Fabiolus Cucina, Los Angeles

Great spot to hit before or after a show at the Pantages since it is within walking distance. Great pasta and tasty panini. Excellent service they were quick and efficient getting our group of nine seated, served and off to the show with time to spare (even though we showed up without reservations). My family is searching for excuses to go back to Hollywood just to have lunch or dinner at Fabiolus.

Well let me start with this, it was within walking distance from the Pantages Theater. Do not go with high expectations. The food was plentiful and portions were generous. Overall the food was well presented. But .... It lacked flavors, I ordered lasagna and it came with a hearty meat sauce, but the layers did not have any cheese as would be expected, there was a lack of flavor, no garlic or oregano or basil. There was a large coating of cheese on top, but it was not melty, but it was hot all the way through?? My date had the spinach and cheese ravioli's in a cream sauce, the ravioli's were not quite al dente'. The cream sauce was thin as if not made with real cream and heavy on the lemon flavor which was over powering. We ordered the Bruschetta bread, again generous portions but lacking on flavor. So overall the food was OK. Not good not bad, OK. Just BLAN. I would not go back again, unless there was no other choice. I am being generous with 3 stars, because the wait staff was very nice ! Also ignore what they say above, THEY DO NOT TAKE AMERICAN EXPRES - SO WE HAD TO PAY CASH which cut into the evening a little.

My wife and I seldom eat out. But we realized, after dining at Fabiolus, we should more often. We watched a matinee at the Pantages and walked to the restaurant (about 10 min). The staff was very nice and attentive without any hint of an attitude. The setting was comfortable and unpretentious. I had the Caesar salad with fried calamari. It was large enough to split with another person. It was excellent. I then had the Gamberi pasta which had shrimp and a light olive oil sauce. Really fantastic. After the half-salad, I couldn't finish the pasta (the portions are good-sized). Hollywood is a bit far from our house, so we likely won't be back soon. But if we find ourselves back in the area, we will surely eat there again.

Fabiolus is a cute little tratorria with an intimate, but not overly crowded interior and great enclosed patio space as well as large outdoor patio, weather permitting. It has that classic little-neighborhood-italian restuarant feel with amber color walls and candle light outdoors, and would be a find place to take a date for a cute if not overtly romantic dinner. The menu is pretty standard. I've eaten there twice. The first time I ordered the Special salad (spinach, tomatoes, bacon, and cheese) and my fince ordered a gnochi dish with marinara sauce, both of which were good but not memorable. We recently ate dinner there again and was not as impressed with our selections as we had been the first time. I ordered the Pollo Alla Romana (Chicekn breast with PRociutto, olives, and melted mozeralla cheese) and while very tasty, it was more salty then I think most people would like. My fiance tried a Fettucini dish with chicken and eggplant and was pretty disappointed. The chicken was overcooked and the sauce was a little bland and oily. Also, stay away from the Pinot Noir unless you like very sweet wine. The Chianti was also very tart but grew on me after a few sips. All in all, Fabiolus is a fine restuarant, but I would recommend sticking with the marina based pastas. Parking is available in the rear, but the sign from Sunset is easy to miss. The driveway is on the wetern side, immediately before the restaurant. Reservations are probably recommende although, both times we hve gone have been on a Friday night aroun 8pm and we did not have to wait.

I haven't really tried different kinds of pasta because I fell in love with pene alla vodka. Delicious!! If you're stuck between cream sauce and red sauce then that pasta is for you!! parking isn't too great.. but that's L.A. for you

Got take-out and it was a bit cold when we got back but the dishes were good. Pene Alla Vodka was good & Risto con Salsicca e Pomodoro was good, even on the second day too as my leftovers.