Indeed, it’s hard to get what you want when you’re picky unfortunately!
Both Mozzas have great food but I don’t enjoy them because the tables are too close to each other. Sitting at the bars can be a good experience though.
1 Like
I didn’t notice that the tables at the osteria were closer together than at most places. The music in the pizzeria is so loud it hardly matters.
The things that bother people lol. That’s how things are in Italy, France in popular places too. Many times shared tables. A Piedmontese such as yourself should reconsider caring
Looking at photos online, the tables at Osteria Mozza are actually farther apart than at most places.
The tables on the edge of the restaurant, two-seaters, are the problem.
1 Like
Shared tables at a restaurant where the main courses are $35-$40? That’s not my experience. Actually, it seems to be a uniquely LA thing. See and be seen at absolutely miserable restaurants like Republique; it has the feel of a nightclub. Maybe I’m an old soul, but I like places like Valentino or Vincenti. I like a quiet, relaxed dinner where I can have a private conversation with my dining partner.
It’s actually quite common in Manhattan and DC. As well as Minneapolis, where some of the best restaurants in the better-half of the Twin Cities offers communal seating.
Communal tables are all over, but very few restaurants don’t offer other options if you reserve ahead.
You’re entitled to your choices. I’m not going to eat with you though 
As long as we’re heading off-topic, I find it annoying when people ostensibly behave as though they don’t understand the concept of a shared table. I was at Destroyer a couple weeks ago and two annoying women had planted themselves in the center of a six-top, then got snooty when I smiled brightly and asked them to move their stuff over. Another time, same thing, but this time two women had a baby rolling around the table, as they smiled proudly and assumed everyone enjoyed a diapered creature on a dining table as much as they did.
Both of those anecdotes make my blood boil - just so fucking annoying.
3 Likes
Ha! That totally loled me.
Ended up celebrating our anniversary at Osteria Mozza.
Started off with burrata and peas. Wow just simply amazing. The spring onions really made the dish even more so than the peas. Great start to the meal.
Next up were two pastas. First the ricotta raviolo in brown butter. Good but not memorable. Pasta texture was good but all the flavors seemed very muted. Maybe it needed a pinch of salt.
Tagliatelle with oxtail ragu. This is half portion as the restaurants split the dish for us. Solid.
Fried whole branzino. Holy moly was this tasty. We pretty much destroyed every bit of this fish. Nice crunchy exterior and soft juicy flesh inside. Seasoned perfectly. A+ dish. Not sure what was in the garnish but it was so spicy we didn’t eat it.
Also had the torta de nonna for dessert. The only real miss of the night. Do not recommend.
Overall we both left very happy. Service was really good, friendly and available, with timely refilling of wine glasses. Really left me wondering why I didn’t visit sooner. Granted it was a Saturday night but the place was packed. Good to see that after all these years, they are still killing it. Would return.
10 Likes
Hit Osteria Mozza for the first time in years and am pleased to report the place exceeded expectations, particularly the service.
I had some really weird experiences with the service way back when they first opened. But everyone from the waitress who took our order to the busboy who checked what kind of pepper they use in the cacio e pepe was incredibly friendly and solicitous.
The food was also excellent:
Burrata with sungold tomatoes
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xC1Tpn7J74a3vGda6
Summer squash salad
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ymfp5bTKwCwEAa7R6
Cacio e pepe (with Pondicherry Pepper)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uQChuVgCbAVhJ75Q6
Egg raviolo
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jciuUF6Uud8Hp7sD7
Tagliatelle with oxtail ragut
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N6mU9jVBc6MiS6dM6
I forgot to get a pic of the bombolini with huckleberry compote and lemon mascarpone we had for dessert. So good!
8 Likes