I tend to go MIA for a while when there are many meals to be had (also, a girl needs time to recover from multiple food comas).  Case in point: January’s dineLA.  My poor kitchen has been neglected, and the only reason I went into my fridge was to open a container of leftovers, which were subsequently enjoyed on my couch in PJs, straight out of the box.  You know when you flip through photos after a week of R&R on some remote island?  That’s what eating good leftovers is like.  You get to relive the delightful experience in the comfort of your own home (and pajama pants).

Without further ado, the reasons why I’m still stuffed and broke.

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Mezze
www.mezzela.com
401 N La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 657-4103

THE LOW DOWN:
I ventured here with fellow foodie friend James at the start of dineLA.  A contemporary interpretation on traditional Mediterranean flavors, Mezze offers small-plate dining that encourages more variety in flavors and dishes and of course, sharing with your table-mates. (and if you know me at all, I looooove sharing food to get more variety on my plate).

THE HITS:
Everything from top to bottom.  The food, the service, the restaurant design (and even the bathrooms. gorgeous).

THE MISSES:
Maybe parking?  Restaurant-wise, nothing to complain about here.

THE EATS:

{egyptian rebel fries, heirloom beans, brisket, syrian cheese}

{shawarma, brisket, amba, house pickles}

{white trout, tomatillo, cauliflower, coriander}

{hanger steak, freekeh, dukkah spice}

{churros, cinnamon, baharat custard, chocolate pudding}

{chocolate mousse, cocoa nib, honey milk sorbet}

THE RATING:

Will be back.  A bit pricey outside dineLA if you want the full small-plates experience.

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Il Covo
www.ilcovo.com
8700 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 858-0020

THE LOW DOWN:
A gorgeous little Italian restaurant on the west side tucked away on 3rd street.  The interior looks a bit like an old castle meets Hogwarts.  Mid-week dinner clientele seems to be after-work meetings (lots of suits!), various birthday parties, and of course a catch-up dinner with girlfriends Bindi and Sheffia.

THE HITS:
Nutella crustata.  But that’s completely biased, given my obsession (understatement) with the chocolate hazelnut spread.

THE MISSES:
The Jidori chicken.  While thankfully not dry, there wasn’t any flavor to it.  It was just pure heat from whatever chili was on it.

THE EATS:

{baby raw artichokes, arugula, pecorino}

{mezzelune ravioli with black truffle cream and fresh shaved truffles}

{tagliatelle bolognese with braised beef and parmigiano}

{meyer lemon cannoli}

{nutella crustata with sea salt, pistachio cream, vanilla gelato}

THE RATING:

Solid meal, but not sure I’d return, especially when I have my 2 fave go-to Italian restaurants (I’m talking to you, Angelini and Little Dom’s!)