Bestia (Los Angeles, CA)

After the four wonderful events of the L.A. Food & Wine Festival that I attended (#1, #2, #3 & #4), what better way to share the amazing time with my family of foodies than to… eat dinner at Bestia!

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Honestly, I was pretty much stuffed… but when the food started rolling in, it wasn’t hard to tasting a bit here and there… and then reach for seconds and thirds!

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I’m getting ahead of myself, so let me show you around the restaurant, which takes advantage of its location in the Arts District to shape its distinctive vibe.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

The interior is rustic and with exposed brick and ductwork, plus metal fixtures, but it’s all beautifully put together.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Lastly before sharing the food, we brought along some wine, which is of some interest to my readers.  I’ll try to remember to share the wines we drink, because it is part of the dining experience!  This time, we uncorked a 2010 No Girls from the La Paciencia Vineyard.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Now, to the food and drink!

White Negroni
gin. kina l’avion d’or. suze. grapefruit oils.

Chef’s Old Fashioned
lardo infused bourbon. hickory smoked sugar. angostura bitters. salt. 

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Farro Salad
shaved cauliflower. avocado purée. pickled sweet chili. mint. montasio. 

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

We are a farro loving family!  It was cooked slightly tougher than usual, but I liked the nuttiness!

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck
arugula, pickled shallots, mint, marcona almonds, pickled chilies, salsa verde

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This dish was impeccable!  I love the color and tartness that the pickled shallots added to the classic lamb and mint combination.  One of the favorites!

Creamy Polenta
cornmeal. sweet onions. potatoes.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I have a weakness for polenta and anything creamy.  You don’t even have to ask how much I loved this.  🙂

Chicken Liver Crostino
chives. marjoram. aged balsamic. sea salt.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

My parents love their chicken livers.  I’ve never been completely sold, but this is the closest dish that has come to converting me.  The liver lovers were fans!

Grilled Beef Meatballs
braised beet greens. soffritto. tomatoes.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

You might not notice on first glance at this dish, but the braised beet greens were an unusual and tasty addition to the tomato sauce.  Easily, another dish to be ordered over and over again!

Salsiccia Pizze
housemade lamb sausage. san marzano tomatoes. ricotta. arugula. fermented chilies.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Lamb sausage is yet another weakness of mine, so I was already sold before even laying eyes on the pizza.  So when I saw it, and I got even more excited.  Then I tasted it… and I was in heaven.

Margherita
san marzano tomatoes. mozzarella. basil. olive oil. sea salt.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

There are a few reasons we always order Margherita pizzas when we eat out.

  1. My dad loves them
  2. Even the vegetarians can indulge
  3. I can compare each restaurant’s take on a classic dish
  4. Um, it’s a Margherita pizza.  Yum!

Agnolotti alla Vaccinara
cacao pasta parcel. braised oxtail. burro fuso. grana padano. pine nuts. currants.

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Just read the ingredients: cacao, oxtail, butter, cheese, pine nuts, and currants.  All these ingredients are amazing, but I feel like this would be a basket of ingredients from Chopped, right?  Somehow, they come together in this wonderful dish, which I highly recommend!

Pici
house leavened semolina. lamb ragu. saffron. capra sarda. breadcrumbs. parsley.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

My mouth is watering just looking at the picture.  The hearty lamb argue is perfectly paired with the chewy pici, or a fat, hand-rolled spaghetti.  Simply amazing and one of my favorites of the night!

Quadretti Alla Carota
mushroom ragu. fava beans. carrot purée. grana padano. carrot tops.

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A lovely garden pasta for all my vegetarian friends!  This was just as delicious as it was colorful and beautiful.

Strozzapreti Nero di Seppia
squid ink. mussels. clams. romanesco broccoli. chilies. lemon zest

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

As always, I gravitate towards squid ink pastas!  This was dressed up with beautiful seafood, spiced with chilies, and had a slight tang from the beautiful lemon zest.  Of course, this was one of my favorites!

Valrhona Fair Trade Bittersweet Chocolate Budino Tart
salted caramel. cacao crust. olive oil. sea salt.

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Almost to beautiful to eat.  Almost.  We pretty much decimated this in about 2 minutes.

Pistachio Gelato
with pistachio wafer cookie

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Embarassingly, I thought pistachio ice cream was the weirdest thing as a child.  Thank goodness taste evolves, because I adore it now!

Plum Crostata
frangipane. crème fraîche crust. buttermilk ice cream. 

Bestia (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

The crostatas at Bestia use the best in season fruit, and since it’s summertime… it’s all about the stone fruit!  Good thing too, because I love a sweet and sour plum!

Before seeing the food, you might have been wondering how I possibly ate dinner after such a food-filled weekend.  Now, you know the answer!  My family has learned that my eyes are never bigger than my stomach, and now you do too!  🙂

Still, next time I’m coming back with an empty stomach so I can eat just a bit more of my new favorite dishes!

How do you celebrate a great foodie weekend?  With a big dinner like me?  🙂

Bestia
2121 East 7th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90021
www.bestiala.com
(213) 514-5724


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