One of my favorite restaurants in LA is Osteria Mozza. It is THE solid fine dining Italian restaurant by Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton, & Joseph Bastianich that feels like an adventure each time I go there. The crowd can be a bit “LA” if you know what I mean, but don’t let it phase you. The staff is always pleasant, accomadating and non-pretentious.
The Mozzarella Bar Menu is extensive, cocktails are delicious (try the Benfatto if you like whiskey), with primi and secondi menus with something for every taste. I sat at the Mozzarella Bar for the first time and was able to see Nancy Silverton in action. I highly recommend sitting there for casual occasions.
Here are some highlights of my last visit:
Burrata
bacon, marinated escarole & caramelized shallots
Ricotta & Egg Raviolo
with browned butter – It’s one HUGE piece with egg on the inside. Melt in your mouth good.
Grilled Octopus
with potatoes, celery & lemon – I’ve had a weird obsession with Grilled Octopus lately – Mozza cooks it PERFECTLY.
Grilled Beef Tagliata
rucola & Parmigiano with aceto balsamico
Bombolini
huckleberry marmellata & lemon mascarpone – make sure you ask the server to repeat it 10x fast. In Italian. Bombolini! Bombolini! Bombolini!
