Caffe Pinguini

Nestled against the beach of Playa Del Rey, Caffe Pinguini serves as a quaint little Italian spot for locals. Particularly enjoyable is the outdoor patio (about 1/2 of the tables are outside). On a nice day, this is an ideal location to enjoy some time outside. The authentic Italian staff makes you feel as if you've been whisked away to the coast of Italy. I've never had a bad dish here, but my favorite is definitely the shrimp salad. The butterfly shrimp is grilled just right and strategically placed on a bed of mixed greens, all topped with a lemon vinaigrette and some fresh ground pepper to result in the most refreshing of salads. The salad is of a good portion, but it usually helps to have an appetizer or a pizza for the table as well. As a precursor to the meal, each table receives a bowl of the softest warm bread and dipping oil. The iced tea is great and I've heard the cappuccinos are pretty tasty too. The paninis, pastas, and pizzas are better than your average Italian joint with a spicy arribiata penne shining on the pasta menu. The entrees showcase various seafood specials, the most popular of which being the Chilean Sea Bass in a lemon butter sauce with capers. If you save room, traditional Italian desserts are served. Lunch menu prices range from about $8-$20. I've only been during lunch but I understand that Pinguini is quite nice for dinner too when they turn on the lights around the patio. Add some wine (they do have a wine menu) and you'd have yourself a very romantic dinner, possibly followed by a long walk on the beach that's merely steps away.

Caffe Pinguini's site is currently under construction, so here's the link to their Citysearch profile:
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/152544?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=search_2_searchslot1_520__0_profile_2_1