Brunello Trattoria
6001 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 280-3856
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
9 reviews
Neighborhood: Westwood
"Wow --- Carlo's recipes will melt in your mouth. This little spot on Westwood will surely please any palette serving delectable Italian…" read more »
14 Reviews for Brunello Trattoria
Nice place to enjoy some Italian food. Like everyone has said it is a very low-key place, price is right, and everyone is nice kinda establishment! If your in the area check it out, you wont be dissatisfy!!
Brunello Trattoria is owned and operated by some amazing people. This is a special restaurant tucked away in a city that is often overshadowed by the trendiness of Hollywood and exclusivity of Brentwood and Santa Monica.
It's nice to know that some restaurants still care about their patrons' satisfaction and comfort while dining and not just afterwards. It's also nice to know that one can order a special and not get a "special" surprise once the check shows up.
BT can be a great place for a low-key date or simply an intimate dinner with a few close friends. You (and whoever else you're with) won't be disappointed. It just has that good, down-to-earth, home-cooked Italian vibe going on that leaves you feeling pleasant inside.
I'll be back to this one for sure.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Before I went here, I read the reviews. I felt satisfied that I would find another winner via Yelp.
I feel a little duped.
When we got there, there was no one in the place. This made my husband nervous, but I stuck to my guns (because of Yelp) and we stayed. It's the economy, I figured.
The man who greeted us at the door was lovely as was our waitress.
The problem was the food.
We ordered the carpaccio plate and the meat had no seasoning and it seemed like it came right out of the fridge, the artichokes had no taste at all and the parmesan was not stellar. Still, I was hoping...
Then came the 2nd and 3rd courses together (even though we said we were sharing everything, it would have been nice to get the 2nd course before the 3rd). The pasta special was flat noodles and there is no way that they had just been cooked. I say this because they stuck together. Some of the noodles were very hot while others were not hot at all. My guess: it was NUKED. People, this is at an empty restaurant. Shouldn't they go out of their way at this point, in order to create word of mouth (in the good way?). How much does pasta cost? Please. Cook me some new pasta!
The whitefish special tasted fishy. I love fish. I don't think of whitefish as a fishy fish. I got a little fear of it being old fish, based on the other food we had been served.
The dessert tray that she brought to us was surprising. At least 3 of the desserts were packaged in plastic.
I guess I'm writing all of this in the hopes that someone at the restaurant reads it and takes it as constructive criticism. I asked the waitress about everything we ordered. "Is it good?" She assured me that I had made good choices.
We don't go out much, because of our kids, so it was especially disappointing.
And when we drove to downtown Culver City after dinner, all of the restaurants were packed. I guess it's not the economy...
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
This is a nice place to settle into a low-key, fresh-tasting dinner. I sampled the antipasti platter special, which I recommend everyone try. It included some amazing prosciutto that seemed like it had just been shaved off of a bigger chunk of ham. The marinated red and yellow bell peppers were super tasty as well. For dinner, I had the risotto special with diced ahi tuna. Thankfully, I didn't go into the usual risotto-coma that I often experience. It was creamy, but not gummy, and retained a nice lightness to it. I also tasted the linguine special with Hawaiian prawns. The prawns were humongous, sweet and cooked well.
I couldn't very well go to an Italian restaurant without ordering dessert, so I had a slice of the lemony-almondy goodness that was named something that I am not Italian enough to recall. The service was very polite and attentive without being intrusive. I'll definitely be back.
I liked this place, the ambiance was nice, and sterile, but still warm. I have some opinions on how it could like nicer aesthetically but I am sure it is simply subjective. I went there on a date the other night and had a wonderful time. The service is great and full of very nice people. The food tastes incredible. And the bill isn't too bad. For two of us after 2 entrees, 1 appetizer, a glass of wine and a soda it was $50. For the quality of food, this was completly acceptable.
The leftovers were also amazing after a few drinks and some dancing that occured later that evening. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because although it is good, and I would eat there again, it isn't a place I would go out of my way to get to again. I am not counting the minutes to my next visit like with some other locations. Still, very good.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (3)
I love this little Italian restaurant. It's a family owned and operated restaurant and half the time the actual owner will either greet you or say hi at the very least. It's like real home style cooking, none of this Olive Garden crap.
I got their chicken special which was a breast of chicken stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese and spinach. It came with veggies and potatoes with some sort of sauce that clearly was made in heaven. It tasted like real Italian mom cooking. Their pizzas are great as are the calzones (which they will make however you want).
The food is also priced very reasonably and they have a descent selection of wines to pair. The world needs more Brunello's!
They deliver if you're within 2 miles of their location (which thankfully I do!). Their dinner rolls are AWESOME and it's the same bread they use for their pizza dough.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I know there are a lot of restaurants in Culver City, maybe too many, and more coming each month, but this Bruno's is a must. I've been there a few times now and everything is mouth watering. It's always one of those meals where you can talk about nothing else but how good the food is you are eating.
I'm a red sauce and checker table cloth guy, but my wife has to have more than that and we both agree that Brunello's is the best Italian restaurant in Culver City and perhaps beyond.
The bread is home-made and worth whatever it takes to get here. There's an amazing dark chocolate ice cream thing that I'm thinking about right now and all the wines are a deal.
It's also big with plenty of room for a secret lunch conversation or breaking up with your boyfriend, etc. Go here now.
People thought this was:
Useful (11)
Funny (6)
Cool (10)
Brunello's Trattoria is THE greatest Italian food in the area.
Working close to this restaurant has been a dream come true for my lunches.
Bruno is an awesome owner with a great sense of traditionalism to his restaurant and food. A group of us where there for a lunch a couple weeks ago and one friend ordered "The Special", Bruno then added an order of Risotto along with his meal just because he had asked for "a taste".
I have been there once a week for about 6 months now and NEVER ONCE had anything I didn't like.
This place is simply amazing!
Prices here are great too for lunch. The Caprese (at $8) is one of the best I've ever had. They make all of their bread from scratch and EVERYTHING here is fresh and cooked to order.
If you're ever near this area you have to try this place out, you WILL NOT be disappointed and you'll be shocked at how delicious the food here is.
This place is really nice! The space is bigger than I thought, open, airy, large bar in the middle.
Went there for lunch, had the special pasta: linguine with softshell crab, tomato sauce. Excellent. The pasta was very nicely al dente, the naked softshell crab just-sauteed, the tomato sauce very slightly spicey. And it was the perfect portion size, not oversized. The dish was so hot, right out of the pan.
I realized naked softshell crabs kind of scare me a little. I'm certain I've had it this way before. But so used to it being dredged in flour or battered. Seeing it naked just made me keep thinking about the poor crab, just trying to live its little life, and there I was eating it. It was delicious.
The host/waiter was so pleasant. Just love hearing "prego."
Wines by the glass are $9. Got a glass of sangiovese. With tax and tip, the lunch was $27. Expensive for lunch, but I did choose to have a glass of wine. After my really nice lunch, I came out and found a $50 parking ticket on my car--my own fault. So lunch turned out to be even more expensive than I thought.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
We gave this place a try after our fun experience at the Culver City Art Walk (never been? Go! Culver City is becoming the Brooklyn of L.A., and some of the art was fantastic). We were hungry, my feet hurt in my Loboutins (and I wondered why someone had sold them to Wasteland, where I snapped them up for a song...now I'm wiser and adorned with two nice scars on the top of my delicate tootsies), and we just felt like sitting and discussing the art.
Mr. Charming and Sexy Italian maitre-d sat us in a nice table immediately (and took one look at me and started speaking in Italian...I love it that I can still pass!!). We were immediately watered (after being given a choice of bottled or tap, natch) and allowed to peruse the simple but authentic Italian menu. I selected the linguine con vongole and a glass of white (recommended by our Very Italian and elegant waiter), my companion got the pollo alla Parmigiana (Parma is a city in Italy, btw, and their specialty is...you guessed it!). Both entrees arrived quickly and did not disappoint. My linguini were firm, the quality of the pasta excellent, and the clams were tiny but bursting with fresh flavor. Fresh parsley, snipped to just the right size, added eloquence and freshness to the dish. Companion's dish was also pronounced fantastic, and I was given a nice taste (and it was yum-MEEEE).
We took our time, and were never hurried, regardless of the fact that the place was filling up with a boisterous, famished post-art crowd. We enjoyed people watching and eavesdropping on the conversation of the pretentious and unbearable ponytailed boy sitting next to us (advice to the pretty and sweet-natured girl sitting next to him: dump. Immediately. No good will EVER come of him.).
We topped off our meal with espressos and desserts. A got the cannoli, and I got the raspberry-chocolate ice cream in a dark chocolate heart-shaped shell. When i was having a hard time breaking through the shell, one of the waitresses hurried over with a sharp steak knife and clove it in half for me. Much humor about broken hearts ensued, with several of the waiters joining in.
At one point, I made a point so enthusiastically that my favorite ring flew off, When I retrieved it, I noticed that one of the small stones had come out. Waaaah! I love this ring and it gets a ton of compliments. As soon as I started looking on the polished concrete floor, all busy action stopped as several of the waiters, the busboy, and the maitre-d all helped me look. They weren't crabby about it but concerned, and when A (yay, A! I love ya!) found it for me, they all cheered.
I love this place and can't wait to go back. If I lived in Culver City, it would be my neighborhood hangout. it's one of the many places I'll miss like hell after I start my new life on the Other Coast in the Magic City I guess I'll just have to concoct some excuses to come to LA for work, right? And maybe come back after all wounds have healed and I'm right as rain again...
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
Loved this restaurant...went there today and had a great lunch, arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and tomatoes with a lemon dressing...perfect! and the lentil soup with barley, was awesome and my friend and I shared the gnocchi with meat sauce that was soooo yummy...and of course the bread they serve is warm and very tasty with the olive oil and balsamic for dipping.
We didn't order any dessert but the chef sent my girlfriend and I a slice of the Tiramisu and it was really good. I usually don't like Tiramisu but this one was really good...Thank you!
I'll definitely be back here, no doubt about it.
OH and they offer delivery, take out and catering.
A friend of mine recommended this little, local Trattoria to us the other day so my honey and I went to check it out last night. Who knew...I've driven by it at least a handful of times and made comment to myself (because I like to talk myself...what of it?) that it looked so cute and I MUST try it...
When you enter, you're immediately greeted by an Italian speaking hostess and/or server and/or owner...very warm and welcoming. The place is unassuming and simple (we happened to like that they were airing the Food Channel on the TV above the bar! lol Nothing like making you hungry before you order!).
Each day offers up a few specials but the menu also has it's standard items served every day...such things as pizza, pasta and entrees like Veal....mmmm. I highly recommend the pizza with ricotta, prosciutto, and basal. Oh yeah. I had one of the specials of the eve: Spaghetti in a tomato sauce and topped with filet mignon. Oh yum.
The prices are VERY reasonable...we spent well under $100 including tip for an appetizer (shrimp, calamari and grilled veggies), two entrees, FOUR glasses of wine and two desserts "to go." Not bad. And as for those deserts...we had a tiramisu and some sort of almond mousse over a chocolate mousse. Divine...
It's authentic-style Italian...the pasta is al dente...the service impeccable!
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Cool (10)
This neighborhood Italian opened in October '07 and does an OK business; my husband and I went on a Saturday night at 6:30 and didn't need reservations, although it started filling up nicely as we were leaving.
We ordered the antipasto plate to start, which comes in two sizes. We got the large to share and it was not too much since we like veggies, although 3 or even 4 could have shared as an appetizer. We also shared the Daniele pizza, which was delicious - with a nicely chewy but not too thick crust - as was the bread the waiter had brought to the table earlier. The waitstaff is very warm and gracious and we didn't wait too long to order, to receive our food, or to get the check.
The only drawbacks I noted were that the lighting was a tad harsh; if it were my place, I would put the light fixtures on dimmers and dim them, and have a candle on each table - this alone would double the ambience which is just ok now, a little stark. I also thought the wine list was overpriced. We paid $40 for an ok dolcetto. Based on that alone, we won't be back. We have a couple of neighborhood Italian places (quasi holes in the wall, but so what) that have perfectly good food and no corkage fee. It's hard to compete with that when you have a pricey wine list. But I wish them luck. They are trying hard.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch, or dinner for that matter? Recently we got wind of a "free" meal hosted by the newly erected Brunello's, in the heart of Culver City's art district. It was a rainy night, which I thought would dissuade diners, but with gas prices breaking the bank these days, everyone in town was mashed at the entrance to get their fill of the restaurants generosity.
I think this is great tactic for burgeoning businesses, as it gives real people a chance to savor and sample, and pass their opinions onward.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The food, although served in a rushed buffet style, was decent. I particularly like the pesto, which seemed to have a bit of a pepper flair.
The wine list was extensive, but to my dismay, there weren't any bottles less than $30. I'm always disappointed when you're lured into a restaurant with decent prices, only to be baited into the bar scene where profit margins often exceed 500%. What ever happened to that liter of house wine for $10?
I plan to go here again, perhaps during lunch when I won't feel raped by their vintage pricing, and can truly see what the food is really all about.
Please see a list of my publishing credits at:
www.marymcgrathphotogr...
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Hot and New
- Tasca
80 reviews
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
- 101 Noodle Express
38 reviews
Neighborhood: Alhambra
- Pizzeria Mozza
464 reviews
Los Angeles, CA
- Guidi Marcello
7 reviews
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
- 8 Oz. Burger Bar
36 reviews
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
