Eating Italian in L.A.

A restaurant has to be pretty good to win me over on the first visit. This was the case with my first meal at
ANGELINI OSTERIA, one of the many Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, the city in which I live. We seem to have a profusion of Italian restaurants and after you’ve eaten at them, they all begin to "taste alike". But not so with Angelini Osteria.

It is not an ostentatious restaurant…it doesn’t have to hit you over the head with size and fancy décor, because the moment you walk in, you smell what it does best. The wonderful aromas wafting through the air beckon you to sit down and eat. After being seated, we were given a generous table-sized basket of assorted breads. My favorite was, by far, the lavosh (crispy flatbread) which had the taste of herbs and hint of butter baked into it – YUM.
Their menu has a wonderful assortment of appetizers, salads, soups and entrees. I indulged with their mouth-watering Pumpkin Tortelli. It was delicious…melted in my mouth. For my entrée I selected the Roasted Branzino (baked in crusted salt). Baking fish in this method produces a moist, tender and exquisite outcome.

The service is attentive and efficient. They are welcoming and professional. Shortly after we arrived, the place was completely full. That always indicates that the restaurant is tried and tested. They do offer valet parking and it is best to make reservations if dining on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Remember, there is Italian and then, really GOOD Italian food. Learning to be discerning is not so difficult because the good ones always stand out!