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July 3, 2006
DINING AT BRIDGE RESTAURANT
Bridge restaurant opened this spring in the old Alto Palato (which had a dynamite chocolate gelato and a fabulous thin potato pizza among other delicious items that I remember fondly) space — and it’s definitely worth a visit if your budget allows.
The Koi Hospitality Group (owners of Koi, the popular sushi restaurant across the street) have given the restaurant a dashing new look and design — and the setting is beautiful for an Italian-Mediterranean inspired menu.
On a recent visit (it was packed during a weeknight), among the menu items I sampled and liked were a roasted bell pepper stuffed with burrata cheese and arugula pesto (fabulous; $15), asparagus ravioli with ricotta cheese in a sage butter sauce ($18) and thin margherita pizza ($12). But the piece de resistance was the entree — Kobe Style Beef Filet in Barolo wine with sauteed spinach and roasted potatoes ($48). It was so tender, it melted in your mouth. Granted it’s pricey, but it’s worth the splurge.
Other popular entrees include lamb chops grilled with baked fennel ($38), dover sole baked in lemon and caper sauce with rapini ($32) and a veal chop breaded with heirloom tomatoe salad ($38).
Desserts were small, a little contrived — and uninspired.
I’d like to return, sit outside or in the large bar area and give the informal lounge menu, which sounds terrific, a whirl. Among the selections available — buffalo mozzarella and basil ($12), panini on ciabatta bread such as smoked swordfish, tomato and grilled zucchini ($12) or prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella and tomato ($14), grilled jumbo shrimp with spicy red bell pepper sauce ($14), cold cut plate with marinated olives and focaccia bread ($14) and assorted pizzas ($8 to $12 each). Lots of specialty cocktails sound appealing, too (Peach Mojito, Espresso Martini, Passion Martini and more). The lounge seems like an appealing option when you just want to graze and don’t feel like having a big dinner.
Bridge is located at 755 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles (310) 659-3535; www.bridgela.com.
Posted by Natalie Haughton at July 3, 2006 3:06 PM