Bestia
Italian restaurant · Downtown Los Angeles ·
Creative seasonal Italian fare from acclaimed chefs; pastas, pizzas, desserts
Creative seasonal Italian fare from acclaimed chefs; pastas, pizzas, desserts
"Even on a Monday night, this Arts District restaurant remains a beacon of bustle, and the signature cavatelli alla norcina — even in the middle of summer — is a world-class pasta. Hand-rolled ricotta dumplings are laced with pork fat and cheese, tossed so well that the sauce appears as a glaze on the pasta. Usually, black truffle kind of gets lost, but here the earthy, heady flavors play well with the amalgam of meat and carb. A whisp of thyme gives the whole dish a bit of levity, and the modest portion is big enough to share with two people without overburdening the appetite." - Eater Staff
"Bestia almost single-handedly turned the Arts District into a dining destination, and after a decade of business, it’s not slowing down anytime soon. The industrial dining room is buzzy and fun, the cocktails and wine list are stellar, and the food is gleefully rich, whether you go for the mussels with spicy ‘nduja, roasted lamb neck and anchovies, or a simple plate of pasta or pizza." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore
"This Arts District pioneer opened in 2012 (practically a lifetime ago in this part of town) and it still gets just as busy as it did on day one. For the most part, things at Bestia haven't changed much, with crowd favorites like the spicy lamb sausage pizza and cavatelli still on the menu. Does Bestia have steeper competition today for great Italian than a decade ago? Absolutely. But odds are you'll still be at your table for a couple of fun hours, eating delicious Italian food and taking in one of the busiest dining rooms in the city." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"As cool and convivial as ever, this is the kind of place where both diners and staff seem perpetually at bliss. Inside, it all feels like a labor of love, thanks to the husband-and-wife team who make it their mission to bring fresh, rib-sticking food to this neighborhood. The space itself is warehouse-sized and rustic, with a copper bar, tulip-shaped pendant lights, booths that appear virtually suspended, and a flaming red-domed oven.However, it is the cooking that lures these crowds. To wit: a justifiably popular deboned and properly grilled whole fish stuffed with pea tendrils, fried herbs, and charred citrus. Desserts though are equally enticing, so save room for a rich and creamy chocolate budina tucked into a crisp tart with salted caramel." - Michelin Inspector
"Bestia is another spot where snagging a table requires a small prayer to the Reservation Gods, but this one doesn’t come with a mortgage payment-sized price tag attached. It’s a massive, fun Italian restaurant in the Arts District where meals are all-night affairs. You’ll spend two-and-a-half hours drinking wine and eating some of the best cured meats, pastas, and pizzas around. The menu is enormous, so if you’re here for your 40th birthday, or your 20th anniversary, tell your server that - they’ll make sure you order the right way." - brett keating
