Spotlight Review: Divino – A Cozy Brentwood Favorite With a Story

SPOTLIGHT

A neighborhood gem in Brentwood where warm hospitality, comforting pasta, and old-world charm make you feel like family.

Some restaurants are more than just a meal — they’re living memories for the people who love them. For my birthday this year, my college friend, who grew up in Encino, took me to Divino in Brentwood — a charming little spot she’s loved since she was in high school. She described it as her parents’ favorite Italian restaurant, so I was eager to see what made it so beloved for so many years.

Standing out front of Divino in Brentwood.

My friend and I at our table at Divino.

I arrived early on a Saturday evening for our 6:45 PM reservation and was immediately welcomed at the door by a tall man in a tan suit who greeted me with a warm smile, as if inviting me into his own home. As I stepped inside, I realized I had walked into an intimate room of only about a dozen tables, all closely tucked together. An older crowd on the patio and a few tables inside paused their conversations to glance my way — I felt as though I’d entered a neighborhood supper club where everyone knows each other by name.

When the host asked for my reservation, he motioned to two cozy tables along the wall and let me choose my spot. As I settled in, he came back to ask what brought me to Divino. I explained that my friend had been raving about this place for years and was bringing me here for my birthday. Curious about its roots, I asked about the owner — only to find out that the gracious host himself was the owner.

To my surprise, he told me he was born in Yugoslavia, not Italy. I’ll admit — I had a moment of doubt. Could an Italian restaurant not run by Italians really live up to my friend’s lifelong hype? He went on to tell me how he’d spent years in Italy learning the craft of Italian cooking, and how chefs still visit him to share recipes and techniques. For 30 years, he’s kept Divino open in the same cozy Brentwood corner — and proudly pointed out that it was recently featured on Eater LA’s list of best charming Italian spots.

When my friend arrived, she was eager to prove her favorite place right. We warm bread in olive oil and balsamic while our joyful server came by to share the specials. Wanting to give Divino the full chance it deserved, I ordered the crostini with prosciutto and melted mozzarella to start, and for my main, the tagliatelle with osso bucco. My friend, on a lighter diet, went with the arugula salad and salmon.

While we waited, the server brought us complimentary focaccia — Divino’s version is a thin, cracker-like bread fresh from the oven, sprinkled with rosemary, sea salt, and olive oil. Savory, crispy, and delicious, it was an unexpected treat that made me wish I’d left more room for my crostini!

Focaccia Starter

Prosciutto and Mozzarella Crostini

Loving all the bread being served!

The crostini itself was comforting — warm prosciutto draped over crusty bread with melted mozzarella, like an open-faced grilled cheese with an Italian twist. A touch more flavorful cheese would have made it shine, but it was a pleasant start.

When my main arrived, the tagliatelle with osso bucco was steaming hot and smelled heavenly. The pasta was tender and fresh, just shy of perfectly al dente, but light and silky. The diced osso bucco was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the white cream sauce was savory and satisfying. I’d come back just for that dish alone.

Tagliatelle with Osso Bucco Special

Arugula Salad

My friend’s meal — a bright mound of arugula piled high with shaved cheese and a simple piece of salmon on the side — was fresh and simple. She mused it might have been nicer plated together, but enjoyed every bite.

To cap off the night, I couldn’t resist the chocolate mousse — rich, chocolatey, and topped with a fluffy layer of vanilla cream. They brought it out with a candle, making my birthday wish for many more cozy nights of Italian food and good company.

Chocolate Mousse

Blowing out my birthday candle on the chocolate mousse

What stood out most at Divino wasn’t just the food, but the warmth. The owner greeting guests at the door. The friendly servers who checked on us throughout the night. The way the small dining room buzzed with locals on dates, old friends gathering around a round table, couples sharing plates — it truly felt like dinner at a friend’s house, with a little bit of old-world charm.

Divino may not be run by Italians by birth, but it’s crafted with the heart and hospitality that make Italian restaurants so beloved. If you’re craving a neighborhood spot tucked away in Brentwood with accessible parking (Barrington Ct. has 1-hour meters or free street parking after 6 PM), warm service, and cozy plates of pasta worth returning for, Divino is worth a visit — and maybe, just maybe, it’ll become part of your own story too.

 

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