CASA NOSTRA
825 W. Ninth St., Los Angeles • (213) 362-3311
Casa Nostra in the Palisades Highlands has opened a new restaurant in downtown L.A. next door to the famous Tavern. The Highlands restaurant has developed into a happy neighborhood destination, up the hill from Sunset Boulevard, and the new downtown eatery offers the same fine quality Italian food for lunch or dinner. Best of all, for a downtown restaurant, if you drive around the corner into the building garage you get two hours of free validated parking.
To get to the downtown Casa Nostra just take the first Ninth Street exit from the 110 Freeway and within the second short block you will spot the restaurant on your left. When you exit the parking garage you will find yourself on an outdoor patio with an entry into the Casa Nostra outdoor seating area. There is also a doorway into the bar and indoor restaurant.
A look around reveals a modern establishment with a lively bar with TVs above, and an open-beam ceiling with skylight and interior dining room, along with a glassed-in dining area off the Ninth Street side of the restaurant.
Attractive as the décor is, the food is most compelling. My son and I began with paper-thin slices of smoked swordfish and fresh tuna with mixed greens tossed in extra-virgin olive oil and lemon, all for $15. A plate of thinly sliced carpaccio topped with shaved truffles and Parmesan ($18) was equally delicious. These were specials of the day. Other antipasti offers include bruschetta ($6), antipasto Italiano with prosciutto di Parma, salami, mortadella, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives and Parmesan nuggets ($16).
Many of the salads listed are served in half or whole portions, and range from $7 to $10. There is a trio of special salads: the steak salad with sliced prime New York steak ($22), a Niçoise salad with fresh cold poached salmon ($18) and a Caesar salad with grilled marinated chicken ($16).
Risotto with lobster was another special of the day. What a treat to enjoy succulent pieces of lobster in a flavorful risotto. This special was $25, while most pastas and risottos are in the $14 to $18 price range. Gluten-free pasta and whole-wheat pasta are available upon request.
Entrées vary from Milanese-style veal ($26) and steaks ($28) to roasted half-chicken ($18), fish selections and cioppino ($26). The latter is superb, with its array of shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams and fish all in a fragrant light tomato broth accented with croutons and scallions.
Of course there are pizzas, in the $12 to $14 price category, with add-ons for $1 or $2. Service is caring and first-rate, just as you would expect here in the Palisades.
If you work downtown or are going early to the theater, there is Happy Hour at the bar after 3 p.m., with a number of specials priced from $5 to $9. Crab cakes or fried calamari are in the $9 price category, while penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce is only $5, and mussels marinara is $7.
A dessert of a light Italian soufflé and coffee made a fine finish to our dinner. There is daily full-bar service, lunch, Happy Hour and dinner. Catering and take-out are also offered.
TASTE
538 Palisades Dr., Pacific Palisades • (310) 459-9808
Tortilla Republic, West Hollywood’s favorite modern Mexican restaurant, is hosting weekly pop-up dinners at Taste in the Palisades Plaza (just off Sunset) every Thursday, allowing us all to experience this contemporary Mexican cuisine close to home. Taste will serve a rotating menu of Tortilla Republic’s signature dishes alongside innovative soju (Korean clear-grain alcohol) margaritas.
SADDLE PEAK LODGE
419 Cold Canyon Rd.,Calabasas • (818) 222-3888
On April 25, this first-class restaurant will be offering a wine dinner featuring Quintessa vineyards wines, with Chef Christopher Kufek’s special tasting menu. Hand-selected wine pairings are available with each course (either the eight-course or five-course option). The cost is $125 per person (tax excluded).
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