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Pomodoro Trattoria
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Pomodoro Trattoria
8.3
Pomodoro Trattoria is a cozy neighborhood room where the Lasagna Classica anchors a menu of pastas, risotti, and veal plates. It’s a go-to for locals seeking hearty, saucy comfort food and a glass of wine without leaving the Westwood Boulevard strip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Classica, Gnocchi al Pesto, Polpette Della Casa
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Casual trattoria known for generously portioned lasagna baked with béchamel and slow-cooked ragu.
Who should go: Neighborhood regulars craving hearty pasta and a relaxed date night.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for easier parking and shorter waits.
What to order: Lasagna Classica, pesto gnocchi, house meatballs with garlic bread.
Insider tip: Split a lasagna and another pasta; portions are large and very shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Westwood Blvd and the adjacent residential lanes; easier before 6:30pm but can tighten during peak dinner hours. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans and a nice top are common, but some guests dress up slightly for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate—enough hum from the dining room to feel lively, but you can comfortably hold a conversation across the table.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during prime hours, especially between 7–8pm.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait—usually seated immediately or within 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetarian pastas, salads, and appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited—most dishes rely on cheese or cream; ask staff for possible off-menu modifications.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—select pasta dishes can be made with gluten-free pasta; cross-contact is possible but staff are accommodating.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its warm, intimate dining room and steady service create a relaxed environment that feels special without being overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights, but weekend dinners fill quickly. Walk-ins should try arriving before 7pm or after 8:30pm to reduce waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who enjoy pasta; the room is cozy but not loud, and staff are patient. Limited stroller space.
Best For
Better for: Generous, saucy comfort-food portions in a neighborhood setting that’s more intimate and less formal than Westwood’s higher-end Italian rooms.
Skip if: You want ultra-modern Italian, extensive vegan options, or a large-group environment—other spots in the area handle those needs better.
Pomodoro Trattoria
8.5
Pomodoro Trattoria is a compact, candlelit Italian spot where closely spaced tables, warm servers, and fresh-daily gnocchi create classic neighborhood-date energy. It’s regularly packed with couples sharing pastas, pizzas, and tiramisu over reasonably priced bottles of Italian wine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi Made Fresh Daily, Chicken Marsala, Linguine Alla Pescatora
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Tight, bustling trattoria where fresh pasta and warm service anchor cozy dates.
Who should go: Pasta lovers seeking classic, affordable Italian for date night.
When to visit: Early evening on weeknights to avoid the loudest rush.
What to order: Fresh gnocchi, chicken Marsala, linguine alla pescatora and tiramisu.
Insider tip: Request a wall or corner table for easier conversation in the small room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Westwood Blvd and adjacent residential streets is available but competitive after 6pm; meters run late. No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; conversation is doable but the room gets energetic during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 35–55 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even for small groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection, including pastas, salads, pizzas, and a few entrée options.
Vegan options: Limited; some pastas and salads can be modified but expect 1–2 true vegan-friendly dishes.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pasta is available on request; sauces are generally adaptable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the candlelit, intimate room and friendly staff make it a great setting for comfortable conversation without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, but expect a wait during peak dinner hours. Arriving before 6:30pm dramatically improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids; the space is tight, but accommodating staff and familiar Italian dishes work well for families. Best earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Cozy, classic Italian comfort food with an intimate neighborhood feel — especially strong for pasta lovers and casual date nights.
Skip if: You want a quieter room, more spacious seating, or modern, chef-driven Italian with avant-garde dishes.
Pomodoro Trattoria
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Pomodoro Trattoria is a neighborhood Italian spot on Westwood Boulevard known for generous pasta portions, thin-crust pizzas, and a straightforward trattoria menu. The room stays lively with students, families, and regulars sharing carafes of wine and baskets of warm bread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Linguine al Salmone, Spaghetti al Pomodoro, Scaloppine al Marsala
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Classic trattoria cooking with big portions and a dependable neighborhood feel.
Who should go: Families, students, and groups craving hearty Italian comfort.
When to visit: Busy weeknights or early weekend evenings before peak crowds.
What to order: Linguine al Salmone, Spaghetti al Pomodoro, Scaloppine al Marsala.
Insider tip: Ask for daily pasta or seafood specials that regulars favor.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Westwood Blvd and the adjacent residential blocks; usually manageable before 6pm but can tighten during peak dinner hours. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans, tees, and simple business attire all fit the room’s neighborhood trattoria vibe.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but not overwhelming. You can hold a conversation across the table, though peak dinner hours get noticeably louder.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes depending on group size; larger parties may wait longer without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins are seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—several pastas, salads, pizzas, and appetizers can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some pasta and salad modifications possible, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—gluten-free pasta is available upon request, but pizzas and bread baskets cannot be substituted.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a casual, low-pressure first date—comforting food, warm lighting, and a lively neighborhood feel. Not ideal if you want something more intimate or upscale.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are common. Arrive before 7pm on weekends to minimize wait times; larger groups should call ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—very. High chairs, kid-appropriate pasta and pizza options, and a relaxed room that works well for families with children of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Big, comforting portions, relaxed group meals, and straightforward Italian classics served at fair prices.
Skip if: You want upscale, chef-driven Italian, a quiet date-night atmosphere, or extensive vegan/gluten-free accommodations.
Pomodoro Trattoria
8.5
Pomodoro Trattoria is a compact Italian restaurant on Westwood Boulevard where thin-crust pizzas share the menu with pastas, risotti, and nightly specials. The room’s warm lighting and tightly packed tables make it a go-to for cozy dinners where a margherita and a bottle of wine feel like a full evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Farfalle Con Pollo, Gnocchi Caprino
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Intimate neighborhood trattoria where wood-fired-style pizzas meet hearty pastas.
Who should go: Couples, small groups, and Italian comfort food fans.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or early weekend evenings before peak.
What to order: Margherita pizza, Farfalle Con Pollo, Gnocchi Caprino.
Insider tip: Reserve ahead for weekend dinners; the small dining room fills fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Westwood Boulevard and adjacent residential streets; meters free after 8pm but spots can be competitive during dinner hours. Limited private-lot pay parking nearby.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and a nice top are perfectly fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate—conversation-friendly but expect lively table chatter during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins are seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—multiple pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—most pizzas use dairy and many pastas contain egg; simple salads and customizable dishes can be adapted.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pasta is usually available upon request, but gluten-free pizza options may be limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—warm lighting, intimate tables, and shareable dishes create a relaxed, approachable date-night setting without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights, but weekend evenings fill quickly; walk-ins may face a wait. Reservations are recommended for peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with older kids; the room is cozy and tightly spaced, so strollers and very young children may find it less comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Cozy, sit-down Italian comfort dishes and casual date-night energy that feels more intimate than larger Westwood Italian spots.
Skip if: You want ultra-fast service, vegan-heavy menus, or wide open dining rooms with plenty of space between tables.