Sal's Place

Walking into Sal’s Place feels less like entering a restaurant and more like showing up to a dinner party where you happen to know the host. This Provincetown transplant has set up a seasonal home in West Hollywood’s former Il Piccolino space, bringing with it a warmth and intimacy that’s increasingly rare in LA dining. The red and white-striped banquettes, the handwritten menu, and the linen-clad host who might just comp you dessert all contribute to an atmosphere where strangers become friends over shared plates of pasta.

The food here isn’t trying to reinvent Italian cuisine—and that’s perfectly fine. What you’ll find are solid, comforting classics executed with care. The caesar salad arrives perfectly dressed with a satisfying crunch from panko breadcrumbs and shaved pecorino. The real star is the orecchiette with sausage: tender pasta cups cradling bits of spicy pork against a backdrop of bitter greens. It’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, and at the price point, you’ll want to make it count.

This is a cash-only establishment with a refreshingly casual approach—if you’re short on bills, they’ll trust you to come back and settle up. It’s a welcoming queer space where the focus is on community as much as cuisine. Conversations naturally drift between tables, servers become part of the fun, and by the end of the night you’ll feel like you’ve been coming here for years.

Come for the vibe, stay for the tiramisu. While the proteins can lean toward the predictable side, the appetizers, pastas, and that incredible chocolate-laden dessert are where Sal’s truly shines. Just remember to hit the ATM before you go.