Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Former Top Chef-testant's New NoHo Resto Not Even Officially Open Yet, But Has a 5-Star Review on Yelp

fabio.jpg
Fabio Viviani (Photo via Bravo TV)

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Former Top Chef contender Fabio Viviani has left his Moorpark restaurant and moved quickly into a new spot, Firenze Osteria. The eatery has taken over the North Hollywood space formerly occupied by Barsac Brasserie, and underwent a quick turnaround to transform the restaurant. Now in a "soft-open" phase, Firenze Osteria is set to officially open this Saturday, with a public (with RSVP) cocktail reception, and the phone line is up and accepting reservations starting at 7:45 p.m.Okay, so yadda yadda yadda, new place to eat, so what? All of this is par for the course with the launch of a new restaurant, but what's a bit out of place is that Firenze Osteria has already garnered a perfect 5-star review on Yelp. Even more questionable: The reviewer has actually never been there. So how does "Bryan W." know Viviani's new joint is the shiz? To quote:

this rating is totally based off the fact that I loved watching Chef Fabio Viviani on Top Chef. I'm considering going there opening night and was surprised I got to be the first one to yelp about the place

Surprised? In the same way one might be surprised to be the first person to remark how wonderful the year 2017 has been so far, or how fun it is to be one of the first people to ride on the new Downtown LA streetcar route? And let me take this opportunity to give props to George Clooney for being such a rock star in the sack. After all, I love to watch him on the big screen...

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right