So I went with a gal pal to one of those shi-shi places in Hollywood last week. It’s called Osteria Mozza, on Melrose. The place was listed on Zagat as one of THE places to spot celebrities and see or be seen in Hollywood during Oscar week. It had some great food and wine list reviews as well. My girlfriend was visiting from Florida, so we thought it a good opportunity to get into one of those “tough-to-get-into” places, enjoy the wine, have a fabulous meal… and do some serious people watching.
Here’s what we ordered:
Grilled Octopus with potatoes, celery & lemon $18
Bufala Mozzarellawith prosciutto di Parma $16
Insalata mista $8
Sauteed baby broccoli with chilies & vinegar $10
Orecchiette with sausage & Swiss chard $18
Sunchokes with caperi & salsa verde $10
And some wine from the Borello district – priced at $75.00/bottle.
Here’s what we liked:
The bread.
The cool people watching.
That’s it.
So – this restaurant on Hollywood’s (or ZAGAT’s) HOT list, gets a bad review in my book. The menu was over priced, the food overly greasy and/or buttery, and/or salty (which does NOT help we somewhat “diet conscious” types at all), and the wine a poor suggestion for a first wine of the evening.
And the worst part? The service was extremely underwhelming, if not down right dismal. They repeatedly took important pieces of silverware, and required that I ask multiple servers for replacements, and the only thing we DID like — the bread — required multiple inquiries as well before we were served any. I’m sorry, but if you are going to be one of the top restaurants in a major metropolitan area, you’ve got to get that “service” thing DOWN. If you have excellent, exceptional service, you can almost get away with mediocre food. Almost. This place served up mediocre to poor in both food and service.
And the REALLY worst part? This place was known by M.C. Nugget’s big-time ICM former agent, and said agent had been wanting to go there. How could I EVER take anyone to this place after that experience? What a disappointment!
So… as far as my post here is titled, I’d have to go with a resounding, “NOT.”
How’s that for harsh!? Sorry folks. It’s not like I didn’t TRY to enjoy the place or the menu. I relish what I do (and that covers a LOT of bases), and I feel it’s my job to make sure my peeps have a FABULOUS experience when they visit Tinsel Town. So, when you come – dine at Osteria Mozza at your own risk. Then ask me where to go for exquisite wining, dining, ambiance and people watching.
Stay tuned for my dish on the Oscar gifting suites, pre-Oscar festivities, and my all-too-Ms. Cheevious Oscar Viewing party which had its own share of technical difficulties!
Have a fantastic day my lovelies!
Oh! And since I didn’t post last week, I’ll try to shoot another one off in a few days.
Love you people! Mmmmmphhhuuhhhhh!
xoxo,
Ms. Cheevious
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Blog content copyright 2009, LISA JEY DAVIS a.k.a. Ms. Cheevious
This is why you can never go wrong with the Four Seasons Sunday Brunch. It always impresses, there’s almost always a celeb there, and if you’re nice and it’s a milestone birthday for you, perhaps they’ll buy you a mimosa. xo
Can always count on you for the TRUTH!
Harsh!!!!
Having been in the biz for over 30 years, i wholeheartedly agree, you can forgive either mediocre service or food but never both. And never at those prices! Hope your next experience is better! Maybe you should try my place Lis, I get great reviews!!!lolol
Love you, keep it coming sistah
Thanks for the tip! We will def NOT go there when we grace the streets of Hollywood. Maybe we can all get a bite for lunch while we’re visiting, you name the place tho’. xoxoxo
G-Love – you are so right! Miss that brunch! Yummmm…
Laura – I keep forgetting that you are actually IN the biz! Yeah – it was sad…
Lei – can’t wait to see you all and fill you in! 🙂
If anybody ever goes there again after this review, try the BURRATA. My friend Mimmo makes them and they are always AWESOME.
🙂
Thanks Clint – and thanks for stopping by! Always glad to get pointers from those “in the know.”
Mmm, burrata. There are a few places here in NYC that have AMAZING burrata. Ms C – next time you come here, I’ll take you!