The Other Critics

Trattoria Neapolis Sends Mixed Signals to Besha; Santa Monica loves City Tavern

Heifer of an oven
Heifer of an oven Photo: Trattoria Neapolis

After spectacular first impressions made by the room and the decor, Besha finds blandness and timidity at Trattoria Neapolis in Pasadena. Thankfully the cocktails by Vincenzo Marianelle (Copa d’ro, Providence) saved the date night. The restaurateur should feel relieved about the huge pile of cement and bricks imported from Naples for the wood-burning oven; the critic declares the pizza a success. [LAW]

City Tavern gets a rave write-up for the beer list, the tap gizmos, the fried grits, the beer, the beer, the beer. The reviewer may have orgasmed while impersonating Homer Simpson. [Santa Monica Patch]

There were lots of photos taken at Fat Cow, but there’s no verdict on the food. Time Out LA needs a dose of Heather Shouse, stat! [Time Out LA]

Shindler treks to Whittier and finds “a bit of Catalonian molecular cooking” at Phlight [SGVT]

A Patcher has her void filled by dozens of Mexican sauces. [Patch]

Trattoria Neapolis Sends Mixed Signals to Besha; Santa Monica loves City Tavern