A new crop of Italian restaurants are redefining the City of Angels’ dynamic dining scene.
PHOTO BY DYLAN JENI
ANGELINI RISTORANTE & BAR
Since opening on Beverly Boulevard in 2001, Angelini Osteria has been a go-to for Angelenos craving authentic Italian cuisine served in a warm, intimate environment. Favored by A-listers and regular folks alike, the neighborhood hot spot has finally spread its wings and expanded westward with Angelini Ristorante & Bar, its brand-new outpost at Palisades Village. “We have always wanted to bring our cuisine a little closer to the beach communities,” says the restaurant’s chef and owner, Gino Angelini, who runs Angelini with his wife, Elizabeth. “Many of our customers live on the West Side [so] the new restaurant serves as a natural progression.” Expect the same stellar dishes you can find at the Beverly Grove location, including linguini with sea urchin, the famous tagliolini al limone and more, along with some new items specific to the Palisades. “We’re excited to be right at the heart of Palisades Village, and to share our vision for what we know will be a standout restaurant in the community,” says Angelini. We have no doubt! angelinipalisades.com
PHOTO BY: KATRINA FREDERICK
BACETTI Located on a quiet corner of Echo Park is Bacetti, a recently opened restaurant whose name means “little kisses” in Italian. A collaboration between natural wine bar and bottle shop Tilda, chef Joel Stovall (Orsa & Winston, Il Fiore), general manager Bryan Carter (Night+Market and Kismet) and beverage manager Christian Clarke (Freehand Hotel’s Exchange Restaurant), the restaurant serves shareable plates of pasta, pizza and more, all in a stunning space designed by Stayner Architects. “Bacetti is a love letter to Rome, written from L.A.,” says Stovall. “We wanted to honor classic Roman dishes while infusing them with a California sensibility and allowing them to evolve and break the mold from time to time.” Standout dishes like savory focaccia with black olives, currants, rosemary and sea salt; broccoli with walnuts, garlic and anchovy; and any of the housemade pastas are all best enjoyed alongside one of the excellent natural wine options on hand. “The best restaurants in Rome are essentially neighborhood spots, holes in the wall where you’ll find genuine food in a warm setting,” says co-owner Jason Goldman. “We wanted Bacetti to have that same spirit, and to feel like a little bit of Rome in Echo Park.”bacetti-la.com
PHOTO BY: LIAM BROWN
CENTO Adding to West Adams’ burgeoning scene is Cento, the recently opened pasta-focused restaurant from chef Avner Levi, who before this made a name for himself with a popular lunchtime pasta pop-up downtown. “I’m Persian, and eating is a big part of my culture,” says Levi. “Gathering, eating, feasting—I’m all about being around family and friends, creating intimacy and relationships, and tapping into more than just the food.” Already a bustling hot spot, Cento has a gorgeous outdoor patio, but the real action happens inside, where diners can dig into dishes like sweet corn carbonara with pancetta, creme fraiche and white truffle; and squid ink paccheri with ‘nduja, prawns and serrano while soaking up the open kitchen’s lively energy and the infectious soundtrack. It all culminates in a truly memorable and delicious experience, with unique flavors and warm hospitality to boot. In short, Cento is what we all need after years of pandemic-related lockdown. “I think people come for [my and my team] just as much as they come for our food,” says Levi, who names the restaurant’s chicken liver pate and the desserts as personal favorites. “Hopefully, though, you do enjoy the food!” centopasta.com
PHOTO BY: JOSHUA WHITE
JON & VINNY’S SLAUSON “We really look at Jon & Vinny’s as an all-day Italian American diner,” says Vinny Dotolo, who, along with partner Jon Shook, runs one of L.A.’s most beloved go-tos for ingredient-led pastas, pizzas, fire-grilled veggies and more. After opening to instant success on Fairfax, the duo expanded J&V’s to Brentwood, and more recently opened on Slauson in View Park. Now, there are plans to debut more outposts—in Beverly Hills and Studio City, and, eventually, Miami. “We picked [the locations] based on gut feeling, as we have with all of our places. We liked the location and felt there was nothing exactly like what we are doing in close proximity, and we think they will be a good addition to the neighborhood,” Dotolo adds. “[Each location has its] own special nuance based on the floor plan and the size of the place,” says Shook. “Beverly Hills will be a little smaller and more quaint, [and in] the Valley we are working on getting a full liquor license, which would be the first of the Jon & Vinny’s! Miami has a later nightlife so the restaurant will have to reflect that lifestyle.” While COVID has made looking far ahead difficult, Dotolo notes that dream J&V locations include Tokyo, London and Sydney. Look out, world! jonandvinnys.com
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