1.

This is just digusting. That pap should have gotten off the property after being asked 100 times to remove himself. I realize that David lightly pushed him first, but there's no excuse for that sort of reaction. I'm in the entertainment business but we certainly are not in the sector that believes that anything goes in order to get a shot of a celeb. Paps disgust me.

2.

It's disgusting to see someone of his responsibility yelling obscenities in front of customers and paprazzi. He's yelling "Get off the F-ing property" in front of a bunch of customers and people with video cameras. He's obviously grandstanding. Sure he got knocked down, but he didn't need to physically push the guy out of a PUBLIC alley. When was the last time you heard the manager of a high end restaurant say "Gotta protect the house"? At least he admitted he was stupid, but this is the kind of thing that will ruin Mozza's reputation.

3.

"Gotta protect the house?" Seriously? I mean after watching the video, I was pretty sure this Rosoff guy was a huge tool, that quote only confirms it. It's pretty clear from his blustering that he loved every minute he was on camera. If Mozza wants to be considered a high end establishment and attract celebrity patronage, they need management more capable of dealing with these situations.

4.

"Gotta protect the house"? Since when is a public alley far away from the front entrance, protecting the house? Maybe Rosoff should spend more time figuring out why the inside of Mozza is run worse than an Arby's in Waco, Texas (yep, I've been there. Got food poisoning), instead of sucking up to celebrities.

The video clearly shows that the photographer was not on Mozza's property. He was far away from Scarlett Johansson's car, AND there were like three valets and two other guys clearly handling the situation. The only part Rosoff got right is the "stupid" part.

No wonder Los Angeles isn't known as a restaurant town. You would never see this kind of behavior from a manager of a top flight restaurant in New York or San Francisco. Send this guy back to the Macaroni Grill

5.

What shocks me here is the comments protecting the paparazzi - someone (and it could be one of these restaurant patrons making these comments above) is going to be seriously hurt or killed because of their actions - either because of something they do directly, or by some celebrity forced to evade them. Where is the DA and the police or city council in this town - i shouldn't have to worry about one of these guys causing me injury when i leave a restaurant - its out of control. This is a public safety issue - if someone was doing this outside your house, or around your loved ones, you would have a different view. If these guys weren't outside, the GM would be inside doing what he should be.

6.

David Rossoff is awesome. Mozza is awesome. Anyone who has a problem with either is probably just pissed because they couldn't get a reservation!

7.

I agree the paps are out of control but that manager is really rude, I actually saw him getting into a customer's face when he complained about how long it qwas taking to get his car. I've eaten there plenty, as have most of my co workers, and I have to say the manager wa the worst part of my experience there.

8.

Mozza is not that awesome. Judging from these comments "David Rossoff" is not that "awesome" either. That restaurant has a really bad reputation.

9.

Seriously "I have to protect the house"???? ahahahhahahhahahah. loser.

10.

I had dinner there two weeks ago - what a lame crowd. jewish mother in laws and those fat chino'ed creeps. I doubt with all this hubub, there will be very few "stars" left to harrass. That restaurant is really yesterday's news.

11.

@ Jitterbug - I have eaten at Osteria twice and the Pizza once. The Pizza is awesome, but Osteria has a lot of problems and I actualy turned down my third invitation because i just didn't want to sit in there and listen to their crappy Wilco, Radiohead, Etc. while trying to talk to my mates. The food just isn't that great and the atmosphere is really, really LAME. I'm sorry, but Rosoff and this kind of bravado really epitomizes the kind of attitude that is felt incide the Osteria. And frankly, because the word is out, it's really not that hard to get a reservation. Most people would rather go back to the old standbys on the west side where they know how to treat their guests.

12.

Reading this from Tokyo, and fully acknowledging that LA is a poor food scene, it is startling that this sort of thing happens, and that the food has become an issue. Considering the piece is about the paparazzi and an incident at a restaurant, power to the snippet for bringing on a debate about food in LA. This is as miraculous as surviving an evening in LA without a sauce-on-the-side request.
In any event, LA lacks bona-fide visceral dining experiences that don`t try too hard. Mozza and Osteria deliver this. Both provide tasty, unpretentious food; a solid wine-list of regionally etched wines, and staff with-God forbid-brio and knowledge. The manager was no exception when I dined there three nights of four when last in town.

13.

Papparazzi are scum suckers. I mean, it's amazing that these bottom feeders can sleep at night. It's a very sleazy, low brow, parasitic way to make a living. Every time a Pap get's punched in the face or arrested, I cheer.

14.

@ Neal Goodwin - You are either a complete rube or employed by Mozza. Otherwise, who in their right mind would eat at any LA restaurant 3 out of 4 nights while in town. To describe the food at Osteria as "unpretentious" is akin to describing your Hummer as a great "commuter car". Next time you come to LA, try opening your mind and your mouth to some of the deserving tastes of the town.

15.

TMZ is the epitome of what's wrong with our society -- and this city for that matter -- and that papparazzo was totally out of line.

I am confused about those who laugh at the comment the manager made about "protecting the house." That's what managers do. What do you people have against that guy anyway? Just bitter that you can't get into the restaurant?

16.

Ron,
I have eaten at most restaurants in your town. Unfortunately, for the most part, I find them unappealing. I am not into Mexican fare which is renowned in LA, if that`s what you mean by "deserving." Otherwise more deserving in my book is a rental car and the 101 to San Francisco.
A visceral kick of bold wine, good cheese, well rendered vegetables and some antipasti and pizza at Mozza suits me fine if in your neck of the woods. Sorry if this doesn`t meet your parochial standards.

17.

Nope, Mozza doesn't meet standards. It's not anything special.

Just read the Latest post on this blog: Not only did All' Angelo make Esquire's 2007 Best New Restaurants in America list, but it's the only one representin' LA.

To think that there is only Mozza and Mexican in this town just reiterates your ignorance. Im sorry you are missing out on many other fine Italian restaurants.

I don't suppose you have eaten at All' Angelo (http://www.allangelo.com/) yet have you? Didn't think so.

18.

well, i've been to the restaurant twice. the only reason why i'm bitter is i spent that much money on mediocre food and crappy service. and it's not hard to get a reservation. you pick up that thing on your desk called a phone and dial the number. the first time i made reservations, i had to wait a month. the second time (i always try to be fair, before writing a place off), it was less than three weeks.

i think word is already spreading. it won't be long before it'll be serving walk in customers. of course, los angeles is filled with hollywood tools, as well as the random rube tourists who would go to the same restaurant three times in four days - seriously, what kind parochial fool thinks los angeles only has mexican food to offer, would do that?

angelini osteria, la terza, madeo's, valentino - while these restaurants pale in comparison to my favorite new york italian restaurants, they are far better than mozza. plus, you will receive excellent service from each of them. memo to ned, this isn't las vegas. you don't go to a restaurant because of the name of the chef, you go for the good food.

"well rendered vegetables" seriously. what a fucktard.

19.

Ha ha. Hi Ned, or should I say David Rosoff. A "viseral kick of bold wine". Isn't that how sommeliers at Mozza sell shitty wine to unsuspecting and/or ignorant out of towners?

When did the comment section at la.eater.com get so fun?

20.

Oh Ned, quit being such a starfucker. Admit that you are only writing on these blogs because you are a business associate of David's and you need to blow some smoke. Your ignorance has spread from EaterLA.com all the way to TMZ.com.

We all know Aussie food sucks as much as Aussie wine. Your endorsement does more harm for Mozza than good.

Keep wasting your money eating there 3 out of 4 nights a week. HA HA HA.

21.

Joel, Matt, Ron and Old Timer,
I am neither a business associate of Rosoff`s nor do I work at Mozza. Nor did I state that LA has "...only Mexican food to offer." Can you read beyond your aggression and myopia?
I simply have an opinion and I have articulated it.
Apologies, but wasn`t aware that my opinion would prove so incendiary in your small town.
Recourse to name-calling is generally the resort of those with a large chip on their shoulders.
Looking forward to my next meal at Mozza and Osteria!

22.

I believe myopic would be more accurately describe someone who sees Mozza as the only place to eat in LA. Why don't you try something like La Boheme, Gonpachi, or Monsoon Cafe? Or those cesspools not worth your attention?