Angelini Osteria is a long-time and highly-rated neighborhood favorite where Chef Gino Angelini serves up old-school, casual Italian dishes. Back in 2008, Los Angeles food critic Jonathan Gold chose the restaurant as one of his essential 99 for LA Weekly. He wrote, "Angelini Osteria may not be a serious restaurant, but sometimes you are in the mood for artistry, and sometimes you just want to have supper."
In that case, Angelini Alimentari, the new kid sibling next door, is for people who just want to have breakfast and lunch. It comes by way of Angelini, his wife Elizabeth Angelini, and business partner Gino Rindone, and officially opened for business just before Halloween. The interior is a casual space with a long lunch counter, a display case full of pastries and house-made gelatos, and a small marketplace where one can pick up sundries for their own pantries. There's also a lovely and secluded patio tucked off Beverly Boulevard that's ideal for doing a bit of work with a frappé.
Stop by in the morning for a coffee or espresso and one of their egg dishes. The signature breakfast item is the Uova in Purgatoria Con 'Nduja, or Eggs in Purgatory—an Italian dish that means eggs in tomato sauce. Alimentari's adds onions and spicy sausage.
For lunch, they've got about a dozens sandwiches, which can be made into salads upon request. Some are open-faced while others are melty paninos. Vegans might like the Vegano, which comes with grilled zucchini and eggplant and a house-made vegan mayo made from carrots. Carnivores might prefer their prosciutto, the meatballs, or the white fish milanese. For something a little different, there's the Vitello Tonnato, which is simply veal with tuna sauce. The veal is thinly sliced, then paired with a house-made mayonnaise that has a hint of tuna and capers. It might sound like an odd combination, but there's a reason this dish is a classic in northern Italy. Alimentari turns it into a sandwich, suitable for eating at the counter or taking back to the office. You can also add on sides like soup (which is always made vegan), arancini, fries or a salad. Breakfast dishes range between $7 to $9.50, while sandwiches range between $8 and $14.
For dessert, the gelato really shines here. It's hand-made with a Cattabriga machine, resulting in a rich, smooth texture. They have a dozen flavors, any of which can be turned into an affogato or a sandwich on warm brioche.
Plans to stay open for dinner are in the works, but for now, you can swing by Alimentari daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Angelini Alimentari is located at 7317 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles, 323-297-0070.
