Ini Ristorante

Review summary

1. CC

   CindyC

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Salmon Crudo: fish was so fresh and the sesame oil + citrus sauce with the shallots was so scrumptious, I drank the excess sauce after we finished. $18 for 5 pieces of salmon is a little excess, but the quality was substantial. 4.5/5 Truffle Cheese Bread: my partner's favorite of the menu. the truffle flavor was very good, not overpowering, and the mozzarella/ricotta cheese mix was so melty, stretchy, and complimented the truffle flavor and the Parmesan top so well. the honey sauce was absolutely divine and added an extra depth of flavor to the already incredible dish. the bread itself was crusty with the right amount of softness to balance out and scoop up the rest of the cheesy goodness. portion came out in a small deep skillet, but since it was packed to the brim with bread and cheese, I'd say this was more bang for its buck at $16. 5/5, no notes. Party of 4 then got pasta— Cavatelli Ala Norcina: perfectly al dente, toothsome bite, each noodle coated in truffle butter and sausage flavor. Not too much heat, but I only had one or two pieces. My only gripe, which I will repeat throughout this section: portion size. $21 for what seemed like a handful of pasta. Quality was fantastic though. However, I do appreciate that the pasta did not come in a humongous plate to make up for the small portion. What you see is what you get. 5/5. Spicy Miso Carbonara: we got a mild version and the regular version. Thank you to our server, Amy, for recommending the option to have it mild and relating to my friend's spice intolerance. It was fantastic, and for that, the service got an S+. The shiitake was flavorful, udon very springy. Delicious. Portion again, was my gripe. Not sure if udon was made in house, but going to Marugame Monzo gives a larger portion for the same price. Just saying. 4.5/5. Porcini Truffle: Very good. Could use a bit of char on the porcini for texture variance. Otherwise, no notes. 4/5. Shūkaku cocktail: Rum forward, aromatics were fantastic. 4/5.
   

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2. J

   Jen

   Orange County

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   This ini experience was absolutely incredible. They packed full and absolutely slammed and we did not miss a single sequence of service ! Our server (I missed/forgetting his name so sorry friend) was incredibly pleasant, had wonderful energy and seriously didn’t miss a beat in our dinner. We enjoyed our pastas family style. Spicy Miso Carbonara, porcini mushroom, veal bolognese and short rib gnocchi were enjoyed by all. Quality made pasta, rich flavors and perfect portions. I’ve been to a few Kei concepts and their cocktails never miss. Balanced sweetness, dangerously smooth. Desserts were beautifully presented and so interesting! The matcha cremeux was a new experience for me and it was delightful and light minimal sweetness. I worry matcha can be too bitter at times so I tend to avoid it, but the lemon cream and the strawberry jam really add a layer of tart to bring out the matcha. Corny honey cake was lien corn bread turned impressive dessert. The bread held the sauce and it was just so buttery. I had a couple items I passed up on this time around that I really look forward to enjoying my next visit
   

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3. g

   grace

   Orange County

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The service was amazing! Thanks Daerren for all the service. The chef’s salmon appetizer was the besr!
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Ini Ristorante is a true gem! The food was incredible, and the uni pasta was absolutely phenomenal—rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Every bite was pure perfection. The ambience was equally impressive, with a warm and elegant atmosphere that made for a truly enjoyable evening. The staff were attentive and friendly, ensuring we had everything we needed. Highly recommend this spot for an unforgettable dining experience. Five stars without a doubt!
   

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5. D

   Diem

   Orange County

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Foods are overpriced. I ordered Balsamic Wagyu which is not on the menu and found out from the bill it costs $90…. I’m very disappointed… But other than that, our waiter is super nice!
   

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6. P

   Panisara

   New York City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 2 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food with nice waiters. This was my second time here and will definitely come back again.
   

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7. J

   Jeanette

   Orange County

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 1 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A lovely experience overall. The hosts were very welcoming and accommodating. The server Bryant was very helpful and nice. I'm glad my first meal here was very pleasant. I will return when its less busy.
   

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8. S

   Salman

   VIP

   Orange County

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 30 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always a great experience at Ini, great food, great vibes!
   

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9. T

   Tharam

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on 29 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Ini Restaurant has become our absolute go-to spot for every special occasion! From the moment you walk in, the warm ambiance and exceptional service set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The menu is thoughtfully crafted, with each dish perfectly balancing flavors and presentation. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a celebration of life’s milestones, Ini never disappoints. The staff always goes the extra mile to make us feel special, and the attention to detail is unmatched. We can’t recommend Ini enough for anyone looking to elevate their dining experience. It’s not just a meal—it’s a memory in the making. Thank you, Ini, for always making our special moments even more extraordinary!
   

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10. A

    Anne

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Extremely tasty food and good service. Will be back!
    

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