3)
Cam-An N.
I've been here a few times and I really like it. I usually get a salad, and the salads that I've tried are very good. I've also had some of their pastas that were catered. Something as simple as pasta marinara with meat balls was very good. When I think of good Italian places in the South Bay, this is one of them.
(4)
Greg H.
Took mom here for Mother's day. It's been a while since I've been to Gaetano's and I was pleasantly surprised. Ordered the following . . . Chopped Salad Artichoke app Chicken Parm Osso Bucco Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs The Osso Bucco comes with a large amount of Polenta. There's a little too much lemon flavor for my taste but it was tasty. The Tagliatelle had excellent flavor. The pasta was cooked perfectly. I wish the noodles were slightly wider. It was more like spaghetti width. Still good though. The Chicken parm was solid. Corkage was $14 but if you buy a bottle from next doors Wine Styles wine store they'll waive the fee. It was packed on a Saturday night. Probably a lot of people doing what I did and taking mom out on Saturday instead of Sunday.
(4)
Dlite S.
Valentines dinner a bust! Great traditional Italian food on a regular day, but the four course set meal they offered last night was bland and cold! They should stick to what they know, and fine dining is not it! I wish I would have ordered from the regular menu like some other people did, I would have been a happy camper and not have spent $160 on blah!
While perusing Italian restaurants in the Torrance area on Yelp, wifey and I came across Gaetano. First up, they're tech savvy. They had a free check in appetizer (bruschetta). Plus, the ratings seemed to indicate that this place was well received by the locals. So, we gave it a try. Let me tell you one thing... BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION. We arrived on a Friday at 8pm, and the wait was 30 minutes. It was well worth it!! The food is tantalizingly delicious. You will not be disappointed with anything that you order. Because we were mildly hungry, we shared an Italian sausage and peppers dish with Linguine. The roasted garlic in the dish was cooked to perfection. I'm salivating as I write this. We also ordered a couple of house salads that were divine. The bruschetta was so flavorful. We washed it all down with a couple of libations. This was one of the better Italian meals that we have experienced. Because you don't "have" a meal here, you "experience" it. This restaurant is located on the northwestern corner of PCH and Crenshaw. It's kind of nestled next to a couple of other places (catercorner from the Jack in the Box). Whatever you do, find it and eat here. You will be truly impressed. This is a must try if you're near here. Everything is good (especially the oil with spices and bread).
(5)
Tawny S.
Gaetano's is good Italian food. They have great pasta and good service. They catered two of my meetings and they made just the right amount of food. It's a little restaurant and it does very well. Every time I go in there they are busy. You can eat outside and enjoy the nice weather.
(4)
Lisa S.
Yummy! Date night-esque. Not like a super fancy, get dressed up date night, but a hey, I like you and want to feed and talk to you with a side of wine date night. Good lunch prices too!
(5)
Nic N.
We enjoy it and visit at least once a month. Usually order the basic spaghetti and meatballs. Osso bucco is good, although I'm not a fan of the bone marrow part of it. Perhaps if I was dog or a foodie I would appreciate it more. The Italian pizza - some love it - but I think it's just plain unhealthy. The calamari is great. Drinks are great. Wine selection is really great. Service is 5 star+. Make sure you book reservations at least 2-3 hours before you want to eat or you will get some attitude from the hostess. The new grape vine in the front is a really nice touch. The wine tasting shop next door adds a nice touch to the overall ambiance. It's nearly a 5 start place but the one change I would make to this place is that their happy birthday music is so annoying and loud. Ruins the ambiance. Please I beg of you to stop interrupting my dinner with this loud noise. I would also recommend adding a meat ravioli to the menu.
(4)
Amanda J.
Little hidden gem in Torrance/Rolling Hills Plaza. GReat authentic italian food and the serivce has always been top notch. The staff always gives you honest opinions if you are interested in trying a new dish. The lunch menu has great sandwiches too. Crowded on most nights, but the food is worth it!
(4)
Dina B.
"Good service, good food Overall, we had a very good experience. Bruchetta was excellent....porcina was good"
(5)
Andrew M.
I found this little place thanks to Yelp while on my iPhone traveling through the Torrence area. When I walked in they had an award right out front saying they were voted Best of the Bay for 09 and it was a good experience. I liked that it was small and private owned, instead of being a huge chain place like the Mac Grill. The service was only OK, but that is because the girl serving us was brand new so she didn't know the menu that well. I got the Chicken Cannelloni's and they were pretty good. The appetizers were great as well and my wife got the Penne' something or other and it was excellent as well. The place wasn't super busy and that was nice because we were out with a friend we hadn't seen in a long time so we wanted to be able to talk without yelling and it was quite and nice.
(4)
Ove A.
I had a three-course menu here: Salad, main course, and ice cream dessert. Salad and dessert were good in the best sense - not outstanding, but not bad either. The main course was good too - definitely above your average restaurant for sure. Taste and presentation were appealing, yet not outstanding. Our waiter Jim was wonderful, very friendly, and YES!, he actually remembered who ordered which dish, so there was no yelling "Who had the chicken parmigiano?" across the whole table. That was WONDERFUL! However, the kitchen was rather slow in actually preparing our food. This restaurant is really difficult to describe: All food was fine, yet I would probably not go back, because I can get better for the price.
(3)
David K.
Been going here for years and love this place. Nice ambiance (outside patio), great service, and of course tasty food. I recommend: Appetizers: Appetizer Sampler, Sizzling Scallops Pasta: Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs, Italian Riviera, Gnocchi alla Stagione Pizza: Italian Dessert: Tiramisu!!!
(5)
Sydne M.
Love love this restaurant but two comments. Please bring back the cheese ravioli! My my kids ordered it at least once a week and now do not want to go to the restaurant because it was taken off menu. Also, the restaurant has long needed a better wine list with some great California Reds and White to choose from (e.g., Girgch Chardonnay, Jordan Cabernet and Chardonnay, a BV Red, a Meritage, at least a Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay). Thanks!
(5)
Randy K.
i enjoyed happy hour there! app's are half off until 6pm. Today i had the capresse salad and a individual pizza. The salad was lacking seasoning but nothing that some cracked pepper and Salt couldnt fix. The pizza was a perfect size for one and had a good cheese to sauce ratio. I will definitely be back to try the calamari
(4)
Will T.
Came here for the first time with the girlfriend. Wonderful place. The people are very friendly and welcoming. The food is spectacular... please don't change a thing! Get the pesto seafood dish. Off-the-wall bonkers delicious. It doesn't taste like pesto and the sauce is infused with mouth-watering seafood flavor(my mouth is literally watering right now as i'm thinking about it). The butternut squash is great too. The pear salad? Don't miss it. Their rolls could use some sprucing up a la rosemary or herbs, but the dipping sauce is great. Sit at a booth for a romantic and intimate night. Or chill outside until their heat lamps to dodge the cold, preferably with a group of friends. Pro Tip: Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 Gaetano's certificate ;D
(5)
John C.
Great Italian food. Good service and great midweek specials.
(5)
Sowaah S.
YUMMMMAAAAAY!!!! This is 1 of the places that is the reason why I made a yelp. Very cute, small, warm, italian ...A little pricey, but I will pay some good money for some great food! .The waiter brought us some water and bread right away.. BREAD.. A TASTE OF HEAVEN! If you ever wondered if the bread that Jesus ate at his last supper tasted good, I would hope that it tasted as great as this bread!! HEAVENLY! I got the salmon.. and it was ever so juicy with the right amount of spices.
(5)
Joshua D.
Reading the Yelp reviews about this place makes me seasick -- lots of 5 stars then 2 stars, up and down. For me it's all about expectations. Gaetano's is a classic neighborhood Italian restaurant. The location isn't flashy, but it's easily accessible. The food won't make any "Best of L.A." lists, but it's quite tasty and it makes you feel good. What more could you ask for from a neighborhood Italian restaurant? I've been to Gaetano's a few times now, and tried a variety of dishes. What's clear is the overall quality is excellent, they use fresh ingredients, have a decent wine selection, but with inflated prices. I should note that there were some seasonal specials available the last time I visited, and the prices were quite good. If you go for lunch there are always reasonable lunch specials. My overall impression of Gaetano's is a good one, but temper your expectations! If you want a glitzy Italian experience with exquisite cuisine found only in the small villages of Southern Italy, I suggest you visit Southern Italy. If you're looking for a warm atmosphere, high quality family-friendly Italian fare, and a nice cozy place to enjoy comfort food, then visit Gaetano's. One more note: make a reservation through Yelp or Open Table. They really reserve tables, and my wife and I have been seated immediately even on the most crowded of Saturday nights. Enjoy.
(4)
Bob D.
Lets keep this simple: Good classic Italian food: (all pasta and pizza dishes I've had have been super tasty!) Nice decor (simple but well done) Quick and welcoming staff (even their curbside to-go service is outstanding!) The place can get busy at times but that just means the secret is out! Gaetano's is the place to be!
(5)
Nicole M.
Yum! This place is a local gem. Service was friendly and the food was tasty. Clams with linguini - dip your bread and enjoy! Canoloni for dessert? Oh yeahhhhh. The best I've had. The crowd was friendly and full of regulars. Skip the large chain Italian down the street and pop in here.
(4)
Kayla M.
I love a good Italian joint. This place really does hit the spot whenever I crave pasta and garlic bread. The portions are good. A little bit on the large side for me, actually, but that's fine. Don't come here if you're on some sort of low-carb diet. The only real negative thing I would say is that during peak dinner hours, the food sometimes takes a long time to come out. Service is good though. I also didn't really try the bar that's onsite, so I couldn't write about that. Give this restaurant a try. There's lots of variety to keep you coming back.
(4)
Lucy R.
Me and my boyfriend had a good lunch there! Such a cute little Italian place - so fancy (in a GOOD way) I thought it was going to be super pricy - its not that bad on the prices so worth it! We ordered pizza because of course its Italian and wanted to see how good it was.. it was... delicious! The Merlot is good too - I went for my nine month anniversary so it made our day very happy :) I recommend to try it - I'm sure you'll go again! Too cute too good food and good service! This is coming from a person that doesn't like fancy restaurants this place made me feel relaxed with there nice Italian music that was set at a perfect volume :) Very romantic it felt. I would recommend couples to go def. :)
(5)
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Address :2731 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance, CA, 90505
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Sofia M.
AMAZING food, people and service! Went there after Burke Williams spa and so glad that I did. Did the combo lunch with the Cal Chopped Salad with Lasagna: salad was perfect with the right amount of dressing, not so much that it soggies up your salad. Lasagna was the perfect portion with just the right amount of sauce. Service was great, people were awesome...I'm looking forward to driving back down from Santa Monica to just come to Gaetano's! Molto bene!
(5)Ty D.
I met a couple of my friends here for dinner. Both had dined here before and liked it. All 3 of us decided on the 3 course wine pairing dinner. For this evening it was asparagus with blue cheese and bacon for the appetizer. The main course was linguini with seared scallops, asparagus and sun dried tomatoes in a tomato cream sauce. And for desert an orange sorbet. Each course paired with about a half glass of wine. The asparagus appetizer was okay. The asparagus were the thin type and you got about 4 tiny spears. The main course of scallop linguini was good. However the scallops could've been seared a bit more and one of my scallops wasn't cleaned good enough....I got a crunch of sand in once scallop. But over all a decent dish. The orange sorbet was refreshing. The meal also came with fresh Italian rolls served with Italian seasoned olive oil. For the 3 course wine pairing dinner it was $25 / person! What a deal. I'd come back and give it another try. Service was nice and friendly and plenty of parking in the shopping center.
(3)Lisa C.
I had a unexpected nice experience lunching here this past Saturday. The restaurant is in a strip mall so I wasn't expecting much but they have done a great job disguising this with the charming decor along with a wine bar (there is also outdoor patio seating). We were greeted by the friendly manager and started off with delicious bread rolls served with rosemary infused butter. We got complimentary bruschetta for checking in with Yelp. I got the combo lunch of the pear & gorgonzola salad and eggplant parmigiana which went well together and tasted great. I especially liked the salad as it has some of my favorite things like walnuts,and avocado. My mother who was with me commented on the good service which surprised me as she usually has something negative to say when we dine out. I did appreciate the attentive manager stopping by our table to see how we liked everything. The best part was the Nutella bread pudding dessert - I was so full but ate every last crumb! The service, food, and atmosphere will definitely bring me back here again.
(4)P J.
Gaetanos , the decor is nice it feels warm and welcoming until yOur wAiter cOmes to the tAble and iS pUshy and nOt verY nicE. You can bRinG yOuR Own BoTTle of WinE but they cHargE $ 14.00 dollArs corKinG fEe. Open it yoUrself, hehe. The foOd wAs gOod but nO mOre than thAt. Price RangE STARTERS from $8 -11 FRESH GREENS & SOUP from $ 5-15 TRADITIONAL DISHES from $ 16-17 PASTA from $ 17-23 SANDWICHES from $ 10-12 SEA from $ 20-26 PIZZA from $ 15-19 Won't be baCk .
(3)Rachael E.
I've been going here for years. This was my Italian Grandma's favorite restaurant. It's not very big so I would recommend making reservations if you in a party of more than 2 people or if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night. It's family owned and the waiters and waitresses do a wonderful job. I have had a few company Christmas lunches here as well and the staff is very accommodating. I recommend trying their meatballs, the Butternut Squash Ravioli, the Chicken Parm, the Limoncello and the Tiramisu. The bartenders make pretty good martinis as well, they have a blueberry martini I would definitely recommend. This is a great place for a date or a family get together. This place is also great for catering. My family has used them many times for company luncheons and family celebrations. Try this place out. You won't regret it.
(5)Ryan P.
I have been wanting to try this place for a VERY LONG TIME and then FINALLY I got the chance to try this place for A Father's Day/Birthday lunch for my parrain, (Pronounced pa-rân meaning uncle). With family in town we all wanted to get together for Father's Day. After a few rounds of, "Let's go here" and "I don't like that place" ping pong my auntie decided to take the reigns and make a unilateral decision for a place that was NICE and NOT over run with hordes of peeps being that is was a Father's Day weekend! We were able to get reservations at the last minute because I think this place is pretty hidden so even though people know about it it doesn't spring to mind when your flipping through the mental roller deck of where to go which made it EVEN more PERFECT! We arrive and there is PLENTY of parking. Our table was set and ret-to-go for us and as soon as our entire party arrived we were seated. I got there a smiggy-bit early so I could relax IN CASE I had to contended with lots of peeps. I went to the bar I decided to get a house wine while I waited for the rest of my fam to arrive. At noon sharp everyone was there and we were seated. We had a NICE long table with plenty of elbow room so we didn't feel like we were on top of each other which was NICE! Our server came right up to the table and and took our drink orders and asked we she could start us off with some appetizers. We ordered there bruschetta which was a FREE (my-fav F-word) offer when you check-in! We also got the polenta with shredded short rib on top which was laid on a bead of arugula. I'm NOT tomato fan so I can't tell you how that was but everyone seemed to think it was ok. The polenta was a bit on the dry and tasteless side but the short rib on top was YUMMY! I did have to add some salt for taste which made it MUCH better. AHHHHH-MAZING what a little seasoning can do for food! We went around an ordered food. I got the salmon and veggies which came with spaghetti and marinara sauce. Someone got the half turkey sand with spaghetti and meatball, then there was a the linguini and lobster special with a salad, lasagna and wedge salad, lasagna and spaghetti with meatball, meatball sand and something, and another meatball sand with salad. The food came filing out and we commenced to having to ask questions. Where are the meatballs for one for the spaghetti's? It was forgotten so she had to go back, then where is the cheese for the meatball sand. It was also forgotten so she had to go back again, The food over all was GOOD but NOT great! My spaghetti could have used more flavoring but I REALLY ENJOYED the salmon. It was NICE and moist and NOT cooked to death. The meatball sand has PLENTY of sauce on them and the bread seemed to be soft and not hard. The lasagna was a GI-NORMOUS slice as well and no complaints. We really got a lot of food considering it was lunch. Most everyone went home with a doggie bag. We wanted dessert but were all to full. The service was GREAT and ON POINT and all the servers had NO PROBLEM pitching in and helping out the other servers which was NICE! EVERYONE was SUPER FRIENDLY! I would go back and try something else for sure!
(4)Patricia K.
Cute atmosphere. Sat outdoors, at night the lights make it pretty. Had linguini and clams. I really like their pasta, good texture and lots of flavor. The clams were too salty. If it weren't for the excess salt in the clams it would've been one of the best linguini and clams I've tasted. Service was good until my glass of water was left empty for 30 minutes.
(4)Bridgette R.
Bomb.com ! Great atmosphere.. Good wine and yummy pastas! Bread is good, will be back!
(5)Rachel A.
Had an amazing dinner on Valentine's Day. We had reservations for 8:30pm but arrived 20 minutes earlier because we figured it would be crazy packed just like any other restaurant. To my surprise it wasn't, which was great! We requested to sit in the patio area which had a great ambience and got seated on time. We ordered the following: Appetizers Calamari - good Garden salad with italian dressing - great Minestrone soup - good Main entrees Tagliatelle & chianti short ribs - homemade noodles were good but the sauce was missing something. It was a bit bland...however thumbs up on the portion of short ribs Risotto al mare - delicious! Great amount of seafood, would of loved to have this dish with pasta noodles too! Dessert - nutella bread pudding...heaven! Also, our waiter Mark was fantastic! Did a great job on checking up on us every few minutes, very professional and welcoming. The only downfall we had was they were out of lobster and veal which is what we were looking forward too ...but the overall experience was great and we'll be back again.
(4)Greg E.
Today I had the half sandwich and soup. Got the Gaetano sandwich and minestrone soup. The bread was perfect. The meat fresh and just enough Italian dressing. The soup was very fresh. My partner had a really good looking salmon salad. Everyone raved about the food. Great place. Just go there and see.
(4)Gary I.
I LOVE the interior of Gaetano's Ristorante. It's got the obligatory murals that depict an Italian American's idealized, romanticized view of what their grandparents' description of the old country must have been. There is the gondola & canal representing Venice, a rolling countryside which could be Toscano, Sicilia, Campagna, etc. Also centered above each mural are some angelic heads of little putti embellished with calligraphic scrolling. To top it all, at least in the early evening, the sound system was playing Anthony Dominick Benedetto, Dino Paul Crocetti, & Francis Albert Sinatra. Better known as Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, and Frank-you know who. For all I knew, I could have been in Hoboken and not in pedestrian Torrance. So perusing the thick bound, black menu, the menu is mostly rock solid Sicilian and Neapolitan Italian American, but with a few touches of Northern such as Veal Milanese and Osso Bucco from Lombardia, Brasato from Toscano (Chianti was the wine used to braise the beef). However, we came to Gaetano's for their Italian Regional dinner which is held every 4th Wednesday. Vincent the chef, who is affable and very enthusiastic about heading the cooking staff, came by our table. We found out he studied in a culinary school in Firenze, Toscano and gained more culinary expertise in order to expand the restaurant's repertoire by mastering ever more regional styles. The regional menu offered was the northern region of Liguria. 1) Antipasto: Carciofi Ripieni: Stuffed artichoke, herbed bread crumbs, Parmigiana Reggiana, mushrooms. A artichoke was steamed and cut in half vertically and stuffed with breadcrumbs. A sauce of heavy cream and Parmigiana Reggiana was drizzled around the dish so those who wanted to could apply the rich sauce to their artichoke. I paired this dish with a slightly heavy, sweet Pinot Grigio with green apple/citrus. 2) Primi: Linguini con Pesto alla Genovese: Thin noodle pasta with the classic Genovese pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmigiana Reggiana. whisper of garlic, olive oil. The linguine was "al dente" and the pesto was applied judiciously and tossed with the pasta. This dish was very nuanced and proved to be more of a palate cleanser than a more substantial savory. Not being a subtle person, I asked for more shavings of Parmigiana Reggiana to add more of a rich flavour. I paired this course with a Barbera d'Alba which was dark, tannic, acidic, dry with hints of tar, creosote, blackberries from the region of Piedmonte. 3) Secondi: Cioppino di Liguria: Clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp in a fresh, thick, red tomato sauce garnished with two thick pieces of toasted bread. This cioppino resembled very closely to "alla pescatore" style tomato sauce with plenty of frutti di mare. A Brunello di Montepulciano from Toscano was a good accompaniment to the seafood with dark stone fruits, touch of dark chocolate, leather but smooth and moderately sweet balanced by good acidity and tannin. 4) Dolce: Ravioli Dolci: Fried Ricotta stuffed Ravioli, powdered Cinnamon, Raspberry puree. A very simple dessert with a lightly sweet puree of very fresh looking raspberry. I was delighted that the puree was not cloyingly sweet and straight out of a can. I wanted to pair this with a very smooth, sweet, fruity, Moscato with possibly an orange bouquet, but no luck. The only sweet wine they had was a Riesling from Washington state, but this Riesling did not resonate with the dolce. Because Chef Vincent sensed I was really into cuisine, he showed me the June regional menu featuring Emilia Romagna which features food that is based on pork products such as Prosciutto di Parma, and is also home to aceto balsamico di Modena, & Parmigiana Reggiana. So next month's regional dinner seems more intriguing. 2014-11-1 Did the regular menu of Pear & Gorgonzola Salad with field greens, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, aguacate, pear vinaigrette. Also had the traditional Lasagna with meat sauce, crumbled polpette/meatballs, 3 cheeses. Very satisfying comfort food which hit the mark in terms of Italo American downhome food. It was all paired w/ Famiglia Pascua, Passimento, Veneto, Italia which was mellow, ripe black fruit, low tannins & acid. Tiramisu is rich in dairy cream flavours w/ Espresso undertone. Sweetness was subtle leaving a more refreshed palate at the end of the meal.
(4)mike s.
First time my wife and I went there. The food was really good and great value. Took advantage of the free offer for checking in. Service was great as well.
(5)Tony R.
Excellent. Compliments to the chef. Perfection from the hostess to the waiter to the chef to the table.
(5)Celestine V.
Delish and authentic! Definitely coming back. Check in get free appetizer bruschetta! Clams & linguini, also eggplant parm is great. Tiramisu is fantastic
(4)NotReal N.
Best italian in town. Love it. Not too cheesy like all American-italian places. The lunch portion is so apt. I got only 4 pieces of ravioli which was just perfect. I hate the box concept. Also their bread is the best. It's crunchy not hard.. And very soft inside.
(5)Pink S.
Taste good but nothing special about this place. It could just be my preference though... I like more authentic Italian food.
(3)Diva R.
One if my favorite Italian restaurants. Really cozy and intimate. Perfect for date night and even for a bff night, when you need to just catch up! NOT the right spot for groups and loudness though. I am on their mailing list which always sends cool tid bits about tastings, events and even coupons! Every dish I have tried had been spot on! Love the fried artichoke appetizers and their pink sauce.
(5)Kimberly H.
Kids meals are generous and delicious. My kids ordered the pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and lasagna. Their lunch combo was so good too. My eggplant parmigiana and spaghetti and meatballs were piping hot and scrumptious. Signing up for their VIP Paesano loyalty club now. :)
(4)Linh M.
Came here for their lunch special and sat in the outdoor patio. It was such a nice atmosphere and the staff was extremely nice. I got the lasagna with a side salad and it was so good. The sauce was perfect and was cooked well. Nice size for a lunch portion and I would definitely come back. Try their ice cream. It is the best!
(5)Jim L.
Walked in on a Saturday night at 6pm,got seated in the patio straight away without a reservation. Perfect timing, cause as we were leaving the place was packed. Food was great, my wife likes her lamb very well done!! and it came out perfect. I had the chicken parma , no complaints, and we shared a tiramisu. Great service
(5)Mia A.
One of my favorite Italian places in Torrance! Service is always great. Went last week on a Wednesday night and our server was spectacular. I used the check-in deal for the free bruschetta, and the manager was awesome as well. Everyone from including the bussers and food runners were wonderful. Wine and Beer menu is nice. I initially wanted to take advantage of the Wine Shoppe next door for free corkage but since it was closed, ordered beer and wine off the menu, both were very good. Pasta is perfect. I love the aspargi and the clam linguini. I do wish they had a little more options for the pizza, but what they have is all delicious!! The crust is on the dough-ey side, and I was surprised I liked it since I typically prefer thin crusts. We went with 4 people and shared two appetizers and pizza and pasta. Because we all had beer and wine, it was the perfect amount at the end of the night, not stuffed but just right.
(4)Luis V.
Friendly service. Coffee is awesome!! My kids love the food. Appetizers and desserts are delicious. The menu has something amazing for everyone.
(5)Tom M.
Not bad, but not great. Still, I enjoyed dinner there. The atmosphere is nothing special, but certainly comfortable and accessible. We ordered a light pasta dish with broccoli and a bit of pancetta, which was a bit underwhelming on flavor, but at least we didn't leave feeling stuffed. The chopped salad was also a bit lackluster, due to the less than flavorful dressing. The wine list leaves a lot to be desired (I knew the jig was up when I saw Salmon Creek in their wine racks by the bathroom). However, they have a relationship with the Wine Shoppe next door, where the first bottle is a free corkage, and the second is only $14. So overall, a pretty darn good deal for family-style Italian. One more thing--our servers was outstanding, and really made the evening enjoyable.
(3)Madeline L.
This place was ok. Waiters were nice. Great interior, food was alright but their nutella bread pudding was to die for! Any dessert that has nutella deserves a moment in the spotlight.
(4)Roy Q.
Good Italian restaurant in the South Bay. A bit pricey but worth it from time to time. Service was good.
(4)Hope D.
Looked all over Yelp for a good Italian place to go for for my birthday and decided on Gaetano's--all the reviews sounded amazing. The place is on the fancy casual side, and the dishes are pretty pricey, but well in reason for the quality of good your reviece. We started with the bruschetta, which was amazing. I couldn't get enough. They also brought out complimemtary warm bread and olive oil, which was a greay appetizer by itself. For the meal (about $15-20/plate) I ordered the ravioli, which was great. Italian meals are usually very heavy, but not their ravioli. The squash filling kept it light and their white sauce added the right amount of taste. My family also ordered the gnocchi (which I didnt personally like, but they did), the chicken marsala (which was decent), and the Tuscon Chicken Pasta (?)(which personally, wasn't my cup of tea, but again, they seemed to enjoy it). When dessert came around, ordered the brioche nutella bread pudding, which I was dying to try and loved! It was soft and sweet, and pure deliciousness. I was kind of dissapointed by the serving size though. Seemed a little small for $8. On top of the bread pudding we also received complementary birthday marscapone. I wasn't expecting this, but just let them know it's your day and they'll bring it out for you. Overall my experience there was great! Can't wait to go back again!
(4)Rick L.
Great decor, plus outside patio area. Quiet inside restaurant which also ha a small bar. Half sandwich / half salad= Italian sandwich with Italian salad. Chunks of salami, cheese, celery, cabbage, lettuce, great dressing. Delicious warm bread too! Wife had pear salad that was killer and a piece of lasagna. All top notch. We really enjoyed it! We'll be back soon as the menu has lots of good options fir us.
(5)Michael O.
Gaetano's is one of my favorite Italian places in Torrance. Not only do they serve tasty dishes, but they frequently have dining promotions (4 course meals, wine pairing, etc.), they always participate in DineLA, and they still accept Restaurant.com gift certificates (though they're no longer available to purchase). Lunch ain't shabby here - you can get a sandwich and a small plate of pasta for around $10. Sandwiches taste awfully familiar...like Giuliano's! A-ha, the similar fonts being employed isn't just a coincidence, is it*?? * - "There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence." But really, it all boils down to the pasta. And the pasta here is like Roselyn Sanchez in Rush Hour 2 - it's the bomb. Regardless of what you choose, you really can't go wrong, but here are the dishes that stand out the most: 1. Tagliatelle and Chianti Braised Short Ribs. The short ribs are soooooo tender it's almost ridiculous. Nay, it's ludicrous! And they throw in pancetta, good god ya'll! 2. Penne Sonoma - it's the creamy marinara sauce that gets me on this one. I would order it to drink if it was available. 3. Osso buco. Braised veal shank, for those not familiar. How long is it braised for, you ask? FOUR FREAKIN HOURS!!! So so so so so so so good. And don't forget to order nutella brioche bread pudding for dessert. That's right. Brioche, bitches!
(4)Cynthia A.
Quaint, lovely, and a romantic atmosphere. Decided to take my bestie to dinner for her birthday plus the restaurant was participating in the DineLA menu. Yelp check in offers a free bruchetta appetizer. I thought it was delicious but not as scrumptious as the bread with oil. So soft on the inside but crunchy on the outside...perfect! I had to hold back because I was starting to get full and there was so much great food still coming out. The butternut squash ravioli was by far my favorite meal that night. I enjoyed my food and I liked the vibe of the place. The staff was attentive and friendly. I love Italian food so I look forward to tasting some more dishes. Tip: Take a bottle from Wine Styles (next door) and the restaraunt waives the cork fee on the first bottle :)
(4)Brenda C.
It's a great place to go to if you don't mind being treated poorly. I placed a take out order and discovered that the owner isn't concerned if your order is shorted and your time & money is wasted. Plenty of other places with good food; I will choose the one that treats the customer kindly and values their patronage.
(1)Alicia P.
Delicious food in a quaint little spot. The service was completely spot on. Strongly encourage making reservations. We had a large group come in at lunch (14 of us) and they didn't make us feel rushed or like we were taking to long (even though we were). A+ on food, service, atmosphere, and having a check in offer!
(5)Austin B.
I had a really good veal Milanese and a excellent cannoli. With the exception of a off tasting lasagna, which the manager promptly took care of, everything that everyone ordered was amazing. Service was excellent and attentive, the place was clean and neat, albeit a little dark. Excellent food, and we will be back for the next special occasion.
(4)Vette H.
Had a celebration lunch here with two Friends. The service was professional, polite, and friendly. The food was absolutely delicious! We had the Italian chopped salad, Italian pizza, Penne Sonoma, Shrimp Mediterranean, and Bruschetta Pomodora, topping it off with the nutella bead pudding and coffee. I could go through each dish, but there aren't enough words to describe how yummy this meal was. We are definitely going back soon.
(5)Susie C.
YUM!!!!! my husband and i went here based on the yelp reviews and we were not disappointed! we started off with the bruschetta... pretty good. And for my entree, I ordered the porcini and mushroom anolini... it was really really heavy and creamy... it was just okay. But the highlight of the meal was my husband's entree... he got the linguini alla pescatore... absolutely sublime!!!! i just couldn't help picking food off of his meal! It was so good... I can't wait to go back and try some of the other selections!
(4)V- T.
I keep wanting to come back to try the rest of their menu! Luckily, i live nearby so i can. So far, everything I've tried is DELICIOUS! Bruschetta appetizer is my favorite. And the homemade bread pudding....I could eat everyday. Chilean sea bass is yummy too. Everything is good here. I will be back again...
(5)Cynthia K.
This is a great place for Italian. They have the best Dipping Oil with Oregano that is so light and aromatic, you will love it!
(5)nick g.
This little restaurant is cute. Bring your date. This little restaurant is tasty. Bring your appetite. This little restaurant is freezing. Bring a jacket.
(4)George Z.
We (4) were going to a movie at AMC on a Thursday night. We went to Gaetano's for an early dinner ... arriving at 5:40 ... the hostess (Beth) said it would be 15 minute wait. Hmmmm, puzzling because there were 10 empty tables. I asked why would there be a wait ... since there were empty tables. Her terse response was, "It will be a 15 minute wait" as she glared at us. Then, 7 minutes later she takes us to the worst table ... right next to the kitchen ... "Go figure." We ordered ... the food was nothing special. When we left there were still empty tables ... I guess "Beth" (the manager or whoever) doesn't know about us "yelpers." For me, there's lots of restaurants in the area ... I'll pass on this "customer care!" Today, I received an email from "Dori G." ... apparently the owner. She said that she had spoken with "Beth" respecting customers.
(1)Sean M.
Seriously this place was AMAZING!! I had the tagliatelle pasta with chianti braised short ribs and a Moretti La Rossa to drink. The pasta was excellent and the rib was cooked so tenderly and tasty that it just was deliciousness melting in your mouth. When I checked in with my Yelp app I got a free bruschetta appetizer which was also nicely prepared. The restaurant was busy but the wait was not bad and the staff was courteous and prompt and polite. I cannot wait to go back and keep sampling everything on the menu.
(5)Jennie B.
Cute little hole in the wall in Torrance! We stopped in for lunch and were very pleased. The host was very accommodating and professional, same with the manager on duty. When we first sat down I thought to look at their reviews on yelp and I'm glad I did because we got a free bruscetta just by checking-in! It was probably the best bruscetta I've ever had. Our lunch sandwiches were also amazing (spicy chicken and italian club), but the best part was the bread (table, bruscetta, and sandwiches). It's lightly toasted and super soft. I would have given 5 stars if the service was a little better, and the salad that came with the sandwiches, it was bland and tasteless (I think it was just half a plate of lettuce.. which neither of us touched). Overall, great little italian restaurant that I would definitely return to!
(4)Jane L.
Gotta try the braised short ribs and raviolo
(5)Kat K.
It's probably more like 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous. The service is just okay, we were asked to wait 20 minutes only to be seated at a table that had been open since we arrived. If they were understaffed they could have seated us and given us water, and bread until they were more available - especially since I'm 6.5 months pregnant. Anyhow, the restaurant really redeemed itself in how fresh the food was. The salads were crispy and flavorful, the raviolis had good texture and were clearly fresh. I have never seen butternut squash ravioli the color of butternut squash, and that earns them a lot of credit. My mother's mushroom ravioli was also fresh and had good texture. I respect the amount of work that goes into that level of freshness, and it's what made the meal standout. I still think it's a bit expensive for what it is and I'm not a huge fan of their table bread, but all in all it was a pleasant surprise.
(4)Linda T.
Such a quaint place!!! Have gone many times, but last time was on Valentine's Day. Such a great experience. Its hidden in the strip mall next to Winestyles and Frys. The food is authentic and the service is wonderful. Very attentive from the hosts to the waiters/waitresses and busboys. The mushroom ravioli is divine! Go to their website, they have different specials on different nights.
(4)Kristen M.
One sunny afternoon, I revisited one of my local faves with my parentals for lunch. Gaetano's is a local fam bam owned resto which is nestled in the Torrance Towne Plaza. This charming place serves up great, authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices. (FYI = For those who love checking in on Yelp: you can get a free bruschetta appetizer). There are a couple of things that have changed since my last visit to Gaetano's, the food is STILL EXCELLENT, but the service has become a bit subpar. Upon seating and not even looking at the menu, our waitress was hustling us for drink orders. I wish she gave me and my family a minute or two to look over what was available first. I thought that was quite unreasonable on her end....... I noticed that the menu has changed since the last time I've been here. I'm not sure if it's because I went during lunch, because I usually ate here for dinner. Anyways, I opted for their 3-course special (soup or salad, entree and dessert) for $16. That was a steal! BRUSCHETTA POMODORO: the free appetizer (from my check-in perk which needs to be approved by the manager working upon order being sent through), as alluded to earlier was good for a four people. The large pieces of baguette were lightly toasted and layered with an abundant amount of bruschetta. On the side were, leaves of basil to compliment the app. I wish the size of the baguette was a bit smaller as it was difficult to cut through and not have any of the bruschetta fall over your plate (let alone yourself). The dish was tasty, but hard to handle. MINESTRONE SOUP: was delicious as I remembered it to be from my last visit. Lots of veggies and a great savory broth! I initially wanted the Lentil Bean soup. Once I requested the Lentil Bean, the waitress mentioned that they were out of the soup. *****I thought out of courtesy, once seated in a restaurant, aren't customers supposed to be informed about what has run out on the menu??!?!?!***** While the waitress was staring at me to make a decision for my order, I hesitated and opted for my usual minestrone soup. I wish she gave me more time to make that decision (but that would've been better if I was informed earlier, right?) BAKED MOSTACCIOLI: Mostaccioli is similar to the penne pasta, it's just a bit larger in size. Although, to me it just looked like another penne pasta. Not that I'm complaining! The pasta dish was cooked with ricotta and mozzarella cheese, chunks of meatball pieces and engrossed with meat sauce. If you love melted cheese on your pasta dishes, then this one you my enjoy! This dish was quite large in size, you can pretty much share this dish or save half for another meal. The pasta came piping hot and the oozing cheese was lovely. SPUMONI: Italian ice cream classic! Filled with maraschino cherries, pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate and strawberry goodness! I requested this initially when the waitress took my 3-course meal order. She came up to our cleared table and asked if we wanted dessert. I reminded her kindly and asked, "I thought my 3-course meal came with dessert?" The young, blonde waitress realized that I did order already and gushed, "I always forget about that when people order the 3-course meal!" I know she was trying to save her face so I just played along. ******(In all honestly, girl please you weren't really paying attention! You were just kissing a** to your other tables who were regular customers that you failed to cater your service equally to the tables you were responsible for)***** My father decided to order dessert and opted for the TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO (warm chocolate cake filled with chocolate sauce inside). Everyone knows that if a dish needed to be cooked for a certain amount of time, one would inform their customers about the time it would take. The waitress failed to do this. My spumoni ice cream came out first and my parents were thinking that the cake was forgotten to be served. After the spumoni ice cream was finished, we were sitting in limbo for 10 minutes. My mom flagged down the manager and requested for the chocolate cake to be canceled and for the check to come in (we needed to go somewhere and the lag of the waitress who was now MIA). Out of no-where she comes with the chocolate cake and the check and the best part - NO SPOONS. We had to flag a buss boy down for spoons because the waitress was MIA again. I honestly would've given 2 due to the ditzy waitress who wasn't giving us the time of day and not actually being a "waitress", but I've always been a fan of the restaurant and I hope they improve on service. This place deserves 4 stars, but not today. I've eaten here a several times even before I started yelping and was always a fan of the place. I don't know what happened to the service. I'm not sure if the girl was new. But homegirl needs to get her *ish together if she is going to be working here or any other restaurant in the future. FOOD IS EXCELLENT, BUT SERVICE COULD BE BETTER FROM THE BLOND WAITRESS!
(3)Jun I.
I went here for an anniversary dinner based on the good ratings. Service was good. Food was OK. I can't remember everything we ordered, but the butternut squash ravioli was very good. I remember the caprese being a little disappointing because the mozzarella was on the dry side.
(3)Connie S.
Our res. was for 6:30 on a Thurs., we arrived at 6:15, they weren't terribly busy but made us wait until 6:30 anyway, but they did give us a nice table. So we were seated and we waited, and waited, and waited. I FINALLY caught the eye of the host and we were taken care of, but not overwhelmingly so. The host sent us a complimentary appetizer, which was nice, but we would have been more apt to return if he'd waived our corkage instead. It's often a busy place, but to have such bad service when it was not that busy, wil certainly cause us to think twice before we return.
(3)Adela R.
Great service! Great food! I love the atmosphere that makes us feel like we know or are part of the family.
(5)Lana S.
I have only had takeout from this restaurant but it was delicious. I must come back and have the full experience. I am in love with the food here and the restaurant looks so cozy. It's hidden so make sure you do not miss it.
(5)Connie P.
My mom and I go there often for lunch. Their combos are perfectly filling and yummy! We always have enjoy it and have never left unhappy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. My husband and I go to dinner there occasionally and again have always enjoyed our meals and service. Love this place
(5)Ru C.
their bruschetta is SO GOOD! Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs is good too, the meat is pretty tender, not too fond of their cocktail though...i wish i can remember what i ordered...i think it was something strawberry but it's actually supposed to be mojito...and i hate mojitos..so i gave it to a friend who likes mojitos...but she doesnt like it as well -_-.... anyhow, friendly service and it was a good experience!
(4)Jolly M.
"Yummy yummy to my tummy!" Just tried something different and popular at Gaetano's...their lasagna. I have to say Deee-LISH! Great balance of pasta, cheese and meat sauce. They make their own pasta and homemade marina! So comforting. I was afraid to not go with my norm of the wild mushroom raviolli. I am delighted I tried something new! YUM! : ) The service was very slow during this dinning experience, but the food was divine. Greeting was slow with a lot of open tables and no one awaiting buy my guest and I. Once we were seated the service was slow unfortunately. Yet, not an issue. Just an off night. Previous visits have not been this way. The food over rides the con.
(5)Ryan R.
I had no idea this place existed, but thanks to Yelp I now do! I came here with my gf to have lunch. The place is very nicely decorated in traditional Italian style. We got the complimentary bruschetta appetizer using Yelp and it was delicious. Our meals were authentic and tasted great. The service was on point and exactly how it should be. We'll be back again!
(5)Denny B.
I was looking for something better than Craparoni Grill in the area. Located Gaetano's. Turns out it is run by a former girlfriend of a buddy of mine. Cool. Did a take out. Lasagna, baked mostaccioli and garlic cheese bread. Solid stuff. Nice bar area. Need to go back and try other other dishes.
(4)Hannah K.
Nice atmosphere and great food. I got the penne sonoma and it was delicious. I also tried some appetizers. The calamari fritti and the bruschetta pomodoro. Everything was delicious. :) I like that the calamari battter was nice and light and not too thick like some other places can be. The service and the atmosphere were great. I feel like this is a nice place to celebrate events or just go out. I would love to come back and try other dishes.
(4)Anthony D.
Nice place, tucked in the back of a strip mall, but very good food. Appreciated the Wine Wednesday as well :)
(4)Jack U.
I sincerely hope the owners read this as my family and I used to love Gaetano's. I am giving it two stars because the service, as always was decent. However the food is overpriced and not flavorful. We used to go here when we lived in West Torrance but hadn't for about one year. The food used to be very good a few years ago and has obviously gone down quite a bit. My son had the pasta alfredo. The alfredo sauce tasted like it came out of a Ragu jar. Very little seasoning and somewhat runny. My wife had the California Chopped which had way too much red onion, NO FETA, the salad was regular head lettuce with tons of the white crappy part, and the dressing lacked the usual flavor. We also ordered a side meatball which again, lacked a lot of flavor. The tomato sauce overwhelmed the meatball, and the ball by itself had very little flavor. Finally my "risotto". OMG. If you are going to charge $13 for risotto, PLEASE serve me real risotto...not RICE. Good grief, this plate had these huge, sliced standard mushrooms, tons of spinach, and something that appeared to be sliced sausage but had the texture of Vienna sausage. Again, very little flavor...unless you call overwhelming mushroom... flavor. I always felt their prices were more like a very good Italian restaurant and now its just overpriced, mediocre food. I honestly don't know whose these people are that are giving this place 4 and 5 stars. I know there really arent very good restaurants in West Torrance. You have to go to Hermosa/Manhattan beach or El Segundo. I hope they periodically taste their own food and make sure it has the proper seasoning. Good luck to them. The family is very nice. I hope their son improves the food. Lastly, try changing the menu once in a while. I don't think they've had much of a change in 8 years... with the exception of taking off their Lentil Soup which used to be outstanding!
(2)Leigh H.
came here for my bday last night with my parents and my daughter. my mom and daughter ordered lamb chops and while my moms was only rare instead of medium my daughters was entirely raw! the staff just seemed to be nonchalant about it. not coming back anytime soon.
(2)Marisol M.
Gaetano's does not disappoint! I came here for dinner once with a friend and decided I must go back with my husband. The location is slightly hidden but if you're heading north on PCH and you pass a Big 5 and Smart & Final, turn around, go in those store's lot, and look for Gaetano's. The outdoor seating area looks cute, but I've sat inside both times. It's a bit small so don't expect to get a 4-person table when you're a party of 2. Normally, I'm pretty finicky about personal place, but I didn't care at all here. My husband and I split the bruschetta wedge salad (the smaller-sized one). It looks small when it comes out, but it's just enough considering everything else you end up eating. They bring you out warm bread with dipping oil and butter. We then split the penne sonoma and gnocci. The chicken in the penne sonoma was really good. It was really tasty and had a slightly crispy crust that gave good texture to the dish. Gnocci with gorgonzola sauce is on the menu but we requested it with red sauce and they were totally okay with that. The gnocci also has mozarella...it's so good when it's at that melty, chewy stage. We were pretty full after finishing our meal but it was so good we had to have dessert. We had the nutella bread pudding. A little more nutella on it couldn't have hurt but it was still good. We were stuffed but very content leaving Gaetano's. We will definitely be back!
(5)Izzy R.
I enjoyed this restaurant. We order dessert first, the bread pudding nutella, it was delicious. Then we ordered the pear and gorgonzola salad and the spaghetti with meatballs. Without even asking the waitress was very accommodating in splitting both dishes to share. The salad was wonderful but the spaghetti I found it a bit too salty, I didn't much care for the meatball.The basket of bread was good. Even though we shared we barely finished everything. Nice place for a date but a bit pricey.
(4)Brian N.
Atmosphere is 4+ stars. The patio is relaxing and the staff is really friendly and attentive. Food is hit or miss though. Typical faux "real Italian" food. Lunch special at $10+ is outrageous.. And when you get the spaghetti w/meat sauce you will remember your childhood. By that I mean you will remember the taste of chef boyardee. Up charged another $1 for the meat sauce to $11+ for not just "canned" but the WORST OF THE CANNED sauces. Only saving grace was the penne I sub'd was cooked perfectly. Wife had the pork sandwich and that was good. Affogato was excellent. $50+ lunch for a sandwich and spaghetti w/only 1 cocktail? Well, give me another cocktail to ease the pain. Sorry guys you won't see me at gaetanos again any time soon.
(2)M C.
With a reservation our party was seated right away. Service and food was excellent.
(4)Mini G.
I went with a friend for dinner. We chose Gaetano's because it was close to both of us. We had a very nice dinner. The food and service were good. I wouldn't say the food was excellent, but the ambiance was. I am a foodie so my tastes and expectations are higher than most people. If you have a Birthday or Anniversary coming up I would suggest this restaurant. Everyone will have a good time. It is a great family restaurant.
(4)JACK C.
nice little place in the hood,, always busy...
(4)F D.
One of my 2 favorite Italian restaurants in the south bay. I love this place. It's a little pricey, but they have absolutely wonderful food. My favorite is their lasagna.
(4)C N.
Wow how am I in the South Bay every weekend and did not ever go to this place. Went last night with friends...they had the wine night menu and I had a shrimp mediterranean...SOLD...will be adding this place to my list of great places to eat.....prices very reasonable, food fantastic, nice location, great atmosphere...
(4)Gina C.
Cute place - good food. Very busy during dinner - reservations recommended. They have outside seating but it's very close to the parking lot. Servers are friendly but food takes a while to come out. My linguini & clams was a bit salty, but had a good experiece overall. :) Loved their olive oil dip for their bread.
(4)Charles H.
Lived in the area since '02, but never tried this place. Went for the first time in May. Crowded and a little noisy in a very un-charming shopping center location next to the former Circuit City...woo hoo! Food itself was pretty good, but expensive for what it is. It's one of those seemingly "casual" places that just "adds up" on you, you know? Next thing you know, the bill for two adults is $60+. Fortunately, I had a $50 Amex gift card that I felt like blowing, but I don't plan to go back with my own money, especially with all of the good places closer to home in San Pedro. Maybe if you live super close and don't go on Friday or Saturday night it's a better deal for you?
(2)joe j.
Love this place! A+ staff, attentive Mgt, quality control, great food, no, Fantastic food! Better than Eatalian Cafe, cheaper and quieter with much better service. Six stars if I could rate. 4 years voted best in So Bay by Daily Breeze Readers Poll. Impressive!
(5)T N.
I'm torn if I should rate this place 3 or 4 stars, so I'll say 3.5. I've eaten here about half a dozen times and each time is different. Atmosphere: Nice, cozy, intimate yet family atmosphere. The patio is great for warmer nights, it's got an intimate feel to it. Service: The bar area is very small and the bartenders are eh. The male hsotess is always friendly, the female one I encountered last weekend was pretentious. C'mon, you're not working at a high-profile restaurant. The wait staff has always been great. This makes up for the hostess and bartenders' lack of attentiveness. Food: Zuchinni fries, bread and minestroni soup are great!!!! Gnocchi, lasagna, grilled salmon and garlic lemon herbed chicken are good, too. Avoid the pizza, it's standard and a waste to order when there are so mnay other items. Price: On the pricier end for Italian. Each dish is plentiful but not enough to eat as a meal when you take home. Usually costs around $15-$22 for a dish.
(4)DAN S.
Service was excellent, food was great and the outdoor dining was perfect!
(5)Andy D.
Had dinner here a few weeks back and afterwards thought to myself, "How have I NOT eaten here ever?" Being a native of the south bay, this place is as good as it gets for Italian food. We started w/ the free bread, which was freaking awesome. Fresh hot bread w/ a garlic balsamic dip. Yum. I had the Chianti Braised short rib pasta which was fantastic. I would order this again in a heartbeat. Came in a tomato cream sauce and huge portion. Leftovers were also delicious the next day! Overall, great service and food. Will definitely return again. Make sure to check in with your mobile app to get a free Bruschetta appetizer, which was also incredible!
(5)Brittany W.
Very nice atmosphere. I loved the family feeling. I went for lunch so it wasn't crowded and we were seated right away. The service was a little slow for being some what empty. Can't remember what I ordered since I went for DineLA week but the menu had options for everyone.
(4)Janet K.
Delicious and soul-satisfying every single time. Lasagna and spaghetti with meatballs are always winners. But the cioppino is just perfection...
(5)Clifford P.
Although we've been here on several occasions for dinner, this was our first visit for lunch. We were able to walk right in and get a table, whereas reservations are highly recommended for dinner. We ordered the Pesto Salmon and the Stevie G (spaghetti marinara) lunch specials. The salmon was moist and succulent, I would have guessed it was poached if the menu hadn't said it was grilled, it was that moist. The spaghetti marinara was perfectly cooked and came with garlic cheese bread. Both lunch specials also came with a choice of soup. We had the minestrone which was absolutely delicious. Service was outstanding as usual, with our waiter explaining the menu options and keeping our drinks refilled without us having to ask. Also, don't forget to check-in on Yelp to get your free appetizer!
(5)I. A.
this was our first time here and the food and service were both fabulous!! we only had to wait like 5 minutes to be seated on a saturday night. i ordered the lasagna and my husband ordered the Baked Mostaccioli ,, both were quite delish!!! the portions are huge !! so come hungry!!! and because i "checked in" before we arrived , we got a free appetizer, free bruschetta!! also yummy!! their bread is brought to you fresh out of the oven! yumm!! we shall be returning!!! ;0)
(5)Peter F.
Had the spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce was just as it is suppose to be just right. But I really didn't enjoy the meatballs much. Well really I don't like anyone's meatballs accept my own or my mamas that I grew up on in New York. But this place is great. I'll dine again soon
(5)Rhonda K.
I recently came across Gaetano's Restaurant by accident, and I am so glad I did. It was a crazy early evening and we needed something fast to feed a small army of adults and teens. From the moment we walked in, we were taken care of by Michael Sandell who was working behind the bar. We were frazzled and didn't quite know what we wanted, dealing with an autistic boy while trying to order. Michael recommended a number of entrees that he thought we'd enjoy and took our order personally. He made sure while we waiting we had cokes for the boys and cocktails for the adults. I've never had such wonderful service as Michael really takes pride in his work and the customers he serves. Every business needs about 20 just like him. It wasn't long before we had our food and were on our way. We took the food home and devoured everything. My father who is a very picky eater, can't wait to go back and dine in the restaurant. I was very impressed and can't wait to visit again. Thank You Michael and all who work at this unbelievable restaurant. I will return soon with all of my friends.
(5)Richard C.
Perfect 5 stars for me. Great service, great atmosphere for lunch or dinner, and of course great food. I had their sundried tomatoes ravioli topped with pesto sauce that was on their special. It was delish!! I will be coming back to this place soon!
(5)Sarah S.
I worked at an Italian restaurant for 6 years and have been to Italy three times. I know good Italian when I taste it and this place is amazing. Our server Debi was so sweet and everything was perfect!
(5)Myron G.
Waited for a table in spite of many available Ordered veal which was undercooked Don't think well go back
(1)Sara V.
I loved the Seafood pascatore linguine! Lots of delicious garlic and flavor. I had read that the Braised Chianti rib pasta was great on Yelp but then discovered it was lacking flavor. It is like eating a potroast on noodles. Definitely check in on Yelp for the free bruschetta.. DELICIOUS!
(4)Kristen I.
Amazing polenta and short ribs! The patio is the perfect spot to sit because of the sun and plants around you. The service was great and I will definitely be returning.
(4)Jazzel A.
I celebrated my birthday here with my family. Authentic Italian cuisine at its finest. Food was 5 stars. As soon as you are seated, freshly baked bread with dipping sauces butter and olive oil were served. Free bruschetta when you use yelp check-in. It was a refreshing appetizer. All of us ordered pasta, and we all loved it. Freshly grated parmesan cheese topped our pasta. I ordered the Italian orange soda. The orange and carbonated water were strong to the taste. It was a nice drink compliment to the pasta. After we were done eating, a birthday song was played. The staff provided a free ice cream. The food in here were simply delicious. One thing that I didn't like was the long wait. We waited for an hour to be seated. If I was not in a good mood that day, I might have missed the authentic Italian cuisine we were craving for.
(4)Raquel G.
Came in yesterday with a party of 7 told the wait would be 45 mins to an hour. Waited 30 mins and was seated. Since I chkd in we got a free bruschetta appetizer. It was ok tasting. Also got the calamari appetizer which I did like. I ordered the lobster stuffed scampi which I loved but the noodles were really garlicky. The service was great in fact as we were waiting to be seated a guy was going around giving samples of their artichoke appetizer which was nice as u sit hungry waiting for your table. The warm bread with what tasted like olive oil and capers was very good. Overall I had a great dinning experience and am looking forward to go back very soon to try a new dish.
(4)Kelly E.
Love coming to this place! The olive oil/herb mix that comes with the NICE WARM baguettes while you're deciding what to order is so delicious. I usually wind up downing the entire basket of bread + 2 of the helpings of olive oill. Onto real food though. The helpings are generous and really, pretty good for the price. I would suggest going for lunch though as the prices are a little more reasonable. The pear and walnut salad has a nice tangy dressing that I have many a times considered licking off the plate when I'm finished (don't worry, I still have some sense of pride). Pasta is nice and light (wait, pasta.. LIGHT? iknoright?). It was really delicious. If you're looking for some nice friendly service + DERICIOUS food for a fairly reasonable price. come on down.
(4)Bob S.
Try the bruschetta, it is fantastic, covered with fresh tomato and herbs. We had the mushroom ravioli, and the flavor was fantastic, rich and creamy sauce with the wonderfully woody flavor of mushrooms throughout. We also had the Italian Riviera, which was a blend of grilled chicken slices and shrimp, also in a mushroom cream sauce that was wonderful. To my taste the only slight miss was the ravioli was slightly too cooked and soft, I prefer pasta a little more el' dante. The atmosphere and Sinatra music was very nice. I would recommended sitting outside if you like a slower pace and quitter atmosphere. We will definitely come again.
(4)Brenda N.
I made reservations for Valentines day and I must say that although I've driven past this gem many times before I never really noticed it and perhaps this is a good thing! The outside is adorned with patio lights and once inside its dimmly lit and intimate. Just my style! Parking was easy and ample. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. We ordered the calamari appetizer and we had the linguini pescatore and italian riveria pasta. Both were delicious, I especially thought the linguini was amazing! This is my new favorite go-to italian restaurant in the Southbay. Its a must try! The best part was the music! I loved dining while listening to the mambo italiano! =)
(5)Jon M.
I have been going to Gaetano's since they first opened. The food is great, the atmosphere and warm and inviting. And it is a family run business. It is one of my favorite places to eat for both lunch and dinner. I highly recommend Gaetano's to anyone looking for a nice dinner out or a nice lunch. They always are adding new items to the menu and improving the décor and setup of the restaurant. Their new outdoor patio looks awesome.
(5)Koki M.
Been coming here for 4 years. I've noticed the quality and quantity diminish drastically in the past year. Gave it another try tonight HORRIBLE at least teach your cooks how to make pasta. The pasta was way undercooked. The mushroom agnilotti I had last time I guess was replaced with the nastiest mushroom ravioli I've ever eaten the sauce was practicaly water. I would've been better off getting frozen ravioli from Albertsons! Had to get pasta from Panera Bread next door which was 10 times better! Sad to see such a good place go down the drain so quickly waited 50 minutes and was told 20 no apology nothing. C'mon now not a way to run a buisseness. Never plan on coming back and if you read this review and ignore it I guess you'll find out for yourselves. Don't go if your starving. Don't go if you are expecting amazing Italian food. I just don't suggest this to anyone seriously!
(1)Sylvia M.
Gaetano's has been a family favorite for many years, it rarely disappoints. It's a step above a neighborhood Italian, the food is more modern without being pretentious, and there are still plenty of old favorites on the menu. The service is good, food consistent and quality, and the bar does a nice job. I love a restaurant that not only has great food, but also gets things right like sides, bread, decent house wine and soup! All signs of things going right with management and kitchen. My favorites are the sand dabs and butternut squash ravioli. Two things I rarely order other places, but Gaetano's gets them SO right, it's hard to resist ordering the same darn thing every time I come in. They also do a good job with veggies and are happy to do double veggies instead of veggie + pasta on the side.
(4)Jorge H.
My first time here, wasn't sure what to get so I ask the waitress for some suggestions. She recommended the Lamb Chops. When I got my plate it did not look appetizing. The lamb was over cooked and the meat was as thin as carne asada. The vegetable and potatoes were ok, but I would prefer Mashed potatoes, the food was room temperature not cold but not as hot as a fresh off the grill meat. The service was just ok. They were polite, but so busy that we would have to waive down our server to get help. And it's kind of expensive. For me this would be a 1 Star but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because the rest of my family said their food was good.
(2)Husbo D.
It was great. Pricey but you get what you pay for
(5)Justin R.
Great music from the likes of many great crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and many of their contemporaries really set the mood here. The music in itself really deserved a 5 star by itself. Followed by the dim lights and great food makes for a real romantic atmosphere. Portions in particular are perfect for exactly two people. They start you off with bread and olive oil. I believe their olive oil had rosemary in it, which enhanced the flavor. They also had bottled Balsalmic Vinegar which really complimented the olive oil well. The bread was very warm and soft but fills you up fast. Thanks to the Yelp App, I got a free Bruschetta Appetizer for checking in. The bread was nice and crispy. The toppings were fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil. It was really flavorful and very tasty. It was a perfect portion for two people. We also had the Calamari Fritti. The calamari perfectly golden fried and crispy. It came with two dipping sauces, marinara and pesto cream. The pesto cream was rather bland. The marinara was okay but nothing special. The portion itself was great for two people and you could maybe stretch it out to three people. Otherwise, it's a small portion for a party of 4 or more. For my main entree I went with one of the pictures posted on yelp. I didn't want to go with spaghetti or lasagna. I wanted to experience something else. Nothing really caught my eye but the Chicken Sonoma and Italian Riviera and I couldn't find anything about them. I noticed the butternut squash ravioli had photos. I went with it and added grilled chicken, it tasted great. It was creamy and just melted in my mouth. If I didn't add the chicken, it' would've been a perfect dish for a vegetarian. I enjoyed the food very much. It was clean and service was okay. They didn't refill our waters without asking and there isn't free refills for soft drinks. I found out after I received the bill. It was a small restaurant and I always felt that every Italian restaurant should have no problems catering to big parties because Italian families are big. This restaurant had a more romantic vibe, perfect for a date, yet casual, they also serve wonderful choices for vegetarians.
(4)L. S.
Delicious Italian food! I always order seafood. Fast and wonderful customer service! We always sit in the patio -- it's so nice, cozy, and romantic! We might go this weekend! ;-)
(4)Neeraj S.
Gotta give props to yelp for this one. I was literally waiting for a table at olive garden (an hour wait) when I decided to search for other Italian alternatives in the area. This place was amazing from the moment we walked in. The ambiance, the service, and of course, the food were all top notch. I used the check in special for the free bruschetta (glorious), and the waiter, knowing it was our first visit, hooked us up with 2 desserts on the house. Needless to say, we will never be going back to olive garden again.
(5)Jenny R.
You'd never know this gem of a restaurant could exist in a shopping center with a Kohl's, Big 5 and Jack in the Box. But it does, and I'm so glad, because I like supporting local businesses when I can, and I live 5 minutes away! The staff is always friendly and helpful. I usually get the spaghetti, but add sundried tomatoes and (fresh) veggies (at no extra charge, mind you!) There are 3 reasons you should check out Gaetano's: The food/bread is good, the prices are good, and it's not Olive Garden, so there's no frozen stuff here!
(5)roland b.
Went here this evening walked in party of 2, hostess went to seat us and tried to put us in the smallest table they have. Asked for a bigger table or booth they said they were all reserved but no one was in there.... Not going back. Bad way to run a business!
(2)Bruce D.
Excellent, authentic Italian food. Pleasant atmosphere that makes one feel like family. Combined with great service makes this a place you definitely must try.
(5)Christy M.
what a great place. the eggplant parm is my favorite anywhere! and the family atmosphere and service are spectacular. my parents drive 40 minutes almost every other weekend to have dinner here (and visit us) but it's by far their favorite Italian restaurant and my dad is Italian! Girls night (on a monday i think) is also really nice. nice menu, nice prices.
(5)Retired B.
I ordered the butternut squash ravioli. Even though it was about eight raviolis, the white sauce was so rich that I could barely finish my plate. That particular dish is on the sweet side, so I probably would try a savory red sauce pasta next time. Service is alright.
(3)Rick T.
I am going to give this place the full 5 stars! They have it all, great food, quick service, and a great non-chain atmosphere. They are very friendly, and everything that my wife and I have ordered has been really good. I always prefer to go here over Buca, although their garlic bread rocks!
(5)Vinele G.
this place is so great. we got the canneloni, margarita pizza, baked mostaccioli, spaghetti marinara and minestrone. everything was excellent from the bread they brought to the table, to the affogato we had for dessert (if you haven't had one, try it!). our waitress debbie was great and vince the owner totally came out and entertained my lovely but annoying father with his questions. needless to say, my parents became part of the paesano club and we'll be back. definitely try out this place, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Beth H.
WOW...all I can say is WOW.... Not really, you know me. When would WOW be all I'd say? After a fun filled evening at the Torrance Airport in BF's hangar meeting the Bonanza V-tail, he wanted to take me to Gaetano's for dinner. He's a genius BTW. Adorable little place, very cozy and homey but bustling with life. There was an hour wait for a table inside but we opted for first available on the patio. It was a cool night but there were plenty of strategically placed heaters so it was a perfect choice on a beautiful night. BF brought an amazing bottle of wine that he purchased from WineStyles next door and the cool part? Gaetano's doesn't charge a corkage fee! Right on! For appetizers we ordered the Garlic Cheese Bread (BF) and the New Zealand Mussels (me). Garlic Bread was amazingly hot and soft with a nice crispy crust, bursting with garlic and seasoning and ooey, gooey, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. The mussels came in a large bowl standing on their ends, fanned out like a beautiful flower. An amazingly huge portion and some of the best mussels I've EVER had...and I LOVE mussels!!! These beauties were sauteed in olive oil and white wine and the amazing pool of saucy goodness in the bottom of the bowl was perfect for the sopping with the garlic cheese bread and the awesome house bread. Did I mention the house bread? Light, airy puffy balls of bready goodness with a thin, shell like crust and almost a pastry lightness inside...OMG! BF ordered the Stuffed Scampi. About six large shrimp stuffed with scallops, shrimp, lobster and salmon with a smooth, tasty cream sauce. This came with a side of linguine and veggies. Again, another healthy portion and the taste? Complex and absolutely delish. My selection was off of the Fall Signature Menu. Seared Scallops with Pancetta and Spinach. This had all of my favorite things wrapped up in one. Seared scallops seasoned and cooked to perfection with a light crispy exterior and soft interior. These gorgeous little gems rested on top of a large bed of sauteed spinach, Roma tomatoes and cannellini beans. This was pure, unadulterated heaven on a plate. The beans created a chunky yet creamy little pillow with the wilted spinach leaves and chunks of tomato my eyes immediately rolled back in my head. THIS, my friends is what love is all about! Tiramisu (homemade BTW) topped off a perfect meal. Add the amazingly friendly and attentive staff to the amazing food, no corkage and WineStyles right next door and you have a 5+ winner right here. Eddie Money must have been to Gaetano's as he said it best..... youtube.com/watch?v=MJbB… Muah to my sweet BF for sharing this awesome place with me :) He and his Dad/Step-Mom are regulars here. Now I know why. I wanna be a regular too......
(5)Jee S.
This place knows great Italian food. This place also knows great service. This place also knows great ambiance. And my favorite thing here is, their Tiramisu. It seriously is the best I've ever had.
(4)Adri C.
Came here yesterday for dinner. I ordered the Rigatoni Milano pasta but it was not that great. The sauce was not thick enough and the dish was not too flavorful. My boyfriend ordered the Penne Sonoma and it was DELICIOUS. I ended up eating half of his plate instead of mine. For dessert we had the chocolate lava cake which was decent but I wouldn't order it again.
(3)James C.
GREAT PLACE!!!! There are a few non five star reviews on yelp and I am bit shocked. I am one of the biggest foodies out there. I cant believe that for what this restaurant is that anyone would give them anything less than five stars. Everything about this restaurant would want you to come back for. The staff... The food... The prices.... The decor. The food. However, nothing is perfect and to be fair the only things that could have made things better in my opinion..... And I am a virgo... The tables for two are not big enough for how I order... And the other is that the salad dressing(homemade yum yum) could use less oil. Both things are common at any restaurant. So, again great place don't second guess it. Just go!!
(5)Jeremy M.
This place is pretty awesome. I've only been twice, but what I've tried was excellent. Only four stars because the wine list is lacking and the pizza was a bit dull. I had the Gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce and chicken. This dish, while not on the menu, is a few dollars more than the plan Gnocchi with red sauce. Getting the Gorgonzola sauce was clutch, but I'm not sure adding the chicken was worth it - next time I'm going to try adding Italian sausage instead. My friend created his own pizza, adding only mushrooms. They have a good sauce and good cheese, but I think it would've been better with a kick to it - red peppers and a little salt would've done wonders. Another friend had the Chicken Parmesan. This was pretty spectacular, but slightly too salty. Unfortunately, I didn't see if that was how it came out of the kitchen or if my friend added salt. The chicken was moist and the cheese had a great flavor. The wine list is marginal - they have a few good wines, but they're mostly mediocre. I would like to see some more reds from Italy.
(4)San N.
Great food. Definitely make reservations! Service - Outstanding! Food - 1. Calamari Fritti - Average. Big cuts of calamari but I wouldn't say it was memorable. Batter was light but not flavored. Served with a pesto cream sauce and marinara. 2. New Zealand Mussels - Finally! A place which serves big mussels and not those shriveled little things. Worth the price. Sauce is light and not overpowered by too much wine or garlic. 3. Rolls and Dipping Sauce - Piping hot bread and homemade basil olive oil sauce. Great touch. 4. Fettuccini and Chianti Braised Short Ribs - Amazing! Homemade pasta in a light orange cream sauce with shredded short ribs. Meat was tender and juicy, sauce was not overpowering and pasta was perfectly cooked. 5. Taste of Italy - I've had much better chicken parmigiana and lasagna. Love love the spaghetti Stefano (olive oil, carmelized garlic, basil). Note: It wasn't a big deal but it did catch us by surprise. The restaurant does charge a cake cutting fee of $10. A bit pricey but I don't know if that was a flat charge or broken down per person.
(4)Anita K.
Had dinner here the other night and the meal was great! We had our free bruschetta appetizer to begin with. The tomatoes were fresh and it was perfectly seasoned. I ordered the garlic pizza and my bf ordered the short rib pasta. The garlic pizza had too much garlic for my taste, but it was my mistake in ordering it. The short rib pasta was amazing! I would definitely order it the next time I'm there. My only complaint is that we waited too long for the food to arrive, but in their defense, the restaurant was packed.
(4)Adam R.
The food was average and the portion sizes were small for the price. The wife and I ordered take out tonight. We ordered the Gorgonzola and pear salad and the pick two dinner combo with butternut squash ravioli and eggplant parmigiana. The size of the salad was decent. The dinner combo was small with 5 small ravioli and one breaded slice of egg plant. We paid $30 and expected to get about 2 nights worth of food, which is what $30 bucks usually gets you. Not here. As for the taste...average. The salad was the best thing we ordered and was on par with a salad entree you would get at other restaurants. The butternut squash ravioli was bland since it was pretty much just cheese and squash. It needed some spices. The eggplant parmigiana was OK, just not anything special.
(2)Laurice R.
Every time I visit Burke Williams, or Panera's, or Kohl's... I smell this amazing garlic and bread as if a plate of excellent food was right in front of my face. Always wanting to try this place, but never having heard anything about it left me weary. Now I know why... anyone that goes there doesn't want anyone else to find out how fantastic this place is! It was my friend's birthday and his family owns this restaurant so we headed over. Had I known his family owned the Restaurant, I would have been there sooner. It's a small intimate environment, definitely has that family feel to it. If you don't have a reservation, you'll be waiting for awhile. The restaurant space is very nice. Updated, clean, comfortable, and romantic. It's a loud place, but it's all in good fun. They have outdoor seating, with heaters, which would seem perfect for a nice summer evening. I had the Honey Salmon Salad, it was quite tasty. I love trying different salads and this was one of the best. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the dressing was simple and light. My husband had the Stuffed Scampi and oh my was it delicious! The bread with dipping oil was very good also. The only down side, the service was a little slow, as was the food, but it was worth the wait and since we were with a large party we had plenty to talk about. We will be going back to try other dishes and experience the family style love that is so obvious in their food.
(5)H N.
Tasty and innovatively crafted Italian dishes.This place has a great cooking style of blending the old school with the new school.haven't had anything bad here yet,but some favorites are mosticoli,lasagna or spaghetti
(5)Robert A.
Best Italian food in the South Bay! Family owned and operated which really makes a difference in service and food quality. Keep up the good work, can't wait to go back .
(5)Rebecca P.
my husband and i came here for a special occasion and both of us were impressed. My husband was quite impressed and that is saying something. i came back for a lunch meal and had a salad with their homemade vinaigrette and it was the best vinaigrette I have ever had.
(4)L And T S.
What a pleasant surprise. This was the only place in South Bay we were able to find a cannoli on the dessert menu. Check-in here and get a free appetizer.
(4)Serenity F.
While my Caprese salad was disappointing, I know everyone else loved their dishes so I cannot fault this place for their food. Their dinner rolls were always served warm, and they were very attentive to our water/drinks/dirty dishes needs. As usual, the prices were a bit steep for basic Italian dishes, but the atmosphere was friendly and the service was prompt and they handled our table of 8 very well. It should also be noted this place is pretty hard to find. It's in a shopping center tucked away behind a Panera Bread, and their signs are obscured by palm trees. Park by the Bank of America and you will find it.
(4)Amy R.
Best BBQ Chicken Pizza EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Â!!!!!!
(5)Bat F.
Nice little place in a relatively busy shopping center (the Torrance Town Center) with a lot of parking. I would recommend a reservation as my party of three took about 35 minutes to seat at 5:30 PM on a Sunday night and it only got busier as we waited. I got the gnocchi alla gorgonzola, my the butternut squash ravioli and my son the cheese pizza. We also did the Yelp check in to get the free bruschetta. The best thing really was the bread (both the regular stuff and the toasted stuff with the bruschetta). My wife thought the bruschetta could have used a bit more balsalmic vinegar but I thought it was just fine, nice and garlicky. I am not normally a fan of gnocchi but this one was pretty decent as the pesto added a nice bit a flavor to what could have been a very one-dimensional dish. The butternut squash ravioli was also good (I haven't had one that I hadn't liked) and the pizza was loaded with cheese with a nice thin crust. I was too full to try the Nutella bread pudding which is a shame but I guess that is a good reason to come back.
(4)Kelly M.
Gaetano's is something of a hidden treasure. Inside, the ambiance is pleasant, the waitstaff is helpful, and the food is delicious (lots of options in the $10-16 range, but Penne Sonoma is my go-to favorite). I've been coming here for years, and I've never been disappointed. Sometimes they'll have a pianist on weekend evenings, which is fun, and changes the atmosphere from dim/quiet/subdued to a bit louder and livelier (but not so much so that you can't have a conversation at your table at normal volume). I'd definitely recommend!
(5)Sara J.
I can't believe Gaetano's has anything but 5 stars. The food is amazing the service is outstanding, and prices are fair.
(5)M.J T.
Went there around 5pm when there were only still a few customers. Nice atmosphere and service. It was during happy hour so ordered house wine. House wine was normal taste as you can get in house wine, and appetizer was half price. Appetizer assortment was good. My husband ordered pepper and sausages and I ordered mushroom ravioli. His comment was huge portions, outstanding flavor, and friendly service. What I had was nice rich taste and went with my wine very well. It seems like this restaurant gets crowded at night time but it was very nice to sit down at quiet place and enjoy food and wine.
(4)Robert and Tammy A.
I feel obligated to write a review after coming for lunch today and using my check in offer for a free bruschetta appetizer. I have been to Gaetano's a number of times and I have never been disappointed. Today was my first time coming for lunch. My dad and I weren't that hungry so we decided to get an appetizer and a salad each. We ordered their seared scallops appetizer and the bruschetta (from the offer obviously). The scallops app was amazing, the sauce is delicious and they were perfectly cooked. The bruschetta was delicious as well (thanks Gaetano's). I ordered their honey-glazed salmon salad and it was soo good. I only ordered the starter size but it was plenty of food. The salmon was seared perfectly and the dressing was good. My dad ordered the chopped salad i believe? and he really liked it. We have come for dinner a number of times as well. I recommend their scallop entree with the cannelloni beans. I love their menu and it has a lot of unique items, not your typical Italian food. Oh and the service was great too!
(5)Red G.
If you are looking for your local Italian restaurant that knows how to make a real tasty Italian meal, Gaetano's is your place. They are yummy in everything I have ordered so far. Eggplant Parm is made to perfection, Fettucine Alfredo is fattening but great, delicious pizza with homemade meatballs and extra marinara sauce...plus, their pasta all come al dente! Even without asking! Thumbs up for Gaetano's!
(4)Logan C.
Pretty good but a bit heavy handed with the cream, cheese, and oil. If you're in the mood for heavy american style Italian, Gaetano's is a good choice.
(3)Edith B.
So on mother's day we decide to go for dinner..last minute. They were able to sit 6 of us. I was bit surprised especially because the food is delicious and the portions were plentiful. The calamari appetizer lacked calamari but not short on taste. I was shocked when I got the bill because I wasn't expecting it to be so expensive. It averaged about $33 per person....3 were kids. Like I said though....the food is delicious.
(5)melinda j.
Did you know that the owner of Giuliani's also owns the place? We just celebrated a birthday here with a large party of friends this past Saturday. One of my coworkers always raves about this place being the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay, so I came here with high hopes. Overall, I concur that the food was simply average. I'm not sure if it was because the kitchen was overworked and lacked quality control or if I didn't order the right thing, but what I had wasn't great. Initially I planned on ordering the linguini with clams, but when the waitress told me they only had canned clams available, I quickly changed my mind. Instead, I ordered the Tuscan Chicken ($15), which comprised of half a chicken breast sauteed in garlic, and then covered with cheese and a few asparagus spears, and spaghetti stefano, a traditional garlic and oil spaghetti. Nothing special, really. The husband had the rigatoni with sausage, but felt that the sauce lacked flavor dimension and felt that the portion was on the small side. Bread wasn't anything to write home about. I wouldn't recommend that you go out of your way to come here.
(3)Lan T.
So the place is tucked away near the Circuit City, I actually passed it the first time and had to come back. The outside wasn't very impressive, although because of the circuit city there was a lot of parking which was good. I went for Gaetano's Restaurant wine dinner which was a pairing of a 5 course meal and 5 wines (the 5th was actually champagne). They have this like twice a year. Wine Night Five course set menu, each course served with a taste of wine ANTIPASTO Sizzling Scallops Chateau St. Jean, CHARDONNAY ZUPPA Tomato Basil Soup Meridian, PINOT NOIR PRIMI Wild mushroom ravioli in a mushroom cream sauce Gabbiano, CHIANTI SECONDI Pepper Steak served with garlic mashed potatoes Wolf Blass, SHIRAZ DOLCE Pear Fritters The Tomato Basil soup was amazing! The scallops were very tasty. The pepper steak was very large, i was surprised at the size. The wines were good. They were not expensive but they were very good selections to the served food. The last notable thing was the staff. They were all very friendly, good good people. My friend said it was family owned and run. I had a really fun time, even though I had a humungous headache this morning! I recommend this place especially to get on the mailing list for the next wine pairing dinner!!!
(4)Eunice N.
nutella bread pudding = heaven in your mouth !
(4)Kylah G.
I seriously doubt if service gets better than this!!! the clientele is very diverse which i love, on any given night you'll find someone of every age, race, or sex at a table. the staff is more than amazing i can't even describe the friendliness and welcoming attitude everyone has, they're just great. this is the place to go on a date, for your birthday or with your family!! There is great Italian music playing in the background at the perfect volume, the bar is wonderful if you want to watch sports and not deal with the family setting dining area, and the whole restaurant sings happy birthday to you on your special day. No amount of questions are too many for the staff they are so happy to help and chat with your table you feel like they are a part of your whole meal, my drink is never empty and I love the water bottles. Now to the food, I'm a big Italian food fan and I love family owned and operated businesses so this place is my personal heaven! It has rich history and you can taste it in every bite of your meal, the table bread is amazing soft in the inside crusty and golden cooked on the outside, they have a wonderful herb mix they put your olive oil in for the bread and the rosemary butter is the best thing ever *in my Paula Dean voice*. I've had salad, sandwiches, and of course pasta and every time I've left with a new favorite. The risotto balls from the appetizer menu are to die for the sauce they are in is freaking awesome!! Lol man I could write about this place all day I just love it.... I also love the meat dishes that I haven't found at other places such as the Brasato and who doesn't love baked polenta? And the stuffed shrimp is pretty much my favorite thing on the menu... Try Gaetano's you won't be disappointed.
(5)Ketan M.
This was possibly the best casual italian restaurant in which I have ever eaten. From the fresh bread and spiced olive oil dipping sauce when you first sit down till the dessert at the end of the meal, everything was perfect. The bruschetta and salads were wonderful, but the eggplant parmigiana and penne asparagi were what really blew us away. The tiramisu was also light and delicious, and the service remained excellent the entire time, promptly refilling our drinks and responding to all of our individual requests. Because we went on a tuesday we were able to do the family deal, which gave us a four course meal of an appetizer, individual salads for all four of us, and two entrees all for $45, so we found it to be very reasonably priced. However if you don't get that deal the entrees seem to average about 15-16 dollars, so keep that in mind. All in all I strongly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a reasonably priced, quality meal and dining experience.
(5)Liz R.
I thought this place was fabulous! The inside is nice and kinda fancy yet not too much, it just felt like a "nice" lunch. I went with my mother and we got the vegatable lasanga which was awesome, and some bowtie pasta (sorry it's been awhile, can't remember exactly) which was perfect. We ordered a caprese salad to start which was just perfect too. I wish I liked wine so I could have ordered that too to go with my perfect Italian meal. The nice bread they serve with the olive oil and herbs was a nice surprise. Service was prompt but I had trouble getting her attention a few times despite it not being too busy. Overall though, a great experiance and we'll be back!
(4)Karen B.
What a wonderful restaurant! and the management is so helpful and caring. Our daughters organized a surprise 40th anniversary luncheon for us and a small group of friends/family. Even though they don't usually do such a small group with a set menu, they did for us. The service was outstanding and the owner was there and spent lots of time with us and the other customers. I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying another high quality Italian dinner. I can't say enough good things about Gaetano's.
(5)Patti S.
When my friend, Judy comes to town from Palm Springs, we try to meet for lunch. On several occasions we have chosen to eat at a local Italian restaurant called Gaetano's. We both must have been very hungry the last time we were there because we ended up ordering 3 dishes that we split. We tried something called Arancini which was risotto tossed with parmesan, peas and mushrooms rolled and fried and served in a cream marinara sauce. That was the appetizer. We also had the Italian chopped salad and the main dish was the Chicken Cannelloni. It was way too much food and we ended taking half of it home. Our bill ended up being quite high for lunch, but then again, we were able to eat it again for lunch the next day. :) Everything was delicious and we will eat there again, I am sure. They also serve a great Sandab dish and a wonderful Osso Buco which comes with a generous serving of Polenta.
(4)Jeff P.
Great steak with Gorgonzola, yummy strawberry salad and decent wine. Best Italian food I've had in the area.
(4)Mel C.
One of the best Italian restaurant's I've ever eaten at and I've been all over Italy for a month. Anyway, their pasta is wonderful. I've had the gnocchi and the butternut squash ravioli, both were excellent. The molten chocolate cake is good too.
(4)LucyO I.
Gaetano's is the best Italian food in the world!!! It has a great family atmosphere. Try the baked Mostacholi...its amazing!!! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Adam B.
The restaurant was very small and crowded. Very long wait and they will not let you make reservations after 5... The waitress seemed bored and uninterested in accommodating to us. The corking fee was through the roof, It is expensive and the clams tasted like they were caught in San Pedro. Cute place though.
(2)K C.
This is the best Italian restaurant in the area! You have to try it. It's owned by a nice family who are friendly and are dedicated to offering authentic Italian food. The staff are great, the ambiance is great, but the food is amazing. My favorites are the Linguini and clams and Butternut ravioli.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Holy Moly....the best italian food ever! It's a pretty small place but well worth the wait. Alex always orders the Cioppino which is full of the freshest seafood, the sea in a bowl. And the tomato sauce is not bland or sour like other places. I've had the Stuffed Scampi and the Eggplant Parmigiana and loved them both. I especially love their Spaghetti Stephano, which is basically garlic spaghetti. Soooo awesome! If you're ever in the Torrance area, or even Redondo Beach area, it's worth the drive and is a must try restaurant! Oh, and order a bottle of the Francis Coppola Diamond Series Cab...great w/ dinner!
(5)Matt V.
Delicious dinner and super friendly staff. Great ambiance for a date night! Plus, you can buy wine at the shop next store (they have a great selection) and they'll waive the corkage fee for the first bottle. All around, this is how an italian restaurant is supposed to be.
(5)Hap P.
I appreciate Italian restaurants that aren't afraid of scaring the crap out of the Olive Garden set. The food at Gaetano's isn't going to make your lips hurt because it's too salty, so for some, that means it's bland. You can actually see slices of garlic in the food! Italian food has garlic? Who knew? In all seriousness, I don't go to Gaetano's for sauces you can buy at the megamart. I come for the braciole and the osso bucco. I came for the saltimbocca until they took it off of the menu. I want to say they had a braised lamb shank that's off the menu now. All in all, they have all the comfortable standards, as well as some "novelty" dishes that are a rarity in the South Bay. And there's live piano music some nights. Don't forget to tip him when he plays your favorite Sinatra song.
(3)Suki K.
Catered dinner for my daughter's 21st birthday party - everything was prepared deliciously - the menu was completely vegetarian, healthy and delicious. The order was ready when we arrived and they got it right.
(5)Kat B.
It's a hidden gem of a place. The food is great. I had the taste of Italy and it was enough for three meals. Pasta was cooked just right. Cool atmosphere with locals knowing each other. I'm not from the area so it was a really good find.
(4)Tare P.
Gaetano's is a cute place tucked away inside a strip mall off of PCH. Never even noticed it was there until I read the reviews of it on Yelp. The spaghetti and meatballs were delicious with great marinara sauce. ALso had the clams and linguini, which was tasty but the broth was a little soupy. The pear and gorgonzola salad was pretty good too. Portions are large and the price very reasonable. They have great ambiance and fun piano-bar type feel. We are fans!
(4)Kelly H.
I like this place for a good hearty lunch. They have good chicken pram and some great pasta lunch specials. Also- They have no cork fee and there is a reasonably priced wine shop right next door. How convenient! I have not had dinner here but its definitely a nice place for lunch.
(4)Harold F.
A nice Italian joint in the South Bay area. You cannot go wrong with either the Cioppino or Osso Bucco, and the atmosphere is quite romantic. It makes sense that the place is family-run by folks originally from MA.
(3)Lisa M.
The food here is pretty good, but not really anything special. They serve lots of salads and pastas, I've only ordered their pasta before and it's not bad. Their decor is nice though, very laid-back and friendly staff. As for the crowd, every time I'm there it seems to be families or older people getting together. Though I've only gone here with my family...
(4)Avery Q.
One of the few great family owned and run places left in the So. Bay. I can't say enough great things about Gaetano's. I have been here a number of times, usually for their wine pairing dinners or featured guest menus. We were a part of 8 as we usually are enjoying a special featured 5 course dinner that they had. The courses were absolutely fantastic and Vince provided such great personal service and made sure we all enjoyed not only our food but our dining experience there. We truly felt they truly appreciate their customers. It is very hard to find such great service such as this at even the top restaurants in LA. Kudos to Gaetano's for what all restaurants should aspire to. We'll be back again soon!
(5)Ms Piggy W.
This place is a gem! I was craving for Italian food on my birthday, well Tiramisu to be exact. I'm glad I didn't ditch this place becos of Bucca (one of my favorite Tiramisu places). The freshly baked bread here to start off is so good! Not to mention the olive oil dipping full with the aroma of herbs. As soon as I noticed, I was reaching for the 2nd one in the basket and my friend's hand was there too! I tried the Honey Salmon Salad. The Salmon was very tender and perfectly cooked. The green and the dressing matched well. Time for my main course - Tiramisu! It was so tempting that I could have had another one. The espresso and Kaluha flavor was not too strong and the creamy mascarpone cheese custard was light yet flavorsome. The Ladyfingers didn't taste soggy at all. That's a big plus! We also ordered the Spumoni and it's the best I have had so far. Why? Thanks to the strong rum flavor. BTW you get a free small spumoni for free if it's your bday. I didn't know till the last minute. My overall dining experience has been a great pleasure. That's just my side of the story though. For my friend... the sauteed clams and the baked Mostaccioli ( penne version of Lasagna) he ordered were nothing spectacular but he did give a thumbs up to the desserts. Service is considered long-drawn-out so be prepared.
(4)Chantee Z.
This place gets a solid 4 stars from me. My group stopped in before heading over to Wine Styles and put our names on the wait list. After a nice tasting, and grabbing a bottle of wine for dinner, we headed back to Gaetano's. They seemed very busy, but we only waited about 5 minutes because we had checked in before wine tasting. The waitress was very helpful with suggestions, and was just very pleasant. You've got to love their free corkage policy if you purchase wine next door at Wine Styles. We all shared the fried risotto balls, which were tasty. I had a tenderloin layered with cheese and spinach, which was very good. There was also a guy playing keyboard and singing, and he wasn't half bad. He was playing a pretty good mix of songs, most of which I knew the words to, and my friends and I enjoyed the background music. I'll head back here for dinner sometime and see how the pasta is; and I'll be bringing my $15 bottle of wine from next door with me.
(4)melissa r.
My husband and I really enjoy this restaurant. We eat here probably once a week. At most restaurants I tend to order the same thing every time. At Gaetano's I try something new almost every visit. Everything I've eaten has been delicious. The pork tenderloin and penne Sonoma are two all-time favorites. The wine list leaves room to be desired. However, there's a wine shop right next door (Wine Styles) and Gaetano's offers free corkage for the first bottle. When there's a wait on the weekend we spend time next door selecting the wine for dinner and wine tasting. On Friday nights there is live piano music from "the piano man."
(5)jon s.
One of the better Italian restaurants in the South Bay, but that really is not saying too much. At very least I am willing to give Gaetano's a few more chances. The bread was good, offered with olive oil and herbs. YUM. The wine selection was adequate at best- honestly, their wine-by-the-glass would lead me to believe they don't have a lot of wine drinkers frequenting here. The linguini with clams was passable. Still, the pasta, as with many other places, was overcooked. Their pork tenderloin was indeed TENDER, but the sauce tasted a bit like teriyaki sauce from a bottle. Perhaps they purchased it from Marukai. Yikes. Overall, the service staff was quite courteous, and even cheerful. No compliants about that, especially when they seemed to be experiencing a rough and hectic night. Personally, they might want to work with the decor. Perhaps a visit from Peter Perfect would do them wonders. I was not a fan of the layout of the restaurant. Usually I don't care, but it seemed a bit cramped and disorganized. The bar area seemed tight and I didn't notice that the piano player was ALIVE AND KICKING, but stuck way back in the corner. Maybe the space overall is too tight, yet it could stand some improvements. Because the pricing was affordable AND they have STELLA ARTOIS on tap, I would recommend this place and I am willing to give it another try.
(3)Eric M.
Same price as Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, etc... and like 100 times better. It's not spectacular. It is definitely a great value. Sometimes the service can be a LITTLE slow, not bad....just not stellar. But it is always above average. The butternut squash ravioli is great. Once again, anyone who would ever choose OG or MG over this place is a moron or just isn't aware this place exists.
(4)Rick Jacuzzi s.
excellent food, excellent service, excellent people. the food is amazing and they have an awesome catering menu. seriously this is the place if you're catering an event or just wanna do a little italian dinner.
(5)Raphael Aizan S.
Don't order the gnocchi.
(3)J B.
Delicious food and great service. The pasta was insanely perfect with the perfect texture. Being a traditionalist and loving the homey feel if authentic Italian - I missed the sides like a great side salad included with the meal. For the $20 per plate it would seem like a better value.
(3)Lauren M.
Had such a relaxing dinner here tonight. We sat outside and enjoyed the perfect California weather. Our waitress was very nice and helpful, but she made a couple of mistakes during our meal. She forgot my dad's minestrone soup, our tables bread, and brought out cold coffee. We got the free bruschetta appetizer and throughly enjoyed it. The freshest ingredients and great flavor. I was about to order the clam linguine and asked how it was. The waitress suggested the seafood risotto with tomato purée (shrimp, clams, squid, etc) and to get it with the linguine noodles instead (since I wanted pasta). I took her recommendation and it was tasty!! Great seafood variety and nice light tomato sauce. Yum! ($24) My brother got the pasta with the braised short ribs. A bit smaller portion, but that was delicious. He really enjoyed it and of course I had to sample a bite. Tender, fall off the bone meat in a red sauce ($19) I've also had their butternut squash ravioli and that is also another favorite. Tender pasta with a flavorful filling, all in a very complimenting cream sauce. The manager or owner came around to ask how our meal was going and offered her dessert recommendation, the flourless chocolate cake with vanilla creme sauce ($8). We took her advice as well and it did not disappoint! It felt fairly light like they whipped it on high to get some air into it. Decadent chocolate dessert and definitely was a great end to an enjoyable meal. Pretty pricey, but quality food with quality ingredients.
(4)Gabriela S.
Not great not bad. Great potential- cool family ambiance- did have a booth reserved. Manager was nice as ended up taking over for a waitress who could not keep up with her tables so we waited and waited. The Bruschetta was very good, Caesar salad was OK, pasta special was great the veal mediocre at best. But the biggest complain is the service speed and knowledge- the waitress did not know any of the wines sold by the bottle. Overall good spot for weekday dinner- do not expect great service or anything fancy but ambiance and food is good.
(3)Nancy L.
If I'm feeling like pasta, this is my favorite spot in Torrance. Great flavors, friendly service, wonderful ambiance. You can be loud with a large group or keep it intimate with a party of two. Nothing specific in what to order because everything is good. Really, everything. Even their bread & butter. Don't forget to check-in for a free order of bruschetta. They have a daily special that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a great deal. And if you're feeling it, you can also add wine pairing. Seriously love this place!
(4)Jeff W.
I've been here twice now and I'd say this is solid Italian fare with pretty generous portions. My real rating would be 4+. It's a great place to go if you're hungry, want good Italian but don't want to break the budget. The lasagna portion I saw coming out for another table was huge. My daughter had linguine with clams and was quite happy. I had baked mostaccioli which is oven baked mostaccioli, meat sauce, ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella. It was perfectly cooked (al dente) and the sauce was very well executed and seasoned. One thing to note is that they don't serve pasta carbonara. Given this is not a difficult dish to make and an Italian staple... I'm not sure why. Just letting you know.
(4)Sherman W.
Mediterranean Shrimp!!! By far the best Italian meal I have had in a long time. The sun dried Tomatoes with the Pine nuts Added a smoke nut flavor to the pasta and the garlic sauce gave a deep rich Flavor to the shrimp. Well done!!!
(5)Rudy R.
We dined at this restaurant while visiting from the Bay Area during spring break this past weekend. We were there for Easter dinner. The restaurant is somewhat small but cozy and it has a nice seating area outside. We ordered the Calamari and Polenta with short ribs for appetizers and for the main course we had Chicken Cannelloni and Chicken Parmigiana along with a side of their bruschetta. The food was excellent and the service was great. The staff was attentive, very friendly and made us feel at home and welcomed. We definitely would go back here again. I highly recommend this fine establishment.
(4)Tony Y.
Took dad here for Father's Day dinner with the fam. Food was delicious and the lamb chop was fantastic, even for someone who's not big on that lamb taste/smell, which this chop did not have! More importantly, Sean, our waiter, was perfect and took great care of us. He was very attentive and made everything go smoothly during the night. Overall great experience. Thank you!
(5)Doug M.
Gaetano's is a nice little Italian restaurant with good food and an excellent wine and beer list. It's very busy - calling one day ahead for a reservation gave us the option of either 5:30 or 7:45pm. For Yelp customers that check in, the manager will throw in a free bruschetta. What a deal! It's beautifully presented, but a little soggy though. I ordered the lasagna which was served splayed out on a plate rather than in serving dish. I must have really liked it because I gobbled it up quickly. I also had the pear and gorgonzola salad - excellent. It was a cold night for the poor paesanos dining outside - that would be the preferred seating area in my mind on a nice evening. Although it's located in busy shopping area, after 5pm there is plenty of parking.
(4)Leslie M.
Found it on Yelp, is hidden but just keep on driving around and you can't miss it!! Outdoor patio beautiful, the prices of the food is good, is a big portion I couldn't finish my lasagna, btw really good lasagna!!!! Service was phenomenal, is really clean and friendly. Love the ambiance. I want to try everything in the menu!!! I really recommended if you have Italian food cravings!!!
(5)Glen C.
It's not fancy nor a unique Italian restaurant. But I will tell you... I dream about the butternut squash ravioli all the time. The salads are fresh and fine and the calamari was decent. But I can't say enough about the ravioli... and this is from the guy who does actually like ravioli. Services is solid and if you sit outside on a nice South Bay day... it makes for a nice dinner.
(4)Kristen H.
Gaetano's is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the south bay. I've been dining there for 5 years - about 1x per month - and have had a delicious meal and a good experience every time. PROS: Consistently good food- I have several favorites and they are delicious every time. Pleasant, cozy atmosphere. Friendly servers who are attentive enough and knowledgeable about the menu. A good wine and beer list. Easy parking in the adjacent, large lot. The bar area is festive, attractive, and has a couple televisions in case you want to watch a game. These are also not playing at such a volume that you'll be disturbed, if you don't. Attractive outdoor patio option. This is the only restaurant I've ever been to where the singing of Happy Birthday is not annoying. And I can't put my finger on why, but at Gaetano's it just kind of FITS, and other patrons almost always join in. CONS: Not really a con, but more of a wish: Gaetano's could include a few more lighter items on the menu (i.e., less caloric). Another fish dish, perhaps. Mussels or clams in tomato broth as an app maybe? TIPS: 1) Make a reservation; this place is busy because it is so good! 2) No corkage fee if you purchase a bottle of wine from this totally adorable wine shop immediately next door, which has a super-pleasant owner, good selection and inexpensively priced wines. 3) Monday nights are "Girls' Night" with really good drink specials and select items offering smaller portions. 4) If you're careful about your weight, the Honey Grilled Salmon salad is your best bet . And it's so delicious!! 5) If you're ordering with abandon ;), the stuffed artichoke appetizer and the Mushroom Anolini are so flavorful and excellently seasoned! 6) In warm weather, try sitting in the charming outdoor patio area. There are heat lamps, lovely strung lights, and it's sectioned off from the parking area with transparent tenting, so it feels cozy yet still al fresco.
(4)Bonnie G.
We decided to finally Try Gaetanos and we had a really nice evening. They allow you to bring your own wine from The Wine Shoppe (next door) . We choose off their menu tonight and I had the pinot grigio which was perfectly dry and crisp. We shared a caprese salad appetizer and their bread was good and we asked for balsamic and EVOO for dipping. , The boyfriend had the Brassatto, very tender but extremely garlicky and super rich, He ate all of it but unfortunately it kept him up all night . I had the veal picatta no garlic and it was fantastic even the left overs were great. The veal was very tender, and not super thin like some restaurants serve. This was a good portion and it was served medium . The only reason for the 4 stars was that there was so much garlic in the Brassatto. Service was good, our server was training a new server so we received double the service, We never were left unattended nor was it helicoptory . I recommend sitting on the patio, its nice ambiance under a heater at night as the interior of the restaurant was super loud. Happy diners and we will return again. The prices and menu selection is decent too. This is much more upscale than a typical italian restaurant.
(4)Liana L.
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful, romantic date night. New favorite!
(5)Vicky S.
The pasta Sonoma is my favorite thing on the menu. I get it every time. I think I got a salmon dish and the gnocchi before, which were also good. My in-laws are literally obsessed with this place, so we go often. I hope to try the family style deal they have one day. It is definitely one of my fave Italian eateries in the Southbay.
(5)Belash B.
I've been to this place a couple of times & enjoyed both the food & the atmosphere. Great service on top of that. What is there not to like ?
(4)Sabrina I.
Great food. Good atmosphere. Wonderful staff. We started with a free bruschetta. It was really good. Huge and messy but very tasty. We shared a small Italian chopped salad. For sure the prettiest salad I've ever had. It was delicious and fresh. The chicken parmigiana was amazing. Cooked to perfection with fresh greens beans. The only down side was our calamari. She forgot to put in the order and when we did get it(in the middle of our meal) it was over cooked and extremely chewy. But being the great staff they are they removed it from our bill without us asking. Also the manager was always on the move asking how things were and filling glasses, removing empty plates. We would for sure return without a doubt.
(4)Mort S.
Good Italian food, prices are average (not inexpensive), nice decor, very noisy at dinner, decent service.
(4)Lauren A.
Amazing food and great device! The food was light and tasteful. I will most defiantly be dinning there again.
(5)Moorea T.
Gaetanos is one of my favorite places to go for italian food in torrance. I enjoy going upstairs to Burke Williams for a pampering spa day and having them deliver it up to me at the spa. My favorite dish is the grilled salmon salad, or their personal pizzas.
(5)Mike D.
Good food in general but nothing to get excited about. They have some good vegetarian options. Its worth a try but not a favorite.
(3)Erville V.
Fancy interior but casual at the same time. I had their seafood pescatore and the broth was good. Big servings and good amount of seafood and pasta ratio.
(4)Nadia L.
First time dinning here. Beautiful ambiance, great service, they had happy hour so I ordered a glass of wine. Had the "free bruschetta appetizer" which was very fresh and good. Had the wedge salad with spaghetti and meatballs. The wedge salad was delish. The spaghetti was good but not the best I've ever had. Their good is very simple and clean with few ingredients which I can appreciate. This is a good South Bay Italian restaurant with nice service!
(4)Stephie D.
Excellent place for dates or small meals with friends and family. The servers are also very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The gorgonzola gnocchi is the reason we come back. Cheesy, chewy, savory, and not found in many other places. Pear and gorgonzola salad - honestly doesn't need dressing, classic sweet salty combo Brasato - tender wine braised roast, wish the portion was bigger but still very good Tagliatelle and short ribs - wide pasta smothered with a rich meaty sauce Wild mushroom risotto - not as flavorful as some of their other pastas, but full of mushrooms The calamari and garlic bread are great go to's for appetizers.
(4)Mateo M.
Nice atmosphere. The food was not flavorful and needed sAlt. I never put salt on anything. My pizza lacked flavor snd pizazz. The cheese was bland tasting. The bread pudding looks great in pictures but is dry and is not sweet or savory. As if it is made for diabetics. Ehh, not the best Italian place. As Groucho Marx once said " I had a great time, but it was not here" Anyway, forreals, this place was just ok. Would I come back? I don't know? Does dolly pardon sleep on her back?? The answer my friends lies inside A restroom urinal of truck stop in butte California. .... Men, go look and see for yourself. Mateo out.....!
(2)Charlie S.
Great ambiance. My fav is the calamari. My husband loved the pasta sauce. I'm dying to try the Nutella Bread Pudding. Everyone that works there are wonderful. It has such a family feel.
(5)Alma M.
My husband dies for this place :) I think it's good & I love the vibe but we always have the bad luck of getting seated on the little tables they have so I feel like I'm all over the people next to us and I can't even move since the plates barely fit on the table :( anyway good is good I don't die for it but I still recommend this place :D
(4)Renee J.
Excellent service. Make sure to get your free bruschetta with the yelp app. Pasta was pretty good. Recommend reservation so you don't have to wait,
(4)Chester M.
Great place for a family get together!!! Service was great and the staff is super friendly.
(4)Cris S.
Excellent peat and Gorgonzola salad. Eggplant parmigiana is my fave. Sangria is the best I've ever tasted
(5)Jason K.
My wife and I ordered take out from Gaetano's. We got small pear and gorgonzola salad, and Chianti braised short rib tagliatelle (per the many Yelp reviews touting their virtues). The salad was about $8 and was pretty sizeable with lots of great ingredients, creating a nice balance of flavors and textures. The tagliatelle was about $19, small, good, but not great. Based on those two items alone, I think we may try this restaurant again, but likely wouldn't get the tagliatelle since the value wasn't very good for that dish.
(4)Norah R.
There are restaurants that are little gems, tucked away from the boulevard with no flashy signs or advertising to attract you. When you find them, you hold onto them and when the occasion presents itself, you stop at nothing to pull put that little gem and show it off. Gaetano's is that gem. Service is super good as is the food....simple, fresh and tasty, all of it. Nothing here is drenched in sauce so you have no excuse to "forget" what you're eating half way through the meal. Pasta perfectly prepared, salads crisp with freshness, yeasty warm bread with Olive oil dipping sauce. They have a terrific wine selection, but do give The Wine Shoppe next door a try....loads of bottles under $25 and if you purchase one, there is free corkage at Gaetano's. Shrimp Mediterranean, Chicken Asparagi, Pasta Sheets with artichokes and a sauce that was so delectable, I wanted to lick the plate. We will keep Gaetano's on our go to list. Give it a try!
(4)Warren C.
Came in for the dineLA restaurant week at lunch. A surprisingly good deal for $15. I had the pastrami sandwich. Checked in with Yelp and got a free plate of bruschetta as well ($8.95 value). The manager does request you show confirmation of the check in. We chose to sit outside and it was an overall very nice dining experience.
(5)Jessica S.
Underwhelming. The calamari was rubbery, similar to thick rubber bands, but the dipping sauce (marinara I think) was delicious. Got the short ribs as well which was not quite what we expected, it's shredded beef on a corn cake basically. The beef was very fine though, reminded me of wet cat food...needed some salt. I got the chicken parmesan. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. Wouldn't go out of my way to go again. Best part was the outdoor seating ambiance. Cute twinkly lights and foliage.
(3)Virgil A.
Very average Italian food. Nothing here in particular made me take mental notes to come back. The restaurant itself is very cozy and casual. Hate to sound like a snob, but if I can make better Italian food at home, you fail. The service, location, and settings are nice, but the food needs some explosive flavor or something. Their Italian soda's however, were something special!
(3)CMH L.
I was introduced to this little gem in Torrance by my cousin a couple of years ago and ever since then, I find myself going back again, and again. First, I have to tell you that while I do enjoy Italian food, it's not an ethnic cuisine that's at the top of my list because I generally find the food too rich and heavy. However, I make exception when it comes to this place. I love the food, it's fresh and light with lots of non-pasta selections on the menu, and the service is always excellent. Pricing is medium to high, so lunch is probably your best option if you're on a budget, plus they offer a midday 1/2 portion menu (today for lunch I had the Eggplant Parmesan and California chopped salad, $14 -- both were excellent). The place is small and gets packed quickly for lunch and dinner, so calling in advance to make reservations is advised. It's definitely one of my favorite places to dine in the South Bay and I never hesitate to tell friends and family about it.
(5)Negean V.
Great Italian food!! Friendly staff. Everything we ordered was great. Love their Bruschetta. Apps were yummy too. Definitely will be back.
(4)George N.
For those who have followed my reviews, this will be my first time I have given full 5 star on a Italian eatery. I cant find any faults so here are the reasons. Cleanliness 5 Atmosphere 5 Service 5 ( i know this is rare but they were that attentive, polite, perfect in timing, and haven't forgotten any thing we asked for. The server after hearing out what I wanted was very honest and specific for each dish in taste and volume). Forks and knife crossed, the server almost immediately took the empty plate. 5 star restaurants failed at this and yet they did it. Food quality: Very well made not overly seasoned, and most of all el dente . There are no restaurants I have been that serves perfect el dente. Desert-pudding not too sweet and crunchy A big plus- All the dishes that we had did not have any traces of this instant lawry dried parsley or basil or thyme. All were actual herbs. This to me shows that the chef took the time to prepare it accordingly to what he wants people to taste. Wait time-6 min for menu order, time interval between dishes 3-4 min. in other words if you are a fast eater they can fo fast as well. Impeccable timing. Restroom- very beautifully clean. If I were to be overly picky, maybe the design? lol Seriously very clean and spacious. Price- Whoever wrote the portion is small should get slapped. The portion was and is about the same of as any other place. FYI ordered the special linguine that had scallops. Absolutely fresh and perfected in taste with slight more on garlic. Overall I will come back. Specials changes on a daily basis so expect something new every day.
(5)Irene A.
The food is so so good here I am craving it as I write this review. A little pricey but all Italian is overpriced for the cost. Overall, it is worth the money though! Super convenient to do curbside ordering too--call ahead and order and they will have it ready and bring it out to you when you get there!! yum, yum, yum!
(5)Joe M.
This place was fantastic. We really loved both the food and the atmosphere. We told them that it was our anniversary and they really made a point to be friendly and nice to us. I recommend this place.
(4)Matthew S.
Risotto al Mare....very well prepared. ..clean fresh ingredients. ..simply GOOD food...brushes ta poor was excellent. .
(4)Lee B.
We went to the Thursday afternoon cooking class by their new Chef Fabio, $65 per class, including the fabulous 3 course dinner freshly prepared. Love it! Gaetanos is always wonderful
(5)Joanne C.
My aunt and cousin highly suggested we have dinner at Gaetano's during our recent visit to the Torrance area. After eating there, I can see why! The service was really good. It was a Friday evening and the place filled up very shortly after we arrived. Even with the large crowd, our server was attentive and checked in regularly. All of the staff were very pleasant. We started with the Arancini (risotto balls) and Carciofi Fritti (fried artichoke hearts), the latter of which I could not get enough of and neither could my preschooler. She's not a fan of breaded food nor ranch dressing, but loves artichokes. (Weird for a kid, I know.) I think she ate nearly half the plate herself. I had their popular Butternut Squash Ravioli, which was excellent. It was light and delicious. My husband wasn't very hungry, so he ordered the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad. it was really good - great dressing that didn't drown the salad. My cousin is a die-hard fan of their Eggplant Parmigiana. I will definitely try that on our next trip!
(5)Joseph P.
We're PV Peninsula local, and this restaurant and the staff always deliver. Good food, reasonable prices, friendly and and attentive and energetic service. And very consistent. We've never had a bad experience here in more than 20 visits. We dine out a lot, and I can't think of anything about this restaurant that's anything but "good," with consistency that's great.
(5)Tabby L.
My boyfriend and I love this place! The free appetizer is absolutely delicious, and every dish we've gotten here has been stellar. My favorites are the tagliatelle pasta with chiante braised short ribs and the calamari appetizer. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of the butternut squash ravioli, but everything else I've tried has been delicious. Service is always great and the appetizer bread is excellent.
(5)Aaron W.
The lasagna was very good but a bit small for the price. I don't mind paying what it costs, but I would at least like to be properly full when I'm done. That being said, I am a big eater, and the portion size is probably good for most folks.
(4)John O.
Nice place. We liked sitting outside with the italian music playing in the background and the strings of lights above (It was annoyingly noisy inside, even though it was only 25% full). Quite pricey. 2 people: $72 without tip; $82 with. Pasta cooked perfect. My wife's shrimp cooked perfect. BUT, my entre was small (Shredded short ribs and pasta). No veggies came with my meal. Still hungry afterward. Someone commented that they served generous proportions, I didn't see any. The waitress did not frequent the table and never asked how our meal was. The food was excellent; just not enough.
(3)Jisun Y.
Food is okay. Pretty generic Italian. Service is so-so. The wait staff were not attentive. Not so clean utensils.
(2)Lisa C.
Love this place! Delicious food, great service, beautiful outdoor patio and right next door to a wine bar! My husband and I come here at least twice a month for their amazing bruschetta and pasta dishes!
(5)Tini M.
My boyfriend took me here on a Saturday night as a surprise dinner date and oh man, it was one of my favorite dinners! The only cons I have about this place is that it's a little hidden in the shopping center, and going on a Saturday night, the walk-in wait time was one hour! The good thing to counteract with that though is that we actually had a reservation time just in case this happened and unlike some places I've been to, they actually had a golden "Reserved" placard on our table and seated us right at our reservation time. AND they also send you a text message before to confirm your reservation! I love the ambience of this place; it's very warm and romantic. The staff are friendly, cheery, and totally hands-on service. I'm talking pouring your drink into your glass right in front of you, bringing you a wine bottle full of water, etc. The booths actually have their own coat rack. But of course, there's also a bar area with some TV screens showing sports games. It's definitely a little pricey but that's just the price you pay for a fancy place with delicious Italian food and great service! Ugh, I'd definitely come here again someday (P.S. I TOTALLY recommend their Blood Orange Italian Soda)!
(4)Vanessa C.
Lovely family dinner. Enjoyed there lasagna and Gorgonzola salad while my husband got a caesar salad and butternut squash ravioli . The staff was great and the food delicious. Great homemade urial a food a a reasonable price. Plus the bread pudding was a great finish to the meal.
(5)J W.
Amazing new spot a friend recommended. Good happy hour, $3 off wine and appetizers are fresh made and super tasty. I had the bruschetta and scallops with Hess Chardonnay. They also have specials throughout the week, a family can eat for $50 (specific day of the week). Friendly personable service, a place I'd go back to and suggest to friends as well. Classy, great ambiance, super food and of course the WINE!
(4)C L.
Love this place! Great food, terrific service, charming ambience. What more can you ask for?
(5)Helen C.
We had a great experience here. Came here with family bc my daughter received an award that paid for her kid's meal. Service was great! We ordered: BRUSCHETTA (free when you check ok in yelp) CALAMARI: this was good... But everything fried is good. The basil aioli was good. My husband liked the marinara sauce better. KIDS PASTA WITH BUTTER: this was plain, but my daughter loved it. KIDS CHICKEN WITH SPAGHETTINI & BROCCOLI: this was the best deal ($8) CLAM LINGUINI: my husband inhaled it. PEAR & GORGONZOLA SALAD: got this w/o Gorgonzola. This was super super good. The vinaigrette was really good...had just the right amt of acid. Sooo good! I'm not really a salad eater, but this was tasty. The salad is the reason why I'm not upset at my husband for only just giving me one bite. Very glad I made reservations for a Tuesday bc surprisingly it was busy. Mood came out pretty fast. We were in and out in less than an hour. Noise level was a tad loud, but I didn't mind at all. Really liked the vibe of this place. Would definitely come back.
(4)Rebecca L.
Been here so many times! They have changed the menu a few times but continue to be amazing! The bruschetta is amazing as is the mushroom ravioli, butternut squash ravioli and I would pick their Nutella bread pudding over just about anything. The service is attentive and polite. They also don't have a corkage fee so we were able to enjoy our favorite wine with dinner as well. I will be back as I have been for many years.
(5)Maria H.
Wonderful service, fantastic food. I had the chicken parmigiana. Wonderful
(4)Wanda W.
This place is one of our favorites! It's not a huge restaurant, which adds to the charm. The tables are close together, but yet you don't feel crowded. It's a nice place for a date night or just a casual dinner out. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. Best to make reservations on the weekends - if not, you could be waiting for a while. Food prices are reasonable and the meals are substantial. We shared the lobster stuffed shrimp and the lasagne. Both were amazing and even without appetizers and salads we still ended up taking home leftovers. Dinner with a bottle of mid-priced (but wonderfully flavored) wine is less than some of the other restaurants in the area and IMHO the food and experience is much better. My only suggestion to make this incredible place any better would be for the wait staff to proactively suggest the best entree to pair with the wine chosen. I had this experience once in another Italian restaurant and was blown away. All in all - Gaetano's is well worth a visit. I know we'll be back again.
(4)Bea M.
Located in the same plaza as kohls, Bank of America, and Burke Williams, this restaurant is absolutely delicious. Their food is always fresh. I've been to gaetanos many times for dinner and they do not disappoint. I've also come for Mother's Day brunch buffet and it was so good. Their buffet was great and the service is awesome. The owner is very friendly. The food is always good!
(5)Gina H.
I have never had a bad meal here. The staff is nice and the ambiance is very enjoyable. They don't have a corkage fee if you bring a bottle from the wineshoppe. Enjoy!
(5)Rebecca L.
My boyfriend and I went here because of the positive reviews on yelp. When the server finally showed up, she offered wine and we don't drink so we said no thanks. She wasn't very friendly to begin with but after asking for water it seemed like she could care less about our table any more. Maybe she figured we wouldn't tip well because we are young or maybe because we didn't order alcohol our table wouldn't make her much money. We ordered a salad and baked pasta dish which were both mediocre at best. It took her so long to even bring us the bill that I thought she forgot about us. I will never be back and do not recommend this place to anyone. Maybe if you appear wealthy they treat you with more respect. Either way, the food isn't worth the price. If I could give this restaurant zero stars, I would.
(1)Luke L.
Came here once for the dineLA and another time for a regular lunch --- Parking: The parking lot is pretty big - shouldn't be difficult to find a parking space --- Price: January dineLA: Arancini + Penne Asparagi + Spumoni for $16 lunch Bruschetta Pomodoro: $8.95 Meatball Sandwich: $10.95 --- Environment: Both casual and fine dining environment. You don't have to RSVP if you are here for lunch during weekdays because you get less people coming here. If you just want a quick lunch, then think twice before coming here because it will be at least 45 minutes+. A great place to relax and enjoy your food. --- Food: Arancini: The risotto balls + cream marinara sauce tasted amazing! The sauce is so rich and creamy with a hint of tomato flavor. If this place ever bottle the cream marinara sauce, I will buy 10 boxes of this sauce (5/5) Penne Asparagi: It was pretty good, but Arancini just simply overshadowed this dish (4/5) Spumoni: Good presentation; not the best ice cream, but definitely above average (3.5/5) Bruschetta Pomodoro: Pretty simple dish - Choppe tomatoes + garlic + fresh basil + olive oil over baked bread. Overall a tasty dish, although I personally will not order this again because you already get free bread w/ olive oil (4/5) Meatball Sandwich: I didn't expect the sandwich to be this big - meatballs were very flavorful and bread is pretty good. (4.5/5) --- Rating: Arancini is simply unforgetable. Definitely one of the better Italian restaurant in LA County. Overall 4/5 stars.
(4)JR M.
Solid but I expect Italian restaurants to make their own pasta.
(3)peter b.
We went there with a reservation on New Year's eve. This was a very cold night. The only seating they had for us was outside. They had a plastic enclosed patio with lots of heaters. The host said they had a table for us in the center. This proved not to be the case. We would have left but knew it would be difficult to find another place so late. I was sitting opposite the opening (maybe 5 feet wide) in the plastic and caught gusts of really cold air. Off and on I was shivering. Also in the patio they have sort of basket chairs that are really too low for the tables. Now to the food and service. When ordering the waiter asked if we wanted bread and we assured him we did. The appetizer arrived , fried calamari that was excellent, but no bread. Our main dishes arrived after awhile and still no bread. We were again asked if we wanted bread and we said we did. It came shortly and was quite good rolls. There was a little dish with oil and spices that was good for maybe two rolls. We weren't offered anymore or asked if we wanted a refill on the bread. The only iced tea they have is a "tropical" variety. My wife had the scallops with artichoke sauce and thought it was good. I had the chicken marsala which was also good. The problem was that the dishes cooled rather quickly since we were sitting where we were being hit by cold air. The only vegetables was zucchini which is not something I like. So the entrees were good but not "special". For dessert we had a nutella bread pudding which was quite good though no raisins. I feel it was misleading to not let us know when we made a reservation that they were going to seat us outside and the description of the table by the host was not truthful. The food was OK but we won't be eating there again. If you are going and make a reservation be sure to let them know if outside seating is acceptable.
(2)Emily L.
This is review is for take out. The service was prompt, courteous and friendly. My husband had the lasagna and I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup. I must say it was the best grilled cheese ever had.
(5)Timmy S.
Tucked away in a nice plaza on the corner of Crenshaw and PCH is this amazing Italian eatery. The reviews looked good so we took a chance and it was a far better experience than we could have ever anticipated. There is a small outside patio, which is where we sat. I never really went inside except to let the hostess know we wanted a table outdoors so I don't really recall the interior other than it was dark and smelled great. Quickly seated on the patio, the service for the entire meal was personable and efficient. Prices for entrees were good, in the $11 - $15 range. The fresh hot bread was quite wonderful and I had to decline a second basket because I could have easily eaten the whole thing and not left room for dessert. And there was just no way that was going to happen. I ordered their special - Ravioli Clemintina - ravioli stuffed with 3 cheeses (ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella) in a tangy tomato sauce and topped with sliced Italian sausage. The sauce had a wonderful rich tomato flavor and the ravioli were simply perfect. The two other people I came with ordered the margherita pizza and I had to try a slice. Tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese. As I grabbed a slice, the cheese from my chosen piece wouldn't let go from the rest of the pizza, the hot strands letting me know that this was going to be a tasty-cheesy treat. And the buttery flavorful crust - mmmmmm - no pizza bones were left. I dared to take a second slice, putting the promise of dessert in jeopardy. Fear not! I ordered the homemade tiramisu and it was most definitely right up there with the best I've tasted. Very moist and not too sweet with a coffee flavor at the exact level for maximum enjoyment. I don't live anywhere near Torrance but this will be a destination dining point for us when we are in the mood for great Italian food.
(5)Diane M.
Great food and service! Love that there is free corkage from Wine Shoppe too!
(5)Gary D.
Hitting a Sunday night movie and looking for a place dine with the wife. Gaetano's is right across the road from the theatre. Why not. Walk in to Sinatra on the overhead, wine flowing, and lots of laughs amongst the consumers. I was sold on the environment instantly. This place has a very nice small Italian restaurant feel. Very comfy and nice ambiance. Not the type of place where a mob hit has taken place in a small back room. The bread was a french type with Italian butter and garlic butter. I expect a better bread selection from a mom and pop Italian place. Minestrone has had better showings in its history. For entree's we ordered the Penne Asparaji and spaghetti w/ meatballs.. Average at best. I could have whipped up the same bland dish at home. Both of us were not impressed with the food overall. Nothing was bad it just didn't pop. I will give Gaetano's another chance due to the great reviews and mere fact that it was packed. Maybe we ordered two of their more mellow dishes.. But, come on, Spaghetti and meat balls should be a slam dunk.
(3)Julia P.
My favorite restaurant in the South Bay! Amazing food, service, and ambiance. Highly recommend to those who appreciate both good food and service!
(5)joni h.
Ate dinner there last night. Special was excellent. Service is always good. Eat here the food is very good and great friendly servers.
(5)Amanda D.
The food is very very good! I had the penne pomodoro, my mom had the linguini with clams, and my dad had the eggplant parmesan. We all really enjoyed our meals. Big portions! The service was excellent! They're always cleaning the tables and our waitress Debbie was very nice. Definitely coming back!
(5)Rachel C.
Gaetano's proudly shows itself off as South Bay's Best Italian Restaurant for the past 5 years, and I think these awards are rightfully deserved. My bf surprised me with a dinner date here, and I think he made a really great choice. He told me he actually googled "best restaurants to take girlfriend out in Torrance," and chose this spot. The ambience, service, food, location. Everything is perfect for a romantic date or for a fancy girl's night out or something. NIGHTLY SPECIALS: * Happy Hour. Mon-Fri, 2-6pm * Girls Night Out (Mondays) Wine for $4.50 and smaller portions and sizes * Family Night (Tuesdays) Four courses for four people for $50 SETTING I admit, this restaurant is hard to find within the plaza. I used to come to this plaza all the time, and I never even knew this place existed. But the isolated location just adds to the romantic effect of the restaurant. The outside is suuuper pretty. There is an outdoor section with very pretty lights. I would've wanted to sit outside if it weren't so cold that night. And once you go inside, the atmosphere is very cozy yet fancy. There were still Christmas decorations up, and it was gorgeous inside. I loved it. FOOD * Honey Grilled Salmon (5/5) Ugh I did not want this dish to end! It was a bunch of mixed greens with honey grilled salmon. I looooved their lemon-honey dressing. At first I was hesitant to pay so much money for a salad, but my bf convinced me that this would be good. I'm glad I listened to him, because this was my favorite dish of the night. * Bruschetta Pomodoro Appetizer (4/5) We checked in so we got this for free. We got four giant pieces of mini toasts with a ton of tomatoes+olive oil+basil on top of them. This was yummy! I'm not someone who loves tomatoes, but I really really liked this appetizer. I would definitely come back again and get this. * Spaghettini with Meatballs (3/5) My bf got the ordinary spaghetti and meatballs. It was just OK. The meatballs actually tasted like Chef Boyardee meatballs. This isn't a bad thing because it was delicious, but I don't know if it was worth it to pay $16 for spaghetti that tastes like Chef Boyardee. I will definitely be coming back for one of their nightly specials. Preferably Girls Night Out! Sounds fun.
(5)Patricia L.
It was OKAY. Came here fore Dine LA with some friends. The server was nice enough but the food just wasn't THAT great. I ordered the braised short rib and polenta for my appetizer. They were pretty good. The polenta cakes were grilled and the beef was yummy. My friend ordered the crostini and that wasn't that great. It was topped with some creamy tomato sauce and it wasn't worth it. We also received a bruschetta appetizer from our Yelp check-in. It was pretty good, considering that I don't like tomatoes much. For the entree I ordered pesto salmon with a marinara pasta. The marinara wasn't quite to my taste. I took leftovers of it home and ended up only eating the salmon. The salmon was good and the pesto was ok. It was an almond pesto and I could tell by the nuttiness, but it wasn't the best pesto either. It really was just an okay meal. I don't think I'm particularly picky about my Italian food, but overall it wasn't a great enough meal to think to come back again.
(3)Allie T.
Love family owned establishments and anchored in the South Bay for many years. A great place to dine for lunch or dinner. Great lunch specials. Plus join their free membership. From time-to-time, they will reward you with free appetizer and discounts off your next meal.
(4)Nancy H.
Nice italian restaurant and one of our favorite places to eat in Torrance. Food is a tad pricey but worth it. Try the TAGLIATELLE & CHIANTI SHORT RIBS... you won't be sorry.
(5)Ris A.
I just left the restaurant and I have to rave about the short rib & polenta appetizer. It was amazing. We also had the bruschetta which was also great, the ingredients tasted really fresh with plenty of flavor. The waiter was friendly and patient too, definitely recommend this great little Italian spot.
(5)Sammy B.
Californians are absolutely blessed, having beautiful, ever clear days and serene, caramel nights. Romance buzzes around the air like honey bees on parade, while the sunset invites a cool, ephemeral evening. With days this beautiful, it's easy to want to fall in love. In Torrance, an Italian owned restaurant named Gaetano's awaits lovers to come through, embracing them with not only a warming smile and greeting, but an invitation to fall in love again. DECO: 4 stars Gaetano's atmosphere is a collection of all things romantic: California, old world furnishings, charming wait staff, and passionate food. The restaurant is owned by a sister and brother who take care of the front and back of the restaurant respectively. Passed down through lineage, the restaurant flourishes with a passion that is both visible and palatable. STAFF: 4 stars The staff at Gaetano's is fantastic, both knowledgeable and accommodating. If the quality of service is based on the eagerness to serve, than Gaetano's would be the crème de la crème. They know the food they serve and if you're lucky, you might be able to talk to Vince, one of the chefs at Gaetano's, as well as one of the owners. His inflections in speech when detailing the marvelous creations will captivate your attention. The love that goes into each item is clearly audible in his tone, and there's nothing better than eating food that is both well executed and made with love. FOOD: 4 stars And friends, the food is definitely made with love. Some of the creations are astonishing, surprising, and satisfying. The appetizers are made the way appetizers were meant to be and not what they've become. Each appetizer is an appropriate portion, giving just enough to enchant the taste buds into anticipation for the entrée without overfeeding, a sin most modern restaurants do. The arancini is a great appetizer that fuses classic Italian cooking with a modern spin. This appetizer is risotto balls flash fried to give a crunchy exterior to contrast the creamy, melting interior of each ball. Bathing in a bath of creamy marinara sauce that tastes much like tomato bisque, arancini is an appetizer every diner should try once. As far as entrées go, the arosto pannino is a great showcase of two great things put together: fresh bread and slow cooked meat. Slow cooked for hours in herbs, vegetables, and Chianti, the slow roasted pork is flaky, tender, and infused with a flavor only obtained with patient cooking. The bread, a ciabatta of excellent pedigree, has all the qualities euphoric bread should have: crunchy, crackling exterior with a moist, soft interior. The bread at Gaetano's is made fresh every day by the uncle of the owners, coming straight from another great South Bay Italian eatery, Giuliano's in Gardena. It's almost a sin how good the bread is, and unfortunately, at times the bread outshines the pork in this dish; however, with gooey fontina cheese added to the mix, the arosto pannino is a fantastic entrée. For dessert, a new item recently became added to the menu, and it involves one of the favorite ingredients of Andreanna, the front of house manager and owner. The ingredient is Nutella, and the dessert is a Nutella bread pudding. With the smooth, chocolaty, hazelnut spread infused deeply within the moist confines of the bread pudding, then drizzled with condensed milk and confectionary sugar, the mouth knows not what to do. Instead, it does a little dance to celebrate such happy feelings with each bite. If you're not careful, you might just be following suit with the rest of your body. It is a crowning achievement in dessert standards, and a great way to end a meal. CONCLUSION The great George Bernard Shaw once said, "There is no sincerer love than the love of food." Obviously, Shaw must have eaten some great Italian food, and that's what Gaetano's ultimately falls into, greatness. The place is unpretentious, existing in harmony within a shopping plaza (that's pretty humble), but still churns out serendipitous cuisine every day. Whether it be from wanting to share a romantic evening with a loved one, or just a need to feel loved, Gaetano's is sure to provide that warm fuzzy feeling to each diner and romantic alike. Come, eat, conquer, and love you beautiful Californians.
(4)N C.
As first timers to Gaetano's last night, we became instant fans. Mikey the bartender treated us to excellent bruschetta, gave us an overview of the history of the restaurant, and poured a perfect cocktail. Our table service was superb and my 10 year old proclaimed the meatballs to be the best she's ever had. Thanks for a successful and memorable family night out!
(5)David T.
My partner and I eat at Gaetano's often and are members of their VIP Paesano's Club. The food and service are excellent, except often the temperature of the dishes is not hot or warmed through when served. I had their delicious lasagna last night and the edges were hot when served, but not the center. Several of the pasta fish dishes served have appropriately hot fish atop a tepid pasta. We love the quality and service. Maybe preheating the plates and attention to the plating timeline would help! JDT/RPV
(3)Greg P.
The real winners here are their made from scratch raviolis. The pasta is made from scratch in house and it tastes like it. Between the wife and I, we've tried both on their current menu and they are both delicious. Friends got the veal milanese and loved it. We had an incident w/ a lasagna bolognese where the tomato sauce tasted off (I had everyone in my party of 4 taste it and we all agreed something was wrong). The manager herself came over and immediately replaced it and gave us a free dessert w/o us asking again to boot! Excellent customer service! p.s. the cannoli was delicious! It was piped to order so it wasn't soggy! I wish more places did this actually. No one at our table ever waited on a refill and our server knew the menu well. Parking is very easy in the private plaza lot. If the one closest to it is full, the overflow near the bank is always open.
(4)David W.
Best Italian food in the South Bay. We've been going here since it was a deli across the parking lot in 1993. Great food at a family owned restaurant. They serve great drinks, fresh bread and authentic Italian dishes at reasonable prices. Gaetano's is great for a romantic night out, family outing or dinner at the bar.
(5)X B.
Monday night is Ladies night with small portions and at a lower price. app... short braised rib with polenta - undercooked polenta.. blah mushroom ravioli in mushroom sauce (FORGOT the fancy name) - good if you like the mushroom taste
(3)Stephanie B.
My first trip to Gaetano's was in 1993, soon after the restaurant opened. At that visit, the service was awful and the food was meh, so we swore off the place. So, it took 20 years and much Yelp encouragement, but we decided to give the place another try. Hilarious, I know. We came in for ladies night - dinner on Monday evening. Despite arriving before 6 PM and it being a Monday, the place was hopping. Thank goodness we had read the reviews and made reservations, because we were seated immediately. When it opened, the restaurant looked like it was in a strip mall - it was not long on decor. Now, it looks like a lovely, upscale Italian bistro. A full bar lines the south wall with a couple of flat screen televisions. There are booths around the room with free standing tables in the middle. And, most of the tables were full for most of the night. It is a decidedly older crowd here - many in the 80s plus set. But, it is a very friendly crowd. While our server left a lot to be desired - he was not all attentive, and he definitely missed out on drink refills at our table, the service is generally very good and very friendly. We saw the other servers hustling and bustling. I am not sure what our guy's deal was. We had to ask a busboy for bread, we had to ask for more water, and we never did get that second glass of wine ( because he did not return until it was time to order dessert). C'est la vie. He was two stars, but he was not reflective of what I saw in the restaurant in general, so it was merely reflected his tip. I was most pleased with the food. We split the ladies' night portion of the stuffed scampi. 13.25 is not a particularly good deal for this tiny serving of two tiny stuffed scampi when the regular entree is $21 and has five (based upon the online pictures). Plus, the scampi was way over cooked. I mean, sit was tough. That being said, the accompanying broccolini was crisp tender - veggie perfection. The linguini stefano was al dente with fired sliced garlic, great olive oil and herbs and cheese; I could have eaten a whole plate of the pasta and veggies. We also had the tagliatelle with chianti braised short ribs. Yelpers were right on here. This is one of the best dishes on the menu and a much better value at 18. The fresh, house made pasta is more like fettuccini and is cooked to al dente perfection. The semi-creamy and not all acidic tomato sauce is loaded with surprisingly lean and very tender bits of short rib. This dish could beinedibly rich, but it is perfectly balanced and well prepared at Gaetano's. The pasta here is really 5 stars. We ordered a cappuccino for dessert (5 bucks). Really good. We also ordered the cannoli (7 bucks), which is a still crisp shell filled with house made ricotta cream with little chocolate chips and sliced almonds. Yummy. But, the piece d resistance was the Nutella bread pudding (8 bucks). It is small, but it is so rich and delicious. Little cubes of brioche are soaked and baked in a buttery custard with Nutella. Each cube is soaked, and the whole thing is moist without being soggy (there are even crispy ends that stay moist). The creme anglaise that is poured on the base of the dish before the bread pudding is added is fresh and also yummy. I give Gaetano's 3.5 stars. The pasta is really delicious, but the seafood was overlooked and a rip-off. And, I don't appreciate being told that I am getting a deal on a smaller portion when I am paying more than half the price for less than half the dish. The dessert was also wonderful, but it is really expensive for what is offered. To top it all off, the service was very disappointing. I am hoping that it is generally more attentive, based upon what I saw at other tables, but that was not my experience. I will probably come back, but I won't rush back. (Plus, check-in offers don't work on the Yelp Blackberry app - sucky huh? Not Gaetano's fault, but it is what it is.)
(3)Kristina I.
An absolutely amazing place!!!!! The food is incredable from their pastas, salads, and their to die for fried artichoke hearts and olive oil that contains an amazing combination of balsamic and spices. The music is sets a great mood that is a mixture of classic easy to listen to artists like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and often even live music. The service is some of the best I have ever experienced. A family run place that shows, but in a laid back classy way, not cheesy. Vince who I believe he is the son or grandson of the couple who opened the place, was amazingly nice and helpful, my mother has been going here since it opened and she recognized him from when he was a young kid, he was very sweet (and attractive) and even gave my mom a free dessert for sharing her memories with him!! Anyway the point is I love this family and the food they have been serving for almost 2 decades.
(5)John I.
I generally like this place. The food was good. We went during DineLA week 2013. I paid the $10 upgrade to the halibut. We brought in a nice 100 point wine. There was a $14 corkage fee. We thought that there was no corkage fee but it turns out that only applies to wines purchased at the wine store next door. Anyway, $14 is reasonable. We had made an 8:30p reservation on Open Table. When we ordered, I stated I would be having the cannoli for dessert. However, when it was time for dessert, we were advised that the stove/oven had been turned off and that I could only have the spumoni. I would have thought that they would have cooked my cannoli before turning off the stove/oven.
(3)Scott S.
This is a pretty good restaurant in a kind of strange location. The food is nuevo-Italian. And, it's pretty good. Their bread is very good. The locations... It is surround on two sides by a parking lot. On one side the other business are a wine shop and Panera. To the other side is a Goodwill, an electronics shop, and Kolhs. So, this isn't really the location where you would normally find an Italian restaurant. That being said, the location does not detract from the restaurant They have a nice outdoor heated patio area, which I recommend. Also, I like to drink my Chianti on the rocks with a lemon twist. When I order it this way at some places, they just don't get it. Here, they immediately got it and brought it to me just the way I ordered it. Overall this is good place to eat.
(4)Jeanette I.
Cozy little Italian joint in Torrance. Always friendly service, and they make you feel right at home. Food isn't bad either. This last time, I had the mushroom "ravioli." It technically wasn't a ravioli, but I forgot what it was called. It was a pocket of deliciousness. Cream sauce was delightful. Husband had the butternut squash ravioli. Tasty, Daughter had the spaghetti with meatball. Wow. A huge kids portion, and the meat sauce was off the hook! My drink order was messed up though. I had ordered the blood orange soda. What I got was a blood orange mojito! Eh. Unexpected alcohol. It could have been worse.
(4)Peggy S.
Solid food at reasonable prices in a low-key, homey environment. There are many good deals to be had here, the first of which being the free bruschetta appetizer you receive upon check-in. They don't skimp at all on the freebie, a healthy portion of fresh, tasty chopped tomatoes on crispy mini toasts. I had the three-course dinner (including salad, soup, and main course) w/ wine pairing, which was a steal at $25. The wine was forgettable but all courses (arugula/pancetta/pea salad, tomato soup, shrimp scampi w/ asparagus and beans) were good, if not spectacular. Hubby had the rich and hearty homemade tagliatelle w/ tender chunks of chianti-braised short ribs. The fresh bread is the star here at Gaetano's (slightly par-baked but still crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) and manifests itself in many equally tasty forms: by itself w/ olive oil to start, as a base in the salad, and as toasts in the appetizer and soups. By the time you get to the main course, you'll most likely be full and on carb overload. Our server was friendly and attentive, rounding out an enjoyable dining experience.
(4)Kelly D.
Not good when someone you take says he'll pick a "good" restaurant next time. My boy says, "cream sauce overwhelming, mushroom ravioli tasty"
(3)Kristine H.
Went there for the first time with my girlfriends after a spa treatment and Burke Williams. The food was delicious. The Nutella bread pudding was our favorite dessert
(4)Celia B.
This is a great find! We had dinner on the patio and it couldn't have been better. Delicious, fresh bread, generous salads and delicious pasta dishes. I had the Mushroom Anolini (ravioli) which was so good I have to go back. I had a large taste of the lasagne which was scrumptious. Nice wine selection, mid range entree prices and excellent, friendly service.
(5)Stephen C.
Nice atmosphere, clean environment. Went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't very crowded. Food was good and service was very good. Would dine there again.
(4)Marley B.
Most consistent Italian in the south bay. Always great food and service.
(5)Jim A.
My wife LOVES this place. Unfortunately, they couldn't get my order right in three tries. Eggplant Parm, hold the ricotta. First plate, the ricotta was right there between the eggplant. Second plate, they obviously screwed it up, put it on, then scraped it off. Third try, same thing. At least they comp'd the glass of wine I had while my wife enjoyed the fish. Man cannot live on bread and wine alone. . .
(2)E J.
Guess I kind of expected more .. Atmosphere was nice but the place is very small so it's cramped.. So with that I was hoping the food would be amazing, because the waitress indicated they make everything fresh.. I had the penne, over all it was just ok, but the white sauce was kind of watery .. My hubby had the pizza which was just mediocre as well. But the non alcoholic sparking drinks were good!!
(3)Zo B.
Never disappointing!
(4)J S.
Absolutely awful. The salmon was over cooked and over priced, they were very stingy with the bread- only one slice per person and the server was rude and would rather be chit chatting to other employees than taking care of the customers drink orders. I wouldn't ever go back here
(1)Krissa T.
Delicious! And romantic! I love how quiet and peaceful it is there. I have enjoyed sitting under the beautiful lights on the heated patio and inside in a comfortable booth; both very nice options. I recently celebrated my birthday there and liked it so much brought my husband back for our anniversary. Everything on the menu looks delicious so it's hard to choose. That is why I like the 3 course meal option! I had a fresh Cesar salad that had just the right amount of dressing and then the squash ravioli...AMAZING!! Then topped it off with a refreshing spumoni gelato, delicious! We also tried the Nutella bread pudding which was by far my ultimate new favorite dessert. Great service! Quick and freindly! Well done G's - I think you made a regular out of me!
(5)Matt P.
If you want food poisoning and if want to pay a little more then $300.00 for it then this is the place for you. Oh yea, talk to Audreanna (the owner) about getting food poisoning and she will call you a liar. That place is great! If you like bland food and grumpy service and like throwing up in the restaurant bathroom go to Gaetanos.
(1)Kati K.
Super yummy!! I got the garlic scampi and my boyfriend had osso bucco, both were great! Warm bread with olive oil/spices to start was delish. We also had a caprese salad that had fresh mozzarella. The only thing that was just so~so was the free brucheta with a check in, but hey you can't argue with free!! Server was friendly and helpful. Pricing was decent for quality of place $20 for garlic scampi, $27 for osso bucco, $10 martini, $6 IPA, $11 caprese. We drove up from long beach because we liked it so much last time. We will be back again. Thanks gaetano's!!!
(5)Marty J.
Best customer service! When I had to order food Togo while the restaurant was very busy. The hostess was extremely helpful and even though very busy took the time to help me order my food. I was very impressed with how attentive she was amid being super busy. Just when you think customer service has gone in the toilet. Great family owned restaurants restore what the corporate restaurants are lacking. Super pleased!!!!
(5)Richard H.
When I'm craving good Italian food, I always go directly to Gaetano's. Family owned since 1993, this restaurant serves up delicious Italian food inspired by the many regions of Italy. This place is good for families, lunch with friends, and/or a casual date. Service: I've always had fantastic service while at Gaetano's. The staff is knowledgeable of the menu and prompt with their service. You can be expected to be greeted by a smile upon entering and will be well taken care of throughout your dining experience. Food: I recommend... ---Gnocchi alla gorgonzola--handmade, in house, gnocchi in a delicious Parmesan cream sauce with a drizzling of pesto. This dish is very rich in taste, texture, and portion size. A great choice for those who LOVE cheese and well-made gnocchi. However, on a few occasions, to my sadness, I have visited and been informed that they were already sold out of gnocchi for the evening...limited quantities that go quickly---must be good! ---Penne Sonoma--penne pasta tossed with chicken, shallots, and sundried tomatoes in a creamy marinara; a perfect balance of cream and tomato sauce, sweet and silky. The pasta has always been cooked perfectly al dente. ---Bread--eat it and you'll see why! Their bread is served piping hot in large quantities. DELICIOUS. Major plus: sign up for their monthly newsletter! In it you'll will be special offers and information on their monthly special menu that highlights the cuisine of one of the regions of Italy. Their desserts, however, leave something to be desired. This spot earns my pick for best Italian restaurant in the South Bay, and local reader polls agree! This place is most definitely deserving of the high praise it receives.
(4)Chris N.
Nice atmosphere. Friendly waitstaff. Kinda bland food. I wish they weren't out of so many items! And what's with all the tarragon??? It's never a good sign to read about a restaurant's daily specials then order them only to find out they didn't have enough ingredients stocked to meet demand. On my visit, Gaetano's was out of Seabass (a daily special) and the blood-orange Italian gelato (another special). Considering that blood-orange seems to be a theme at the restaurant, it was very disappointing to read about a blood-orange gelato filled cannoli dessert only to find out the blood-orange filling has run out. Gaetano's should monitor their food stocks more closely, and do more to anticipate a run on their daily specials. Otherwise, if you can't handle your food ordering better, don't run daily specials. A free order of bruschetta with a Yelp check-in was a great touch, and the bruschetta was some of the best I have had in recent memory. Just the right amount of toasting on the bread, and tasty tender tomatoes and fresh herbs on top. They also bring heated (fresh?) bread with butter or spiced olive oil for dipping, but I believe the olive oil and spice dip would have benefitted with the addition of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to cut the oil with a piquant tang. Spices and olive oil without something to cut through the oil just creates a greasy feeling on the palate. I ordered spinach and chicken filled cannelloni, which was a little bland and disappointing. I could barely tell there was chicken inside the pasta cannelloni, and there was so much cheese it overwhelmed the delicate cream and marinara sauce smothering the plate. I could see spinach inside the cannelloni, but again, all I could taste was cheese and little of the sauce. My gf (once again) got luckier with her order of Tagliatelle & Chianti Short Ribs, which was amazing. Very tender rib meet with pasta in a light and creamy sauce. That was delicious. Both of our dishes as well as the bruschetta had a distinct note of tarragon in them, which is a little different from the traditional Italian trio of garlic, basil and oregano, but overall, I can't see myself jumping to load-up the Italian dishes I cook at home with tarragon. It was interesting, but not something that particularly appeals to me. While using tarragon as the most pronounced flavor in all your dishes may be unique, it is not enough to bring me back for another visit. A warm chocolate cake covered with vanilla cream was our dessert (see above gripe re: blood-orange cannoli), and it was impressive. The chocolate cake was extremely rich and tasty, and the vanilla cream was a good contrast. The density and egg content pushed the cake closer to the realm of a rich and sweet chocolate soufflé. Their Italian sodas are pretty good, but I wish my sparkling blueberry lemonade had more carbonation in it. Overall, Gaetano's is a little pricey for the small(ish) portions and blandness of the food, and it's very disappointing to hear a server tell you, "I'm sorry, but we ran out of ... and ... and ... today." The food is hit-or-miss. You could end up with something tasty and unique, or you may just be overwhelmed with bland sauce and excessive cheese abuse. And you had better really like tarragon.
(3)Angela C.
A really great, comfy, intimate dinner spot. The ambiance and quality is what you always want to put your money towards right? For Italian food I say a big thumbs up! Of course I'm not Italian or have never been to Italy but the food tasted great, not over salted or under salted but just right. Portions control-- THANK YOU! I have a hard time eating out because I try to force myself to eat everything in front of me. But here at Gaetano's the portion size is perfect for one individual. My theory is, a lot more love goes into a smaller dish so the chef can really concentrate on making it one of a kind.
(4)Walter S.
Just completed dinner and wanted to write while fresh in my mind. First I should say I rarely give 5 stars, so this 4 star rating is very good. Both our dishes were well prepared and tasty . However I would not rate as outstanding and therefore not a 5. Our waiter, Alex, was great. Helpfull and knowable. Attentive but not overly so. Made substitution easily. The true test is if we will return and this place gets a definite Yes !
(4)Ron S.
Taking into account that it is a local place, it is a great place for a nice dinner. I had the linguine & clams. Very solid. The pasta dishes my friends had were well liked too. Serving size was very nice. The service was just right, there when you needed them and they were on top of things. It was my first time visit and I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)Lynn R.
Love the food. Great service.
(5)Stefanie S.
Feels like Italy. You have to try the Bruscetta! Spaghetti and meatball are awesome as well as the Lasagne and the desert. Especially the ice cream. Feels like Europe.
(5)Kathleen T.
Gaetano's excels in every area and has become one of our favorite restaurants. From the lunches I order for my office to the dinners I have had at the restaurant, I give it all 5 stars. Their food is consistently excellent , as is their service. We especially enjoy having Debbie as our waitress. She is always so warm and welcoming! I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant!
(5)Melody T.
I cannot believe I haven't eaten here before today! It was a beautiful day to sit outside on the patio section for lunch. The friendliness of the staff was absolutely superb! They were very attentive and were excited to find out it was our first time. Our waiter was eager to tell us about favorite dishes of most people as well as his own. I had the salmon special that was on a bed of salad with strawberries and avocado....simply delicious! My partner ordered a lunch special where he could choose two petite dishes. He chose eggplant parmesan with a chopped salad....with the salami on the side (he's vegetarian and I love salami). Both excellent choices! The manager came out to thank us for coming because she heard it was our first time and offered us a free appetizer for the next time we come and dine with them. The meal ended with a nutella bread pudding...what?! You had me at nutella! Overall experience was pure excellence! We are already planning our next visit.
(5)Lauren M.
I absoultely LOVE this place. I try to go monthly for the regional dinner nights but I'd recommend going any night. The food is incredible & the atmosphere and service is great. Meatballs are THE BEST! They remind me of the recipe my mama nonna used to prepare for Sunday dinners. & my family agrees. When they visit from back East, this is the place they want to go. It's a taste of Boston's North End in Torrance. Highly recommend.
(5)Ernest T.
Delicious. Great place for a casual meal with the family. I recommend wine night on Thursday. Prices are not too expensive and the food is always fresh and good
(4)Larry L.
This is average Italian food. Sure, we'd come back if we're in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. The bread was stale and the oil mix was yucky. I had the Chicken Pam. It was fine. But I didn't get that homemade sauce taste that you look for at a restaurant like this. Sauce - nothing special. My wife had a salad which was HUGE. She loved it. Plenty to bring home, which she did. Our daughter had pasta with marinara sauce which she loved. The food took forever to come out but the staff is very nice. We were too full to try desert.
(3)Lisa S.
I would have never found this place without Yelp. It is seriously hidden away in the not-so-frequently visited plaza opposite the theater side. I've actually only been on that side a handful of times, and I never saw this restaurant. The other day I was craving spaghetti for some odd reason. Not wanting to go to the store and then make it myself (lazy...), I opted to call Vince's. Albeit salty, the meals there are filling and come with a lot of sides. Fortunately, they were closed, so I was forced to branch out and try something new. This is how I stumbled upon Gaetano's. I ordered the food for pick-up, and once again it came in reusable containers. Score! Even though the meal was pricier than Vince's, it was better in quality. The spaghetti and meatballs was simple, but delicious. I could probably eat this every day. The eggplant parmesan, though oilier, was also very good. The side order of garlic cheese rolls was more than enough for two people, and we were completely stuffed after all was said and done. I loved Gaetano's. I'm excited to try their "girls' night out" specials and their lunch specials as well!
(4)Ginger S.
Really love it here! It is our neighborhood Italian place....always feel welcome, great food and excellent service!
(5)Kelly G.
I really life Gaetano's. The setting is amazing, the wait staff is really nice and friendly and the service is good. We have bruschetta for appetizer. I'm not sure what the bread was, but it tasted great with the garlic butter. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The meatballs were cooked to perfection, really juicy and delicious.
(4)Rachel R.
I was really impressed with this place. First off, the bread they bring with the olive oil/spices is delicious! The bread is perfectly toasted on the outside, yet soft on the inside. The olive oil has a little kick to it. I could not stop eating it. The pear and gorgonzola salad is soooooo good, I highly recommend it. My boyfriend and I split it. We got the gorgonzola on the side because I am recently allergic to dairy, and it was still perfect to me without the cheese. I asked them to change the veal picatta into chicken picatta instead, and they did so with no question and a smile. I thought it was the perfect amount chicken, pasta and a side of veggies. No too much of one thing. Nutella bread pudding was amazing (even though my stomach hurt after due to my food allergy). It was worth the pain for me! You must order it. Parking is easy, because it's in a shopping center. Pleasantly suprised, and I will be going back!!!
(5)Heidi M.
Food is usually fair to good. Service is awful. Owners act like they don't care if you come back because they are too busy, bad business model.
(2)Steve M.
Do yourself a favor and eat here because everything is always amazing as if mom made it in her kitchen!
(5)Luke L.
I love this place! They have amazing Italian pasta dishes, and it tastes home-made. They also have friendly and knowledgeable staff. Try the bruschetta...you won't be disappointed:)
(5)Kyle M.
Amazing I've lived 2 miles from here for 20+ years and never been here. I was feeling like some Italian so jumped on yelp and noticed a bunch of good reviews from this place so decided to give it a shot. It's located in sort of a corner but when we pulled up on Friday night the place was packed! 25 minute wait?!? I had no idea. We sat at the bar while we waited and ordered some wine and within 10 minutes a table opened up. We ordered a variety of items from a pizza to salad to the short rib tagliatelle. Everything was amazing but that short rib was really good. The fresh made bread and garlic dipping sauce is drinkable...it's that good. It took a long time to find this place but I guarantee it won't be the last
(5)Nancy Y.
Okay, I've been here many times. so clearly I am a fan. The food here is really good. I've tried so many dishes that I can't decide which to tell you about. I will tell you that you won't be disappointed. Hubby and I have tried something different everytime. They don't have a huge menu, but they do have variety. And what they do have, is are done right. Tastes fresh, flavorful, and hot. I love salt and pepper, and even I haven't felt the need to add salt or pepper to anything. They are a small family friendly place. Parkin is plentiful and the price... Well that's nice. Not to expensive for a night out.
(4)Michelle T.
$10 birthday certificate for dude! This was one voucher in my pile of coupons i printed for dude that we were gonna pass up on. I haven't really heard too much about this Italian joint near the Rolling Hills Plaza, but decided on the day it expired- what the heck and just use it for take out. Most of their meals cost about $13 and up, so we could try one of their dinner dishes and decide if we would come back to try more. I'm glad we decided to try this place out, cuz it was actually really good! We picked the most yelped about dish- the Butternut Squash Ravioli. It comes with about 10 good size ravioli pieces, delicious cream sauce and some grated parmesan cheese. They also packed us a big piece of their super soft and yummy bread with butter. Next time maybe i'll try out my buddy Kristen M's fave Osso Bucco!
(4)Kevin L.
Came here with the girlfriend through a tip of her co-worker. Place is very nice and spacious, and our server was simply amazing. Super attentive, without being overly watchful like a hawk, and when we needed service, I don't think we waited more than 10-15 seconds to grab his attention, even though he was moving around helping other tables. He gave us excellent wine recommendations, and the house merlot which I got was super tasty and just right. I wasn't too impressed with their pasta, but that was just my personal preference and taste buds, but their Pizza was amazing. It's definitely the cheese !!! It made a huge different in taste, rich and flavorful! If you're looking for a nice date spot, I highly recommend this place. If you want pizza, get it here! I approve! -Goodfood.LA
(5)Heather S.
We had lunch catered earlier today for a professional meeting. The food was hot, delicious, and it arrived on time. Great experience.
(5)Pavan K.
Their 3 course menu is great value for money. Good service, great food and nice location
(4)Kristina V.
Pretty good little Italian spot. Decent eggplant Parmesan, Rissoto, bruchetta, fresh bread. Small, cute, romantic place. Nice outdoor seating for a warmer night. Service was pretty good, too! I recommend you make a reservation if you're going to go during peak meal times, though.
(4)Lynn B.
We found Gaetano's online since we are from San Diego and didn't know where to eat during our weekend in Torrance. It was easy to make a reservation through Open Table and Gaetano's very politely left a voice message confirming the reservation. Although the waiting line was out the door when we arrived, we were seated at a nice reserved booth within five minutes. We loved the ambiance of the place (not too fancy, but definitely upscale) and our server, Debbie, was very friendly. We got a bruschetta appetizer for free by by checking in on Yelp and it was quite good. We were a party of four and enjoyed everything we ordered: soup, salad, lasagna, chicken parmigiano, halibut with dijon mustard sauce, and filet mignon with mushrooms and linguini. We will definitely be coming back when we are in the area. Highly recommend.
(5)Joseph L.
Sorry to report that Gaetano's earns 1 star. Sean, the server for our table did not even know the special of the day. He was also more attentive and nicer to the other tables. I had the Spicy Country Chicken Sandwich $10.95. The food was just OK but the service was inadequate.
(1)Vito M.
We always wanted to try this place,but my youngest brother recommended it knowing he can't boil water I wasn't in any rush to try it. When we entered the place we were pleasantly surprised how clean and open it was. we were seated quickly. We started out with the Short ribs and Polenta. Excellent I immediately told the wife I will be craving this we are coming back. We both ordered the luncheon combo ,Me eggplant/lasagna wife lasagna/pear gorgonzola salad. The pear gorgonzola salad was great.The only thing that saved the lasagna and eggplant was the generous amount of mozzarella. The sauce was not only bland it looked and tasted like doctored tomato soup similar to what some Irish sorority girls would make in college. I'll probably be coming back just for the short ribs and polenta, but i'll stay away from any dish that is heavy in their sudo tomato sauce.
(2)D B.
We are a regular corporate customer and we placed another large catering order for a meeting. We specifically ordered (in addition to several "regular" entrees) a vegan option (no meat, dairy, cheese, egg, fish, no animal products of any kind). We were dismayed to discover that the vegan platter was a rice asparagus dish with lots and lots of cut up chicken breast. We had to call them and explain what vegan meant. And ask them to credit us for that dish, which we did not eat. So the lesson here is to carefully check your catering order before they leave, and if you are placing a vegetarian or vegan option, you should call them the day of the delivery and double check that they understand what that means. We shouldn't HAVE to do this with an established catering company, but we apparently have to.
(2)M G.
Food was descent. The service was a little spotty and the hostess a little slow. It wasn't a bad experience, but they didn't hit a home run.
(3)Hunter M.
This place is great! They honor their Yelp check in offers without making a big deal about it. Food has been great each time we have been here. Best Italian food, at this price level, that I've had in the South Bay.
(5)Terry K.
Yelp Challenge 365 # 126/365 For those of you reading this review who live in Hawaii, the closest comparison is Assagio's. For those of you reading this review who live in the Torrance area, this is the place to go....I understand owner/chef is family to Guilliano's Deli. To all of you far and wide; Please make a reservation or you may have to wait. Price right, short wine list, tasty food, excellent service; what more can I say? Well, I say try the butternut squash ravioli and the braised shortrib pasta dish. Ask your waiter to select an appetizer for you. They tend to pick the best tasting one of the evening. Here's the most important thing. USE YOUR CHECK IN Yelpers! You get an order of brusscetta on the house. AND it's delicious.
(5)Betsy R.
My friends and I were in Rancho Palos Verdes on a sunday looking for a convient place for dinner. They live in South Orange County and we live in LA so we decided Torrance would be easy b/c we could both jump on the 405 when we were done. I called the restaurant at 5:00pm to ask if they would take a reservation for 4 adults and 1 baby (a year old). They said we didn't need a reservation b/c they had space. I told them we were leaving RPV right then. 15 minutes later we arrived and were told we would have to wait 30 minutes for a table. I asked for a booth but they said it was against fire code to put a high chair at one of the booths ? OK, we'll wait. 40 minutes later, we're still waiting and we're starving, the baby is cranky and no one was getting up anytime soon. Yet they were seating people at booths as soon as they walked in. My friend with the baby, talked to the hostess and was told it would be another few minutes b/c the table we would be seated at already paid. They were just waiting for the women to get up. At that particular table, were 2 women nursing a 1/2 glass of wine with their to-go boxes already packed and their check already paid, while the bar sat completely empty with 8-10 free chairs available. I don't know about you but I have been asked to move to the bar when a restaurant was busy and there was clearly people waiting. It's not rude if its explained properly. We had been waiting over 40 minutes by this point. 20 minutes later, they said they were clearing another table for us. Finally after 65-70 minutes we were seated - in a booth! Why didn't they just do that to begin with when there were booths available when we first walked in?! 25 minutes after being seated, those 2 women nursing the wine finally left then of the course the whole restaurant cleared out! Normally I don't bitch about service, but this was ridiculous. If the hostess had given an honest wait time of an hour, we could have and would have chosen another restaurant but after 45 minutes of waiting, we were already invested - who knew it would be another 30 minutes beyond that. And for all that waiting the food was mediocre. The bread was like supermarket French bread. The butternut squash ravioli was ok but the sauce had way too much sage in it and was too heavy. My husband's eggplant parm was good but we had to ask for extra sauce b/c they didn't put much on there. They kept putting everything in front of the kid so we had to grab it quick to keep him from grabbing it first. And when the check came they charged us for 2 wine-flights when we only ordered water. Never again. Would have preferred Olive Garden (and I can't stand Olive Garden!)
(1)Steve N.
It's a nice little Italian spot to take your family or a significant other to. The food here is not bad, but they don't have any specialty items. I've only ordered their chicken parmigiana and pretty good. The ambiance and decor is very pleasant and their staff is very nice. They have a bar with a nice selection of cocktails, wines, and beers as well.
(4)Ren D.
My girlfriend and I just had lunch here. We found this place on yelp. Decided to go off the reviews and very happy we did. The service was good and the food was excellent! Portions were good and very tasty. Definitely coming back. It always seems hard to find a good Italian restaurant. Glad we found this one.
(4)Daniela B.
I absolutely love this place! You will find it all on their menu...yummy starters, the classic pasta dishes, fresh salads, along with a great variety of entrees, and of course dessert. There is a full bar so you can get a martini, wine, beer, or even a fresh specialty cocktail. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and family friendly. Gaetano's puts a fresh spin on comforting Italian food. Go now. You won't regret it!
(5)Monty F.
Went to lunch with a fellow worker friend yesterday - first time here. Food was delicious. I had the Italian Chicken Club. Still making my mouth water . . . mmm Service was good, interior very homey and clean. A little pricey for a everyday lunch for the working man, but you get what you pay for. Portions are on the smaller side, but perfect in my opinion - unless you're a fatty looking to stuff your belly. Location and parking kind of suck. Large retail centers drive me crazy when it comes to parking and traffic. Will come back for sure!
(4)Herman T.
Great local family owned restaurant. I come here every time I am in town. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Good bar. Clean, nice atmosphere. Reasonable prices. If you are looking for fresh, not out of a can, Italian cuisine I highly recommend Gaetanos.
(5)Jake S.
This is hands down one of my favorite Italian restaurants! The second you walk into Gaetanos, you get the feeling that this is a great family restaurant. There are cool paintings on the wall as well as family photos from the people who run the restaurant. This type of family atmosphere finds its way to the kitchen and the service. Our server was amazing and made sure that we were taken care of at every turn. We ordered the Caprese to start, which had great tasting mozzarella on it. We had a lasagna dish and the Tagliatelle & Chianti Short Rib Pasta. Both were delicious and were dishes that seemed to have a unique twist to them. Such a good place when you factor in the ambiance, quality, service, food, drinks & dessert. Perfect for a night out with a few friends or for that special someone.
(5)Hippo W.
Been here a few times, the last two visits the food has been too salty, the eggplant parm and lasagna. The tagliatelle short rib order was delicious. Service is good and atmosphere is nice. Unfortunately LA has fewer Italian restaurants then New York and for LA this place is good, for New York it wouldn't survive. The blood orange soda is good also.
(3)Shokoor A.
The food is terrible greasy . Calamari for 12 us $ it was so small it felt like one dollar a piece .everything awful service crowd food ect ect don't go there please go some where different don't get fooled.
(1)J V.
I have been here a couple times. Once with my girlfriend and the other time with my entire family. Both times the service and food were spectacular. I don't live in Torrance, so I'm not always in the neighborhood, but when I am I plan on stopping by again! The blood orange italian soda tastes a little bit more like a grapefruit. Still delicious, but doesn't taste like a blood orange to me. All in all it's still one of my favorite places to eat down here.
(5)Tomomi S.
I've been going to Gaetano's for the last 2 years and this is my go to local Italian place. It's hard to find a good Italian restaurant in LA. I enjoy their food because their food quality is consistant, service is outstanding and the food is just plain delicious without being overly greasy. I also like their lunch selections where you can choose 2 things on the menu as lunch portion. Salads are great. Pastas are great. Love their dinner rolls. I've had their pizzas once, wasn't too crazy but then, I like thin crust pizzas and theirs was more thicker and doughy. They are also kid friendly, so it's a great place for a family. It's not the cheapest place (but I wouldn't consider them to be an expensive restaurant), but I think for the quality of food you get, their pricing is spot on. I hope this family owned restaurant will survive this economy and keep up the great quality and service. :)
(4)Chop S.
I was right! I knew I'd like this place. Gaetano's is cozy--soothing colors and decor. It has an upscale feel without being pretentious; the small bar has a Cheers-type of feel; and seating is intimate. My friends and I went back on a busy Friday night. We had no reservations so we had to wait for about 30 minutes--which is understandable. While we waited, we were offered appetizers and sat beneath the heated lamps. Once we were seated, the service was excellent. Using my Yelp special, we got a free bruschetta appetizer. We brought two bottles from the wine shop next door. The first bottle has free corkage. The second was $18. Not bad considering the first one is free. We ordered the pear and Gorgonzola salad again (Again a winner!). We ordered the Osso Bucco, veal picatta, the tagliatelle with short ribs, and baked mostaccioli. Apparently the chef went to Sicily and revised the menu. Everything was good--particularly the addition of the sauteed polenta to the Osso Bucco. The crispy outside to the creamy inside was a nice texture change. We ended our evening with coffee and the NUTELLA BREAD PUDDING (see picture). I took my first bite of this light and delicately sweet perfection and my world changed. It was that good. After my first not-too-complimentary review, the owner contacted me and not only apologized but mentioned the changes in their menu and invited me back. I'm so glad I went back. I think it's a good sign when management cares about your experience.
(4)Kd C.
Great little Italian place, foods amazing and the ambiance is indulging. Great date spot or birthday dinner restaurant, although I just like to come in and eat for no special occasion. Definitely going to cost you more than the Olive Garden, but it's well worth it for the quality. Pretty amazing service too.
(5)LG G.
Found this place courtesy of my fellow yelpers as a family met-up between LA and San Diego. Great food. Good service. Wonderful desserts! Outside patio would be perfect because we all have dogs, but it's a "no" from management. Too bad! We'd be meeting here much more often!
(4)Rachel M.
Absolutely amazing place! This was the first time my fiancé and I had been here, and we were soo impressed! The food was delicious, especially the Nutella bread pudding for dessert, and the staff and management were amazing and very friendly! Great environment and value! Will definitely be coming back here whenever we want Italian food!
(5)C - R.
This is truly the best all around Italian restaurant. Great food, great service, and affordable.
(5)Jadelady Y.
This place would have gotten 4 stars for being one of the few places around here that serves a decent mushroom ravioli that won't charge me an arm and a leg. I haven't been here in ages and stopped by here on my search for a place that serves a mushroom ravioli to erase my last experience of it in San Pedro. I went on a Wednesday night, so it wasn't busy. Here's where it got 3 stars:service was okay and not the best. Maybe the guy was having a bad night (he had a bruise on his right temple) or he was too busy eyeing the group of young ladies that had come in that night. Either way, it took forever for him to get around to getting my order and even longer to notice that I was done with my meal and wanted my check (even though he had taken my plate away earlier and asked if I had wanted dessert). The one saving grace?? The complimentary bread was hot, toasty and oh so fresh. Yummy!! I can't fault the chef for the mushroom ravioli. It was hot, creamy sauce with that woody flavor one expects from a mushroom dish and everything I expected from it.Exactly what I wanted. Soooooo tempted to just walk out without paying since I had to flag him down to get my check. He probably wouldn't have noticed. Don't worry, I paid for my meal but the tip was almost non-existent. Parking was decent, but don't expect a big seating area. Good for groups, but the menu wasn't extensive, at least not for the pasta selection. Suffice it to say, I'll come here when I have a lot time to kill and not in a hurry, I want mushroom ravioli and don't care too much that the waiter has his attention elsewhere. I think I now remember why I didn't come back here. Service was mediocre at best
(3)Jesse A.
I came by to try their gnocchi after reading about it in LA Weekly... and I was very unimpressed. The gnocchi is indeed very light. But it's also very very doughy. The dumplings themselves are quite large, which added to the overly doughy mouthfeel. I also felt the sauce was quite boring and overly acidic. It wasn't for me at all. It's definitely on par for what I would expect from a mall-type restaurant, but I was hoping for much much more.
(2)Nicole C.
Where do I start? This place was definitely fantastic. The decor was a bit romantic and relaxing....or maybe I was just exhausted! LOL The bread was delish, as well as the herb olive oil. I admit it. I'm a carbaholic. I ordered the eggplant parmesan that came with olive oil pasta. I love eggplant and both parts of this dish was so good. Nom nom nom!! Bummer that one of the pieces of eggplant was slightly undercooked (crunchy a bit, but still good). I liked this place for sure.
(4)George B.
No wonder they've won 'Best Italian Restaurant for 2008 and 2009 in the Southbay'. They should win it for 2010 as well... I've been here about 3 times and each time has always been a good experience. Service is always good but most importantly, the food is fresh as if it was homemade, not from a can (cliche). But my favorite part of this restaurant is their desert, their limoncello galeto. Mmmm... refreshing! Last but not least: Mondays - ladie's out night. smaller portions, cheaper prices Tuesdays - family night. Pre-fix menu (4 people for $45) Wednesdays - N/A Thursdays - Wine pairing Fridays - Live piano music
(5)Russell F.
Out with a group nine, we stumbled into Gaetano's about forty-five minutes before closing. We found them on Yelp and it seemed like a good choice close to where we were staying. What a gem! Gaetano's is stuck in a shopping plaza, sort of hidden at one corner. The interior isn't much for ambience. It's not bad but no one is going to be mumbling how beautiful it was afterwards. But the food and the service, absolutely top shelf. Cole was a out waiter and did an excellent job handling out group. Service was quick, drinks were refilled, food brought out quickly. Cole and the servers were prompt and attentive in just the right amounts. This sort of effortless experience is something restaurant with much better addresses would do well to emulate. In the end our group stayed about hour after closing with no problems. It was nice to enjoy a meal without being rushed. The food was superb in all regards. From the fresh bread and herbal olive oil through the main courses to the dessert. Gaetano's was wonderful surprise. The excellent food and service and the warm family atmosphere will make it a sure stop on my next visit the area.
(5)Eric G.
most authentic italian food i've had !!!
(5)Rick D.
The butternut ravioli was as great as the rave's i read prior to coming here for the 1st time. Great service and i can see why it was the #1 voted in the south bay 4 yrs. running!
(5)Mama N.
I love Italian food! LOVE IT! And Gaetano's is my go to spot, one I go to at least once a month. To start, try the Sizzling Scallops. Cooked perfectly and so yummy topped with lemon! My favorite is their Shrimp Mediterranean. My hubby loves their Linguini & Clams. You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Eat outdoors on a sunny day or dine indoors for more ambiance. Food is consistently good. No complaints on service. The staff will do their best to accommodate your requests...even making a mushroom risotto without mushrooms (don't ask). They do get busy so plan accordingly. Reservations help. ENJOY!
(4)Dave S.
Located in a large shopping mall complex, there is plenty of parking. There are about 20 tables inside and about 6 on the patio. They have one section of tables that can be formed to make a large party. Otherwise, most tables appear to be quads and deuces. There is also a full bar with about 8 seats. Nice cozy establishment. We went for a 2pm lunch on Sunday. It wasn't crowded. About 8 tables with customers. They have a lunch menu with specials as well as the normal menu. I tried the Lunch combo which is two items from a list of 15 or so items. I chose the eggplant parm and an Itialian chopped salad. It's served with garlic bread. My sister chose the Gaetano sandwich off the regular menu. My dish was something I didn't expect. The salad is really chopped fine. The largest item in the salad was a garbanzo bean. Eating this salad with a spoon was easier than a fork. The eggplant parm wasn't what I expected. It wasn't a layered lasagne type dish. It was like a chicken fried steak. One thin slice of eggplant, breaded and deep fried crispy. Topped with sauce and cheese. Tossed into an oven to melt the cheese. It was okay. Nothing I would order again. My Sister's sandwich was okay too. She gave me a bit. The best part is everything was fresh. The bread and veggies. The cold cuts were good too, but that's just something you put through the slicer. So, where looking at an okay 3 star lunch. We almost called it a meal and asked for the check, but the friendly server asked if we wanted dessert and we decided to look at the menu. We asked if the canolli is made on the premise. They said the shells are purchased, but the filling is homemade. He also said the Tiramisu is homemade. We decided to split both. This is where Gaetano's got an extra star. Not only did they cut each in half and plate separately, the presentation was beautiful. I'll post photos later. The canolli was very good. The filling was fresh and flavorfull. The tiramisu was also incredibly good. The ladyfinger type biscuits were moist and you can taste the coffee and booze (rum?) in this dessert. The desserts and presentation were top notch 5 stars. Our total bill was $40. A bit pricey, but the desserts quickly made me feel we got good value for our money. We will come back again.
(4)Joseph G.
Great food with efficient and friendly service. Went there for their Tuesday night family night special. We will return.
(5)Romain D.
This was my first time at gaetanos, the food was excellent, we had such a great time and the service was spectacular, Stephanie was so charming and knowledgeable of the menu. She recommended several entrees and appetizers that were her favorites ( shrimp Mediterranean and the pear and gorgonzola salad) we will be back for sure to see steph! Chao bella !!!!
(5)fmc c.
Have been here about 5-6 more times since my last review. Its conveniently located by my house so when we feel like eating italian, its always on the list. With that being said, the menu has gotten a little boring. While the management staff is always attentive and alert as to what is going on, the same cant always be said for the wait-staff. In addition, the portions appear to have gotten smaller, and it looks like they are now starting to skimp on the bread and oil dip provided. If you are nearby, you wont be disappointed with the food, but as a regular, i really wish they would spice up the menu and add a few more specials.
(3)Patrick S.
I took my wife here for dinner Friday. it was very good. She liked the interior, it was nicely set up with good decor. The wait was not to long, but a busy place means its good right. The bar was a little small and crowded, i did stand around for 10 minutes to get a drink, it seemed that the one bar tender was over whelmed. Once i got my wine it was good, i ordered the house merlot, not bad at all, and the price was great for a glass ( $5) But all in all the bar thing is not that big of a deal. So after about a 20 minute wait on Friday night we got seated, and to our surprise they had live music. to me this is a plus, i love live music with dinner. most places have music going over the speakers, so this place gets one more star for that alone. Plus the pianist was good, he played some modern stuff, a good selection of music. We had the calamari for a starter, it was good. not the best,, but good. could have been cooked a little more for my liking, but thats me. The also brought us some dinner roll bread. It was ok, kind of reminded me of regular rolls you get at vons. Might be a good idea to serve some garlic bread, or facocia etc. something with a little more taste/Italian to it. Or main dishes came in a timely manner, and its presentation was great. i had the Fettuccini Chicken Ranch. It was very good! not to much food, but a good portion, i had leftovers. My wife had the eggplant parm, she liked it. Her only complaint was she thought it had more breading around the chick than was needed. But the taste was good, oh and she also liked the Marinara sauce. We didnt have desert, we were to full, so next time we go we plan to have pizza and desert. All in all this place was nice, and the food was good and the service was good as well. Im sure we will go back soon.
(4)Jessica N.
In an effort to induce my labor, I went to Gaetano looking for a dish that would do. Remembering in my childbirth class that a restaurant in Boston had an eggplant parmesan dish that induce labor, I went with the hopes that my own labor would start. I ordered the chicken parmesan at my husband's wish. Although I was not in the mood for it, the dish was amazing. My husband got the butternut squash ravioli and it was also amazing. I did not want to order that dish either because I felt butternut squash for very much a fall dish. I'm glad we ordered it. We had the chocolate cake for desert although for $7 the portion was tiny. Would not order that again. Overall, food and service was good. My only thing was dinner was too long. Being 38 weeks pregnant and sitting for 2 hours does not work, but I would come back. By the way, I was induced two days later so I guess the dish paid off.
(4)anne e.
Finally found a tasty,, reliable restaurant that has great food my mom-in-law can enjoy too! What a relief! Crusty, delicious French bread, refreshing chopped salad and a hearty chicken cannelloni were throughly enjoyed. The Oslo bucco was also very flavorful and the polenta side dish was done perfectly - not too mushy and not too firm. our waiter was very attentive and the overall restaurant ambiance is CA casual with a touch of traditional Italian. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Jesse T.
I'd like to give this place a 5 star rating, my friend works here and I could just throw them a 5'ver just for their sake, but I do have a hang up or two so.... I've come here a couple of times. The service is fairly good. This time we had Renee serving us. She was very informative of the popular dishes. The interior is custom painted, I'd imagine this is what a Tuscan Village would look like. They have outdoor eating that would be really nice on a summers evening. Our server gave us a complimentary Bruchetta. The tomatoes were nice fresh and very flavorful. The basil really stood out. I loved this stuff. For dinner, I had the stuffed shrimp. I was fairly surprised. I expected some breaded 'something' on top of my shrimp, instead all I tasted was the crab and lobster and garlic that was put on top. It was nicely mixed with a ricotta mozzarella mix. I know that normally fish and cheese should not be mixed, that this is a culinary nono as far as Italian goes, but this worked rather well. My Gf had the Veal Picatta. She loved it, but I wasnt really to fond of it. It was bit to lemony. It was very tender, it had a great texture, I just couldn't get around how lemony it was. I suppose that is the character of this dish and why I don't normally order it. That being said, we decided to try their Lemoncello Gellato and a Lemoncello Aperitif. This was a special dessert combo only this month. Imagine the perfect essence of lemon, with an alcohol kick. That Aperitif rocked. They are clearly aware that their food needs to be fresh to survive. When I return I will have to choose from their Saltimbocca, Ossco Buco, or their Braicole. I will also have to try their Tiramisu, as they tell me its freshly made on site.
(4)Nick S.
Authentic, very tasty Italian food and nice atmosphere. Service is pretty good, there are a variety of options, and the prices are decent. My favorite Italian restaurant in the south bay!
(5)D K.
Tried the Dijon-crusted halibut... absolutely fantastic. First appearance is nice. One bite is all it takes to convince you.. The crust was crispy and perfect, the fish succulent, and the dijon cream sauce was the correct pair (flavorful and not too heavy). If they have the asparagus with prosciutto topped with parmesan cream sauce is killer. I've been coming here for years and was re-impressed by tonight's food. High recommendations!
(5)Lisa D.
The food was fresh. The service was excellent. The entire staff was extremely organized. Our water glass was never empty. The manager continued to walk by to make sure every table was attended to and not waiting on something. I found a hair in my pasta and the waitress was so disgusted and apologized. The manager came by an also apologized and they quickly made another dish for me. They also removed the charge from our bill. The entire staff seemed sincere and just on top of it.
(5)R P.
I took my old man here for his birthday and wow, we were all disappointed. Poor wine menu, the food was either too salty and had too much going on, or lack there of. The ambience wasn't half bad, good place to take a date if she has no clue on what good food taste like. Unfortunately there are not any good Italian restaurants in the south bay, unless you're the type who likes the olive garden. The only thing I noticed that was good was the service.
(2)Adam R.
Gaetano's Restaurant in Torrance brings the flavors of homemade classical Italian food to Soutbay residents. It's a family affair at Gaetano's and for over 16 years they have been satisfying guests with traditional dishes and personable service. A cozy interior coupled with a warm atmosphere and friendly staff will prime your senses for an amazing Italian feast. Gaetano's menu is diverse and provides something for everyone. Vince Giuliano and team will make sure that all of your needs are met from first to last bite. When we visited the restaurant the night was in full swing and the restaurant was packed. We ordered a few Peroni's and soon a medley of appetizers arrived at our table withing minuites. We started with an order of Arrancini(fried risotto balls) coated in a delicious homemade marinara sauce. These mouthwatering morsels were cooked to perfection and were the perfect starter. Next we had the Pear & Gorgonzola mixed green salad with sweet and tangy dressing. The portion was large and the salad was a nice contrast to the Arrancini. Our entrees were two seasonal selections and both were perfect compliments to the cold winters night. We were served a healthy portion of Butternut Squash Ravioli in a creamy butter basil sauce and a bowl of Chianti braised Short-rib on a bed of pasta. Both dishes were complimentary of one another and showcase the diversity of the cuisine at Gaetano's. We wrapped up the evening with one of Gaetano's signature Italian Canolli's. A nice balance of flavors and textures from the creamy filling, nuts, chocolate chips and cookie like shell. The next time you get the craving for Italian food coupled with the comforts of a family run cozy atmosphere visit Gaetano's in Torrance. Come celebrate 16 years of service to the community as well as their nomination for "Restaurant of the Week" and receive a FREE APPETIZER between December 14th-20th by priniting out the official Restaurant of the Week coupon and presenting to your server. Buon Appetito!
(5)Steph P.
The food here is fantastic! The calamari melts in your mouth! The lasagna is magnificent too, for it is stuffed with cheese and lots of meat. This place got me hooked on pear salads too. The portions here are generous, for I was stuffed when i left but still had a good amount of leftovers. I would have given this joint a 5 but the service was flawed because there were not enough waiters/waitresses in the full house. I WOULD COME AGAIN!
(4)Robbye A.
Went here on a Monday which they have girl's night out, a special menu, smaller portions smaller prices. The bread was perfect, fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle without being too hard. We tried the arancini which was delicious and I had the butternut squash ravioli's which were also delicious. It was the perfect amount, I wasn't still hungry and I was overly stuffed either. I'm going again with my friend tonight, I will try their lasagna this time.
(5)Jim C.
I'm sorry, I was expecting too much from the reviews. Pasta needs to be Aldente. The Caprese was OK but the Basil was too mature, it was like eating a branch. The atmosphere was Great
(2)Randy L.
Now I understand why yelpers say such good things about Gaetano's. Not the easiest place to find, next to a Howard's in a mid-sized mall. The patio is surrounded by tall foliage that blocks out a lot of noise, and helps you to forget that you're in a mall. Heaters keep you warm on cool evenings. It's not a big place, but tables are decently spaced. A couple of areas along the walls are ideal for medium-sized parties. Waitstaff are friendly, and work hard to give you a good dining experience. On a Saturday night, there are enough waitstaff to keep things rolling smoothly, and glasses full. The place was full, with customers waiting. I recommend reservations on weekends. The complimentary rolls and herb/garlic dipping oil are as good as everyone says. Rolls are crispy and warm, with soft interior. We tried the special cream of zucchini soup, and it was delicious. I tried the Braciole, something I'd never seen on a menu. It's described on their menu as: Sliced top sirloin grilled and simmered in tomato sauce until tender. Then baked with bacon, ricotta, parmesan, parsley, and breadcrumbs. Served with red roasted rosemary potatoes and fresh vegetables Tender, complex, delicious. The carrots and broccoli were perfectly done. Potatoes are slightly crispy on the outside, with rosemary. Very nice. I would recommend it, especially as something different. My wife had the sanddabs. A generous serving of the delicate fish, that tasted fresh. I would recommend it. We're going back, and bringing friends. There is something for everyone.
(4)Mike M.
Over priced for quality of food. The ambiance was very nice.
(2)NJ W.
I used to go here frequently, but the quality of this restaurant is deteriorating. Service is not good. They have servers that do not have enough training. The last time I was there the server did not know the specials or the soup of the day, spilled our appetizer on the table (but just a few pieces so that the whole thing couldn't be replaced), and dropped utensils on our plates without saying sorry. Food is mediocre. The dinner rolls are magnificent, but the rest of the food is fairly ordinary. Veal is overcooked and tastes like overdone pork, lasagna has a hard layer of cheese on top, and the parmigiana is 80% breading. The worst thing is that they don't seem to realize that they are becoming more mediocre. Since there are so many big chains in Torrance, they're resting in their laurels of being a non-chain, and they're losing their customer-focused mindset. The owner is solely business-minded and doesn't care about the customer experience and as much as the margins. You have lost a repeat customer, Gaetano's. If I wanted ordinary, there are plenty more options around the neighborhood.
(1)Carren E.
I love this place!! The last dish i ordered from this place was the Baked Mostaccioli, very tasty. Highly recommended!! Quick, friendly service. They are always really informatlve in helping me choose what to order.
(5)C A.
Came here for dinner on a weekday. I used to come here with my family years ago and it has been consistently good.. Calamari ($11) comes with 2 dipping sauces and is lightly fried so it's not too crispy or chewy, but I feel that they could definitely increase the portion size since it's just not enough to share with several people. Of course, if you make it in during happy hour.... so worth it! The problem is that you don't notice because you're eating their bread with it's soft center and crisp, almost flaky crust dipped in the olive oil with an olive/herb mix inside. Really good. No vinegar or butter needed. The Stuffed Scampi ($18.50) is popular here. The dish isn't for me... too creamy or something, but several people I went with ordered and enjoyed it. I got the fettuccini and chianti short ribs ($16) which looks like a fettuccini with some small pieces of meat thrown in. I dumped some Parmesan on top and mix it up a bit to bring out a little more flavor. The food is consistently good, but not great. The place isn't large, but it has some outdoor seating in front and a nice relaxing atmosphere. The servers are generally attentive and come around enough to get business done, but it seems like they are in a hurry to do something else. Got extra bread and my water was refilled so I was happy with it... of course, it wasn't busy that night.
(4)Ken B.
Very good overall, everything was good and solid. Very comforting food.
(4)Michi M.
This was my first time here, after the hubby did some research on Yelp. We walked in on a Friday night around 7 and was told it would be about a 20min wait(which isn't too bad) but we were seated within 10. It has a great atmosphere..not too noisy and the service was excellent. We had an awesome free appetizer (thanks to the yelp check in) of Bruschetta, which was amazing. I had the chicken parm and the hubby had the Shrimp Mediterranean pasta. They were both so delicious and very generous portions. We had the Torta al Cioccolato for dessert which basically was a chocolate souffle with an amazing vanilla sauce which was to die for. We will definitely be recommending and coming to this place again very soon. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Fernando G.
Shits Weak Olive Garden!!! Shits Weak!!!! This place was absolutely phenominal! Great service, amazing meals, and comforting atmosphere. If you live in the South Bay, it is a Must Try!
(5)Toshi I.
We must have timed it right and arrived on a Wednesday night with no wait. There were folks lined up right in front. I do like the tastefully decorated, heated patio area although we didnt sit there, it looks like a nice alternative. The place is cozy, charming, tastefully decorated, and the food is probably more on the authentic side. This would appeal to purists and those leaning towards that tendency (including myself, a Chicagoan). This is not another trendy, frou frou overpriced pasta house. I highly recommend the cioppino which is absolutely divine. The calamari, fish, mussels, clams were swimming in a delicious broth that was just the right consistency and so flavorful that you could eat that alone. I liked the extra touch of having the crouton -ike slices of bread for dipping in the broth which was nice to have even after already devouring 2 mini loaves of the bread! I will add that the bread was soft, warm and seemed to be homemade, a big plus compared to the typical hard breads usually served. The olive oil/basil dip was excellent and something I havent seen in a while besides the standard pats of butter. Service was friendly and helpful. Our server made great suggestions and we were pleased with our choices. I would definitely come here again with friends. Save room for dessert but I was already stuffed when the tiramisu arrived. I'll have the rest tonite! This is probably the best Italian restaurant in Torrance. This experience surpassed my expectations.
(5)Eri V.
I went to this place with my clients. Nice friendly service, huge portion, and reasonably priced. It is nicer than a regular family restaurant but nothing fancy or specially tasty. It is a safe pick though.
(3)Rick H.
This is the second time me and my family have been here and have not been disappointed. The tagliatelli & braised short rib is phenomenal.
(4)Trinh N.
Although I'm not a huge fan of Italian cuisines, based off of the rave Yelp reviews I thought I'd give this place a try. I came here for dinner last night with my boyfriend looking forward to a nice romantic dinner. The restaurant has a very intimate and warm feel to it (I love the murals) and it was pretty busy for a Wednesday night. We waited about 5-10 minutes before we were seated which was not a big deal at all. For our appetizer, we ordered the bruschetta pomodoro. For our entrees, I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs and my boyfriend ordered the taste of Italy (which consisted of lasagna, linguini stefano and chicken parmigiana). The bruschetta and spaghetti were OK...but nothing to write home about. The taste of Italy was bad though, they definitely had it sitting under the heat lamp for way too long. By the time we got it, it was pretty cold to the touch whereas the spaghetti was piping hot. The reason why I am giving this restaurant 3 stars is because it took forever to get our food and honestly I don't think it was worth the long wait. We literally waited 40-50 minutes from the time we ordered until the time we got our appetizer and then waited another 10-15 minutes before we got our entrees. By the time we got our food, I barely ate any of my entree because I was so full off of the complimentary bread (very good) while waiting for our food. I'm bummed out because I really wanted to like this place and seeing that they are participating in Dine LA week, I really wanted to come back. Based off of the experience we had last night, I won't be coming back for seconds.
(3)Catherine S.
Hands down the best Italian restaurant in the South Bay area. I've been coming to Gaetano's for several years now and it's always a good choice whether it's for lunch or dinner. Some of my favorite dishes: **lentil soup - absolutely amazing, I've tried to recreate this soup on numerous occasions but have never succeeded **chicken pesto Panini - good lunch option if you're not in the mood for pasta **penne asparagi - it's a sauceless pasta, tossed with olive oil and chicken and assorted veggies (my all time fave) **shrimp Mediterranean - another sauceless pasta, I love the creaminess the feta imparts on this dish **Eggplant parmigiana - I sometimes get their dinner combo with this and the penne asparigi, makes for a great meal Bottom line: Gaetano's is a no frills kind of place simply dishing up some serious Italian fare, a true gem in the South Bay area. Buon Appetito!
(4)Nok S.
Food portion: Large Food Taste: Good, Love the oil-garlic sauce for bread. The bread was fresh, and came out warm Food Wait: Kind of slow, it was a Friday night and busy Food Price: Reasonable Ambiance: Nice, out door seating with heaters Location: Hard to find if don't know the area. Inside mall plaza. Next to a wine shop.
(4)Aaron J.
25 minute wait but we were staring at an empty patio area, some people decided to just sit down, and eventually a waitress said that of course the patio was open! We continued to wait for tables that were sitting right in front of us, all setup, even though we told the hostess we would sit outside. Not sure the logic they have, and many on yelp have commented on the slow service. For me it really is restaurant review, not just a food review. It's the overall experience that matters. Bread like wonder bread. Oil was just oil with very little seasoning. Bruschetta was a pile of mini toast where you assemble yourself with tomatoes. The food was just ok- my Baked Mostaccioli was pretty burnt on top, and terribly dry. I wouldn't call this anything but casual Italian. I have had better around town and more reasonable prices. Service was below average - they really didn't pay much attention at all. I really can't find to much to recommend this above any other mom and pop Italian place.
(2)Richard F.
I had given Gaetano's a 4 but cut it to a 3 based on my experience last night. This is one of our favorite restaurants and remains so. We like the food, the prices, and the casual atmosphere. However last night we had a bad experience with the wait time. While it is easy to blame the waiter, and I do, he was also probably not properly trained. After waiting for what seemed like forever for our food, and never seeing the waiter stop by, I flagged down a woman who looked like she was managing that night and asked if she could check on our food. She came back and told us it was not in the system, either human or computer error. I understand that these thing happen but I can not understand why our waiter did not check much much sooner and correct the problem. The manager was nice enough to bring something to us and comp our dessert but I was still very unhappy. Will avoid that waiter in the future.
(3)Alex T.
This place rocks! Best customer service I have experienced yet! Debbie greeted us promptly as we were seated and said she will be right with us. We received bread and olive oil dip immediately after being seated. She helped us determine what appetizer and entrees we wanted by making suggestions. It was our first time at Gaetano's and she made us feel welcome to the restaurant. Debbie was also very attentive. She made sure we had enough utensils and condiments at our table. When we requested more marinara for the fried calamari, she got it right away for us. Debbie was also very quick at clearing soiled dishes. Her visits back to check on our table were very often and very appreciated. I felt the entrees took a while (approximately 25 minutes) to arrive. We were done with our appetizers approximately 10 minutes before the entrees (Pear Gorgonzola salad and Taglliatore pasta) arrived. Debbie is very knowledgeable about the menu. When asked about the linguine Pescatore, she was able to tell me what seafood was in the dish and the portion size. She also recommended the Tagliatorre Short Rib pasta, which was VERY good. Debbie is very professional and made us feel welcomed throughout dinner. She checked back on us very often and when we brought up the issue that one of our entrees had not arrived yet, she immediately went to the kitchen to put in the order for us and offered to comp our missing dish. This was a total surprise to us and we were very impressed at their hospitality and generosity. The Manager and Debbie both apologized. The Manager came to our table to ask how our visit was and she explained all the comped items on our bill and asked if we had any questions. The matter was resolved quickly and efficiently. All ingredients in all of our dishes tasted fresh. The seasoning was just right and the quality was excellent for all dishes. The taste of the dishes were exactly, if not more, than what we expected. The dishes all arrived at the perfect temperature and with appropriate condiments. When requested, our Server provided us with condiments and additions that we needed. The ambiance of the restaurant was very family oriented. It was also dimly lit so that dining here felt very romantic and private. The restaurant was full of life throughout the dining experience as tables are emptied and filled again within minutes. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked. Tables were immediately bussed after guests left and quickly seated as new guests arrived. All dishes were attractive and the portions were family style. We had to take home several of the dishes because it was a lot of food for two persons. DEFINITELY get the Tiramisu when you are here. It's super creamy and a great way to end your Italian dinner. I am very impressed with the customer service and quality and taste of the food here and would definitely come back for another visit.
(5)April N.
This Italian was so good. I have no idea if this place is a chain or not, but I don't care. I'm just glad to have a place other than Olive Garden to go when I'm craving Italian. It's not super expensive either and we had good choices for wine. Love it.
(5)Asma R.
I went here for the dineLA event and I have to say it was all around mediocre. They have stingy portions and the food was average. People who have had high quality Italian food would not give this restaurant 5 stars.
(2)Mom O.
I think I was expecting too much when we went in. We went to Gaetano's for my husband's birthday. We went on a Sunday evening. The wait wasn' bad. I loved the environment and the people. The food was alright though for excessive price.
(4)Lisa M.
My first time went here with my friend. The food was ok but I have tasted better from other italian restaurant in torrance. The prices are too high. The waitress especially one blond seems looking with sour face wish i had another waitress. The spagetti and meatball tasted fine has if also was kind of cold. Also be careful and look at your bill receipts it shows way off tax and gratuity not correct. Seems like they want to just add little more on the bill. Sorry but they do not fool me of how they add tax or tip. I am not going to this place again. They can smile and greet you nice but in real they do it for working only.
(2)Figaro A.
excellent Italian ambiance & food, courteous & knowledgeable waitstaff. live jazz piano fri/sat nights. love their perfectly al dente pasta and fresh steamed clams. forget about buca di peppo, olive garden or even macaroni grill. come to gaetano's instead.
(4)Stacy Y.
Went here the other night for dinner with the family. Pretty good food but can't say that my kids really cared for their pizza. I think that for adults it has a great atmosphere and the food is good, but for kids I think not very tasty. But would definitely go back again on maybe date night with the hubby.
(3)Lynn F.
We've been a fan of Gaetano's for awhile. We recently discovered that they offer a free corkage fee ($10) if you purchase your wine from "Wine Styles" next door. Do a little wine tasting before dinner. Save $10.00. Check it out.
(4)Eric S.
Ate dinner here with the family on a busy Saturday night. Service was effiicient and food was really good. I had an order of Gnocchi w/ Gorgonzola sauce and the gnocchi were perfect little pillows with a great sauce. My son had Sand-Dabs which he loved, mom had salmon, really good, and wife had pasta,can't remember which, but it was polished off with enthusiasm. Decent bottle of Clos du Bois Merlot, too full for dessert. Live Piano music was a plus. Very pleasant meal, we'll be back soon.
(4)Emma C.
Great service, relaxed atmosphere, cute Tuscan decor....too bad the food was only average. My baked mostaccioli (I'm pretty sure I messed that word up haha) had WAY too much cheese on it and was slightly over cooked. The crumbled meatballs had no flavor and there was a lack of sauce. However the blackout cake was delicious and so is their coffee. Bring a jacket because the AC is definitely going at full blast, it was FREEZING in there!!
(3)Glenn S.
Tasty italian food in the old school tradition. Recommended!
(4)Cayley V.
pleasant surprise - great food & atmosphere in a strip mall. highly recommend the garlic pizza - i love tons of garlic and this doesnt dissapoint.
(4)Lo Y.
Food was fantastic. Free bruschetta appetizer with yelp check-in. The free appetizer is huge! Can't believe it's free. I got the porcini with wild mushroom anolini. SOOO GOOD!!! Can't wait to go back and try more dishes. My sister got the Tagliatelle And Chianti Braised Short Ribs. AMAZING. Mom got chicken marsala. Dad got the cannelloni. Everything was delicious and tasted great. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the service. We sat outside because indoor seating would have an hour wait. So we sat outside and our server (I can't remember her name) was super slow and making excuses. We weren't the only ones outside getting iffy service. All of her tables were complaining about slow and sub-par service so clearly that's a bad sign. Anyways...food was awesome. Can't wait to go back. Hopefully we get a different server next time.
(4)Hanna C.
I have dined here twice this year and both of the experiences have been good. The service here is great. They are very attentive and friendly. The restaurant is quaint and has a very cozy. The bread and the olive oil dip that they serve complimentary is simply delicious! The dip is their house special blend that they actually sell in a bottle if you want. I have tried their stuffed scampi and it was good, but it was a little bland. The shrimp was stuffed with bread crumbs and other various seafood. The portion size is very generous here. I had leftovers to take home for lunch the next day. For dessert, I tried the tiramisu and it was okay..nothing spectacular. On Monday nights they feature smaller plate portion sizes (cheaper prices), which is great when you want to share with friends and try more variety. I tried the stuffed mushrooms with sausage, scallops, and as my entree I got the eggplant parmigiana. The stuffed mushrooms were good, but it needed some type of sauce to go with it. The scallops were perfectly cooked and had a nice sear on it. It came with an olive oil/acid mixture dressing, which complimented the scallops really well. For the eggplant parmigiana, it comes with a side of pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic. Pasta is cooked al dente, which is how I prefer to eat my pasta. The eggplant parmesan wasn't anything out of this world, but was good. I would definitely bring my parents to dine here next time since they are a fan of Italian food. Quick note: They have a frequent dining rewards program where you get rewarded 1 point for $1 and can get perks like free lunch, dinner, etc...
(4)Roz P.
Attempted to have lunch here with some coworker today to only walking out with our lunch in a bag. We sat in the middle of the restaurant for 1 hour waiting for our lunch. We had two baskets of bread and soda while one of my coworker had her salad which she received about 1/2 after we placed our order. We notice tables all around us who arrived after us was enjoying their meal and we was still waiting to get ours. We talked to the manager who was kind enough to give us 20% discount on our food but we had to eat it at our desk. This place gets 1 star as it was my first time and the experience was not a good one. I will not be returning anytime soon.
(1)Maria K.
Make sure to check in here on yelp! I got a free plate of bruschetta. I really liked the bread that they served. It was so soft and warm. YUM! I ordered the linguine alla pescara. It was okay....but they definitely give you a lot of scallops in it. I wasn't the biggest fan of the wheat linguine. My mom had the taste of Italy, and like another reviewer said, she said the pasta was cold but she really liked the lasagna. The best part, though, was the tiramisu. I'm a sucker for tiramisu....and I was a bit hesitant to get it at $8, but it's pretty big and great for sharing. Definitely recommend getting this. I stopped halfway through my entree to save room for dessert, and I was glad I did. Cons: Kind of a small place, so waited 40 minutes on a Friday night. Food does take a while to come out. Pros: Great service. Everyone was really nice. Atmosphere is nice. Delicious tiramisu :)
(4)Sumgirl W.
Superior service. Food was so perfect! Delicious salads, kids loved the bread and pizza, Butternut squash ravioli to come back over and over for!! My man loved his Scampi and I had a bite of good marsala chicken. The only thing I could see to improve is the wine list. I wasn't impressed but I am a wino :) Bartenders were super nice and friendly while we waited awhile. Next time we will go next door to Winestyles and buy a bottle to bring in ( free corkage If bought there) Cheers!
(5)Aidan M.
We have been coming here for more than a decade and the food is still just as good. Not to mention they have the friendliest service out of any restaurant we have been to. Make your reservations though, they get busy!
(5)Ellen T.
I love this restaurant. The food at Gaetano's is fantastic. The wait staff service is impeccable. A very friendly atmosphere to go and enjoy the most delicious Italian offerings. I would like to see the accoustics modified to deaden some of the sound. This is my only complaint about the building; the noise level can get pretty loud and it bounces off the hard surfaces.
(5)Rebecca R.
First time here and I ordered the bruschetta and chicken and spinach cannelloni! They were both amazing!! Delish!!!
(5)Vivi T.
Yum! What a gem! This is a small, family style restaurant with great food (if you've ever been to Guiliano's Deli in Gardena, you'll be happy to know it's owned by the same family). I had been here once before on a Saturday night for a birthday party and the restaurant was packed solid - they also managed to squeeze in a pianist which made the atmosphere very lively (but loud). Last week, I checked in via Yelp! and received a free Bruschetta appetizer - plenty for two people. The bread was hot, crusty, and delicious. The pasta dishes are homestyle and very tasty; portions are large and prices are decent. The service was great. Overall, a very good dinner / date place. Just be prepared to wait (or make a reservation).
(4)Molecular G.
We have been eating at Gaetano's in Torrance for nearly 15 years. Lunch menu is great, wonderful tasting and waitstaff very friendly and know their stuff. Dinner and special occasions shine even more. If you can make a reservation, they accept them if you call b4 5pm. With one of the owners taking 3 months off last year to learn the fine details of Italian regional cooking, we are in store for more of a true Italian feast. Their new rotating menu starts this week, For dinner the yeasty, warm rolls greet you with an olive and herb dip. Don't even try to say no to them. In fact, drop a little balsamic, Parmigiano-Reggiano and red peper flakes, pinch salt n pepper in the dip, add a little more olive oil and your whole table will really go crazy. The waitstaff will be happy to bring these items to your table. Family owned and operated with recipes from loving grandparents are always available. The old world is always with you. We have had as many as 45 celebrating at Gaetanos.for lunch and 25 at dinner. Most of the time it is 2 to 6 of us and as often as we can. Be free to ask for things as you like them. Dont forget to join their "Paesano" club to earn points toward desserts, dinners and the like. Feel at home here.
(5)Somer L.
Food was decent. Good but not great and moreover crazy expensive!! Service was lovely so I appreciated that but there was absolutely no excuse for the pathetic dinner rolls. The bf compared them to hot dog buns. I'm sorry but since this is the first thing on the table it sets the impression for the rest of the meal. We shared a calamari appetizer, ok but made better by the dipping sauces. I had a steak (overcooked) and the bf had a pasta dish with short ribs mixed in. The ambiance was nice even though it was packed the evening we had dinner here. The patio seating looked like it would be very plesant as well. All in all it seemed Gaetano's has a lot going for it, I just wasn't prepared to pay $75 for a strip mall dinner. Drop the price point and find a decent bakery and this place would be excellent.
(3)Cam-An N.
I've been here a few times and I really like it. I usually get a salad, and the salads that I've tried are very good. I've also had some of their pastas that were catered. Something as simple as pasta marinara with meat balls was very good. When I think of good Italian places in the South Bay, this is one of them.
(4)Greg H.
Took mom here for Mother's day. It's been a while since I've been to Gaetano's and I was pleasantly surprised. Ordered the following . . . Chopped Salad Artichoke app Chicken Parm Osso Bucco Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs The Osso Bucco comes with a large amount of Polenta. There's a little too much lemon flavor for my taste but it was tasty. The Tagliatelle had excellent flavor. The pasta was cooked perfectly. I wish the noodles were slightly wider. It was more like spaghetti width. Still good though. The Chicken parm was solid. Corkage was $14 but if you buy a bottle from next doors Wine Styles wine store they'll waive the fee. It was packed on a Saturday night. Probably a lot of people doing what I did and taking mom out on Saturday instead of Sunday.
(4)Dlite S.
Valentines dinner a bust! Great traditional Italian food on a regular day, but the four course set meal they offered last night was bland and cold! They should stick to what they know, and fine dining is not it! I wish I would have ordered from the regular menu like some other people did, I would have been a happy camper and not have spent $160 on blah!
(2)Linda T.
I love how adorable this place is! It's tucked in the corner of a shopping center so you can easily miss it. I frequent the Torrance area pretty often (or often enough) but yet I never noticed Gaetano's existed until Yelp! I was torn between the Mushroom Ravioli or the Butternut Squash Ravioli. After much chit chat with the waitress I went for the split pasta combo and got the Butternut Squash Ravioli and Penne Asparagi. When my entrée arrived I thought the servings looked a bit small, but half way through I was so stuffed that I couldn't even finish my food. The only thing better than a delicious Italian meal, is delicious Italian leftovers. Yum! The Butternut Squash was good but I don't think it's something that I would get again. The Penne Asparagi was delicious. I loved the asparagus, and mushrooms that were in the pasta, it gave it a really good flavor. While my companion for the night wasn't much of a treat, the waitress definitely was. She was so friendly and so patient with my indecisiveness. I think this place is definitely worth the drive back. Hmmm, maybe I'll try the Mushroom Ravioli the next time around.
(5)Paul S.
While perusing Italian restaurants in the Torrance area on Yelp, wifey and I came across Gaetano. First up, they're tech savvy. They had a free check in appetizer (bruschetta). Plus, the ratings seemed to indicate that this place was well received by the locals. So, we gave it a try. Let me tell you one thing... BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION. We arrived on a Friday at 8pm, and the wait was 30 minutes. It was well worth it!! The food is tantalizingly delicious. You will not be disappointed with anything that you order. Because we were mildly hungry, we shared an Italian sausage and peppers dish with Linguine. The roasted garlic in the dish was cooked to perfection. I'm salivating as I write this. We also ordered a couple of house salads that were divine. The bruschetta was so flavorful. We washed it all down with a couple of libations. This was one of the better Italian meals that we have experienced. Because you don't "have" a meal here, you "experience" it. This restaurant is located on the northwestern corner of PCH and Crenshaw. It's kind of nestled next to a couple of other places (catercorner from the Jack in the Box). Whatever you do, find it and eat here. You will be truly impressed. This is a must try if you're near here. Everything is good (especially the oil with spices and bread).
(5)Tawny S.
Gaetano's is good Italian food. They have great pasta and good service. They catered two of my meetings and they made just the right amount of food. It's a little restaurant and it does very well. Every time I go in there they are busy. You can eat outside and enjoy the nice weather.
(4)Lisa S.
Yummy! Date night-esque. Not like a super fancy, get dressed up date night, but a hey, I like you and want to feed and talk to you with a side of wine date night. Good lunch prices too!
(5)Nic N.
We enjoy it and visit at least once a month. Usually order the basic spaghetti and meatballs. Osso bucco is good, although I'm not a fan of the bone marrow part of it. Perhaps if I was dog or a foodie I would appreciate it more. The Italian pizza - some love it - but I think it's just plain unhealthy. The calamari is great. Drinks are great. Wine selection is really great. Service is 5 star+. Make sure you book reservations at least 2-3 hours before you want to eat or you will get some attitude from the hostess. The new grape vine in the front is a really nice touch. The wine tasting shop next door adds a nice touch to the overall ambiance. It's nearly a 5 start place but the one change I would make to this place is that their happy birthday music is so annoying and loud. Ruins the ambiance. Please I beg of you to stop interrupting my dinner with this loud noise. I would also recommend adding a meat ravioli to the menu.
(4)Amanda J.
Little hidden gem in Torrance/Rolling Hills Plaza. GReat authentic italian food and the serivce has always been top notch. The staff always gives you honest opinions if you are interested in trying a new dish. The lunch menu has great sandwiches too. Crowded on most nights, but the food is worth it!
(4)Dina B.
"Good service, good food Overall, we had a very good experience. Bruchetta was excellent....porcina was good"
(5)Andrew M.
I found this little place thanks to Yelp while on my iPhone traveling through the Torrence area. When I walked in they had an award right out front saying they were voted Best of the Bay for 09 and it was a good experience. I liked that it was small and private owned, instead of being a huge chain place like the Mac Grill. The service was only OK, but that is because the girl serving us was brand new so she didn't know the menu that well. I got the Chicken Cannelloni's and they were pretty good. The appetizers were great as well and my wife got the Penne' something or other and it was excellent as well. The place wasn't super busy and that was nice because we were out with a friend we hadn't seen in a long time so we wanted to be able to talk without yelling and it was quite and nice.
(4)Ove A.
I had a three-course menu here: Salad, main course, and ice cream dessert. Salad and dessert were good in the best sense - not outstanding, but not bad either. The main course was good too - definitely above your average restaurant for sure. Taste and presentation were appealing, yet not outstanding. Our waiter Jim was wonderful, very friendly, and YES!, he actually remembered who ordered which dish, so there was no yelling "Who had the chicken parmigiano?" across the whole table. That was WONDERFUL! However, the kitchen was rather slow in actually preparing our food. This restaurant is really difficult to describe: All food was fine, yet I would probably not go back, because I can get better for the price.
(3)David K.
Been going here for years and love this place. Nice ambiance (outside patio), great service, and of course tasty food. I recommend: Appetizers: Appetizer Sampler, Sizzling Scallops Pasta: Tagliatelle & Chianti Braised Short Ribs, Italian Riviera, Gnocchi alla Stagione Pizza: Italian Dessert: Tiramisu!!!
(5)Sydne M.
Love love this restaurant but two comments. Please bring back the cheese ravioli! My my kids ordered it at least once a week and now do not want to go to the restaurant because it was taken off menu. Also, the restaurant has long needed a better wine list with some great California Reds and White to choose from (e.g., Girgch Chardonnay, Jordan Cabernet and Chardonnay, a BV Red, a Meritage, at least a Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay). Thanks!
(5)Randy K.
i enjoyed happy hour there! app's are half off until 6pm. Today i had the capresse salad and a individual pizza. The salad was lacking seasoning but nothing that some cracked pepper and Salt couldnt fix. The pizza was a perfect size for one and had a good cheese to sauce ratio. I will definitely be back to try the calamari
(4)Will T.
Came here for the first time with the girlfriend. Wonderful place. The people are very friendly and welcoming. The food is spectacular... please don't change a thing! Get the pesto seafood dish. Off-the-wall bonkers delicious. It doesn't taste like pesto and the sauce is infused with mouth-watering seafood flavor(my mouth is literally watering right now as i'm thinking about it). The butternut squash is great too. The pear salad? Don't miss it. Their rolls could use some sprucing up a la rosemary or herbs, but the dipping sauce is great. Sit at a booth for a romantic and intimate night. Or chill outside until their heat lamps to dodge the cold, preferably with a group of friends. Pro Tip: Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 Gaetano's certificate ;D
(5)John C.
Great Italian food. Good service and great midweek specials.
(5)Sowaah S.
YUMMMMAAAAAY!!!! This is 1 of the places that is the reason why I made a yelp. Very cute, small, warm, italian ...A little pricey, but I will pay some good money for some great food! .The waiter brought us some water and bread right away.. BREAD.. A TASTE OF HEAVEN! If you ever wondered if the bread that Jesus ate at his last supper tasted good, I would hope that it tasted as great as this bread!! HEAVENLY! I got the salmon.. and it was ever so juicy with the right amount of spices.
(5)Joshua D.
Reading the Yelp reviews about this place makes me seasick -- lots of 5 stars then 2 stars, up and down. For me it's all about expectations. Gaetano's is a classic neighborhood Italian restaurant. The location isn't flashy, but it's easily accessible. The food won't make any "Best of L.A." lists, but it's quite tasty and it makes you feel good. What more could you ask for from a neighborhood Italian restaurant? I've been to Gaetano's a few times now, and tried a variety of dishes. What's clear is the overall quality is excellent, they use fresh ingredients, have a decent wine selection, but with inflated prices. I should note that there were some seasonal specials available the last time I visited, and the prices were quite good. If you go for lunch there are always reasonable lunch specials. My overall impression of Gaetano's is a good one, but temper your expectations! If you want a glitzy Italian experience with exquisite cuisine found only in the small villages of Southern Italy, I suggest you visit Southern Italy. If you're looking for a warm atmosphere, high quality family-friendly Italian fare, and a nice cozy place to enjoy comfort food, then visit Gaetano's. One more note: make a reservation through Yelp or Open Table. They really reserve tables, and my wife and I have been seated immediately even on the most crowded of Saturday nights. Enjoy.
(4)Bob D.
Lets keep this simple: Good classic Italian food: (all pasta and pizza dishes I've had have been super tasty!) Nice decor (simple but well done) Quick and welcoming staff (even their curbside to-go service is outstanding!) The place can get busy at times but that just means the secret is out! Gaetano's is the place to be!
(5)Nicole M.
Yum! This place is a local gem. Service was friendly and the food was tasty. Clams with linguini - dip your bread and enjoy! Canoloni for dessert? Oh yeahhhhh. The best I've had. The crowd was friendly and full of regulars. Skip the large chain Italian down the street and pop in here.
(4)Kayla M.
I love a good Italian joint. This place really does hit the spot whenever I crave pasta and garlic bread. The portions are good. A little bit on the large side for me, actually, but that's fine. Don't come here if you're on some sort of low-carb diet. The only real negative thing I would say is that during peak dinner hours, the food sometimes takes a long time to come out. Service is good though. I also didn't really try the bar that's onsite, so I couldn't write about that. Give this restaurant a try. There's lots of variety to keep you coming back.
(4)Lucy R.
Me and my boyfriend had a good lunch there! Such a cute little Italian place - so fancy (in a GOOD way) I thought it was going to be super pricy - its not that bad on the prices so worth it! We ordered pizza because of course its Italian and wanted to see how good it was.. it was... delicious! The Merlot is good too - I went for my nine month anniversary so it made our day very happy :) I recommend to try it - I'm sure you'll go again! Too cute too good food and good service! This is coming from a person that doesn't like fancy restaurants this place made me feel relaxed with there nice Italian music that was set at a perfect volume :) Very romantic it felt. I would recommend couples to go def. :)
(5)