It's finally here, the most anticipated restaurant opening for this year. Pistola, an Italian steakhouse by Vic Casanova (Gusto) and Seth Glassman (RivaBella, BOA), is finally ready to spread the curtains on Wednesday, September 24. Taking over the old AOC space, the high-ceiling room is perfect as a regal ode to a 1950's New York steakhouse, from a dry-aged tomahawk ribeye to a Fiorentina porterhouse that's probably best shared with a gaggle of friends.
Don't miss Casanova's excellent meatballs, served with Sunday gravy, or a bowl of bucatini all'amatriciana, which he virtually perfected at his first restaurant, Gusto. About 12 pasta total hit the menu, from baked ziti to potato gnocchi and squid ink agnolotti to whole wheat tonnarelli carbonara that might bust a gut. That's fine though, this is the kind of place that begs for a bottle of wine or a round of cocktails, a modern day Rat Pack hangout that doesn't have the stuffiness of an old school place.
Los Angeles doesn't actually have too much in the way of compelling non-chain steaks, save for places like CUT and Chi Spacca. But Pistola hits the fine line between ultra-modern and old school, with just the right blend of each.
Pistola
8022 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Open Monday to Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m.
Saturdays until midnight, Sundays until 10:30 p.m.
Bar service commences at 5 p.m., perfect for happy hour
· All Pistola Coverage [~ELA~]
Loading comments...