Ado
796 Main St, Venice, CA, 90291
Ado Menu
-
Antipasti
-
Paste
-
Secondi
Healthy Meal suggestions for Ado
-
Antipasti
-
Paste
-
Secondi
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
796 Main St
Venice, CA, 90291 - Phone (310) 399-9010
- Website https://www.adovenice.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
alex c.
Yes, a little on the expensive side and the portions are not huge, but I mist say for someone just wanting an amazing bowl of pasta, this is the place. It was by far the best pasta I have had in some time. I had the: Spaghetti alla Chitarra con Melanzane Fritte, Pesto e Ricotta Salata (Home-Made Square Spaghetti with Fried Japanese Eggplant and Tomato Sauce, topped with Ricotta Salata and Basil Pesto) and at $21, I thought it was absolutely worth it. The waiter gave me an extremely generous pour on the wine and the atmosphere is wonderful.
(4)Dominique D.
beet pasta.
(5)Maki M.
Just simply amazing!!! Pastas are beyond anything I tasted before. Desserts are as amazing!!! Just simply one of the best Italian restaurants in LA.
(5)Monica A.
Clearly the BEST Italian restaurant...ever! From the appetizer to dessert, the food was magnificient. The menu has exquisite and out of the ordinary spectacular dining options. The service impecable and the timing to perfection. Paolo, the owner, was a most gracious host, and the ambiance in this adorable yellow cottage in Venice made for an exceptional evening. Thank you Ado's. 5 Star!
(5)Brett L.
Take my girlfriend's review for everything that it is! Ado is amazing. A+ service, food, and atmosphere. One of the best Italian restaurants I have ever ate at!
(5)Michael P.
Friendly people. Good food. The portions were very small, even the pasta. I can see how this could be a romantic, special occasion place, but I would go elsewhere to get more bang for my buck.
(3)adam v.
Yes ,this place is kinda cool. We live in Venice and decided to stop on a whim while passing by on a Sat night. The host is really great and the atmosphere sets a comfortable mood. we had the chef's table which is the only two top down stairs. loved the spot actually. it was busy and we had a nice time. The food was good and we left happy and warm into the night.
(4)Marni G.
This is my favorite restaurant. The servers, the food, the wine, the ambiance.....it doesn't get better than this. Treat yourself!!!
(5)Sabrina S.
So, SO good. Great place to take a date if you really want to impress, cause it's cute and authentic but totally not pretentious. Great service, interesting menu, and absolutely delicious. I don't mind paying for an expensive dinner with it's WORTH it, and Ado definitely is.
(5)Jane D.
My husband and I went to Ado for New Year's. It was our way to treat ourselves in LA (our first time). I'm originally from Chicago, and he'd been living in San Fran for a while, and we're big foodies. What an incredible disappointment this place was!! Yes, the decor and place is awesome. Very unique and feels very homey. The food tasted well. We got a tuna tartar appetiser (excellent). Sea bass with asparagus (excellent). Homemade beet pasta (very good). Why am I giving it 1 star? THE PORTIONS! Please bear in mind that we've been to plenty of upscale places before and we're not big eaters. We appreciate great flavor and we're willing to pay for ambiance, service, and a nice meal. Walking away from the meal hungry after $150 on food is not our idea of a good time. Here is what happened. We came to the restaurant at 9:30 pm. Got seated, put in our order, and got our wine & appetizer by 10pm. Not bad. Our pasta came around 10:20 (too long) but we were hopeful. They nicely split the pasta for us (as we had mentioned that we like to share our food). Size? 1/2 cup each. At that point we were very hopeful about the fish. It took them 40 minutes (that's right! 40 minutes!) to serve us the fish. Result? about a tablespoon of fish each. That's not even 4oz. Plus a strip of asparagus. My husband was very angry and I had tried to calm him down by asking about dessert. They ran out of anything that sounded decent, so we left. Celebrated our New Year's by eating a nice schwarma from a tiny Middle Eastern place in Santa Monica. Not sure if it was an off night for the restaurant or the owners, but this was defnitely an odd combination and not a place where I'd go back. I am sorry about giving this place 1 star, but the unreasonable wait time and insulting portions bring down the nice decor, friendly staff, and a unique ambiance.
(1)Sarah C.
The best, most authentic Italian food I've had in LA. and I'm Italian and so is my husband so hopefully that gives us a little clout :) The table service and staff are top notch here. The crowd is diverse and ecletic and I've been consistantly impressed with the knowledge the staff has of both the food and wine. It's also a killer first date spot.
(5)T C.
Note: Not really a review as I haven't been there yet. Just putting up information for others. Will revise once I have been there. From Daily Candy: Named for the patriarch of co-owner Paolo Cesaro's (Hidden, Via Veneto) family, the century-old lemon yellow house seats just 35. Cesaro works the intimate dining room upstairs, while partner/chef Antonio Mure (Piccolo, Locanda Veneta) is the one-man show below. Everything's made in-house, from the warm artichoke salad with Dungeness crab and grape reduction to Choke the Priest (ricotta and spinach gnocchi with Bolognese) to a trio of mousses you'll go nuts for. A liquor license is on the way; air-kisses and ciao bellas are on the house. Except for large parties (which, if they're lucky, can eat family style by the kitchen), the ragazzi aren't taking reservations.
(5)Alexandria R.
Beat meal, service, and experience I've ever had. Expensive, but totally worth it .
(5)Saga D.
high-end italian food, food was one of the best in LA...Drago Centro has it beat though. Place is tucked away on Main street in this nondescript yellow house, came here for a client dinner and it felt more like a courtship. Note to self, a great place to bring a date or family in the future, not a lot of tables inside so reservations should be made in advance....
(5)Samantha L.
Went to Ado for the second time this week and it was better than I remembered it. If you live on the westside and are looking for a romantic place for a date, this is the place to go! Ado is actually a two story house that has been converted into a restaurant. Most of the tables are upstairs and outside on the patio. You probably don't want to sit downstairs as the kitchen is very open and gets loud. The menu is well rounded with authentic homemade Italian fare. All of the pasta is made fresh in house and it is amazing. There is also an extensive wine list. I had my waiter reccomend a glass of white and I was very happy with his selection (and his pour). Note- If you are a vegetarian you might have trouble with this menu. The only meet-less options are a couple salads and one entree. Also, be prepared for the price. My fish entree was $26 and my party of 2 bill was about $120 pre tip.
(4)Christina H.
The location is kind of hidden, so finding it is a bit hard. Luckily, I looked at it on google maps and knew what it vaguely looked like. The atmosphere is very cozy, though it borders on being a bit cramped. The service was wonderful. We started off with the Prosciutto Burrata and scallops with black truffle. The prosciutto and cheese was mild with the flavor coming in at the end. Very delicious! The scallops were cooked perfectly covered in a sauce to die for! I had the lamb chops which were cooked perfectly medium rare. Also very good. The red beet pasta was a little too rich for my taste. A birthday trio of mousse came out and the two white colored ones were really good. All in all, a wonderful dinner with great service!
(4)The Mighty Bouche X.
Great food; good service; mediocre wine list missing a few icons but some good vintages; a little overpriced too but worth trying.
(4)Erika K.
A friend and I went to Ado last Friday night and splurged on the truffle tasting menu ($80 per person). Everything was excellent, although I've definitely tasted better truffles. We had five courses: 1) Quail prosciutto with gorgonzola cream (good but a little heavy on the gorgonzola cream and olive oil); 2) Seared scallop with truffle (really good); 3) Stuffed pasta pillows with fontina and truffles (really good, same dish I've had at Piccolo when chef Antonio cooked there); 4) Filet mignon with a fried quail egg and truffles (excellent); and 5) Panna cotta and a rustic Italian torte filled with ricotta, orange rind and ground almonds. That plus a glass of Prosecco, and we spent just over $200 including tip. Ado is in a little house, and most of the tables are upstairs. I can imagine that on a warm night it might be a bit toasty in that room. The service was very good. Paolo is charming. I would definitely go back (although I might skip the truffles and save a few bucks).
(4)Brandy L.
Went here on a whim w/0 reservations on a Sat nite they were able 2 fit us in! A neighborhood 'hot spot' gr8 vino selection wonderful staff delicious food I will b bk! ; )
(4)Joe C.
What can I say. It was ok. Pasta was too gluey and the mushrooms were over powering. Wine was served too cold for a red. Bottle condensed at the table. It was overpriced for the quality of the food. I would expect that to be more in the $15-20 entree price range. Sorry Ado but it's Adios.
(2)Cyrus C.
As good as it gets. Bravo Paolo
(5)Bob P.
I took my daughter and son-in-law here last night for dinner to celebrate their anniversary - I wanted an especially nice restaurant, and we all like Italian cuisine. Overall, it was a nice experience - the atmosphere was nice, very pleasant, though a bit noisy when it got busy; the food was good, though not anything outstanding. We had a nice wine; our waiter was pleasant and informative. My only complaint was that I felt it was overpriced by at least 20%, so I doubt we'll be back. They have a $25 corkage fee that discouraged me from bringing my own wine, so we had a $50 bottle of a very nice red wine that I felt was worth about $40 in typical restaurant scale. My daughter had a pasta with wild boar in a basic mushroom sauce - I tasted it and was not impressed. My son-in-law had ravioli stuffed with rabbit etc. - I didn't try it; he liked it, but it wasn't enough to fill him up, and he wound up helping my daughter finish her pasta. My grilled sea bass was tasty, definitely the best of the three entrees, but didn't come with any vegetables, which disappointed me as they are one of my favorite aspects of a dinner. The bread was average - I was hoping for better here, as really good bread with olive oil or a nice garnish is a big part of dinner enjoyment for me. We shared two semifredo desserts that were delicious, and the coffee I had with dessert was excellent. Bottom line, a nice place for a special dinner, enjoyable, but not the best value in good Italian food.
(3)Kali C.
Nothing but great service and every person working there makes you feel special. Great local place for dinner with a date. Pasta's are all homemade. Definitely will go there again.
(5)cheryl j.
an amazing place to eat and relax. from the moment you walk in you feel you are in your family's home. the smells, the staff, the food and wine absolutely the best. if you don't know what to order toni the chef is happy to create a perfect meal from his own imagination. the wine selection is top notch. we have been 4 times since it opened and each time the menu was different and simply yummy. cheryl -santa monica
(5)Sandra S.
Food:fairly good to excellent. Wine list: good, Price: too expensive for what you get. Parking: $8.00. Atmosphere: Charming. Service: excellent. Noise level: moderate.
(4)James M.
Outstanding! The service, food and ambiance were amazing.
(5)Jesus d.
Good northern Italian dishes in an intimate setting. Ok service.
(4)rob E.
Ado and the Leap of Faith Posted by Rob Eshman Every time you enter a restaurant, you take a leap of faith. Last night, at Ado in Venice, I took a huge frickin' jump. Right over S. Irene Virbila's head. Ado is a new Italian place, located in a yellow, two-story bungalow just where Main Street curves into Abbot Kinney. I've passed it sereval times since it opened a few weeks go, then Googled it to find it's the newest venture of Chef Antonio Mure, who opened Piccolo, Locana Veneta and Il Botte. I'd eaten his food at all those places and never had a bad meal, and comments on Yelp confirmed that he was doing a good job at Ado as well.... (read the rest) jewishjournal.com/foodai…
(4)Becca W.
I haven't written a review because I like to keep Ado to myself; it's my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. But I can't be selfish any longer; this is an amazing Italian restaurant! Several people I have brought to Ado have commented that it may well have been the best meal they'd ever had. I lived in New York for several years and have eaten at all of its top-rated Italian places, and have done the same in Los Angeles, and Ado is just my hands-down favorite place. The ambience if great (even if small upstairs can get somewhat noisy -- it's Italian, so raise your voice a little, use hand gestures, and get into the spirit of Italy). There is a group of true Italians supervising everything . . . Paolo will greet you at the door with over-the-top, but sincere, flattery; Anotonio will cook up a storm; Antonino has all the best wine recommendations. The food is not cheap, so it's my special occassion restaurant, but I do find myself designating quite a few occassions as "special" so that I can justify another visit. If you haven't tried Ado yet, you should check it out. Every time I'm there, I feel as if I've left Los Angeles for a few hours; it's become my mini-vacation spot.
(5)Rob D.
Had a company dinner party here last night, and I was very impressed. It was a set menu, but it gave a very good overview of the sort of food that this place is capable of, and I would go back in a heartbeat. They started us out with a well crafted cheese plate, with some of the thickets, richest basalmic vinegar I've ever had, and transitioned into a very tasty spinach salad. I opted for the quail pasta, which was incredibly flavorful, and the salmon, which was cooked perfectly. Desert was a sort of marshmallow mousse, paired with some pureed fruit. Wine recommendations were fantastic, and the staff very cool and helpful. I really dig the space too, as it's an old Venice house with a rustic sort of feel to it.
(4)Madeleine A.
This is the perfect neighborhood spot for amazingly delicious and authentic Italian food. Paolo puts a huge grin on your face the moment you walk in the door. The service is incredibly smooth and professional (AND the poor waiters have to run up and down stairs all evening!). Antonio works wonders in the small kitchen. My husband had the lamb chops. He took one bite, moaned and said: "The best lamb I've ever tasted". Wow.... And how does chef make that escarole that comes with the giant scallops? Melts in your mouth. I could have eaten a bucket full!
(5)South B.
Absolutely delicious! One of the best restraurants of Los Angeles. Great food, ambiance, and service. You must go see Paulo.
(5)E P.
I had heard some good things about this place from friends, and had been looking to try it for a while. I also thought the exterior little yellow house was charming and it drew me in. A visit from my Mom was a good excuse to try it, but we really had a poor experience. We felt like we were being hustled by a group of slick Italians the whole time. It's all theatrics and no substance. Complaints: -Everyone is too in your face, shouting buona sera and wanting to shake your hand. Read: trying too hard. Everyone repeatedly asks how you are doing, and they even sent the cute hostess up to touch my shoulders. I just felt like they were trying to compensate for something. -The tables were too close together. -They were blasting the Beatles and The Rolling Stones (full albums), which was very inappropriate for the space, the ambiance, and the cuisine. -The sauces were too rich and too heavy. I prefer Italian that is light and refreshing. -My scallops and my quail ragu both came on top of a heavy parmesan fondue sauce. It wasn't very good and it showed me that not much thought went into the dishes individually. -Hearts of palm have no business in Italian cooking. -They didn't offer us dessert, and then they added a dessert to our bill. I'm pretty positive they tried to pull a fast one. To their credit, they pour generous glasses of wine. But you can spend less and have a much nicer meal (Try Lucques in West Hollywood). I was embarrassed to have brought my mom.
(2)Cameron M.
My Romanian girlfriend and I can't stand how quickly American restaurants rush you out the door. The moment you sit you need to order. The moment your apps are finished your entree is on the table, etc. If you like this American style of eating don't go to Ado. Here, they let you take your time and enjoy time between courses as Antonio prepares for you some of the best Italian food you'll ever have outside of Italy. The pasta is fresh and perfectly prepared. All the other stuff was great too, but I'll come back again and again for the pasta, the service and the atmosphere. Note: The $25 corkage fee is a bit steep IMO, but all else was amazing.
(5)Debbie Chiou S.
yum. delicious homemade pasta. just make sure you're ready to dine among the rich and have rich food. :P
(4)R F.
Second time there and after such a nice experience first time, this one was shocking. Inexperienced poser wait staff that tried to upsell everyone at the table. The service took forever and wasn't pleasant at all. I'm very sorry, but I won't be bringing clients back to this place after such a disappointing evening.
(2)Scott D.
Really great food, wonderful staff, all around excellent! Definately check this one out if you love Italian.
(5)M T.
Amazing food and ambiance. Staff is efficient and nice. My new favorite! Their duck ravioli was to die for, so comforting.
(5)Benjamin B.
I really liked this quaint place. It didn't even look like a restaurant from the street, but inside held one of the best dining experiences I've had near Venice Beach. The waiter was very enthusiastic, recommending many things with an authentic Italian accent, making every plate sound like it was the best thing ever to happen to mankind. The candlelight atmosphere was romantic, and the noise level was great, I felt as though I could have a conversation with my date without having to shout. I ordered filet mignon and was not disappointed. It was moist, cooked as I ordered, tender, and delicious. My date ordered seared foie gras, and she felt like it was a little overcooked, but she still enjoyed the plate. The breads were delicious. It was a quick dinner and sadly I did not order any desert or fancy extra plates, but I feel as though I will return and write more about this wonderful place in the future.
(4)Heather J.
Really disappointing. Very poor service and so so food. Had such high hopes, but we were left waiting 90 minutes for our food and the excuse was that the health department was there. Not reassuring.
(1)Matt W.
I had a wonderful meal here. Called ahead by just a few minutes and was told there were tables but they took our name anyway as a courtesy. We walked in and were immediately treated like we were walking into someone's home. The upstairs was full so we got a small intimate table by the window downstairs, taking in the sights and smells of the nearby kitchen. Our waiter was attentive and opinionated in steering us towards the best dishes. While the salad didn't stand out as anything special, it was very good. The real treat (like at the sister restaurant Piccolo) are the homemade pastas and sauces. Truly worth the visit just for a taste of any of them. We had the beet ragout with quail sauce and the tagliatelle bolognese. Filled with richness and a relatively small but I thought well sized portion. We had some dessert, which was like the salad very good but not truly remarkable. I'd skip it next time. Throughout our meal the chef/owner was busy running around the kitchen and even playing host. Well done to be so involved. It shows. For the pasta, the atmosphere and the service, I give it 5 stars. But it slips to 4 since the salad and the desert could have been better.
(4)annie c.
love this place, even though on hot nights the upstairs is really really hot (no ac). but the food is good, the wait staff is attentive but not annoying, and you can spend a lot of time here with good friends getting drunk on wine. it's relaxed and casual but there's nothing sloppy or regular about the food. they don't waste their time on lame trendy decorations but it's clean and classy.
(5)Matt G.
You can't beat Ado for date night. The owner and staff are super friendly, inviting, and very smart. The food is delicious. And the atmosphere is unique, even for Venice. Make sure to call ahead. Every time I have been there it has been pretty crowded.
(5)Tony B.
I found out about this place "Ado" a couple of months ago. I had such a wonderful time, I joined yelp just to write about it! It has become a weekly stop for me, I'll tell you why... The place, the owners and the staff make you feel at home. Period. The food has always been fabulous. Lastnight my wife and I tried the Tuna Tar Tar(off the menu) , the presentation was as beautiful as the taste! Then we split the Pheasant Ravioli, it was nothing less than we expected, amazing! Ended up with splitting the Fillet special that was topped with arugula and shaved parmesean with a homemade mustard sauce, I'm still dreaming of it!! But what really draws us to the place is how we feel while we are there. I don't understand what these other 2 reviewers are writing about. Paolo is mean!?! Hilarious!! He's one of the nicest guys I've met, and I'm so happy for him and Antonio, there is so much passion behind them!! And it shows!! See you Sunday!!
(5)S M.
I certainly dont think this is as good as Piccolo. We only got pasta dishes though, so maybe the meat is better. Quail Ragu was good, but not mind blowing. Hubby got the dumplings w bolognese sauce and it was pretty mediocre. We got the artichoke and crab app - that was really great. Definitely the highlight of our meal. Sorry Ado, for the price we paid, not sure we will be back.
(3)Art W.
This place is phenomenal. Went there yesterday for our anniversary, and it did not disappoint. Very romantic, albeit a little cozy. My wife particularly liked the candlelight ambience. Service was stellar and extremely attentive. Our waiter seemed to know the menu's ins and outs and expertly gave his opinions on what we would like. We started with the roasted quail and mushroom ragu with polenta and the the seared foie with quail egg canape. Both were delicious. The foie was buttery and cooked just right. The quail was quite tasty and moist, not overcooked. We then had two pasta dishes: the papardelle with wild boar and mushroom ragu and the beet pasta (Tagliolini Rossi con Ragu di Quaglia in Fonduta di Taleggio). Both pasta dishes were some of the best pasta I've had outside of Italy. Perfectly al dente with lots of chew. The taglioline, however, is phenomenal. I'm definitely coming back for this one. Luckily, it's the only dish they don't move off the menu due to popularity. As far as portion size, I am a big eater and was satisfied with an app and pasta. We finished dinner with a vanilla and pistachio cream that was also delicious. More soft than a flan, and richer too. Anyways, we were really impressed and will be back soon.
(5)curtis k.
my wife and another couple gave Ado a shot last night. Entering the restaraunt, you're assaulted with enthusiastic rapid-fire 'buona seras' from above, below, and all around you, creating a carnivalesque Macaroni Grill vibe circa Akron ohio, rather than some corner tratt off piazza navona. that level of schtick had already put me on guard, but I shared nothing to my companions, lest I become a buzzkill. as we were seated, the cozy, perfectly candlelit dining room began to chip away at my apprehension over our restaraunt choice. But alas, service, which I usually regard as completely beside the point, began its uninterrupted slide downward as our waiter introduced himself in a language that proved to be his own, neither Italian nor English. It was befuddling and our ability to communicate with him was getting pretty caveman-like. He replied to one of our companion's questions of what is the best entree dish, "everything's good... we create a tasting menu for you, yes?" uhhh.... then he tried to commandeer the wine list which I knew would end badly so we just hoped for the best with a bottle of nebbiola. My wife and her friend ordered the pasta special which was described as having truffle-butter as one of its key components. truffle-butter and asparagus were words repeated more than once in this dish's description. the other pasta choices were mostly meat-centric so less interesting to my wife, a vegeterian except for occasional lapses into bacon, prosciutto and jamon serrano. However, when the special pasta dish arrived, they couldn't find truffle butter any where they looked, but couldn't miss several large scallops nestled atop the noodles... what? no mention was ever made of scallops, proteins are always deserving of mention ahead of veggies or sauce right? we could have been jewish, allergic to shellfish, strict vegeterians, or simply people who weren't fans of this mollusk. in addition to these scallops coming to the party unannounced, my wife reluctantly shared with me that they brought some sand to these festivities.... my dish was a rabbit pappardelle w/ porcini, it was grey on brown, needed some sort of color - carrots, or even a sprinkling of parsley. I often regard a dish's presentation as peripheral to the eating experience as I do the service, but this plate looked like a bowl of pasta strewn over with vomitus. It tasted okay however. Up until the scallop's surprise appearance, none of us had broached the problems afoot, but now the dam had broken, just in time for the check to arrive. And this turned out to be a costly little meal. oh well, there's other fish in the sea.
(2)Matt L.
One of the best Restaurants in L.A. The red beet pasta is one of the few dishes I've ever had that gets better with every bite. The scallops with black truffle shavings are possibly one of the best dishes I have ever had.
(5)kim n.
the first thing i noticed was the kitchen - open enough to feel secure that they weren't hiding anything, but hidden enough to not feel like i was in it. already it looked like a home turned restaurant. we were led up a staircase to a small, but warm dining room and given a choice of tables. we were offered water with "bubbles or no bubbles?" - which of course because we didn't specify that venice's finest would do, we were charged $7 for it. because the days that we had, we both knew that we wanted a nice glass of wine. our waiter, Vincenzo, suggested that we decide what we were going to eat before he made a wine recommendation which was fine with us. we finally decided on sharing the insalatina Tiepida di Carciofi, Granchio e Vin Cotto (Warm Baby Artichokes Hearth with Dungeness Crab Meat, Mache salad and Grape Must Reduction, $14), i chose the Strozzapreti alla Bolognese (Home-made Ricotta cheese and Spinach Dumplings served in a Beef and Porcini Mushroom Bolognese Sauce, $15) and beth went with the ravioli special which was a beef ravioli with a mushroom sauce (sorry for the lack of description.) with those choices Vincenzo suggested a nice, crisp white wine (Duca di Montalbo) which was perfect for our little ladies' night out. the salad was good - a LITTLE on the fishy side, but it was crab and it's seafood, so you have to expect that. it wasn't so bad that i couldn't eat it. it was refreshing and different. the grape reduction was really sweet, but it wasn't overbearing - i liked it. it might've been a little too sweet for beth, but we both enjoyed it (and it was nice that they split it on two plates rather than us having to pick off one plate - and they didn't charge us for the splitting.) we then had a nice surprise - a little something that the chef created and personally served us... i couldn't tell you exactly what it was besides that it was homemade tagliatelle with fresh zucchini flowers and shaved black truffle. i've never had fresh black truffles shaved right onto the dish in front of me (as they'd do w/ parmesan cheese) so that was a very nice surprise. it was so yummy and we both ate it all. i could've eaten a whole serving of it! my meal was good, but not amazing. the meat sauce was tasty, but standard. the dumplings that resembled gnocchi were light and not as cheesy as i thought (which was good!) beth's ravioli was made with actual beef, pulled-like, rather than ground like you'd expect. the light buttery sauce was a little on the sweet side, but it was tasty. i think she would've eaten more of it if we hadn't already filled up on salad, the chef's gift, wine and bread. we both agreed that the chef's treat was the best part of the meal... notomatoesplease.wordpre…
(4)Taylor L.
LOVE IT! the ambience, the wait staff and of course, the FOOD - delicious! set-up in a cozy re-done, two story apartment like building, Ado is nestled on the trendy street of Main in Venice. first course - two specialties (the seared sea scallops & the grilled radicchio w/ burrata cheese) plus the watercress salad made a perfect introduction to the dinner. of the three, my favorite would be the salad (fresh ingredients without the overbearing taste of dressing) - the chef allowed the hearts of palm, roasted almonds and pecorino cheese to really star in the greens. the pasta dish - the BEST - homemade red beet tagliolini pasta in a marsala quail ragu makes one want to come back just for this dish! rich and decadent, perfectly cooked, begging you to take another bite, this dish exemplifies what kind of cooking goes on at Ado. the last dish, another specialty of the evening, lamb loin rolled in a pistachio crust, did not fail to impress as well. moist, tender, and flavorful. YUM! of course, to finish off the evening, dessert is a must! in this case, two desserts, the panna cotta and amaretto ice cream cake, were delectable. the light airiness of both dishes makes one forget the amount of calories you may be consuming and leaves you with a goofy smile of contentment. stuffed and ready to roll out the door, Ado did not fail to impress and I must say I will be back!
(5)Barbara G.
My husband took me there last night for Mother's Day. We were actually the first people there at 6:30. The service was really good till the "changing of the guards." My hubby ordered the soup and a salad to start, but our original waiter never came back to take his entree order. He just ended up having a salad and appetizer, which luckily he said was filling enough. Since I'm a vegetarian, I looked at their menu on line to make sure they had something I could eat besides just a salad, which they did. Turns out they didn't have it on their restaurant menu, so I was really disappointed. In all fairness, the waiter was accommodating and had the chef prepare the pasta dish that was listed on line for $13, but when we got the bill, they charged $23, which was outrageous. Overall, it wasn't a great fine dining experience. Dinner, 3 drinks, and desert with tip we spent $140. I just feel ripped off. Won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)robyn v.
I love this place. Their pastas are handmade and they usually have 3-4 nightly specials. The beef tenderloin that they have on the regular menu is one of the best I have ever had. The place is somewhat cramped but that is also part of it's charm.
(4)Travis P.
Loved this place. Went for a birthday dinner and they accommodated my personal taste so the whole table could have the tasting menu. I loved every minute of the experience. Service was semi-knowledgeable. But the food and wine were perfect.
(5)susan k.
A Little Piece of Venezia in the Heart of Venice If you're a true foodie like me, you excitedly follow new restaurant openings. If you live in Venice, then you've watched and waited for the quaint two-story yellow house on Main, near Abbot Kinney, to open. Ado was worth the wait! Whether it be for a birthday party, a "yay-it's-Friday" celebration or a romantic dinner for two, Ado is the perfect place to enjoy scrumptious handmade fresh pastas, fish and filet mignon in a delightful setting that is at once charming, intimate and classy. Chef Antonio's authentic Italian fare does not disappoint. The beet and potato pasta is vibrant on the plate and an explosion of flavors in your mouth. The beef ravioli and the pappardele with rabbit ragu and porcini mushrooms is to die for. Delicious wines round out the menu, with a wide Italian selection. The mostly Italian waitstaff are attentive and responsive, and easy on the eyes too! Owner Paolo greets every diner as they arrive with a hearty buona sera and requisite double-cheek kiss. If you are looking for a little piece of Italy, Ado is the place for you!
(5)salman r.
we had an 8:00 PM reservation on a Saturday night. We were sitted at 8:30, ordered, were not served by 9:30.Wth no food in sight, we left. The owner constantly told us that we will be sitted, served etc. in the next few minutes, etc.
(1)nick b.
i love this place. i recommend the spaghetti dish and ricotta dessert, but everything i've had there is very good.
(5)Sunny S.
delicious! simply the best place for italian!!!
(5)Nina D.
Very friendly welcome and the food was delicious. We were a party of 6 people and everyone shared bites. We knew we were in for a treat when the bread was steaming hot and fresh and the olive oil was pungent. As greedy foodies, we discussed the food as we went along. Having tried (almost) everything on the menu, what would we order again: We ALL agreed we'd order my appetizer (lucky me :) the fava bean purée. We were torn on the main course. I liked the tagleatilli with tens of dollars of truffle shaved fresh at the table (reminiscent of La Botte, which they are associated with). Others favoured the Thai Red Snapper. The steak was voted "good" but was served medium when order "medium rare". The peppercorn sauce was excellent, but the salmon showed up 15 minutes after everyone else started. The deserts were a little lack-luster, but they said they hadn't got their pasty desserts going yet. Oh, and the liquor license hasn't arrived yet. Almost enough to make us cancel, but so glad we didn't. Definitely some teething trouble, but it was a memorable night with some truly excellent food. Will come again.
(5)