Orange you glad for Mozza?
(Credit: Amir Kenan)
The new Olive Garden just opened up and guess what? All-you-can-eat breadsticks and a bottomless salad!
That’s right. Bottomless!
Also opening today: some other Italian joint called Osteria Mozza.
I was early for my hard-fought dinner reservations at The OG (that’s what the hip kids are calling the Olive Garden these days), so I casually strolled by Mario Batali’s brand-spankin’ new Italian eatery, which opened promptly at 5:30 p.m. on Friday night for a select group of diners. The doors were shut and shades drawn for privacy (an elite L.A. eatery must), but I managed to catch a glimpse of the orange-coiffed Batali, who was dining with two of his toughest critics—his kids, Leo and Benno. They seemed to be enjoying the grub, but Batali did give them the Gift of Life, so they’re probably biased.
Just to the right of the entrance, and enshrined like fine art, is one of Batali’s flaming orange Crocs. This quirky little feature has been documented well enough by obsessives who have been watching Osteria’s every, um, step. But on opening night, lo, what did I find? The jaunty shoe had fallen off its perch and sat askew against the shadow-box glass. Whoa. Perhaps the pressure was too much. Or, a disgruntled foodie who couldn’t get past those hallowed doors took her frustration out on Mr. Batali’s signature piece.
I peered through the windows and saw a long, raised bar (could this be the mozzarella bar we’ve heard so much about?) and noticed that the napkin holders had the snazzy Osteria Mozza logo printed on them. I suddenly realized that I was marveling at napkin holders—and decided to call it a night.
I’m gonna go back and actually eat there Monday night. If you’re in the ‘hood around 7:00ish, come by and sneak a peak through the window (obviously, you won’t have ressies by then). I’ll be the guy demanding another basket of breadsticks.
Amir Kenan is contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
