Saturday night dining anywhere is often a no-no, but when traveling
one has no choice. We chose one of LA's hottest locations as we knew
Samuel likes pasta. ANGELINI OSTERIA (www.angeliniosteria.com) at 7313
Beverly Blvd in West LA is a place you must got with a reservation. We
arrived for our 7pm table only to wait about 20-25 minutes and see
over 7 people without reservations turned away. The place is tiny, but
well worth the wait. Ours hostess offered a glass of wine, which we
were charged for on the bill at the end of the night (it was
ultimately removed). Sam had a Ginger Ale, while we quaffed a GAVI
2009 La Guistiniana that was quite nice.
We sat down to delicious flatbread (the regular bread was okay) which
I repeatedly gobbled down all night.
Samuel was in a plain pizza mood so we ordered the Margherita without
the sausage and he loved it. I would not order pizza here because the
other items are unreal.
Will and I split every dish starting with two starters:
ANCHOVIES were Fresh and served over a huge bed of ARUGULA & Greens
over a plate of BEETS. Simple but superb. The Braised BABY ARTICHOKE
Hearts in Casserole of Olive Oil & Garlic were divine.
Our server (the ever handsome Andrea from Sardinia) suggested the
FEUDI di SAN GREGORIO Greco di Tufo 2007 from Campania that we always
enjoy, but this was a great pairing with the TAGLIOLINI with WHITE
TRUFFLES. These were our first ones in quite some time and a little
honeymoon treat that was just amazing.
The one main course we split was Farm Raised LIBERTY Breast of DUCK
with SPINACH and Aged Balsamic Vinegar. I was not sure about duck and
vinegar, but it proved to be an ideal creation and a carafe of
SAGRANTINO di MONTEFALCONE 2004 from Umbria was a perfect foil. The
wines are varied and reasonable and many are available by the carafe
making this not a rip off SoCal kinda place, but a down to earth
Italian bistro with damn good food that people line up to get into!
We thought about dessert but the hostess brought out two cups of
vanilla gelato with candles as everyone sang "Happy Wedding" or
whatever....it was fun and we went home very full and very happy.
