Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
Photos: Tanzy's Rustic Italian Fare Is Served Under A Forest Of Twisted Vines
One thing you might not notice driving past the new iPic luxury movie theater in the heart of Westwood is that there's a hip Italian joint, Tanzy, nestled inside of it. And the menu at the restaurant just so happens to be helmed by a chef whose experience includes his work at French Laundry and Bouchon.
Tanzy, with dishes that lean towards the pricier side, comes by way of Florida and Arizona, and landed on bustling Wilshire Boulevard in May. What's most striking about the dimly-lit restaurant is the decor, which makes you feel like you're in a forest. Diners can sit in leather chairs in a section Tanzy dubs as the "Cocoon Lounge," where a web of twisted branches crawl up across the ceiling and cover it like vines.
We really thought we'd be listening to some elevator music at Tanzy, but clearly they're aiming for a younger crowd who might slip in after catching a movie at iPic. You might find yourself sipping on a glass of pinot noir from Napa Valley while listening to a mix of music like old school techno track "Sandstorm" to DJ Snake and Lil Jon's "Turn Down For What."
LAist visited Tanzy last week for a tasting of the rustic Italian dishes that executive chef Bryan Podgorski, who was the chef de cuisine at Bouchon in Las Vegas, whipped up. The fare had starters like a grilled Spanish octopus that was perfectly charred and that you could sop up with an accompanying bright green parsley emulsion. Tanzy's cheese and salumi plate boasted items like 24-month-aged prosciutto di parma and creamy burricotta; you could mix and match the plate with different items from the menu.
Support for LAist comes from
Everything had classic, Italian comfort food written all over it—simple, but made with seasonal, high quality ingredients. Their crispy pork belly (as part of the Pork Belly & Bloomsdale Spinach Salad) and succulent New York steak came from Snake River Farms out in Boise, Idaho. Podgorski married his meats with roasted potatoes, fresh sautéed broccolini and braised radishes. One of his seafood-concept dishes had a familiar take on the light and crispy, pan-seared Scottish salmon coupled with an assortment of shellfish in a tomato broth.
And as for dessert, we might suggest Tanzy's vanilla panna cotta, which comes out in a large bowl topped with a thin layer of pink gelatin, strawberries and an amaretti crumble.
But if you're looking for just some after-work libations, the drinks menus is directed by Chicago mixologist and sommelier Adam Seger. He brings out some fun items like sorbetti martinis. One we tried was the Under the Tuscan Sun, which had a carrot-and-saffron-infused vodka topped with a dollop of lemon sorbetto that made the drink creamy as it melted. And if you're into the whole pressed juice craze, you can order drinks with names like Kumquat Quench and Can't Beet This, and then add in ginger beer or Prosecco as a treat—because it's five o'clock somewhere.
Tanzy is located at 10840 Wilshire Blvd. in Westwood, (310) 307-7004. Salads and pastas range from $11 to $15, and entrees from $26 to $45.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist