PADRI RESTAURANT & MARTINI BAR
AN AGOURA HILLS GOLDMINE FOR ITALIAN CUISINE & NIGHTLIFE

A fine dining gem tucked away in the hills of Agoura, Padri Restaurant & Martini Bar serves delicious, fresh organic Italian food, including homemade pasta and bread, and has been delighting its guest for more than 10 years with its vibrant flavors of Italian cuisine.

Sure, you may think Agoura Hills is trek from all parts Los Angeles, but if you’re looking for a quick getaway, a change of scenery, or perhaps heading back from a day in Malibu, this is the perfect spot for a lush, relaxing meal. Resembling an old Tuscan farmhouse with old oak trees, large patios, shadowed by the Agoura hills, this place manages to be both lively and romantic. It has a popular and happening bar scene (cougar alert!) and an elegant dining room.

From the same folks that recently brought you the charming and more laid pack Café Fiore in Woodland Hills, Padri Restaurant & Martini Bar really delivers when it comes to Italian food and handcrafted cocktails. During our recent visit, we started with the surprisingly sweet Bourboun Hibiscus, quickly followed by the intriguing Avocado Tini, which is prepared with actual muddled avocado, so California and so good to taste.

Kicking dinner off we started with the delicious Insalata Di Pera E Gorgonzola, made with baby greens, caramelized walnuts, Gorgonzola and a red wine poached pear. Perfect for sharing.

That was followed by the savory and hearty Zuppa du Aragosta (Lobster Bisque with fresh corn and sweet potato)—another wonderful selection to share. So flavorful, you will want to make sure to soak up every last drop with Padri’s warm homemade bread.

Another wonderful appetizer to share, although it’s so good you’ll want it all for yourself, is the Pancetta Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp, stuffed with Gorgonzola over soft polenta and garlic sautéed greens. The jumbo bacon wrapped shrimp alone are reason enough to order this plate, but the rest of the elements are so mouthwateringly good. Just as at Café Fiore, this is a favorite, must-have item.

For our entrees, we decided to split the ample Lasagna Al Ragu Di Pollo (chicken ragu and besciamella sauce lasagna). It’s not often that you see chicken lasagna and this dish is plenty and so savory. Again, make sure to soak up every last drop of sauce.

And the Pièce de résistance was the Brasato D’ Angellol, braised Colorado lamb shank with red wine sauce and a hearty side of spinach gnocchi. Perfect to share, the meat just falls off the bone and is so satisfying. Kudos to the staff for service and presentation as everything was completely delectable.

If you have room for dessert, we recommend the decadent Chocolate Torte with a molten center served with orange pulled sugar and pistachio semi freddo, as well as the Crème Brulee made with Bourbon vanilla beans served with a thin “cat’s tongue” cookie. Both are over-the-top but at this point you might as just treat yourself right and make up the extra calories in the morning.

Believe me, a visit to Padri Restaurant & Martini Bar is well worth the effort, and there are plenty of nearby hotels in case you want to make a night of it and really get away.

Padri Restaurant & Martini Bar is located at 29002 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills. Call 818-865-3700. Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 am to 10pm; Friday 11:30 am to 11pm; Sat: 5-11pm: Sun: 5-9pm.