Angelini Osteria
I'm thinking about taking my wife here for her birthday on Friday. I'm looking for excellent food, while my wife prefers good food, but is really into a romantic decor with a decent probability of seeing celebrities. In the past for her birthday we've gone to Il Sole and The Ivy which were both good for what she's looking for.
I may have screwed up her present, so want to get this right. Any thoughts?
PS: She doesn't like French.
THANKS!
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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Il Sole
8741 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
By jranen
on Oct 29, 2009 05:03 PM
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Angelini Osteria has wonderful food but I don't think you would fairly be able to describe the atmosphere as romantic. I also don't think of it as being a celebrity hang. Osteria Mozza might do a better job for you in this area.
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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
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Agreed. While I love Angelini it isn't romantic (too loud and brightly lit) and I've never seen a celeb. Osteria Mozza is a better bet for excellent food plus celeb sighting. Though if your wife loves Il Sole and The Ivy, manku's suggestion is dead on....food isn't as good, but definitely meets your wife's requirements.
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Il Sole
8741 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
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First of all, all I see are celebrities and studio chefs when I go there -- but it's very inside, so you have to know what Sumner Redstone looks like or your favorite movie director. It helps if you're in the biz. This is where my husband and I go for special occasions -- not for atmosphere (it's a neighborhood tratorria) but b/c the food is amazing. So agree, go with another option if you want a romantic restaurant --
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I'm with Silverlaker - definitely celebs at Angelini.
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Agree with everyone that Angelini has wonderful food, but it is not romantic. I am not a fan of Osteria Mozza especially because of the noise level and variable service. I can't imagine having a romantic dinner at a restaurant where it is too noisy to speak. If you are not concerned about spending somewhat more, two restaurants that come to mind immediately as being romantic would be Valentino in Santa Monica, or the garden at Michael's also in S.M.
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ditto and ditto -- go to Angelini Osteria for superb Italian fare -- especially Nonna's superb Lasagne Verdi.
Avoid Ost Mozza... overpriced, underwhelming and poor service.
Perhaps Hatfields? (I haven't gone to the new venue...)
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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
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I ate at Angelini Osteria a few weeks ago and while it was good, I wouldn't characterize my meal as excellent, although the service was. I did have an amazing pasta (spaghetti with Santa Barbara prawns and bottarga) at Via Veneto in Santa Monica last week and saw a few celebrities. It's as small as AO, but the atmosphere is much more romantic. It seems to be lit entirely by candles. I'd recommend getting a later reservation so you're not rushed.
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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Via Veneto
3009 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
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You might have a better shot at celeb spottings at Madeo or Cecconi.
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Madeo Restaurant
8897 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
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That's an easy one...Georgio Baldi in the Palisades (or is it Santa Monica?)...decent food, nice ambiance, lotsa celebrities.
Considering your wife likes Il Sole and The Ivy, this one fits like a glove.
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Il Sole
8741 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
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I'm not sure I'd call Giorgio di Baldi romantic. Cozy! Which is another words for cramped. They pack you in there.
Chez Mimi is romantic. Cicada - which is downtown - I'd also put on that list. If you're looking for celebs I'd go to Madeos - but I don't find that particularly romantic.
I'd second the garden at Michael's.
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Madeo Restaurant
8897 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Chez Mimi Restaurant
246 26th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
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I love the food at Angelini. As other posters have noted, I probably wouldn't describe it as particularly romantic. But I have seen a couple of celebs there (Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer).
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I just have to share this: yesterday lunch, I had veal tongue with green sauce, and chestnut/mushroom ravioli in brown butter. Both were heavenly! Great food, but not romantic.
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Not romantic, but lovely trattoria with crowded tables. Very nice marrow bone dinner and trofie (small twirly pasta with shrimp, spinach tomato, could have been a bit more spice to them), wonderful mussel/claim with garlic and tomato sauce
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Speaking of celebs, Angelini Osteria, and Mozza, the one "celebrity" I've seen eating at Angelini Osteria is Nancy Silverton.
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I was looking for the quintessential Italian eatery in LA; yes, I am a bit thwarted, being from New Jersey and all. I just visited Anelini Osteria for the first time this past Tues eve. The place was bustling for 9:00 on a Tuesday and I was immediately taken by all of the commotion, close tables and general atmosphere.
My first disappointment came when there was no octopus salad remaining (one of the draws to select AO). Next, my companion had a glass of one of his favorite wines, Arneis but he thought this particular Arneis was underwhelming. On the other hand, I had a wonderful Brunello to which my companion switched.
The meal was served with a crispy flatbread, an olive bread and an Italian bread with olive oil. Nothing notable except my companion did ask for and never received butter.
We began with a mixed green, beet and buratta salad. The combination of the beets and buratta was wonderful with the textures blending perfectly. Next, we moved on to split the seafood gnocchi. I enjoyed but was not ‘wowed’ by the meal. The shrimp stood out well though there were not many shrimp or mussels and I was unable to distinguish other seafood. Last, we split the whole Branzino roasted in sea salt. The fish was moist and delicate, served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Though the broccoli rabe was salty, it was my companion’s favorite vegetable while I thought the cauliflower was more cooked to perfection.
In summary, the service was mediocre, and though I did enjoy the overall dining experience, I did not find this to be the quintessential Italian eatery … still searching.
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I tried Angelini Osteria for the first time for my friend's birthday. I loved the beet and buratta appetizer. I wouldn't mind if the beets were sliced thicker. I could eat this appetizer all the time because I really like beets, and the buratta was very good, too. If you like beets, then definitely try it.
The chicken liver appetizer with green beans was also good, but I felt that the liver was slightly undercooked. My friend's veal raviloli (?) was better than the big salted fish (Branzino?) that I ordered and much cheaper, too.
Our waiter was excellent. I wish I knew his name. He was very kind and helpful and seemed like he was from Italy because I heard him speaking Italian.
We also tried the pistachio ice cream (gelato?). It was rich and creamy and tasted great.
I really liked this place, and it was definitely an unusual dinner and a special treat. Only complaint is the space of the restuarant is a bit tight and small. Wish they had a larger venue.
One more thing-- the olive oil that came with the bread basket was so good. I should've asked what they use. It seemed to be extra extra extra virgin, from Italy, and it had great flavor. If anyone knows what kind of olive oil it is, please post. Thanks. :)
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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
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my husband and i just ate at angelini for the first time. we went for our anniversary and it is NOT a romantic atmosphere. the tables are right on top of each other if you are a two top. the meal was ok, but not what i was hoping for. did enjoy the lasagna verde. service was decent but started to lag as the room filled up. glad we tried but probably wont go back.
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Absolutely agree with you that Angelini is not romantic at all...see my post above! In fact, although I said that the food was wonderful, the last time we were there, the food was just ok, and definitely not wonderful!
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