Bestia

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Address:
2121 E. 7th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90021

Neighborhood:
Downtown

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Cuisine:
Italian

Price: $31 to $50

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Bestia Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://bestiala.com/
Phone: (213) 514-5724
Hours of Operation: Dinner

Tuesday - Sunday: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
OPEN MONDAYS STARTING 4/22/2013!!!
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Italian
Executive Chef: Ori Menashe
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wine

Getting there

Cross Street: Santa Fe Avenue
Parking: Valet

A word from Bestia

Ori and Genevieve's signature style shines on the Bestia menu with a plethora of seasonal dishes that have been sourced from local purveyors. The emphasis on nose to tail cooking can be found in dishes such as Coppa di Testa comprised of housemade headcheese and Cassoela Milanese with braised pork,… veal ribs and pork sausage. From housemade mustard for the charcuterie to skillfully crafted squid ink bottarga, the menu reflects the attention to detail that the duo pays to only seasonal ingredients. The emphasis on sustainable ingredients and products can be found not only on the menu, but in the design of the space as well. Working with designer Greg Bleier, Genevieve sourced the contemporary elements from local artisans, who rely on reclaimed materials to create the unique elements found within Bestia, from the light fixtures to the stools and tables.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service

Diner Reviews

"I find myself craving for Bestia even though I am not local to the area. I've been there twice already and the food, service, environment, and drinks were always solid! I look forward to my next visit because there are still many things on the menu that I would like to try, especially the Spaghetti Rustichella (squid ink & uni pasta). Everything that comes out of their kitchen is fresh and handmade, hands down one of my favorite spots in LA!"
Dined on 2/21/2014
"This has been my sixth time to Bestia and it remains a consistent favorite. The food was good as usual. My servers switched halfway through the meal and our second one was particularly friendly and helpful."
Dined on 3/3/2014
"We were a party of 4 and decided to order lots of antipasti and pastas and extremely pleased with all. Can't go wrong with any of the food. Desserts were equally impressive. It was very noisy and hard to hear each other as the evening rolled on. They seated us promptly and the valet was efficient. Definitely will go back."
Dined on 3/3/2014
"The difficulty is highlighting what stood out, because everything we had was so terrific. The Veal Tartare Crostino was how we started; bold, umami flavors balanced perfectly with toasted thick cut bread. The Cavatelli alla Norcina was so surprisingly good, we could not stop talking about it. The roasted Lamb Neck fell off the bone, and the meat was perfectly tender and flavorful. The service was on point, perfectly timed, knowledgable and directed us expertly to maximize our experience. The wine list is filled with unique selections that complement the food. I wish I could have tried every dish on the menu, and I can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 3/3/2014
"Waited a long time to get a reservation and now I know why! We ate a lot (shared a taste of this and a bite of that) and loved everything. The best pasta we had was the one with sea urchin and I had a fantastic cocktail that I think was called The Chef's Old Fashioned or something like that. So I would definitely make a reservation whenever you can get it, go downtown, and enjoy a really delicious dinner here!!!"
Dined on 3/1/2014
"I would return to Bestia in a heartbeat to try the other menu items we didn't have room to order. I'm still thinking about our fantastic wine, and the chocolate tart with olive oil and sea salt for dessert. Our waiter was energetic, welcoming, and funny. Truly, can't wait to go back."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"Best restaurant I've had the pleasure of dining at in all of Los Angeles. Make your reservations now. Don't think about it. Now."
Dined on 2/27/2014
"I wanted to come hear after doing some research on top restaurants in Los Angeles, and I am glad I did. The food was amazing. I got the first pasta dish on the menu- can't remember the name but it started with a c, SO GOOD. I already want to go back strictly for that pasta and the "coffee and donuts" desert. Difficult to get a reservation but it is worth the wait. One of the best Italian dinners I have had since I lived in Italy a few months ago. My only advice would be not to go eat here if you are in a party of 4 or more. It is a small restaurant, the ambiance is hipster vibes which I loved, but is not really the restaurant to go to if you have a large group of people."
Dined on 2/25/2014
"Food was great. Servers were helpful and very nice. We got our appetizers right away, but had to wait almost an hour before we received our entrees. Was kind of a bummer. Dessert also came quickly"
Dined on 2/20/2014
"Bestia is just amazing, so happy to finally have a great, innovative Italian restaurant in LA. The ambiance is noisy, but wonderful energetic, great vibe. The food is just so consistently amazing. The sea urchin pasta is incredible and the pizza is the best we have found in years - not salty, not greasy. The appetizers are all so creative and delicious and he Jerusalem artichoke soup is a must. It is impossible not to over eat! Great wine and cocktails too. I honestly don't mind needing to make a res way in advance because it is something to look forward to!"
Dined on 2/22/2014
"I had changed my original reservation so we could try the suckling pig dish (which I read was only served Fri-Sun). That ended up being a waste because the kitchen had run out of it by the time we were seated at 8:30 PM on Saturday. That was dissappointing, but we tried to make the best of it. We ordered three dishes to start and thought we could add on later if necessary. The waiter warned us that unless we order everything now, we would have to wait a very long time to get any addtl food. We felt rushed but decided to order the salumi plate-not the best choice. I was impressed by the cavatelli alla norcina & octopus carpaccio, such a pretty and unique presentation. Pizza & chocolate tart were good, but didn't really stand out."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"The food and service were fantastic. The bartender made excellent bespoke drinks. We could find no fault."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"Overall great dining experience. Our waitress was attentive, knowledgeable and warm. Food was DELICIOUS. I ordered the grilled octopus and calamari salad (my favorite), bone marrow (with spinach pasta - mmmmmnnn), and pork chop. I love that they taste their dishes before serving it to us to ensure that the taste is just what they intended. I can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 2/18/2014
"it was great overall, it has very good food, but too loud."
Dined on 2/16/2014
"Outstanding in every way! Veal Tartare, Mackerel Burrata Crostini, Pork Chop, Suckling Pig- huge standouts and all are perfectly executed! My favorite spot to dine in LA!"
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Was sooo blown away by this restuarant! 5 stars all the way -- from the fresh ingredients and the unique made-to-order dishes, to the delicious homemade drinks, to the excellent and knoweldeable service staff (my water glass was NEVER empty!) This place is DEFINITELY AMAZING!!!! On the pricier side, but you get what you pay for, so no complaints here. I have never had better tasting food in my life! It was like everything melted in my mouth!"
Dined on 2/12/2014
"Didn't know what to expect when I was going here. Menu is not your casual easy to understand Italian menu but it makes for interesting suggestions if you are a food enthusiast. Service was amazing and they were always asking you if you need anything or they made sure my glass was never empty."
Dined on 2/12/2014
"This was my second time at Bestia with my mom. Everything was beyond delicious and our waitress (who was new) was lovely. It's very noisy and my mom is hard of hearing, but we were outside in the front and it was like a library compared to the very loud main room. Anyway, we had grilled market vegetables (fresh), grilled octopus (divine), lamb neck (very fatty huge portion) and then our favorites... the orata my mom devoured and my saffron tagliatelle, which I was happy to have leftovers of. Missed the squid ink risotto from the time before, all time favorite, but all in all a delicious meal... watch out for those allergic to dairy as there's no substitutions and selections are limited. Come hungry. I can't wait to go back, a.s.a.p!"
Dined on 2/10/2014
"Been here twice and it fired on all cylinders both times! Food and service were excellent both times and they have a very good bar program. I would definitely recommend Bestia to all my friends and I would love to eat there more often if it were easier to get a reservation."
Dined on 2/7/2014
"Made reservations 2 months in advance to get an 8:30 Saturday seating.With all the love in the press about Bestia, we were a bit concerned that it wouldn't live up to our expectations, but it did and then some. Cocktails were stellar, the White Negroni was my fave. Started with Veal Tartare on toast is a must have, as is the Octopus Carpaccio, homemade Saffron pasta with lamb sausage was another winner, and the Kurobota pork chop was big enough for 3 to share. We also ordered a pizza, but next time we dine here (and there will definitely be a next time) I'll skip the pizza course, it was good but not as good as the other courses, and very filling. Sommellier made the night with a gem from the cellar and even brought us a couple surprises."
Dined on 2/1/2014
"The restaurant was very crowded and we did have to wait for a bit even though we had a reservation. When we got our table we had to squeeze into a small table since I think our original table was still occupied. The drinks were great. I had a white negroni they had on tap and a well made sazerac. We started w Mussels and Clams w spicy housemade ‘nduja, Heirloom Tomato Salad w burrata, and Smoked Mackerel Crostino. All great although maybe too much mackeral on the crostino? Tomato jam was great w smokey fish! For dinner we had Cavatelli alla Norcina, Tagliatelle alla Zafferano, a special of the day Quail Dish, and Potato Pizze. We thought the cavatelli and the quail were the hands dwn best. Pizze was least fav & tagliatelle was good."
Dined on 9/21/2013
"Nice wines, trendy, tons of staff running around. We sat at the bar and watched the salad prep work."
Dined on 1/5/2014
"It was a different vibe with a beautiful staff. Much life and excitement, especially for a Sunday night after the Super Bowl. Very pricey but different enough that the meal stood out as worth it."
Dined on 2/2/2014
"... ABOUT BESTIA 1. God created bone to be a sturdy container for delicious marrow. Right now, Bestia's marrow dish is my favorite in LA. 2. The Cavatelli alla Norcina is their signature pasta dish. But I found it to be a tad salty. 3. Definitely better to eat here as a group than as a couple. The tables for two make you feel like they just stuck 'em wherever they could fit 'em. It's a like a theme restaurant for a dystopian future where love is a crime."
Dined on 2/2/2014
"Bestia is one of the best restaurants in LA. Trust me I've been to Jean George's restaurant in New York which received three michelin stars so I know my food. Make reservations or you will most likely be seated only at the bar with long wait. I made my reservation for a month in advance on Saturday night. It was worth it!!! Just made another reservation to go back in a month."
Dined on 2/1/2014
"You go to Bestia for the food; you don't go for the ambiance or the service. Located in the middle of nowhere (arts district), Bestia is a loud and drafty converted warehouse with amazing food. I had to get a reservation 6 weeks in advance . Initially seated on an outside balcony surrounding the main restaurant which had plastic for weather control only on the top 50% and open on the bottom 50%. We told our hostess that the table was not suitable as it was freezing outside. We were then ushered back into the main restaurant and seated at a low bar table area that overlooked several third tier chefs preparing salads and various cold dishes. That being said the food was pretty amazing and I thoroughly recommend the Lamb Neck."
Dined on 1/31/2014
"My wife and I saw a review of Bestia on one of the food network channels and thought it would be a great spot to check out. When we arrived the acne was vibrant full of that Vanderhouse Rules, Kardashian and Housewives of Beverley Hills type crowd. It's part that then that is quickly forgotten as you find all types there. When we saw Bestia on that episode the restaurant was empty with just the host. This night however it was packed. I'm told it's always this way and I can see why. The food is amazing. Unbelievable. The staff is attentive and on point. Best dish? Hard to say. Really I can't pick out anything I wouldn't eat or try. Really great spot will defiantly return. Hopefully I will see you there!"
Dined on 1/31/2014
"Once I was seated and gave my order to the waiter, I wore ear plugs and survived. Music is very loud which generates waiters who have to raise their voices to talk to you. Food is inventive and very tasty. A great place to go if you like to shout or don't like to converse over dinner. I went alone because I heard about the noise. When I came in the kitchen cooking staff (at least 15 people or more) were in a huddle, with every ones arms interlocked, this went on for a least a minute if not more and when they broke they let out a cheer, I felt I was at a football game. The noise did not abate for the rest of the meal. If you are young and like pseudo energy this is your place. This was an intentional noisy restaurant"
Dined on 1/29/2014
"Many interesting dishes. The lamb neck appetizer was unusual and outstanding. The pasta and pizzas were also delicious. We had the gorgonzola kale pizza and the tagliatelle-both delicious. There were a lot of servers but the service did not ever feel personal. There was not a lot of enthusiasm about the menu or the wine. Curious because there are so many interesting things on the menu. We were also brought 4 different amari because the waiter knew very little about digestivi & kept bringing the wrong thing. Not the end of the world but it's nice when the waitstaff is knowledgeable. Cool space-think Williamsburg warehouse- but so loud. I know I sound like my grandmother, but a few sound buffering squares on the ceiling would go a long way."
Dined on 1/29/2014
"Went with a group of 8 but would also reccomend going with smaller groups. The space is high energy with a great music program so be prepared for a scene which isnt a problem if you are looking to have some fun. Portions were nice on the pasta's and entree's which could be shared and the pork chops cavetelli and Steak were the best of what we tried with the pizza in need od a little more flavor. over all a great time and melaine the server made sure the flow was perfect and her reccomendations were spot on"
Dined on 1/28/2014
"Absolutely one of my favorite places in LA to go. Great service, amazing food, and a lively atmosphere. It is LA dining at it's finest."
Dined on 1/27/2014
"No matter how many times I go, it's always consistently awesome. I have no complaints and had no complaints from friends I introduced this restaurant to. I'm already looking for an excuse to eat there again."
Dined on 1/24/2014
"Booked Bestia to impress an out of town "foodie" guest and succeeded! The place was busy and loud and fun! We arrived early and enjoyed drinks at the bar. Tip: if you plan to order the suckling pig you'll need to dine early, it seems they have a limited number and had run out by 9pm, the time of our res. We loved the bone marrow appetizer (perfection!), steak and the squid ink risotto. I felt like everything was just a bit over-salted for my taste, but still very flavorful and good, and honestly for a special night out it was perfect and indulgent. We had a great time and left very full and happy!"
Dined on 12/21/2013
"My friends and I love this place a lot! Good food, good wine! The only downside is very hard to make a reservation. If you don't plan ahead(I mean min 2-3 wk) you won't be able to find a table."
Dined on 12/31/2013
"All I can say is that the hype about this place is absolutely true... from start to finish, the meal was to die for - we can't wait to eat there again, because we didn't get to try 1/2 the menu... Our faves: Meatballs - insane, probably the best we've ever had - literally! Also, the Celery Root ragu pasta... best pasta on the menu... octopus carpaccio - refreshing, amazing... seriously, just go!"
Dined on 1/25/2014
"While the food and service was excellent, we would not go again to Bestia. The problem is that you have to almost shout across the table to be heard. The loud music forces everyone to speak loudly and the acoustics are poor. If you like loud bars, this is a place for you. If you enjoy a calm and refined evening, go to the Water Grill."
Dined on 1/26/2014
"Really cool setting, amazing food (my pasta dish tasted as good as what I had in Italy), attentive pleasant staff, and delicious cocktails. The restaurant was packed and quite loud. It was challenging to hold a conversation, so if you're looking to have a relaxed dinner, you should try for the outside seating. Otherwise, it may not be what you're looking for."
Dined on 1/24/2014
"You want food that's guaranteed to be absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious? But you don't want a stuffy old steak house or traditional Italian? Enter this converted industrial LA warehouse to pizza tossing, drink shaking, server scurrying noise light and textured space. With a some raised patio dining outside huge industrial glass doors and a united open floor plan you can see that food go by. It's loud, it's expensive, it's worth it."
Dined on 1/22/2014
"Bestia was excellent! Highly recommend the lamb neck and squid ink rissoto! It's a little loud and hard to have a conversation, but the service is excellent!"
Dined on 1/22/2014
"I'm a foodie and I have to say, this place is outstanding. The bone marrow dish was one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life."
Dined on 1/21/2014

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