Angelini Osteria, Los Angeles, CA is one of the better Italian restaurants in the area. Judging by its name, $$$, and food pictures, you would expect it to be a fancy, high-class restaurant. Which it is, but not in an obvious and expected kind of way. This Italian restaurant is actually a tiny one with tables and seating all cramped together in an uncomfortable way. Your personal bubble definately gets violated, but all of that is soon forgotten when you finally taste their food. It is amazing.
lasagna verde “omaggio nonna elvira” spinach pasta, besciamella, beef & veal ragu – I think this is one of their main dishes that is most ordered, talked about, and most liked. It is just amazing. The spinach pasta is soft and full of subtle spinach flavors. The besciamella sauce isn’t too overpowering so you can also taste the pasta!! Judging from the name of the dish, I can only guess that it is spinach layered on top! I don’t know if you can tell, but it was crispy and crunchy! Almost like chips? Have you guys ever eaten dried seaweed “papers” from those little snacks before? It’s almost like that. And how brilliant! I enjoyed the crisp spinach with the soft and tender lasagna underneath. This is, hands down, the best lasagna I have ever had.
whole branzino roasted in sea salt with aromatic herb – I wish I was able to take a picture of the fish before they skinned out the meat for us, but everything happened so fast that I didn’t get a chance to! Our waiter brought out our whole fish, which looked huge! Right in front of us, he gave us a quick demonstration of skinning the fish and plating it for us. Everyone nearby watched and was amazed at his quick and graceful skills. The branzino was very tender and flaky!
lamb chops scottadito – grilled Colorado lamb chops, arugula – I wish I knew what seasoning they cooked these lamb chops in! They were so good! Even the bed of arugula was lightly seasoned. The lamb chops were easy to eat off of and retained so much juices and flavors.
This petite restaurant makes you feel like you’re eating within a small crowd: you can hear and see everybody. Your table is almost like it isn’t your table because you are just so close to your neighbors, but that’s okay. It gives a sense of closeness among the clients and the waiters AND it is LA so what can you expect! The decor is still upscale and cutely decorated with plants. The food is just above par. This is definately a restaurant to re-visit due to the fineness of the food. I would come back and for their lasagna especially!
