Restaurant: Angelini Ristorante & Bar
Location: 1038 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. (424) 238-5870
Date: March 31 & May 4, 2022
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: Great for the Palisades
Angelini Palisades is finally a second decent restaurant to join Rick Caruso’s Palisades village. The other one, Blue Ribbon Sushi, while not super exiting, is also “solid” (if pricey).
Angelini is a “branch” of the Hollywood Osteria Angelini which has been one of LA’s best Italians for years.
The new Palisades version has a nice “Caruso-style” build out.
With a semi-outside bar and patio.
And a swank interior.
Menus on two different days. Minor differences only. The menu is a bit small.
Bread.
Insalta Angelini. Cannellini beans, avocado, cucumber, toasted pistachios, parmigiano.
Insalata Tricolore. Endive, radicchio, arugula, shaved parmigiano.
Insalata di Aragosta. Fresh Maine lobster, golden apple, mixed greens, pomegranate seeds.
Burrata and Prosciutto. San Daniele 24 month aged prosciutto, Italian Burrata cheese, arugula.
Gluten free alla Nerrano. Zucchini, basil, parmigiano.
Spaghetti alla Nerano. Zucchini, basil, parmigiano.
Linguini Ricci di Mare. Sea urchin, shallot, chives. This is an Angelini classic.
Risotto Frutti di Mare. Riso Acquerello, cuttlefish, lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams.
Lasagna Verde “Nonn Elvira”. Homemade spinach pasta, beef & pork ragu, béchamel, parmigiano.
Branzino al sale. Whole Mediterranean branzino, roasted in sea salt, aromatic herbs, served with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes.
Sogliola Romagnola. Except this sole was prepped with the branzino prep: aromatic herbs, served with sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes.
Torta Caprese. Soft chocolate cake, almond flour (GF).
Bread Pudding. Brioche, butterscotch sauce, vanilla gelato.
Tiramisu. Mascarpone cheese cream, layered lady fingers, soaked in espresso. Pretty good Tiramisu. No Zabaione, but otherwise “correct.”
Vanilla, Chocolate and Pistachio Gelato, made at Hollywood branch. Gelato was good. Very classic, not as intense as mine, and boring flavors, but proper gelato.
Angelini might not be cheap (it certainly isn’t) but it is now hands down the best Italian in the Palisades. This is a pretty low bar as Palisades Italians have always been either extremely dated or terrible, but Angelini is quite good. The location and setting is very nice too. The only problem is really the limited menu and the fact that it’s not particularly innovative, still, I’ll take it (2 min from home).