Kate Mantilini Restaurants   

For some reason I've always sort of liked this place, even though I've felt it was too pricey ($18.00 chicken sandwich?) for what is basically a Broadway Deli with a Beverly Hills address. Today, I had the special, a tasty NY steak and arugula salad. But after the food runner brought our food (and mixed up everyone's food),no one ever came back to see if I'd like some fresh ground pepper for what turned out to be a 24 dollar plate of arugula and a little steak. So I asked the waitress when she came by ten minutes later, and she promptly brought a pepper grinder and handed it to me. Too many moving parts for her? This place could be a lot of fun if the staff thawed out and the prices were dropped a buck or two across the board. As it is now, it's a place I might go again in a pinch, but I can't say I'd recommend it very highly.

Take it from me, I've eaten at the best restaurants in LA, from Chaya to Chinois to Brandywine to Camponile. But I'm no snob. Ruby's fish and chips is the best in town, La Fogata is the best, and Red Robin's pot roast sandwich is inspired. So when I tell you that Kate Mantilini's is really mediocre food for 4 star prices, believe me that your money is better spent elsewhere. If you're in Woodland Hills, PF Chang's or Piacere are head and shoulders above K. Mantilini's, for about the same price.

My date and i LOVED the grilled eggplant & buffalo mozarella appetizer!! It's topped with the best bruschetta i've ever tasted. I had the meatloaf with kale, which was delicious.. but i got shoestring fries instead of mashed potatoes, and wasnt too keen on them - they were too crispy and dry. For dessert we had the espresso sundae (which is basically affogato) and the candy bar ice cream pie. If you love desserts, YOU MUST TRY THE ICE CREAM PIE!!! I am a major sugar addict, and this was by far one of the best desserts i've ever had! It's a fudgy cake layer with vanilla ice cream and chunks of snickers on top - a beautiful slice of nirvana. I'm going back for the ice cream pie alone next time! I liked the privacy of the booths, but conversation slightly echos.. so you can hear what the people next to you are talking about. The place has very high ceilings, so it has a really airy feel to it.. not very cozy.