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Caffe Pinguini Reviews List
Caffe Pinguini
Italian owners, Tony Cotrufo and Enrico Fiorentini, both hail from Rome and have been serving fresh authentic Italian cuisine at their Playa Del Rey location since 1997. They offer homemade pastas, an excellent wine list, outdoor seating and daily specials.
Caffe Pinguini was recently awarded with the "Marchio Ospitalita" Italiana - Seal of Authenticity". The seal distinguishes those restaurants with the highest quality of Italian hospitality.
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Caffe Pinguini was recently awarded with the "Marchio Ospitalita" Italiana - Seal of Authenticity". The seal distinguishes those restaurants with the highest quality of Italian hospitality.
55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(28)
4 stars
(20)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(40)
- romantic(35)
- special occasion(32)
- great for outdoor dining(31)
- fit for foodies(27)
- notable wine list(18)
Caffe Pinguini Reviews List
Review 1 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Very Disappointed
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"While I have always loved the food and atmosphere, this night was totally off. My family and I were there to celebrate my sister's birthday. Unfortunately they were very busy, which caused a whole slew of problems. Dad received the wrong order, and was brought out the right one before they realized that the birthday girl's order hadn't even been submitted. Sigh. We then had to ask for the status of our dessert several times as well as physically get up to find someone to find out what was going on. The food is always delicious, but that only goes so far."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food. Service needs adjustment
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been to Caffe Pinguini many times. It is one of few great restaurants in PDR. My only issue is with the staff. The waiters have at attitude that is annoying: rushes, snobby, and Strong accents that may be fitting for Italy but I could not understand a word he said and did not find it charming."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My boyfriend and I dined here
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My boyfriend and I dined here for the first time and truly enjoyed the ambiance on the patio outside. The service and food were excellent as well."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2010
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 4 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place. It's a hidden
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Love this place. It's a hidden gem tucked away in Playa Del Rey. The owners (real Paisanos fromRoma) will personally great you at the door and the staff is excellent..... the food is consistently delicious .. I have my favorite dishes.. But you'll have to explore."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 5 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We ALWAYS love Pinquini. The food is fabulous, the waiters are great.. Anyone looking for some great Italian food, go to Pinguini's."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 6 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Somewhat pricey, especially
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Somewhat pricey, especially the wine list."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2006
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Truly Italian!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wonderful service, REAL Italians running an Italian restaurant! Food is delicious. Great neighborhood place to have dinner. Love their warm seafood salad!! This restaurant is A Favorite!"
Dined on 03/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
angry waiter
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Love it here but the waiter was in a super bad mood. We've had him serve us in the past and he was great. It was strange. I know we tipped him properly so not sure if it was us. Other than that everyone else was welcoming."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2003
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Poor service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The night we were there the service was lousy. It was hard getting the waiters attention sitting outside. There was also a very loud party of 6-8 people who had no regard for those sitting around them. I won't put this place on my list to visit again. I have had better Italian food."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2000
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We enjoyed our dinner and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We enjoyed our dinner and the ambiance. We do plan on returning! We just relocated here and are very happy to find a good Italian
Resturant."
Resturant."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 11 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Sorry to inform...
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I took my girlfriend to Pinguini for Valentines Day and we both agreed that skipping dinner all together would have been a better experience than dining there for the evening. The two tables surrounding us both got up and left after ordering due to poor/lack of service. It was a pretty awkward scene. Our service was pretty bad too."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 12 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a great dinner with
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had a great dinner with delicious food!"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 13 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food is very good and staff
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is very good and staff is attentive"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic
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Review 14 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
never been to Caffe Pinguini
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"never been to Caffe Pinguini before although i live closeby. i think it's because they don't have a bar, only wine. i thought the food was wonderful. pastas were cooked perfectly al dente with lots of flavor. love the bread - kind of like pizza dough. salads were perfectly dressed. seafood (clams, mussels, shrimp) were fresh and very sweet. we loved everything. service was attentive but not intrusive. i would definitely go back but maybe for lunch since there isn't a bar."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Love cafe Penguini! It's
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Love cafe Penguini! It's one of my favorite LA restaurants. It's not fancy or stuffy but has an old laid-back elegance about it and is near the beach in Playa del Rey, although you can't see it from there. The authentic feel, along with the experienced Italian wait staff, delicious fresh fish and wonderful wine have never failed to please."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 16 for Caffe Pinguini
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
After passing it by for many
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"After passing it by for many years, we finally went for dinner and were very pleasantly surprised by the food and service. Will go back again."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Caffe Pinguini
Based on the average of (39) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic