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The Top 5: Italian Joints in Los Angeles
BY Kat Kittredge FOR LA2DAY.COM Oct 7, 2008
Los Angeles may not have bragging rights to a Little Italy of its own, but we can lay claim to some of the nation's best Italian food, right here at home. Mama Mia!
My fav 5 are as follows:
5. BRIGANTI
This unassuming spot has some of the best regional and seasonal Italian food around. For starters I like the gamberi e fagiole (shrimp and white beans) or the caprese (fresh buffalo mozzarella and tomato). This is the number one buffalo mozzarella in Los Angeles, made in-house. The pizza is outrageous with thin crispy crust and plenty of choice toppings. The gnocchi with pesto is beautiful and buonissimo, and the lamb shank is a great fall dinner.
THE DETAILS: Briganti
1423 Mission Street
South Pasadena
626.441.4663
www.brigantisouthpas.com
4. TRATTORIA TRE VENETZIA
If you're looking for something truly elegant and a little lavish, try one of the only restaurants in Pasadena to have a Michelin star. Order the sauteed fish with roasted Garlic, black pepper and soft polenta, a traditional fish dish of Laguna di Grado, or the ravioli filled with red beets and seasoned with brown butter, Parmigiano Reggiano and poppy seeds. This place is a little spendy, but worth the experience.
THE DETAILS: Trattoria Tre Venetzia
119 W. Green Street
Pasadena, CA
626.795.4455
3. VINCENTI RISTORANTE
Vincenti Ristorante offers authentically Northern Italian and innovative fare - gnocchi in tomato-squab sauce, sage-enhanced pumpkin-squash ravioli - along with well-prepared classics such as rotisserie-cooked whole fish, game birds, and steak - to name a scrumptious few. Ambiance is romantic, pastas are reasonably priced and service is stellar.
THE DETAILS: Vincenti
11930 San Vicenti Boulevard
Brentwood, CA 90049
310.207.0127
www.vincentiristorante.com
2. IL MORO
Il Moro also serves Northern Italian cuisine by Chefs who cook in an open-air kitchen. The grilled portobello mushroom appetizer, puff pastry stuffed with Brie, garlic and ham is a meal in itself, while the grilled lamb chops sprinkled with Provencal herbs and oyster-mushroom sauce is so juicy and flavorful you won't want to miss it. Top off your meal with a sinfully sweet caramel-doused pear tart or an ultra-creamy crème brulee.
THE DETAILS:Il Moro
11400 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310.575.3530
www.ilmoro.com
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