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Osteria Mozza

323-297-0100
6602 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA  90038
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Avg User Rating
 
(3 ratings)
Cuisine: Italian
Price Range: $$$$ ($21-$29)
Irene
STAFF
S. Irene Virbila, LA Times Restaurant Critic
 

THE white marble counter top veined in gray is cool to the touch. I take a sip of Vermentino, enjoying its delicate minerality, and look...

Times Description

You won’t find an osteria like this in Italy – it is truly an L.A. concoction. Owners Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich (son of Lidia) are more aptly riffing on Italian cuisine, and put simply, it works.  The interior is all simplicity and clean lines, with dark wood and white marble accents. The restaurant’s raison d’etre is the striking mozzarella bar where you may catch Silverton preparing the namesake cheese. You will do fine with pretty much anything on the menu, but standouts include the little gem lettuce salad, grilled octopus, tortellini stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and grilled quail wrapped in pancetta. It’s casual and lively, with loud music piping through the dining room – and, anytime you go, it’s hopping with all kinds: celebs, industry folks, trendy scenesters, serious foodies and everything in between. Pastry chef Dahlia Narvaez pulls out all the stops with her desserts, getting special raves for the cheesecake drizzled with honey and the mini donuts with huckleberry compote. Neighboring Pizzeria Mozza is devoted solely to making pies, and they’re equally divine.


TIPS: The mozzarella bar sits 13 and the amaro bar seats 10, and it’s first-come, first-served. But the mozzarella bar in particular is a unique dining experience and so worth trying to score a seat. They have a two-bottle maximum corkage policy, 750 ml. each, for $20 per bottle.

User Reviews (2)

Showing 1 to 2 of 2 reviews

Reviews from Yelp_large (3)

  • Ss
    Posted by Ellen C. on Yelp_small
     

    VERY surprised with how good this place is (ambiance, food, service). The hype is right! Skip the valet and as you get seated, you can leave your coat with...

  • Blank_user_extra_small
    Posted by Seichan G. on Yelp_small
     

    Officially my number one favorite Italian restaurang in LA now. The only downside to Osteria Mozza is the fact that you have to plan ahead and make...

  • Ss
    Posted by Eli G. on Yelp_small
     

    Michelin Star #16 For my birthday this year, my wonderful woman took me here for dinner. We weren't feeling like the tasting menu, so we opted for ordering...

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