C&O is our go-to place for all visitors. Been there dozens of times over the past 10 years and never been disappointed. Food won't knock your socks off but it's consistently good, house Chianti is excellent, service is always friendly and the location is killer in my opinion. Always fun people-watching as well, and easy to take a stroll on the beach or pier afterward, or while waiting for a table. Highly recommended.

Don't get me wrong - Peju, Cakebread, Blah, and a billion other great wines top a table wine. BUT, When you can drink glasses of wine at will from a shared large table tine with friends and eat great Italian AND GARLIC BALLS - everything seems divine! Plus - You sit outside, but under heat lamps - what more could one want! And you get you get to sing - I'm serious!

The Italian food is better made at home, minus the garlic knots which are plentiful and delicious, but if you’re looking to go out with a group this is a great spot. The outdoor courtyard, proximity to the beach, and plastic patio furniture are pretty much the only difference between this place and Bucca di Beppo. Tips: You need reservations or you will face a long wait. This place is swamped with tourists.

Yeah, everyone raves about the garlic rolls. Believe the hype. a 45 minute wait ain't no thang when you have endless servings of garlic knots being served hot and fresh.

This is a great place for groups. Everytime I come, it's with a group of at least 8, and we're always well served. Family-style ordering is the way to go so that everyone can sample a bit of the bountiful pasta. Just order one and share. They come in large servings, though. And when you're about done gorging yourself silly, take a moment to sing along to "That's Amore" with everyone. C&O is so cute and quaint.

This was one of the first places I went to in LA. The food is pretty average (though the same FAT portions you'd expect at like Olive Garden or Cheesecake Factory), the decor is like big ol' feeding pasture that can seat maybe 600 diners at a time.


So why review it? Why give it a B?

THE GARLIC KNOTS HERE ARE AMAAAAAZING!!!!

I could eat basket after basket of those little things.
I could rub them on my face in delicious bready bliss! And I will!

For anyone who is confused, this C&O is the one a block away from the water in Marina del Rey - there's another location further east on Washington.
I haven't been to that location, so I can't compare, but I adore the one in the marina!
First off, eat some of those famous Killer Garlic Rolls. You won't be disappointed. They're fresh and hot from the oven, and they have a great crunch on the outside while maintaining that warm softness on the inside.
I wish every Italian place served these!!!
C & O serves family style, so while that works on occasion for my fiance and I (when we're like REALLY hungry, and even then we have leftovers), I would recommend coming here with at least three other people if not a large group.

I've loved nearly every dish I've ever had here, and the prices are great for the portions you receive!! The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the Mediterranean Salad - I was with a large group who wanted to try it, so I was more than willing to give it a go, even though it had olives (which I do NOT like). I thought I could easily eat around them - but unfortunately, the entire salad tasted like one giant black olive. I wasn't a fan - but of course, this is just a personal thing, everyone else seemed to love it.

Oh, and the best part of the night comes when the wait staff breaks into rounds of "That's Amore" - they get the patrons to all sing along, and everyone toasts each other throughout the song - fun!

There are two C&O restaurants on Washington and this is the one near the beach across from Cabo Cantina. The only time I have been here where it wasn’t crowded was for breakfast. This place is HUGE. There is an outdoor heated patio that usually holds the larger groups and an indoor seating area that usually limits 4 per table. The portions come in 2 sizes: regular and gigantuan. The regular can easily serve 2 people. House wine is served up via table pitchers or dispensers on the sides of the room and your wine tally is kept by adding doodles to a drawing the waiter draws on the table cloth when you arrive. Don’t forget to bring your best singing voice for the hourly group sing-a-long of That’s Amore. Fill your glass before the waiters start clinking glasses or you’ll look silly with nothing to toast with. This is a great birthday place or general group spot. The waiters are nuts and will help customize special birthday surpises if you ask them. I got one to surpise my friend with a canolli decorated with whip cream to create a dirty birthday dessert. They also brought out the entire staff to sing to her even though it was a busy night.

I also did not mention the garlic knots. They are bottomless and amazing. Worth the trip and the severe hangover the next day.

This used to be one of my favorite LA restaurants. The last time I visited though, they would not seat us until nearly everyone had parked and finished walking from their parking location to the restaurant. Despite the 20 or so empty tables inside, we stood freezing outside for 10 minutes waiting for our entire group to arrive. I also had the impression I was being processed as quickly as possible. The food there was awesome, but the atmosphere seemed to be less hospitable than I remember.


... not sure I'll be going anymore...