Il Boccaccio

Quality is good. Portions fair. Pricing outrageous for what you get.

I hate this restaurant – with a vengeance; case in point: it’s been two years since I ate there for the first and only [unfortunate] time. There are several things that are off-​putting about this place, but my hate springs, still fervently, from the lack not only of decorum but flat out respect. You can serve me mediocre, overpriced Italian wannabe food, but you can’t be indecorous and ass-​y at the same time.
Our party of nine stopped in two years ago, July 4^th for what we’d hoped would be a really pleasant start to the evening. Right off the bat, the service was spotty. Regardless of party size, service should be a golden rule in the _​service industry_​, but especially considering we were a party of nine, you’d have thought… well…forget what you’d have thought. It wasn’t happening. We were also a party of nine who was drinking, readily. It was a holiday. We were booze thirsty. So, we began by ordering a bottle of wine. We wiped it out pretty quickly (mostly to wash down the spongy calamari), and the glasses sat longingly empty and bereft of attention for far too long. When our waitperson remembered our table, we ordered a second bottle of wine. We felt adventurous and selected a different bottle from the first, and one, in fact, that was an entirely different varietal. The waitperson returned with the bottle and proceeded to pour the new bottle in existing glasses, some of which had clear remnants of the previous pour. I interrupted the waitperson to inquire if we could have fresh glasses. Lest you think I’m a snob; I am, but I don’t think this is an unreasonable or strange request, nor did I ask rudely (although, why did I have to ask?!). The waitperson looked first somewhat perplexed which morphed to annoyed which was delivered as, «I guess so, but it’ll be a minute. We have to wash some glasses.» Well… shiiiit…not to put you out or anything. I thought this was a restaurant, somewhat «fine dining» in fact and made the assumption that you had an adequate supply of serving pieces.
This is one example, the most poignant still itching my good senses, but there were many. I also emailed the management a few days later describing my more than lackluster opinion of our experience and received, to no indecorous surprise, no response.
In short, kiss off, Il B. You couldn’t pay me to walk into this place again, (and there are a number of things I’m willing to do for money).

If I could give it zero stars, I would. Terrible restaurant. I think it only got such good reviews because there really aren’t any real restaurants to eat on the pier. just mostly bars.
The place is HORRIBLY overpriced. Seriously. $ 30 for a pasta? $ 20 for a calamari? $ 9 for a wine when I can go to Sharkeez and get a drink for $ 6? Beer for $ 6!!! The wait is too long. and the food isn’t that good. My friend’s shrimp, tomato, and pasta was bland. my pasta with mushroom and chicken was pitifully small.
It took another twenty minutes to get our credit cards run through the machine. I tipped them 10% and called it a day. people are right. Mexicans run the place and cook the food here… that’s not Italian at all!

I can’t believe I forgot to write a review for them… I love their pizza’s! Salad’s are good and the down sound is the restaurant gets loud. I must sound old but I can’t stand it when you feel like you have to talk over someone. Food is great so really you’ll enjoy your food.

How to survive Cinco de Mayo on the infamous Pier Ave. in Hermosa:
Don’t drink.
Snag the table by the front window
at this charming Italian restaurant,
and watch all the happy hour madness through the glass
… while enjoying peaceful Frank Sinatra music, with a view of basketball on a big screen TV.
Check.
Check.
I’ve never eaten here before cuz it seemed a little pricey, but currently they’re offering dinner specials, Monday through Thursday…20 bucks for a 3-​course meal.
Each day’s special features cuisine representing a different region in Italy:
Monday is Tuscany, Tuesday is Emilia Romagna, Wednesday is Venezia, & Thursday is Liguria.
I think I hit the jackpot with my Emilia Romagna special, because it included some of my fave things to eat, starting with the complimentary tapenade & chopped tomato with fresh herbs.
Although I was starving, I limited my bread consumption to two small hunks, so as not to fill up too quickly.
Then began my 3-​course meal, with the zucchini appetizer.
I never did look at a menu, so not sure about the details of each dish, but the zucchini tasted like it was sauteed in olive oil with a light touch of garlic. Perfect.
Next came wide pasta with meat sauce, which appeared to be a small portion, but was just right.
The fresh pasta was wide, but thin, the way I like it. Sauce was delicious. After that, i was full.
But dammit, there was one more course to go, and I am a trooper when it comes to cleaning my plate. *cough*thunderthighs…
Bring on the pork tenderlion, I said bravely!
Somehow I managed to eat it, and it was worth the extra effort.
My waiter had a heavy Italian accent… *sigh*. And when I walked in, I had put enough quarters in my parking space to give me one hour (12 minutes for 25 cents, by the beach in Hermosa, what a rip). My waiter, although the only server I saw for all the tables that were in use, was very kind to accommodate the slightly rushed time frame.
I finished my meal and made to to my car with 4 minutes to spare.
Normally, this is a place where you don’t want to be in a hurry. It’s relaxed and kinda slow, apparently on Italy time.
For the dinner special, I award 5 stars.
Service…also 5 stars.
Setting…5 stars.
Generally, the place is a bit pricey, as I said earlier, and my original thought was to give 4 stars. I don’t know if I’d return for dinner without the daily specials, in fact.
But my meal was so damn good last night that I’m going with 5 stars.
I felt like everything I ate was healthy food, and light enough in substance and portion size so as not to leave me feeling uncomfortably overstuffed.
This restaurant turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.

Met some friends for dinner, this place is ok… nothing to rave about but, we all liked the homemade pasta. I ordered gamberi alla veneziana $ 28…yes, a bit over priced! The calamari was ok but, the service was Great. They did have a good wine selection.

I have to say I was very disappointed in this place. The food was expensive, bland, and mediocre. My plate of shrimp pasta cost 28 dollars, and the pasta seemed like it was store bought and undercooked. No much flavor on my plate at all.
In addition, we ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio that tasted absolutely horrible. I have never once in my life needed to return a bottle of wine I’ve ordered, but this happened at Il Boccaccio.
Do yourself a favor and forget this place.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this place is insanely overpriced!
I believe my papparedelle with bolognese was around $ 21. I live in Beverly Hills, so I am accustomed to places being over priced. However, this just seemed crazy for a place that is not even that nice inside.
With that being said the food WAS good. However, there are definitely better places (try Fritto Misto up the street – about the same quality food, reasonable prices).

Enjoy unique Italian cuisine– more than just spaghetti? I do and I found it. When I visited Il Boccaccio last week, I sampled 2 appetizers — poached oysters with caviar and arugula salad w/​shitakes and scallops. Both were light and quite unique. Most of all, they were delicious and I plan to try them again. Hopefully they’ll continue to be on the «specials» list. The Pinot Grigio was just right and I felt extremely comfortable sitting at the bar, watching football, while conversing w/​other diners, as I came on my own. The 2 waiters kept an eye on my glass (were quick to pour another one) while not «crowding» me at the bar. I will definitely return & may become a regular.

We were trying this place as an alternate to the usual pier eateries. I ordered the Italian sausages with roasted vegetables. The food was pretty mediocre. If you factor in the price it is not a place where I would return. we had a bottle of Chilean cabernet, $ 55 and two bangers and mash — total $ 110. Not enough value to satisfy us. Service was acceptable.
positives: great scenery (HB Pier)
negatives: high dollar for average food
the verdict: better Italian elsewhere (il toscano, anyone?) and better Pier restaurants too.

Il Boccaccio is a gem! You must try the pastas, they are fresh, flavorful and spectacular! This is certainly no run-​of-​the-​mill Italian restaurant. The seafood is excellent (love the sand dabs and sole!) and the restaurant even offers fun events like wine dinners and cooking classes. Once you try, you’ll see why il Boccaccio is among the top restaurants in the South Bay

ok now not to be a racist but when I go to a Mexican restaurant, I like to see Mexicans in the kitchen. Italian? Maybe 1 paisan wouldn’t be so much to ask for.
The owner shows up at 8:15 on a sat nite to chat a bit with the help. nice.
The glass of chianti was corked.
Clams — tasteless — not sure how they messed these up
fried calamari — a bit soggy — not bad
bread soup — ok — bread was a bit slimy
papardella bolognese — good — nice homemade pasta
gnocchi — not fresh — gummy
veal scallopini ai funghi — very good — well browned yet not tough
ricotta fitters — good
Really bad heartburn from the garlic.
Some of the prices were pretty high. $ 19 for carpaccio? Come on — it has like 1 oz of sirloin costing maybe 50 cents.
Nothing very interesting on the menu.
I would not go back.
btw — I have eaten in 2 and 3 star (that’s Michelin) restaurants in Italy as well as the top places in New York City.

I am amazed that this place isn’t busier than it is! I would say that I’m shocked no one has written about it here, but then again, I’m amazed it’s not busier, so there! ;) Anyway, this is a GREAT italian place that isn’t ever overly crowded and has a cute patio out in front with a few tables or a full restaurant inside. The food is consistent and the pasta is made on the premises… and I lovvvvvvve home made pasta!
SOUP:
— Pappa al pomodoro is a thick tomato soup with bread in it. Sooooo good and great for those cold nights. I wonder if they make it to-​go? Must find out!
PASTAS:
— The Pappardelle alla bolognese is hands down my favorite here. I try to order different things and while they’re good too, this is just a simply great dish that I can devour and enjoy every bite it’s so good!
— Lasagne al forno is their served with meat sauce, bchamel & parmigiano. Very tasty and hard to finish in one seating as it’s a bit rich… but a yummy leftover, that’s for sure!