If you are staying at the Erwin, this place is right next to your lobby. Pizzas, pastas and empanadas. Some are trendy and they have a hot oven so you get great cracker-thin crust. Toppings range to the unusual - like prosciutto and olives. They perhaps have too heavy a hand with the olive oil, but that's a taste thing. They only take cash - no credit cards.

It was late in the evening and my friend and I were starving. The security guard at our hotel recommended two places and we chose Santino's since it was right around the corner. The place looks like a dive and it was CASH ONLY. We ordered the Peruvian Cerviche and the Tortilla Espanola. Our eyebrows raised when we took our first bites; both dishes were delicious! Don't get me wrong I've had great food at dives before but I still get nervous when I first stop in one. I feel I should add it was 1 am and seating was limited and the music was blasting!!

There are two locations for Santino's - one is on Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. I went with a friend for a light bite to eat, knowing they had tapas. What I didn't realize was how perfect a place it was for a Saturday night dinner. Very nicely decorated interior - busy but not noisy. We had a really nice glass of Argentine Malbec for $9 and some scrumptious tapas...and there was live music: a guitar player, who kept the music low and melodious. If you're looking for a place that's got a buzz but isn't noisy, this is it. I was there with a friend but it could also be a nice romantic place for dinner.