Return to Mozza
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Service: A+
Food: A++
Wallet: Not too bad. Choose right, and its in the 15-20 range per person. More, if you're feeling expansive.
If you're a regular reader, you know that here at the Ranch, we love some good italian food.
Mozza does NOT dissapoint!
If you've tried to walk in and get a table, you've probably been shut down. If you've tried to call ahead for that special meal for 8, you're probably still waiting. The truth is, somehow, in this town of endless restaurants, they still keep 'em waiting, after a year of steady business. This project of Mario Battali and Nancy Silverton keeps going strong.
However, if you're flexible on the time, have a smaller group (usually 4) and occassionally, you're willing to sit at the bar, well... you're in for a great time.
With a friend in town, we decided to hit Mozza for some lunch - sans reservations.
We ended up seated at the bar. Very italian style, we chatted up a couple of folks sitting next to us, compared dining choices, and ended up sharing tastes of a variety of menu options.
We started with some wine choices - the quartino ends up giving you about a full glass and a half of wine. Less commitment than the full bottle, and more than just a taste. With three of us, it was a nice small portion (it WAS the middle of the day) and we had a white and red selection (The Quatro Mani Montepulciano, which we've already reviewed elsewhere in the blog, always a solid choice, and the Soave Classico)
For starters, we had the Arrancine alla bolognese - rice balls with cheese, coated and deep fried, with a light meat sauce to give some edge to it. These go down VERY quickly... you might need two orders.
We also had the backed olives - Whole green and black olives, heated in an earthen crock with oil, garlic and citrus zest. Just to warm them through and season them with herbs. Very tasty.
Finally, there were the Squash blossoms with ricotta. These are deep fried. Tasted JUST like the ones in Rome. Fantastic.
So, now, after some sips of wine, some grissini (breadsticks), appetizers, and conversation with our bar-mates, we not only felt very italian, but we were ready for the main course.
Among us - two pizza choices -
Speck, bufala mozzarella, olive tapanade & oregano - melt in your mouth goodness, and the
Funghi misti, fontina, taleggio & thyme - The rich buttery mushrooms, offset by the tartness of the cheese. One of the best mushroom pizzas you're ever going to eat.
Our bar-mates also had the Clams, garlic, oregano, parmigiano & pecorino pizza. Herb-y, rich, meaty clams, and great sauce.
Although we didn't have it this time, the sausage pizza is also exceptional.
There are other choices, other pizzas, main dishes, etc, but we felt this was good for a lunch.
We were not disappointed. Thin, crisp crusts, fantastic fresh toppings. Tastes like you're sitting in a piazza in Florence.
On the recommendation of the bartender, we also enjoyed the Banana Cream Gelato Pie and the Butterscotch Pudding with savory crackers. Get the pudding.
I'm sorry - was I not clear? Leave... leave now - go there and get the pudding. Its outstanding. Rich, creamy... tastes just like mom used to make - if mom was a classicly trained chef... exceptional.
Our server at the bar was prompt, friendly and informative. Great recommendations.
We haven't hit up the Osteria Mozza next door, with its fine dining options, but that's another blog...
Make the effort. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy.
BLT Steak and the Avalanche
BLT Steak 8720 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood 90069
Btwn N Sherbourne Dr & Sunset Plaza Dr
Food: A+
Service: A+
Value: Bring your wallet, but its worth every penny.
Bistro Laurent Tourondel -
First things first: This is not a standard review. We had the luxury of being at BLT with a friend of a friend of the chef. This is going to skew the selections, but in the interest of full disclosure, you should always bring a friend of the chef wherever you go. This resulted in an avalance of edible delights that defies description.
Having said that -
BLT greets you like a traditional, upscale, NY steakhouse. Bright, modern, with hip touches, like the giant chalkboard listing specials of the day, wines, and cheeses available. The slaughterhouse chart on the back of the menu, showing you where cuts of beef originate, and the dark tables matched with suede banquettes for lounging and dining.
To Start - Large wine list, busy busy bar (with matching scene of young and old, hip and not so much, and those seeking to see or be scene.
Our party started with cocktails and some wines. None of which disappointed.
A crock of chicken liver pate arrived, to whet your pallatte. Note, I say yours - because I personally don't care for it, but those who had it said it was delicious. Thick cut sourdough accompanied it. Also on the house, for all, gruyere popovers. Yes... that's right. These are a meal in themselves. I highly recommend them. Get extras. Hide them in your jacket. Sell them on ebay. They're that good.
Now, there's so much that we ordered (and that which we didn't, that just arrived on its own, compliments of the chef) that I must suspend some of the regular prose, and list off what delicious items tempted our indulgence:
Appetizers:
Caesar Salad - Large. Great dressing. Cheese for days. This alone could have been lunch.
Tuna Tartare - Arrives in a cube of tasty goodness. Served on ice, with a side of crisps. This on its own could be a meal (especially after the popovers).
Hamachi with coriander vinagrette. Fresh. Spicy. Delicious. Rivals any that you would get in the best sushi places around town.
Others - We didn't get it but honestly, any place where BACON is its own appetizer, is my kind of place. Yes, bacon. Just bacon. Double cut, smoked bacon. .... next time.... We also enjoyed a charcuterie platter and a lovely buratta and tomato salad.
Mains:
Ok, again, we didn't ORDER all of this... it just arrived. I've included sides here, although they could be their own discussion. I should mention that many of the sides are small. This lets you get a number of them, to share (or, so you don't pass out at the table). But, don't be surprised that many items are several spoonfuls or so...
Seven Pepper Crusted Bone In Dry Aged Ribeye. Served with clove of roasted garlic and a bone of marrow. Yes... it was just a giant (22oz) steak, deliciously prepared. Two of us SPLIT this.
Bone In Ribeye - 22oz. Served in the same way as above. Delicious.
Beef Shortribs - This comes in its own metal crock, falling off the bone with a sweet and savory reduction and crust. It might make you weep.
Baked Fried and Sauteed Hash Browns. No - that's all one dish. The result is a pan of potatoes that has a golden crust, soft and melting interior and just right for crunching your way through.
Onion Ring Tower - Just what it sounds like. Light, almost tempura-style batter.
Grilled Asparagus - Just in case you were feeling healthy.
Stuffed Mushroom Caps - yep. Topped with cheese, in case the healthy-factor needed to be offset.
Hen of the Woods mushrooms - Not to everyone's taste, but prepared with a glorious garlic and butter reduction.
Creamed Spinach - Standard Steakhouse fare. Prepared well.
Then, there was dessert - Don't ask why. I'm just telling you that it happened.
We opted to NOT go for the cheese selection. I asked. They had very nice cheese, but hey - you could also get the Chocolate Malted Ice Cream Brownie cake, the flourless chocolate cake, the espresso brownies, the Crepe Souffle with passionfruit sause, or the peanut butter mousse cake.
We wept. With joy... but still... wept.
Again, not light on the wallet, but you'll want for nothing upon departing.
