La Piazza

Three stars for the food.
THE AMBIANCE:
La Piazza is located on your right when you enter the mall from their parking garage. They have outdoor seating and indoor seating. We were seated on the smaller side of the patio against the wall. It was a bit uncomfortable because our chairs were close to a man-​made rock area and the back leg chair kept falling in if you shifted in your seat. The restrooms are located inside the building and up the stairs. I would hope there is a bathroom downstairs that a disabled person can use because it’s a good way up and a bit steep.
THE FOOD:
The food was good. The ingredients on the pizza tasted fresh and the calamari was crispy. The sangria was not great. It tasted watered down.
THE TIPS:
Don’t sit where we were.

Been here once before during the week and thankfully there weren’t very many people so they were able to fly under the radar. Arrived on a Sunday ⁷⁄₂₆ @ 730p for my mothers birthday (she flew 3000 miles to celebrate here in LA). When we arrived there was no one working in sight at all. Once the lazy hostess finally returned she had the worst attitude as if she’d been actually doing a real job. Not a smile, hi how are you, thank you for stopping in NOTHING. After telling her it’d be 2 people she asked «inside or outside» in which I replied outside. Went to the restroom and when we returned saw her seating people outside and when I asked what was up she THEN informed me I could self seat on the opposite side. After ALEXANDRA (the hostess) argued and got an attitude with me she then let me know it would be another 10 minutes and turned her back. Completely inappropriate, unprofessional, and to be quite honest childish. It was sad. The ONLY reason I give two stars is because our waitress Alex was so amazing and so helpful and completely turned things around. Chose anywhere else to eat at The Grove! ANYWHERE

The food was good we sat out side but our server was just ok… I waited for a second glass of wine and a second drink for my husband for it seemed like forever! I also let the server know it was my daughters birthday dinner and they didn’t even offer a dessert? That’s pretty bad in my opinion.

The only reason why I even gave 2 stars is because the food is good.
My experience there was so uncomfortable! Seating was fine, we were able to get a table upstairs outside but in the corner by the parking garage, when I saw all the open seating that faced the grove it was too late to change apparently.
Our waiter was hovering over us the entire time. We placed our appetizer order, and it came out within 15min which was awesome… But (no exaggeration) our main dish was out 5 min later! So our tiny two seater table was filled. We were barely starting our calamari when our main dish came out. Then the waiter just stood diagonally next to us staring. He then thought it was ok to lean down to my FACE and say «everything is good right!». It was so uncomfortable and we were rushed the entire time. Mind you, we got there at 730 so it wasn’t even a late dinner. We must have gotten half way through our meal when we were given the check!
35 min and $ 120.00 later… I will NEVER go back there. The food is delicious but it isn’t worth feeling like you’re an inconvenience!

I ordered a margherita pizza and I got a cheese pizza instead because they ran out of basil. This is unacceptable at an Italian restaurant.
I asked the server for a discount but the manager said no. This was on December 21^st at 6:30 pm, during the holidays when you’d think they’d be more hospitable.
In addition, the bathrooms were very dirty (paper towels all over the floor). I wouldn’t eat here again due to poor management.
If they ruin your order, don’t count on being accommodated.
Never coming here again.

Of course we decide to visit during the busiest shopping time. Just a wonderful staff after we moved seats 3 times from a great view of the water works to a warmer seat inside for my boys. Foods fresh and the salmon salad was perfectly cook. Best place to at the Groove during the holiday rush.

We were a party of five. When the waiter arrived to pour our waters my boyfriend told them we might not be staying. He decided to pour our waters anyways and made a joke about going to the back to cry. Long story short, he accommodated all of our wishes and we loved the food.
Bruschetta was delicious and they are big portions. Caesar salad yummy and enough to share prior to pizzas!

Still waiting on the slowest server and slowest pizza to arrive. He’s only been by to take our order and has never followed up. Thank goodness for our busser who was kind enough to get us plates for our apps and salad. If we weren’t so hungry would leave. Certainly not worth your money, and most importantly, your time.

Love La Piazza! Get a spot on the balcony in the evening, order a raspberry lemon martini, the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese for dinner, and the Crema Bruciata for dessert. If you follow this advice, you will be in HEAVEN!!!
Optional, switch the martini out for a glass of red. Equally heavenly. :)

The pizza that I ordered was okay. It was the one with artichokes, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms and olives. There were a lot of artichokes, which was a good thing for me. The pizza was just okay though because it was so thin and a little soggy.
The best part of the restaurant was that our server used only Italian. Even when he confirmed my order, he spoke Italian. I was like «yeah, that.»

Tomato soup is great the The atmosphere is very relaxed, excellent service end very quick I come here again