Restaurant: Osteria Latini [1, 2, 3]
Location: 11712 San Vicente Blvd.Brentwood, CA 90049 310.826.9222
Date: August 20, 2010
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: Excellent neighborhood Italian
We have a regular rotation of neighborhood Italians. There are so many of them, but only a few make the cut as genuinely good. Osteria Latini is one of them. You can see my previous reviews here and here.
Olive and chickpea/squash/bean pastes.
The 1997 Biondi-Santi Brunello. This is a solid Brunello I had bought years ago in Italy (probably in 2000). It probably scores somewhere in the low 90s, maybe 91 or 92 points.
A special, lobster bisque.
“BELLA SALAD. Arrugola, pears, dry cherries, goat cheese, shaved parmesan.”
A special, calimari steak stuffed with lump crabmeat and drizzled in ponzu sauce. This is unusual, and certainly has a bit of fusion about it — but it’s good.
Gnocchi genovese (in classic basil pesto).
“ACQUERELLO RISOTTO. Organic carnaroli, sea urchin, truffle scent, lemon zest (Please allow 20 Minutes).” A very nice subtle sea urchin risotto. This special hand shaved rice takes 20-30 minutes to cook.
“OSSOBUCO ALLA MILANESE. With saffron risotto.” Latini’s version of the classic dish. Certainly good with a very nice meaty bone. The risotto could have been perhaps a tad creamier.
Two “rounds” of freebee desserts. This mixture of prosecco, lemon sorbetto, and meringue is very refreshing.
Chocolate chip cookies and biscotti.
Osteria Latini is always reliable. They have a big menu of modern Italian favorites and pretty much everything is very good.
All Things Andy Gavin 
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I am italian, I live in Italy, and I love food. Forgive me to say this: the food in those photos do not even remotely inspires me as italian. I am not saying they are not good, though. Just, they do not look or feel as italian to me.
I hope you will visit Italy soon, and maybe see if I am right!
I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy (perhaps 4 cumulative months) 🙂 Last June a was there the whole month and documented every meal here. That was a LOT of good meals!
Italian American food is rarely/never as regionally specific as it is in Italy, and the ingredients are not as perfect, although perhaps more varied. The end result is often very good nonetheless (although not on average as good as Italy).