Very late to the Bestia party

Americas - USA West Los Angeles
1

Finally going this Saturday, having made the reservation two months ago. I’ve read the older posts and studied the online menu and now I’m looking for recommendations on what to order. There will only be two of us so I’m hoping to get a good selection of favorites / greatest hits but we probably won’t do one of the giant hunks of meat :meat_on_bone:. A couple other considerations - one of us (ok me) doesn’t eat fish or shellfish, has a limited tolerance for very rich / fatty foods, and is allergic to walnuts. The last is usually not a big deal but I noticed that two of the antipasti on the online menu that I otherwise would be interested in include walnuts or walnut oil.

Thinking a pizza (nduja or something else?), a pasta or two, maybe tartare, whatever sounds good in the vegetable or salad realm … and of course dessert. All thoughts welcome!

2

I went this weekend and would give the following reviews from the current menu:

Crab salad: 7/10. Light and nuanced.
Chicken gizzards: 8/10. Good flavor combination.
Gnocchi: 7/10. Soft, satisfying.
Branzino: 8/10. Cooked perfectly, and I liked the spinach stuffing.

3

The menu hasn’t changed all that much in the last few years, though the desserts seem to have the most turnover. You will get infinite variations on what to order, but at the moment I feel like:

little gem or tomato salad w/ whipped burrata - light and fresh way to start
cavatelli alla norcina - my favorite pasta
nduja pizza
crostata if you prefer fruit / chocolate budino if you prefer rich dessert

NOTE: If you are craving meat, I’d sub the pizza with the bone marrow w/ gnocci and add the lamb. I have omitted some things I like such as the mussels and clams or anything with seafood ingredients like squid ink per your requirements.

2 Likes
4

My favorite thing there is the spinach gnocchetti with roasted bone marrow. The salumi plate is also pretty fantastic.

1 Like
5

Hi Cookie!

It’s okay to be late to this party as the food is as strong as ever. We’ve had a couple of misses, but that’s a rarity.

The menu changes all the time, so some dishes can be hard to game.

For a first timer, maybe go with the greatest hits:

  • Smoked chicken liver pate
  • Genivieve’s Little Gem Salad, or
  • Pancetta & Black Mission Fig
  • Agnolotti
  • Cavatelli
  • Pick your entree
1 Like
6

Spinach Gnocchetti with Roasted Bone Marrow, Smoked Chicken Liver Pate, Genivieve’s Little Gem Salad… are my go-to’s.