By Vera Magana, Dining and Cuisine Writer
As I walked into Raffaello’s Ristorante with my friend for the very first time, we could hear such vibrant sounds through the corridors. Conversations about family and distant singing filled the air. The ambience, brick walls, and lots of locals were some of the many things that made this restaurant so inviting.
Families sitting down at the tables around us were cheering with such contentment, a welcoming feeling we thought. A traditional Italian restaurant on the quaint street of 7th in San Pedro was the main attraction for a Wednesday night.
I was pleasantly greeted by Gino Cutri, one of the three brothers who now run the restaurant after their parents opened it back in 1984. It was originally on 4th Street, only a few blocks away from where it is now and conveniently located across the street from their other location, a very elegant venue called Marcello’s Tuscany Room where they hold banquets, parties and weddings.
But before Raffaelo’s took over 457 W. 7th Street, it was the 7th Street Chophouse. It was La Conga Mexican Grill from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. The last time an Italian restaurant resided at that address was when it was Di Orio’s Italian Kitchen from the mid- 1980s to 1990s. Prior to that, it was La Conga Restaurant from 1968 to 1986.
The Cutri family purchased the building after the 7th Street Chophouse closed in 2013. The Cutri family rented the venue to restaurateur, Danielle Sandoval (yes, the one running for the CD15 city council seat in 2022), who opened Caliente Cantina Lounge but closed within a year. After being in San Pedro for the past 30 years, Raffaelo’s finally found a new home that turned out to be a seemingly minor move with such a big impact for them.
Ready for dinner, we started with the house salad. Placed in front of us was a toss of mixed greens, radish and carrots topped off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a slight spoonful of parmesan. My friend took the first bite, “Simplicity at its finest! A very hearty salad,” he said while smiling with a mouthful. Next, for appetizers the lovely server recommended the calamari fritti, a portion big enough to share for two people which was nothing short from fresh, not overly seasoned, slightly breaded and oh boy, did the marinara sauce compliment the tentacles and the squid nicely.
Wanting a traditional dish for my entree, I went with an order of spaghetti and meatballs that did not disappoint. A classic, well made dish with the taste of Italy. My friend ordered vitello saltimbocca (veal topped with prosciutto and mozzarella in Marsala wine sauce). The veal, so tender, melted right into your mouth. The sides of mashed potatoes, squash, and cauliflower were the perfect add ons to dip into the marsala wine sauce. Being just the two of us we realized how reasonably priced all the dishes were, between $15 to $30.
The drinks on the menu were hard to resist, with a selection of wines for $7 a glass, I chose to go with the brut Prosecco and my friend with the delicious and boozy paloma Italiana. A paloma with Raffaello’s own take of Italy on it, topped off with Italian soda.
Before parting ways, I tried their hazelnut truffle (hazelnuts semifreddo ice cream with a liquid chocolate core, coated with praline hazelnuts and crushed meringue) to top off the amazing meal I just had. I kid you not, it was like eating a giant ferrero rocher chocolate. The semifreddo ice cream, mixed in with the hazelnuts was absolute bliss. “Nostalgic” is the best word to describe the dish as it took me back to my childhood. A true sign of tradition for me.
With its family feel and modern style, Raffaelo’s is leading Little Italy in San Pedro into the future of Italian food even with neighboring restaurants like La Bocca Felice and J.Trani’s Ristorante, they were named one of the three most popular LA area Italian Restaurants on TripAdvisor.
All there is left to do now is wait and see if there will be a third generation of family taking over and maintaining the delicious recipes. As a newcomer, I can guarantee they have a menu that will make you second guess your order due to all of their great options to choose from. It will easily entice you to come back for more.
Details: 457 W. 7th St, San Pedro, 310-514-0900.
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11am. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, 11a.m. to 9:45 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.