“When I got hungry, I stopped into Bravo Cucina and had a pleasant solo dinner. Service is just the right amount of friendly and they didn't make me feel weird about eating alone. In fact, if you like to eat in a more communal setting, there's a bar area of sorts back by the open kitchen. Bravo Cucina is a very low-key Italian restaurant/cafe. Prices are reasonable -most entrees hover just above or just under the $11 mark. They offer all of the usual Italian fare staples, but also branch out a bit. One of my favorites is their farfalle with grilled chicken and an unusual but delicious soy/cream sauce.“

To say that Bravo Cucina is a wonderful dining experience is an understatement. Everything about the place is totally refreshing and new. When you enter you are suddenly struck with a feeling of relaxation- a far cry from the frenetic street activity coming from the Promenade on which the restaurant is located. You're seated by a gracious host and immediately things start to happen. Bravo Cucina's owner Peter Lepore has constructed a menu, or rather a new approach to serving and eating, that is in some ways revolutionary. While many restaurants boast an "all natural, no preservatives, no chemicals" food service outline, Lepore takes it one step further. He assures us that all the ingredients used to make their absolutely fabulous dishes are truly organic, nothing that it i's foreign influences that slowly weaken the body.

Case in point: Bravo Gnocchi. When I say that the tender, potato pasta dumplings simply melt in the mouth, I'm not kidding! Having worked in restaurants in New York's Greenwich Village, and having experienced first hand what goes into making gnocchi (and eating it), Bravo's is hands down the finest I've ever had. And the sauce- delicate, not overpowering like some marinaras can be. The portion is just right, and with a mellow glass of wine it was supreme.

Many chefs these days are opting not to use dairy products, which is good considering the saturated fat content, not to mention guests who might me lactose intolerant. Bravo Cucina served up an absolutely refreshing linguini with scallops and jumbo shrimp sautéed in a stock and wine reduction with northern beans and snap peas. All the flavors just sung in harmony and the pasta was cooked to perfection.

For dessert, we were treated to a sampling of their absolutely heavenly cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate cake and triple chocolate layer cake. They were all outstanding, especially with a cappuccino which topped off the meal.

On the ceiling it reads, "Forgiveness is Greater." There's a motto you don't see in restaurants all too often. Bravo Cucina is a trattoria above the rest. Go - you'll thank me someday.

"Go West, young restauranteurs” might be the motto of this SM trattoria opened by the brothers Peter and Ernest Lepore of the family that owns the legendary Ferrara's in NYC's Little Italy ("the cannoli is flown in'); with an extremely friendly staff, it's a "real find" for "honest comforting" classics and you can "watch the crowd on a warm summer night."

“Always busy Italian trattoria opened by scions of the family that ownes the legendary Ferrara's in NY's Little Italy; a very satisfying Third Street Promenade destination, it features outdoor seating with terrific people-watching and some of the best Italian cooking on the Westside- super pastas, great pizzas and don't miss those pasties... they run in the family.”

“I have been a local in Santa Monica for 5 years and this is my FAVORITE place to eat while shopping on the promenade. The apple and walnut salad is so refreshing and the halibut is to die for. If you want amazing food on the promenade, look no further than Bravo!!”

“A beautiful day at the beach can be topped off by visiting Bravo Cucina. The food is excellent.”

“While away on a business trip, the first night I stumbled across Bravo Cucina, and I ended up eating there every night since I loved it so much. The food was delicious (definitely recommend the Rigatoni Farma), and the portions were large. The staff was very friendly. When I go back to Los Angeles, I am definitely going back to Bravo Cucina. A great meal and great fun!”

“My family and I were walking the Promenade and decided to looking for a nice little place to have some food that was also child friendly. Bravo Cucina certainly was the place! Imagine our surprise to find a restaurant on the Promenade that serves Organic foods. The service was excellent, the food fantastic! I had an excellent mushroom ravioli, my husband had a delicious soup and spaghetti with meat sauce, but most important was my daughter had a fantastic burger with the most delicious fries, my husband and I had to sneak a few. We got all this for a great price and great fun. We would whole heartedly recommend Bravo Cucina to anyone in the area or going to Santa Monica. Try it, you will not regret it, we certainly didn't.”

“I have been coming to Bravo Cucina for years, mainly at lunchtime due to the fast service during my lunch hour. I recently had out of town guests with small children and we decided to come in for dinner. I was more than satisfied with our experience and service. The waiter who served us was fantastic. He knew the menu inside and out and was able to assist us in finding a bottle of wine that would compliment all the meals ordered. After dinner, we decided to order a few desserts for the table (tira misu, cannoli's, chocolate cake and my personal favorite the profiterole). My friends are still raving about these desserts a week later. After this, I no longer think of Bravo Cucina as a great lunch place on the Promenade, but it is now my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. I will definately return for dinner...maybe tonight.”

“This is a great restaurant to sit outside on a beautiful Santa Monica day and watch the world go by. The menu looked delicious and it was tough to choose but the food did not disappoint. Service was totally satisfactory on our visit.”

Bravo Cucina serves Italian fusion as opposed to just Italian. Have a pizza, a meat dish, a pasta dish or salad here. This is a happy medium place to dine. It is a quiet place on the Promenade but indeed visible with its vibrant decor. It is not one of the exclusive, ultra swank restaurants that is more suited for the trendy and rich. Bravo is very inviting - for the family, those going on a date, for singles and those young and old. Come here for any occasion. I went here for a nice birthday celebration, when I turned 22 or 23. Baked salmon... the presentation was very artistic and most important, the meal was delicious.