Today Sher dishes out a fairly straightforward one and a half star review of Andre Guerrero’s Maximiliano , backhanded compliments and all. She finds the restaurant charming and dependable, but nothing to write home about: …his tribute to “kinda old school” Italian-American cooking seems perfectly pitched for the area. Set in a loft-like space on the corner of York Boulevard and Aldama Street, the newcomer brings some big-city zing to Highland Park without being over-the-top trendy… Maximiliano has a warm, friendly vibe and cheerful decor, not to mention an accessible menu (with prices to match) and a good little wine and beer list. The restaurant is just what it’s supposed to be: a good place to eat …And though his Italian food is updated with svelte contemporary touches, Maximiliano isn’t really the kind of place you’d drive across town to visit . SIV recommends ordering one of the restaurant’s thin crust pizzas, “not the most flavorful in town but good,” or one of the “hearty and familiar” pasta dishes. Despite the mixed review, she concludes that Maximiliano’s is “[s]oon to become a fixture on York Boulevard.” [ LAT ] The Goldster checks in to the Westfield Culver City Food Court to taste test Five Guys, Kyochon, 101 Noodle Express, Panda Express, Viet Gourmet Express, Sarku Japan . [LAW] The Elsewhere: Caroline on Crack drinks at Ray’s and Stark Bar , e*star LA talks Cooks County , kevinEats at Post & Beam , Midtown Lunch checks out the new Mid-City Jinya , Refined Palate hits Farmshop , and Sinosoul talks about burgers at Stout and The Churchill . Read the original post: Week in Reviews : Maximiliano’s Italian-American Cuisine Earns 1.5 Stars