It was our first time at Il Forno in Santa Monica, and let me start with the MVP of the night: free parking in the back. Yes, FREE parking in L.A.—that alone deserves a standing ovation.

The Scene
We were seated right on time (gold star!) and greeted by our cheerful server. We sat near the bar, which could use a little sprucing up—kind of like it’s waiting for its HGTV glow-up. Meanwhile, the patio and other side of the restaurant looked like it had already been cast on The Bachelor: twinkly lights, cozy vibes, the whole thing.

The Eats

• Caesar Salad: The dressing was creamy and homemade, but let’s be honest—the croutons were the star of the plate. Garlicky, buttery perfection. I almost asked for a bowl of just those.
• Chicken Milanese: Nicely crispy with veggies on the side. Pro tip: order the caper sauce. Without it, the dish is a bit “meh.” With it? A total upgrade, like adding chili and cheese to fries.
• Rotolo: Chicken rolled up with zucchini, eggplant, mozzarella, and mushrooms in marsala wine sauce. Sounds amazing, right? My friend said nope—it was giving “gravy bomb.”
• Fettuccine with shrimp, scallops, leeks, wild mushrooms, and pesto: Delicious. The kind of dish you want to eat slowly so it doesn’t end.
• Alle Vongole: Simple, classic, and done right. Clams, white wine, garlic, parsley—can’t go wrong.

Dessert
We closed with the chocolate and vanilla layer cake. Everyone else was happy. Me? I was betrayed. I expected fluffy layer cake, not creamy filling. Dessert catfish.

Final Thoughts
Highlights: free parking, the Caesar croutons, that caper sauce, and the pasta dishes. Lowlights: bar area ambiance, the Rotolo, and my personal cake heartbreak. Will we be back? Maybe. But if we do, I’m ordering an entrée-sized plate of croutons and calling it a night.