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Trattoria Natalie
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Trattoria Natalie
8.0
Kosher Italian with a softly upscale feel, leaning on careful sauces, crisp pizzas, and house pastas. The room is warm and polished, making it a strong special-occasion option without going formal. Execution stays classic, with crowd-pleasing dishes done cleanly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggplant Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo, Neapolitan-style pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Polished kosher Italian with reliably classic flavors.
Who should go: Families and couples wanting kosher Italian done right.
When to visit: Early dinner for easiest seating.
What to order: Eggplant parm, house pasta, pizza.
Insider tip: Order a couple of pastas to share—portions are built for it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking dominates the area; metered spots are usually available before 6pm but tighten quickly after. Neighborhood side streets offer additional space with moderate turnover.
Dress code: Smart casual. Most guests lean slightly polished—jeans are fine if paired with something dressier on top.
Noise level: Moderate. You can comfortably hold a conversation, though the room gets livelier during peak family hours.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation, depending on synagogue/event traffic.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, with steady but light turnover.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very strong—numerous pastas, pizzas, and starters built around vegetables and dairy.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 adaptable dishes, but most items rely on cheese.
Gluten-free options: Several GF pasta options available; pizzas are not typically GF. Staff is familiar with dietary requests.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—warm lighting, polished service, and classic Italian comfort create an easy setting without being overly formal. It strikes a good balance between special and approachable.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially early evening or weekday nights. For weekend dinners, a reservation is smart to avoid the family rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-oriented with approachable dishes, high chairs, and a relaxed atmosphere. Best for kids 5+ who enjoy pasta and pizza.
Best For
Better for: Kosher diners wanting polished Italian with reliably clean flavors and a more refined room than typical neighborhood spots.
Skip if: You’re seeking experimental Italian, heavy dairy-free options, or a high-energy scene—this leans classic, calm, and comfort-driven.
Trattoria Natalie
8.2
An intimate, chef-driven Pico room where Roman-leaning cooking stays polished but grounded. The lasagna is richer and more precise than the average neighborhood bake, with carefully layered sauce and pasta that reads restaurant-level without getting showy. A strong date-night Italian pick in the corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna, Cacio e Pepe, Chicken Milanese
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Refined neighborhood trattoria with a chef-tuned lasagna.
Who should go: Couples and Italian food regulars.
When to visit: Dinner, especially Thu–Sun.
What to order: Lasagna, cacio e pepe, chicken milanese.
Insider tip: Book ahead for peak weekend nights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Pico and residential blocks; meters can be tight after 6pm. No valet, so allow extra time on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual with a slightly polished lean—date-night tops and dark denim fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate—comfortable for conversation, though peak weekend hours bring a lively hum.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; early dinner also easier to walk into.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pasta and starter options, including a vegetarian lasagna rotation if available.
Vegan options: Limited—sauces and pastas skew traditional; expect 1–2 workable items depending on the night.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select dishes can be prepared gluten-free; ask about GF pasta availability.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—intimate lighting, polished Italian cooking, and a relaxed but elevated vibe make it an easy first-date win without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early seating, but weekend dinners usually require booking ahead to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Not the best fit for very young kids; it’s a tighter room geared toward adults, though older children who enjoy Italian dishes will be fine.
Best For
Better for: Refined, chef-led Italian in a more intimate setting—great when you want elevated lasagna and date-night energy without going upscale-pretentious.
Skip if: You want large-group seating, kid-centric dining, or a budget-friendly casual Italian night—other Pico spots handle those use cases better.
Trattoria Natalie
8.0
A neighborhood kosher Italian room with a small dog-friendly patio that works well for low-key pasta nights. The menu leans red-sauce comfort—pizzas, rigatoni, gnocchi—done in a steady, familiar style. It’s a reliable in-zip pick when you want a sit-down meal and can bring your pup along.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni shiitake, New York white pizza, Homemade potato gnocchi
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Kosher Italian with a true pup-welcome patio.
Who should go: Pasta fans dining with dogs.
When to visit: Early evening for patio availability.
What to order: Rigatoni, white pizza, gnocchi.
Insider tip: Call ahead if you need one of the patio tables.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly metered and residential street parking along Pico and adjacent blocks; generally manageable before 6pm but tight during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans and simple tops are totally fine, but many guests dress slightly elevated for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate; conversation is easy at most tables, with slightly more bustle inside during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation, especially if you need a patio table for your dog.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; patio seating is usually available.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — ample vegetarian pastas, pizzas, and starters.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some dishes can be adapted, but gluten-free pasta availability varies; call ahead to confirm.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the cozy atmosphere and steady service make it a relaxed, low-pressure pick, especially if you want a quieter patio option.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually on weeknights and lunches; weekends can fill quickly, and patio tables are limited, so calling ahead is smart if you're bringing a dog.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with school-age kids; the menu is approachable, though the patio is small and not ideal for strollers during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Casual kosher Italian comfort with the advantage of pet-friendly seating and a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Skip if: You want a large patio, extensive vegan options, or a high-end Italian experience.
Trattoria Natalie
8.2
A kosher dairy Italian restaurant that feels genuinely hospitable to families while still delivering polished, sauce-forward classics. Pastas lean old-school and satisfying, with careful execution that holds up for dine-in or takeout. The room is calm enough for kids, but nice enough for a bigger family occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni bolognese, Chicken parmesan, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Kosher Italian fine-casual comfort with consistent pasta execution.
Who should go: Families wanting a nicer Italian night.
When to visit: Early evening for relaxed service.
What to order: Rigatoni, chicken parm, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Ask what pastas are best that night—sauces rotate.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking dominates; expect moderate difficulty after 6pm on Pico. Metered spots open up on side streets, and neighborhood parking is typically available within a 2–3 block walk.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but many families lean slightly dressy for occasions.
Noise level: Moderate; lively during peak hours but still comfortable for full-table conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger families.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially before 1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection—many pastas and starters are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited; a few salads and modified pasta options if you ask.
Gluten-free options: Multiple GF pasta options available; kitchen is attentive but not fully GF-dedicated.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a warm, polished Italian setting without being overly formal. The room feels welcoming rather than intimate, so it works best for comfortable, conversation-forward dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually at lunch or early dinner, yes. For peak weekend dinner, walk-ins should expect a wait or should arrive right at opening to improve odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. Highchairs, patient service, and a calm dining room make it ideal for families with kids ages 3+. Younger kids are fine earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: More polished pasta execution and a calmer dining room than nearby casual dairy spots—ideal for families wanting an elevated yet approachable Italian night.
Skip if: You want quick counter-service Italian or fully vegan options; this is a sit-down, dairy-focused restaurant with limited plant-based depth.
Trattoria Natalie
8.2
A refined kosher dairy dining room with a softly polished vibe that works for anniversaries and quiet catch-ups. Pastas and mains lean traditional, with careful sauces and a slightly upscale touch compared to the corridor slice shops. The setting stays intimate without feeling formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle bolognese, Branzino with lemon-herb sauce, Tiramisu
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Kosher Italian fine-casual with a true date-night room.
Who should go: Couples wanting a polished kosher dinner.
When to visit: Weeknights for the most relaxed ambiance.
What to order: Bolognese, fish special, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Ask what pasta is best that night—sauces rotate.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Pico and side streets is possible but tight during peak dinner hours; no valet, so plan a few extra minutes to circle.
Dress code: Smart casual — polished jeans, nicer tops, and date-night attire all fit well with the room’s refined-but-relaxed feel.
Noise level: Moderate — gentle background chatter but still easy to hold a full conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though the dining room fills lightly around 12:30–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options — many pastas and dairy-based mains are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of salads and potential off-menu adjustments, but not a core focus.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — several dishes can be prepared gluten-free, though pasta substitutions may vary day-to-day.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lighting, pacing, and polished dairy menu make it ideal for a relaxed but elevated first date where conversation is the priority.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often on weeknights, yes. On weekends it’s risky — you’ll want to arrive early or plan for a 30–50 minute wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — well-behaved older kids are fine, but the ambiance is geared more toward adults and date nights than families with young children.
Best For
Better for: A more polished, romantic kosher Italian experience with refined pastas and a calmer dining room than the nearby slice shops or fast-casual spots.
Skip if: You want fast service, casual counter-style dining, or a fully vegan or highly gluten-free–adaptable menu.