“Every noodle handmade by us in Italy” is the only introduction Uovo needs for its small but cozy space in downtown Santa Monica. Primarily focusing on pasta with a few options for appetizers and side dishes, Uovo brings a unique concept of an authentic Italian pasta bar to the vibrant Santa Monica.
Located on 2nd Street, Uovo’s main dining room is tucked away behind an outdoor patio, also owned by the restaurant. Walking to Uovo, you can feel the ocean breeze blowing through your hair as the Santa Monica beach is just a few steps away. The restaurant emphasizes cozy vibes with dim-lit yellow light lamps, chandeliers and candles. Its signature “pasta bar” located in the middle of the space surrounds the kitchen area and is Uovo’s main sitting area. There are also a few sit-down tables inside next to the bar as well as outside on the outdoor patio in front of the restaurant. In addition to the warm lighting, most of the interiors are made of wood such as wooden walls, wooden floors, wooden tables and wooden chairs, all of which contribute to perfecting that cozy atmosphere Uovo is looking for.
Uovo in Santa Monica opens for service seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with one signature menu. One of the most fascinating features about Uovo is its three affordable tasting menus: The Classic, Cheese & Truffle, The Regional. Each menu includes an appetizer, three kinds of pasta and a dessert for two people. In addition, the à la carte menu starts off with three options of appetizers: yellowtail crudo, insalata di crescione (watercress salad) and battuta di carne (beef tartare). Main courses are divided into three types of pasta: La Pasta di Bologna with ragu, crema di parmigiano, brodo, lasagna; La Pasta di Roma with amatriciana, cacio e pepe, carbonara, tagliatelle ai carciofi; Pasta Classica with pomodoro, pomodorini e basilico, arrabbiata, vongole, ravioli di ricotta, ravioli di carne.
I visited Uovo for early dinner with a friend on a Thursday and we were sat immediately at the bar with no wait. The two of us ordered the Cheese & Truffle tasting menu and it blew our minds. The yellowtail crudo appetizer with fresh Japanese yellowtail covered in Fresno chili pepper and olive oil was incredibly fresh and perfectly prepped us for all the pasta to come. The tasting menu we picked included tagliatelle in truffle sauce, pomodoro and cacio e pepe for main courses. All three pasta dishes were amazing but I was most impressed with the tagliatelle in truffle sauce because it was so creamy and drenched in truffle flavor. The pomodoro with tomato sauce was a neat choice between the other two cream-based pasta. According to our server, the cacio e pepe was one of Uovo’s signature dishes, and even though it was a bit too salty for my liking, the dish was wonderful. We ended the evening with a cup of tiramisu and it was every chocolate lover’s dream.
Overall Uovo definitely deserves its spot as one of the most brilliant Italian spots in Santa Monica and Los Angeles in general. Its cozy atmosphere and unique tasting menus have managed to help Uovo stand out in this vibrant town full of restaurants from everywhere in the world. You have to experience it for yourself to understand what Uovo embodies but I will for sure be returning in the near future to indulge my palate in that creamy truffle goodness.
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