The Eats...

A Playa Del Rey landmark since the 1960's, Salerno Beach was originally opened by Giovanni Cimino whose food was influenced by southern Italian cooking. Today, owner Lisetta Maria, carries on that tradition, adding her owntraditional Italian cuisine such as handmade ravioli and gnocchi are made in the kitchen of Salerno Beach daily. This place is five star Italian and only ten minutes from my house! We had dinner here last weekend and suffice it to say, we're becoming regulars! The Linguini Garlic Olio ($7.95) was the best I've had...anywhere! With olive oil, garlic, and cherry tomatoes; the flavor was robust and magnificent. Add some freshly grated parmesan, and it's a dish you can't stop eating! The Linguini and Clams ($16.95) in white wine, garlic, and butter, was so outstanding that I though my husband was going to drink it up! Portions are hearty too. For dessert we had the home made Tiramisu. I have never tasted better! Service is delightful too. What a find! Cantalini's Salerno Beach Reastaurant 193 Culver Blvd. Playa Del Rey (310) 821-0018. Reservations Suggested. Hours: Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week.

Recommended Dishes: Linguini and Clams, Linguini Garlic Olio, Tiramisu

Should you be on your way to LAX this summer and need a quick Italian fix; Italy's Little Kitchen serves up some mighty fine fare. For 39 years this family-run trattoria has been providing homemade pastas and handmade pizza in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Customer service is top notch here too and you are treated like family as soon as you walk in the door. Tonight we started with the incredible foccacia bread with olive oil and balsalmic dipping sauce. From the "Create Your Own Pasta" menu ($11.95) I had angel hair with garlic and olive oil. I added grilled shrimp ($6.45) and enjoyed quite the Italian feast. We also had the Alla Vongole (Linguini and Clams-$15.95). Both whole and chopped clams are combined with garlic, olive oil, lemon, and white wine to make a tasty sauce. Both dishes were excellent and portions are huge. We can't wait to go back to try the Lobster Ravioli and specialty pizzas! Italy's Little Kitchen 8516 Lincoln Blvd. Westchester (310) 645-1220. Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Recommended Dishes: Linguini and Clams, Create Your Own Pasta.

When the owners of Animal, Son of a Gun, Trois Mec, and Petit Trois, decided to open an Italian joint they (Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo) opened another winner! At the small (45 seats) eatery reservations are a must for both lunch and dinner. If it's pizza you crave, you can get it here. Crust is charred and super thin, and for me, a little too burnt. One pizza callled "Flower Child" ($19.50) boasts local crescenza (Italian cow's milk cheese), nasturtium flowers, olive oil, and sea salt while another, "Sonny's Favorite" ($16.75) comes skimpily topped with grilled Niman slab bacon, mozzarella, tomato, onion, and grana padano. (Sweet hard cheese). Now this is where my kvetching almost ends. The pizza was tiny. For almost $20 and $17 respectively, pies are the size of dinner plates. But let's move on becuase all the portions are very small. The garlic bread ($5) is over the top delicious. The bread is from Gjusta in Venice and yes I did have to stop there on my way home to get a loaf. Ciabatta is grilled then spread with butter and so much garlic that Hopefully you won't be kissing anyone right after lunch. The bucatini cacio e pepe, with pepper and cheese was fantastic, but again a very small portion for $16.75. It's a dish I'm going to duplicate at home. For dessert the Strauss Family Creamery soft-serve ice cream ($6) is where it's at! It's served in a tiny paper cup with a wooden spoon, and might possibly be the most wonderful soft-serve I've ever had. Try the strawberry, it's wonderful. For wine, Helen's, a small wine shop, is part of the restaurant with a nice selection of wines and beer to accompany your meal. Wines are priced from $14. I love the food, don't like the portion size.

  Jon & Vinny's 412 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 334-3369. Hours Daily: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. 

Recommended Dishes: Pasta, Garlic Bread, Soft Serve Ice Cream

If you are looking for a very laid back Italian eatery on the Third Street Promenade Bravo Cucina is the perfect place for lunch. The delicious and authentic Italian food is served on a cute little patio or in a quiet dining room inside. Today I had the Insalata Molte Bene ($11) with chopped greens, feta cheese, grilled chicken breast, checca tomatoes, olives, and a honey balsamic vinaigrette. We also had the soup and Caprese sandwich combo. Dessert was yummy tiramisu! Bravo Cucina 1319 3rd Street Santa Monica. Hours: Daily: 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Recommended: Insalata Molte Bene

"If you like garlic, you'll love Eddie's!" I love garlic and I love Eddie's. For one reason, I can walk there, but the other reason is the food. The Italian food in this little neighborhood joint is fantastic, plus you can bring your own wine with no corkage fee! So break out that nice bottle and enjoy it with some great italian fare. The place is tiny so you might have to wait, but it's well worth it. To start have some of Eddie's fresh bread with the olive oil garlic dipping sauce. Top this with fresh parmesan and you won't need dinner! But do order it. The Traditional Caesar with anchovies ($10.95/$8.45) is a huge serving and the dressing is robust and tangy. Linguini Alfredo ($12.95 + $3.95 for chicken) in a creamy white cheesey garlic sauce is over the top rich. Get the sauce on the saide. Chicken Picatta ($15.95) is light and boasts zesty lemon flavor. White wine, lemon, and garlic are baked over three chicken filets with a side of your choice. The pasta al Olio with fresh garlic and olive oil was calling my name. I may or may not have overdone the garlic just a bit. Nonetheless, I am thrilled to have found Eddie's right in my own back, er...front yard. Eddie's Italian Restaurant 4002 Lincoln Blvd. Marina del Rey (310) 822-0095 Hours: M-F 11:00 a.m.-3:00 pm and 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Recommended Dishes: Chicken Picatta, Caesar Salad, Linguini Alfredo