Fritto Misto is one of those fallback types of places: the food's consistently good, there are lots of choices for vegetarians or meat-eaters, you can eat as healthy as you want (or not), and everyone we take there enjoys it.
Fritto Misto is inexpensive for California prices, especially when the servings are huge enough to make at least one more meal, and honestly, if you don't stuff yourself, probably two more meals. If you order a salad to share, the small salad is enough to share between two to four people. (The salad with the walnuts and gorgonzola, about $7 for a small, is especially good).
The menu is organized into pastas with meat (Il Carnivoro is the meatiest, with pasta with Bolognese meat sauce, filet mignon tips, and pieces of pancetta), vegetarian pastas (gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce and walnuts is very tasty – and, yes, I do like gorgonzola cheese!), or build your own, in which you pick your pasta, sauce, and any additions, such as grilled chicken, veggies, grilled shrimp, caramelized onions, etc. The prices are quite reasonable, as discussed above: Il Carnivoro, for example, is around $14 - and it's one of the most expensive dishes on the menu. Most are in the $9 to $12 range.
They have a nice wine list as well.
The wait staff is pleasant and attentive.
We've also ordered food for takeout -- always tasty and quickly prepared.