Villetto - SM

[gordo26]

Anyone been yet? Heard the pizzas were very good and am anxious to see what a multi million dollar refurbishment gets you.

[skinanny]

The pizzas are great. Great place, to sit outside and have a drink, and star watch.

[maudies5]

No buzz at all about this place. The only ones I know who have been there are investors and friends of the investors.

[Phurstluv]

Interesting, interesting. I'd figured you'd been there by now, maudie5. I'm just amazed that the small area of Brentwood can support soooo many Italian restaurants.

[maudies5]

Nope. My tastes run to Trattoria Italian... I think a recent article in the NY Times said it well, well they described "Italian Food as something your grandmother would make...."
The menu at Villetta seems very complicated and pretentious. Honestly, I have no idea how all of those Italian restaurants in Brentwood survive. Some appear to always be packed (Toscana, being the best example). Osteria Latini is busy, I have no idea how the other places survive. Toscana is busy because (IMHO) of the lack of pretension.. They will prepare anything which suits your mood (within reason), there is no "siberia." One is as likely to be seated next to an A list celebrity as a local family. That is why I love Toscana and why the regulars keep returning. t's a neighborhood place. The new kid on the block isn't generating a lot of love in the neighborhood.

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Osteria Latini
11712 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Toscana Restaurant
11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90049

[yogachik]

I love Pizzicoto the best of all of them (besides Toscana).

[maudies5]

I can't believe I forgot to mention Pizzicoto. I love that place, especially for lunch. They have a chicken panini that is to die for.

[skinanny]

I think they just need to work the kinks out, and they will be fine. It has a really good vib. I do agree with "siberia", although last time I was there a really big star was sitting in "siberia" and didn't seem to mind at all.

[Servorg]

Now I have to go if only to try this dish:

tagliolini with santa barbara uni, parma butter and meyer lemon - $19 (that makes me think of "Summer" in the same way that Joni Mitchell's "Hissing of Summer Lawns" does...)

[Phurstluv]

I still have yet to go there, even after my DH was working right down the street, sometimes, I feel like I live in a cave!! I knew the family who was maitre d' at Toscana, their kids went to the same preschool as mine. But I believe he went over to Villetta. Anyway, will have to get there one of these days. They are open for lunch, right?

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Villetta
246 26th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402

[maudies5]

Not open for lunch.

[Phurstluv]

Bummer. That's probably why I haven't been yet. Will have to take the whole family to dinner there soon then.

[lizziee]

Going saturday night. What part of the restaurant is Siberia?

[skinanny]

It just depends on the weather. When you walk in, the patio is great "if" its warm outside, the heaters that they have, don't cut it when its cold. Either of the other two rooms are great. When I was last there, we sat outside, it was a warm evening, and Sophie Loren walked in and she sat in one of the other rooms, so maybe I was in Siberia! Have fun!

[yogachik]

It's called Villetta.