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Osteria Mozza, the long-awaited counterpart to Pizzeria Mozza, is finally open … but good luck getting in the door. As with the pizzeria after opening, the osteria is booked solid for the next month—call first thing in the morning for a reservation a month from that day. You can try your luck at the bar, where they offer the full menu and take walk-ins.
It’s a little more formal than Pizzeria Mozza, but not so much that you wouldn’t feel comfortable walking in on a whim and eating at the bar, says Dylan, who had dinner there and saw Mario Batali dining with his family, orange clogs and all, while Nancy Silverton worked the line in the kitchen.
There’s a selection of mozzarella appetizers, and among the pastas, first responders are raving about orecchiette with sausage and chard melting together in a satisfying combo; an ultrarich giant raviolo filled with ricotta and a soft egg yolk in brown butter sauce; and pasta with Bolognese sauce.
For secondi, standouts are lamb chops with Greek yogurt; fish stuffed with herbs and served whole; moist and flavorful pork; guinea hen; and spot prawns.
Side dishes are small but delicious, such as a custardy slow-cooked broccoli, small Yukon Golds that seemingly had been poached in chicken broth and then sautéed in olive oil, and the spinach.
There’s a cheese course, and impressively interesting desserts including almond cornette, an almond croissant infused with floral syrup and served with an intense stewed plum; frozen Greek yogurt, like Mozza’s take on Pinkberry; olive oil gelato; and bomblini fritters—mini beignets served with raspberry coulis.
Wine list is all Italian, nothing local, but it looks good. Like at the pizzeria, you can order by the carafe for a few glasses rather than a whole bottle.
Osteria Mozza [Hollywood]
6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
323-297-0100
Map
Board Links: Opening night at Osteria Mozza
I got my Osteria Mozza reservation!
I had a nice meal here. I was a little reluctant since I thought the pizza restaurant is only OK (way too expensive and you can get a better pizza at Mulberry Street).
Their appetizers are to die for. Very good. But sorry, Osteria La Buca is a much better restaurant and cheaper to boot. Of course, the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to is Lupa in New York. But this is no Lupa.
The Osteria is good if you order well. All the antipasti that goes through Silverton at the mozzarella bar is superb. The Primi and Secondi that come through the kitchen are hit and miss. Pastas range from excellent - the orrechiette with sausage - to satisfactory - the farfalle with chanterelles and walnuts. Entrees can be good - the yummy quail - or truly mediocre - the pork and the beef. And...+READ
The Osteria is good if you order well. All the antipasti that goes through Silverton at the mozzarella bar is superb. The Primi and Secondi that come through the kitchen are hit and miss. Pastas range from excellent - the orrechiette with sausage - to satisfactory - the farfalle with chanterelles and walnuts. Entrees can be good - the yummy quail - or truly mediocre - the pork and the beef. And the entree prices don't encourage experimenting after being burned a couple of times. The desserts range from boring to good. The chocolate "cake" is more of a pave and totally one note. The crostatas are too sweet. Only the plum cornette is memorable.-COLLAPSE
I've been to the Pizzeria twice and the Osteria twice. Check out the Pizzeria and take a pass on the Osteria (or just try the pasta's at the bar). I realize the restaurant is only a few months old, but these guys aren't supposed to be novices. I expect better when I'm paying this much money.
Although the waiters during both visits were friendly, there were problems. The first wine we ordered...+READ
I've been to the Pizzeria twice and the Osteria twice. Check out the Pizzeria and take a pass on the Osteria (or just try the pasta's at the bar). I realize the restaurant is only a few months old, but these guys aren't supposed to be novices. I expect better when I'm paying this much money.
Although the waiters during both visits were friendly, there were problems. The first wine we ordered didn't come until we were halfway through our pasta course. The bread didn't appear until the main course - and no offer of butter or olive oil.
It was total chaos during the second visit. We ordered several appetizers to share as well as a few cheese dishes. Instead of paces the dishes, they all came at the same time. When we finished them we had to stack the plates before someone came by to clear them off. Although they did have time to keep trying to push more wine purchases out of us, although we all ordered cocktails and several quartino's of wine.
The staff were scurrying around all night with a confused and scared look on their faces. I go to these kinds of places to relax and enjoy a great meal, not get stressed out.
And that was the good part. The hostesses were snobby and rude, even though we had reservations. The managers strutted around like smug jerks, trying to hit on the attractive single diners (male and female). Hey guys, try "managing" a restaurant fo a change.
The back bar area waiter (same guy on both visits) had better get over himself. Seriously, you work in the service industry. At least both of the bartenders were friendly and mixed a great cocktail. Especially the famale bartender. Kudos to her.
On to the food. The entrees (I tried four of them) we mediocre at best. Definitely not worth the cost. The appetizers were hit and miss. Interesting ideas and ingredients, but sloppily prepared. Unbelievable, considering the care to preparation I found next door at the Pizzeria.
The best thing to eat are the Pastas. While a few are on the bland side (the papparadelle, the oxtail ragu), by and large, these are the highlights of the meal.
The desserts are unexceptional.
For the price, I'd pay for a flight to New York and go to an average neighborhood place for better, more authentic Italian food. Shame on you, Mario.-COLLAPSE
Also had a problem getting my car. I complained to the restaurant manager, who was very confrontational and downright scary. I actually saw him hitting a paparzzi outside the restaurant on the internet. That's the guy.
Had a decent meal for $400. Also had to wait a,most an hour for my car, complained to the manager who was very rude and unhelpful. Will never go back.
dont get all the hype
Okay, this is officially my most favorite Italian kitchen in L.A. Mozza Osteria is better than Angelini Osteria, better than Madeo's, Il Pastaio, Via Veneto, Locanda Veneto, and Piccollo (and all those can be great)...we sat at the bar, I highly recommend you do too if you're looking for a New York eatery vibe, anyway wherever you sit, try the burrata with fig and pancetta appetizer,...it's...+READ
Okay, this is officially my most favorite Italian kitchen in L.A. Mozza Osteria is better than Angelini Osteria, better than Madeo's, Il Pastaio, Via Veneto, Locanda Veneto, and Piccollo (and all those can be great)...we sat at the bar, I highly recommend you do too if you're looking for a New York eatery vibe, anyway wherever you sit, try the burrata with fig and pancetta appetizer,...it's amazing. The Bolognese is the best in the city (yes even better than the famous one serve at La Scala. The wine list is terrific, the service is edgy, a little rough around the edges but that's what you want here I think...this aint La Cachette, this is fun eating. Perfect with your love or a pal, loud, dark, sexy, hip and definitely what annoying L.A. needs: good food for foodies who are tired of "foodie" restaurants. I give it a Aminus.-COLLAPSE
Okay, this is officially my most favorite Italian kitchen in L.A. Mozza Osteria is better than Angelini Osteria, better than Madeo's, Il Pastaio, Via Veneto, Locanda Veneto, and Piccollo (and all those can be great)...we sat at the bar, I highly recommend you do too if you're looking for a New York eatery vibe, anyway wherever you sit, try the burrata with fig and pancetta appetizer,...it's...+READ
Okay, this is officially my most favorite Italian kitchen in L.A. Mozza Osteria is better than Angelini Osteria, better than Madeo's, Il Pastaio, Via Veneto, Locanda Veneto, and Piccollo (and all those can be great)...we sat at the bar, I highly recommend you do too if you're looking for a New York eatery vibe, anyway wherever you sit, try the burrata with fig and pancetta appetizer,...it's amazing. The Bolognese is the best in the city (yes even better than the famous one serve at La Scala. The wine list is terrific, the service is edgy, a little roguh around the edges but that's what you want here I think...this aint La Cachette, this is fun eating. Perfect with your love or a pal, loud, dark, sexy, hip and definitely what annoying L.A. needs: good food for foodies who are tired of "foodie" restaurants. I give it a Aminus. T-COLLAPSE
Had a mediocre meal last night at $350. But the worst part was waiting for our car which took over 30 minutes. While w were waiting we witnessed n incident wherein a lavet totalled some customers car and then wouldn't even come out to help with the situation unti on of hte car owners made a scene in the restaurant.I will deifnitley not return again. And they refused to pay the guy back his $7.50...+READ
Had a mediocre meal last night at $350. But the worst part was waiting for our car which took over 30 minutes. While w were waiting we witnessed n incident wherein a lavet totalled some customers car and then wouldn't even come out to help with the situation unti on of hte car owners made a scene in the restaurant.I will deifnitley not return again. And they refused to pay the guy back his $7.50 lavet fee after smaching up his car.-COLLAPSE
Osteria Mozza is amazing. The attention to quality authentic Pasta has surpassed any other restaurant I have ever been to. Order any of the pasta's, I heard the pasta cook is the best in LA, for he learned at the Top restaurants in Italy. Best food I have ever had.
I ate at Mozza last week. I was very excited because of all of the hype. Although the food was okay, the service was pretty terrible. My friend never got her wine until the third course, and our salad was "forgotten"...had to remind the waiter,