Osteria Mozza

When Boyfriend was out of town visiting some friends in New York, I took the opportunity to go out with some friends ... every single night. One night I actually had no plans and got home early from work, so I took the opportunity to drive out to Osteria Mozza and have a solo leisurely dinner by myself.

The restaurant was fairly empty when I arrived fifteen minutes after the dinner seating started, which was nice because I've come to Osteria Mozza before during dinner hour and waited over 1.5 hours for a seat. I brought along my book and my (nice) camera and had a grand time to myself. Bar seating was the best option for me at the time, as I could take advantage of the Amaro Bar menu. Every Sunday through Thursday, you can get a three-course menu for $42 - one item from Nancy's Mozzarella Bar (or share the Mozzarella Tasting for two), a pasta, a dessert and a glass of either Bastianich Friulano or La Mozza Morellino di Scansano. As I wasn't going to drink, I was offered juice or soda in its place.

amuse bouche - crostini, goat cheese, olive tapenade, basil

diet coke in lieu of wine

smoked stracchino crostone - tiny lettuces, shaved spring vegetables

squid ink chitarra freddi - Dungeness crab, sea urchin, jalapeno

The one time I had come to Osteria Mozza, I ordered this cold pasta dish because who doesn't love urchin and Dungeness crab? Now I'm totally hooked. I thought about getting another dish but I couldn't resist. The restaurant is definitely NOT skimpy with either the crab or the sea urchin. Every single mouthful was enjoyed - if you haven't tried this pasta, you definitely need to do so because it is a revelation. How come I have an Italian boyfriend and he can't make me pastas like this? He only makes me Easy Mac.

strawberry & fig crostata - meyer lemon panna cotta with saba

The bartender was a bit ... hesitant to review the different desserts with me. I know I'm not a huge expert in oh, speaking Italian, but he was kind of snide and rude in answering the different questions I had about the Italian words on the dessert menu. Not everyone knows what "bombolini" is!

If you ever find yourself along the Melrose area on a Sunday through Thursday night, definitely stop by and take advantage of this menu. The prices at Osteria Mozza, while not crazy expensive, are not on the cheap side either so this Amaro Bar Menu is a great deal. Seating at the bar only, so if you get there early then you are definitely guaranteed a seat with a minimum wait time.

Osteria Mozza

6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038