Oste Review: Why I don’t hate Italian food in LA anymore and am deeply impressed

7:30 Monday we made reservations and thankfully we did, because it was so busy. The place was packed almost to the sidewalk. We sat outside on a transparently covered pavement protected from windy traffic. 

We could hear everyone’s immediate conversations around us in multiple languages, and it was really loud. My date and I had to raise our voice to hear each other, and kept conversation at an essential minimum. 

The server was exceptionally kind without being oily, and was impeccable at adding personality without being over the top and bland. He had us served quickly, friendly, and calmly no matter how stressed he could have been. It was that busy, but we felt like we were the only ones there, because we were served so promptly and benevolently. 

To Drink:

Sparkling water

Peroni 

It seems we both wanted something simple and fresh. I am not much of a drinker and have been known to hoard sparkling water at home. This is simply my go-to, because it does not take away from my taste buds being prepared. 

To Dine: 

Bread

Pappardelle Alla Vaccinara: braised oxtail rague, parmigiano, rosemary oil

Frutti Di Mare: Homemade squid ink tagliatelle, tiger prawns, calamari, mussels, marinara

The bread was doughy and how I regularly make it at home. The perfect consistency, light, but still filling. Warm and fresh like a small hug. I am not exaggerating. Good bread will make you feel at home and safe. Good cooking opens up your heart like this. Considering this was what started us – we were in for a treat. 

I knew I wanted red meat, a good amount of it, and it was more than perfect. The pasta felt so fresh. It was wide how I like it and not too stiff. The red oxtail sauce was filling, flavourful, and I have a feeling it was cooked for 4-6 hours. That level of tenderness and falling apart. It was definitely cooked in an old European method where bad weather kept you in to warm up your home and your body. It was not greasy and had the perfect amount of heaviness. The type of fulness you get with a stew, and I even left a few bites left. Overflowing with satisfaction.

My date, on the other hand, finished every bite of his plate. The Frutti Di Mare was something a Mediterranean boy from Tunisia was familiar with enough to know if the seafood was fresh. This was real seafood from the fish monger. The kind my dad would wake up at 5am to make sure he was one of the first in queue at the docks of Newport Beach to make sure he got multiple bags of oysters and other seafood. I felt it on my multiple forks of it. The flavour, the salt, the colour. It was the ocean on a plate and served every sense a human has. 

Dessert:

Tiramisu

Lemon sorbet

Affogato

My face had me contorting all sorts of new muscles I did not know I had when my sweetheart let me try his lemon sorbet. It was full of flavour yet does not stay on your tongue like garlic long after the dinner. 

I had the affogato, because I am addicted to coffee and cream naturally. The espresso was quite the hit and I am definitely coming back just for the taste of their coffee alone. I love a proper espresso as I have at least three a day at home. But not like this. This is the stuff that puts hair on your chest and makes you want to speak Italian passionately with a lot of attitude. (Which I definitely practised before attending this dinner date, because sometimes staff is an Italian family.) 

The tiramisu was taken home, because my date always wants something sweet late at night. I have never met a real life midnight snacker until about nine months ago. This is a real ritual in our apartment. Rich, creamy, soft. Cough when you accidentally inhale the coffee dust. Ideal.

The word to describe the entire experience was fresh.

Refreshing how fresh it was. My date was there with friends a couple years ago when he first came to California, and was blown away again today. We are happy campers who definitely plan on returning. I hope this place remains open for many, many years.

Everything they seemed to touch was authentic, truly reminding me of visits to Italy, and all the Italian foods I make for hours when spending a day cooking at home. I do not regularly go out to eat, specifically seeking Italian food, because American ‘Italian’ food is absolutely abhorrent, belongs in cat litter, and a crime against Italy. This needs discussing at UN meetings.Multiple meetings. 

This is truly abysmal and made me hate Italian food outside Italy. I hope this sounds harsh, because restaurants that call themselves Italian in the United States are a disgrace and need to get their act together before publishing themselves as such. 

Oste turned things around.

But Oste has immensely turned Italian food around in Los Angeles for the best by setting the standard back where it needs to be. Perhaps even higher. If you are craving sincere Italian cooking, book a reservation. Don’t hesitate. You will not regret a second of it and your friends will love you more for suggesting it. [Insert champagne glasses being raised]. 

Make reservations on their website: https://www.ostelosangeles.com/ 

8142 W 3rd St

Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 413 – 2372

Hours: 

Wednesday – Saturday 12pm – 10pm

Sunday – Tuesday 12pm – 9:30 pm

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