Nicola Mastronardi, the previous chef on the now-closed Vincenti restaurant, is again in Brentwood with a brand new Italian restaurant referred to as Osteria Vera, which opened Might 20 within the former Pecorino area on San Vicente Boulevard. Along with a principally new menu, the inside has been given a serious refresh, with picket flooring changing the carpet and varnished picket tables taking the place of white tablecloths. In line with Mastronardi, the revamp is supposed to really feel trendy and contemporary, whereas the open kitchen offers the chef a commanding view of a now busier eating room.

Osteria Vera accomplice Giorgio Pierangali, who owned and operated Pecorino for 17 years earlier than closing in February, requested Mastronardi to maintain the cacio e pepe on the desk to fulfill regulars, however in any other case let the veteran chef prepare dinner at his approach The chef has eradicated the standard Italian requirements of first and second programs and as a substitute divided the menu into two sections: hot and cold. Highlights of the chilly part embody burrata topped with yellow and pink beets, hazelnut and balsamic; and roasted prawns with fava purée, chicory and guanciale.

Mastronardi is initially from Puglia, Italy, and mastered pasta making in Emilia-Romagna. The chef at all times has an Italian rhythm. “Osteria Vera means actual tavern, so I wish to make actual meals and residential recipes. I don't use quite a lot of cream,” he says. Mastronardi considers the orecchiette with selfmade sausage, rapini and toasted breadcrumbs a signature dish, whereas the octopus with broad beans, asparagus and artichokes displays the culinary type of Puglia. Mastronardi recommends the paccheri with langoustine, prawns, tomatoes and basil, and the tagliolini neri with contemporary cuttlefish ink topped with uni and prawns. Osteria Vera's family-friendly menu takes place in numerous Italian areas and is complemented by seasonal fish, meat and appetizer specialties to maintain regulars engaged.

A modern LA Italian restaurant with colorful art and wooden beams.

Uncovered brick partitions with trendy artwork at Osteria Vera.

Tables arranged in a modern dining room of an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles.

The previous Pecorino, now Osteria Vera, options uncovered counter tops and wooden flooring for an up to date really feel.

An open restaurant kitchen with a metal hood next to an exposed brick wall.

The open kitchen of Osteria Vera.

Mastronardi's foremost viewers has at all times been primarily based within the tony Westside neighborhood. “Everyone is aware of me on this space,” he says. Brentwood's Italian restaurant scene has been dominated for many years by Vincenti's, based by Maureen Vincenti, the spouse of iconic Italian chef Mauro Vincenti, who died in 1995, a yr earlier than the restaurant opened. For almost 25 years, Mastronardi's kitchen outlined a sublime Westside strategy to Italian delicacies rooted in seasonal components and traditional strategies earlier than it closed in 2022.

Different long-standing Italian eating places in Brentwood embody Toscana, Sor Tino, Divino, Palmeri, Amici and Peppone, to not point out newcomers Jon & Vinny's, Jemma di Mare and Casa Modena (previously Mio Babbo's and situated in Westwood). There is probably not a larger focus of mid-range Italian eating places anyplace in Los Angeles. Given the chef's lengthy historical past within the neighborhood and a sexy new inside, it would solely be a matter of time earlier than Brentwood's Italian, food-loving locals flock to Mastronardi's new house.

Osteria Vera is situated at 11604 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood, CA, 90049, and is open Monday via Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday till 11 p.m., and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 22:00. OpenTable.

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