Orsolya D.
Yelp
Super-traditional Italian food is difficult to come by in the City of Angels. Most Italian eateries are either fusion or are effectively compelled to glam up their menu to fit into the glitz and glamour of the city. But you know what is stereotypically Italian? Crime: the Mob, territorial disputes, drunken debacles and of course, "Rome and Juliet". THAT is something you will find at Vitellelo's, an Italian restaurant in Studio City. Actor Robert Blake ("Baretta") was dining at Vitello's (one of his favorites) and proceeded to walk to his parked car with wife Bonnie Bakley after their meal. Blake stepped back into Vitello's as his handgun he carried seemingly slipped out during dinner; leaving his wife at the car. When Blake returned to the car; he found his wife dead from a single gunshot (he was not a suspect). The suspense! The drama! Whodunnit?! As tragic as this event is; it makes Vitello's truly Italian.
Vitello's is a Studio City staple in 'Tujunga Village' on Tujunga adjacent to the Moorpark intersection. Everyone knows this area (home to the famous Aroma Café); and if you don't then you live under a glacier-sized rock. Vitello's has undergone a transformation maturing from a neighborhood Italian restaurant in esthetics to a gorgeous space complete with exposed beams, bricks and dark matte colors. High ceilings round out the eye-popping design plus there is outdoor seating available. Long story short: Vitello's is gorgeous and most certainly Hollywood trendy but in a cozy, charming neighborhood.
My dining partner and I patron the Tujunga Holiday Street Fair every December and decided to grab dinner in the middle of the hub-bub. Vitello's was booked with reservations indoors until 9pm (we arrived shortly after 5pm) but we were lucky to score an outdoor table that was free until its 6:45 reservation (heating lamps are available). Even with the craziness of the hopping interior and the Holiday Fair mere steps away; Vitello's managed to have a romantic and intimate energy.
Vitello's menu boasts antipasto offerings, plant-based plates, pizzas and entrees; plus rotating seasonal choices. The menu isn't super extensive and even more disappointing is that Vitello's is NOT gluten-free friendly. I'm Celiac (not just gluten intolerant but legit Celiac) and my only options were a few pizzas which $6/extra for GF crust (are you INSANE?!), a couple seafood entrées or steak and some antipasto salads. First of all, $6 is ludicrous... other restaurants don't charge that much and we shouldn't be punished for having an autoimmune disorder, anyway! Second, I'd like some more choices than this! I didn't want pizza so I was stuck with salads, seafood or steak but those dishes were too expensive.
My sadness aside, I ended up going with the Insalada di Mateo (butter and romaine lettuces, red onion, gorgonzola, prosciutto, Italian dressing - $16) while my dining partner decided on the Lamb Ragu Gnocchi (lamb ragu, mint-balsamic glaze, potato gnocchi - $29) while he also ordered the Crispy Artisan Bread (served with truffle herb ricotta w/ hot honey - $8).
Our food arrived rather quickly and was plated gorgeously. Although I couldn't consume the rustic bread (you must slice it yourself); my dining partner said it was warm and soft internally with a crispy exterior. I did taste the ricotta spread and it was quite interesting reminiscent of ricotta filling from lasagna with a hint of sweetness via the honey. It is certainly a creative alternative to butter. He also devoured his Lamb Ragu Gnocchi. I can vouch for the ragu which I sampled: it was very bright and fresh with the right amount of lamb.
My Insalada di Mateo, however, was a complete dud. Although it was a large portion of lettuce; there wasn't enough gorgonzola, red onion or prosciutto which was simply one piece sliced into strips on top. It was also severely underdressed and thus super boring, bland and mostly lettuce. I can see this being a side salad to one of the entrees in order to bring a refresher to the taste buds but on its own; it is blah. And again, as a Celiac, I didn't have many options.
It must be noted that our waitress (curly red-haired female, forget her name) was absolutely great. Friendly, professional, efficient... all the adjectives of ideal wait staff.
Listen, Vitello's is not a 'bad' choice for Italian in the Valley. It scores with a beautiful restaurant on a charming street, wonderful staff and a murder story. However, it is a bit too overpriced for what it is and is not very welcoming for those with Celiac (I understand that Italian food isn't in general but other LA Italian eateries have more options and don't charge $6/extra for GF pizza crust). Vitello's is simply not mind-blowing or anything to go out of your way for; but perhaps a mediocre choice if in the East Valley and not Celiac!