13353 Ventura (just west of Fulton), Sherman Oaks, 818/906-0783, f. 818/501-4651
16608 Ventura, (Hayvenhurst is the cross st.) Encino, 818/783-2920, f. 818/783-8534
23331 Mulholland Drive, 818/225-0586, f. 818/225-0590, Woodland Hills
9161 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, 818/341-5114, f. 818/341-7311
23460 Cinema Drive, Valencia, 805/287-3773, f. 818/287-9584
Maria's Italian Kitchen -- Online
NOTE: Maria's no longer serves breakfast -- agh!
The web site for Maria's is well worth checking out -- it has a menu, history, pictures, even a quicktime of the Maria's commercial. I can't rave enough about this place; we've been going there nearly every weekend for years. There are scores of good Italian restaurants in L.A. but Maria's is the cleanest, healthiest and best-tasting around. I've only been to the Sherman Oaks and Encino locations -- bag the Encino one unless you call ahead -- I've been there 3 times when they were closed during the day for some reason or other. The Sherman Oaks one has successfully expanded their premises while redecorating in tasteful wood with comfortable seating. All of which is filled if you come at night and even worse if it's a weekend. The best bet is to go for early dinner or breakfast/lunch on the weekend. The service is nearly always above par, and street parking is usually abundant in crowded Sherman Oaks.
Lunch: Maria's has a great, cheaper-than-dinner lunch menu -- you can get a lunch size Italian Green Salad for $2.95 (but if you're with someone spend the $4.50 and split a regular one) -- comes with garbanzo's, mozzerella cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots (chopped), and a wonderful Italian dressing. We think the best lunch items are the Chicken Maria (only slightly smaller but only $6.95 -- for dinner it's $9.95) -- pieces of chicken marinated in a garlicky, wonderful, lighly oiled sauce with likewise marinated veggies and a side of fettuccini in marinara sauce; and the white-meat tuna sandwich on focaccia bread (served with cold pasta salad -- the best I've ever had) for $5.95 -- you might, after splitting a salad, make it halfway through it so be prepared for a doggie bag.
For dinner, the baked dishes are worth the 20 minute wait (you'll be stuffing yourself with the yummy bread and splitting a salad anyway) -- try the Stuffed Shells ($6.50) or the Spinach Lasagna ($7.95). The small pizza is HUGE so split it if that's what you're into, the pasta in marinara is excellent for you dieting types or simple eaters, and the pasta primavera is also great. If you're looking for a good sandwich, try the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich -- the veggies are grilled perfectly and have a bit of oil in them but I haven't found them overly fattening.
You didn't pay to park, so reward yourself with flourless chocolate cake (it's surprisingly light here) or if you want something ridiculously rich, try the peanut butter chocolate cake. And call your dentist in the morning. They also have Tiramisu, Cannoli, Raspberry Mousse Cake, and more. Just pretend to go the bathroom and get a gander at the case...
If you're having a dinner party and you're as good a cook as I am (duh, look at my hobby here), grab a quart of Maria's Marinara or Meat Sauce and throw it over some of the pasta you so proudly boiled yourself, and for $5.00 or so, fool everyone! They also have a selection of "Take n Bake" items that they list on their web site, in case your mother-in-law or some other family dignitary comes to dine.
This is one of our very favoritest favorites. Can you tell?